Chapter 290: The Imperial War (1)

“...Chaos, you say.”

Despite being surrounded by the Church’s combat priests, Karyl’s face remained calm, exuding confidence.

“Karyl, are you planning to turn the entire continent against you?” Kuwell asked in a trembling voice.

“Are you late to the news or just pretending not to know?” Karyl responded with a slight smirk. “Or perhaps... You still think the empire is the strongest force on the continent?”

“...!!”

With that single remark, Kuwell’s aura surged with explosive intensity.

“How dare you!”

BOOOOOM―!!!

The Mana Blade that burned on Kuwell’s Yulstern sword suddenly expanded, enveloped in a milky-white aura that seemed to fuel the flames.

Did his mana just increase?

Karyl couldn’t help but be surprised. Just moments ago, Kuwell’s dragon mana had been rather weak, but now, even if only temporarily, it seemed to surpass his natural mana.

Am I still missing something?

Though Karyl had consumed a dragon’s heart and gained immense mana, he had never learned directly from a dragon how to wield such power. For humans, reaching the 7th Class was considered the pinnacle, but beyond that lay the 8th Class, a realm known as the Dragon’s Domain.

Kaye Aesir had mentioned in his final words that he had reached that realm. Could it be simply because a human’s mana vessel was smaller compared to a dragon’s? Surely it couldn’t be that simple. After all, Kaye Aesir had reached the 8th Class without dragon mana.

So, what was the difference between humans and dragons? There was only one answer.

A constructed magical system.

[That’s not it.]

Allen Javius’s voice resonated in Karyl’s mind, as if he had read his thoughts.

[You’re so focused on one thing that you fail to see the rest. Have you forgotten who taught you magic? It was me.]

Dark smoke slowly took a shape before Karyl, but he quickly realized it was only an image within his mind, not a physical manifestation.

[Seven chosen humans were taught magic by dragons. Do you really think that I, one of them, wouldn’t know the magic system of dragons?]

Or have you forgotten something? Karyl responded. You once asked me if I can trust the Platinum Dragon.

Karyl’s gaze met Allen’s.

Scrreeeetch―!

The illusion vanished, and Yulstern, wielded with all of Kuwell’s strength, clashed with Karyl’s Freezing Talon, producing a sharp metallic screech as they struggled for dominance.

The Seven Assembly of Elders were the only human disciples of dragons, but even they were betrayed by one. Whether it was part of the plan from the beginning or not, would that dragon have truly taught them everything?

[So you’re saying there are things I don’t know either?] Allen’s voice questioned.

It’s about doubting even the doubt itself. Never let go of that thread

.

[Heh... Hahaha. The day has come when you dare try to teach me. Wait until you reach the 7th Class and fully unlock the repository of knowledge I’ve bestowed upon you before you start acting so high and mighty.]

But since you’re not outright denying it, my suspicion might not be entirely wrong

, Karyl argued. Now, he was wondering whether Kuwell’s recent transformation might hint at a way to elevate his own dragon mana to the next level.

[The next time you face him, it might not be as easy. You may have more mana, but in terms of actually using the mana, he surpasses you.]

Then I’ll just have to reach the 7th Class,

Karyl concluded simply, finding clarity in Allen’s words.

BOOM―!!

“This power...” Kuwell muttered, frowning as he looked back and forth between his sword and Karyl.

Clang...!

A small piece of Yulstern’s blade chipped off where it clashed with Karyl’s Freezing Talon, cracking like glass. A dark, smoky aura began to rise from the frosty blade.

“Israphil, I’ll be taking back the power I lent you. With your current mana, you should still be able to wield Original Magic.”

“Of course,” Israphil replied, bowing as the dark smoke that had surrounded Karyl’s Freezing Talon seeped back into him, turning the blade black.

“Hmm,” Karyl murmured, feeling not only Allen’s power but also Duaat’s flowing back into him.

“Seize him!” the bishop shouted, noticing the change in Karyl.

The combat priests quickly made the sign of the cross. Once again, the holy sigils of the Church manifested beneath Karyl’s feet, and golden tendrils, like glowing ropes, shot up from the ground, stronger than before.

Swish...!

Snap...!

Karyl glanced at the golden ropes tightening around his body.

[Do you intend to keep fighting? It’s not impossible, but if you do, you’ll have to use your dragon mana,] Duaat’s voice echoed in Karyl’s mind as he watched the ropes begin to singe his skin, smoke rising from him.

[Yula’s power is highly effective against spirits. If you want to keep your dragon mana hidden, it’s best not to escalate this any further.]

[As much as I hate to admit it... Unless the powers of both Rasis and Duaat come together, going up against the Church’s power will be a real struggle.]

[Without the protection of Rasis, who wields light like Yula, even the fiercest flames would be extinguished.]

Ethereal, Duaat, and Ramine all voiced their discontent as they eyed the holy relic held by the bishop. Despite being a temporary creation, it radiated a power even greater than the barrier in the emperor’s residence.

“Hmm...”

Karyl was fortunate that only he could hear the spirits, so the priests in front of him remained tense, unable to gauge the full extent of his power.

“I see,” Karyl nodded, seemingly unaffected by the golden ropes tightening around him.

“It seems the time for negotiation has come,” he said, his expression steady as he locked eyes with the bishop.

“D-Don’t move...!” one of the priests shouted.

Swish—!

But not even a moment later, the priest’s head fell to the ground.

What... What is this?!

He moved in that state?! Is he a monster? He still hasn’t shown his full strength?

Impossible... How can he break free from the Church’s binding technique like this...?

The onlookers were horrified by the sight. The golden ropes binding Karyl hadn’t been severed, yet he moved as if the entire barrier was under his control. The sealing spell was still active, but Karyl was forcing it to move along with him through sheer strength.

