The 9th Class Swordmaster: Blade of Truth

Chapter 283: Heim (1)

Though it was still early evening, the sacred grounds of the Church, surrounded by dense forests, quickly darkened, making it seem like the dead of night.

“Brother.”

At that, Martte MacGovern turned away from the window.

“Randol,” he called back, nodding at his younger brother. “Have you kept up with your training? You’ve always been so diligent, even back at the mansion. It feels like ages since I last held a sword here.”

“Join me, then. We can’t use real weapons, but the Church allows wooden swords for sparring,” Randol suggested.

At that, Martte gave a bitter smile and said, “You should train as much as you can.”

As Randol looked at Martte, he noticed that the confidence and sharpness that once defined his brother back at the mansion seemed to have faded.

“I’m worried that life here has been difficult for you,” Randol voiced his concern.

Unlike Randol, who had arrived later, Martte had been here in Heim for months, serving as Jake’s guardian. Jake’s stay in Heim was under the guise of receiving treatment, but in truth, he was nothing more than a hostage.

Yet, Martte couldn’t simply leave. Jake lived deep within Heim, housed in the innermost building under the care of the Church, and Martte was only allowed to see him once a week in the hall where the combat priests gathered.

“...”

But Martte’s troubles went beyond the monotony of his current life. He wouldn’t say it to his fragile brother, but Jake, the powerless hostage, hardly occupied his mind. Rather, his thoughts were consumed by three other figures: the emperor, Karyl, and Olivurn Shutean.

“Ugh...”

In the end, Martte had kept silent. Despite going all the way to Tatur to meet Karyl, he hadn’t had the courage to reveal the truth to his father. Now, he found himself trapped in Heim, essentially exiled from the empire.

“Father.”

“Did you meet Karyl?”

“Yes.”

As soon as Martte returned from Tatur, he sought out Kuwell. He was ready to draw his sword, no matter how disgraceful it would seem, just as Karyl had urged him to.

“Watch your conduct. It’s not just His Majesty; the nobles are also watching us closely. This is a critical time.”

"What?”

“Now that Prince Luon has been deposed, it’s clear that Prince Olivurn is the leading candidate for the throne. However, because of Karyl, His Majesty’s opinion of the MacGovern family has soured considerably. You must distance yourself from that boy from now on.”

“But...”

“We must not do anything that could harm Prince Olivurn’s prospects.”

At that moment, Martte realized he couldn’t tell the truth. More precisely, he knew that even if he did, Kuwell wouldn’t believe him. Kuwell was already convinced that Olivurn would be the next king.

More than that, Martte had an unsettling feeling that Kuwell was determined to make it so.

“Do you trust Prince Olivurn?”

“...What are you getting at?”

“I’m asking if you believe he will become the righteous king you expect him to be.”

Martte paused to catch his breath, feeling almost suffocated by Kuwell’s heavy aura.

“That’s a pointless question. It seems your time in Tatur has left you influenced by that boy.”

Martte didn’t let the conversation end with that.

“Father, if Karyl becomes an enemy... what will you do? Will you strike him down? Tiren told me that when he presented his plan, you slapped him.”

“What?”

“Father, you need to stay centered. Karyl will surely be standing as an enemy on the path you’re walking. You must decide whether to protect or abandon him.”

Martte’s question was met with silence from Kuwell.

“Why did you bring him back from the north? What happened between you and the immigrant tribes that made you defy the emperor’s orders to protect him?”

“...Prepare to go to Heim. As the eldest of the MacGovern family, you must protect your brothers.”

“Protect my brothers... If that’s what you’re asking, then Karyl is also my brother. I may not want to admit it, but from the day you brought him home, that’s the reality.”

Martte had never received an answer to his question before departing with Jake to Heim.

“Phew...” He exhaled heavily as he snapped out of his thoughts, while Randol watched him in silence.

Martte deeply regretted not asking Kuwell one crucial question before coming to Heim.

Father... Who will you choose between Prince Olivurn and Karyl?

Would he close his eyes and serve a king wrapped in the false guise of righteousness, or would he walk the path of truth, even if it meant becoming a traitor?

Martte knew he was at a crossroads, one from which he could not turn around and run away.

Karyl, you were right. I’m worse than a coward. I couldn’t even be the shield of this family, like you wanted me to be, and now I’m stuck here, unable to protect my brother, who’s being held hostage...

Martte berated himself repeatedly for his inability to act, for failing even to draw the sword of a coward. But even that, he realized, was just an excuse.

If only I had one more chance...

He knew it was a foolish thought, for he’d already had multiple chances.

Looking at Randol with a somber expression, he said, “You must be struggling. I’m sorry you’ve also become a hostage here, having to endure this life...”

“This was my choice, and I am honored to still be of service,” Randol responded. “ I failed in my mission and should have paid for it with my life. The fact that I am still alive and serving as His Majesty’s guard is more than I deserve.”

Martte responded with a bitter smile. After all, it was true—Randol had returned to the empire long after the Ryeo Knights had been annihilated. Many nobles had protested his survival and demanded that he be executed for his failure, but the emperor had ignored their pleas and kept Randol at Heim.

