Chapter 173: The Meaning of the Arrows Released to the Sky

“I see...” Karyl nodded in response to Dushala’s report.

“The Church has dispatched a high priest to perform a purification prayer for two days, and then they will hold a state funeral for three days.”

Dushala paused, taking a sip of water from the cup on the table before continuing, “You were right, Master. A young boy ending up as a political sacrifice. Quite tragic.”

“Is the mighty Dushala feeling sympathy for the dead?”

“Not at all. It’s just... something the men in the camp said came to mind.”

“Hmm?”

Karyl gave her a curious look, but Dushala merely shrugged as though it wasn’t important. He then turned his gaze away, deep in thought. Kromen’s name left a bitter taste in his mouth. Although he wasn’t directly responsible for the young prince’s death, he knew it was coming and chose to let it happen.

“What were his final moments like?”

“His death was handled in strict secrecy, so we don’t know the details, but the guards who were coaxed into talking described it as horrific. They said that just before he died, blood flowed from every orifice, eyes, ears, nose, mouth... every hole in his body.”

Dushala shook her head lightly.

“I’ve never seen such a potent poison. The empress fainted on the spot upon seeing him... and the Second Prince was the one who handled the body."

“Heh...”

Dushala looked at Karyl with a puzzled expression, as if wondering what was funny about this whole thing.

“Unlike the First Prince, who showed no concern for his brother’s welfare, Olivurn’s reputation will rise even higher.”

“Of course. He’s already popular with the common people. From Titan Shutean to Luon, the members of the imperial family are seen as cold, but Olivurn stands out."

She smiled bitterly.

“Regardless of anything else, the sight of him crying while holding Kromen has become a widespread story throughout the market districts of the capital.”

“Yes, it’s certainly different, isn’t it?”

“Indeed. He’s truly a ruthless person. Even in the lawless Tatur, people like him are rare.”

Dushala heaved a sigh.

“To weep so convincingly over the brother he himself had murdered...”

Their perception of Olivurn was starkly different from that of the citizens, who were unaware of his schemes.

“How long has it been?”

“It’s been just over a month since we arrived in the south. It took longer than your two-week estimate, Master. But at least it gave us some time.”

Karyl’s voice turned cold.

“Even at a young age, Olivurn’s caution exceeded my expectations.”

“...Is that a compliment?”

Dushala frowned at his words.

“Maybe. What about the prisoners?”

“They’re ready. As per your orders from the south, Beikan and Kinu have positioned them in the northern mountains near the capital. It was quite a challenge given the number of people, but with Hashir’s help, we managed using secret passages known only to the indigenous tribes.”

“Great job.”

“Of course. It took us the entire month.”

“Indeed. It wouldn’t have been possible without you. I can always trust you.”

“What... What are you saying? You’re embarrassing me..."

Dushala blushed slightly at Karyl’s praise, quickly covering her face with her veil.

“What about Luon?”

“According to the report, they’re ready to deploy troops again from Berardo.”

“Deploy troops, huh...”

Dushala chuckled at Karyl’s cold demeanor.

“Yes. They’ll head to the capital, eager for the opportunity. They’ve been at a stalemate for a while now.”

“Indeed. For him, it’s a welcoming opportunity. He couldn’t hope to retake the Twin Armor with the remaining forces."

“Do you think they’d go the same route after failing once? There are other paths, even if they take longer.”

Karyl smirked.

“That’s the pride of the imperial family. Avoiding a small nation out of fear? Even if they succeed, the emperor would be unsatisfied with that approach.”

“They certainly live complicated lives."

“Well, they’re the kind of people who’d even sacrifice their siblings for their advantage. How many people do you think will genuinely weep at Kromen’s funeral and mourn him?”

Dushala nodded in understanding, though she still looked discontented.

“In such a family, the word ‘family’ has no meaning. They’re just enemies to each other. Neither Olivurn nor Luon will be at peace. The smallest misstep will be exploited.”

