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Chapter 222: Divine Battle

“Sorry. I’m still getting used to controlling my mana. I’ve just reached the 6th Class a moment ago,” Karyl explained, straightening up.

Fwoosh...!

Flames erupted as he snapped his fingers, climbing from his fingertips to his shoulder as if alive before vanishing.

“There’s still a rebellious one.”

“Pardon?” Kamma cocked his head.

“More importantly, don’t you have something to report to me?”

“Oh...! Y-Yes, my lord!” Kamma hastily continued. “As I previously said, the tide of the civil war has shifted in favor of one side.”

“Which side?”

“The first duchess, Tuli Lurein.”

“What?! Are you saying the Iron Fleet has been defeated?” Mikhail blurted out, then bowed his head, realizing his outburst.

“The decisive factor was Fifth Duke Lachiel’s betrayal of Fran. At the war’s onset, his Silver Wing Fleet, stationed behind the Iron Fleet, launched an unexpected attack on Cove.”

“...!!”

It wasn’t just Mikhail; everyone at the scene was stunned. The idea that the Iron Fleet, famed for its undefeated legacy in the Lurein Principality, had been brought down was inconceivable.

This was destined to happen anyway.

Despite the news that Fran Lurein’s forces were on the brink of defeat, Karyl didn’t seem overly surprised. The strength of Tuli Lurein, the principality’s foremost power, had been underestimated simply because she and Fran hadn’t engaged in a significant battle before.

What you see from the outside isn’t everything. Cove’s Iron Fleet is well-known for defending against foreign invasions, but the White Bunker’s Wyvern Squadron holds power equivalent to that of an empire.

Moreover, the civil war was fought on land, not at sea. Fran’s vaunted Iron Fleet was unable to exert its full power, while Tuli Lurein’s Wyvern Squadron was in its element.

There was one major factor that could determine the outcome of the principality’s civil war.

Ganeth Avelant.

He was one of the current five Sword Masters. Wielding a giant halberd, Ganeth Avelant would earn the disgraceful title of the Branded Knight after this civil war, and it would haunt him until his death.

Ganeth Avelant was also the only Sword Master Karyl had ever fought in his previous life.

I bet Anthem Howard will struggle quite a bit.

Another strategist known as the Talent for the Throne, Anthem Howard would seek the Fenria Kingdom after losing due to his fallout with Fran. Perhaps this meeting between Anthem Howard and Viola would hold even greater significance than in the previous timeline.

By the time the civil war ends, Viola will have united the Three Kingdoms of Istria.

One concern was that Anthem Howard had followed Viola, believing in her potential, even when she had no support base in their past life. However, after she unified the the Three Kingdoms of Istria, Viola’s power would be nearly equal to that of two major forces.

She might develop unnecessary ambitions.

Together, Viola and Anthem could even rival the empire. Aware of that, Karyl had lent her his Free Army to test her. He wanted to see what choice she would make when she eventually crossed paths with Anthem Howard.

I wonder...

Human conviction was frail and easily corrupted. Power bred greed, and greed led to overreaching. Though Viola had promised to hand over her power to him after unifying the kingdoms, history showed that rulers rarely relinquished power easily.

Even Emperor Shutean had his children pointing swords at each other’s throats instead of just passing over the throne.

Viola, will you pass my test?

Briefly lost in thought, Kamma resumed his report.

“And so... Lord Fran has requested an audience with you. He seems quite desperate, having reached out to us even though we were at the White Bunker, his enemy’s stronghold.”

“Fran wants to talk, huh?” Karyl spoke calmly, a faint smile on his lips.

Seeing his reaction, everyone at the scene felt that he had already made a decision.

“Kamma, do you have any updates on the development of the elemental stones?”

“Of course. It was the first task you assigned me. I was away for quite some time, but I maintained contact with Beryl.”

Then, Kamma proudly retrieved a parchment from his coat.

“Currently, due to the ongoing war in the Three Kingdoms, the mines have been temporarily shut down, but the work continues covertly.”

He then leaned in closer, whispering to Karyl, “You spoke just in time. That was part of what I intended to report.”

“Oh?”

“We’ve discovered several locations with deposits of Seven-Edged Stones, and we’ll be able to mine them soon. Also... we had another significant gain from the principality."

“What is it?”

Kamma looked around once more, then lowered his voice even further.

“Calypson... We made contact with him at the White Bunker.”

“...!!”

While he had been indifferent at the news of Fran’s defeat or Anthem Howard’s situation, Karyl’s eyes widened in genuine surprise at this piece of information.

“That’s good news. Kamma, you’ve done an excellent job.”

“Haha. I was surprised too. Somehow, that old man reached out to me.”

“But you can speak freely. Everyone here can be trusted.”

“Sorry? Ah, yes, yes. Hahah... My apologies, I’ve been a bit...” Kamma bowed sheepishly and stepped back.

“So, how did you handle it?”

“Karl Mack went to the Gnome Kingdom. At first, I advised against it due to the danger, but... when he saw the elemental stones crafted by Calypson, his eyes lit up and went straight away. By now, he should have reported the location to Dushala.”

Kamma, who had spent more time with Karl Mack than anyone else in Tatur, shook his head in admiration.

“He might have already started trading with Calypson. That kid, reckless as he is, is quite remarkable. But... discovering the gnomes isn’t the only significant part.”

“What else?”

“The reason he met Calypson at the White Bunker.”

Karyl frowned slightly at his words.

“Which is...?”

“Someone named Ledios arranged the meeting with Calypson. I assume you understand the implications of that, my lord.”

“No way...”

Only then did Karyl realize that Kamma wasn’t there just to boast about his achievements.

