Chapter 296: The Three Kingdoms of Istria

The wyvern and golem units were truly terrifying. What was especially strange, however, was the device attached to the wyverns’ legs that allowed them to carry the golems. Though powerful, golems couldn’t fly and were heavy, making them hard to deploy at the right time and place.

It seems the golems’ armor has been lightened... And that connecting part wasn’t there in my previous life,

Karyl observed, watching the wyverns circle overhead.

By having the wyverns transport the golems, not only was the mobility issue resolved, but their combat power also increased more than twofold. And upon closer inspection, the wyverns, already fearsome by themselves, were also equipped with unfamiliar weapons.

“Krrrrrrr...”

“Kaack...! Kack!”

Some strange devices were attached to the wyverns, and the bits in their mouths were different from before.

Is this a collaboration with the Gnome Kingdom?

Karyl was understandably surprised, as most of the wyverns had been sacrificed in the war between the empire and the principality. And after the principality disappeared, its territory was used as a war zone against the Tarak, halting the development of magitech.

But in this life, thanks to the advanced technology of the Gnome Kingdom, the principality had managed to greatly improve its weaponry.

Not only that, but by moving the golem production site to the Frost Plateau, home of the Rothschild family, they had gained not only the gnomes’ assistance but also access to the Rothschilds’ technology, resulting in golems far superior to those of the previous timeline.

But all that was just a process.

The unfinished masterpiece of the Magical Era, Ascalon—Karyl realized that the completion of that golem was slowly coming within reach.

While developing the power core, which is basically the heart, I should also be working on Ascalon’s framework... I should start looking for a commercial license and send it to Wingel Hart.

Karyl could already imagine Wingel’s expression upon receiving the blueprints for Ascalon. As a magitech engineer, everything was lining up perfectly for him. While the help from the gnomes and the Rothschild family was invaluable, the most important variable was Winger Hart himself, the best magitech engineer alive.

Karyl was glad he had decided to personally come to the Three Kingdoms.

The commercial license for Ascalon’s blueprints is here. The plan was to get it from Viola... but this way is more certain and overall better.

Though he had a strong desire to march into the Istan Kingdom and clean up everything immediately, Karyl waited instead.

“They should be here by now...”

Although it was just one person, the enemy forces hiding in the kingdom did not dare to launch an attack. After all, wyverns were hovering in the sky and ten golems loomed behind Karyl.

Despite being in the middle of a battlefield, Karyl leaned on the kneeling knights as though they were his bed.

“Lord!”

At that moment, he heard a familiar voice in the distance. As he turned his head, he spotted a group of people kicking up dust as they rushed toward him from the horizon.

The one leading them was a large figure that was noticeable even from afar. It was the Free Army of Tatur stationed at the front of the alliance. Karyl waved his Freezing Talon at Beikan as though greeting an old friend.

Then he swung it down as hard as he could.

Bang—!!

Beikan, who was on his horse, quickly raised his axe to block it, but the immense power forced his massive frame to the ground.

“Ha... Haha...”

Beikan struggled to push back, knowing that loosening his grip even slightly would allow Karyl’s sword to cleave through his neck. The veins on his thick, log-like arms bulged.

“You’re blocking? If you know you deserve a hit, then you should take it.”

The soldiers of the Free Army were shocked beyond words at the sight. Since they had been raiding the dungeons in the southern region, they were all aware of Beikan’s abilities.

Following the battle with Luon at the Twin Armor, Karyl had taken care of things without using the Free Army. In other words, those troops hadn’t seen him fight in a long while. The overwhelming power he had displayed back then left a deep impression on these warriors, but it had since become a distant memory.

In their hearts, if they had to name the best warrior, it was undoubtedly Beikan; some even believed he could stand toe to toe with Karyl. However, the moment they saw Beikan rolling on the ground after a single strike, all those thoughts vanished.

“I never expected to hear excuses from a warrior of the Great Plains, but shall I listen to the reason for this delay?"

“Well...” Beikan began, showing more discomfort than joy at reuniting with his lord after a long time. “There was an unexpected interference...”

“Interference?”

Rumble...

It was then that a shadow loomed over the two men.

“...”

Shrrk...! Shrrk...!!

Spash!

Out of nowhere, a sticky, viscous substance fell onto Karyl’s head.

“L-Lord!!”

Beikan was startled by the sight, but then he realized that the sticky liquid didn’t actually make contact with Karyl. Rather, the slime slid down a protective magic barrier that had been cast over his head. When it hit the ground, it sizzled and bubbled, burning away with a hiss.

Karyl slowly raised his head.

* * *

“...”

Aidan Hamill stared blankly at the shattered key, then at Zouk De Holde lying on the ground.

“...What did you just say? Surely I misheard.”

“You heard it right,” Zouk said softly to Aidan, who had been struggling for days to break down the door at the top of the Serpent’s Tower.

“Say it again.”

“Don’t make me waste my breath.”

𝐟𝕣𝗲𝕖𝕨𝗲𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝗲𝚕.𝗰𝚘𝐦

“...You’re saying Simon Coden isn’t in the Eastern Land right now?”

“You’re really getting used to throwing around Master’s name so casually.”

“Just answer the question.”

