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Chapter 115: Audacious Deal

"You look different from last time. That robe, frankly, was a bit off, Your Grace."

"Hahaha, what does appearance matter? It\'s the beliefs that are most important."

Fran Lurein greeted Karyl naturally, reverting to formalities as if nothing had ever happened. Dressed in luxurious clothes and expensive accessories, he was meeting Karyl not as Fran of the Wooden Cloud but as Fran Lurein of the principality.

Seeing Fran’s wide smile, Karyl smirked.

Taking off a mask really makes a difference. This guy... isn’t he a bit strange?

After all, those destined to fight over thrones, whether in the empire or the principality, had to grow amidst numerous secret plots and slander. Luon and Olivurn were prime examples of that.

Perhaps this level of change in Fran’s demeanor was just the tip of the iceberg.

And unlike last time, everyone sitting around seems quite capable. Having an excuse that they are part of the port guard helps too, Karyl thought as he was observing Fran’s subordinates scattering back to their duties after greeting him.

It was very clear that they weren’t ordinary guards, even from the way they held pens and carried loads.

They’re at least Sword Expert level.

Seeing more than twenty of them, it became clear to Karyl that Fran was careful not to have another incident.

It wouldn’t be easy to cut them down.

Though Karyl himself had no intention of shedding blood, as a natural-born swordsman, he had instinctively measured the distance between him and the guards the moment he entered the building.

"I\'ve heard about the incident at the dragon\'s lair. We weren’t aware of the existence of such treasures. Surprising indeed. The Ravat Guild\'s information network surpasses even the royal intelligence."

"You flatter me."

"And hence, you know so much about the Wooden Cloud."

"..."

Fran mentioned that name nonchalantly, and then he led Karyl to a seat as if it meant nothing.

"Don\'t worry. All here are part of our group. Though unlike root branches, these are just guards."

Hmm... Distinguishing between affiliated members and combat personnel. If that’s the case, their scope is much larger than I imagined.

Karyl realized that the existence of the Wooden Cloud was probably more extensive than he had thought. After all, it was the enemy he had to face.

"Could you please wait a moment? I still have some matters to tend to."

"Of course,” Karyl replied.

Fran Lurein sat at a somewhat ostentatiously luxurious table, out of place in the port guard building.

This isn’t something you’d typically find in a port guard’s office... Did he have it moved here on purpose?

The table was stacked with documents. Fran, as if accustomed to it, started signing the documents one by one with a quill pen.

"..."

Karyl watched him intently.

Having met time and time again on the battlefield, the Fran Lurein he remembered seemed more at home on a ship with a command baton than at a table with a pen. In fact, he had been an exceptionally capable commander. It was likely that no one else in the principality could wage war as well as he could.

Without the empire’s pressure, he would surely win against Tuli Lurein.

However, his overconfidence in his abilities caused him to often disregard his subordinates’ opinions.

Maybe that’s why he had a falling out with Anthem Howard. Back when Olivurn was unifying the continent, Fran was just a commoner from Fenria, one of the the Three Kingdoms of Istria.

Karyl had planned to find him in Fenria after wrapping up this business, so meeting him here had certainly been unexpected.

Maybe it\'s better to just watch for now since leaving Fran alone will break their alliance anyway.

Karyl knew he needed a strategist to spread his influence. He wanted to pull Anthem Howard from the Wooden Cloud, but he couldn’t afford to be hasty if Howard had connections there.

And one more question arose.

Up to now, I thought Anthem Howard was just a commoner from Fenria, not a significant figure. But if he was involved in this level of politics, he might’ve had reasons to split with Fran and choose Fenria.

He had been hailed as the King of Thrones.

Compared to the principality and the empire, the Three Kingdoms were definitely weaker, with Fenria being one of the smaller countries.

But it\'s significant that Anthem Howard chose it. Perhaps he saw potential there. By now, Dushalla has probably grilled the high officials from the Three Kingdoms. I should get Aidan to investigate.

Those were the talents that had disappeared after being crushed by the empire. There would be nothing better than to be able to reclaim those who never had the chance to bloom.

Swoosh, swoosh—

The only sound heard in the office was that of the pen scraping against paper. Why was Fran deliberately working with Karyl there? Perhaps that wasn’t his idea.

It must be Anthem Howard’s doing.

He kept watching Fran, and the reason he was doing this became obvious—he just wanted to keep Karyl waiting. He probably hoped that by doing that, he could reestablish his superiority over Karyl, which had been disrupted in their last meeting.

Thump—

At last, Fran finally finished signing the documents. He had started at dusk, and now it was pitch black outside; at least three hours had passed, but Karyl had waited without flinching, knowing well that showing impatience was what they wanted.

Click—

Then, without a word, he placed a bottle of Razorthorn on the table.

"Here is the Razorthorn obtained from the lair. One is with Lord Yurin, but I brought another in secret for the two of you."

After three hours of tedious negotiation, Fran\'s eyes shook violently as he looked at the Razorthorn.

I’m way ahead of you. Trying to shake me with such obvious moves? Karyl smirked at his reaction.

"In fact, you need to take a pair of Razorthorn. Taking just one is effective, but it’s only temporary."

Of course, that was a lie.

A single leaf of Razorthorn was enough to neutralize the Twilight poison

"And why are you telling me this?"

"As I said, it\'s a secret between us. You should understand the implication, Lord Fran."

At that, Fran sighed deeply.

"I can’t compete. By fulfilling the contract, you decide whether to give it to the emperor or keep it for yourself."

Looking at Fran, Karyl smiled lightly.

"The principality and the empire, powerful nations with hundreds of thousands of troops, are being swayed by just one man. Now that\'s surprising."