“Yes. The real reason Karl Mack followed was precisely because of that. If the Wooden Cloud is connected to the Gnome Kingdom... it could become another obstacle for you, my lord.”

Karyl was well aware of the exceptional nature of Ledios, one of the empire’s Seven Greats.

Karl has found himself in a dangerous situation... But he’s clever. He won’t do anything stupid. Perhaps this was the chance to uncover the forces behind the Wooden Cloud.

“You’ve done well, Kamma.”

“Your words are too kind.”

In truth, with the empire’s problems keeping Karyl preoccupied, it had been difficult to extend his reach across the strait to the principality. But Kamma and Karl Mack had been filling in for him during his absence.

Alone, one could be a hero, but not a conqueror. History was a chain reaction of countless interlocking gears, and those gears were people. A true ruler was not one of those gears but the one who turned them.

Karyl realized that the framework he had been building on the continent was nearing completion.

Things are going better than expected, but I need to hurry. I can’t keep Karl Mack there forever... The next destination is set.

Karyl looked out the window, toward the direction where the principality lay beyond the strait, even though the sea was not visible.

It’s actually for the best. I’ve been thinking it’s about time to start setting the gears of the future in motion over there. And to do that, I need to get inside first.

For that, Karyl had to start with what he could do by himself. That would be the first step toward becoming the master across the sea.

“Well... I suppose I should start by becoming the hero of the principality,” Karyl muttered softly.

* * *

[Pff—! Bahahahaha!]

Duaat couldn’t remember the last time he had laughed this hard.

Who was the Blazing King, after all? Among the elemental Spirit Kings, he was the proudest and strongest. Of course, the elements in the Spirit Realm were interconnected, but the symbolism of fire was unique.

[...]

[Didn’t you say that human was a monster? You knew it well, so why did you resist?]

They were in a darkness similar to the space of Karyl’s subconscious.

[You should know that too. Humans are the same. Why else would they be born with only one attribute? Because they can’t mix in the first place. But the Spirit Kings have reached the pinnacle of their element. You wouldn’t understand the feeling of being mixed with light, darkness, water, and wind.]

[He said he would put me in that position someday,] said Duaat.

[I’ll laugh at him then,] Ramine sneered.

It had been a long time since they last conversed like this, since the Spirit Realm had been cut off from the human world.

[Be honest,] Duaat demanded.

[...About what?]

[Allen said the answer was obvious. If Karyl had forced you into the fusion from the start, you couldn’t have refused because of the contract. But you kept refusing because you didn’t want to be fused with his mana?]

[What are you getting at?] Ramine asked.

[Come on, let’s be honest with each other. You helped him, didn’t you? You purposely delayed the fusion until he came up with a method.]

Duaat chuckled.

[To help him reach the 6th Class.]

[No. Why would I put myself through something unpleasant? You’ll experience that nasty feeling soon enough, and then you’ll understand.]

[Really? So the great Blazing King is scared of humans and can’t even speak up against the fusion?]

Ramine glared at him.

[Stop wasting your breath. Don’t spend your spirit energy here. Are you feeling generous these days?]

[I’m just saying there might be another important reason you helped Karyl. Something of great significance.]

A mysterious smile crept on Duaat’s face, hidden behind the bandages.

[I remember what Allen said. That Karyl could learn the unlocking spell in his repository of knowledge once he reached the 6th Class.]

[...]

[The box from the Gray Training Ground.]

Duaat referred to the small box found in the coffin where the Freezing Talon had been stored. Allen had given Karyl the box as a condition for their contract, but its seal remained unbroken in Tatur after Allen disappeared at the Abyssal Rock.

[That the box holds a clue to finding the Queen of Tides.]

[...]

[You’re planning to revive the Water Spirit King? Quite surprising, considering you didn\'t get along.]

Ramine’s eyes twitched.

[Stop with the rambling... Duaat, I’ve known you since the beginning, but I didn\'t realize you were so talkative.]

[Hahaha... Maybe spending time with humans has influenced me.]

Despite Ramine’s reproach, Duaat moved closer.

[But isn’t this getting interesting? Beyond Ethereal, if Karyl goes to that Lurein Principality...]

[Why?]

Duaat smiled at Ramine\'s question.

[Don’t you know? The one sealed there is someone you despise. Although Karyl might not encounter him...]

[...]

[But if he gains control of that entity too, I might willingly follow him. Because, despite the slim chance, I am a bit hopeful.]

At that moment, Ramine’s flames flickered with unease.

Recognizing his emotions, Duaat slowly nodded.

[The resurrection of the Divine War.]

A low sigh echoed.

[Duaat, you need to get your words straight. How long do you intend to cling to the past, like during the Antihum incident?]

[...What?]

Duaat, who had spoken cryptically, was taken aback by Ramine’s unexpected reaction.

[Have I been helping Karyl revive Ethereal? No. She would rise without my help. And I know who is sealed in the principality. But I don’t care if he comes back or not.]

[...]

[If his unsealing helps, great. If not, I’ll crush him.]

[Confident, aren’t you?]

[Of course. Is there anyone more formidable than Karyl? Not in strength, but in presence. I will do my best to support him and hope for the best. But unlike you...]

Duaat’s face hardened at Ramine\'s words.

[Our era as protagonists is over. Or rather, we failed. If anyone is to challenge the gods again, it will be Karyl, not us.]

Ramine laughed coldly beneath his hot flames.

[The upcoming war won’t be between spirits and gods. This time, it will be the humans who fight the gods.]

[...]

Unlike before, Duaat remained silent, looking at him. Ramine nodded, understanding how Duaat felt.

[Now we’re just the supporting characters. Therefore, we cannot be revived. This is the beginning. Understand? What we should anticipate now is...]

Ramine’s voice echoed, carving into the space.

[...the beginning of the Divine War.]