Chapter 149: The Hunt (2)

"I did as you instructed and rejected Kromen's proposal."

It was night when Miliana welcomed Karyl back from the airship.

"Good. What did he offer in exchange for peace?"

"Clear Distilled Water. Honestly, if you hadn't suggested it first, I might have been tempted. How did you know?"

Karyl smirked at her question.

"I didn't. I merely predicted it. But was that all? There must have been something else."

Miliana looked at Karyl in amazement.

"Did you spy on Tiren or something? How did you know? Are you... even human?"

"Of course, I’m perfectly human. Stop talking nonsense and tell me more."

Karyl took off his dust-covered cloak and hung it in the corner.

"Besides the Clear Distilled Water, Tiren brought an oath document. A magical one."

"Really? Do you remember if the paper was old or had any special mark on the top left corner?"

"Hmm? No, it was just parchment.” She shook her head.

"Then it's not a word-bound oath document." Karyl nodded in response.

So he made the oath himself... It seems Tiren has become a sorcerer.

In his previous life, Tiren had been exceptional enough to become the chancellor of the empire, and he had also displayed considerable talent as a sorcerer. Although his image as a chancellor overshadowed his magical skills, he had actually reached the 6th Class, proving to be a very capable high-ranking sorcerer.

"So?"

"He knew Digon's weakness well."

"The Oasis?"

Miliana smiled bitterly at Karyl's words.

"Yes. He also mentioned the Clear Distilled Water before, but ultimately, he offered us the land in the southwest."

"That’s Kromen's land."

Karyl immediately understood what land Tiren had referred to without needing further explanation.

"That wouldn't have been authorized by the emperor. But it's not impossible either. It's an uninhabited wasteland, and Kromen doesn't have the capability to manage the territory anyway."

Even so, offering one of the few lands given by the emperor shows how desperate Kromen is.

Kromen was cornered enough to offer his territory to the barbarians.

But since that was also rejected, both Tiren and the young Kromen will be at their wits’ end.

If Gordon announced a retreat, Kromen would want to return immediately. Manipulating the mind of a child was as easy for Karyl as flipping his palm.

"Are you bummed out?"

"Well... Not particularly."

"Receiving that land would solve the water issue. But Titan Shutean is confident he can take it back anytime, which is why he proposed it."

Hearing that, Miliana’s face hardened.

"...Why do you see it that way?"

"Doesn’t anything come to mind from what I’ve just said?"

She tilted her head.

"Think of it this way. Tiren gave you a solution to the water problem, but you don’t have to

accept

it from him. You can just take it.”

"Crazy... Are you saying we should start a war with the empire on top of rejecting the negotiations?"

"Sooner or later."

Miliana cast Karyl a look of disbelief before saying, "If Digon perishes, it’ll be your responsibility."

"Aren’t you willing to fight?"

"No. We're already pushing ourselves because of you. I don't care if you manipulate the four tribes of the Great Plains or the Five Great Families of the Abyssal Rock, but don't drag Digon into it."

"But thanks to that, we can talk like this without fighting. Having a common enemy allows us to look in the same direction."

Karyl sat beside her.

"Facing the empire is better than facing me."

"That's not confidence, that's arrogance."

"Really? I can prove it right now if you want."

"..."

Though Miliana had retorted in disbelief, she only ended up pursing her lips.

"I'm joking. Even if this negotiation fails, Digon won’t suffer,” Karyl explained.

"Are you saying the empire won’t attack us?"

"Yes. That's right."

"What trick have you pulled this time?"

"A small one."

Miliana looked at Karyl and shook her head as though overwhelmed by his planning.

"How can you always speak with such confidence?"

Karyl chuckled slightly before giving an answer.

"Well, pride is important for any great power. But no matter how proud the empire is, they can’t just disregard forty thousand lives and continue playing tough.”

"Forty thousand lives...?" Miliana looked at Karyl, astonished.

"Give or take. Don’t worry. If I don’t move, neither will the empire.”

At that moment, she widened her eyes as if something had come to mind, then covered her mouth as she spoke, "Don't tell me... Are you the one responsible for Prince Luon’s defeat at the Twin Armor of the Three Kingdoms of Istria?"

Karyl didn't answer, but Miliana nodded, his silence confirming her suspicion.

"Unbelievable. The two princes of the empire failed their missions in the south because of you.”

Not two, but three.

Karyl chuckled lightly. If she found out that the Sand Serpent that had stopped Olivurn was also his doing, she would be dumbstruck.

Miliana lay down on a large cushion with a weary expression.

"Well, if you say so, then I suppose that’s how it is. But Tiren told me something else."

"What was it?"

"He said that besides promising the territory, he could also

overlook

the fact that the Ryeo Knights ambushed the Five Great Families."

"Was that a threat?"

"No, he said it rather casually," Miliana sneered.

"Everyone knows that you and Olivurn made a secret pact. However, the Ryeo Knights broke their contract with you and attacked the Five Great Families, and Digon denies any involvement in it, playing the victim.”

"Playing the victim, huh..."

Karyl moved closer to her.

"Honestly, it's like we're both just playing a game for our own benefit. Everyone knows it, even if they can't say it outright."

"Anyway, you should be wary of Tiren,” said Miliana. “If he can make such threats to Digon, he's no ordinary guy."

"He will grow stronger."

"If that’s the case, he’ll become an obstacle for you, no?”

"That's uncertain. What he’s about to experience will be quite shocking for him."

Karyl regretted not seeing Tiren's face upon returning from Digon.

Yes, Tiren. You will grow, but you'll suffer a lot from this. But it's the least you deserve for how much you used me.

