The 9th Class Swordmaster: Blade of Truth-Chapter 175: The Absolute Gap

“Come closer.”

The emperor’s first words echoed throughout the Sun Hall.

“...!!”

“...!!”

It was a simple, short command, but it left the vassals in shock.

150 meters away from the emperor—standing in the middle of the hall, Karyl smiled faintly under his mask as he slowly walked toward the throne.

Thud, thud, thud...

Karyl’s footsteps grew louder and louder, and as he got closer, the two knights standing beside the emperor slowly reached for their swords.

However, the emperor raised his hand to stop them.

“But Your Majesty...” Belin Vallention said cautiously.

“Don’t.”

The emperor looked at Karyl with a calm expression. Now, the distance between the two was shy of one hundred meters.

Karyl reached for his waist.

“You—!!” Belin Vallention growled, although Karyl had nothing at his waist. It was just that his overwhelmingly threatening aura made everyone think he had drawn a sword.

As if mocking their fearful reactions, Karyl knelt on one knee and placed that same hand on it.

“Greetings, Your Majesty."

As Karyl bowed his head, the emperor, as if to show off, addressed the two knights and the other surrounding vassals.

Who is he?

What kind of relationship does he have with His Majesty...?

No servant has ever broken the absolute gap and gotten this close.

Karyl’s appearance stirred an undeniable curiosity in everyone gathered in the Sun Hall. Even though all the vassals from across the empire were gathered here, no one knew who this masked boy was.

“Ha...haha...”

As if reading their thoughts, Titan Shutean pointed at Karyl and said in a low voice, “Why are you all worried? That boy is the son of Kuwell MacGovern.”

Gasp!

Murm-murm...

His words left the vassals even more speechless than when the emperor himself had broken the Absolute Gap.

“Oh, my bad. Not a son, but a confidant.”

As if to mock Karyl, Titan Shutean lightly tapped his forehead as he remembered.

“What does it matter? Whether he’s his adopted son or his confidant... What matters is that he’s part of the empire.”

The emperor repeated exactly what he had said to Karyl in Heim the first time they met. Surprisingly, just as he had accurately remembered the goblin incident from a year ago, he now recalled his exact words from Heim, a year later, in the Sun Hall.

“How is your health, Your Majesty?”

“Thanks to you, much better. I feel so light. At this rate, it might be decades until I’ll have to step down.”

The emperor smiled and lightly tapped the armrest. At this, the surrounding vassals wore mixed expressions, some more subtle than others.

“I see. A blessing for the empire,” Karyl said.

“It seems you are the only one glad about my health.”

The vassals had thought that with Titan Shutean’s deteriorating health, the empire would naturally transition into a struggle for the throne. However, it was his recovery at Heim that had plunged the empire into chaos.

“This man is my savior,” Titan Shutean addressed everyone around him. “Not even the most renowned healers of the empire could diagnose my illness, but then I came across this boy in Heim.”

The emperor introduced Karyl to the vassals.

“He restored my health, so it must be the will of the gods that I remain here a while longer.”

“Y-Your grace is immeasurable.”

The vassals bowed deeply.

Is it him...?

What did he do...?

Someone better than all the healers we’ve brought...?

Although the identity of the mysterious boy was unknown, his very presence was an eyesore to them.

And he’s related to Kuwell MacGovern?

Could it be that he... again...

What a foolish thing to do.

The vassals’ gazes shifted from Karyl to Kuwell, who was standing behind the emperor. It was already well known throughout the empire that Kuwell MacGovern had many adopted sons, so this hardly came as a surprise.

For example, Martte, Tiren, and Randol were all exceptionally talented and had already gained quite a bit of attention within the palace.

But...

I don't understand.

Why would he...

As loyal subjects, they should have been glad for the emperor’s recovery, but the vassals in the Sun Hall couldn’t be.

Everyone knew that Kuwell MacGovern supported Olivurn, so it was hard to understand why he would help the emperor. They knew Kuwell as a knight full of loyalty, but more than that, as someone who put the people above his status as a knight.

