YM778.TV Chapter 228: Randol (2)
Chapter 228: Randol (2)
“...”
Randol frowned slightly, seemingly displeased by his reaction.
“What’s so funny?”
“You call that a threat? You’re going to reveal my true identity to the Three Kingdoms? What, you’ll tell them I have immigrant blood? You think I’m afraid of that?”
Wiping his eyes, Karyl looked at Randol. Although he hadn’t actually teared up, Karyl did that to emphasize just how amusing he found Randol’s threat.
“I’m the king of Tatur, but I’m also the master of the south. This means that despite posing as an imperial citizen, the people of the south still serve me.”
Karyl leaned against the wooden stakes erected in the training ground.
“You understand what I mean?”
“You may be right, but the Three Kingdoms of Istria are different. Unlike the free-spirited barbarians, their mentality is closer to the imperials.”
“You think I’d be so careless regarding that?” Karyl questioned back. Instead of being offended, it seemed like he had been waiting for this moment.
“In the name of the Free Army, the legion I created includes both barbarians and imperial citizens. After all, Tatur is a city where individuals from all races and statuses seek refuge.”
“So what?”
“The Three Kingdoms of Istria will soon be united. Under Fenria... no, under Viola’s name.”
“...What?”
Randol knew that the Three Kingdoms of Istria were at war, but he hadn’t been aware that Princess Viola had built her own force and intervened in the war.
“I heard she declared a principality, but what can she do with just a few hundred troops...?”
“The Free Army will support her.”
“...!!”
“Viola asked for my help under the name of freedom, breaking free from the rules of status and race, and I accepted her request. The Free Army shall subjugate the Three Kingdoms of Istria.”
“That... That’s...”
Each word coming from Karyl’s mouth was nothing short of shocking.
“In such a situation, do you think it matters to the Three Kingdoms of Istria whether I’m of immigrant or imperial blood?”
Karyl shook his head.
“No.”
Answering his own question, he spoke once more, his voice full of conviction, “The truth of my lineage can no longer be a weakness. Because to them, my very existence holds more significance now.”
Thump...
Randol felt his heart sink at those words, though he couldn’t say why. At the same time, he recalled Karyl’s appearance during their first goblin subjugation hunt. n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om
Was it since then...?
Despite wearing a mask, Karyl’s incredible prowess and leadership had captured the hearts of the knights.
Of course, being an adopted son of the MacGovern family played a part, but at least on that day, age and status did not matter. Randol himself had wanted to be like Karyl after watching him that day.
“It seems that Tiren has gotten dumber by hanging out with idiots at the academy. The best he could come up with was to threaten me.”
“He had no choice. His Majesty is pressuring our family. He has ordered that Jake be sent to Heim. You know what it means to be sent to the Church. He plans to hold him hostage,” Randol said gravely.
Karyl, however, spoke with utmost calmness, “Heim won’t be much of a problem.”
“...What do you mean?”
“There’s someone there who can be of use. You don’t have to worry too much about Jake’s safety.”
Karyl chuckled, thinking of Yurin Huygar.
“So, what does Tiren want?”
“To save Jake. Whether by threatening or pleading, he asked me to tell you to rescue him.”
“Touching, isn’t it?” Karyl sneered. “That can’t be all, though.”
“...What do you mean?”
“What Tiren wants isn’t Jake’s life, but mine. If I infiltrate the Church to rescue Jake, I would become an enemy of the Church, and the empire would have a legitimate reason to come after me. Or perhaps Heim itself is a trap.”
“...”
Randol couldn’t respond. The letter from the family didn’t mention such things, but he had somewhat expected it.
He talks about a life-threatening matter so nonchalantly...
Randol shook his head, watching Karyl’s reaction.
Then it happened.
“Is your sibling reunion that pleasant? You two seem to be enjoying yourselves quite a bit,” a woman’s voice came from behind, causing both men to turn their heads. Seeing her, Randol stiffened slightly, while Karyl waved cheerfully.
“We’re so fond of each other that we’re discussing how to kill each other.”
“...”
Karyl then asked with a chuckle, “How have you been?”
“What? How have I been? How can you ask that? You’re surprisingly carefree for someone who has declared war on the empire.” Miliana crossed her arms and laughed incredulously.
“Carefree? I just told you, we’re discussing whether to kill or save each other.”
Karyl walked over to Miliana.
“And the empire can’t attack Tatur right away. They lack the courage to fight directly, so they’re trying to use Azor and the Eastern Land. And the MacGovern family.”
“Azor and the Eastern Land?” Miliana frowned. Given she owned territory in the south, she was closer to the Eastern Land than anyone else.
