ocean-life Chapter 230: Opening the Box (1)
Chapter 230: Opening the Box (1)
Chapter 230: Opening the Box (1)
“What are you looking at?”
The atmosphere in the office was unusually tense. Even though the room was filled with Tatur’s most formidable warriors, they felt a suffocating pressure weighing them down. The source of this unease was the presence of a stranger.
Are all Sword Masters this intimidating...?
It feels even more intense than last time.
Standing there, with her arms crossed and a neutral expression, was none other than Miliana.
“Are you the warriors of the Tu Tribe of the Great Plains?”
“I’m Beikan of the Tu Tribe.”
“And I am Kinu Mukari.”
Both Beikan and Kinu nodded slightly as they introduced themselves.
“The daughter of the Spear Family is not here,” Miliana remarked.
“She has left to inspect the Abyssal Rock. She was also ordered to observe the war situation in the Three Kingdoms of Istria during her journey south,” Kinu Mukari explained.
“Okay, okay, that’s enough. You’re a bit too talkative, so please be more careful,” Dushala responded with a disapproving look.
“Everyone seems curious as to why the great Queen of Digon is here. Isn’t the south busy with the war?”
“We’re busy to death, but your king begged me to stay, saying he couldn’t live without me,” Miliana replied, lifting her chin slightly and crossing her arms, her toned abs flexing with every word.
“Are you done with introductions? Why is everyone so stiff, especially since we’ve met in the capital before?”
At that moment, the door to the office opened, and Karyl entered. Everyone except Miliana knelt at once.
“...!!”
All eyes turned to him. The astonishment they felt was incomparable to their reaction to Miliana.
I’ve heard from Mikhail, but...
Is this even possible? I can’t believe it, even seeing it with my own eyes... Is this what happens when a Sword Master reaches the 6th Class...?
We used to joke that he was a monster, but now he’s truly beyond measure...
Beikan, Kinu Mukari, and Suan Hazer gazed at Karyl in awe. While Miliana’s aura was sharp, Karyl’s presence was overwhelming, like a massive blade next to a needle.
“Welcome back.”
Dushala was the first to recover from the shock, bowing swiftly and greeting Karyl.
“Everything okay?”
The oppressive atmosphere seemed to lighten a bit. Karyl took his seat and looked at her.
“Yes. The Three Kingdoms of Istria are being handled as planned. Many nobles have already been swayed to our side, so the knowledge that the Free Army is supporting them is causing others to surrender quickly,” Dushala reported with a slight smile, barely visible through her black veil.
“...”
Miliana stood behind Karyl. She seemed displeased as she looked at Dushala, her eyebrows twitching slightly.
Without acknowledging her, Dushala continued, “Victory seems to be tilting towards Princess Viola. Kayla Spear will provide a detailed report.”
“Dushala, how long have I been away?”
“Sorry? Oh... It's been about three months.”
“Yes, three months. Originally, I planned to spend two months in Antihum, but circumstances led me to Azor, causing a delay.”
“But thanks to that, you’ve reached the 6th Class. Congratulations,” Dushala spoke as though she had been waiting to say that, but Karyl’s expression remained stern.
“Don’t try to gloss over it. You didn’t forget I ordered that the Three Kingdoms be settled within two months while I was in Antihum, right?”
“Of course not.”
“I specifically said to spare no soldiers and finish the war within the allotted time. So, whose fault is it that it’s been delayed by a month and the war still isn’t over?” Karyl asked coldly. The room, which had just started to feel a bit lighter, seemed to freeze over with the chilling tone of his voice.
“The dungeon...?”
Karyl’s eyes sharpened as he spoke to Suan, “I found traces related to the Demon Realm in Antihum. The fate of the entire continent might rest on your shoulders.”
“Me? Doing such a thing?”
“The gauntlets you obtained from the elven treasury. You know they hold the power of Kalduan, one of the Three Great Beasts of the past, known as the Azure Turtle.”
Suan nodded.
“The Three Great Beasts possess pure natural power, second only to the spirits. If we must face demons, there is no one more suitable than you.”
Karyl emphasized once more, “This is something only you can do.”
“Something only I can do...” Suan repeated to himself.
“I trust you.”
“Leave it to me!” Suan shouted, brimming with excitement. Unaware of Karyl’s deeper intentions, he clenched his fists and nodded with determination.
Though in my past life, demons didn’t emerge from the Blood Cave immediately... Suan, you must meet the Fist King there instead.
Oblivious to Karyl’s inner thoughts, Suan stood resolute.
He really is good at handling people.
Just as expected of our lord.
Was Suan always this energetic? He used to be more edgy...
Others observed and nodded, each having similar impressions.
“Now, I will call out the names of those who will accompany me to the principality. We are heading to a battlefield amidst a civil war. Understand that there are risks to our endeavor, but we shall not waste precious lives on such a small conflict.”
Everyone focused on Karyl, their expressions tense.
“The principality is merely a stage to showcase Tatur’s power.”
“Yes, sir!” everyone responded in unison, bowing their heads.
* * *
“Hmm...”
Late at night, Karyl sat back in his chair, exhaling softly as he opened his eyes. The once bustling office was now silent, the late hour leaving only him behind.
Click.
On the desk was a small box, the one Narh Di Maug had hidden in his past life, found alongside the Freezing Talon in the Gray Training Ground.
“It seems you’ve made up your mind.”
Allen’s voice emerged from behind him.
“You said you didn’t know what was inside, right?” said Karyl.
“Yeah. Celine Han made the box, but she only crafted it. No one knows who placed the item inside.”
“No one? Not even the Assembly of Seven Elders?”
The face of the Platinum Dragon emerged in Karyl’s mind.
“Look into the repository of knowledge. You already know what I know. Asking if you have the courage to face the truth would be foolish, wouldn’t it?”
“The courage to face the truth...”
Karyl chuckled at Allen’s words.
“Facing the truth doesn’t require courage.”
He placed his hand on the box and slowly infused it with mana.
“It requires anger.”