Chapter 183: Within the Imperial Palace (2)

Chapter 183: Within the Imperial Palace (2)

The Sun Hall was plunged into utter chaos. Karyl’s thunderous statement had left the dukes and vassals speechless, their faces contorted in pure bewilderment.

“This... This is nonsense...”

Even Belin Vallention, the captain of the Seven Knights, couldn’t muster the strength to voice his anger as he gazed at Kuwell. However, Kuwell was just as shocked, as he hadn’t known that Karyl would make such a statement here.

Karyl, what in the world are you thinking?! Accusing Prince Luon of poisoning the Third Prince? No way.

Luon was the first of the three princes to head south and had only recently returned to the empire during the funeral, which meant he and Kromen hadn’t had any contact. Moreover, all the vassals knew that Kromen hadn’t been in poor health before Luon had left for the southern expedition, so it was unlikely that something had happened within the palace.

“...”

Despite this, Kuwell remained silent. Ironically, it was Olivurn—rather than Luon—who’d had direct contact with Kromen following the southern expedition. Kuwell worried that if things went wrong, suspicion would fall on Olivurn, the one he served. Despite his unease, he could do nothing but watch the situation unfold.

“What’s wrong?” Kuwell whispered to Martte, noticing his pale complexion and sweat trickling down his forehead.

“No-Nothing...”

Kuwell was taken aback by Martte’s demeanor.

Why did Karyl want Martte to attend this trial? He’s not even a witness.

The day before the trial, Kuwell had discussed this with Martte, but Martte himself admitted that he didn’t understand why Karyl had asked for him.

Naturally, Martte had never imagined that Karyl would bring up Kromen’s poisoning. Ever since that night at Marquis Vestal’s estate, he had been weighed down by worries he hadn’t shared with anyone.

“Where is your evidence? You cannot retract what you’ve said. If your words turn out to be untrue, not even your head will be enough to pay for such crime,” the emperor said quietly amidst the tumultuous hall. He still hadn’t the slightest idea what Karyl’s plan was.

In any case, if Karyl made a mistake now, the emperor would seize the opportunity to put a leash on him. He certainly wouldn’t let any advantage slip away.

BOOM—!

At that moment, a sharp, almost scream-like sound erupted from outside the Sun Hall.

“...!!”

Startled, everyone turned their heads toward the entrance.

“There’s no need to worry. Black ironstones and red stones make that sound when they are ground into powder and detonated. That’s exactly what you’ve heard just now,” Karyl explained calmly, looking at the councilors who were staring out the window.

“It’s not lethal. In the Magical Era, it was even used as children's toys. Ah, our knowledgeable court sorcerer here probably knows about it,” Karyl added, turning to Kadin Luer, who stood imposingly in a red robe.

“Hmph...”

Kadin barely acknowledged Kary’s words, knowing this was just a ploy to stir the room.

He's no ordinary boy...

Kadin was impressed that a boy not yet of age could remain composed and control the tempo in such a tense situation.

“Do you see that smoke over there? It’s the northern mountains. Judging by the signal, it seems they’ve succeeded.”

“Succeeded?” The emperor now seemed to be enjoying this. “Is this related to the current matter?”

“Of course, Your Majesty.”

“Hmm... Alright, let’s see what you’ve prepared.”

The emperor already saw the First Prince as a toy in his grasp; he had nothing to lose from this. Tightening his grip on Luon would be advantageous, and even if the situation turned unfavorable, he could still hold Karyl accountable.

Audacious brat...

The emperor found Karyl’s audaciousness somewhat appealing, but he also had a feeling that this boy was more dangerous than the two princes.

“I utilized the old routes of the former empire to transport the prisoners, as you are aware, Your Majesty. And rest assured I will provide all the geographical information I have after this matter is concluded. Thus, the defense captain can stop glaring at me as though he wants to devour me.”

“Ahem...”

Kai’Shin, the captain of the Black Knights, cleared his throat. He had been troubled for days because of the forty thousand flaming arrows Karyl had shot in honor of Kromen's funeral.

Whoosh...

Karyl raised his hand, fierce flames swirling around his arm and rising up. Some of the nobles flinched at the sight and stepped back, but Karyl remained unfazed as he launched a fireball in the direction the arrows had been fired from.

In the quiet of the night, Karyl turned his head as though he had been waiting for Martte.

“It’s been a while. Last time I saw you was at the mansion.”

“How have you been, brother?”

“I never thought you’d call me brother. Time passes, huh? The very fact that we’ve met here at the palace shows how much has changed.”

Martte sighed softly.

“Are you alright?”

“Yes, this room is quite luxurious. Fortunately, His Majesty was kind enough to send me here instead of locking me in a cell,” Karyl said with a chuckle.

The trial in the Sun Hall had extended for another day, as Karyl had requested. The emperor had isolated Luon and Karyl, but, as before, confined them to chambers instead of prison cells.

It must be risky, coming to see me at a time like this.

Karyl looked at Martte.

As a Blue Knight, he could have visited me last night with Father.

But he hadn’t.

He purposefully avoided doing that.

And the reason for that was simple—Martte wasn’t avoiding Karyl, but his father, Kuwell MacGovern.

Martte must be confused. It’s difficult for him to stand with Father, knowing he supports Olivurn.

He didn't have the courage to question the truth he knew.

Now that Kromen is dead, suspicions against Olivurn have grown, but bringing them up would mean opposing Father.

As the eldest son, Martte would never do that.

Surely he knows the risk of coming to see me today. But today is the only chance. He suspected Olivurn as the true culprit behind Kromen's death, and here I am, accusing Luon. Not only that... I provided the exact evidence of the poisoning he suspected.

Seeing Martte hesitate, Karyl spoke up first.

“How long has it been since you were knighted, brother?”

“Me? I became a knight right after my coming-of-age ceremony... It’s been four years now.”

“You must have taken the knight’s oath as well.”

“Of course. Why do you ask? Are you interested in becoming an imperial knight? Most knights are appointed after they come of age, but... look at Randol. It’s not always the case. With your achievements, it wouldn't be impossible...”

Martte cut his speech short, realizing how absurd it was. It would have made sense to say this the previous day, but now, after stirring up such a huge incident, Karyl was fortunate to still have his head, let alone be considered for the rank of imperial knight.

“Don’t worry. I'm not interested in becoming a knight.” Karyl shook his head.

An imperial knight? What a joke.

He would never be under anyone’s command ever again.

“It’s just that some parts from the oath stuck with me.”

“...”

At that, Martte's expression hardened, gulping nervously with an almost comical sound.

“So what brings you here?” Karyl asked.

“It’s nothing... really...” Martte couldn’t find anything substantial to say, and he quickly stood up to leave. “I’ll see you at the trial tomorrow.”

But before he left, Karyl uttered in a low voice, “I swear by Yula, I will fight only to uphold the true honor permitted by the gods.”

The knight’s oath, a promise Karyl himself had made in his previous life. A bitter smile formed on his face, having just uttered the words he had vowed never to speak again while ascending the Tower of Pharel for countless eons.

After all, the vow was to the god he resented most.

“What do you think, brother?” Karyl called out to Martte, who had stopped at the door. “Isn’t that just a wonderful vow?”