The 9th Class Swordmaster: Blade of Truth

Chapter 88: The Prelude to War

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."

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.