Chapter 142: The Plan Begins

“How can you handle things so recklessly? Sir Gordon, didn’t you say you were entrusting

me

with this task?”

“You were scared of that barbarian woman and couldn’t even say a word to her, and now you’re whining to me like a child?”

“No... That’s...”

Tiren couldn’t respond to Gordon’s harsh critique. He didn’t see himself as dim-witted, and others actually considered him shrewd. In fact, such public perception merely underestimated him as a novice, and with time, he would be regarded as an unparalleled genius.

The problem, however, was time.

At the moment, he was not the seasoned Tiren MacGovern who had weathered countless storms, but a novice who had just entered the political arena and received his first mission from Emperor Shutean.

“She’s a woman at the pinnacle of the barbarian horde. Regardless of her skills, she’s got a fierce temper.”

“Is this your first time meeting her, Sir Gordon?”

“I’ve seen her, but the Digon chief I knew was her mother, not her. Last time I saw her, she was just a little girl, not even ten...” Gordon spoke nonchalantly. “I never thought she’d grow up to be such an insolent brat.”

With that, Gordon sighed softly and waved his hand dismissively at Tiren.

“I feel like being around you has softened me.”

Tiren’s face turned red at his words.

“Both the First and Second Princes have halted their journey to the south. We’re the only ones left.”

“...”

“There’s no rush, but if we keep dragging this out, that’ll become a problem in itself. You need to bring something back from the south to the empire.”

Tiren nodded. “Yes, sir.”

Click-

After confirming that Tiren had left the office, Jaygun, the vice captain, said to Gordon, “You seem unusually kind to Tiren.”

“I’m kind to everyone. Haven’t I kept you alive despite the possibility that you’re scheming with the empire?”

Gordon made a gesture of slicing his neck with his thumb as he spoke to Jaygun.

“Well...”

Once again, Jaygun felt his blood run cold as he realized just how much Gordon knew about his endeavors. Still, the fact that Gordon hadn’t ousted him showed he was serious about what he had just said.

“When you take over the Guidance Mercenary Gang, you can do whatever you want. But don’t half-ass it just because it’s not the prince you want.”

“That won’t happen.”

“What about the task I assigned you? It’s something no noble’s son or high-born priest can do.”

“I’ve been investigating for the last ten days. I should have results by the end of the day.”

“Hmm.” Gordon nodded at Jaygun’s words. “When we meet again, I won’t be going with you. As infuriating as it is, the queen is right. This is an issue between the empire and the south, not with the Guidance Mercenary Gang.”

“Of course.”

“But it’s not in my nature to play along with those dull bastards...”

“I understand perfectly.”

Jaygun looked at Gordon with confidence.

Some things could only be handled by mercenaries.

***

A fortnight had passed.

Prince Kromen had visited Digon several more times since then, but the barbarian tribe repeatedly turned him away, making his status as a prince seem laughable.

"The First Prince is currently recuperating in the territory of Sir Azif in Berardo," Jaygun reported. He was holding a carrier pigeon’s message to Kromen who seemed weary and overwhelmed by the heat.

"Has my brother... really returned?"

"I can't say for sure. Although he’s withdrawn, nearly half of his forces remain there. He might be regrouping his troops in Berardo."

"Will he come to the south?"

Even Kaplan, who had been silently supporting the prince, sighed softly, perhaps realizing that the situation couldn’t be resolved as it was.

"The Second Prince has been confirmed to be in Vestal’s marquisate. He has yet to return to the empire. According to reports, the Sand Serpent has emerged on the road to the south.”

"Serpent, you say?”

"Yes. It's unusual. The Sand Serpent is considered the master of the hills in the south. So why would it leave its area and lurk on the roads?”

Jaygun cocked his head in confusion.

"In any case, both the First and Second Princes are having trouble because of the serpent. It’s almost as if someone is controlling it..."

At that moment, Yurin Huygar, who had been listening, quickly asked, "The Sand Serpent? Didn’t Prince Luon turn back because of the Twin Armor’s forces?"

"That’s correct. But they say the Water King emerged from the Fonein River behind the main camp. Moreover, there was even the Sea King on that battlefield. It must have been complete chaos..."

Jaygun waved the message lightly.

"With over half of his troops taken prisoner, returning to the empire will be rather uncomfortable for Prince Luon. Oh, and let’s keep this information between us."

He put his finger to his lips, grinning mischievously, to avoid any potential backlash. However, the people at the scene weren’t as relaxed as Jaygun.

"The Water King and the Sea King...?"

Yurin Huygar was particularly baffled, and he spoke as though he had been struck in the head with a blunt object.

𝚏𝕣𝕖𝚎𝚠𝚎𝚋𝚗𝐨𝐯𝕖𝕝.𝕔𝐨𝕞

It’s him. Karyl...! That bastard must have done something. Damn it... I knew something was off when he returned alive from there.