True to his moniker of the Conqueror Emperor, Titan Shutean had ascended the throne despite being the second son, not the crown prince, after winning the struggle for royal power among his brothers.

He then achieved great national strength and prosperity for the empire through numerous wars and territorial expansions. In terms of results alone, he would be considered one of the greatest heroes in the history of the empire.

However, in the eyes of his vassals, he wasn’t just a Conqueror King.

They saw him as a tyrant.

What a foolish thing to do... Kuwell’s son helping Emperor Shutean? He’s sabotaging his own father.

Why would he bring in those who don’t know their place...

Tsk tsk...

Just as the vassals’ expressions darkened while looking at Karyl, so did Kuwell’s.

Why on earth are you...?

When the door to the hall had opened, and Karyl entered wearing a mask, Kuwell’s breath caught.

This commotion was most untimely, to say the least. Setting aside that it was during Kromen’s funeral, the fact that someone had fired an arrow near the capital could have been enough to warrant immediate execution.

And yet, the culprit had confidently walked into the hall and was now conversing with the emperor.

“...”

As Kuwell met Karyl’s eyes, he couldn’t help but feel a slight tremor in his shoulders. Simultaneously, he clenched his fist, unable to grasp his sword. It wasn’t out of fear or anything like that.

Ironically, the slight trembling stemmed from the joy of their reunion, and he was clenching his fists because he had sensed Karyl’s growth in that brief moment.

His aura is different. In less than a year... I can’t even fathom his maximum potential.

In the short time Karyl walked down the carpet, various scenarios flashed through Kuwell’s mind.

Although Karyl concealed his aura perfectly, Kuwell’s instincts as a Sword Master allowed him to gauge Karyl’s level through his gait, posture, and stride, picturing a combination of hundreds of moves. Each step prompted dozens, even hundreds of moves, making Kuwell shake his head in amazement.

Although Kuwell had adopted many talented children, this was the first time he had encountered someone with such astonishing talent that it sent shivers down his spine. It was only natural that Kuwell would be proud of his adopted son.

But ironically, Karyl’s being in the center of political attention only fueled Kuwell’s worries. He wanted Karyl to live a quiet life within the confines of his fief, far away from such schemes.

“That arrow. Was it your doing?”

“Please consider it a reflection of the soldiers’ sentiments toward Prince Kromen.”

“Why did you shoot three arrows?”

“On the third night of the funeral, arrows are shot to guide the soul to the gods, ensuring it does not lose its way,” Karyl quickly responded as though he had been waiting for this question.

“It is an old tradition of the empire. It might be inadequate, but I was fortunate to send a light into the sky with that intention.”

Karyl wasn’t lying, as there actually was such a custom within the empire. If it was some ordinary person who had died, no one would have questioned this gesture.

However, the deceased was none other than the Third Prince. In addition, the tradition involved only a single arrow, whereas three arrows had been shot into the sky that night.

Could it be a coincidence... Surely not. That child couldn’t possibly know the secrets of the royal family.

Kuwell looked at Karyl, hoping it was just a coincidence. In that case, the repercussions would be minor compared to what everyone was worried about.

I expected the emperor to be flustered, but it seems that my father is the one feeling uneasy.

Karyl smirked under his mask. He knew well what Kuwell was afraid of.

You don’t need to worry, Father. That’s not going to happen.

Karyl had orchestrated everything, from Kromen’s poisoning to the arrows that symbolized his death. He knew the full truth, but revealing it in front of the assembled vassals would be the height of folly, as he would be admitting his own guilt.

The corridors of the imperial palace were teeming with schemes and plots, so every action had to be carried out with utmost caution.

Karyl had to move slowly as he tightened the noose securely around the opponent’s neck.

"How many more arrows were fired into the sky?" the emperor asked.

“Forty thousand,” Karyl replied.

Murm-murm...

Although they had an inkling, the vassals were shocked by the fact that so many had infiltrated the area around the capital.

“Ha ha ha... Did you all hear that? Just as I expected, this is the child of the renowned Sword Master Kuwell. He’s extraordinary, isn’t he?”

