The 9th Class Swordmaster: Blade of Truth

Chapter 272: The Frozen Spring (2)

“Impressive,” Karyl remarked as he gazed out the window.

The cave outside seemed vast and quite deep, far too expansive to have been formed naturally.

Creating something of this scale must have taken quite some time. I don’t know how many gnomes survived, but this is certainly beyond human capability.

At the bottom of the cave, just as Karl Mack had described, was a large spring surrounded by various buildings, almost like a fortress.

“I’ve heard news of your endeavors from time to time. They said that when Karl returned with you, it would mark the day the principality changed hands... I thought it was just a joke, but it turned out to be true.”

Calypson didn’t look much different from when Karyl had met him in the black market of Tatur. His face still bore the same deep wrinkles, and just as before, he was perched on his chair, working with precious stones.

“Judging by the settlement, it seems you’ve found the bloodline of the Gnome Kingdom.”

“It’s all thanks to you. I was able to find Rubel, who was alive in the White Bunker.”

“Rubel?”

“Haven’t met him? I suppose he told you some far-fetched stories. He’s the last descendant of the Gnome Kingdom you mentioned.”

“Far-fetched, you say. But you found him, didn’t you? And quite definitively.”

“Haha...” Karyl responded with a sly smile. In his previous life, Calypson had hinted that the gnomes might still be alive, but Karyl had never seen them himself.

“It’s good to see you again.”

“Likewise.”

At that, Karyl gave a rueful smile. The Calypson he remembered from his previous life was filled with nothing but sorrow and a thirst for revenge.

It’s no wonder. Olivurn had used this place as a battlefield. The gnomes who remained had no chance of survival.

At that time, Karyl had only viewed the Tarak as the enemy.

But it’s possible that even knowing the gnomes were here, Olivurn chose not to help them.

It didn’t make much sense. The gnomes’ technology would certainly have been useful, yet Olivurn had let them die.

Could he have not known?

That seemed unlikely. From the start, the first humans to establish a connection with the Gnome Kingdom had been the members of the Wooden Cloud.

Another possibility was...

For some reason, the gnomes may have interfered with their plans, so they chose to eliminate them.

Given that they had attempted to wipe out the remaining gnomes, it was clear that once they learned the gnomes had formed a new settlement, they wouldn’t leave them alone.

Even if the Wooden Cloud lost, they’ll likely try to eliminate the gnomes.

Karyl sensed that this situation presented a good bargaining opportunity with Calypson.

“I want to do business with the Gnome Kingdom.”

“Business with you again? No, no. If I trade with you, I’ll end up losing everything I have.”

Calypson referred to their previous dealings in the black market of Tatur and pointed to the ring on Karyl’s finger.

“I see you haven’t used the Fang yet.”

His tone carried a hint of nostalgia as he mentioned the masterpiece he had created, a piece of equipment imbued with powerful protective magic.

“Oh... Yes. I suppose I’ve been lucky.”

“May I see it for a moment?”

The crimson gemstone shimmered brilliantly, as if it was filled with Karyl’s mana.

“Incredible. The four Fangs are so saturated with mana that they can’t hold any more. And that bracelet on your wrist seems to be absorbing mana as well...”

“That’s right.”

“Wearing two pieces of mana-absorbing equipment and still not running out of mana, with both of them in pristine condition... It’s not luck; you’ve simply become a monster.”

Karyl shrugged lightly at Calypson’s remark.

“But it seems the gauntlet needs some adjustments. Hand it over.”

Clink— Clatter—

The sound of tools working on the mithril gauntlet echoed quietly in the building. A silence lingered between them for a while.

Sssssssss...!!

Calypson melted the damaged mithril and submerged it in emerald-colored water, from which a strange, sweet fragrance emanated.

“What’s that water? Karl mentioned that there’s a spring in this cave filled with mana.”

“That’s right. It’s water drawn from there. I was lucky to find it. After the Elven Soul Spring disappeared, I thought I’d never see water imbued with mana again.”

“Hmm...”

Karyl glanced at Calypson.

“So, what is it you want from me?” Calypson asked without taking his eyes off the gauntlet, seemingly unfazed by Karyl’s gaze.

“I obtained the schematics for the Mythical Era golem, Ascalon, from a ruin. I’ll need to find the rest, but that won’t be difficult.”

“A golem, you say...”

“I’ve entrusted the design to a reliable engineer, but he won’t be able to do it alone. I’ll need an artisan like you to craft the power core.”

