YM778.TV Chapter 230: Opening the Box (1)
Chapter 230: Opening the Box (1)
Are all Sword Masters this intimidating...?
It feels even more intense than last time.
Standing there, with her arms crossed and a neutral expression, was none other than Miliana.
“Are you the warriors of the Tu Tribe of the Great Plains?”
“I’m Beikan of the Tu Tribe.”
“And I am Kinu Mukari.”
Both Beikan and Kinu nodded slightly as they introduced themselves.
“The daughter of the Spear Family is not here,” Miliana remarked.
“She has left to inspect the Abyssal Rock. She was also ordered to observe the war situation in the Three Kingdoms of Istria during her journey south,” Kinu Mukari explained.
“Okay, okay, that’s enough. You’re a bit too talkative, so please be more careful,” Dushala responded with a disapproving look.
“Everyone seems curious as to why the great Queen of Digon is here. Isn’t the south busy with the war?”
“We’re busy to death, but your king begged me to stay, saying he couldn’t live without me,” Miliana replied, lifting her chin slightly and crossing her arms, her toned abs flexing with every word.
“Are you done with introductions? Why is everyone so stiff, especially since we’ve met in the capital before?”
At that moment, the door to the office opened, and Karyl entered. Everyone except Miliana knelt at once.
“...!!”
All eyes turned to him. The astonishment they felt was incomparable to their reaction to Miliana.
I’ve heard from Mikhail, but...
Is this even possible? I can’t believe it, even seeing it with my own eyes... Is this what happens when a Sword Master reaches the 6th Class...?
We used to joke that he was a monster, but now he’s truly beyond measure...
Beikan, Kinu Mukari, and Suan Hazer gazed at Karyl in awe. While Miliana’s aura was sharp, Karyl’s presence was overwhelming, like a massive blade next to a needle.
“Welcome back.”
Dushala was the first to recover from the shock, bowing swiftly and greeting Karyl.
“Everything okay?”
The oppressive atmosphere seemed to lighten a bit. Karyl took his seat and looked at her.
“Yes. The Three Kingdoms of Istria are being handled as planned. Many nobles have already been swayed to our side, so the knowledge that the Free Army is supporting them is causing others to surrender quickly,” Dushala reported with a slight smile, barely visible through her black veil.
“...”
Miliana stood behind Karyl. She seemed displeased as she looked at Dushala, her eyebrows twitching slightly.
Without acknowledging her, Dushala continued, “Victory seems to be tilting towards Princess Viola. Kayla Spear will provide a detailed report.”
“Dushala, how long have I been away?”
“Sorry? Oh... It\'s been about three months.”
“Yes, three months. Originally, I planned to spend two months in Antihum, but circumstances led me to Azor, causing a delay.”
“But thanks to that, you’ve reached the 6th Class. Congratulations,” Dushala spoke as though she had been waiting to say that, but Karyl’s expression remained stern.
“Don’t try to gloss over it. You didn’t forget I ordered that the Three Kingdoms be settled within two months while I was in Antihum, right?”
“Of course not.”
“I specifically said to spare no soldiers and finish the war within the allotted time. So, whose fault is it that it’s been delayed by a month and the war still isn’t over?” Karyl asked coldly. The room, which had just started to feel a bit lighter, seemed to freeze over with the chilling tone of his voice.
“Did the Free Army turn out to be weaker than I expected? Or should I blame Princess Viola’s incompetence?"
There was a palpable sense of tension, as if Karyl might draw his sword and start beheading people on the spot. Even the seasoned warriors in the room could hardly breathe under the pressure.
“As expected, Princess Viola came to Tatur precisely on the day marking the end of the two months. She said she had a message for you and even predicted your reaction.”
“Hmm?”
Despite the oppressive atmosphere, Dushala maintained a composed expression. Although her clenched fists trembled slightly, revealing the strain she was under, her past as a member of the Burning Darkness and her experience in the Eastern Land helped her conceal it well.
“She has a message, you say?”
“Yes. The knights of the Fanpinel family and Sir Greys’ order are small in numbers, but their individual abilities are quite remarkable. By the end of the second month, most of the enemy forces had been subdued.”
“Then why wasn’t it concluded by the third month?”
“Because of the Shield of Istan. She’s been working hard to recruit Marze and Aben of the Twin Armor, remembering your interest in them from your past encounter.”
“Marze...” Karyl nodded at her words.
Dushala pulled a parchment from the pile on the desk and confirmed the contents.
“This is Princess Viola’s message. The value of the Twin Armor, who has protected Istan and Tevanel from foreign invasions since its founding, is greater than that of the incompetent kings of the two kingdoms.”
Karyl chuckled, almost hearing Viola’s voice.
“Simply unifying the Three Kingdoms by force would be a half-hearted union relying on foreign power, and it would fail to unite the people’s hearts. Keeping the heroes of the nation, these old warriors, under our banner would hold significant meaning,” Dushala continued.
