Chapter 88: The Prelude to War

"It seems the Imperials have retreated."

At the secret location specified by Kayla Spear, Kinu Mukari, who was tending to the wounded, reported to Karyl.

"Is that so?"

Kinu Mukari had been curious about the beam of light that had flashed on the cliff, but upon seeing Karyl's figure, he realized there was no need to ask.

He must’ve achieved something significant there.

When they first met, Karyl seemed strong but had a rough charm to him that became apparent from time to time. But now, he resembled a finely-honed legendary sword.

And without saying anything, Hashir's expression confirmed this change.

"What are you planning to do now?"

"That, I must ask him."

Karyl moved toward Tulu Spear, the head of the Spear family, who was lying among the injured. As he approached, Tulu hurriedly stood up.

"Stay down. Wounds from a mana blade don't heal easily with potions. That's what's terrifying about the Imperials."

"Thank you again... Not only did you save us, but you also protected the Abyssal Rock. I am at a loss for words." Tulu bowed his head. Only ten members of his tribe had managed to survive, just barely.

But despite the seemingly desperate situation, Karyl spoke with unexpected composure, "I didn’t do much... It was simply good fortune. The Tomb of the Spirit King at the Abyssal Rock, which you mentioned, was actually a Fountain of Vision created during the age of magic."

"..."

"I gained power there, and fortunately, I was able to save you all."

"Who exactly are you..."

"The one who will unify the South, and the one who will advance your people to the central regions."

Tulu was taken aback, wondering if he had misheard due to Karyl's blunt tone.

"As you can see, the Empire has just signaled the prelude to war. Just like the North, the South has become their target."

Karyl looked at Tulu.

"When they attacked you, I heard you had crossed the South. Did the Digon clan ally with the Empire?"

Tulu was unable to respond.

"We need to understand the situation to respond properly.” Perhaps Tulu wanted to ignore reality, but Karyl insisted, as he needed confirmation. It wasn't just about whether the Digon clan had allied with the Empire; it was also about whether the Spear family would open up to him.

"We don't know for sure,” Tulu finally replied. “Certainly, the other side of the Great Plains is Digon territory. We hadn't even heard that the Southern border had fallen when they suddenly appeared..."

"There’s a good chance then."

"Yes." Tulu nodded.

It's strange indeed. I know Miliana of Digon better than everyone else. He was notorious for his disdain for the Empire, filled with hostility until the Oracle was revealed...

What could have led to this outcome? Karyl went through the memories of his past life but couldn’t grasp any clues.

Originally, the relations between the barbarian tribes and the Empire weren't good, especially after Olivurn ascended the throne and attempted to subjugate the South.

"Did nothing significant happen before this?"

"Well, nothing noteworthy, but..."

"But?"

Tulu slightly tilted his head. "Though I'm not sure if it's related to this incident, about a year ago, there were a few instances of Imperials coming to the South."

He looked at his tribespeople for confirmation, and one of the injured raised his hand. "Yes, it's true. The Imperials were primarily focused on the North, so it was unusual for them to come South. That’s why we distinctly remember that."

The tribesman glanced at Hashir and continued with his explanation.

"A year ago? What happened then?"

"The knights who came looking for Digon were the same ones who previously attacked us."

At that moment, Karyl felt as if he had been struck on the head with a hammer.

"What?"

Could it be... Had Olivurn been preparing for negotiations with the South since then?

Karyl couldn't help but exhale softly.

It wasn't just Tatur. The alliance with Digon and the purge of the Five Great Families... A strategic prediction indeed.

How impressive... Olivurn.

Before being his friend, he was now to be his enemy. Yet, Karyl acknowledged him.

I’m not enough on my own.

In a battlefield where kingdoms and armies would clash, Karyl painfully realized what he lacked—a strategist.

While the soldiers of the North and South possess remarkable combat skills, there’s a lack of strategists. The battles to come will not just be fought with troops but also with wits.

Karyl remembered someone he had in mind for a long time—Anthem Howard, an unparalleled genius known as the King's Right Hand, who once stood as a pillar of the Empire alongside the first prince.

He could’ve survived even if he hadn't sided with the first prince. Perhaps he’s an unfortunate man, but... he’s also the only one within the Empire who can lend me strength.

Anthem Howard was a man of great talent, but his status as a noble from a refugee country prevented him from shining.

Spotted by Brin Init, a minister from the faction of the first prince, which was known for picking out talent, Anthem Howard entered politics to everyone’s astonishment but never gained much influence.

It's time to seek him out...

Why else would he be called the King's Right Hand?

In fact, that was a posthumous title, assigned by historians after the Empire's wars. Going through the records of the Empire’s wars, Karyl stumbled upon interesting pieces of information.

The Empire had won every battle Anthem Howard had been part of. He was the only strategist with a perfect record in the struggle for imperial power on both sides. But despite his victories, Anthem Howard had vanished like the dew on the battlefield because Luon had failed to utilize him properly.

He was considered the most brilliant strategist in the Empire, surpassing even Bran Gamunt, who had a very similar reputation.

