Chapter 121: Preparations for Subjugation

"I have something to tell you all."

Kuwell MacGovern looked at his gathered sons as he spoke. He had anticipated this after seeing that the emperor hadn’t summoned him to the Sun Hall, but now he realized the situation was worse than expected.

If the emperor had kept Kuwell by his side despite choosing Olivurn and turning his heart away, Kuwell would have thought that he still needed time to solidify his support. However, sending all three princes on this southern subjugation mission meant that the emperor wasn't willing to take his time.

Why... Why does His Majesty seek to kill his own children with his own hands?

If his conscience allowed him to do something so cruel, he shouldn’t have had children in the first place. Human greed was indeed terrifying.

Befitting of his title of the Conquering King, Titan Shutean excelled at expanding territories, but he had never been a benevolent ruler. In that sense, Luon resembled him the most.

Ironically, that resemblance was the reason Titan Shutean didn’t want to pass the throne to him. But regardless of that, if he lost power, Luon would seize the first opportunity to behead him and take the throne.

That was why Kuwell had chosen to support Olivurn. Although he wasn’t his legitimate son, Olivurn had a kind nature, and the emperor thought he would be an ideal ruler for the empire. In fact, many nobles shared this sentiment.

However, none of them knew that this benevolent ruler they envisioned was the one who had killed the emperor in his previous life.

"Yes, Father."

"Please, speak."

The four sons in front of Kuwell responded with tense expressions.

"Martte, you will accompany Prince Olivurn to the south this time. Given that contact with the Ryeo Knights has been cut off, he won't have many troops to move. Protect him at all costs."

"Understood!” Martte replied firmly, his eyes gleaming.

Kuwell could tell that his son wasn’t the same as before. After returning from the north, he was struck by how much Martte had grown over the past year.

After losing to Karyl back then, Martte had achieved nothing significant compared to Tiren and Randol, who had gained the emperor's favor by taking care of the goblin raid incident.

Perhaps because of that, Kuwell had always been concerned about Martte's arrogance as a noble’s son. But now, a year later, he no longer saw any arrogance in Martte’s eyes.

"Tiren, you will also join the southern subjugation as an imperial sorcerer. But as you know, Sir Kadin remains neutral, so you'll likely be assigned to the third prince."

"I think so too."

"His Majesty has called in mercenaries to support Prince Kromen directly, but mercenaries are rough and wild. Make sure to properly support the third prince. I'll have Elliott accompany you."

Elliott, standing next to Tiren, nodded. Although Elliott’s swordsmanship wasn't as good as Martte's or Randol's, his physical strength was unparalleled.

"You still lack experience. Many mercenaries are stronger than you. If Gordon Fabian decides to act, the third prince’s life could be in danger."

"Surely not..."

Kuwell shook his head at Tiren.

"But he wouldn't do that. He's barbaric but not the type to resort to cowardly tactics."

Tiren found it slightly odd that his father, a knight, spoke like that about a mercenary, as if they were old comrades.

Jake, excluded from this expedition, simply looked anxiously at his brothers.

"And there's another reason I've called all of you,” Kuwell added in a low voice. "I've heard that Randol is alive and that he’s being held by the Digon tribe."

Hearing that, his sons’ eyes widened.

"...What!?"

"Of course! That guy wouldn't die so easily."

"Is this true?"

Although their reactions varied, they were all surprised by this news.

"Probably. That child isn't one to lie."

"That child...?"

Instantly picking up on it, Martte looked up at Kuwell, his eyes twitching slightly.

"I’ve recently met Karyl."

"...!!!"

"...!!!"

Hearing that name from their father’s mouth, they were more shocked than when they heard about Randol's survival.

"He’s alive..." Martte muttered under his breath.

"Brother, that guy wouldn't die,” Elliott snorted.

"Father, how does Karyl know about Randol?”

"I don't know the details, but apparently he's in Tatur now. Surprisingly, he’s helped the emperor return to governance."

Kuwell’s sons were in disbelief. Someone with no ties to the emperor had helped him...

Karyl, you’re leagues ahead of us...

Martte unwittingly bit his lip.

"I’m the only one from the palace who knows about this. I don't think Karyl told His Majesty about Randol. Therefore, I ask you to...”

"Rescue Randol during the southern campaign. If Prince Luon leads his forces south, the Digon tribe won’t leave Randol, an imperial citizen, alone."

At Tiren's words, Kuwell nodded.

"Right. As knights, you must obey the princes’ orders, but as MacGovern children, you also have a mission to rescue your brother.”

Kuwell looked at Martte.

"Martte, if Prince Luon attacks Digon first, try to rescue Randol."

"I will."

