Chapter 186: Trial (2)

“Quite the act you put on. The outcome wasn’t bad at all.”

The trial was momentarily in a lull.

The emperor had summoned Karyl to the main palace. Once they were alone, he unbuttoned his uniform roughly, as though it was suffocating him, and sat down on his throne.

“With the Teleportation Magic Circle, it will only take half a day for the Green Knights to reach Piasta. In the meantime, the vassals of both sides will be racking their brains.”

Titan Shutean sipped on his sweet tea as if he were discussing someone else’s affairs.

“Can’t even drink water comfortably anymore. Isn’t that right?”

The emperor looked at Karyl with a self-deprecating smile.

“Nobles don’t drink water anyway, do they? They think only commoners drink tasteless water,” Karyl responded calmly, causing the emperor to click his tongue and chuckle.

“That’s not entirely true. I do drink water. As you’ve said, nobles try to distinguish themselves from commoners in pointless ways...”

“Are you saying you don’t care about such things?” Karyl asked curiously.

“There are countless poisonous herbs out there. My father, the former emperor, also died from poison in his tea.”

“So you prefer water to tea?”

“Maybe, maybe not.”

Karyl chuckled bitterly at the emperor’s ambiguous answer.

Like father, like son. Since the father didn’t drink tea, they poisoned the water instead.

“I have a question for you.”

The emperor had summoned Karyl because he wanted to ask something that had been on his mind during the trial.

By principle, Karyl should have been held in solitary confinement or imprisoned with Luon until the trial resumed, but the emperor had called him to the main palace instead.

Of course, no one dared to question this decision, for ultimately, the emperor was the sole decision-maker in this affair. Given how tense the situation was, no one would be foolish enough to provoke him.

“Was I poisoned with Twilight?” the emperor asked directly, without any pretense.

Anticipating this, Karyl feigned surprise and asked, “What do you mean, Your Majesty?”

“When we met in Heim, you mentioned certain symptoms. I experienced the same.”

“No way...” Karyl kept the act. “Are you suggesting that Prince Luon attempted to poison not only the Third Prince but also Your Majesty?”

“That’s unclear. We still haven’t confirmed if Luon really acquired Twilight.”

The emperor hadn’t jumped to any conclusions. He had cornered Luon in the Sun Hall, yet he was defending him here.

I can tell just from the fact that the knights sent to Piasta are the Green Knights.

Indeed, the emperor was not to be taken lightly.

Even in such chaos, he wants to make sure that no one besides himself gains an advantageous position.

However, even in front of such an opponent, Karyl was already contemplating whom to target next after Luon—Titan Shutean himself or Olivurn.

“It’s certainly baffling to hear that might have been poisoned with Twilight. I wasn’t aware it affected you, Your Majesty.”

“I’m fine now.”

“Perhaps the herb from the Flame Dragon’s lair helped. It must have been divine fortune that you’ve regained your health, Your Majesty.”

“Haha, would that have been possible if I hadn’t met you?” the emperor replied with a faint smile. “You returned forty thousand soldiers to me and weakened Luon, who had the nobles’ support.”

The emperor shrugged lightly before continuing, “You must have noticed that in the imperial palace, evidence doesn’t need to be perfect. Just creating suspicion is enough.”

Indeed, the outcome of the trail was already decided—once the Green Knights brought back Baron Reige’s secret ledger, any evidence of his support for the First Prince would seal his fate. Of course, there were some unclear parts, but now that the emperor had resolved to weaken Luon’s influence, any counterargument would be futile.

In any case, there wouldn’t be any evidence to prove his innocence.

After all, a guiltless person can’t prove their innocence here.

It was paradoxical, but no one would have the courage to challenge the emperor on this matter.

“But this won’t satisfy you, will it, Your Majesty?”

The emperor nodded. “Indeed. I seek a perfect conclusion, not just perfect evidence.”

There was more than one prince.

Recalling their initial private meeting, Karyl said, “Indeed, one cannot be content with just the first bite.”

“Once the sword is drawn, it must be used to the end,” the emperor said resolutely. “Kromen’s case aside, there’s no guarantee that Luon was the one who poisoned me.”

The emperor’s insatiable ambition was clear. Karyl understood why Olivurn had tried to deal with the emperor before handling Luon.

Olivurn, in a way, you’re quite remarkable.

He figured he might ask Olivurn someday how he had managed to poison someone like the emperor.

“The instability in the imperial family was due to Your Majesty’s illness. Now that your health has been restored, the imperial power will naturally concentrate on you again.”

“Hmm...”

“If Prince Luon is stripped of power due to the suspicion of poisoning the Prince Kromen, then the nobles who dislike the Second Prince will naturally support Your Majesty.”

