Chapter 181: Big Fish and Small Fry

“...”

Karyl glanced at the clock hanging on the wall.

Five minutes until midnight, until Kromen’s funeral would be concluded. And there were four hours until dawn.

Karyl gazed outside with an intrigued look, wondering just how many events would unfold at once during these four hours of the night. One of them was a meeting with someone he was deeply connected to, someone likely more uneasy than anyone else in the palace.

He should be here soon...

If not now, there would be no other opportunity. The only time he could see him freely was in these dark hours before dawn.

Knock, knock...

A faint knock echoed through the room, followed by the slow turning of the doorknob. Leaving the door unlocked on purpose, Karyl glanced over to confirm it was the man he had been expecting, a smile curling on his lips.

“Karyl.”

Standing before him with a stern expression was none other than Kuwell MacGovern.

***

“Please have some.”

Karyl handed a teacup to Kuwell, who was taken aback after taking a sip.

“I didn’t know you had a knack for making tea. You’re much better than your mother.”

“My mother doesn’t even know how to handle tea leaves. She might be good at distinguishing poisonous plants, though,” Karyl responded coldly. He respected his adoptive father, but Isabelle Aesir was a different matter. She used to keep her distance from him, unlike with the other children. And in this life, they were even farther apart.

But I should be grateful that she’s a descendant of Kaye Aesir.

Thanks to that, Karyl had been able to obtain the dragon’s heart from Einheri.

That was all Karyl could say to her, as his feelings toward her were indifferent. After all, it was Kaye Aesir who was exceptional, not Isabelle Aesir.

“I suppose so. Karyl, do you miss the north?”

“Not particularly. But I do believe the day will come when I’ll be with the north again, living the rest of my life as I used to.”

Karyl’s words to Kuwell were rather vague, carrying a deeper meaning. It seemed to imply that he intended to gain the north’s power and that he would eventually return there. Or perhaps it meant that as long as he was here, they could leave the frigid north behind for the central region.

“Ironically, you’ve obtained a power that’s in complete contrast to the harsh winter of the north. Maybe your future lies within the empire. It might sound funny, but the fire you’ve acquired, similar to the MacGovern’s flame, might be fate.”

“Fire has always existed,” Karyl replied indifferently. “It has always been beneficial to humanity since ancient times. Of course, not all flames fulfill that purpose.”

He then slowly pointed toward the Sun Hall outside the window.

“The Shutean symbol is also a blazing flame of karma. If a fire burns too intensely, it can consume those around it.”

Kuwell’s face hardened momentarily.

“May I ask you one thing?” Karyl took the initiative, seeing that Kuwell couldn’t find the words to continue.

“Go on.”

“Did you come here under Prince Olivurn’s orders, or was it your own decision?”

“What difference does it make?”

“Quite a big one. If it’s the former, you’re free to leave. If it’s the latter, I’ll make a demand.”

Kuwell looked at Karyl with an expression of disbelief.

“That’s ridiculous. How dare you make demands of your father? You ungrateful wretch... This is why you’re—”

“That’s enough,” a voice interrupted Kuwell from behind, stopping him from uttering that word.

Karyl looked up at the other man staring at him with sharp eyes. It was Tiren MacGovern, who had accompanied Kuwell.

I didn’t see him directly in Digon... It’s been two years since I last saw him in person. He’s starting to look like the face I remember.

Tiren was now nineteen.

When Karyl first met him, he had just turned seventeen and still looked like a boy, but now his demeanor was unmistakably that of an adult

“I knew you had a connection with His Majesty from before. And you completed a mission we couldn’t.”

“Do you resent me for helping restore His Majesty’s health?”

Kuwell sighed bitterly and shook his head.

“The emperor is the pillar of the empire. He has achieved many great things, far beyond what I could. Wishing for his good health is only natural as a loyal subject.”

Karyl felt no dishonesty from his words, no hypocrisy. He remained silent and simply looked at Kuwell.

“However... it’s true that I hoped His Majesty would pass on the throne a bit sooner.”

Kuwell made up his mind to spill it all out.

“It may seem hypocritical of me to say this as the one leading the Extermination Decree of Heresy, but... the main reason I serve Prince Olivurn is that he’s the only one who can repeal the Decree.”

“...Father.” Tiren frowned slightly.

“And that belief hasn’t changed. Not only does His Majesty Emperor Shutean feel this way, but also Prince Luon, who most closely resembles his disposition.”

“...”

Karyl smiled faintly as he looked at Kuwell.

I know better than anyone how straight your beliefs are.

The knight among knights, Kuwell MacGovern had been respected by everyone until his last moments.

But the object of your belief is wrong.

Indeed, just as Kuwell believed, Olivurn would repeal the Extermination Decree of Heresy upon ascending the throne.

But he did something far more cruel.

Back then, Olivurn had made a declaration.

“The survivors of the Extermination Decree of Heresy will receive the same treatment as imperial citizens.”

Karyl frowned.

Yes, the same treatment. They were incorporated into the army as soldiers. He had established the Sword Corps, Yarai, composed solely of immigrants, praising their superior physical prowess.

