The 9th Class Swordmaster: Blade of Truth

Chapter 122: Southern Dungeon (1)

Beikan and Kinu Mukari waited with their elite troops, each leading five hundred soldiers, in the Manyu Forest at the southern border.

Considering their success in defeating A-grade monsters like the Twin-Headed Eagle and S-grade monsters like the Lord of the Rolling Hills with less than five men, the thousand soldiers mobilized for this dungeon subjugation were more than enough.

In fact, Beikan and Kinu Mukari had never assembled more than fifty soldiers when tackling dungeons in the Great Plains.

This time, they had gathered all their elite troops under Karyl’s command. It felt like preparing for a war. Wearing leather armor, they no longer had the distinct smell of barbarians and were giving the impression of a regular army.

"Their gazes are quite impressive," Karyl commented as he observed the soldiers.

"Yes. They are selected elites from the four major tribes of the Great Plains,” Beikan replied. “They’re all equipped with weapons made from a mix of Clear Distilled Water and steel.”

Indeed, all of them had blue-hued swords at their waists.

"Additionally, they’ve cleared quite a few dungeons in the Great Plains, so they have plenty of experience. They’re probably better at hunting monsters than the empire's knights," Kinu Mukari added.

"Good. What about the fifth tribe?"

"They are monitoring Marquis Vestal at the southern border. As per your instructions, we have checked and confirmed that knights and soldiers are gathering in his territory," Kinu reported.

Karyl nodded. "Tell the Tashai tribe to also check if the Guidance Mercenary Gang crosses the southern border. And Digon as well. The guild is likely to contact Digon."

"Yes, sir."

"We’ll move to the village at the border between Istan and Tevanel after subjugating the dungeon here based on Suan's report. We will clear all dungeons encountered on that route."

"Yes."

"Understood."

"We don't have much time. We must complete the subjugation of the three dungeons within a month."

Karyl looked at the large dungeon before him and thought, These dungeons are just the prelude. To imprint Tatur's presence on the people, Luon must be here when the Minotaur dungeon, the Southern Calamity, appears.

The more dramatic the effect, the more widely his name would spread across the continent.

The Three Kingdoms are unprepared for dungeons. Most dungeons were in the south to begin with.

Although dungeons rarely appeared in the central parts of the continent, it wasn’t impossible. Besides, the final dungeon that had emerged after the third creation was an S-rank dungeon.

In his previous life, the Three Kingdoms were unable to stop the monsters swarming from the dungeon while fighting over the Mana Mine, which naturally weakened their national power.

Although they eventually cleared the dungeon after several months, by then Olivurn had ascended the throne. Naturally, the weakened kingdoms couldn’t withstand the empire’s onslaught and fell to Olivurn.

Unlike back then, Istan and Tevanel now have many elemental stones, so they might be able to stop the monsters from the dungeon.

But was it a twist of fate? In this life, Prince Luon seemed to be a bigger obstacle than the dungeon. It almost felt like...

The Three Kingdoms were destined to fall.

Events seemed to align closely with the outcomes of Karyl’s previous life. He briefly looked up at the sky. After Yula's prophecy, he had climbed the World Tower Pharel, battling monsters called Tarak, and had gone back in time.

Perhaps... If an omnipotent god existed, would she have known about his return?

Even if you do, it doesn’t matter, Yula. I came back to shatter the future you created.

Karyl then glanced at his men. No god could meddle with the southern forces he had built.

"Shall we see how well they’ve performed?"

"You can expect the best!” the troops answered in unison, as if they had been waiting for this.

At that moment, a group of soldiers appeared in the distance, catching Karyl’s eye. The person leading them, riding in the forefront in shining armor and with a fierce gaze, was none other than Viola.

"Hmm."

Karyl couldn’t help chuckling as he saw Viola’s armor awkwardly covering her violet dress. But despite being her first time wearing armor, her eyes brimmed with determination.

"What brings you here, Princess?"

As usual, Greys was with her. Though they hadn’t raised a flag, the insignia on the cloaks of the fifty armored knights behind her bore the crest of the Fanpinel family.

She must have brought all the troops at her disposal, Karyl thought to himself as he estimated the strength of the Fanpinel family by scanning Greys’ knights. Though few in number, they seemed well-trained.

"We will join you," Viola declared confidently.

Since their meeting in Tatur, Karyl had expected her to struggle by herself in the palace, but she had come to the front lines instead. He was intrigued by her unexpected arrival.

"This is the border area of the Fenria Kingdom. Given that this is an issue of our land, it’s only natural that we should take action. Did you think we’d just sit back and watch while a thousand soldiers gathered here?"

"Technically, this is neutral territory. The kingdom's border lies further inside the Manyu Forest, doesn’t it?" Karyl chuckled at her words. "Besides, we have permission from the royal palace. I thought the king had no interest in the dungeon, given he entrusted it to me."

"Hmph! That's impossible." Viola's face turned red.

Despite her attitude, King Logrunth, her father, had indeed welcomed Karyl's offer to support the dungeon subjugation with open arms. From his perspective, it was like reaping benefits without lifting a finger.

From a shortsighted view, it was an understandable reaction, but there was no charity in this world. King Logrunth was oblivious to Karyl’s plans.

"True, the Manyu Forest is a neutral zone, but many of Fenria's citizens live here. It seems I wasn’t wrong to think so."