Despite Karyl’s words, the emperor still seemed unsatisfied.

“But...”

As Karyl continued, the emperor finally looked up, anticipating the answer he wanted.

“As Your Majesty said, once the sword is drawn, it must be used to the end. While we cannot immediately dismantle the Second Prince’s support base, there is a way to effectively restrict his power.”

“What is it?”

“The foundations of the two princes are entirely different. While the First Prince is supported by the nobles, the Second Prince is mainly followed by knights.”

The emperor nodded.

“Also, except for the Red Knights, all the other knight orders are responsible for border defense.”

“You know quite a lot.”

The emperor’s lips twitched at Karyl’s words.

Karyl recalled that when Suan Hazer was imprisoned in Piasta, Jarvant was by Olivurn’s side.

As the leader of the Red Knights and the swordsmanship instructor for the three princes, Count Jarvant Redak was the only knight in the imperial guard who followed Olivurn. Alongside Belin Vallention of the Golden Knights, Jarvant was one of the oldest knights serving the empire.

However, the fact that those two supported different princes displeased the emperor. It wasn’t the division of loyalists that bothered him; it was their disloyalty in choosing a prince while he was still alive that fueled his anger.

“If the knights are restrained, Prince Olivurn’s power will naturally weaken.”

“How? Although the Ryeo Knights won’t get back on their feet for a while, the Blue Knights under your father’s command are formidable. Also, the Wisteria Knights, although supporting Luon, are effectively under Olivurn's influence due to their foolish captain.”

Karyl was wondering why the emperor spoke so candidly about something he wouldn’t even share with his dukes.

“It’s simple. Create an external threat that demands their attention. A knight’s duty is to protect the nation. The Blue Knights can move freely because the region is safe, having dealt with all the monsters,” Karyl explained.

“Are you saying the nation’s safety is actually a disadvantage for me?”

At that, Karyl smiled faintly.

“The southern barbarians are near the Wisteria Knights’ border, so they can’t move easily. If Your Majesty restricts the Blue Knights’ movements, you will achieve your goal.”

“Didn’t you previously advise me to keep Kuwell by my side?”

“That was to gauge the power of the First Prince. Now that his power has waned, it should be concentrated on Your Majesty.”

The emperor nodded in satisfaction. He liked Karyl for one simple reason—he was relentless in his goals, without considering anyone else’s circumstances.

“Even if we keep the Blue Knights at the border, how? Should I issue another Extermination Decree of Heresy?” the emperor teased. “Well, we might be in a mourning period for Kromen, but it’s not impossible. The filthy heretics have brought tainted goods into the empire, killing the Third Prince."

“...Your Majesty, among the northern immigrant tribes, some believe in Yula,” Karyl said quietly, his voice filled with emotion.

“Yula’s blessing is mana,” the emperor scoffed dismissively. “The northern and southern people have even forsaken their gods. You, being from Tatur, should know this. Those southern barbarians engage in all sorts of strange rituals... Shamanism, was it?”

Unlike the southern barbarians, the northern immigrant tribes didn’t worship spirits or practice shamanism. In fact, most of them believed in the one god, Yula. Nevertheless, the emperor labeled the northern immigrant tribes as heretics because they were born without mana.

Whoosh...!

At that moment, Karyl clenched his fist. The Ein Trigger embedded in his hand turned red, emitting intense flames.

“Then... am I also a heretic, Your Majesty?”

Karyl finally let out a question he had been holding for a long time, declaring that his power didn’t come from Yula’s divine mana but from a Spirit King.

“You’re different,” the emperor said with a smirk, looking at Karyl as though watching a child’s tantrum.

“Your spirit power isn’t heresy but a divine blessing. You possess mana as well. Therefore, you’re different from the northern scum.”

“...”

Karyl bit his lip. He was itching to behead the emperor right then and there.

[Why do you fight?]

At that moment, Allen Javius’ last question flashed in his mind.

“Haa...” Karyl exhaled softly, composing himself. He couldn’t let his boiling emotions ruin the plans he had been meticulously crafting all this time.

“What’s your plan to keep the Blue Knights in check? You must have something in mind.”

“Your Majesty,” Karyl said calmly, his expression icy, “I will take Piasta.”

At that, the emperor leaned back and burst into laughter.

“Pff—! Hahaha! Now I understand why you wanted to twist Baron Reige’s neck. You were after that city.”

“...”

“But it’s impossible. Although your achievements are great, giving you that large city would cause an uproar among the vassals.”

“I don’t intend to take Piasta under the empire’s name. Leave it as it is.”

The emperor’s expression hardened slightly at Karyl tone.

“Then?”

Karyl took out a parchment from his chest. It was an oath of allegiance.

