The 9th Class Swordmaster: Blade of Truth C.120: The Rise of the Southern Expedition

A heated debate was taking place in the Sun Hall of the imperial palace, where the emperor managed state affairs. Ironically, this was because the emperor, who had previously stepped back, had returned to the forefront of governance.

“Your Majesty, will you continue to stand by and watch the southern regions? The Ryeo Knights were annihilated by those barbarian scoundrels.”

The one speaking vehemently and drawing the attention of the officials was Luon, the first prince.

“We must send troops immediately to deal with those bastards.”

“Brother, calm down. The Digon tribe is in the south. If war breaks out, we’ll inevitably clash with them. Regardless of their differences, they won’t just stand by and watch.”

The one trying to calm him down was the second prince, Olivurn.

However, Luon scowled at his words and shouted, “So you want us to sit around doing nothing while our knights are being slaughtered? It’s been months already! At this rate, the empire’s prestige will–!”

“Then who will you send?” Olivurn cut him off.

“What?”

“Of the seven knight orders of the empire, four are entrusted with frontier defense. Among them, the Blue Knights have just returned, and the Green Knights are guarding the principality. Will you send the Wisteria Knights, who are responsible for the southern border, on a subjugation mission?” Olivurn asked sharply.

“Brother, it’s the Wisteria Knights. You know this.”

“...”

Everyone in the Sun Hall knew that the marquis of Vestal, the head of the Wisteria Knights and the empress’ brother, was ill-suited for war. He had been assigned to the southern border because there had never been any conflict with the empire.

The Digon tribe ruled the south, and both sides knew that a clash would result in mutual destruction.

“So you’ll leave the barbarians alone? Need I remind you that the significance of the northern conquest also applies to the south? They’re also heretical scum,” Luon argued fiercely.

“What do you think, Olivurn?”

“...”

Luon bit his lip as the emperor asked Olivurn instead of him.

“This is all my fault. The Ryeo Knights entered the south to obtain Clear Distilled Water based on a report from the Gray Training Ground in Azor.”

“So?”

“Before punishing the south, I’ll accept whatever consequences come from acting without permission.”

Murmurs filled the hall at Olivurn’s unexpected statement. At a time when the two rivals were supposed to conceal their own faults while exposing each other’s, Olivurn instead volunteered to take the punishment.

Titan Shutean looked at him with interest.

“There are reports of a possible war between the Lureins in the principality, but we can’t withdraw the Green Knights.” The emperor’s voice grew firmer.

“Your Majesty, grant me part of the Black Knights of the royal special forces to confront the Digon tribe myself.”

“Digon?”

Olivurn then explained with an ambiguous expression, “I will clean up my own mess without wasting more imperial soldiers, settling the southern issue with southerners.”

The emperor quickly understood his plan. He had already been informed of how the Ryeo Knights had entered the southern fortress without any blood being shed.

It was Olivurn, not Luon, who allied with Digon. Indeed... he’s different from the imperialist Luon.

Despite his calm and friendly demeanor, the emperor was often amazed by Olivurn’s deep, inscrutable nature.

And the Black Knights still remain as neutral. It seems as though he aims to bring them to his side.

The emperor looked at Luon, curious to see his response to Olivurn’s proposal.

“Nonsense. It’s your careless thinking that lost the Ryeo Knights!” As expected, Luon spoke up immediately. “Father, give me command of the Wisteria Knights. I will go south myself.”

“You?”

“Yes, Father.”

But the emperor wondered about Luon’s confidence. Despite being the first prince with the most legitimate claim to the throne, Luon had always been far from the battlefield.

“You must know Sir Azif, the deputy commander of the Golden Knights, who was recuperating in his domain of Berardo. He has expressed his wish to achieve merit before returning to the palace.”

“Hmm... Was Sir Azif injured?”

The emperor looked puzzled, turning to Belin Vallention, the commander of the Golden Knights and the chief knight commander.

“Ahem...”

But Belin only coughed and bowed slightly instead of answering.

While Olivurn was contacting Digon, Luon was reaching out to the Golden Knights. That’s interesting.

The emperor looked at his two sons, who were beginning to gnaw at his position with satisfaction.

“You all have the empire’s interest at heart. I am pleased to see that I raised my children well.”

The emperor’s tone changed. At that moment, both Luon and Olivurn flinched involuntarily. The emperor, resting his arms on the throne’s armrests and pressing his temples with his fingers, looked down at them.

“Both of you are right. I have heard your thoughts for the empire. But you are forgetting something important, someone close to you, a cherished family member.”

Both princes’ expressions stiffened.

Damn it...

All eyes turned to one side.

There stood the third prince, Kromen.

“I would like to give him a chance. The heavens kept me alive so I could see how well my children have grown up.”

The boy, now barely eight years old, looked like he was about to cry from all the attention he was getting.

“Father!!”

“But Your Majesty...!”

Luon and Olivurn shouted simultaneously at Titan Shutean.

