ocean-life Chapter 228: Randol (2)
Chapter 228: Randol (2)
Chapter 228: Randol (2)
“Pfff... Bahahaha!!”
A loud burst of laughter echoed. Karyl clutched his stomach, unable to hold back.
“...”
Randol frowned slightly, seemingly displeased by his reaction.
“What’s so funny?”
“You call that a threat? You’re going to reveal my true identity to the Three Kingdoms? What, you’ll tell them I have immigrant blood? You think I’m afraid of that?”
Wiping his eyes, Karyl looked at Randol. Although he hadn’t actually teared up, Karyl did that to emphasize just how amusing he found Randol’s threat.
“I’m the king of Tatur, but I’m also the master of the south. This means that despite posing as an imperial citizen, the people of the south still serve me.”
Karyl leaned against the wooden stakes erected in the training ground.
“You understand what I mean?”
“You may be right, but the Three Kingdoms of Istria are different. Unlike the free-spirited barbarians, their mentality is closer to the imperials.”
“You think I’d be so careless regarding that?” Karyl questioned back. Instead of being offended, it seemed like he had been waiting for this moment.
“In the name of the Free Army, the legion I created includes both barbarians and imperial citizens. After all, Tatur is a city where individuals from all races and statuses seek refuge.”
“So what?”
“The Three Kingdoms of Istria will soon be united. Under Fenria... no, under Viola’s name.”
“...What?”
Randol knew that the Three Kingdoms of Istria were at war, but he hadn’t been aware that Princess Viola had built her own force and intervened in the war.
“I heard she declared a principality, but what can she do with just a few hundred troops...?”
“The Free Army will support her.”
“...!!”
“Viola asked for my help under the name of freedom, breaking free from the rules of status and race, and I accepted her request. The Free Army shall subjugate the Three Kingdoms of Istria.”
“That... That’s...”
Each word coming from Karyl’s mouth was nothing short of shocking.
“In such a situation, do you think it matters to the Three Kingdoms of Istria whether I’m of immigrant or imperial blood?”
Karyl shook his head.
“No.”
Answering his own question, he spoke once more, his voice full of conviction, “The truth of my lineage can no longer be a weakness. Because to them, my very existence holds more significance now.”
Thump...
Randol felt his heart sink at those words, though he couldn’t say why. At the same time, he recalled Karyl’s appearance during their first goblin subjugation hunt.
Was it since then...?
Despite wearing a mask, Karyl’s incredible prowess and leadership had captured the hearts of the knights.
Of course, being an adopted son of the MacGovern family played a part, but at least on that day, age and status did not matter. Randol himself had wanted to be like Karyl after watching him that day.
“It seems that Tiren has gotten dumber by hanging out with idiots at the academy. The best he could come up with was to threaten me.”
“He had no choice. His Majesty is pressuring our family. He has ordered that Jake be sent to Heim. You know what it means to be sent to the Church. He plans to hold him hostage,” Randol said gravely.
Karyl, however, spoke with utmost calmness, “Heim won’t be much of a problem.”
“...What do you mean?”
“There’s someone there who can be of use. You don’t have to worry too much about Jake’s safety.”
“That’s quite a well-trained force. How many soldiers of that level have you got?”
“Is that all you’re curious about? Is your mind really filled with nothing but war?”
Miliana shook her head.
“Not that many. It takes a long time to train them to that level. Including reserves, it’s about... three hundred.”
“And how do they compare to knights?”
“They’re at a disadvantage when it comes to mana, but they compensate for that with their swordsmanship. They wouldn’t lose easily in one-on-one combat with knights,” Miliana said proudly.
“So they’re at the level of Sword Experts. That’s about the size of a single knight order. Hmm, combining all seven knight orders of the empire, the number would be around two thousand. But it’s less than that, since the Ryeo Knights have been disbanded.”
Indeed, having two thousand Sword Experts demonstrated the empire’s might. And yet, Randol felt that the two people in front of him were stronger than that.
“It would be nice if you could expand it to five hundred, though... The current number is too small.”
“Do you know how much effort it takes to train a single capable warrior? Just look at him. It took ages after coming to Digon before he was finally ready for work.” Miliana pointed at Randol, who lowered his head in embarrassment at her words.
“Half a year.”
“Hmm?”
“I intend to deal with the principality and confront the empire within six months.”
Miliana frowned slightly at Karyl’s words.
“The principality... You mean the civil war started by Duke Fran? You plan to deal with that?”
“Yes.”
“I don’t know what you’re thinking, but... assuming you do, will the empire remain idle during that time? They might just be pulling strings for now, but the emperor has less than a year left to live. They’ll surely make a move before then.”
“A war with the empire is inevitable, but not yet. In the next six months, the empire will be too busy to turn its attention to us.”
“Why...?”
Her face hardened slightly.
“I’ve always said I would fight a war against the empire, but I’ve never said I would go to war with Titan Shutean.”
At Karyl’s words, their expressions shifted noticeably.
“While I’m dealing with the principality, the empire will be distracted by the princes fighting themselves.”
As long as the two princes were alive, a war for the throne was inevitable. Originally, the emperor should have already died, and by now, the war for the throne would be over, with Olivurn in power.
However, due to Karyl’s intervention, Olivurn had yet to seize control of the empire.
That alone is enough. If I can’t strike the empire immediately, I need to make sure the empire can’t focus on me.
Although many variables could arise, ultimately, keeping the emperor alive was to ensure that the internal affairs of the empire kept them from looking outward.
That way, Karyl could act freely.
By the time a new emperor arises, all other powers on the continent will be under my control.
Once the internal strife ended and the empire looked beyond its borders, they would be confronted by an enemy far greater than themselves. The realization that they were no longer the dominant force would hit them hard.
“The princes fighting each other... You speak as though the emperor won’t be there,” Miliana said reluctantly, with a frown.
“Hope you don’t mean...”
Knowing what had happened in the Sun Hall, Miliana let out an incredulous laugh, while Randol looked to her for answers.
“Was it a lie that he had a year left to live?”
“...!!”
Stunned, Randol turned to look at Karyl, but Karyl merely shrugged.
“Only a fool believes the enemy’s words at face value,” he said with a cold smile. “Isn't that right?”