Chapter 192: The Sword of a Small-Minded Man

“Ugh...”

“This medicine will settle your stomach. The waters of the Fonein are at their fiercest in November. Seems you had a rough crossing.”

Having received Dushala’s report, Karyl met Martte MacGovern not in the city of Tatur, but at the lawless port.

“The currents of the Fonein are quite infamous. I’ve taught some skilled sailors navigation techniques, but it seems their handling is still a bit rough.”

“...I’m fine.”

Ironically, Martte had gotten sick after crossing the river and collapsed, unable to move. He grimaced slightly as he took the medicine offered by Karyl.

“Princess Viola of the Kingdom of Fenria visited recently."

“Fenria? One of the Three Kingdoms of Istria?”

“Yes.”

Despite his words of reassurance, Martte’s complexion was pale. He stared at Karyl in confusion, wondering why he was telling him this.

“She managed to come all the way to Tatur without throwing up.”

“...”

Realizing Karyl was implying he was less capable than the princess, Martte stood up with a stern expression.

“Ugh...!”

However, his legs almost gave way, but he managed to grab the edge of the bed just in time to steady himself.

“You should rest a bit more.”

“I don’t have the luxury to do so. Let’s go outside.”

At that, Karyl gave a faint smile and followed him out.

***

“Do you have any idea how difficult you’ve made things for Father after causing such a commotion at the palace?”

“Even so, would they really dismiss the captain of the Blue Knights, the continent’s greatest swordsman and protector of the north?”

Martte glared at Karyl, clearly displeased with his nonchalant attitude.

“Do you really think a city of rogues and slaves can become a nation? Fine, let’s say it can. But what good will it do if it achieves independence? It will just release troublemakers into the world.”

Martte turned abruptly as they walked along the riverbank.

“Because of you, the story that Prince Luon killed Prince Kromen has died down, and now all the blame is falling on Father.”

“Hmm...”

Unlike Martte, whose tone was sharp, Karyl was calm, composed.

“Brother, did you come here for the former reason or the latter?” Karyl asked softly.

“...Huh? What do you mean?”

“I mean, why did you come to see me? Is it about the story that Prince Luon killed Kromen, or is it because the nobles are targeting our father? Please clarify your position.”

“...”

Martte was silent, but Karyl noticed his eyes waver.

“The trash you speak of won’t disappear just because you leave the free city alone. In fact, it would be more beneficial for the continent to manage them within a state framework.”

Karyl clasped his hands behind his back and took a step ahead of Martte.

“You wouldn’t risk coming all the way to Tatur to see me just because you’re concerned about the lower classes, would you now?”

He then turned to face Martte.

“Be honest about your intentions so we can stop wasting time and get to the point.”

“You...” Martte gritted his teeth. “Why even ask this? You knew Prince Luon didn’t kill Prince Kromen, didn’t you?”

Karyl smiled faintly.

“I only reported what I observed. There were foreign goods being traded in Piasta, some of which included the ingredients for Twilight. And the manager of Piasta, Reige, was part of the First Prince’s faction.” Karyl shrugged.

“It sounds like you’re insisting that Prince Luon had nothing to do with the Third Prince’s murder,” Karyl went on. “Are you challenging the emperor’s judgment?”

“N-No, of course not...”

“Or perhaps you know something?”

“No.”

Despite Martte’s firm answer, his demeanor made it clear he had some suspicions. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have crossed the river to meet Karyl.

“If that's all, I understand. I appreciate your sense of duty as the eldest son, but if you came just to complain about our father's situation, you may as well go back.” Karyl waved his hand dismissively.

“Y-You...!”

Crack—!

At that moment, Martte instinctively stepped back, overwhelmed by Karyl’s aura.

“...!!”

“I may be an adopted MacGovern, but I’m also the ruler of the Free State of Tatur.”

Karyl’s low voice pierced Martte’s ears.

What... What is this power?

Martte felt like he was suffocating; he had never felt this kind of force before, not even from Kuwell himself. Unlike at the imperial palace, Karyl no longer restrained his power, and as he released his full mana, Martte found himself bowing to him.

“I came here out of respect for you, brother. However, this is my territory, and I am its lord. As I mentioned earlier, you need to be clear about your position. This concerns both our relationship and the matter at hand.”

Karyl looked down at the crouching Martte, then walked past him as if he no longer mattered.

“If...”

Karyl paused at Martte’s voice.

“If the reason I came here is neither one of those two... can you spare me some time?”

Struggling against Karyl’s oppressive aura, Martte added, “Lord of Tatur...”

Though he couldn’t see it, Karyl’s lips curved into a smile, and he exhaled softly.

“Are you saying there’s something suspicious about Prince Kromen’s death?”

“...Yes.”

“Brother, I’m asking not as a ruler but as a son of the MacGovern family. Did you come to me because you believe our father is involved in Kromen’s death?”

Karyl toned down his imposing aura, adopting a calmer tone, making the atmosphere more comfortable so that Martte would reveal his secrets.

Of course, Karyl already knew the full story behind the Third Prince’s death, better than anyone else. Naturally, he also understood why Martte had come to see him.

It would’ve been easier if our father were involved. The reason Martte couldn’t make a decision is simple. It’s because Olivurn, whom our father serves, is involved.

Martte MacGovern harbored suspicions that it was Olivurn, not Luon, who had killed Prince Kromen. But who could he confide in? A wrong word to the wrong person could lead to the MacGovern family being charged with defaming the royal family, and even if Olivurn were proven guilty, his supporter, Kuwell, would face disgrace.