The reason was clear—the emperor wanted to keep as many hostages close to him as possible.

His Majesty doesn’t have much time left, Randol thought.

Unlike his brother, Randol knew that this situation would soon come to an end, as the emperor’s life was nearing its conclusion.

And then, Prince Olivurn will rule the empire.

Certain that his convictions would not waver, Randol waited patiently for that day. Yet, despite his certainty, Karyl’s confident expression, the one he had seen in the south, would surface in his mind every now and again.

“...”

“...”

The two brothers looked at each other, both burdened by the secrets they could not share—Randol wasn’t aware of Olivurn’s assassination plot, which Martte knew about, while Martte was oblivious to the emperor’s imminent death. Despite being stuck here together, their knowledge and concerns about the future were entirely different.

Knock, knock...

At that moment, a priest from the Church opened the door and greeted them. Martte recognized him immediately and acknowledged his presence with a nod. This priest occasionally brought news from the empire.

“What brings you here, Sir Joey Johansel?” Martte asked.

The priest, with his usual warm demeanor, smiled gently and greeted Martte.

“There will be an official report delivered to the Church tomorrow, but I thought it best for you to hear the news in advance.”

“Hmm?”

“Prince Olivurn is expected to visit Heim soon.”

“The prince... is coming here?” Martte asked, surprised.

“Yes. Sir Kuwell will be in charge of his escort,” Joey Johansel went on.

“I see.”

It wasn’t entirely unexpected. The emperor had been staying at the Church for several months to recuperate, so it made sense that Olivurn would visit, likely to discuss matters regarding the empire’s governance.

If anything, it was surprising he hadn’t visited sooner.

“We’ll need to prepare, then. When will His Highness arrive?”

“He’s using a teleportation circle for the journey, and since this is an unofficial visit, he’ll be accompanied by minimal entourage. I expect he’ll be here within two days.”

“Then we must hurry.”

“But...”

Joey Johansel hesitated before continuing, his tone cautious. @@novelbin@@

“There’s another request for a visit to Heim.”

“Another one?”

“Yes. Unlike Prince Olivurn’s unofficial visit, this one is a formal request. It seems it was just made from Tatur.”

Thump, thump, thump...!

Martte’s heart began to race the moment he heard that, and he wasn’t the only one; Randol felt the same surge of adrenaline.

The emperor, Olivurn, and Karyl MacGovern.

Martte’s mind went blank at the thought of the three figures he had been agonizing over now converging in one place. And to add to the shock, Kuwell MacGovern, the subject of so much controversy, would also be here. The situation couldn’t be more astonishing.

God... Is this another chance you’re giving me? Or have you sent these people to finish what I couldn’t, to judge my failures?

Martte’s hand clenched into a trembling fist. He didn’t even realize how tightly he was holding it.

He’s coming on his own... But the six-month-period we agreed on hasn’t yet passed. What could have happened in the meantime?

Randol, who was in a different position from Martte, remembered the promise he had made with Karyl in the south. A wave of unease washed over him, gripping his entire being. Instinctively, he sensed that Karyl’s arrival in Heim was somehow connected to Olivurn’s visit.

“Brother?” Randol asked, noticing how Martte’s expression had hardened since receiving the news.

Martte, as if making a decision, opened the door and said firmly, “We must hurry. We need to prepare to welcome them.”

In an ironic twist, both of them sensed that the moment of great upheaval in their era was set to unfold in the most isolated part of the world.

***

“Hmm...” Karyl murmured as he slowly opened his eyes inside the carriage. “The air here is nice,” he remarked as he opened the window and took a deep breath.

Perched on his forearm were several small birds, no bigger than sparrows, but with dark black feathers that gave them a robust appearance.

Tiny tubes, no larger than a pinky finger, were attached to their legs. Karyl, who had been writing something inside the carriage, slipped a note into each tube and released the birds through the open window.

Those were messenger birds, bred by the southern barbarian tribes. Karyl preferred using them to send messages or give orders, rather than relying on communication magic.

No other nations on the continent, including the empire, used messenger birds, as they were considered a primitive method of communication compared to magic. However, that was precisely what made them less conspicuous, allowing Karyl to send commands discreetly.

“As expected of the Holy City, this is a beautiful place, don’t you think?” Karyl commented, watching the birds fly off with his instructions before brushing his hands clean.

“Uh... but is it really okay for me to come along?” a shaky voice came from across him.

Unlike Karyl’s relaxed demeanor, Israphil was visibly anxious.

“Of course it is,” Karyl said confidently.

Seated beside Israphil was another person, shrouded in a robe. Kay Rothschild’s dainty figure made her seem even more tense. Although she was silent, the tightness of her lips betrayed her nerves.

“Necromancy and dark magic,” Karyl said, gesturing toward the two seated across from him.

“A lich, the Dark Spirit King, and even an ancient soul from the Magical Era. Could there be a more perfect group to accompany me to the Church’s sacred site? I’m sure there’s no one else better suited for this.”

Karyl nodded in satisfaction, as though he already knew the outcome of this combination.

“Isn’t it the perfect lineup for stirring up a little chaos?” he added with a grin.