As he spoke, Karyl thought of the MacGovern brothers. Despite not being blood-related, they genuinely considered each other brothers. In a way, Kuwell MacGovern was a more remarkable man than the emperor, though he wasn’t with them...

Tch... Such useless sentiment.

Karyl tightened his grip on the handle of the Freezing Talon.

“Dushala, it’s time to head to the empire. Tell Suan to prepare bows for the prisoners. Three arrows each will suffice.”

“You sure about this?” Dushala replied, uncharacteristically tense. There are forty thousand prisoners. Giving them bows...”

“Don’t worry. There are no nobles or knights among them. They’re all commoners.”

“So...?” Dushala asked, puzzled by Karyl’s reasoning.

“It means they’re more human than those in the palace.”

“...I see.”

“You’ll understand soon enough,” Karyl said in a low voice. “And we’ll offer our condolences for Kromen’s death in our own way.”

***

[Kromen Shutean, the Third Prince, Dead.]

The rumors of the failure of the southern expedition that once stirred the imperial capital were overshadowed by the somber news of Kromen’s death. A heavy atmosphere settled over the city as the tragic news spread through its streets.

“And the ministers?”

“Most of the vassals have gathered. Now that the purification ceremony is over... The main funeral will begin at midnight on the third day.”

“Hmm...”

Prince Luon, sitting inside the carriage, sighed at Azif’s report.

“The empty streets suggest it’s true. I couldn’t believe the report at first... Thank you, Kromen. You’ve done me one last favor.”

Unable to find a pretext to return to the capital, Luon had remained in Berardo, grinding his teeth in frustration.

It’s all because of that bastard.

Even now, the thought of Karyl, who had dealt him a humiliating defeat, filled him with rage.

Although Luon had wanted to return to the capital immediately, leaving behind thousands of prisoners at the Twin Armor would have been tantamount to shackling himself.

But Olivurn also failed, and the only one who ventured south, Kromen, is dead.

While it was a dishonorable outcome for the princes, the universal failure allowed Luon to create an excuse to return.

“...”

Azif regarded him in silence.

Prince Luon knows the dynamics of the palace better than anyone. He must sense something fishy about the Third Prince’s death...

The news of Kromen’s death had reached them days ago. Despite having a teleportation circle in his territory, Luon chose to travel by carriage, arriving in the capital during Kromen’s funeral.

Was I wrong about him? He seems to be merely avoiding danger...

Azif recalled how Luon had fled from the Twin Armor without even a backward glance, but he quickly shook off his disloyal thoughts.

“His Majesty has decreed a two-month mourning period for Prince Kromen. He has banned war during this time.”

“Two months? For the last prince in line?” Luon asked with a hint of incredulity.

“Well, given the ongoing war, it was reduced from three months.”

“Unbelievable. Since when did he care about Kromen...” Luon shook his head.

If a member of the royal family or an extraordinary individual with many accomplishments died, the empire would enter a period of mourning during which everyone grieved the loss.

The funeral ceremony, held over five days along with the purification rites, was rather short, but the period of mourning was seen as part of the funeral. During this time, nobody was allowed to sing on the streets, and even wars were halted.

“A national funeral, yes, but two months of inactivity... My father, the Conqueror King, must be losing his mind.”

“...”

A long mourning period was intended to honor the great achievements of the departed. But given that Kromen had returned from the south in disgrace, two months felt excessive. When the former emperor passed away, the mourning period was only one month, making this decision all the more unusual.

The man who even trampled on his own father to ascend the throne. The man who reduced the mourning period to assert his authority...

Luon sneered. He was certain that Titan Shutean hadn’t set such a long mourning period out of fatherly love for Kromen.

He’s undoubtedly preparing something during these two months.

Thinking about this, Luon unwittingly grabbed the back of his neck.

Don’t tell me... Did Father kill Kromen?

As he gazed at the road leading to the palace, Luon considered the possibility that his return home was actually a pathway to the underworld.