However, it was too late for regrets. Whom could he blame? After all, Yurin hadn’t had the courage to go into the water and confirm whether the water monsters had truly died.

Did he really tame those two monsters? No, it can’t be... even the Sand Serpent?

Yurin shook his head. While there had been rare instances of humans taming monsters with special magic, they were all limited to lesser monsters.

Controlling not one, but three S-rank monsters at will?

Impossible. It must be a coincidence...

Despite thinking this, Yurin hadn’t been able to shake off the vague sense of unease about Karyl ever since they had left the empire.

"Something on your mind?” Tiren asked, noticing Yurin’s strained expression.

"Hmm? No, nothing." Yurin shook his head firmly.

Damn it... I’m getting scared of someone who isn’t even here. He must be in Tatur by now. Worrying about this is pointless.

Feeling somewhat reassured, Yurin finally let out a low sigh and composed himself.

"Ugh, it’s a tricky situation," Kaplan muttered, shaking his head slightly.

"...I apologize,” Tiren muttered dejectedly, having failed for the fourth time that day to secure an audience with Miliana for Prince Kromen.

"Haha, Tiren, there’s no need for you to apologize. No matter how brilliant a plan you have, you need to meet the person first."

Despite Kaplan’s words, Tiren bit his lip, feeling ashamed. He couldn’t stand being unable to do anything or come up with a solution. After all, he had become a top student at the Academy under the tutelage of court sorcerer Kadin Luer.

But facing the brute strength of barbarism, everything he had learned seemed useless to him.

What am I doing?

He bit his lip hard.

I need to meet Miliana. No, at least I need to get into Digon’s territory.

Tiren understood why she refused to meet with Prince Kromen.

This happened while the emperor was away dealing with the Church. It means there was an issue with one of the three princes. By refusing to meet with us, she’s indicating that Prince Kromen isn’t the one she’s waiting for.

In that case, how could he meet her?

If Miliana refuses to see Prince Kromen... would she meet someone else?

Suddenly, a thought flashed through his mind.

“...”

Elliot looked at him worriedly, about to say something, but Tiren raised his hand to silence him.

There is someone.

Tiren licked his dry lips and exhaled softly without realizing it.

He might be the only card to turn the situation around right now.

“Prince,” he cautiously called out to Kromen, drawing everyone’s attention.

“I will go to Digon alone.”

Tiren’s voice was firm with determination.

The one who could turn things around was none other than Randol!

***

“You were right.”

“Of course. I’m just surprised it took this long. He’s still unrefined, I suppose,” Karyl told Miliana as he gazed at Tiren waiting in front of the tent.

I guess he’s still inexperienced. Well... There must have been many challenges on the way to becoming chancellor. Compared to back then, he’s like a pampered flower now. His worried face is rather amusing.

Despite thinking that, Karyl was genuinely impressed with Tiren’s boldness of coming here by himself.

“Now I just need to meet him and follow the plan we discussed. What will you do in the meantime?”

“Since Tiren is here today, Kromen will probably come looking for you tomorrow. I have something else to take care of in the meantime,” Karyl said softly.

“What would that be?”

“As I’ve said before, preparing to catch the big fish. I’m going to meet Gordon. Our plan hasn’t even begun yet. I’ll tell you more when I get back.”

Miliana looked slightly irritated but decided against arguing.

“Well, mind games aren’t my kind of battles.”

“This isn’t a battle.”

“Hmm?”

Karyl’s eyes glinted.

“It’s a hunt.”

For a moment, as she looked at him, Miliana found Karyl scarier than the empire itself.

“By the way... what about the Guidance Mercenary Gang stirring things up everywhere?”

“Let them be. I’ve already set up eyes to watch them. Digon doesn’t need to move.”

She chuckled at his words.

“How many people have you deployed in someone else’s territory? It’s getting ridiculous.”

“It’s convenient, isn’t it? We can predict where the Guidance Mercenary Gang will go,” Karyl explained, smiling at Miliana’s comment. He felt at ease around her, perhaps because of how much time he had spent with her in his past life. Conversely, Miliana also found herself gradually becoming more comfortable with him.

“Are you sure it’s okay to let him meet Randol? He will tell Tiren everything about you.”

“It doesn’t matter. Randol doesn’t know everything about me. The same goes for you, I imagine.”

“Are you hiding something from me?”

“Quite a lot.”

Karyl laughed at her question.

“Anyway, I

want

Randol to tell Tiren about me. And the fact that Tiren came alone means he knew Randol was here.”

“Did you tell him that?”

“Of course.”

Miliana laughed in disbelief at his answer. The fact that Randol was staying here was a crucial secret. Not even the people of the empire knew about this.

How long has he been planning this?

She tried to figure it out but soon shook her head.

“I can’t read you at all.”

Miliana stretched and got up from her large cushion.

“Well, that’s fine.”

She seemed somewhat excited as she walked out of the tent, as if she had been bored all this time.

“Let’s see how this goes.”