This cunning old man... He intends to block our chances of gaining merit from the start. You call this family affection? This is all just an excuse to hold onto power!

There is almost no support for the third prince. How can he handle this task?

“Unlike you two, Kromen is still young and inexperienced,” the emperor said casually, as if reading their thoughts. “So, I have called someone to aid him.”

Creak―!!!

At that moment, the giant doors of the Sun Hall opened, and all eyes turned toward the entrance.

“...!!”

“...!!”

The two princes and the officials were shocked to see the man standing at the door.

Thud– Thud– Thud–

The floor shook with each step. The officials turned away, unable to meet his gaze as he stepped on the carpet.

“You summoned me, Your Majesty.”

The man stood confidently before the emperor.

Go... Gordon Fabian!!

The head of the Guidance Mercenary Gang and one of the continent’s five Sword Masters—no one had expected his return.

I haven’t heard of an airship landing in the territory...

Could the emperor have summoned him in secret?

Since when...?

Could the Guidance Mercenary Gang be supporting the third prince?

The mere presence of Gordon Fabian left the officials in turmoil. The Guidance Mercenary Gang was as powerful as three knight orders combined. If he sided with the third prince, his forces would rival those of the other two princes.

However, the emperor wasn’t finished. With a satisfied look, he spoke to Luon and Olivurn.

“You two will assist Sir Gordon in helping the third prince resolve this matter. Olivurn, you will settle the discord you sowed, and Luon, you will guide your younger brothers.”

At that moment, both princes glanced at Kromen, their eyes filled with the same intent.

This is my chance to get rid of you.

They had always believed that standing on the battlefield would mean facing each other as enemies. They had expected to fight for the throne after the emperor’s death, but it seemed that the moment had come sooner.

A father should prevent his children from drawing their swords against each other, but Titan Shutean was not an ordinary father. Instead, he had set the stage for them to fight—they could eliminate their obstacles without wasting thousands of troops, and the stage was the southern region, inhabited by filthy barbarians.

In battle, anyone could lose their life, even a prince.

Gulp―

Kromen gulped nervously, and in the silence, the sound caught Luon and Olivurn’s attention. As if aware of their thoughts, Gordon Fabian stood next to the weak boy who didn’t even reach his waist.

Damn it...

It was too soon to rejoice.

Although they hadn’t wished for this battlefield, they had to remember that it was not something they had created themselves but a stage set by their father. The Emperor had placed the strongest enemy, Gordon Fabian, in front of their seemingly weakest competitor, the third prince.

To deal with Kromen, I must ultimately surpass that man.

Indeed, they had to deal with this man, who seemed strong enough to rip an ogre’s head off with his bare hands.

If I make a mistake, I’ll be the one to fall.

This might be a trap, not an opportunity. Is Father planning to bury us in the south?

A stifling silence engulfed the hall. The princes stared at each other, their thoughts racing, their eyes betraying their different intentions.

It was only Titan Shutean who smiled brightly.

“Time is too precious to waste. My decision is final. Olivurn, Luon, you will both help your brother resolve the southern matter.”

Having said everything, the emperor stood up from his throne.

“We... we must hurry,” one of the ministers mumbled in a dazed voice.

But then, as if his words had set off a spark, people suddenly started shouting.

“Gather the troops as quickly as possible!”

“Check the supplies immediately!”

All the officials had the same thought.

No matter what, the prince I serve must be the one to solve this issue!

They knew their future depended on it.

The sound of running footsteps echoed through the corridors. In no time, everyone had rushed out, leaving behind the three princes in the Sun Hall. Some people had taken one last glance at them before departing, as if this could be the very last time they ever saw them.

***

“Your Majesty.”

“Sir Yurin, I ask that you go south with Kromen.”

“Pardon me?”

Despite the uproar in the hall, Titan Shutean looked unsatisfied.

“I understand your intentions, but isn’t it too early?” Yurin responded, surprised. “The deadline with Karyl hasn’t...”

The emperor laughed dismissively.

“That boy demanded Kuwell MacGovern in exchange for our deal.”

“...”

“And when we met at the Church, he said he wanted to prevent the Three Kingdoms from suffering any damage when the empire’s troops pass through the south.”

“Yes... Your Majesty,” Yurin replied in a trembling voice.

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The emperor had fulfilled none of his promises.

"Isn't he being too arrogant? A mere boy, barely in his teens, trying to negotiate with the ruler of the empire. Since when does the empire concern itself with the welfare of a mere merchant?"

“...Indeed, Your Majesty.”

Why was this happening? Just thinking about Karyl caused Yurin’s mouth to go dry, sending shivers through his body.

No, he knew why.

Your Majesty, Karyl is no ordinary merchant.

In all honesty, he didn't want to meet him again. Yurin could never forget the sight of Karyl at the lair of the Flame Dragon.

He’s... a monster.

In that moment, Yurin felt as if the emperor’s seemingly calculated move was equivalent to a moth diving into the flames.

And to make matters worse... there was not one, but three princes heading there.