“Then it’s not a deal with the Gnome Kingdom, but with me personally.”

“No, I’m buying your expertise, and in return, I’ll protect the Gnome Kingdom. It’s a fair deal. Though, thinking about it now, I’d prefer to package it as an alliance.”

“An alliance? And you’ll protect us from whom?”

“Humans. Specifically, the bastards from the Wooden Cloud. They won’t leave you in peace.”

“We’ve done them no harm. Why would they bother us?” Calypson scoffed.

“Do battles need a reason?”

“Enough of these empty threats. If you’re trying to stir up trouble, you can leave.”

“It’s not an empty threat,” Karyl argued. “The Wooden Cloud has already made contact with the Gnome Kingdom. If they know about this mana-filled spring, what do you think they’ll do? Just leave you alone?”

Karyl’s voice grew firmer as he went on, “They haven’t acted yet because they don’t know how to use the spring. But soon, they’ll take it from you.”

“And what proof do you have?”

“There have been two known springs filled with mana throughout history. One was the Spring of Vision created by Allen Javius during the Mythical Era, and the other was the Soul Spring of the elves, which dates back to the Mythical Era.”

Karyl folded one of the two fingers he had held up.

“The Spring of Vision is useless without Arcane mana, but the Soul Spring is different. The Wooden Cloud has a child who is a hybrid of elf and Nephilim. I don’t know what they’re planning, but doesn’t something seem off to you?”

[He’s quite the smooth talker, isn’t he?]

Karyl smirked slightly as Ramine’s voice echoed in his mind.

I’m not lying.

[Indeed. His tongue might be sharper than mine,] Mael chimed in, as if on cue.

Quiet, you. I’m still watching you closely until the mystery of Agnel is solved.

[...]

Dismissing their jabs, Karyl focused back on Calypson.

“That’s not enough to threaten me. If you want an alliance with the Gnome Kingdom, bring something that will truly catch our interest.”

The old gnome, with his years of experience, wasn’t easily swayed. Karyl, anticipating this, clicked his tongue in mock disappointment.

“If that’s the case, I too will show my king to you.”

“Is that so... Well, there’s nothing more to say then.”

Karyl decided to take a step back for now. The gnomes’ expertise would be essential for a long time to come. This wasn’t a matter that could be resolved by simply forcing them into submission.

“But let me give you a piece of advice. When I was at the White Bunker, I saw a golem made by humans. It was based on Enderus, the royal golem of the Muir family of dwarves. Impressive, but still lacking.”

“I know. I plan to make improvements,” Karyl responded, but Calypson shook his head.

“Improving the exterior or weaponry won’t enhance the golem’s core performance. That’s just decoration at best.”

"Then what’s the real issue?"

“They’ve made up for the lack of performance by adding a cockpit, allowing a human to control it directly. It’s the best they could do for now, but originally, Enderus didn’t have a cockpit.”

“...”

“A power core isn’t just fuel for the golem. You can’t create one simply by compressing and crafting an elemental stone. That’s the reason humans failed and dwarves succeeded.”

“What are you getting at?” Karyl demanded as Calypson handed him the repaired gauntlet.

“The power core used in Enderus was a spirit stone imbued with the will of Maktuun, the Earth Spirit King. The dwarves are a race blessed by Maktuun.”

“A heart infused with the power of a Spirit King...”

“Exactly. Because it carries that will, the golem could operate at full capacity without a cockpit. As for the Mythical Era golem, Ascalon, even without seeing the schematics, I can tell. They couldn’t make a power core because they couldn’t get a spirit stone and failed when they tried to make one from an elemental stone.”

Karyl couldn’t hide his surprise at Calypson’s explanation. He had always thought of golems as mere weapons that moved according to the pilot’s commands, never considering that they could possess their own will.

“If I could borrow the power of a Spirit King, could I create a power core?”

“That’s impossible.”

“Why?”

“Because you’re human. Even I can’t do it. Spirit stones can only be handled by those blessed by the spirits. Among the dwarves, only the Muir family can work with the Earth Spirit Stone.”

“Then there’s no way to create a power core...”

Karyl bit his lip slightly as he realized that even in this life, he might not be able to recreate Ascalon.

“But there is a way to imbue a golem with will, even if you can’t use a spirit.”

“What is it?”

