The 9th Class Swordmaster: Blade of Truth

Chapter 91: The Plan of the Three Kingdoms

Chapter 91: The Plan of the Three Kingdoms

Clang—!!

The loud sounds of pickaxes echoed through the mine. Day and night, dozens, even hundreds of workers shuffled in and out of this place, making it a hive of ceaseless labor.

"We're down to the tenth level!! Just a bit more effort and we’ll break through!! The baron will reward us with a special bonus and three days of rest!!” the mine's overseer shouted amidst the intense heat.

"Yes, sir—!!!"

His cry was met with a resounding response that echoed throughout the mine.

The hundreds of miners were making enough noise to attract attention from the outside world, but fortunately, this was one of the forsaken wastelands on the continent, devoid of life. Furthermore, Baron Beryl, already distant from public interest, ironically went unnoticed by anyone from the Three Kingdoms even as a year passed.

"Good. Very good." Baron Beryl watched them with a satisfied smile. He had been skeptical at first, but now he was astonished to see elemental stones actually coming from the old mine on his estate.

Well... since I've sold the land, there's nothing I can do, and I didn't have the funds to develop a mana mine in the first place... Beryl savored the thought.

With the mining rights, he had sold the land in return for a perpetual share of the elemental stones produced from the mana mine. However, it was, in fact, an enormous profit.

"Hmm..."

Thanks to the elemental stones extracted from this mine, he had not only restored the mana of his golden years but was also close to achieving new heights with a little more time. Additionally, he had also managed to regain the loyalty of his disciples by distributing the lower-quality elemental stones among them.

By all accounts, Beryl had hit the jackpot.

But still, it's a shame.

Unfortunately, human greed had no limits, and so, Beryl had devolved from a promising young genius to a greedy old sorcerer.

The thought of the elemental stones piled up inside the mine made his mouth water.

Is there... any way to manage this?

That was when his thoughts were interrupted.

"It's been a while, Baron Beryl."

Beryl wasn’t expecting any visitors, but a small carriage nonetheless stopped by the mine, and the man who stepped out greeted him warmly.

"Ah! Who do we have here? It's been a while. It’s been half a year, hasn’t it? The workers you sent have been doing a splendid job."

"Hahaha... It's nothing. I just sent a few people I had on hand. Glad they could be of help."

"So, Kamma, what brings you here?"

The man who got out of the carriage was indeed Kamma. Yôur favorite stories at novelhall.com

Despite having met only a few times, the two men, similar in age and greed, greeted each other as though they were comrades reuniting after years of being apart.

"Our master has requested to see you, Baron Beryl."

"Master? Oh... Has the master of Tatur finally returned? I've been curious about who he might be."

Kamma's words confirmed Beryl's intuition.

This could be an opportunity.

He had always wondered about the identity of the formidable man who had conquered Tatur, a place considered lawless by many, without a trace of conflict.

He killed that outlaw Curan and took down the champion of the arena... What does such a terrifyingly formidable person look like?

"Then... Let me take you to him.”

Whether Kamma was aware of Beryl's thoughts or not, he looked at the baron with a sly smile.

***

“Hmm...”

In the office, surrounded by stacks of reports, Karyl was deep in thought.

Suan Hazar's ability has exceeded my expectations. The lawless port has been stabilized, and the repairs on the mana ship are complete. The departure is the only thing that’s left.

While Dushala's groundwork in the Three Kingdoms of Istria was commendable, Suan, one of the seven talents once hailed as the Empire's Magnificent Seven, was notably outstanding among the administrators.

It's not just his strength that makes him formidable. He once led Olivurn's special forces under the guise of a trading company.

Over the past year, Suan Hazar had continuously rescued tribespeople and slaves through the lawless port. Those from the continent were secretly relocated across various kingdoms and villages, while the tribespeople were taught how to row.

For Karyl, it was satisfying that even the crew of the mana ship were perfectly prepared.

The time has come for the Ravat Guild to be inaugurated. A time of chaos is perfect for slipping past the Emperor’s eyes. His eyes gleamed with resolve. And that's why I summoned Baron Beryl.

He must be quite upset, Karyl thought.

He had seen many like Baron Beryl in his past life—always scheming about what they could extract or steal from him. But that did not matter. People like that, while often distasteful, tended to handle matters efficiently.