The emperor took a look at it.

“What I want is the independence of Tatur.”

“Hmm...”

Contrary to Karyl’s expectations, the emperor remained calm as he examined the oath.

“Isn’t Tatur already an independent city? As a free city at the center of the three powers, none of them can attack it without upsetting the balance,” the emperor explained, lightly waving the oath.

“Hmm... An independent nation, not just a city... Do you wish to become a king?” the emperor asked nonchalantly, as though this were a trivial matter.

From the empire’s perspective, the Free City of Tatur, although small, had always been a stumbling block due to its location.

Situated at the heart of the Fonein River, which traversed the continent, Tatur served as a bridge to the empire in the north, the Lurein Principality in the west, and the Three Kingdoms of Istria to the south. If Tatur were to fall into anyone’s hands, the three powers would inevitably wage war to reclaim the city.

Karyl MacGovern...

Despite his young age, he had become the master of Tatur.

Not to mention, he’s also Kuwell’s adopted son.

Though Kuwell supported Olivurn, as a loyalist of the empire, he would never betray it.

“I suppose any young man dreams of becoming a king,” the emperor said. “But whether you can achieve it or not depends on your innate talent during turbulent times,” he concluded with a nod.

If Tatur becomes an independent nation, it will be harder for the principality and the Three Kingdoms to strike at the center. Also, having a proper ruler instead of leaving it as a free city wouldn’t be a bad idea. Especially if that ruler is Kuwell’s son, it might be easier for the empire to manage Tatur.

The emperor smirked, realizing that Karyl’s proposition was appealing.

Perhaps it’s an opportunity to absorb a troublesome city into the empire.

There was no way Karyl would rebel against the empire his father lived in.

What can he do with just one free city? If I can deal with a potential threat just by handing out a small carrot, it’s an absolute win.

“Recognizing Tatur as an independent nation isn’t difficult,” the emperor finally said with a satisfied expression. “After all, not much will change. But how will this allow you to keep the Blue Knights in Piasta in check?”

“Because the Ravat Guild is there. As you know, among the administrators of Tatur, Kamma runs the Ravat Guild, which includes various tribes.”

“And?”

“With this incident, Piasta will increase surveillance on smuggling. You can assign the Blue Knights, who guard the northern border, to oversee Piasta’s smuggling control.”

“Why not simply eliminate your guild? Isn’t the Ravat Guild the problem?”

At that, Karyl smiled faintly.

“The nobles’ greed knows no bounds. Even the small nations of the Three Kingdoms of Istria are busy filling their bellies. If Ravat is gone, they will find even worse ways to continue their smuggling.”

“...”

“Just as one uses poison to counter a more dangerous poison, if the Ravat Guild disappears, the empire’s plight will only worsen. It would be better for Your Majesty to allow Ravat to exist and divert the attention of the Blue Knights appropriately.”

“And you think you can control that guild?”

“Of course, Your Majesty.”

“Everything requires a just cause. Without it, even if you have power, history will remember you as nothing but a rogue.”

The emperor nodded in satisfaction at Karyl’s words.

“To leave a mark in history, you must become the king of a nation, not merely of a lawless city.”

Thud...!

The sound of the emperor’s seal striking the oath echoed throughout the palace.

“Despite your young age, you have a clear vision of the world. You have managed to convince me,” Titan Shutean acknowledged.

The principality is irrelevant, given their civil war, and Duke Fran and Duchess Tuli will do business with whoever becomes the king. The Three Kingdoms of Istria are already under my influence.

But Karyl seemed uninterested in such praise, only focusing on the pledge in the emperor’s hand. Although it was just a piece of paper, the seal on it gave it immense importance.

If Tatur declared independence without acknowledgment, the southern arrows pointed at the empire would turn toward Tatur.

As unpleasant as it was to admit, Karyl couldn’t yet wage an all-out war against the empire. Though he could win despite the casualties, no one would be left to fight in the impending Oracle War.

One by one, slowly but surely, I will turn the empire’s talents into my own.

That was Karyl’s grand plan.

“...Therefore, the empire recognizes Tatur as an independent nation.”

As the emperor finished reading the lengthy pledge inscribed on the parchment, a binding spell was activated, and a soft golden light flowed over the document.

“With this, our deal is concluded.”

“This is just the beginning.”

“Ha... you brat.” The emperor chuckled, seemingly pleased with the deal.

Karyl, looking at the emperor, recalled the plan he had thought of in the Sun Hall.

Legitimacy. Yes, it’s crucial. Titan Shutean, just as you said, I can now sever your head with rightful legitimacy, not under the label of heretic but as the king of Tatur.

Having advanced one more step in his plan, Karyl’s grip tightened around the oath.