The 9th Class Swordmaster: Blade of Truth

Chapter 119: Viola

“Stop right now.”

Her vibrant voice made Karyl look up. It was clear and pristine. Although it seemed untainted and upright, it could also be interpreted as someone who was still ignorant of the world.

“Usually, we get a heads-up from the Lawless Port... Given that the mansion’s guard reported directly to me, you must not have passed through quietly.”

Karyl looked at Dushala. “Where is Suan Hazer?”

“He’s away on guild business for a short while,” she answered with a light shrug.

Karyl nodded and then looked at Greys.

“You should be thankful that he wasn’t at the Lawless Port, Sir Greys. Otherwise, you wouldn't be here unscathed.”

Greys’ face hardened at his words.

“Considering the friendly relationship with the Kingdom of Fenria, we’ll let this matter go. Greetings to the princess.”

Karyl passed by him, bowing slightly to show respect, and greeted Viola. As he raised his head, his eyes met hers, hidden under the brim of her hat.

She looks like she wants to kill me.

Seeing her expression, Karyl felt like laughing but stifled it with a cough.

“You recognize me, despite never attending any social events or banquets. Tatur’s information network is not to be underestimated.”

Viola took off her hat, revealing a gaze filled with venomous resentment and tension.

“Didn’t you mention the kingdom’s name yourself? You were more curious about your fame reaching Tatur than surprised that I knew about you.”

“...”

Karyl smiled lightly.

Sorry, but to survive in the palace, you need to attend the social events and banquets you despise. You won’t get anywhere just with strong pride.

Karyl felt like he was talking to a child. In his previous life, he had been just like her. He had only imposed himself by fighting on the battlefield. As an outsider, he had always been barred from aristocratic society, but he had also harbored a personal aversion to it. This had led to the so-called honor of being called a Sword Saint.

The people may praise you, but if you don’t have the power to deal with the king and nobles above them, you’ll never be at the top.

Karyl had been the same, fighting his enemies as a lone wolf, believing it was for the empire and humanity. That had only led to betrayal.

The people...

At that moment, Karyl realized that perhaps Viola could fulfill the most important part of his plan.

I was praised as a Sword Saint but lacked a foundation, which was why I lost to Olivurn and the nobles.

But Viola was different. She was a true princess of royal blood. If she could also win the people’s hearts...

Of course, whether she was as outstanding as her unwavering sense of justice remained to be seen.

“What do you want me to stop?”

“You should know. It’s your doing. Even a three-year-old could tell you’re pinning the Three Kingdoms against each other,” Viola said, raising her voice. “Your actions are weakening the nation’s power and jeopardizing its safety. That’s unbecoming of a merchant.”

Karyl chuckled.

“Indeed. How come grown adults don't understand what even a three-year-old knows?”

“What?” Viola looked at him, flustered by his unexpected response.

“You must be quite desperate, seeing as you came to me personally, Princess. And judging by the fact that you brought only one subordinate, you must have snuck out without your father’s knowledge.” Karyl pointed at Greys as he spoke. “Though I understand that Sir Greys is a quite capable knight...”

“...!!”

Greys instinctively stood in front of Viola, reaching for the sword at his waist.

“You should have known that entering a free city like this is not something that can be done with just determination.”

Boom―!!

Karyl moved swiftly, getting in front of Greys in an instant.

“Ugh!!”

Startled, Greys tried to draw his sword with all his might, but Karyl had already gripped his wrist.

Judging by his aura, he’s a high-level Sword Expert. Indeed, he could become a Sword Master in a few years.

His solid physique wasn’t just muscle bulk; it was the physique of a swordsman.

I heard the Fanpinel family has a unique kind of swordsmanship...

It probably emphasized agility over sheer strength. However, Karyl had just humbled Greys in terms of speed.

“You should have known there are stronger people here than Suan Hazer.”

Click―

Despite Greys’ struggle, he only managed to slightly wobble his sword’s handle under Karyl’s grip, unable to draw it from its scabbard. He was in disbelief, unable to accept that he was being overpowered by someone smaller than him.

I’m curious about his swordsmanship, but I don’t want to wreck this place. I’ll save it for later.

