The 9th Class Swordmaster: Blade of Truth
Chapter 385: Prelude to Annihilation (1)

Chapter 385: Prelude to Annihilation (1)

Clang, clang, clang...!

Hundreds of soldiers marched on, their armor clanging in a perfect, unified rhythm. Spears rose high, their tips glinting in the sun. At the forefront, a banner fluttered in the wind—not the empire’s, but that of the Free Nation of Tatur.

As the procession advanced, civilians lined the streets of the imperial capital, kneeling and bowing their heads in greeting to their new king.

“Truly magnificent...” Miliana muttered softly as she gazed at the ruins of the capital.

“Indeed. Who would’ve thought we could stride into the heart of the mighty empire just like this?” Kayla Spear added somewhat nervously, following closely behind.

“That’s not quite what I meant.”

“Huh?”

“I can’t believe Karyl brought the capital to ruin all by himself... It’s not something just anyone can do, is it?”

“Ah, yes... That’s true.”

“Hmm... Perhaps I could manage that in my dragon form? Even so, I reckon it would be difficult,” Miliana added somewhat playfully, as though delighted by such a challenge.

Listening to her, Kayla Spear shook her head.

“Relax, I only jest. Come on, cheer up. We’re the victors; we should walk with our heads held high, our chests swollen with pride,” Miliana argued.

Kayla looked at Miliana with a slight sense of awe. Her unwavering presence endured even beyond the battlefield, serving as a constant reminder of what it meant to be a true queen.

Behind them stood the imperial troops who had surrendered at Tatur—a stark testament to Karyl’s victory over the empire. Those soldiers outnumbered the Free Army, and the forces remaining in the capital surpassed them by an even greater margin.

That was why the effortless march into the capital felt almost surreal to Karyl’s people.

Thunk—

As the Free Army troops stepped beyond the gates of the palace and reached the ruins of the Sun Hall, a heavy silence fell over them.

“...”

Miliana realized just how foolish her previous jest was. The dignity of their procession had been nothing but an echo of their monarch’s presence.

“Haha...” Miliana shook her head, a wry smile tugging at her lips. Perhaps she could unleash destruction upon the capital in her dragon form, but she knew she could never recreate this scenery.

Karyl was seated atop the Platinum Dragon’s severed head, poised on one of the horns as though it were his throne. It was a most absurd spectacle—awe-inspiring yet also terrifying.

The victorious did not sound their trumpets, nor did the defeated wail. The heavy silence felt fitting, as though anything else would diminish the weight of this moment.

One would understand even from just a fleeting glance, that Karyl MacGovern was the new ruler of this city.

“Emperor...”

The word was whispered in disbelief, and it hung in the air, echoing in everyone’s ears.

***

“We have a lot to do.”

Karyl eagerly welcomed the Free Army from Tatur. Despite the dramatic change in regime, no grand ceremony or ritual marked the transition. The only sounds that filled the air were the clatter and bustle of repairs on the ruined buildings.

A provisional council chamber had swiftly been established in an improvised structure.

“Why not move the capital to Tatur?” Anthem cautiously suggested.

“We need to stabilize this place first. Tatur is home to imperials, northern immigrants, and even barbarians from the south. That principle hasn’t changed. Now, with our victory, this city must undergo its own transformation,” Karyl explained.

Anthem sighed softly. “It won’t be easy. The nobles are one thing, but there are also many commoners here who hate those from the north and the south.”

“If you see anyone like that, bring them to me. I’ll cut them down myself,” said Miliana.

“Looks like we’ll need to erect a few more pillars to hang heads at the gate,” Anthem said with a bitter smile.

“You’re right, adjusting won’t be easy.” Karyl nodded. “But it’s certainly the time to focus on internal affairs. Dushala, you will assist Anthem. You’re the best in terms of administration, so I need you to come up with new regulations. Think about what kept Tatur stable and try to apply that to the capital.”

“Understood.” Dushala bowed.

“And if Tiren MacGovern reaches out to you, allow him to participate in internal affairs as well.”

“If that is your command, I shall comply... but do we truly need to employ him? Forgive me for speaking out, but if it’s simply because he is your kin, I hope you’ll reconsider,” Anthem said warily.

“I feel the same way,” added Dushala.

Karyl nodded, as if he had anticipated their objections. “I don’t fully trust him either. However, many of the empire’s nobles remain, and Tiren is the most capable person to unify them.”

“You aren’t one to employ people based solely on talent. Why not make an example of him for the other nobles by beheading him instead?” Anthem suggested.

“Indeed. After all, you didn’t spare Bran Gamunt. Personally, I don’t think Tiren is more capable than him.”

“Well, did you defeat Tiren?” Karyl challenged.

“...Pardon?”

“The war was headed for a draw. I’m the one who secured victory, aren’t I? If we’re talking about capability, you guys should’ve won and marched into the empire in my place.”

“...My apologies.”

“Tiren remains seculded in his mansion, so does Kuwell MacGovern. For now, you don’t need to concern yourself with them, but I trust you understand what you need to do.”

Anthem nodded, then turned and left the hall. After he departed, Dushala smirked as if she had finally grasped Karyl’s intentions.

“You’re as sly as ever.”

“Oh? How so?”

