Chapter 150: The Hunt (3)

"What... What did you just say?!" Milliana shouted, her voice trembling with shock as she clutched her clothes, staring at Karyl in disbelief.

"You crazy bastard!!"

She wore a short robe—a traditional Digon garment—that left her waist exposed and revealed her firm abs when she bent forward.

"Stop overreacting. Just turn around and show me your back. Start by removing your robe."

"If that's all you needed, you should’ve said so to avoid any misunderstandings!"

"Why would there be any misunderstandings?"

"...Just get on with it."

Milliana pursed her lips as she turned her back to him.

"As I observed your swordsmanship, I noticed that while your lower body has speed and balance, your left side is slower when using dual swords. That’s because the meridians in your left arm aren't open, right?"

"That’s right."

"The method I’m about to teach you was passed down to me by the Great Sorcerer from the Magical Era. The nature of the magic is a bit different, but... fortunately, I’ve managed to grasp this method from the knowledge he left behind. Consider yourself lucky.”

"A sorcerer from the Magical Era? There’s no way someone from a thousand years ago is still alive. What, you met with a ghost or something?” Miliana scoffed as though she wouldn’t fall for Karyl’s words.

"Exactly."

"..."

"But the method I used involved explosively condensing Arcane Mana to open my veins. Unfortunately, you can’t do that. For one, I can’t condense that much mana..."

Swoosh—

He placed his hand on Miliana’s shoulder.

"...And there isn’t enough dragon mana in your veins to cause an explosive reaction. Honestly, having three meridians open is already fortunate. You’re blessed to have so many mana veins. You have your parents to thank for that.”

Now I understand why Narh Di Maug helped her become stronger. He must have provided her the mana she was lacking to open her veins.

Mana flowed into Miliana, circulating through her body and filling her veins.

Not even Allen Javius could do this. The core of the Fountain of Vision’s guardian would explode the moment it’s absorbed into the body.

He slowly ran his hand from her left shoulder to her wrist.

It’s no joke, Miliana. You’re lucky to have someone like me to pour mana into you, just like Narh Di Maug.

"You’re saying I lack mana? Are you looking down on me?"

"Yes."

Miliana, who had been silent, tried to turn her head angrily at Karyl’s blunt response.

In response, Karyl smiled faintly and took the Bracelet of Greed off his wrist.

"...!!"

Immediately, the mana flowing from his arm surged violently. Even Miliana, with her relatively shallow mana depth, could clearly feel his mana.

Despite reaching the 5th Class after absorbing the Blazing King, Karyl still wore the Bracelet of Greed, which continued to consume his mana. With more meridians open, the amount of mana flowing through him increased, but so did the strain on his body.

This was a secret neither Miliana nor Gordon Fabian knew. Even Gordon, a Sword Master, was under the impression that Karyl’s explosive mana surge had just been a temporary burst of power.

In reality, Karyl had unleashed his suppressed innate mana. Even Gordon would be baffled if he knew that.

This... this is his mana?

Miliana felt overwhelmed by the immense volume of mana that she couldn’t possibly handle.

No...

Since she was turned with her back toward Karyl, she couldn’t see the mana itself, but she felt that if she turned her head, it would devour her.

Is this even human mana?

It felt as if a dragon were breathing down her back.

Gulp...

Miliana gulped nervously. Her shoulder, where Karyl's hand rested, tensed up, her skin prickling with goosebumps. She stared straight ahead, too nervous to even think about turning around.

"The first time will hurt a lot." Karyl’s low voice echoed through the tent.

***

At the crack of dawn, Karyl raised his head wearily. It appeared that only he and Miliana were in the tent. However, although there hadn’t been any sounds of footsteps, he called out as if some other person were right in front of him, "Hashir..."

At that moment, the shadows behind Karyl twisted, and a man with a hood covering his face knelt down.

"Yes," a low voice replied.

Hashir looked somewhat bewildered as he glanced at the sweat-drenched Miliana lying unconscious on the ground, his eyes twitching slightly.

"It's nothing. Don't worry about it."

"Ah, my apologies." Hashir quickly lowered his head again.

"Is the investigation complete?" Karyl asked.

"Indeed, it is. As you’ve predicted, there are no sorcerers among Prince Olivurn's entourage at the Marquisate of Vestal. The knights are exceptional, however."

"Hmm." Karyl nodded.

While Miliana was stalling the meeting with Kromen, Karyl had given another command to Hashir, the leader of the Wolf-Fox tribe he had met in Digon's territory—to secretly investigate Olivurn’s men at Marquis Vestal’s estate.