Karyl pressed Greys’ blade into its scabbard.

“Ugh!!”

Unable to withstand the pressure, Greys fell to his knees.

“Greys!!” Viola shouted in shock. As she tried to rush at Karyl, Dushala, who had been observing from behind, grabbed her shoulder.

“This is not the palace where you can do as you please without anyone objecting. Haven’t you realized that you’re in a delicate situation, Princess?” Dushala whispered.

“Let go of me!” Viola demanded as she shook off Dushala’s hand.

Normally, no one would dare lay a hand on a princess, but Dushala, who had dealt with the great nobles of many powerful countries for years, saw the young princess as nothing more than a childish girl.

Karyl observed them quietly, thinking.

Someone as skilled as Greys would surely stand out in the kingdom. He’d fit better as the guard knight of the first princess. He’s probably been assigned as the third princess’ guard because of family issues, not his ability.

No matter how talented he was, Greys was still a royal servant. If he fell out of favor, he would be sidelined from politics.

That means this mischievous princess is in a similar position. I got the picture.

“When you step out into the world, you’ll find that being a princess doesn’t allow you to do as much as you thought,” Karyl said softly. “Especially if you’re not the heir to the throne.”

“You...”

Viola glared at him, but Karyl continued in a gentle tone, “To change something, you need power. And you need to prove it. Dushala.”

At his words, Dushala handed him a ledger.

“Your father took fifteen hexagonal stones as collateral for next year’s harvest. As you know, our Tatur and the Calton mines in the principality are the only places on the continent where high-grade elemental stones are mined.”

The principality, with its lesser magical power compared to the empire, strictly controlled the export of elemental stones from its mines, contributing to the rapid development of magical engineering.

Of course... Six-faced stones won’t suffice.

Karyl, knowing that octagonal stones would emerge from the Kadihum mines, thought it wouldn’t be too late to develop magitech accordingly.

“What... next year’s harvest?”

“That’s not all. He also purchased several magical tools on collateral.”

At that, Viola’s face hardened.

All of this had been made possible by Dushala’s skillful trading between the Three Kingdoms. As a girl who had not yet come of age, Viola couldn’t possibly comprehend the seasoned methods of a veteran like Dushala.

“What on earth... What has my father done...?”

Viola stared at the thick ledger, her jaw to the floor.

“These are all your father’s debts to me. At this rate, the kingdom might not be able to sustain itself without a war.”

Viola couldn’t understand. Although incompetent, those people had managed to maintain the kingdom up to this point. She knew elemental stones were valuable, but not everyone could reach the pinnacle with them. Was this sheer greed?

“Of course, that’s if they have to pay the full price.”

“What do you mean?”

Karyl released Greys and smiled. Greys stepped back as he rubbed his sore wrist, which had the mark of Karyl’s fierce grip

“Contrary to your concerns, I have no intention of collecting this debt.”

“What?”

“I intend to provide it free of charge, at least for now.”

“What...?”

Viola frowned, unable to follow. Nobles driven by elemental stones were unbelievable, but the notion of giving away stones for free seemed even crazier.

“The Three Kingdoms are in the midst of a crisis. So far, the emperor’s absence has kept this secret, but soon the empire will learn of these mines. Do you think they’ll stay quiet?”

“So...?”

“Of course, I’m not offering charity. If they don’t stand with me in the upcoming war against the empire, your family will have to pay for all the elemental stones they’ve received.”

Karyl glanced at the ledger.

“By then, taking over the kingdom might suffice.”

“A war with the empire? Are you insane?” Viola scoffed. “Do you think the Three Kingdoms will fight the empire over some elemental stones?”

“Well, we’ll see.”

Despite her mockery, Karyl remained calm.

“I’m not a merchant. I never claimed to be. Tatur is run by Dushala, Kamma, and Suan.”

“What?”

At that moment, even Viola, who didn't wield a sword, felt the sharp killing intent piercing her skin.

“I am the leader of the four tribes of the Great Plains and the five southern tribes. The northern Wolf-Fox tribe follows me, and in Azor, over seventy sorcerers are being trained using the highest quality elemental stones, which aren’t provided to the Three Kingdoms.”

