The 9th Class Swordmaster: Blade of Truth

Chapter 241: The Civil War in the Principality (6)

“Reporting in!!”

Unlike before, urgent updates echoed throughout the war room of the White Bunker.

“This afternoon, Baron Kortbl, who was stationed at the Brown Ant, engaged with Fran’s forces. He has retreated to the gorge below Frau Hat and has requested reinforcements from the standing garrison there. Approximately three thousand enemy troops are currently clashing with Baron Kortbl’s forces!”

Despite the bad news, Tuli Lurein’s expression remained unchanged as she let out a low sigh.

“They finally lost, huh? Well, they weren’t completely overrun, but the situation isn’t great. What do you think? Should we send the garrison from Frau Hat to support him?”

She turned to the man standing next to her.

“Though it was expected, I should have dealt with the incompetent ones earlier. This war should have been a rout, but now we’re losing all over the battlefield.”

“Baron Kortbl’s predecessor, Sir Dvor, was a loyalist of the principality. Despite the incompetence of his successor, he is remembered by many, so we cannot simply dismiss him.”

The man gave Tuli a bitter smile.

“In any case, we anticipated a possible defeat at the Brown Ant. The real defensive line is the twin peaks of Frau Hat behind it, so we shouldn’t worry too much.”

“Hmm...”

The man standing beside Tuli Lurein had a sturdy, muscular build and an angular face. His hair was tied back and fanned out like a palm tree, giving him the appearance of a grand general rather than a strategist.

In fact, he wasn’t just a desk-bound strategist; he had once held the position of Supreme Commander of the principality.

His name was Cox Butler. No one knew the geography of the principality better than he did, and it was largely due to his influence that Anthem Howard, who was considered a king among strategists, was struggling on the battlefield.

“However, more surprising than the defeat at the Brown Ant is the fact that Fran took the offensive.”

“He had no choice but to move. He couldn’t remain stuck at Cove, entangled with the Silverwing fleet.”

“Reports indicate that the Sea King and the Water King were involved.”

At Cox’s words, Tuli’s expression hardened slightly.

“Weren’t those the monsters that obstructed the empire’s southern expedition? Truly... once this civil war is over, I’ll deal with them first.”

“However... there is something that bothers me. The fact that the Water King crossed the strait to come to Cove is one thing, but even during the empire’s expedition... Their interventions were too timely to be mere coincidence.”

“Are you suggesting that those monsters are following someone’s orders?” Tuli scoffed. “Many kingdoms throughout history have tried to tame them and failed. Frankly, hunting them down isn’t the problem. They were left alone because of greed.”

“But the thing about greed...” she went on, “if it causes more harm than good, I reckon it’s better to be rid of it.”

“You are absolutely right,” Cox responded. He then cautiously inquired, “Fran hasn’t rejected your proposal, has he? I am concerned because he has Anthem Howard as his strategist.”

Tuli chuckled at this.

“No matter how brilliant someone is, war isn’t fought alone. We placed that commoner in command of the Cove Navy for this very day. Isn’t that right?”

Anthem Howard was Nelson Howard’s descendant, the Island King who had ruled the various islands in the strait two hundred years ago. He was not a noble of the principality.

Eventually, those islands were conquered by the principality, and the defeated royal family, like many before them, was exiled and reduced to commoners.

Ironically, it was Tuli Lurein who had appointed Anthem.

“Fran and Anthem never got along. After the islands of the Island King became part of the principality, many of those people now live within the principality. Although reduced to commoners, Anthem, being of royal blood, accepted the position, not for Fran but for them.”

“Which is why Fran didn’t discuss the deal with Anthem. A needless war would only result in unnecessary bloodshed.”

Tuli nodded.

“In this situation, what can he do? Fran isn’t supporting him. It’s a good opportunity to charge Anthem Howard with insubordination and get rid of him as well.”

“Absolutely right. However, if Fran doesn’t leave Cove, no matter how capable he is, he won’t be able to attack the White Bunker...”

Contrary to Tuli’s confident demeanor, Cox still looked at a specific spot on the map with a slightly worried expression. It was the defensive line at the mouth of the Binfredo River.