[You’re pushing yourself too hard,] Duaat’s voice echoed in Karyl’s mind as a slight smile tugged at the corners of his lips.

Indeed, his right arm, the one he had just swung his sword with, was red-hot and throbbing, but the effect was undeniable. Acting as if nothing was amiss, Karyl gave a small nod, prompting Zarka to place Jake in front of Randol.

“Take him. I’ve kept my promise.”

“...”

Randol, holding the fallen Jake, gazed at Karyl with a mixture of emotions.

Fwip-fwip-fwip!

At that moment, a tiny bird, seemingly out of place, flew in through a broken window, its delicate wings fluttering gently. The small bird landed softly on the back of Karyl’s hand.

“...!!”

While most dismissed the bird, Israphil’s eyes widened in surprise.

“It’s a messenger from the Black-Eyed tribe.”

He immediately recognized the bird as the one he had sent from the carriage before arriving in Heiam.

The Black-Eyed tribe... that means they’re the ones I sent to the Blood Cave. But why now...? Or did he plan for this exact moment? Perhaps he anticipated this situation when they made the report.

Israphil couldn’t help but marvel at Karyl’s far-reaching plans, which even he, someone who had devoured countless tomes in the Antihum Grand Library, couldn’t fully grasp.

Since leaving the Immortal Council, Israphil felt as though his worldview had expanded a hundredfold. No book, it seemed, could capture the reality Karyl had shown him. Unbeknownst to him, his once introverted and passive nature was slowly shifting, influenced by Karyl’s decisive actions and sharp mind.

Israphil’s face was twitching, a sign of the backlash of maintaining the Superior Vision. As Allen Javius’ mana was reabsorbed into Karyl, the flow of Israphil’s mana intensified rapidly.

“Olivurn,” Karyl called out, his gaze steady. “The dawn has yet to break,” he went on in a low voice, pointing to the sky.

“...!!!”

Hearing that, Olivurn’s eye widened, and he instinctively bit his lip.

“The deal starts with you,” Karyl continued, his voice barely above a whisper. “Do you want the emperor’s life?”

“You...!!”

But before Karyl could finish, Kuwell swung his sword again, enraged. Karyl, still bound, was unable to move, and Kuwell’s blade rushed at his neck with the force of a storm.

Israphil hurriedly cast a spell, and Kay Rothschild pulled the strings of her puppet, but they were too far away. Neither their magic nor Zarka’s speed could intercept Kuwell’s attack in time.

Clang...!!

And then, at that critical moment—

“...Father!”

To everyone’s shock, the one who blocked Kuwell’s sword was Martte, the eldest son. With this, Kuwell’s opponent changed, but the battle remained between a father and a son.

Karyl, watching Martte’s back as he shielded him, let out a low sigh.

“You...!! What are you doing?!”

Kuwell’s expression contorted in disbelief as he stared at Martte. He just couldn’t believe that his own son would stand in his way.

Crack...! Crack...!!

Martte had barely managed to block Kuwell’s rage-fueled strike. The force bent him like a bow, his back on the verge of breaking.

“Martte, you’ve taken a step forward, albeit a small one,” Karyl remarked.

“...Sh-Shut up!”

“You didn’t swing your sword, but at least you managed to draw it from its sheath.”

“I didn’t do it to earn your praise...!” Martte responded, his voice strained with anger.

Karyl simply smiled at his defiance.

“Both of you, lower your swords,” Karyl suggested calmly.

“Silence!!” Kuwell roared.

“I still haven’t received an answer. You can draw your swords afterward,” Karyl replied, placing his palm on Martte’s back.

“...!!”

A surge of heat radiated from Karyl’s touch, and suddenly, flames erupted from Martte’s sword.

What is this...?

Martte felt a strange sensation, as if every cell in his body was reacting to Karyl’s mana. His mana veins seemed to warm up, a sensation he had never experienced before.

Clang—!!

To his shock, Martte managed to fully deflect Kuwell’s sword. He then took a few steps back.

“Hah... Hah...”

“Remember that sensation. You’ve drawn your sword, now you must grow stronger to wield it properly,” Karyl advised.

Martte looked at Karyl with trembling eyes, as if wanting to say something, but he remained silent.

“This is a matter between the two of us,” Karyl said, turning his gaze to Olivurn, waiting for his response.

“...Your Majesty,” Olivurn drawled. “This is for the sake of the continent and the people.”

“...Wh-What?!” the emperor shouted at him, his hair disheveled.

The ever-cunning Titan Shutean realized he was utterly helpless, with no one coming to his aid. As soon as Olivurn spoke, the priests took a step back.

So... even the Church is no longer on my side...

The emperor’s shoulders drooped, a sign of his diminishing strength.

Olivurn watched him with a sorrowful expression, closing his eyes as he whispered, “Please, kill him.”

At that, Karyl gave a sneer, as if he had expected this outcome.

“Wa-Wait... just a moment...!!”

Swoooosh—!!

Without a moment’s hesitation, Karyl beheaded Emperor Titan Shutean.

For a man who had ruled an empire, his end was strikingly anticlimactic, but in the grand scheme of history, he was just another man. Everyone present knew that the true protagonists of this unfolding history were Olivurn and Karyl.

“What do you want? Money? Freedom? Whatever it is, speak. If you desire, I will recognize Tatur under the empire’s protection,” Olivurn offered, wiping away tears as he looked at the emperor’s headless corpse.

“Spare me the nonsense,” Karyl scoffed at Olivurn’s words. “The answer is obvious.”

He pointed his sword, still stained with the emperor’s blood, at Olivurn.

“What I want... is your head.”