But Kuwell knew that if a battle broke out, Martte wouldn't be able to save Randol by himself. Digon would surely behead Randol if things got violent.

I hope Prince Olivurn arrives in the south first...

Kuwell smiled bitterly as he looked at his sons.

"Please return safely, all of you.”

"Yes, Father."

"We will."

The MacGovern brothers were likely walking into their first battle. Kuwell had hoped his children would fight under one banner, but the emperor had shattered that hope.

The children bowed to Kuwell and left the room, but Tiren remained behind.

"Do you have something to say?"

"I heard something strange while you were in the north."

"What is it?"

"The Expert Tournament, which hadn't been held for a while, was held at the Magic Competition in Azor."

"Hmm."

Kuwell was puzzled as to why Tiren was suddenly mentioning the magic competition.

"The Expert Tournament is for

real

sorcerers, those who have become more than apprentices. That's why the Magic Society implicitly banned the tournament."

"And?"

"Recently, there was a winner. He was a free sorcerer, not affiliated with the Magic Society. His name was Karyl."

"..."

In an instant, Kuwell's expression hardened, his eyes twitching.

"Is that true?"

"My master confirmed it personally. Though he didn’t meet the winner, he went there after receiving a report about the Gray Training Ground being attacked."

"Hmm..."

"Most likely, it might just be someone with the same name. You know... that boy..."

Tiren stopped himself from saying "immigrant."

"Fabio, the lord of Azor, said the winner had brown hair and brown eyes."

"Then it's not him," Kuwell nodded.

"Forgive me, Father, but have you seen Karyl's face?"

"No, I haven't. He wore a mask to hide the fact that he’s an immigrant.”

"..."

Tiren frowned slightly at those words. Of course, wearing a mask was only natural for him. Tatur was a free city even for immigrants, but the empire was not. Moreover, if he had revealed that he was Kuwell MacGovern’s son, it made sense that he couldn’t show his face.

But...

Tiren still couldn't shake his doubts.

Could he have worn a mask even when meeting the emperor alone?

No, that was clearly impossible.

The emperor despised immigrants, so how could Karyl not only survive an encounter with him, but also stand by his side?

I need to find out about this.

Tiren clenched his fist, realizing he had another goal during this southern expedition.

"Father,” Tiren called again before leaving the room, not turning around. “We’ve all been assigned to a different prince, in a different army, right?”

"Yes."

"Do you think all three princes will return safely from this expedition?" Tiren asked calmly, holding the doorknob.

Kuwell found himself unable to answer. Serving in different armies, the brothers could very well be forced to draw their swords on each other.

***

"Phew..."

Dushala heaved a sigh as she checked the continuous stream of messenger birds.

"The empire is on the move. Just as we expected, the emperor doesn't intend to honor his deal with you, Master. They're preparing to dispatch troops."

Not long after Viola's visit, the sudden influx of messenger birds had left her feeling overwhelmed.

Watching her, Karyl said, "You shouldn't be struggling with this. This is what I meant by the invisible empire. The power to know everything happening on the continent while sitting down."

"Ugh... Then help me out. It's too much to handle alone."

"Soon, there will be a group to support you. Aidan is preparing it, so just hang in there a bit longer.”

Karyl smirked, thinking it was time to contact the Eastern Lands with Aidan.

If we’re going to finally establish the invisible kingdom, we need to be thorough about it. Speaking of which, Zouk has been quiet lately... Has she returned to the empire?

Karyl spoke to Dushala in passing, as she wasn't a key figure at the moment.

"If they’re raising an army, the target is likely the south. Did you find out who the commander is?"

"Yes. It’s Azif, the vice captain of the Golden Knights."

At her report, Karyl tilted his head slightly.

The Golden Knights are the royal guard. Despite turning against the emperor, it’s unlikely that Luon would appoint him as the captain.

"Oh, there’s another report. But... could this be true?"

"What do you mean?"

Dushala frowned as she opened another note from a messenger bird.

"They say all three princes are going on this expedition. The army is being assembled by Prince Luon."

"All three princes?"

"Yes. The second prince... doesn’t seem to be raising a separate army. But the strange thing is about the third prince. An informant placed in a village at the empire's border confirmed that he boarded the Guidance Mercenary Gang's airship."

Gordon Fabian is supporting the third prince...?

Something was off. In his previous life, the Guidance Mercenary Gang had no involvement in the imperial power struggle. While Gordon Fabian had influence in the palace, he didn't directly participate in the princes' mud fight.

There's no connection between Kromen and Gordon Fabian. If anything, he's still on the emperor's side.

In an instant, a thought flashed through Karyl's mind.

Wait, is the emperor trying to empower Kromen?

