Chapter 73: Aidan's Dilemma

The Eastern Kingdom was a small island that could be reached by sailing east for dozens of days from the continent inhabited by the Principality, the Empire, the Three Kingdoms of Istria, and the various kingdoms and tribes.

The island was known for its unique and mysterious sorcery that was unseen on the mainland, an art related to magic.

Among the island’s inhabitants, the Burning Darkness held a special place of authority. They were the de facto rulers of the island. Despite lacking any familial or lordly rulers, ownership of the island was exclusively passed down to the successor of the Burning Darkness.

This tradition of the succession of a single heir was both the honor and pride of the Eastern Island.

The master of the Burning Darkness was said to possess immense skill in all forms of sorcery, believed to be on par with Sword Masters and Grand Sorcerers. Yet, no one had laid eyes on the master of the island for decades.

Aidan Hamil, a member of the Burning Darkness, was tasked with a mission upon leaving the island—

to ensure that Prince Olivurn becomes the Emperor.

Initially, Aidan struggled to understand how he could support a prince like Olivurn, who, unlike the First Prince backed by the chancellor, lacked any significant political backing.

However, upon secretly arriving at the Empire from the Eastern Island, Aidan was surprised to discover that Kuwell MacGovern, known as the strongest Sword Master on the continent, had pledged his allegiance to Prince Olivurn. The reason behind this alliance remains a mystery to this day.

What is clear, though, is that the contract between the island and the prince has been fulfilled, and his duty was merely to serve Olivurn Shutean, regardless of any personal connection, friendship, or loyalty to him.

A descendant of the Burning Darkness unquestioningly follows the master's orders without doubt.

Aidan Hamil had never doubted this command. That is, until he met a certain boy.

"..."

What troubled Aidan about Karyl, as trivial as it might sound, was Karyl himself.

Though the Eastern Island is independent of the Empire, it has chosen to support Olivurn Shutean, indicating that the master deems him worthy.

Aidan observed Karyl, who nonchalantly leaned against the freshly severed head of the Twin-Headed eagle inside the carriage, his eyes closed.

He can even sleep peacefully on a head that still hasn’t yet dried from the blood.

Whether to call this daringness or indifference, Aidan wasn’t sure. He often found himself forgetting Karyl's age, as his actions often seemed far beyond what one would expect from a twelve-year-old.

"Why do I keep making the same mistakes?"

He massaged his forehead.

"Haah......"

Could it be that seeing blood after such a long time had affected him? After severing the head of the Twin-Headed Eagle in the dungeon, Aidan had spoken out against Karyl, momentarily forgetting his own position.

It has always been a facade, but now it has become even more transparent.

Karyl already knew that he was from the Eastern Island when he asked him to teach Mikhail Magic Transformation

I wonder if he knows Zouk’s identity as well.

While uncertain, Aidan couldn’t shake off the feeling of the brief surge of murderous intent he felt at the inn in Tatur.

This is madness...

Since leaving Tatur, he hadn't sent any reports to her. By now, she wouldn't be waiting for his reports and would have taken her own actions.

Maybe she even received reports about me.

"Why do you look so pale? You've seemed off ever since we left the dungeon," Mikhail, seated beside him, broke the silence in the carriage.

"Mikhail."

"Yes?"

"What do you think of me?"

"What do you mean...?"

"I am just curious. From our time in the Guidance Mercenary Gang up until now, what is your impression of me? Do you see me as just an ordinary person?"

Aidan himself found his question absurd, but Mikhail appeared to seriously ponder before responding.

"Not ordinary at all. Honestly, Karyl may be incredible, but to me, you're my magic teacher."

"What? Why me?"

"Because you taught me Magic Transformation... and you helped me understand the complex formulas for wind magic."

...That's because you were smart enough to grasp even the parts I didn't teach. And you would have understood those magic formulas on your own in a few days anyway.

Aidan wanted to speak the truth but ultimately kept it to himself.

"But seeing your fight in the dungeon, I realized you're not just great at magic but swordsmanship as well," Mikhail said calmly. "Besides, a companion of Karyl couldn't just be ordinary, right? Watching you fight, I thought to myself, “Just as I expected.”"

"Is that so," Aidan replied, Mikhail's straightforwardness making his previous attempts to hide his identity almost amusing.

"Whatever," Aidan said, handing the reins over to Mikhail and leaning back against the carriage seat. "I don't even know anymore."

"Pardon me?"

"Forget it. It's nothing."

At this point, Aidan felt foolish for even pondering such things. Just then, as the curtain behind the carriage seat was drawn, Aidan startled and turned around.

"You are awake."

Karyl, rubbing his eyes and stretching wearily, nodded and looked around. "We've arrived."

Tents could be seen far in the distance.

"Pardon?" Even to Aidan, with his keen sight, all that was visible was the vast horizon.

"It's not about seeing; it's about knowing the location."

"I see." Aidan nodded.

[Stubborn kid... Creating a training space with illusions even inside the carriage, who does that?]

Karyl chuckled, hearing Allen's voice whispering in his ear.

Watching their fight in the dungeon must have ignited something within me,

Aidan thought.

The journey ahead is still long.

"Hmm."

"That’s the place where tribes determine the master of the Great Plains," Karyl muttered softly, gazing into the distance.