“Yes. So I’ve dealt with Azor, and I’ve sent Aidan to the Eastern Land.”
“Ha...”
Miliana laughed incredulously at how easily Karyl spoke of dealing with cities and kingdoms as if he were merely signing some papers.
“I’ve been a bit busy. By the way... I’ve also reached the 6th Class,” Karyl added nonchalantly.
“...!!!”
“...!!!”
Naturally, both Miliana and Randol were shocked.
The 6th Class... Is that even possible? Have any of the five Sword Masters brought their mana limit to this level?
Thinking that Karyl might surpass even his father, who was considered the best swordsman on the continent, Randol felt a chill run down his spine.
He was toying with me the whole time. To think I tried to defeat such a monster...
Randol gave a bitter smile, thinking how ridiculous his own efforts in the previous fight with Karyl had to have seemed.
“And you’re telling me something so important only now? You should’ve come to me first.”
Unlike the serious atmosphere, Miliana was angry for a different reason.
“You would have known as soon as I used my mana. Isn’t that why you’re here, with those hundred people in the rear? I feel a stronger energy from the opposite side, so I assume those are your sisters.”
At that, Randol looked around, but all he saw was the desolate desert, which puzzled him even more.
“I suddenly felt a mana so powerful that I thought the imperial army had invaded, but it turned out someone far stronger had come.”
Miliana waved her hand lightly. Even up close, it was hard to notice, but with that one gesture, Karyl knew the soldiers in hiding had disappeared.
“That’s quite a well-trained force. How many soldiers of that level have you got?”
“Is that all you’re curious about? Is your mind really filled with nothing but war?”
Miliana shook her head.
“Not that many. It takes a long time to train them to that level. Including reserves, it’s about... three hundred.”
“And how do they compare to knights?”
“They’re at a disadvantage when it comes to mana, but they compensate for that with their swordsmanship. They wouldn’t lose easily in one-on-one combat with knights,” Miliana said proudly.
“So they’re at the level of Sword Experts. That’s about the size of a single knight order. Hmm, combining all seven knight orders of the empire, the number would be around two thousand. But it’s less than that, since the Ryeo Knights have been disbanded.”
Indeed, having two thousand Sword Experts demonstrated the empire’s might. And yet, Randol felt that the two people in front of him were stronger than that.
“It would be nice if you could expand it to five hundred, though... The current number is too small.”
“Do you know how much effort it takes to train a single capable warrior? Just look at him. It took ages after coming to Digon before he was finally ready for work.” Miliana pointed at Randol, who lowered his head in embarrassment at her words.
“Half a year.”
“Hmm?”
“I intend to deal with the principality and confront the empire within six months.”
Miliana frowned slightly at Karyl’s words.
“The principality... You mean the civil war started by Duke Fran? You plan to deal with that?”
“Yes.”
“I don’t know what you’re thinking, but... assuming you do, will the empire remain idle during that time? They might just be pulling strings for now, but the emperor has less than a year left to live. They’ll surely make a move before then.”
“A war with the empire is inevitable, but not yet. In the next six months, the empire will be too busy to turn its attention to us.”
“Why...?”
Her face hardened slightly.
“I’ve always said I would fight a war against the empire, but I’ve never said I would go to war with Titan Shutean.”
At Karyl’s words, their expressions shifted noticeably.
“While I’m dealing with the principality, the empire will be distracted by the princes fighting themselves.”
As long as the two princes were alive, a war for the throne was inevitable. Originally, the emperor should have already died, and by now, the war for the throne would be over, with Olivurn in power.
However, due to Karyl’s intervention, Olivurn had yet to seize control of the empire.
That alone is enough. If I can’t strike the empire immediately, I need to make sure the empire can’t focus on me.
Although many variables could arise, ultimately, keeping the emperor alive was to ensure that the internal affairs of the empire kept them from looking outward.
That way, Karyl could act freely.
By the time a new emperor arises, all other powers on the continent will be under my control.
Once the internal strife ended and the empire looked beyond its borders, they would be confronted by an enemy far greater than themselves. The realization that they were no longer the dominant force would hit them hard.
“The princes fighting each other... You speak as though the emperor won’t be there,” Miliana said reluctantly, with a frown.
“Hope you don’t mean...”
Knowing what had happened in the Sun Hall, Miliana let out an incredulous laugh, while Randol looked to her for answers.
“Was it a lie that he had a year left to live?”
“...!!”
Stunned, Randol turned to look at Karyl, but Karyl merely shrugged.
“Only a fool believes the enemy’s words at face value,” he said with a cold smile. “Isn\'t that right?”