Indeed, Titan Shutean favored Prince Kromen the most among the three. But that was mere favoritism, not a desire to pass the throne to him.

Karyl looked at it from the other side.

Or is the emperor using the Guidance Mercenary Gang to eliminate the third prince?

It wasn't impossible. In fact, that seemed more likely than empowering him so he could inherit the throne. When power was involved, Titan Shutean could be the most cruel man.

Such pointless greed... And for what? It’s all over once you’re dead.

Karyl smiled bitterly. The greed Titan Shutean had so desperately clung to would turn to ashes in just a few years. Perhaps succumbing to that poison, like in his previous life, would have been better than living long enough to lose everything.

"But this is impressive. Suan and Kamma have spread the people we brought through the Lawless Port over the past two years all over the Empire... It’s just like you’ve said, Master. We have a clear view on what the empire is doing.”

Despite her complaints, Dushala looked pleased.

To move a large army required many things—supplies, food, tents, firewood, and more. No matter how subtly the empire moved, they had to take supplies with them, and those supplies would give away their troop numbers.

"Judging by the amount of supplies they’re preparing, they can’t possibly move through the southern roads. They must go through the Three Kingdoms. They have at least fifty thousand troops, possibly up to one hundred thousand. It seems that Prince Luon is not planning to mess around in the south."

"Which direction do you think that guy’s troops will come from?”

Dushala raised an eyebrow as Karyl casually referred to Prince Luon as “that guy”.

𝚏𝕣𝐞𝗲𝐰𝕖𝐛𝐧𝕠𝕧𝚎𝚕.𝐜𝚘𝗺

"With an army this large, they will likely use the Haron Highway,” she explained. “The river in that area is shallow, making it easier to cross. That means they'll pass through the border area between the Kingdom of Istan and the Kingdom of Tevanel."

"What’s the estimated time?"

"We'll know for sure once we receive the report regarding Prince Luon's departure... but probably around two months."

Karyl pondered the situation as he looked at the area Dushala pointed to on the map.

"Prepare for three months. Estimate when they will arrive here."

"What?"

"Olivurn might take his time, but the airship of the Guidance Mercenary Gang can cross the border regardless of the Three Kingdoms. The longer it takes, the more anxious Luon will become. Given his personality, he’ll try to break through any obstacles with force."

Karyl pointed to the border fortress between the Kingdom of Istan and the Kingdom of Tevanel on the map.

"Surely... Prince Luon wouldn't engage with the Three Kingdoms? And would the Three Kingdoms dare oppose him?"

"I can’t say for sure. The Three Kingdoms have many grievances with the empire. They won’t just open their gates. Besides, they’re not a small force. Their armies are equivalent to a kingdom’s strength."

Karyl chuckled softly.

"First, it's crucial to determine the exact route the imperial army is taking. You said Suan has returned, right? Go to the Lawless Port and relay my message. Have him prepare boats and boatmen to cross the Fonein River. And you, intercept Luon on the Haron Highway to hinder his passage.”

"What? The highway?"

"Yes. And take all the Redstones and Cradlestones from the warehouse. You already know why, so I won’t go into details.”

Dushala nodded but still looked puzzled.

"But is there a specific reason to delay his troops by intercepting them on the highway? Couldn't we just inform the Three Kingdoms...?"

"No. We’re doing this to show the Three Kingdoms that we’ll know what the empire’s up to before them.”

"Oh...” Dushala closed her mouth, realizing her shortsightedness.

Moreover, the last dungeon is being formed right at that border area. No matter what, Luon needs to be there.

In the event that monsters emerged during the standoff between Prince Luon's forces and the Three Kingdoms' armies, Karyl had a specific goal he sought to achieve amidst the chaos.

Being at the border between two kingdoms, a significantly larger number of people lived there compared to other border areas.

It wasn’t just a village. Including the nearby towns and settlements from both kingdoms, the border area was home to at least a thousand people.

Would Istan and Tevanel open their gates to save their people with an imperial army at their doorstep?

If they had thought that far ahead, they wouldn’t have recklessly bought the elemental stones like that. The rumors spreading from man to man couldn’t be measured; a thousand people was no small number.

If I’m the one to save them from the empire, as opposed to the Three Kingdoms...

The kingdom that had abandoned them and the empire that had invaded them—the outcome was evident.

Titan Shutean, you thought you could ignore our deal and plot against your own sons, but this will be your greatest mistake.

Karyl had the empire in the palm of his hand; he could see every move they made.

"The subjugation force?"

"Ready. Beikan and Kinu Mukari's troops have already assembled."

Karyl nodded and stood up.

The three princes... Familiar faces. I might subjugate not just the monsters but also you this time.

His eyes gleamed.

"We’re ready to depart."