It was a true dilemma. Ironically, this situation made it easier for Martte to speak to Karyl, who seemed the least involved in these events.

“No. Well, maybe, but... at least Father isn’t involved.”

“Huh? What’s that supposed to mean” Karyl replied with a faint smile, shaking his head at Martte.

In truth, Karyl’s goal in the recent trial hadn’t been to reveal Kromen’s killer. What mattered more was observing Martte MacGovern’s actions.

But in the end, he couldn’t do anything.

Perhaps Karyl’s expectations had been too high. After all, he had always known that Martte was not a man of great ambition. Still, just as Tiren and Randol’s lives had changed, this event could have been an opportunity for Martte to transform as well.

You won’t grow up if you’re spoon-fed. It’s not about solving immediate hunger but finding a way to sustain oneself.

Opportunities could be provided, but it was up to each individual whether they would seize or ignore them.

“It’s related to...” Martte spoke with a trembling voice. “Prince Olivurn.”

Karyl’s eyebrow twitched at his words.

“You’re treading on dangerous ground, saying such things.”

“I’m just telling you what I think. As you said, right now I’m speaking to a fellow MacGovern, not to the king of Tatur.”

“You mean to suggest that Prince Olivurn, not Prince Luon, is responsible for Kromen’s death?”

“I don’t know... I have no evidence. But... I think I saw Prince Olivurn giving Twilight to Prince Kromen at Marquis Vestal’s estate.”

“You

think

you saw it? That doesn’t mean much.”

“Right. It’s just my suspicion. But... I still can’t shake the doubt.”

At that, Karyl frowned and urged, “Forget it. The emperor makes all the decisions, even if they’re unjust.”

“But...!”

“If you thought the trial was wrong, why didn’t you say anything back then? If you had, you wouldn’t have had to go through the trouble of finding me now.”

Martte bit his lip, unable to respond to Karyl’s sharp rebuke.

“I wanted to talk... I tried to find you back then, but there were too many eyes in the palace. I was reprimanded by the vassals just for seeking you out.”

Was that why he had looked so scared and done nothing but stare during the final trial? Karyl could understand that. After all, it had been a time of intense scrutiny, with all eyes fixed on the two MacGovern brothers.

“You mean you were too scared to tell the truth. I expected as much, but it’s still disappointing. You’re nothing but a small-minded coward.”

“What...?”

“You’re saying you couldn’t speak up at the time. So what, you want me to console you, to tell you it couldn’t be helped? I already told you, if you’re going to whine, just shut up and go back.”

Karyl’s harsh reprimand was unexpected. Martte’s face crumpled, brought on the verge of tears by the cold words.

“Then what am I supposed to do...? What am I supposed to do in this situation?!” Martte finally shouted, his voice full of frustration.

But Karyl merely stared at him in silence.

𝘧𝓇ℯ𝑒𝓌𝑒𝑏𝓃𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭.𝒸ℴ𝓂

Martte MacGovern was a man skilled enough to earn a knight’s oath, but the problem was his lack of ambition. In any case, everyone, including his siblings, had always looked up to him.

Being small-minded isn’t inherently bad. When too many people look up to you, you fear disappointing them, but you also work hard to avoid it.

Of course, that didn’t mean the direction of their efforts were always right. Driven by that pressure, Martte had tried to dominate Karyl during their first meeting, not realizing Karyl would use that against him.

“Go tell Father,” Karyl said calmly.

Martte finally got his answer, but it only deepened his frown.

“Really...? You want me to run to Father and tattle? Fine, maybe I’m a small-minded coward, but I’m no snitch!”

“If you can’t even do that, then you truly are a coward.”

“What?”

“Nobody’s asking you to commit treason or beg the emperor for a retrial. I don’t expect grand achievements from you. If you think you’re a coward, then go ahead and be one.” Karyl’s tone grew in intensity. “Small-minded men ought to wield small words.”

Karyl took a step forward and continued in a low voice, “But small-minded or not, you’re still a knight, and the length of your sword is of no importance. Just draw it from its sheath. That’s where the oath begins.”

Martte could only watch Karyl’s retreating figure, unable to say a word.

“...”

Even after Karyl disappeared from view, Martte stood there by the river for a long time, staring in the direction he had gone. After a while, he clenched his fists, and resolve flashed across his face.

***

“Do you think Martte will take action?”

“Who knows? It won’t be easy. It’s up to him.”

Upon returning to Tatur, Karyl received word that Martte had left the lawless port. He gazed out the window, lost in thought.

Through the countless eons and endless battles... I never imagined I would end up using Martte like this.

A bitter smile crept on his face as he looked outside.

He wasn’t even part of my initial plans.

And yet, Martte had become a crucial cog in determining the empire’s future.

Martte, I don’t think people really change. I was certain you’d realize Olivurn was using poison because of your nature and nothing else.

Karyl slowly closed his eyes.

Conversely, the reason I put you to the test is exactly the same.

All of Kuwell MacGovern’s adopted sons were outstanding talents, yet none of them had survived in his previous life.

“Saying that Olivurn might be the one who killed Kromen... It won’t be easy for Martte to question his father’s trust as the eldest son.”

“Exactly.” Karyl nodded in agreement with Dushala’s words.

Martte, it might sound harsh, but I didn’t come back just to save one family.

A turbulent era was upon them, worse than just a war. In the midst of that chaos, the family could only be protected by its head, not the king.

Martte, I intend for you to lead the MacGovern family.

As the future head of the family, it was his duty as the eldest son to guide them on the right path.

“You shall be the turning point for the MacGovern family,” Karyl murmured the words he hadn’t been able to tell Martte to his face.