Chapter 229: Randol (3)

“The emperor has less than three months to live...”

Randol’s head hung low, unable to accept what Karyl had just said. He seemed to be in a state of utter confusion. As a commoner by birth, his loyalty to the emperor wasn’t as deep as that of the noble knights.

For him, his family and house were of greater importance. The princes, despite sharing the same blood, were ready to point swords at each other’s throats over their own interests.

Ironically, it was precisely because the MacGovern brothers didn’t share blood that they could be more devoted to their house than to blood ties, under the pillar of Kuwell MacGovern.

Of course, I am excluded from that circle, both in war and in this life.

Karyl, on the other hand, had little affection for his family. He had fought on countless battlefields for humanity, but to his family, he had always been an outsider and now even more so.

Martte struggled with his feelings of inferiority toward Karyl, even though he had acknowledged him, and Tiren saw him as an enemy. For Randol, Karyl had been a target for revenge. Laying it all out, they were less like family and more like strangers.

“...”

The way Martte and Tiren treated him now wasn’t much different from his previous life. In that sense, his relationship with Randol was peculiar, since before, they hadn’t been able to form a relationship due to Randol’s early death.

Karyl had chosen Randol as a variable he could use in the MacGovern family, not just because of his talent but because, unlike Martte and Tiren, Randol was someone with whom he could build a new relationship.

I’ve done everything I can for Martte.

Whether Martte would remain stagnant or take a step forward was now up to him. Informing him of Olivurn’s poisoning wasn’t a strategy against the emperor.

Even if I don’t reveal it now, the truth will be a powerful weapon when he ascends the throne.

But there was no point in Karyl saying it. The empire would always follow the commands of the throne’s ruler. As an immigrant and a king of another nation, his words carried no weight, but the MacGovern family was different.

If Olivurn ascends the throne, the shock will be doubled if the MacGovern family reveals the truth. Even if they can’t depose him, they can certainly cause a rift.

And the final variable to cause that rift was Randol, standing before him now.

“Do you seek revenge against me?”

“...What?”

“I won’t try to justify what I did to the Ryeo Knights. Our positions are different. You invaded first to seize the Essence of the Soul Spring at Abyssal Rock, but many lives were lost because of me. It’s understandable that you harbor anger toward me.”

“That’s...!”

Randol’s face twisted at Karyl’s words.

“Unfair? I know. It was an agreement with Digon. But the southern Five Great Families suffered because of you, and Digon never gave you permission to attack the southerners.”

“...”

Randol couldn’t respond.

“You must know something’s off, right? Be honest. Who ordered you to attack the southern Five Great Families?” Karyl continued, not needing to see Randol’s expression to know the answer.

“Shall I tell you? This was Olivurn’s doing while the emperor was away. He admitted it. This led to the three princes attacking the south.”

Karyl shrugged.

“Of course, it all ended in failure, and the Third Prince died as a result.”

Randol knew all of this had been part of Karyl’s plan. Realizing this, the man before him seemed like an insurmountable wall.

“You attacked the Spear family despite having already made an agreement with Digon. Why?” Karyl pressed on.

“The Imperial knight orders—Blue, Green, Ryeo, and Wisteria—usually act under their captains’ leadership, unless special orders are given.”

Karyl looked Randol in the eye before asking, “Isn’t that right?”

Randol merely shook his head.

“Then why was the Ryeo Knights’ campaign against the south led by Vice-Captain Nareel and not by the captain? As a result, the captain, Sir Cam Grey, is left with the dishonor of being the only survivor.”

“...What are you trying to say?”

Randol clenched his fists, his eyes burning with anger as he looked at Karyl.

“The fact that the knights moved without their captain means there were special orders. It’s obvious that Olivurn directly sidelined Cam Gray.”

“...”

“Cam Gray likely opposed the campaign against the south, didn’t he? He probably thought it was meaningless.”

Randol didn’t answer, but his hardened expression gave Karyl all the confirmation he needed.

“But Olivurn forced it through anyway.”

“...The captain did oppose it, but for an imperial knight, the south is an enemy that must be subdued someday. At the time, I also believed that. I didn’t see anything wrong with the prince’s order.”

Randol’s voice grew more resolute as he tried to justify his actions. Even though he was now learning swordsmanship in Digon, he felt no shame in his actions as a knight.

“Who said it was wrong?”

“...What?”

Karyl chuckled at Randol’s reaction.

“There are countless reasons for the empire to attack the south, and justifications for war are easily manufactured. Since when did the empire care about others’ opinions before starting a war? The empire attacked the Five Great Families first, and then hypocritically rallied troops for revenge.”

“That’s...”

“But what I’m curious about is why a single knight order, no matter how skilled, was sent to a hostile territory with thousands of barbarians to procure Blue Steel? Did the clever Second Prince really order that?”

Karyl pressed his advantage.

“It sounds strange to me. Rather than imprisoning Cam Gray for disobedience, it seems more like Olivurn gave an impossible order because he couldn’t kill Cam Gray but saw you as expendable. As a pretext for war with the south.”

“...”

Randol’s clenched fists trembled.

“Once a battle begins, there are bound to be casualties on both sides, regardless of who emerges victorious. Even if I hadn’t intervened, the remaining southern tribes would have targeted the Ryeo Knights. Could you have safely returned to the empire?”

Karyl looked at Rando’s hands.

“Whether you survived or not, the inevitable result would have been war with the south, as we see now.”

He then raised his voice. “And if you said you never suspected this, you’d be lying. Am I right?”

Karyl’s words pierced right through Randol, his knees growing weak.

Thud—

Karyl then tossed something in front of him.

“What is this?” Randol’s eyes widened.