"There were many perceptive individuals, so I couldn't investigate thoroughly, but I am confident in my assessment of them. There weren’t many people there, and those coming from or going to Olivurn’s lodging were the same individuals."

"Good work."

It was just as Karyl had expected.

If Luon is supported by the nobles, Olivurn is popular with the knights. But the court sorcerer Kadin Luer remains neutral, which is why he only supports the Third Prince, Kromen.

Of course, Prince Luon's army of seventy thousand included a sorcery unit. However, those were not court sorcerers but private soldiers from the various fiefs.

Olivurn didn't even bring such private soldiers and came with only a small guard, so it's no wonder he has no sorcerers.

Karyl looked satisfied.

"And while there are a few sorcerers in the border guard of the marquisate, Olivurn’s lodging is very far away from the supply lines, and apart from the bribed knights, they still follow Vestal's orders, so there seems to be no interaction."

"So the only one to be cautious of is Tiren." Karyl nodded at Hashir's report.

"But why were you concerned about the presence of sorcerers...?"

At that moment, Karyl's eyes gleamed.

"Because it's quite interesting."

Snap–

As Karyl snapped his fingers, a milky-white aura orb materialized next to him.

"Even with all my experience, there are still surprises."

"Sorry?"

Then, another two orbs separated from the first, splitting off diagonally like falling droplets.

"Among those imperial people..."

Fwoosh...!

Crackle—! Crackle...!!

Flames burst forth from one of the newly formed orbs, and violet lightning scattered from the other. Then, the three mana orbs started spinning around each other, coexisting in harmony.

"It seems I might be the greatest sorcerer."

"What?"

At that moment, a faint smile spread across Karyl's face.

"Magic and mana are related but ultimately different. To become a Sword Master, one must reach the pinnacle of swordsmanship

and

the mana of the 4th Class."

The criteria for dividing magic classes were not based on the rank of the magic, but rather on the amount of mana.

"But just because a Sword Master possesses 4th Class mana doesn’t mean they can actually use it."

It was about understanding mana. The crucial thing for those who wielded swords was how much mana they could condense into their Mana Blade.

"The same applied to me."

Karyl tapped his temple with his finger.

"But now, things have changed a bit."

Whoosh...!!

Though Hashir couldn't see it, for a brief moment, Karyl's eyes displayed a pattern resembling three interlocking gears. As the gears vanished, it was as if the door to a massive library had opened in Karyl’s mind, revealing shelves packed with books. When he reached out, some of the books opened, their contents flowing into him as if being absorbed.

"Huff..."

Karyl took it in like a breath. Acquiring this knowledge had become possible after reaching the 5h Class, but even this was just a part of it. Allen Javius’ library of thoughts contained an infinite amount of mana and knowledge, far beyond what Karyl could possibly handle.

"..."

Hashir watched Karyl with fascination.

“It will be interesting to see how the empire's proud sorcerers react to mana being used against them.”

He didn't voice his final thought.

Especially you, Olivurn. I can't wait to see your face.

Karyl stood up slowly, leaving the knocked-out Milliana behind.

"And Gordon?"

"I couldn't confirm inside the airship, but it looked like they were preparing for takeoff, given they were gathering supplies."

The Guidance Mercenary Gang had spent quite a long time in the south, being stuck in the sky for ten days. Fortunately, Digon had decided to help them with supplies as a minimum of courtesy.

"It might be unfortunate. I instructed Miliana to delay the supplies as much as possible," said Karyl.

"How long to the marquisate?" Hashir asked.

"By horse, it would take about twenty days, and even if they take Cargon, it would take two weeks. By airship, it would be a week, but given the issues with resupplying, it might take longer. Still, faster than Cargon."

Rumble...

At that moment, the roar of a serpent echoed from somewhere within Digon's territory.

"It's fine. I'll arrive faster than the airship."

***

"Brother... Brother!!"

It was probably the loudest Kromen had shouted since their southern expedition. With a fierce expression, he ran with all his might.

"Kromen."

The airship had landed in an open field, quite a distance from Marquis Vestal’s territory. When they requested landing permission, Vestal used the excuse that the airship’s engines would damage the crops to keep them at a distance.

But everyone knew it was to prevent Gordon Fabian from setting foot in his domain.

"Brother!!"

The Third Prince threw himself into the arms of Olivurn Shutean himself.

Tiren and Elliot quickly lowered their heads when their eyes met Olivurn’s. This was the man their father was endorsing for the throne. And even though they were currently with Kromen, they still considered Olivurn their true lord in their hearts.

Martte, standing behind Olivurn, nodded warmly when he saw his two brothers. Without words, that single exchange of glances was enough to understand each other’s situation.