“You’re concerned about the complete annihilation of the 3rd Wyvern Squadron, aren’t you?”

“Indeed. If he moves north, it will be a headache for us.”

Tuli nodded in agreement.

“If the victory at Binfredo was due to someone’s intervention and not Anthem Howard, we must identify who it was.”

“Don’t worry too much. Fran wouldn’t refuse the Wooden Cloud’s proposal. However, for a flawless victory, we must also do our utmost.”

“Of course.”

“The decisive battle will be at the Binfredo River. We will gather the remaining Wyvern Squadrons there and turn the tide of the war in our favor.”

“But if we send the 1st Wyvern Squadron, the royal palace’s defenses will be severely weakened.

“What are you so worried about?”

Tuli looked at Cox.

“The enemy won’t come from anywhere. The Great Wall in the east has never been breached, and the northern front of White Bunker hasn’t been attacked even once in three hundred years.”

Then she smiled confidently.

“That pride shall persist.”

***

“We have confirmed that reserve troops from the White Bunker are moving out and opening the gates. Their direction is the Binfredo River.”

“And the Brown Ant?”

“Tuli’s forces have retreated from there and joined the standing forces at Frau Hat. They are currently in a standoff at the gorge below.”

Karyl seemed satisfied with the soldier’s report.

Miliana moved first. Well, it was the easiest battlefield, so she was probably itching to kill them all.

This wasn’t just any bait. Karyl had brought the two most competitive individuals for this reason. If it had been Suan or someone else, they would have followed Karyl’s orders to act as bait without question.

But these two fought with such intensity that the enemy would have no reason to think it was merely bait.

“And Yoman?”

“They’re still in a standoff. There haven’t been any significant clashes yet...”

“But?”

“They’ve been observed scouting around the Great Wall for several days, as if checking something. They haven’t shared more with our forces.”

Fran frowned at the soldier’s words.

“They’re just bait, but they’re putting in unnecessary effort. The fall of Yoman is unthinkable. Or is this strange behavior also your directive to fool Tuli?”

“No, but who knows? Nothing is certain in this world. Who knows, we might actually see Yoman fall.”

Despite his words, even Karyl couldn’t easily grasp Serica’s intentions.

I’m really curious to see if she can surpass Ganeth. Honestly, given the power gap between them, it would be hard for her to defeat him, a Sword Master.

Ganeth was the only Sword Master Karyl had ever faced in his past life. Also, knowing Serica’s prowess as one of the Chosen Ten, he could tell with some certainty how well she would fare against him.

Yet, he had made the call to send Serica to Yoman because wars weren’t decided solely by individual combat prowess.

Indeed, Yoman is the only battlefield with an uncertain outcome.

Aidan, Mikhail, and soon Suan were on their way to the Blood Cave. Karyl had quietly arranged opportunities for his subordinates to grow, but Serica’s path was different

Your talent shines brightest in a battlefield involving many, not just one-on-one combat.

While he couldn’t read Serica’s mind from the brief report, Karyl decided to keep an eye on her.

“Reporting in!!”

At that moment, another scout ran up, knelt, and shouted urgently, “A large enemy force has been spotted up ahead!!”

“They finally arrived.” Karyl sighed in relief at the long-awaited news. Then he slowly raised his head. The sound of hoofbeats kicking up dust in the distance was welcoming.

“I’ve been waiting for you, Hashir.”

As soon as Karyl finished speaking, a figure appeared behind him.

“...!!”

The knights quickly grabbed their swords at the sight of the cloaked man, whose face was concealed.

“You’re late.”

“Apologies. I was delayed by the refusal of some tribes.”

“Even with Agnel’s scabbard?”

Hashir got on one knee and returned Agnel, which Karyl had given him before leaving Tatur. Fran was puzzled to see Hashir treat the old-looking dagger like some precious treasure, but he knew better than to voice his curiosity now.

“The elders said they couldn’t recognize you as a Great Warrior without the title.”

“Stubborn old men... I said I’d prove my might as the Great Warrior here, yet they still...”

“The elders conveyed this: the Great Warrior is born only in the north, and if you want to prove yourself, you must come to the north.”

Karyl chuckled at Hashir’s words.