“...”

“In terms of military strength, I have about three hundred thousand troops ready to invade the Three Kingdoms,” Karyl explained calmly.

In other words, he had more than double the military power of Fenria at his disposal.

“Let me tell you something as the lord of the south. When I say the Three Kingdoms will support me in the war against the empire, I mean they’ll be under my command.”

“How dare you...!!”

Despite Viola’s shouting, Karyl maintained his composure.

“This is a test. Within this strange deal, you reckon there’s anyone who thinks of the people? Someone that even a third-year-old knows about?” He smiled lightly.

“I believe you are qualified to be a queen,” he continued in a kinder tone. “If you want to save the people, ascend to the throne. If you do, I’ll attack the Kingdom of Fenria last among the three kingdoms.”

***

“Pff... Bahaha!!”

Laughter erupted from the office after the two left. Dushala was holding her stomach as she looked at Karyl.

“How can you reveal such secrets with a straight face? And who declares war to a princess instead of a king?”

“Because it doesn’t matter. No one will believe her. No one would think the southern barbarians would invade the Three Kingdoms.”

“Right. Everyone thinks the Digon tribe would never allow a war without their consent.”

“Yes.” Karyl nodded. “She has the makings of an excellent queen, but she’s just the third princess. No matter how much she shouts, the incompetent king and nobles won’t listen to her.”

“And as a princess, it’s hard to believe she would strengthen her enemy with elemental stones and weapons.” Dushala pointed at the sealed oath behind the ledgers.

“She wouldn’t know that most nobles, except the royal family, are already on our side,” Karyl added in a low voice as he glanced at the oath. “But they’re just nobles swayed by money. I don’t trust them. I’d rather trust her.”

“Then...?”

“Simply taking the castle through war is no different from the empire. But the free city is not just a lawless land. It’s a city where freedom is paramount. A place where outsiders, barbarians, slaves, and commoners can all live equally. We need to show that we’re fighting to protect their freedom, not lawlessness.”

“That’s why you want the princess on your side. A new queen who values the people’s lives, unlike the nobles. And if she stands with us...”

Dushala grasped Karyl’s plan immediately.

“We’ll see. We’ll have to see if she’s capable of choosing the people over the throne.”

Karyl’s eyes gleamed.

“But I still don’t understand. Why are you going about this in such a complicated manner? Throughout history, kings have conquered without considering such circumstances.”

“To save them.”

“Sorry?”

“To save as many people as possible. That’s why I want to take the throne.”

Dushala cocked her head, not understanding. Of course, she couldn’t understand because she didn’t know that these wars among humans were merely a prelude to a greater war that was yet to come.

Karyl had chosen this tedious and complicated path precisely to prepare for that great war—he would unify humanity as a whole, not just a nation, and ensure that this time, they would have more forces.

Karyl exhaled softly. “This is the first step. If Viola truly ascends to the throne, we must have the legitimacy to rise above her.”

Dushala nodded at his words.

“Monster subjugation,” she remarked, her own words sending a chill down her spine. Everything fit together perfectly.

“Master, as you’ve said, Beikan reported signs of a monster dungeon forming between the Kingdom of Istan and the Kingdom of Fenria.”

Unlike the central people, the southerners were veterans in subjugating monster dungeons. Karyl had sent Beikan to investigate the borders of the Three Kingdoms.

“And there are dozens of villages between those borders. At least thousands of people live there.”

Karyl nodded.

“And the monster dungeon is bound to form in...”

“Three months, right before the harvest. When the dungeon appears, the monsters will ravage the fields. The Three Kingdoms, already bankrupt, won’t have the means to subjugate the monsters.”

“Even if they have good weapons, they can’t afford to use them. It’s ironic.”

At Dushala’s words, Karyl looked out the window.

“Summon Beikan and Kinu Mukari.”

“Yes, Master.”

“We will handle the subjugation, and...”

His eyes gleamed yet again.

The cunning emperor won’t keep his promise just because he thinks I saved his life. I wonder who he’ll send to the south.

It didn’t matter who the enemy was. They would merely serve to demonstrate the might of Karyl’s army along with the monster dungeon subjugation.