In his previous life, Tiren had driven him to exhaustion with countless battles, leveraging Karyl's abilities to secure victory after victory. Of course, Karyl didn't resent him for it. In fact, he understood the situation completely. He just regretted missing the rare opportunity to see the genius struggle.

"So, what happens next? Does it have to do with meeting Gordon Fabian?"

"Yes."

"You constantly live on the edge, don’t you?”

"Is the Empress of the South worried about me?"

"Worried? No way... My face still hurts from when you smashed it into the ground."

At that moment, Karyl got even closer and placed his hand on her cheek as she lay there.

"What... What are you doing?"

Startled, Miliana quickly turned her head.

"Stay still."

Karyl held her chin and examined both of her cheeks. It would have looked rather comical for anyone watching, but for some reason, the woman known as the conqueror of the south stayed still, like a docile lamb.

"..."

She felt her face flush. Time seemed to stretch on awkwardly, and not knowing how to react, Miliana just stared at Karyl.

"No damage. I guess you have tough skin."

Miliana's expression changed at Karyl's comment, unsure if he was jesting or being serious.

"Tough skin... How dare you say such nonsense? It's because I used protective magic."

"That protective magic wasn't that impressive."

"Shut up."

Miliana pursed her lips as she lightly swatted Karyl’s hand away from her chin.

I can’t believe I’m playing along with such a trivial joke...

She had heard Karyl was only fourteen. Despite the ten-year age gap, the casual manner in which he spoke and his overall demeanor often made her forget he was just a boy.

As Karyl got up with a mysterious smile, she thought to herself,

I'm going crazy.

Miliana unknowingly touched her warm cheek with the back of her hand.

"What about Randol? Did he return with Kromen?"

"He stayed. Judging by your question, you didn't expect that."

"Of course not. I'm not omniscient."

Karyl shook his head.

"I hoped he'd stay, but I can't predict his feelings."

"Someone who can see the big picture can't predict one person's thoughts?"

At that, Karyl chuckled.

"The big picture is just a broad flow. Once the course is set, everything follows the current, making predictions and planning possible. But to understand one’s heart, now that’s a different matter entirely.”

"To me, you don't seem like someone who would find that difficult."

Miliana felt an inexplicable familiarity with how Karyl treated her, but naturally, she didn’t know why that was. In their past lives, she and Karyl had shared many life-and-death experiences.

However, Randol was different. Even before his death, they had no particular bond, and since he had left the mansion, Karyl hadn't much insight into his current ideals.

Besides his talent with the sword, I have high expectations from him because he’s a commoner, not a noble.

"How far has he progressed with Digon’s swordsmanship?"

"He’s learned all the basics. Actually, that's the problem now. I taught him as per your request, but getting him to the next level will be difficult unless he becomes part of the tribe."

"That's enough. If he decides to join the tribe, then you can teach him the essence."

"You think he’ll join us?"

"Just like Tiren, what happens at Marquis Vestal’s estate will determine their futures."

Karyl’s eyes gleamed with determination.

"Both will become indispensable in a year. To achieve that, we need to break their loyalty to the prince."

"A year from now?"

"It’s something you don't need to know yet."

According to the original history, a prophecy was due in a year.

But Karyl wanted to test if the Oracle would be prophesied as expected, given the empire's state of disarray.

If the Oracle is not prophesied in a year, but after the empire stabilizes and the continent unifies...

Indeed, if the Oracle was prophesied after humanity had managed to build a foundation to fight off the Tarak, it could be argued that Pharel’s emergence and subsequent battles with the monsters were influenced by divine will.

Yula, if you orchestrated even the creation of Pharel, not just the prophecy, then this time around, as the leader of humanity, I won’t let things go your way!

Karyl vowed.

"Keep an eye on Randol for now. Soon enough, he’ll ask to leave. He’ll come looking for me.”

"Do we really need to make it this complicated? I don't understand what you're trying to do."

"You need to stage some things in order to create drama. Just wait a bit. I'll show you something quite entertaining."

Karyl paused for a moment, then spoke again with emphasis, as if revealing something important, "Got it? Don’t forget what I just said. Remember it, and you’ll be able to enjoy the stage I’m setting up.”

As Karyl's lips curled into a smile, Miliana was growing fearful of what he might do the next time he smiled.

"So, what about our deal?"

"I’m planning to finalize that today. We need to leave Digon by tomorrow."

"Today? Can it be done in a day?"

"It won't even take a day. Currently, three of your meridians are open, but the mana within your mana veins is woefully insufficient."

Miliana nodded at his words.

"But that's not really the case. In reality, dragon mana is much denser than normal mana. Although it’s gotten diluted over generations, it’s still quite powerful."

Karyl shrugged lightly.

"Of course, you won't have as much mana as I do."

"...So what?"

"What you lack are the meridians. If the fourth one, which is the standard for a Sword Master, is opened, allowing smooth circulation of mana within your body, you can become even stronger than you are now."

Listening intently, she chuckled at Karyl's words.

"Who doesn't know that opening the meridians leads to greater power? It's just that there's no way to do it."

"I know the way."

"What?"

"Of course, I can’t open all your meridians, but opening one more is definitely doable,” Karyl went on nonchalantly. “If we use a special type of mana known as Arcane Mana."

At that moment, purple mana began to condense and gather in his hand.

"Luckily, I possess that Arcane Mana. Trust me. I also opened my own meridians using this same power."

Miliana looked at Karyl's mana with interest.

"Also, you’re fortunate that a kind human like me is passing the mana to you, and not some spirit," Karyl spoke softly. "Now take off your clothes."