“No matter how talented Anthem is, he won’t reach his full potential without a proper rival. You’re keeping Tiren MacGovern around to fill the void left by Bran Gamunt, to foster Anthem’s growth. Of course, this won’t be your average friendly competition...”

Karyl simply shrugged. “Anthem is a genius of war, but governance? Not so much. And as a former duke of the Lurein Principality, he’ll struggle to win over the nobility. In that regard, Tiren is his opposite. Though, as you both pointed out, there’s a real chance he’ll betray us. Either way, Anthem will have no choice but to dive into politics to keep Tiren in check.”

“About what you said earlier... Everyone must know that ending the war before you would’ve been impossible, but his pride must still be bruised.”

“Yep, and he’ll seek a way to prove himself once again.”

“You’re hoping he’ll bring Tiren to you himself? It seems he has quite a challenging road ahead of him.” Dushala sighed lightly.

“But I have to admit, I agree with Anthem to some extent. This Tiren MacGovern... Even if he decides to help us, I can’t see him swearing allegiance. I suspect he’ll come up with some scheme, sooner or later.”

“I don’t trust him either. But sometimes, even poison has its purpose. We don’t have much time.”

Karyl rose from his seat and gazed out the window. He couldn’t yet reveal the inevitable Oracle or the war with the Tarak. It felt overly ambitious, but he was determined to take every precaution.

Striking the capital directly in order to minimize casualties was the right call. However, the damage here is greater than I anticipated.

His mind was racing with countless scenarios and considerations.

“Send a message to Calypson of the Gnome Kingdom and summon all the gnomes to the capital. Mobilize all available forces to restore this place.”

“Understood.”

“And have Aidan investigate Suan’s whereabouts. Weren’t he and Israphil both unaccounted for? The fact that neither of them appeared during the war is troubling, to say the least.”

Dushala nodded and turned to leave. But just then...

Thud!

“No need to give orders on that front.”

Karyl frowned as a group of people stormed into the chamber. A muscular woman, seemingly capable of decimating the strongest men out there, was leading the others. It was Hwarin, chief of the Jannabi tribe.

“You’re finally here.”

“Hmph.”

Miliana tilted her head slightly as she looked at Hwarin. Behind her followed the leaders of the Thunderclap, the Ironclad, the Tiger Shield, the Red Moon, and the Wolf Fox tribes.

“Congratulations on the victory.”

“All that remains is for you to ascend the throne.”

“Finally... We can reclaim the north’s honor by dismantling the empire’s fortress.”

The three brothers of the Thunderclap dropped to one knee, their faces lit with unrestrained joy.

“What is this honor of the north you speak of?”

“...Pardon?”

“If you had any honor worth defending, you should have reclaimed it sooner. I fought for myself alone. I am the leader of the Free Nation of Tatur, not a representative of the north. Within my lands, there is no empire, no north, no south, nor any principality.”

At Karyl’s resolute words, the leaders of the Thunderclap flushed with embarrassment. Only Hashir seemed to have anticipated this response, offering a faint smile to the others.

“Haha, as one grows older, one learns to hold their tongue and avoid speaking out of turn. Looks like we were put in our place.” Hwarin laughed heartily. It seemed she understood that there was no point in keeping the people divided.

“Great Warrior, I bring a report.”

Unlike before, Hwarin knelt in reverence, joining her hands in a warrior’s salute, and the other northern warriors bowed their heads in unison.

“Enuma Elashi is currently being transported here, as you have instructed. I understand you have consumed the heart of the Platinum Dragon. If you can bring the remaining three dragons under control, there would be no greater achievement. I look forward to it.”

With that, she licked her upper lip faintly, as though savoring the anticipation.

“I have plans for the dragons’ fate, but what did you mean earlier? Did you encounter Suan and Israphil? Why would they be at Fort Fonein when they’re supposed to be in the Blood Cave?”

“Hmm... I’d love to provide an answer, but unfortunately, I don’t have one.”

Hwarin returned to her usual demeanor, scratching her forehead with a hint of embarrassment as she concluded her report.

“Why not? You said you found them yourself.”

“It’s true we encountered them while traveling south from Fort Fonein on our way to the empire. Truth be told, I didn’t recognize them at first. Fortunately, someone in the group did.”

She pointed over her shoulder with her thumb. All eyes turned to the back of the hall, where Viola herself stood.

Karyl nodded. Indeed, it only made sense that she had joined the others to come to the capital after hearing of his victory.

“I greet you, my lord.”

“Welcome back. You held the fortress well.”

“It was thanks to the north’s assistance.”

“I’ll be sure to recognize their contributions appropriately, but for now, let’s skip unnecessary formalities and get straight to what I want to hear.”

“With respect, I still haven’t been able to find out why the two of them were at the Fonein.”

“Why not?”

“Because both of them were unconscious.”

“...!”

Karyl frowned, his eyes widening.

“Since when?”

“It was about a week before our march toward the empire. When we found them, they were lying by the riverside, all soaked. I believe they may have drifted down the river until they reached the fortress. They have been under the care of our sorcerers since then, but they have yet to regain consciousness. However...”

Viola paused for a moment, carefully choosing her words.

“There is someone who wished to meet you because of their situation, and they came with us.”

“And who is that?”

Viola hesitated again before finally revealing, “Valvont, the King of Martial Arts.”

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