Before them lay the village of the Warrior tribe, Atanka.

***

"..."

The tension in the air thickened as all eyes turned toward the severed head of the Twin-Headed Eagle. Karyl, arms crossed and seemingly relishing the murmurs of the crowd, addressed the chief with a familiar tone.

"Are you the chief, Tunan?" Despite their content, Karyl’s words carried a sense of camaraderie, as if he were calling out to an old friend.

"This is a gift for visiting your tribe."

"A presumptuous and rude gift, this is."

Mikhail and Aidan listened intently to their exchange, their faces tense with anticipation.

It feels like I'm looking at our leader.

Everyone in this village is a master in their own right. Physically, they could match the disciples of the Burning Darkness.

Their intimidating gazes from the tribe's entrance all the way to the inside of the tent weighed heavily on them.

But it was the chief who commanded an entirely different level of presence. The aura emanating from him was of a different dimension, easily crushing the previous sense of intimidation.

"Hmm."

His dark, almost burnt skin, bulging muscles, and piercing eyes seemed capable of devouring them whole at any moment.

Gulp—

Unconsciously, both of them swallowed nervously with each word the chief spoke.

"I like it."

Yet, contrary to their fears, the chief smiled. He plucked an eyeball from the severed head of the Twin-Headed Eagle and chewed on it, causing Mikhail to turn away, unable to watch, and almost retch.

"Who is the hero that caught this, something even the tribes of the Great Plains don't dare touch?"

"The one currently about to vomit at your feet."

"What? Are you joking with me?"

“Surely not. Who would come all this way to tell a lie out of madness? Or is it that you're upset because that staggering fellow over there accomplished what even your vaunted warriors could not?"

"Ugh... why did you say staggering...?"

The chief looked at Mikhail with displeasure.

"We do not touch the dungeons not because we are unable to, but rather because we choose not to."

"That's debatable. After all, no tribe among the four tribes of the Great Plains' have ever cleared out the dungeon." Karyl provocatively stoked the chief's anger.

This is troubling. He seems about to burst any moment now. Even if this is enemy territory...

Aidan, sensing the tension, cautiously reached for the dagger concealed within his robe, prepared for any situation that may arise.

"I've heard rumors. An imperial in league with the Flying Bow tribe. That must be you. Have you brought the head of the Twin-Headed eagle to challenge us?"

Karyl chuckled lightly, plucking out the remaining eyeball.

Mikhail felt his stomach churn again, but this time, he successfully suppressed the rising discomfort.

"No. That truly was a gift."

Karyl nonchalantly extended his hand towards the chief, the Twin-Headed Eagle's eyeball in his palm.

"Twin-Headed Eagles are known to enhance virility. There’s a rumor that the chief of the Warrior tribe has been lacking in that department at night, and it has spread all the way to the north," Karyl added, his words dripping with mischief.

"You son of a...!!" One of Tunan's guards, stepped forward, wearing a grimace.

What is he doing? Did he not come here to unify the four tribes, but to kill them all instead?

Aidan couldn't fathom Karyl's intentions.

"Stay where you are."

With a single command from Karyl, the guard, who was about to charge, froze in place.

"Even uneducated barbarians know better than to interrupt a conversation between leaders."

Swoosh---

"..."

No one noticed when the blade was drawn. Only the trembling of the Freezing Talon's blade, as it grazed the guard's throat was visible.

"If you value your head,” Karyl warned, “you will not move."

A chill ran down everyone's spine.

At that moment, Aidan realized something. From the moment he was tasked with investigating Suan Hazar’s escape on the prince's orders, to when Karyl became the master of Tatur, and even when he ignored Zouk De Holde's warnings and followed Karyl at even the risk of danger... It was all because of this.

There’s no denying it.

Aidan watched as Karyl causally pointed his sword at the chief's neck.

"Gah!"

As the Freezing Talon pressed slightly against his shoulder, the man couldn't resist Karyl's strength. He grimaced and slowly knelt.

"Ha...!"

Aidan's doubts had grown as he observed Karyl during their carriage ride to the tribe. And after much thought, he came to a realization—he was captivated by this boy named Karyl. The reason behind this fascination became clear... It was the complete opposite of the life Aidan had been molded for since birth. A life of following orders and completing missions.

Yet, Karyl walked the path of defiance, always smiling, and free-spirited. His was a life that seemed to hide his own shackles and dreams underneath a mask of nonchalance.

"..."

Aidan clenched his fist unknowingly.

The four administrators of Tatur, the leader of the Guidance Mercenary Gang, the lord of Azor... and now, even the barbarians of the south.

He hadn’t been born into royalty. He had started from the very bottom, yet he had never once bowed to others. Commoners lived their common lives, and Nobles followed their set noble paths. As for Aidan, a killer born on the Eastern island, the only way of life, the only path was to take the lives of others.

When was it?

When was the last time he spared a life?

Karyl made what was deemed impossible, even in wild dreams, look utterly natural. It was as if he had the audacity to refuse a fate ordained by the gods.

"I see..."

"What?" Mikhail asked, looking at Aidan, who was murmuring softly.

I...

For the first and last time, Aidan Hamil entertained a thought he had never allowed himself to consider before. It was a decision that would change his destiny.

I wanted to choose my master not out of obligation but by my own will.