Chapter 20: There Are No Freebies In This World

The goal of quickly amassing achievements to reach the imperial palace wasn't solely about seizing the opportunity to enter it.

This is just the beginning.

The monopoly of honor he had planned was not limited to this achievement alone.

To achieve feats that surpass even my origin, making it impossible for the nobles of the imperial palace to disregard me.

For such a high goal, this fest was too little.

I've already finished preparing for something bigger.

Kuwell sighed softly at Karyl's words and nodded. “I appreciate your understanding. If there's anything you desire, let me know. I'll help as much as I can.”

Karyl responded as if he had been waiting for this moment. “I would like a pass that allows me to travel within the empire without having my identity checked.”

“Does that mean you wish to leave the mansion?”

Karyl nodded, thinking,

I've already obtained what I wanted from the mansion.

The reason he chose to regress to this point in time was to obtain the dragon's heart from the very beginning. He just needed the time to build his body, save Randol, and eliminate Ardin, the spy from Lurein Principality.

There are still many areas to refine, but there's no need to waste more time.

Karyl could assess himself and his skills adequately from the battle with Ardin. Even at the age of twelve, he had overwhelmingly defeated a knight who used magic.

“Do you not like living here? Or are you disappointed because of this incident?”

“No. I simply wish to see more of the world.”

“Hmm...”

Well, it's also to involve myself in the significant events that will unfold.

The mansion was too small for that.

Kuwell, as if pondering Karyl's words, closed his eyes for a moment.

“I don't need the medallion of the Count's family. It would be more troublesome as it draws attention.” Karyl preempted Kuwell's concerns. “I know that there’s an identification only the Count's attendants can use. That will suffice.”

“Ha... You know about that too.”

“I've heard about it.”

Of course, in his previous life, he had seen countless noble identifications.

“Alright, we'll do that.” Kuwell nodded.

Karyl slightly lifted the corners of his mouth at his response.

Good. While it's a modest reward for capturing Ardin, it suffices. The most necessary thing for me to travel around the empire was my identity.

Of course, it was easy to deceive the soldiers guarding the gates. But what he wanted was to accumulate achievements. For that, he needed an identity he could reveal.

Kuwell took out something from his pocket. It was an ornament smaller than a finger, embedded with a sapphire.

“This is a seal that allows passing through imperial checkpoints authorized by the knight orders. It's given only to those on a mission, so your identity won't be disclosed.”

Good.

Karyl looked at the seal.

Moreover, the lair of the slumbering platinum dragon, Narh Di Maug is at the eastern end. To get there, I must pass through the capital and many checkpoints.

Karyl couldn't go right now, but he planned to find him before the descent of the Oracles.

I've taken everything I can.

“Thank you.” Karyl nodded as he accepted the ornament.

“I'm sorry.” Kuwell spoke in a soft voice, looking at him.

All of a sudden, the hallway was in turmoil. “Sir—!!!”

The door to the office opened, and the lieutenant appeared, gasping for breath with a troubled face.

“What's the matter?”

“It's... It's...” He hesitated, glancing at Karyl.

“Speak up.”

The lieutenant lowered his head and said, biting his lips, “The prisoner... has committed suicide.”

At that moment, Karyl slowly walked down the corridor amidst the mansion's uproar, as if he had been waiting for the prisoner’s death.

Tiren, I've prevented the regrets you would have had for life and saved Randol's life. This should be enough of a reward for you both.

The truth he realized while surviving numerous battlefields was the importance of achieving strength on one’s own.

Karyl's eyes gleamed.

I have no intention of giving away even the smallest achievement for free.

***

“What does that mean?!”

“We don't know either. Everything was fine until the guard came to change shifts...”

“Move!!” Kuwell shouted irritably as he ran down the corridor toward the dungeon.

Watching him rush down the hallway, Karyl thought to himself with a calm face.

Baker chose a very appropriate time to use it. I’m glad he followed orders until the end.

It would have been slightly troublesome if he had died right after Karyl visited him.

Well, even if that did happen, I doubt I would have been suspected.

He had prepared sufficient excuses in case someone questioned him. Karyl left the room with a faint smile, appearing satisfied.

Tiren, and Randol. Don't be too disappointed.

Karyl crossed his arms and pondered.

After all, it was something that remained undiscovered in my past life. If I can resolve the matter of the spy, it would be beneficial for the empire.

***

“It's white snakeroot[1],” the lieutenant reported. Kuwell bore a troubled expression as he looked at the sorcerer, who had foamed at his mouth and collapsed.

“Although it's not a poison that causes fatality... with injuries like these, it could certainly cause the heart to stop.”

“Did you thoroughly search his body?”

“I did, several times even... I'm sorry,” Paulhendt admitted, lowering his head.

“Raise your head.” Kuwell refrained from further reprimand, knowing well the capabilities of the former vice-captain of the Blue Knights. “Hah... I know. You wouldn't have been careless.”

“If the spies carried it for emergencies, it was possible it was overlooked. Moreover, it's a common weed found even by the roadside. He might have acquired it during transport... There are several possibilities,” the lieutenant defended.

“What are you even trying to say? That a prisoner being transported could pull off such a stunt with just some roadside weed?”

“I'm sorry...” The lieutenant dropped his head at Kuwell's words.

“Hah... this complicates things... I never expected the prisoner to die like this. Especially with people from the capital due to arrive soon.”

“And it was supposed to be the young lords' first accomplishment...”

“That's not what matters.” For Kuwell, the situation had been unsettling from the start, but now he felt somewhat relieved. “Instead, we'll likely be criticized for not managing the prisoner properly.”

𝗳𝗿𝐞𝕖𝘄𝗲𝕓𝗻𝚘𝚟𝕖𝐥.𝚌𝕠𝕞

Especially, the First Prince's faction might seize this incident to prolong their criticism,

Kuwell mused, biting his lips.

***

Prince Luon won't stay idle.

Karyl mused, looking out the window at the bustling activity of the soldiers.

He's like a snake. He'll definitely use this incident to criticize Father.

“But not right now,” Karyl whispered to himself.

Considering the merits Kuwell had accumulated, it wouldn't be easy for the emperor to punish him. Moreover, he was on an imperial mission.

This incident, being something that occurred at the mansion, made it nearly impossible to recall him from his subjugation to exterminate the heretics.

And Father is one of the five Swordmasters on the continent, a symbol that represents the empire.

But the prince is not the emperor. No matter how important Kuwell may be to the empire, if the prince opposes someone, the situation changes—he would find a way to inflict damage.

If my memory serves right, my father will subdue the Mecken Tribe in the north and the Surma Tribe in the south during this subjugation.

Kuwell's return will take approximately a year.

Perhaps it's a blessing.

Given their considerable size among the northern tribes, the subjugation proved more challenging and time-consuming than anticipated.

That means Father is safe during that period,

Karyl thought.

It also means I have time to find evidence against the spy from Lurein Principality and prepare my counterargument.

Karyl's eyes gleamed with determination.

Indeed, it's time to depart from here.

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