“Now is the time for me to prove myself to them. Very well. Let them know I’ll meet them soon.”

“Understood.”

“Is the force the same as before?”

“The Jannabi, Tiger Shield, Red Moon, and Wolf-Fox tribes have marched south following your orders,” Hashir replied.

Karyl nodded, as if he had expected this. The four tribes Hashir mentioned were led by young chiefs among the immigrants.

“And...”

Hashir paused for a moment before continuing, “The Black-Eyed tribe has joined as well.”

Karyl’s eyes flickered slightly at this report.

“Weren’t they annihilated through the Extermination Decree of Heresy?”

“Some survived. They requested a meeting upon hearing you possess the dagger of Karliak, the Great Warrior.”

“...”

His lips felt dry.

Who could it be?

Even in his previous life, Karyl wasn’t aware that some of the Black Eyes had survived. Although he was curious about those who sought him, he couldn’t grant their request just like that.

Thus, he masked his thoughts with a monotonous tone.

“They won’t earn my time without proving themselves first. Tell them that if they achieve great deeds, they will be given a chance.”

“I will convey the message.”

Karyl turned his head.

“The bridge for you is already built.”

Indeed, they were standing in the middle of the sea.

“They’re coming,” Karyl spoke in a low voice, watching the approaching immigrants.

A familiar face leading the charge caught his eye.

“How can this be...?”

Her red hair, akin to a mane, stood out—Lilliana of the Jannabi tribe. She stared at Karyl with a dazed expression.

Creak... creak...

Rumble...

The sound of thick iron chains being pulled taut and loosening echoed like a mournful cry.

“What a sight.”

A warrior from the Tiger Shield tribe, standing behind Lilliana, couldn’t help but voice his admiration. The bridge before them, stretching all the way to the principality, was where Karyl stood.

It looked like a real bridge had been built.

“Greetings.” Liliana was the first to dismount and bow to Karyl, followed quickly by the representatives of the other tribes.

“You’ve accomplished something incredible... That emblem on the pilothouse, it’s familiar.”

Lilliana, with her hair tied back, making her gaze even sharper, scanned the surroundings.

“Yes, it’s the Iron Fleet.”

Karyl’s nonchalant response left not only Lilliana but everyone else behind her stunned. The bridge he had created was, incredibly, made of ships.

Dozens, hundreds of ships stood vertically, with holes drilled into their sides, connected by dozens of iron chains, stitching them into a singular structure. Sturdy planks were laid on the chains keeping the ships connected.

Anyone could fuse ships together, but crossing the northern strait in such a manner was unprecedented due to the narrowing waterway, which made the currents much more treacherous.

In this situation, connecting the ships would narrow the waterway even further, making it inevitable for the ships to be crushed by the strong currents.

Clip-clop, clip-clop...

As Liliana’s horse cautiously took a few steps on the bridge, its hooves rang out with a lively clatter. Amazingly, the connected ships were stable and solid, almost like flat ground.

“I cut the bottoms out of all the ships in the middle, allowing water to flow through freely, except for the ones at each end.”

“But wouldn’t that make it impossible for them to support the weight...?”

People looked under the ships.

The water was churning violently as if boiling, and a faint light flickered beneath it. However, the immigrants, unfamiliar with what they were seeing, looked to Karyl for an explanation.

“It’s a levitation stone. It’s the same principle used in the airships of the Gaudo Mercenary Corps. No matter how many of your people cross, the bridge won’t collapse.”

Karyl confidently tapped the ground with his foot.

“How many ships were used to build this bridge?”

“These aren’t just any ships. This is the Iron Fleet. For the principality’s finest fleet to end up like this...!”

Some immigrants shouted gleefully.

The ships used for the bridge could no longer serve as vessels. The pride of the principality’s navy had been reduced to mere planks.

Considering the cost and time required to construct a single ship, few would have ever thought of using the Iron Fleet this way.

“Alright, let’s move along.”

Only Karyl could have pulled this off.

“By the time they realize, our blades will already be scraping against their backs.”

While the countless immigrants were still staring in amazement, Karyl addressed them, “They shall witness the principality’s pride crumble.”