“This method was once very popular but has since disappeared. You might have heard of it. In the past, there was a technique for resurrecting a soul and placing it into a golem. Of course, the golems were human-sized, not like the massive ones of the principality.”

Karyl frowned slightly at Calypson’s words.

“The Rothschild family’s puppetry.”

Calypson’s eyes widened in surprise.

“Exactly. I never expected you to know that. Knowing even the forgotten techniques of the Mythical Era... It really makes one suspect you’re a dragon. If you are, do tell. It would give me a good excuse for giving you something I intended for the Platinum Dragon.”

“Save the nonsense.”

Karyl’s response made Calypson chuckle.

“Though different from puppetry, the size isn’t what matters. The key is to place a soul within the power core,” the gnome went on. “You’re in luck. The Rothschild family knows this technique, and they live within the principality’s territory. Their expertise in handling souls surpasses even that of the dwarves, gnomes, or elves.”

Then, Calypson quietly added, “I’ll write you an introduction.”

“I’d appreciate that. I already know their location.”

Hearing this, Calypson couldn’t help but smirk.

“Seems you’ve already found the answer.”

“But it’s thanks to you,” Karyl admitted. “I didn’t expect to solve two problems at once.”

“Oh? Do you need puppetry for something other than the golem’s power core?”

Karyl glanced at the Freezing Talon hanging from his waist.

Wooooong—

As he finished speaking, the sword, containing the soul of Zarka Hochi, vibrated slightly as if responding.

“Before I go, could I take a look at the spring?” Karyl asked with a faint smile.

“The spring? Why?”

“Just to check something.”

“I suppose there’s no stopping you, is there?”

“Of course not.”

Calypson chuckled, knowing there was no point in arguing.

“Go ahead.”

***

“Here it is.”

Deep within the cave stood an enormous, otherworldly door.

“But you can’t go in right now. The moment the door opens, the freezing cold will rush out and instantly turn the hallway into ice.”

“Then when does the water thaw?”

“The ice in the spring melts after night has passed, during the hours when the sun is up. The current becomes rough, but the ice does thaw.”

Karyl nodded at his words. Placing his hand on the door, he could immediately feel the intense cold, just as Calypson had described.

“Indeed.”

He knocked on the door as if testing it.

“I’d really like to see what’s inside.”

“Then are you willing to wait until morning? Though by then, the current will be so turbulent that you won’t be able to see much anyway,” Calypson replied.

“No, I’m going to see it now.”

“...What?”

Without saying anything else, Karyl drew back his leg and kicked the door with all his might.

BANG—!!!

With a loud crash, the thick stone door shattered completely.

“Wh-What are you...?!”

Calypson, shocked by the sight, quickly ducked and collapsed to the ground.

“...Huh?”

But the freezing cold he had anticipated did not come.

Tsuzuzuzuk...! Tsuzuk...! Sssshhhhh!!!

As he lifted his head, he was met with a surprising sight—a red barrier stood where the broken door had been. The cold air rushing from the spring collided with the barrier of flames, producing a loud hissing sound and filling the chamber with steam.

“Be careful. It’s hot,” Karyl warned.

“...A spirit?” Calypson muttered in disbelief as he stared at the fiery, human-shaped figure standing before the barrier.

Thud, thud—!

Karyl tapped on the thick ice covering the spring. Just as Calypson had described, the water was completely frozen, making it impossible to see inside.

“Wait! If you break the spring, the cave might collapse! Please...!” Calypson shouted from outside the barrier.

“Don’t worry. I have someone who can check it for us.”

"...What?” @@novelbin@@

Calypson stared at him, confused.

“It’s going to hurt.”

It was only then that Calypson realized Karyl wasn’t speaking to him.

Shwing—!

Karyl drew the Freezing Talon and gave a mysterious smile. Then, without hesitation, he plunged the blade into the frozen spring.

Crack...! Bubble, bubble...!!!

The moment the blade touched the surface of the frozen spring, it shattered like glass.

“GRAAAAAAAAARGH!!!”

An agonized scream filled the cave, and the Freezing Talon shot back up from the shattered spring, releasing a cloud of black smoke.

WHOOSH—!!

The smoke swirled violently, coalescing into a form.

“...Are you trying to kill me?!”

“You’re already dead, so what’s the big deal?”

“You... You devil...”

Ignoring the figure’s outburst, Karyl smiled as though greeting an old friend.

“Zarka,” he called out to the spirit rising above the spring. “Tell me what’s inside.”