“Damn it...”

The more he contemplated, the more Karyl, the cause of his defeat at the Twin Armor, haunted his thoughts.

If I’m not careful, I’ll be the next target.

Though Kromen had always been weak, he hadn’t been a sickly boy. He had to have died from a specific cause, but nobody sought to uncover it.

There’s no point in honoring the dead. It’s better to find a way to survive.

Realizing he was surrounded by enemies, Luon sighed as he glanced at the palace looming ahead, dark clouds swirling above.

Whoooosh—!

It was then that he saw the fire arrow in the distance, soaring into the sky from the mountains behind the palace. It looked like a signal.

“...”

Whooosh—!!

Luon’s expression suddenly contorted in shock.

“...!!”

Following the signal, thousands of other fire arrows flew into the sky, creating a wall of flames.

***

“Everyone, to your positions!”

“Check it immediately!”

“Gather all reserve forces!”

Thud, thud, thud...!

The guards and knights in the capital rushed about in a frenzy after seeing the tens of thousands of arrows outside their windows. There was a mix of fear about a potential enemy attack and anger at whoever dared to challenge the empire.

But strangely, the arrows didn’t seem to be aimed at the capital; they were merely shot into the sky.

Clang...!!

A teacup fell to the ground, shattering the silence.

“Are you alright?”

A maid quickly rushed in to clean up the broken pieces.

“...Sorry, I’m sorry...” Olivurn mumbled. He had been awake during the whole two-day purification ritual, not getting a moment of rest.

“You have overexerted yourself, Your Highness,” the maid remarked, her expression filled with concern as she looked at Olivurn. They all had seen how much he had grieved, and no one would find it surprising if he collapsed.

Crash!!

But his stammering was neither from fatigue nor sorrow.

Whoooosh—!!

The third arrow signal shot into the sky, slicing through the air with a sharp whistle. At that moment, Olivurn’s expression twisted as he gazed out the window.

Another hail of tens of thousands of flaming arrows filled the sky, spreading wide as if to mock him.

“Which... son of a bitch is doing this...?”

He couldn’t help but curse as he watched the scene unfold.

***

“Master, we’ve fired all three arrows as you instructed. But... what’s the meaning behind this?”

Watching the majestic arrows adorning the night sky fade away, Karyl slowly closed his eyes as if to remember the moment.

A year after the prophecy had been delivered...

Karyl and Olivurn spoke on the walls of the imperial palace.

“Karyl, listen carefully. From now on, we’ll have to face countless terrible wars. Not even the imperial palace will remain safe forever.”

“Don’t say such things,”

Karyl said softly but firmly, holding his sword and staring at the same sky.

“As a member of the royal family, there’s something I know. Do you see those three poles at the far end? People think they are merely decorations symbolizing the empire, but that’s not true. They are enchanted with ancient magic. They serve as beacons when a calamity occurs at the imperial palace.”

“...”

Karyl looked where Olivurn pointed.

“The arrows shot from those beacons are also enchanted flames. They can be seen across the entire continent.”

“So what?”

“If those flames rise into the sky, it means you must return here to protect the empire in my stead. It means I’m dead.”

“Pff, foolish words...”

Karyl shook his head, although he could indeed see three tall poles reaching for the sky.

“The first flame shot into the sky signifies the emperor’s death by illness,”

Olivurn said slowly.

“If there’s a second flame, it signifies the emperor’s death in battle.”

“Why are you telling me this?”

Olivurn slowly turned his head to look at Karyl.

“Because you’re my friend,”

he said with a smile.

“And if all three flames rise into the sky...”

Ssshhh...!!!

As Karyl gazed at the imperial palace in the distance, he recalled the memories of his past life.

“Knowing a secret can be a cruel thing, Olivurn. You, of all people, would understand the meaning of the arrows I sent. Not just you, but everyone at the imperial palace.”

A wicked smile slowly crept on Karyl’s face as he whispered, “It means

assassination

.”