Chapter 99: A Deal (2)

"You insolent fool! How dare you speak so carelessly!” the knights shouted at Karyl.

However, the emperor merely maintained his gaze on him and chuckled lightly, seemingly unfazed.

Karyl remembered what kind of man stood before him. Over the years, Titan Shutean had experienced every hardship known to man on his way to the throne, surviving not just the merciless blizzards of the North but also the scorching sun of the South.

"You jest too much,” said the emperor.

Of course, Titan Shutean had faced far harsher struggles than just biting cold and scorching heat during his pursuit of the throne; provocation of this kind wasn’t enough to shake him.

However, the same was true for Karyl. He hadn’t lived at the palace, but he had survived on the battlefield, brushing against death every waking moment. Besides, the betrayal of the friends he had trusted had served to sharpen his blade further.

"That means it's a matter of great danger."

"If the empire cannot do it, then it's likely that no one can."

"Except for one person."

"And who might that be?"

"He stands right before you, Your Majesty.”

The conversation between the two was most tense, like walking on thin ice that had already cracked, and it made the fierce response of the knights, with their blades pointed at Karyl, seem almost pointless.

"..."

Even without looking at him, everyone at the scene could guess that Joey Johansel was gritting his teeth at the insolence of the man he had brought here. He might well lose his head because of Karyl.

"Ha... Haha." Surprisingly, it was the emperor who broke the silence with a chuckle. “Ahh, you somehow remind me of the second prince. It’s strange, considering you look nothing like him.”

"..."

"Speak. Tell me what you know."

"Does Your Majesty know of the black market in Tatur?"

"Of course. It's a shameful thing, but even nobles of the empire occasionally use it. Rumors say even items not found in the imperial vault can be found there."

"The things that shine are found in the palace, and those that don’t are found in the black market.”

"Now you've piqued my interest."

"If given the chance, I will gladly guide you there. If you don't mind the slight stench of blood, that is.”

"One does not ascend to the throne without getting used to it.”

Joey Johansel inadvertently looked at Yurin Huygar, his patron, and he noticed that he was just as shocked as him. Emperor Titan Shutean, who was well over seventy, and Karyl, a thirteen-year-old boy, were seeing each other for the first time ever.

Joey and Yurin weren’t aware that Karyl had come from the future, but even so, they were baffled by how they seemed to know each other, as if they had been acquainted long before this meeting.

Of course, they wouldn't know that countless spears and shields were exchanged during this brief conversation.

"The black market contains many things, sometimes even relics that should’ve been sent to the royal family."

"Oh?"

"I don't mean to criticize the nobility and the knights for their negligence. Thanks to their disloyalty, we're able to explore ruins and secure artifacts, thus offering what you desire without any waste of time."

"Disloyalty turned into loyalty, huh... What an amusing notion.”

"Sir Joey, I believe you explored a ruin with youths from the Three Kingdoms recently? Didn’t you find an ancient tome about Mana Knights there?”

"That's..."

Karyl's words left Joey Johansel visibly flustered. He hadn’t even known the contents, let alone the authenticity of that tome until Karyl had mentioned it just now.

"The core of a golem is a type of magic stone, different from the elemental stones found in the Mana Mine. Minerals containing condensed magic were hard to come by even during the Magical Era."

"So?"

"The so-called sorcerers of the beginning, the seven elders of the Magical Era, researched these magic stones. They wondered if the power that could animate a giant golem could be used elsewhere."

Then, Karyl mentioned a name he hadn’t brought up in a long time. "Allen Javius discovered something interesting. The extension of life through potent mana."

"..."

The emperor, who had been interjecting every now and again with a relaxed expression, pressed his lips shut.

"Are you saying you know about this?"

"I can't be sure, since I haven't experienced it myself, but I am aware of the information related to it."

Karyl neither gave full assurance nor cast doubt. He let the emperor decide for himself. After all, the decision he was going to make was obvious.

"I cautiously predict that even Sir Joey's recent exploration might be part of that endeavor. Since the exploration is officially a duty of the convent, there's no reason to be suspicious."

Karyl pieced together the future history he knew and the past knowledge of Allen Javius as if fitting together a puzzle, presenting it as his own speculation.

"However... surely, we found the relic with the artifact you desire before anyone else."

Of course, it was a lie. If such artifacts had existed in the Magic Era, the seven elders would have lived eternally, and magic would not have declined from that era. Even scouring the memory vaults of Allen Javius, no artifact or relic with such effects existed.

Yet, the reason Karyl could confidently bait him with this lie was that it wasn't entirely a lie.

There's no artifact of eternal life, but I can extend the emperor's life because I know the antidote to Twilight.

In this current era, nobody knew the nature of the poison, let alone the antidote. It was only after Olivurn ascended the throne and absorbed the Northern tribes that the empire acquired the poison.

With healers and priests in the palace, merely neutralizing the poison would suffice to restore his health. That would certainly prolong Emperor Titan Shutean's life.

"Tell me what you desire," the emperor asked once more.

Karyl felt that the time had finally come. "What are your thoughts on the Three Kingdoms, Your Majesty?"

"What do you mean?"

"I am against the destruction of the Three Kingdoms. Sir Joey here is well aware of my stance.”

At Karyl's words, Joey Johansel placed a hand over his left chest and bowed to the emperor.

"Hmm. The empire is currently expanding northward through the Heresy Extermination Decree. I shall not claim that the empire isn’t considering the idea of conquering the Three Kingdoms."