There was a knock at the door.

"A message, sir. Baron Beryl has arrived."

Karyl nodded slowly, his planning complete. It was time to assess the baron's true capacity.

Let's see what the baron is really made of.

"Let him in," he commanded in a low voice.

***

"It's an honour that I get to meet the master finally. Haha... How young... No, I didn't expect you to be so young," Beryl hesitated, surprised by Karyl's youthful appearance, which was in stark contrast to his expectations.

What? He's just a kid. This is the new ruler of Tatur?

This wasn't the first meeting Beryl had envisioned. In any case, deep down, he was rejoicing.

You want to negotiate with me, who has lived several times longer than you? Even if I pretended not to know about the magic mine issue, it won't work now. He looked Karyl up and down with a greedy gaze.

"I'm planning to establish a trading company." Karyl threw the first stone.

"Oh, you’re finally starting to trade in elemental stones? That's good. They will probably sell for a high price among sorcerers," Beryl responded as if he had been waiting for this moment.

"They will be especially popular in the Kingdom of Istan, where there are many sorcerers," Karyl smirked bitterly as he recalled the sorcerers from the kingdom that had banished him. His only thought was revenge.

"That would be the case," Karyl replied. "Those who live with a narrow perspective cannot broaden their view even as they age."

"A trading company is all about connections. Now I see why you called me separately." Beryl’s eyes already gleamed with anticipation of his reward.

"Establishing connections is no easy task. Ahem... Although I am reluctant to move directly, I would consider it for you, Lord Karyl." Beryl coughed, trying to hide his discomfort.

Nobility often had a high opinion of themselves. Karyl agreed that their arrogance was distasteful, but he found those who sold their pride even more repulsive.

Sorcerers are inherently greedy, but that doesn’t mean they’re driven solely by material desires and lust. Beryl, you may have absorbed the elemental stones and increased your mana, but your vessel remains the same. Karyl smiled bitterly.

Meanwhile, Beryl saw this meeting as a golden opportunity. His excitement about manipulating the commerce within the Three Kingdoms through Karyl was painfully obvious.

I need to make all trade with the Three Kingdoms go through me. It may be difficult to snatch the mining rights away from him, but I can certainly profit in the meantime, Baron Beryl plotted; he was certain that the future influx of gemstones would come his way.

However, he wasn’t aware that Keryl was merely feigning ignorance of his plans.

"Of course. How could the Great Sorcerer Beryl himself be negligent in taking action?” Karyl said nonchalantly. “Instead... I would like you to introduce me to some people.”

"And who might that be?"

The reason Karyl had maintained his distance until now was precisely for this moment. He laid out a parchment on the table, listing several names tied to the Three Kingdoms.

"Hmm..." Beryl glanced over the names, dismissing their significance with a nod. "More than half of these have studied magic under me. Arranging meetings with them won't be difficult. Ha ha, Master Karyl, you're truly fortunate to have met me in the Three Kingdoms."

"Thank you," Karyl replied, barely hiding his smirk.

Yes, they're mostly your students. I deliberately chose them so you would eagerly leap at this opportunity.

As Beryl began to discuss how he would bridge Karyl with these contacts excitedly, Karyl looked out the window. His mind was going elsewhere.

The trading company is just an excuse.

In reality, he had a different purpose; he had something else to gain from Azor, namely, the Wooden Cloud.

There's a branch of it in the Three Kingdoms, right on the parchment I handed you.

Karyl sipped his tea nonchalantly as he watched Beryl, his expression concealed by an emotionless mask.

"If there's anything you desire, do not hesitate to ask. I shall provide you with all the necessary support.”

"Hahaha, truly befitting the owner of Tatur! You are most generous! Very well, I will make sure to arrange a meeting for us.” Beryl laughed joyfully.

Go ahead, make your moves. Make sure you catch the eyes of those nobles. Baron, you will have to become our target.

A subtle smile spread across Karyl’s lips, a stark contrast to the innocent laughter of the baron.

This will pave my way into the Three Kingdoms of Istria.

The sharpness in Karyl’s gaze as he looked at the baron was like that of a chess master contemplating his next decisive move.

And just like that, the Three Kingdoms will fall into my grasp.