Having organized his thoughts, Karyl realized that he needed to move toward the central regions much sooner than he had anticipated.

"Tulu Spear," Karyl called the chief's name softly. "If what you say is true, we must consider the alliance between the Empire and Digon as a fact, even without concrete evidence. The four major tribes of the Great Plains have agreed to lend their strength. Not only them, but also the nomadic tribes of the North have agreed to join."

Karyl pointed to Hashir as he spoke.

Well... It seems we've already become their subordinates. He says it so casually without giving me a proper explanation...

It was outrageous, but Hashir found he didn't quite dislike this brazenness. Moreover, recalling Karyl's demeanor at the Abyssal Rock, he involuntarily shuddered. He felt like he could still hear the clang of his sword.

Seeing Hashir stay quiet, Karyl continued,"You've experienced it firsthand. If it continues like this, it won’t be long before the South succumbs to the Empire’s power."

At that, the survivors of the Spear family started murmuring among themselves, their voices quavering with apprehension.

𝑓𝘳𝘦𝑒𝑤𝑒𝘣𝘯ℴ𝘷𝘦𝓁.𝑐𝑜𝑚

After letting their anxiety build for a moment, Karyl slowly began,"There is a way."

Then, he turned to Tulu Spear.

"Will you lend me your strength like these people have? Gather the rest of the Four Great Families. I have something to say to all of you."

"I've already sent the message. They don't know you’re here, but they will all gather within half a day to discuss measures against this attack."

It was then that Kayla Spear's words made Karyl smile without realizing it. He had been keeping an eye on her the whole time, and he realized that her insight was quite something. He was pleased with her ability to calmly assess a situation, which was uncharacteristic of barbarians.

"Good work,” Karyl replied as he looked at her. "Half a day..."

Karyl then nodded to Tulu Spear. "I don't think the Spear family would have been wiped out by a single attack from the Ryeo Knight Order, right?"

Tulu nodded.

"Prepare a few men who can still move. Hashir, go with them and unleash the foxhounds to search for survivors."

"Understood."

Heh, he’s become quite compliant. I must’ve shocked him back there. I wonder if he’s soiled himself.

If Allen Javius were there, he would say something along those lines. Karyl smirked as he could almost faintly hear his voice.

"We’ll make a decision after all the Four Great Families have gathered. Tonight."

Karyl couldn't deny that things were progressing too quickly. Originally, he had planned to slowly build trust with the Spear family and gradually consolidate the South. But with this sudden attack by the Empire...

Considering the situation in both the North and South, Tatur cannot be considered safe either. It's unsettling, but we must move faster.

The trigger had already been pulled. Karyl realized there was no time to hesitate.

***

"Pick up the pace, everyone!! We need to get out of the forest before nightfall!!"

"Yes...!!"

Dusk was beginning to fall.

Nareel, hiding his fatigue, spurred on his knights. They had come through the southern desert without resting at all due to the fear of being ambushed, so they were utterly exhausted. But even so, knowing they were deep in enemy territory, they spurred their horses on and pushed through.

Boom—!!!

Then it happened.

"Aaagh!!"

A scout ahead screamed, following a loud noise.

"What's happened?"

"I'll check it out."

The young lieutenant knight drew his longsword and firmly spurred his horse.

"Neigh...!!"

The horse’s hooves leaped toward the sky, but surprisingly, instead of breaking into a gallop, the horse stopped, looking down at its fallen master in confusion.

"...!!!"

The man on the ground had his head severed, blood spurting on Nareel’s face.

"What in the world...?!"

Moments ago, the man beside him had been alive; now, he lay in a pool of blood, his corpse already growing cold. And this had happened in the midst of dozens of knights.

"Ha...!" At that moment, Randol exhaled sharply from behind Nareel and thrust his Liberated Flame with all his might. Nareel felt a burning sensation as the blade grazed his cheek.

Boom!!!

Violence against one’s superior was usually met with disciplinary actions, but Nareel, sweat dripping down his face, grasped his axe without a moment to wipe his brow.

"You...!!"

With his Liberated Flame, Randol had barely managed to parry the sword that had been about to decapitate Nareel.

There was no need to ask who the enemy was. Nareel knew damn well who it was that wielded a sword with such an eerie coldness.

The problem was that the impressive aura felt from the summit of the rock earlier now felt that it could slice anyone who dared to gaze in its direction.

He seems like a different person.

Nareel sensed that the enemy before him was no ordinary foe. Even though he usually went berserk in battle, he now felt his mind being sharpened by fear.

Step—step—step—

Karyl casually strolled among the dozens of knights, no one daring to draw their sword against him. It was sheer fear. The knights of the Empire were frozen, unable to resist the overwhelming aura of this one man.

Swoosh—!

The sharp sound of cutting through air broke the stifling silence.

Just like the blade that touched the underside of Nareel's chin, Karyl spoke from within the darkness, his eyes glowing, devoid of emotion, forgetting the past.

Focusing solely on the enemy before him, he urged, "Draw your weapon, Nareel."

Just like that, the prelude to the Imperial War had begun.