Suddenly, Fran’s gaze changed. It was no longer Duke Fran Lurein before Karyl, but Fran of the Wooden Cloud.

"Understood. I also wanted to see how you would keep our promise, and now I’m at ease."

"And the promise you made, Lord Fran?"

"I’ve already made it."

Karyl frowned slightly at his words.

"What do you mean?"

"You’ve already met the root."

Karyl recalled the dozens of guards he had seen upon entering the building.

"Do you think our relationship is not yet at the stage for me to meet the root directly?"

Ha, won’t you look at this?

Karyl felt like cutting him down right there.

"Besides, you’ve made your move, so we must hold at least one card, don’t we?"

"..."

Fran shrugged as if daring Karyl to challenge him. Infuriating as it was, Karyl still needed him.

"Very well. I\'ll back off a little, for now,” Karyl said as he stood up. “I\'m satisfied knowing that the veiled roots have seen me."

"When our contract is fully honored, you will meet him whether you want to or not. Even if you don\'t want it, the roots will come looking for you directly."

"I hope you’ll be around then, Lord Fran."

"Haha, what are you saying? Where would I go? You are always welcomed in Cove."

Karyl chuckled softly at his response.

The next day, Fran Lurein watched Howard as it departed from the port.

"..."

Last night, a report lay starkly on his desk—seven guards from the port defense had died.

***

"Father."

Tiren MacGovern bowed his head as he reunited with Kuwell after more than a year. The Blue Knights had returned from their northern expedition without taking any rest and had been immediately deployed to defend the border.

Only Kuwell MacGovern had come to the palace to report.

The emperor\'s treatment of Kuwell, known as one of the best Sword Masters on the continent, was criticized by some as harsh, but Kuwell accepted his orders without complaint, knowing the reasons better than anyone.

It was because he had sided with Olivurn.

"I heard you joined the Academy? I\'m glad to see you\'re doing well."

Kuwell, with his beard grown and his armor damaged by the northern cold, walked through the palace corridor. Reuniting with his son at the palace rather than at their mansion left him with a bittersweet look.

"You\'ve been through a lot,” Tiren remarked. “I heard you\'ve conquered half of the north. His Majesty will be pleased."

"His Majesty... I can’t believe I finally hear you speak of him. I don\'t know whether to be proud or to think you\'ve grown arrogant."

Tiren smiled lightly at Kuwell\'s words.

Then Kuwell, shedding his previously harsh demeanor, looked at him tenderly.

"You seem to have gotten used to the palace. That\'s good. You\'re smart, and I always thought the palace was where you should be."

"You flatter me, Father."

Kuwell patted Tiren\'s shoulder gently.

"I\'ve heard about the Ryeo Knights."

"No one has returned alive yet. For some reason... His Majesty, who returned from the Church, has forbidden the dispatch of any investigation teams."

"There must be a reason. I\'ve come to the palace to report on the northern campaign, but that reason is included. Just wait, I\'ll ask him myself."

"You think Randol would die like that?”

"No. Randol always kept to himself because of his background, but he’s just as talented as you in all areas.”

"I know. Randol always managed to beat Martte in the spars."

Kuwell nodded at Tiren\'s keen observation.

"He\'s alive."

With that, the father-son reunion ended as the door to the emperor\'s quarters came into view.

"Sigh..."

Kuwell heaved a sigh as he stared at the firmly closed door.

***

In the dimly lit room, Kuwell knelt and said, "Your Majesty, as per your command, I have completed the Extermination Decree of Heresy during the northern expedition and have returned."

"You\'ve worked hard. I should greet you from the throne, but given the circumstances, I hope you understand."

"Not at all. Even in the north, I was worried about your health.”

"Is that so?"

Titan Shutean sat in his bedchamber, speaking to Kuwell.

Even though this was the emperor’s quarters, the room was ominously dark, with only a single candle illuminating it.

"You worried about my health... I wonder in what sense. Whether my illness would worsen or improve. And whether you worried it would worsen or hoped it would improve."

"I apologize."

Kuwell felt the emperor’s cold gaze. He was a man of great ambition, fit for an emperor, never willing to relinquish anything he owned, not even to his own children.

"It doesn\'t matter. Humans will die someday, but it seems I shall still draw breath for some time. You can be at ease.”

"What do you mean by that...?"

"It\'s timely. In fact, I have someone to introduce to you. No, you already know him. You brought the proof yourself."

"Pardon me...?"

"How could I not praise you for introducing someone so valuable to me?"

Kuwell looked up, confused by the emperor\'s puzzling words.

"Introduce yourself, Karyl."

"...!!!”

At that moment, Kuwell, shocked by the unexpected name, stood up abruptly, forgetting all decorum.

No way he’s...

Kuwell had convinced himself it couldn’t be. It shouldn\'t be.

If this was the Karyl he knew, hiding his foreign status would lead to execution by beheading, with no room for excuse.

"It\'s been a while."

"Ka... Karyl?"

Kuwell repeated the name in disbelief. Being so dark, he couldn’t see clearly.

"It can\'t be..."

Though he couldn\'t see, he recognized the voice.

There was no mistake about it—Karyl was there.

"How... Why are you here?"

He was sure it was Karyl.

At that moment, Kuwell felt like his heart had sunk. Where was this place? They were in the emperor’s chambers, where only a select few nobles were allowed to enter. And there, Karyl stood, as if it were nothing, not even bothering to hide his identity.

Kuwell was baffled. He couldn\'t understand, couldn\'t even begin to guess. Tiren, whom he had met in the corridor, hadn\'t hinted at anything. That meant even Tiren didn\'t know.

It was the emperor\'s secret... The fact that Karyl was there was absurd.

Kuwell was frozen, speechless, as though a fierce dragon stood before him.

"Father..." Karyl spoke in a low voice.