The emperor looked at Karyl with interest.

"On the other hand, you have no intention of forming an alliance, do you?"

"So?"

The Three Kingdoms of Istria were a thorn in the empire’s side. They could be suppressed by force, but that would garner threats from the principality.

However, forming an alliance did not align with the empire's ambitions. So, for nearly a century, the balance of power among the continent's top three forces had held firm. None could easily attack, nor could they readily extend a hand.

"I will take the Three Kingdoms."

"What...?"

"Please ensure that Tatur and the Three Kingdoms are protected from the principality during this time. Also, prevent the empire from attacking the Three Kingdoms."

With that, the hall was instantly plunged into silence. Karyl’s request was so preposterous that the emperor actually doubted his ears for a second.

"Pff...! Pfahahaha!!"

Then, the emperor burst into a fit of mad laughter, which echoed powerfully throughout the hall.

"Aaahh... Oh, that surely is the funniest thing I’ve heard in a while.” The emperor cleared his throat before continuing, “Alright. How you acquire the Three Kingdoms will be up to you, but you’re clearly a lousy merchant...

Cough, cough!

”

At the emperor’s gesture, a servant behind him handed him an embroidered handkerchief. He wiped his mouth, and Karyl managed to spot a red stain on the fabric.

The poison is progressing. I need to hurry up with the cure.

"There's no reason for the empire to attack the Three Kingdoms. For the same reason, the principality wouldn’t easily make a move against them either.”

Despite having just coughed up blood, the emperor still seemed amused as he spoke to Karyl. It was as if he was treating Karyl like a grandson. However, that amusement was short-lived.

Karyl spoke in a low voice, "The Ryeo Knights have been annihilated by the Southern barbarians. I do not know whether that was Your Majesty’s order or perhaps just the princes acting by themselves. But in any case, this news will soon reach the imperial palace.”

"...!!"

Emperor Titan Shutean's eyes widened. From his reaction, Karyl knew his guess was correct; the news had not yet been revealed.

"Is that true?"

"Due to its location, Tatur can quickly gather news from the South..."

A gamble—all this time, Karyl had debated whether to play his trump card. If he hadn't been able to meet the emperor in person, he would have chosen to keep this fact hidden and take control of the Three Kingdoms.

However, now that he could negotiate directly, he decided to disclose this piece of information.

By doing so, any leverage against me disappears, and instead, I might gain the emperor's protection.

The emperor, after all, valued his knights highly, but not more than his own life.

"When the report comes in, the empire will surely strike the South. However, the Three Kingdoms, located at the crossroads where the army must pass, will find it difficult to open their gates,” Karyl explained.

"You mean to say the imperial forces meant for the Southern campaign might clash with the Three Kingdoms."

"Yes."

"Hmm..." For the first time in their conversation, the emperor seemed to be deep in thought.

If the emperor knew that the one who had annihilated the knights was right in front of him, just what kind of expression would he wear? Karyl smirked bitterly at his own aptitude for such deception.

"I grant permission.”

“Your... Your Majesty." The knights looked on in surprise at the emperor's words.

"But if you fail to keep your promise, the empire will first turn from the South to strike not just the Three Kingdoms but Tatur as well."

"You are most wise, Your Majesty.”

"I can’t believe someone like you actually exists. Are you really just thirteen? You must have snakes living inside your chest, craftier than any cunning minister."

The emperor's response left him somewhat pleased, as if he considered Karyl to be of the same ilk as himself. He looked as if he was enjoying the negotiation with Karyl as his final amusement.

"Then..."

However, the matter was not yet concluded, even though the emperor might’ve thought so. In fact, Karyl had some other reasons for being there. The previous negotiations had been significant on their own, but he had come here for a different purpose, namely the Wooden Cloud.

Karyl slowly turned his head, scanning the hall. Other than Joey Johansel and Yurin Huygar, only the emperor's royal guards and servants were present.

"Might I ask for that man's life?" Karyl pointed to a man.

"...!!"

The servant standing behind the emperor gasped in surprise as Karyl looked over. The emperor, clearly uninterested in why Karyl had asked that, simply said, "Sure, that much I can do."

"Eek?!"

Then it happened.

As the emperor slowly lowered his hand, the knight next to the startled man drew his blade and slashed him at the waist with no hesitation.

Swoosh...!!

Splatter–!

As blood spattered onto the bed, the emperor chuckled softly. "Let this be our agreement then.”

***

It felt like waking from a dream. Back in his room, Karyl thought about the emperor.

The die is cast. When it's confirmed that Joey Johansel is close to the emperor, the only ones who could be suspected are the servants.

The emperor's royal guards were not only highly skilled, but they also could not join without clear and verified status, as they were personally selected by the emperor.

Even if...

It didn't matter. If there was someone from the Wooden Cloud among the royal guards, they would’ve reacted to that whole spectacle, whether it be the negotiations with the emperor or the implications of that servant’s execution.

Knock—

It was late at night. The faint knock at the door caused Karyl to smirk in anticipation.

"Well, well..."

However, when he opened the door, he couldn't help but chuckle at the unexpected visitor.

"Oh, I didn’t expect this... There really are many bright minds on the continent.”

"..."

Standing at the door was a small boy, holding a small candlestick with his face covered. He handed Karyl a note without saying anything.

"It was you."

The boy was none other than the apprentice Karyl had thought was assigned by the convent to spy on him under the guise of a servant.