For the first time, believing in their new king, the tribes fought at the forefront for the empire’s unification of the continent.

However...

It was too late when they realized they were merely shields to protect the imperial army, ensuring no real imperials would die.

“Father.”

Tiren glared at Karyl, clearly displeased with how he addressed Kuwell.

“Yes, speak.”

“I know you saved me because of your relationship with my real father, Karliak. Whatever that relationship may be... I understand you don’t antagonize the immigrant tribes.”

Kuwell’s face darkened at his words.

“And I also understand that, as an imperial knight, you must carry out His Majesty’s orders.”

What’s this? Wasn’t he the one who was so sharply poised when I saw him at the mansion...?

Tiren looked at Karyl, who was speaking calmly, with a hint of puzzlement. Indeed, two years is enough time to change a person. However, the Karyl he knew wasn’t someone who would change so easily.

“If Karliak heard this, he would be pleased,” Kuwell replied with delight, contrary to Tiren’s concerns.

“I agree with you,” said Karyl. “As long as Titan Shutean rules, the Extermination Decree of Heresy will remain. And Prince Luon is no different.”

“That means...”

Kuwell looked expectantly at Karyl, his expression hopeful. If it wasn’t those two, there was only one choice left.

“As I was saying, if you came here on your own, I have a request.”

“What is it?”

Karyl smiled coldly.

“I request that you allow my brother, Martte, to attend my trial at the Sun Hall tomorrow.”

With that, Karyl had said everything he wanted to say to Kuwell.

***

The day after Kromen’s funeral ended, the Sun Hall was buzzing due to Karyl’s trial regarding the Twin Armor incident. A large crowd of vassals began to gather early in the morning. It seemed like more people were attending this trial than the Third Prince’s funeral.

Judging from how the factions were split, it became clear at a glance who supported whom.

“Can you believe it? The one who interfered with Prince Luon’s mission at Twin Armor is Kuwell MacGovern’s adopted son... Is there anything more to be said?”

“It’s clear that the Second Prince’s faction has already made their move.”

The hall was filled with murmurs.

Kuwell, seemingly unaffected, turned to Karyl, who was next to him outside the entrance, and said, “We’ve gathered testimonies from the prisoners about the Twin Armor incident. We’ve confirmed the presence of a demon nest and that you targeted it, so there shouldn't be any issues.”

Kuwell was trying to be reassuring, but Karyl’s expression betrayed no signs of uneasiness. In fact, he seemed confident as he walked into the hall.

This moment is the culmination of the intricate plans I’ve been crafting for so long.

Despite being the subject of the trial, Karyl felt only excitement.

Rumble...

As the doors opened, the long line of vassals waiting inside turned their gazes toward Karyl. Emperor Titan Shutean was seated on his throne, with Luon and Olivurn on either side.

“Greetings, Your Majesty.”

Right in the center of the hall, Karyl knelt and paid his respects. Though it was his second time here, the atmosphere was completely different now.

“Raise your head. Given the seriousness of the matter, we’ll get straight to the point.”

As soon as the emperor finished speaking, the vassals began to voice their opinions.

“Your Majesty, this man sided with the Three Kingdoms of Istria at the Twin Armor and caused numerous casualties among our forces!”

“What nonsense! He saved our troops from the dangers of the demon nest!”

“If it weren't for his interference, we would have quickly breached the Twin Armor and advanced south!”

“It’s clear you have no battlefield experience! You think the Twin Armor can be taken down in a day or two?”

“What did you say?! Are you implying that our imperial forces can’t topple one fortress of the Three Kingdoms of Istria?”

The vassals on both sides quickly got heated as they hurled arguments at each other. Most of them were unfamiliar to Karyl. This meant they were probably lower-ranking nobles, and those attacking him were undoubtedly under the chancellor’s influence.

They’re just trying to steer the atmosphere.

Ignoring the irrelevant figures, Karyl scanned the room even as the trial was in full swing.

So, Gordon didn’t come, huh.

The leader of the Guidance Mercenary Gang had promised to meet again when they parted at the Ghost Castle. However, even after the funeral ceremonies ended the previous they, Gordon hadn’t shown up.

So, he’s leaving it up to me.

Karyl smirked, understanding Gordon’s intentions.

Murmur, murmur...

It seemed that his nonchalant demeanor roused the crowd even more. But undeterred, Karyl continued to slowly scan the vassals in the Sun Hall.

𝙛𝒓𝒆𝙚𝒘𝒆𝓫𝙣𝓸𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝒄𝒐𝓶

There he is.

He nodded slowly upon finally finding him.

The outcome of the trial is clear, but I shall overturn it nonetheless.

The man looking at him with a worried face was none other than Martte MacGovern.

Now, let’s see if the fish I’ve caught will turn out to be a raging big one...

Karyl stared at the eldest of the MacGovern family with a stern face.

...or just small fry.

He then turned his gaze to the emperor, maintaining a calm expression.

“Your Majesty.”

His voice echoed through the hall.