“It’s a slave contract. Difficult to come by, but there are still quite a few left in Antihum. You’ve heard of it, right?”

“Why are you...?”

“You have a lot to do from now on. I’d tell you to just trust me, but even I wouldn’t believe it if I were in your shoes.”

“....”

“After declaring Tatur’s independence, Brother Martte came to see me. I gave him some instructions. You are to leave Digon and find him. And then, you will follow my directives.”

“You’re telling me to obey your orders now?” Randol asked incredulously, stunned by Karyl’s calm, matter-of-fact demeanor.

“I'm proposing a deal. I want Brother Martte to be the shield of the family. But he can’t do it alone. He can be a shield, but not a sword. The one to save Jake in Heim will be you, not me.”

Karyl locked eyes with Randol.

“Make no mistake. This isn’t out of some warm, fuzzy feeling for the family. I need the MacGovern family for the future I intend to build. And I assure you, there is no deceit in that.”

Randol looked back at Karyl with a puzzled expression.

“Tiren will try to use me to stabilize the shaky position of the MacGovern family. I will let him believe he has succeeded. I’ll go to Heim, set up whatever traps he wants. But here’s what you will do for me: buy me six months. Not now, but after Olivurn ascends to the throne.”

The emperor’s tool to control the MacGovern family was the hostage, Jake. But knowing the emperor’s limited time left, Karyl did not feel threatened.

This isn’t a crisis. It’s an opportunity.

With Jake in Heim, Karyl would have a reason to enter the Church.

This will give me an excuse to investigate them.

He already knew the Church had close ties with the Wooden Cloud and had provided the Demon Realm’s Black Spore to Nain Darhon. Naturally, Karyl was looking for a way to deal with the Church.

A connection with the Demon Realm cannot be tolerated for any reason.

It was a serious matter.

If the Church is involved with the Demon Realm, it casts doubt on the validity of the Oracle we have received.

Karyl bit his lip slightly. The Ten that had risked their lives—if it turned out they had fought for a false cause in their past lives, it would tarnish their honor. That was something Karyl could never allow.

“So you’re proposing... a slave contract with me?”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

“As I said, I need you. Or more precisely, I need the MacGovern brothers. Among them, I chose you because you can see the world with the most balanced perspective.”

As a commoner turned knight who learned swordsmanship from the barbarians, Randol had the most unique background on the continent, apart from Karyl himself.

“What are the terms?”

“If you don’t acknowledge that I am worthy of being a king, you can take my life.”

“Are you saying... I could kill you if I want to?”

“Depending on the situation.”

“Why give yourself such a weakness?”

“Because it’s worth it. A vow isn’t just about one condition. Follow my orders for exactly six months. And if, after that, you recognize me as the true king, you will swear your loyalty to me.”

Gulp.

Randol swallowed dryly, his throat parched.

“So how about it? That’s the deal.”

“One more thing,” said Randol.

“What is it?”

“No matter what, you will save Jake.”

“Well... It’s presumptuous of you to set conditions, but... is that to bind me or out of brotherly love?”

“It might sound presumptuous. It’s just a request.” Randol forced a bitter smile at his question.

“To say you will make an effort to save Jake is more accurate,” Randol went on. “He is also of lowly birth, an abandoned orphan, and a frail child. I don’t want him to be used as a pawn in this conflict."

Karyl responded in a calm voice, “Being physically weak doesn’t necessarily mean a miserable life. Setting conditions is more presumptuous than making that statement.”

You don’t know yet, do you? The talent Jake has.

Indeed, Randol wouldn’t have known. Until the Oracle War broke out, Jake was just a frail child needing care in the mansion.

Karyl, considering this, answered, “Well, fine. It depends on how well you follow my orders from now on. I promise, I have no intention of losing Jake either.”

Randol nodded at Karyl’s answer. It was a dangerous vow, but at the moment, Randol felt that this vow was likely the only weapon capable of curbing Karyl’s rampage.

A soft hum resonated as the vow contract began to glow.

As long as I remain steadfast, I can protect the MacGovern family from Karyl’s threats,

Randol thought as he stared at the contract.

“Don’t overthink it. A knight must follow his convictions. Follow the king you believe in. For the next six months, my orders won’t be anything that forces you to betray your lord,” Karyl said, extending his hand to Randol. “You will see my worth clearly.”

As they shook hands, Karyl watched with a faint smile.

You will become my sword. Otherwise, everything I’ve done up to now would be meaningless. Your status, lowly as it is, makes you all the more valuable. The only commoner knight in the empire. The things you can achieve with that title are greater than you might think.

Talent isn’t noble because it’s held by the nobility, nor is it insignificant because it belongs to a commoner. Among the oppressed slaves and commoners, many were exceptionally talented but are unable to shine due to their status.

Randol would be a beacon of hope for such people and would become a gathering point for them.

The soft hum grew louder. Karyl was confident that the moment the contract lit up, Randol MacGovern would become the most compelling proof of his right to the throne.

“Miliana,” Karyl called her out of the shadows as he handed over the contract. “Stop sneaking around and come out.”

Miliana awkwardly cleared her throat and stepped out of the darkness.

“Come with me.”

“...What?”

“We need to head to the principality. Your tedious role as a nanny is over. Now you must stand by me as my sword.”

Miliana’s expression brightened at his words, but she soon shouted in a flustered tone, “Wh-What do you mean, your sword? You’re making jokes again, aren’t you?”

“Growl..”

As Karyl turned around, the Sand Serpent, as if waiting for his command, descended from the sky, circling and landing gracefully.

Ignoring the grumbling of the Queen of Digon, Karyl gestured with a finger for her to follow from atop the serpent’s head.

“Follow me.”