Chapter 19: The Plan Starts Now

I doubt he’ll send me there.

In the darkness, Karyl's eyes glinted with a mix of doubt and determination.

Even if he is my father, he wouldn't send a barbarian like me to the imperial capital. But it doesn't matter.

It was the dead of night, and everyone, including the soldiers who had exterminated thousands of goblins, was asleep. The only ones awake were a few soldiers standing guard.

I've already thought of another way.

"Good evening, Sir," The soldiers looked at him with respect and saluted.

Karyl quietly nodded and entered the makeshift prison in the wagon.

Inside, the captured sorcerer was struggling for breath, occasionally shivering. Karyl had no trouble getting past the guards; the bravery he showed in the battle had already been etched into the soldiers' minds.

News about the spy will likely reach the imperial palace first. Father will probably stop by the mansion before heading north across the border.

"Wake up." He looked inside the cell.

It will become even trickier when Father returns to the mansion. I need to carry out the plan before then.

No one in the mansion, except Kuwell, was capable of noticing Karyl's actions.

The sorcerer fiddled with something in his palm and then slowly opened his mouth.

"Baker," Karyl called the name of the fallen Goblin Sorcerer.

"Eek...!?" The Sorcerer was startled as Karyl shook the bars lightly.

The eyes behind the mask gleamed.

"Listen carefully to what I'm about to say."

***

"Everything you've said is true, isn't it, Baker?"

"Yes... Please... have mercy..."

A feeble response came back. The sorcerer from Lurein Principality, unable to muster any resistance, lay on the ground, sobbing.

"We'll soon reach the mansion. My Father will also return tonight. Then, you will be sent to the imperial capital." Karyl leaned against the bars, speaking casually.

He took a deep breath, seemingly enjoying the forest's scent after a long time. The silence of the forest was only broken by the occasional sound of insects.

"Once you're there, you'll face torture far worse than the pain of having your arms cut off. Are you familiar with the torture supervisor Morris?" Karyl sneered. "He’s called Nail Morris. The name sounds strange, right? Well, he’s actually obsessed with slowly drilling holes into the prisoners' nails with a needle." Karyl's voice echoed in the prison.

"Hmm, you don’t have any arms though. Morris might get disappointed... well, perhaps he'll be satisfied with drilling holes in your toenails instead."

Gulp—

The Goblin Sorcerer’s shoulders twitched.

"He will strip off your flesh bit by bit until your bones are fully exposed. Finally, he will carve his name into your now exposed bones with the very same needle." Karyl spat out. "No matter what you say, all that awaits you is relentless torture, over and over, until, well... death. Eventually, you'll regret confessing and meet your end wishing you hadn't."

Karyl held out his palm. Faint mana condensed and then vanished. A small leaf, akin to a blade of grass, lay in his hand.

"You probably know what this is without needing me to explain. Magic won't work with the magic shackles in place, but this will surely help." He pushed the small leaf through the bars, onto the floor and then stood up.

"You wanted mercy?" Karyl said his final words softly as he walked back to the barracks. "Think carefully. This is the best I can offer."

***

Several days later, Tiren and Randol found themselves greeted by cheers as they entered the village. They nodded slightly in acknowledgment to the crowd.

"You are truly remarkable!!"

"The treasures of the empire!"

"To be able to see the young masters like this... What an honor!"

Applause and cheers erupted from the villagers. The fact that they could speak so freely to the Count’s children was a testament to the MacGovern estate’s reputation.

Is that the famous sixth son?

But why is he wearing a mask?

Who knows...

Rumors about Karyl had already spread throughout the estate, but this was the first time they were seeing him in person. The villagers whispered among themselves, surprised by his different appearance.

"Stand up straight. You are a son of the MacGovern family as well."

"Yes, you made the greatest contribution. You should’ve been at the forefront." Tiren and Randol praised Karyl, who was hiding his face behind a mask.

Karyl smiled faintly at their words.

This is quite different from my previous life. I wonder how Randol’s survival will change things.

"It doesn't matter," Karyl spoke in a calm voice.

Watching Karyl spur his horse forward, Randol shook his head. "He is so arrogant..." Yet, deep down, he didn’t really dislike that aspect of his.

"Randol, the same applies to you. Our names will have reached the imperial capital. His Majesty might summon us to the palace."

"What?"

"Will you still have that bewildered look then? Remember, you are also a MacGovern," Tiren spoke with a cold face.

Randol nodded silently in response.

But, what about Karyl? I’ve seen him fight. If he doesn’t get any recognition, shouldn't it be right for us not to receive it either?

Randol glanced at Karyl leading the way.

You will receive even more attention in the future.

Exceptional talent shines through, no matter what.

But your barbaric heritage will hold you back. So, what do you plan to do?

Randol envied Karyl's confidence.

It was different from Martte's haughtiness or Tiren's nobility. From the bottom to the top, Karyl appeared to be looking down on it all. It was as if the value of everything was meaningless to him.

I wish... I can become like you...

A commoner’s son, Randol lived his life in quiet obscurity, treating his background like a shackle that was binding him.

But now... A child of a barbarian, who had lived a more difficult life than his own, had made his name known to the world first. Randol gripped the reins tighter. For the first time, a faint but definite ripple began in his quiet heart.

***

𝓯𝓻𝓮𝙚𝙬𝓮𝙗𝒏𝙤𝒗𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝒐𝓶

It was late at night when Karyl knocked on the office door.

"The count is looking for you." Taylor, the steward, called him secretly, as if he were about to commit theft.

"You've achieved quite the feat." Kuwell, who had returned from the imperial palace, looked at him with a stern face. The joy of their reunion after about a month was overshadowed by a strange tension between them.

Karyl knew the reason Kuwell had hurried back to the mansion, and why he sought him out immediately upon his return.

"I was lucky." Karyl offered the rehearsed response, sighing softly as if it were familiar to him.

"Having luck is also a skill. You did more than just catch a spy; you saved your brothers’ lives," Kuwell remarked. He had sought out Karyl first upon his return.

"Word about you has already reached the imperial palace. A message... will probably come from the capital summoning you."

"Is that so?"

Kuwell paused, then continued slowly. "But, as you know, sending you to the capital would be difficult."

Karyl silently looked at Kuwell. "I thought as much."

"Unfortunately, we can't disclose your origin to the imperial palace yet," Kuwell attempted to explain with a sympathetic tone. "And so... if a message does come, I plan to send Tiren and Randol."

Karyl smiled bitterly at his words. It felt like a decision made after much thought, bearing significant weight. However, it was the best decision and it felt like a kind of consideration.

Mother would be disappointed. Honestly, sending Martte wouldn't be objectionable given the circumstances. After all, the eldest son is the family’s representative. But sending him on behalf of our family, someone who didn’t even participate in the Goblin Extermination, would be unacceptable to Father.

"I’m not concerned," Karyl replied calmly.

Certainly, it was an opportunity to go to the imperial palace. But going to the palace as things stood, his status would undoubtedly cause problems.

This isn't what I want.