“Yes, he’s not here.”

Then, with teary eyes, Aidan shouted, “Hey, can’t we fix this? This isn’t the time to be breaking down doors!”

Zouk looked at him in disbelief.

“You made all those grand claims about proving yourself, and now you’re saying you can’t break down a door?”

Clang―!

At that moment, Aidan scowled and struck the tightly locked door in frustration.

Creak...

The edge of the door, which seemed unbreakable, shook as a small crack appeared on its surface. Zouk De Holde looked at him with trembling eyes.

“...”

“‘Can’t break it?’ No, I’m saying there’s no need for that. My lord gave me a command. If I don't carry it out, all this talk of proving myself will be for nothing... Zouk, we need to go quickly.”

“Wh-What do you mean?”

“You said he went to the continent? Forget proving anything... Now we just have to pray that he’s safe. If he runs into my lord...” Aidan murmured as he tugged on her arm. “He’ll be dead before my lord can get the Shadow Arts.”

* * *

“Well, well... Look who it is. I never thought I’d run into you in a place like this... So you were the card those Three Kingdoms were betting on,” Karyl observed as he gazed at the monstrous creature that had just spat that foul thing onto his head.

The creature, easily twice as large as an ordinary basilisk, was like the Sand Serpent but with legs. However, Karyl’s eyes were locked on the man sitting atop the monstrosity.

Aidan’s fears had become reality.

“Simon Coden,” Karyl called out his name with a hint of familiarity.

Shrrk...! Shrrk...!!

The basilisk made a strange sound as it slowly lowered its head.

“I heard from our envoy who visited Azor last time,” said Simon, now at eye level with Karyl.

“Yes. Was he grateful? I showed him mercy, after all.”

Simon Coden, dressed in a white robe that felt out of place in battle, sat on a cushion at the top of the basilisk’s head. He unfolded a fan to shield his face from the sun.

“I’ll be having a word with Aidan. Your being here means he either failed to stop you or took too long to reach you.”

Karyl moved his sword away from Beikan as he spoke.

“In truth, I was hoping he’d come back with your head.”

“You’re quite the jokester. He’s just an assassin of the Burning Darkness, and yet you think he could kill

me

?”

“Yes, Aidan could kill the lord of some small island.”

“...”

Simon Coden frowned slightly.

“Given that you’re here, I take it you’ve sided with the empire? Well, that’s the kind of person you are.”

“War always has winners and losers. It’s only natural to observe the continent’s balance of power.”

“That’s right. Wars happen all the time. Some lead armies out of righteousness, while others join battles for profit. You must be the latter.”

“Heheh... Are you trying to say that heroes fight for righteousness? Even across the sea on that little island, people have heard what kind of place Tatur is,” Simon Coden scoffed with his arms crossed, sticking out his tongue.

“No,” said Karyl, locking eyes with him. “The emperor merely fights under the banner of righteousness, and you cling to him for money. I don’t belong to either side.”

“...So you’re saying you have no intention of becoming a hero? Even though you’re establishing a kingdom and expanding your power?”

“Me?” Karyl chuckled. “What’s a hero, anyway? Is it someone who saves the world? Someone who accomplishes a great cause? Or is it someone who just protects people? Kill ten, and you’re branded a murderer. Kill a thousand, and you’re a hero. A hero’s path is ultimately forged on a road steeped in blood, isn’t it?”

At that moment, Karyl leaped onto the basilisk’s head and grabbed Simon Coden by the collar.

“...!!”

“Don’t try to test me. Are you still debating whether it’s the empire or me that can offer you more? Once you’ve placed your bet, you better go all in. Let future generations judge. I’ll just cut down anyone who gets in my way.”

Creak―

Simon Coden glared at Karyl.

“...Immigrants, barbarians, runaway slaves, and scoundrels who have turned their backs on their country. A rotten kingdom filled with the scum of the earth. Quite the fitting words from a king!!”

At that, Karyl chuckled softly.

“Rotting in filth is better than dying. Worry about your own neck. You’ve placed your bet on the wrong side. I’ve never claimed to be anything. The future generations are free to judge history however they want. But isn’t it funny? People call me a hero now.”

“Hmph, not a monster?” Simon sneered.

Shing...! Shing...!!

Bang—!

Out of nowhere, a storm of razor-sharp projectiles—hundreds, maybe thousands—rained down on Karyl.

“A monster? What does it matter whether I’m a hero or a monster? There’s only one thing that matters. Let history decide whether your death was by the sword of a hero or the fangs of a monster—either way, the only outcome is death.”

“Is that so? It won’t be as easy as you think.”

Karyl pushed Simon Coden away and swung his sword, deflecting the flying needles.

“...!!”

“...No way.”

“Did he really block all of that?”

“How in the world...?”

The assassins of the Burning Darkness murmured to each other, their voices filled with disbelief.

“You must’ve been in a hurry, to have those who thrive in the shadows walking around in broad daylight like this,” Karyl remarked, casually brushing himself off.

“...”

Karyl then moved closer to Simon Coden’s face and whispered, “Taking your life?”

He couldn’t tell if Simon had gone pale just now, or if that was his normal complexion.

“That would be the easy part.”