That man is... Sir Jervangh, the vice captain of the Wisteria Knights.

Tiren quickly deduced Olivurn’s situation upon seeing Jervangh standing beside Martte.

The prince already has influence over the Wisteria Knights. They came out under the guise of protection... but disregarding the marquis’ reaction means...

It was proof that their allegiance had shifted.

A faint sigh escaped Tiren’s lips.

It’s disrespectful to say, but the difference in standing between the Third Prince and Olivurn is striking.

But he shook his head.

It’s my fault.

It was just an excuse. If he had handled things properly, they wouldn’t be returning so disgracefully.

"Thank you for your hard work, Sir Gordon,” Olivurn, holding Kromen’s hand, said to Gordon, who stood in front of the airship.

"Hard work? We didn’t even manage to carry out the emperor’s command.”

"It’s not over yet."

"Hmm."

Gordon looked at Olivurn. The prince appeared calm. Despite his young age, his expression was seasoned, making it hard to guess what he was thinking.

Indeed...

Gordon recalled the first time he met Olivurn at the royal palace, a peculiar smile forming on his lips.

He’s an inscrutable fellow.

***

"Captain."

"Get the airship ready for takeoff."

"Are you sure about this?"

Back on the airship after the two princes had departed, Jaygun looked at Gordon with a displeased expression.

"No matter how much the prince wants it, is it really okay to leave them like this?"

"Why? Are you on the Third Prince's side?"

"...What are you saying? It's just that something feels off."

Jaygun blushed, taken aback by Gordon’s remark. In any case, he couldn’t shake off this uneasy feeling.

"I didn't say we’re leaving.”

"What?"

Gordon explained with a stern expression, "Hide the airship in the mountains to the west. And stay low for a while. I need to confirm something."

"...Understood."

With that, he downed the nauseating concoction Rozes had brought in one gulp.

***

"It’s been a while. You’ve been through a lot."

"No, Brother. I’m just relieved to see you. I couldn’t face Father if we returned to the palace like this..."

Seeing Kromen bow his head, Olivurn gave a faint smile and poured him a warm cup of tea.

"I feel the same way. Otherwise, I wouldn't be here either. I acted rashly, only to be stopped by a mere serpent, unable to proceed further. It's more embarrassing for me."

"Did you withdraw your troops to assess the situation after our elder brother lost in the Three Kingdoms of Istria?"

For a moment, the teacup in Olivurn's hand trembled slightly.

"Who told you that?"

"I just heard some of the mercenaries talking. I'm sorry, it was just the ignorant ramblings of uneducated men... Please forget it." Kromen bowed his head.

"How can that be? Ugh, this mess is all my fault. I should have gone to Digon myself. If only I had taken the airship with you..."

Kromen's eyes welled up with tears at Olivurn's words.

"Don’t even mention the Guidance Mercenary Gang. How can they be called the continent’s strongest mercenary gang? Gordon did nothing in Digon. He doesn’t even deserve being called a Sword Master!”

"Is that so?"

"The barbarians wouldn’t even listen to us and just kept refusing everything..."

Kromen proceeded to recount what had happened in Digon, looking tearful and distressed. However, Olivurn was more interested in something else rather than his brother’s complaints.

"So, despite the emperor's command, the Guidance Mercenary Gang really left you here?"

"Well... they said this was the safest place they could leave us and then said they were returning."

"How disrespectful. We, the royal family, even address them with sir, and yet they act like this... Mercenaries...” Olivurn spoke as if trying to soothe his brother.

"Right? You think so too, don't you, Brother?"

Olivurn’s voice sounded awkwardly theatrical, but the young Kromen didn't notice.

"So, does that mean there’s no one to guard you now?"

"No. Tiren and Elliot MacGovern, and Sir Yurin, who was appointed by His Majesty, are here with me."

"Hmm."

"It’s actually better this way. It’s much nicer to be with you than among those ignorant mercenaries."

Olivurn gently patted his younger brother on the head.

"Yes. Now that those ruffian mercenaries are gone, at least there won’t be any hooligans barging into the royal quarters.”

Then, Olivurn muttered under his breath, "Gordon isn’t here, huh... So Gordon Fabian isn’t here now..."

"Thank goodness. I’m so glad to see you here,” Kromen exclaimed, wrapping his hands around his brother’s waist.

Olivurn looked down at him and smiled.

"Yes, me too."

Though his lips were curled into a smile, his eyes did not hold the warmth one would expect from a brother. They looked more like the eyes of a snake eyeing its prey.

"It's really good to see you,” he went on.