Bang—!!

At that moment, the doors of the Sun Hall burst open with a shout.

“You!! It was you!! The one who interfered with me at the Twin Armor!!"

The person shouting and pointing at Karyl with a livid expression was none other than Luon Shutean.

All eyes turned to him.

“The First Prince, who hasn’t returned to the palace in ages, seems more pleased to see this outsider than his own father,” Titan Shutean remarked with a hint of amusement.

In stark contrast to the emperor’s rather nonchalant attitude, Luon’s expression blazed with fury, the vein on his forehead threatening to burst at any moment.

Karyl turned to look at him, a faint smile forming behind the mask.

This was what it meant to be surrounded by enemies.

“Father, it’s him. He is—!”

“It’s Kromen’s funeral. Have you returned to admit your incompetence? If not, how about you first pay your respects to your late brother?”

“I-I apologize... Your Majesty,” Luon stammered at the emperor’s sharp remark.

“Did you shoot an arrow for Kromen?”

“...What?”

“This boy that you scorn shot forty thousand flames into the sky for the Third Prince. What have you brought for him?”

“Your Majesty!! Those soldiers—!” Luon shouted in frustration, but his words were cut short by the sight of Karyl, making his blood boil.

Now I understand. The emperor prolonged the mourning period for Kromen’s funeral for this reason, as a pretext.

The more emphasis Emperor Shutean put on Kromen’s funeral, the more evident Luon’s inability to support his late brother would become. With this, the emperor was keeping both Luon and Olivurn accountable—two birds with one stone.

The emperor would have targeted one of them even if the southern subjugation had been successful. But both have failed, and Kromen is dead. This is the perfect chance for the emperor to keep both of them in check.

Although he had orchestrated this whole series of events, Karyl realized once again how formidable of an opponent Emperor Shutean was, cunningly moving toward his goals within the framework Karyl had created.

“I know. I already guessed that those soldiers you abandoned at the Twin Armor came back under his command. While you accomplished nothing, he’s brought forty thousand men back home.”

“That's not true!! Th-That scoundrel attacked the imperial army at the Twin Armor! And that’s not all!”

“I have already received enough reports. Didn’t you abandon your soldiers when monsters emerged from the newly formed dungeons? Also, you left the prisoners from the borderlands in a living hell.”

“That... That was...”

“Enough! It’s been months since I learned of your defeat, and during all this time, you neither returned to the capital nor negotiated for the prisoners’ release. And still, you dare to raise your voice at your brother's funeral!”

“...”

Luon ground his teeth at the emperor’s rebuke.

“However, the truth must be brought to light.”

Everyone’s eyes were riveted on them.

“Karyl, is what Luon just said true? Did you attack the imperial army at the Twin Armor?"

The arrow has finally come to me.

The tension in the Sun Hall was palpable, even more so than when the prince was chastised.

“It is true,” Karyl admitted with no hesitation.

“...!!!”

“Wha—!!!”

His confident admission left the vassals speechless.

“But it was all to save the First Prince.”

“What?! What nonsense are you—!!”

Luon couldn’t contain his anger at Karyl's words.

The vassals exchanged quiet gasps at his outburst, considering his demeanor rather dishonorable for the crown prince.

“Karyl.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Depending on your answer, I will either reward or punish you. If you truly saved the prince’s life, I will grant you whatever you desire. If not, I will take your head.”

“A fair agreement, Your Majesty.”

Karyl’s reply sparked a glint in the emperor’s eyes.

“But at this moment, Kromen’s funeral is more important than your fate. We will discuss rewards and punishments after. For now, everyone pay respects to the Third Prince.”

“...!!”

Everyone in the Sun Hall could only stare at Karyl in confusion.

Even him?

Why...?

The vassals were baffled by the emperor’s order to allow Karyl to attend the funeral instead of immediately imprisoning him.

“...”

Though everyone was surprised, Kuwell was particularly tense, even breaking out in a cold sweat.

“Therefore...” the emperor spoke to Karyl in a soft voice, as if he had been waiting for this moment all along.

“...remove your mask."