“Hmm.”
It made sense. Karyl had deliberately focused on the Twin Armor when pressuring the First Prince.
She didn’t waste her time following me. She watched and learned.
Dushala cleared her throat and continued, “I kept my promise. The Three Kingdoms are now in a state where the knights of the Fanpinel family can handle them. If the King of Tatur wishes, the Free Army can be entirely withdrawn.”
“Oh, come on, what promise did she keep? I said I wanted clear results within two months,” Karyl scoffed but then smirked as he rested his chin on his hand.
“It seems the Three Kingdoms are nearly settled... How has everyone been? It doesn’t look like you’ve been wasting time.”
As soon as he had entered the room, Karyl had quickly assessed everyone present. The most surprising growth he noticed was in Beikan and Kinu Mukari, who possessed no magic.
In his past life, Beikan was already known as a formidable barbarian warrior who had once faced five hundred soldiers alone in a gorge, but now, he had yet to reach that level.
The demon hunting must have been beneficial. Barbarians grow stronger with each battle.
“I heard you’re heading to the principality. Please take me with you this time, my lord.”
Karyl turned at the voice, momentarily distracted from his thoughts. It was Suan Hazer, speaking with a tense expression. Karyl understood the sentiment behind his words, so he offered a faint smile.
“Of course. Don’t worry. Who else would sail us across the strait to the principality but you?”
“Really?”
Suan\'s expression quickly shifted to one of joy, his mouth spreading into a wide grin.
“You’ll have to steer the ship in Karl Mack’s absence. Otherwise, it would take ages. Right?”
“Exactly! You can’t leave me out of a voyage!” Suan exclaimed, his excitement evident. The thought of another journey, especially to a battlefield, thrilled him even though he had grown weary of steering.
“Yes, drop us off and then return to Tatur immediately.”
“...”
Suan’s face fell, as Karyl’s next words hit like a bucket of cold water. For the first time, Suan, who had never opposed Karyl’s orders, shouted in protest, “But why?!?”
Everyone was surprised by his outburst, but Karyl found it amusing, like watching a child throw a tantrum.
“I can’t use you for a small task like the principality.”
“What?”
“You have a more important mission. Once you return, help Israphil investigate the dungeons. Your first destination will likely be the Blood Cave in the Tramel Ruins.”
“The dungeon...?”
Karyl’s eyes sharpened as he spoke to Suan, “I found traces related to the Demon Realm in Antihum. The fate of the entire continent might rest on your shoulders.”
“Me? Doing such a thing?”
“The gauntlets you obtained from the elven treasury. You know they hold the power of Kalduan, one of the Three Great Beasts of the past, known as the Azure Turtle.”
Suan nodded.
“The Three Great Beasts possess pure natural power, second only to the spirits. If we must face demons, there is no one more suitable than you.”
Karyl emphasized once more, “This is something only you can do.”
“Something only I can do...” Suan repeated to himself.
“I trust you.”
“Leave it to me!” Suan shouted, brimming with excitement. Unaware of Karyl’s deeper intentions, he clenched his fists and nodded with determination.
Though in my past life, demons didn’t emerge from the Blood Cave immediately... Suan, you must meet the Fist King there instead. n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om
Oblivious to Karyl’s inner thoughts, Suan stood resolute.
He really is good at handling people.
Just as expected of our lord.
Was Suan always this energetic? He used to be more edgy...
Others observed and nodded, each having similar impressions.
“Now, I will call out the names of those who will accompany me to the principality. We are heading to a battlefield amidst a civil war. Understand that there are risks to our endeavor, but we shall not waste precious lives on such a small conflict.”
Everyone focused on Karyl, their expressions tense.
“The principality is merely a stage to showcase Tatur’s power.”
“Yes, sir!” everyone responded in unison, bowing their heads.
* * *
“Hmm...”
Late at night, Karyl sat back in his chair, exhaling softly as he opened his eyes. The once bustling office was now silent, the late hour leaving only him behind.
Click.
On the desk was a small box, the one Narh Di Maug had hidden in his past life, found alongside the Freezing Talon in the Gray Training Ground.
“It seems you’ve made up your mind.”
Allen’s voice emerged from behind him.
“You said you didn’t know what was inside, right?” said Karyl.
“Yeah. Celine Han made the box, but she only crafted it. No one knows who placed the item inside.”
“No one? Not even the Assembly of Seven Elders?”
The face of the Platinum Dragon emerged in Karyl’s mind.
“Look into the repository of knowledge. You already know what I know. Asking if you have the courage to face the truth would be foolish, wouldn’t it?”
“The courage to face the truth...”
Karyl chuckled at Allen’s words.
“Facing the truth doesn’t require courage.”
He placed his hand on the box and slowly infused it with mana.
“It requires anger.”