From her attire and posture alone, Karyl could tell she had never wielded a sword, let alone participated in a dungeon raid. She had to be scared, and yet she had come here despite the risks.

"Even though your forces are small, your presence will uphold the dignity of the Fenria royal family in the eyes of your people. Don’t you agree?"

"I won't let things go your way."

Karyl looked at her with a somehow approving expression.

"But what can you do with just fifty men against the thousand soldiers gathered here? Remember what I said before. Did you come here on your own two feet with the intention of becoming a captive?" Karyl teased.

"Wh-What?"

Clang—

In that instant, as if sensing Karyl’s intention, Beikan and Kinu raised their hands, and the thousand soldiers behind them pointed their swords at Viola simultaneously, the sharp sound of the blades echoing through the Manyu Forest.

"Y-You scoundrel!"

She felt cold sweat trickle down her back, and seeing her reaction, Karyl chuckled softly. When he raised his hand, the soldiers stepped back in unison.

"Haha, lighten up. As I said, Fenria will be the last kingdom I deal with. Of course, if you ascend to the throne before then, that might change."

"You’re mad..."

Does my father know what kind of person this guy is...?

Viola was overcome with a strange feeling whenever she saw Karyl, despite the frustrating fact that she could do nothing about an enemy planning to take over her kingdom. Karyl always seemed unbothered, fully confident that she would ascend to the throne.

Does he truly believe I will become the queen? Is that why he’s speaking to me this way?

"Watch carefully,” Karyl said as he walked past Viola. “We will subjugate three dungeons, but this is just practice."

"Practice...?"

"Honestly, this was unexpected, but I see it as an opportunity. If your knights join us at our final destination, I believe it could have quite a positive impact."

Viola frowned slightly, unable to predict Karyl's intentions.

Final destination...? How many plans does this man have? His foresight seems limitless.

Viola was startled to realize that she felt a hint of admiration for him. How absurd was it, admiring an enemy that planned to invade her kingdom?

I’m losing my mind... How could I have such thoughts?

Perhaps the blatant and nonchalant way he delivered his words made them feel less real. Cooling her flushed cheeks with the back of her hand, Viola looked at Karyl.

"A dungeon has been confirmed one kilometer from the Manyu Forest. According to scouts, it’s a Lizardman village."

Karyl nodded slowly as he listened to Beikan’s report.

"Those are not difficult to deal with, but you can never be too cautious. Monsters in dungeons are fundamentally stronger than those in the field."

"Understood."

"Princess, watch how we hunt. It will be useful for assessing the strength of your enemy."

At that, Viola merely turned her head, certain that she wouldn’t be able to stop them even if she knew the extent of their strength.

"Let’s go."

Karyl, either oblivious to her thoughts or simply amused, laughed as he led the way.

***

As Beikan and Kinu’s troops skillfully reached the dungeon entrance, they formed ranks without needing Karyl’s orders. Their seamless coordination and clearly defined roles left Viola and the knights of Fenria astonished.

Every single soldier knows their duty and moves accordingly.

How much training is required to achieve this level of coordination...?

Of course, they didn't know that the thousand soldiers gathered here were the elite troops of the southern tribes. Unlike typical kingdoms, the command of tribal leaders among the barbarians was absolute. These soldiers were not mere conscripts serving for money but individuals who believed they had been chosen to fulfill the tribe’s mission.

Hmm... not bad.

Karyl watched the tents being set up and then turned his gaze to the entrance of the dungeon.

This dungeon isn't one I remember. We can clear it quickly, but it’s good to show Viola this process at least once.

As he had predicted, clearing the dungeon would take less than a day. This whole procedure was just a demonstration, a chance to show Viola the stark difference between them.

"It seems the Free Army of Tatur is accustomed to subjugation,” Viola remarked, her expression betraying her admiration for Karyl’s army.

It seemed that his plan was working.

"Free Army... I quite like that term," Karyl widened his eyes and responded.

"...Excuse me?"

"Actually, we didn’t have a specific name for our unit. May we use the name you suggested, Princess?"

Her face turned red again at Karyl’s unexpected response to her offhand remark.

"No, how can we name a unit so casually... We should be more careful to..."

"What do you two think?" Karyl asked, ignoring her reaction and looking at Beikan and Kinu.

"Free Army... Considering Tatur is a place where people from all over the continent can coexist, regardless of race and rank, I think it’s a wonderful name.”

"Though we don’t live in Tatur, naming our army like this makes it feel like we’re part of the city. I like it."

The two agreed with Karyl.

"Great."

Karyl nodded with satisfaction and slowly walked toward the dungeon entrance. Several Lizardmen were already outside, suggesting that the dungeon was already full of them.

Wooong...!!

As aura wrapped around his Freezing Talon, Karyl closed the distance and leaped among the Lizardmen.

"Kraargh...!!"

A Lizardman raised its spear to jab it into Karyl, but the forward thrust suddenly lost its balance, the spear shooting upward

Bang!!!

The Lizardman staggered as its feet were swept off the ground, causing it to fall with its head slamming into the ground.

"What I want is simple,” Karyl said as he rose. “Leave no monsters alive."

"Keergh... kreeegh..."

The Lizardman struggled in agony as Karyl pressed his foot against its face.

Swoosh!

Crack—!

Without hesitation, Karyl beheaded the monster and crushed its skull underfoot.

"Also, once the subjugation is complete, seal the dungeon entrance so it can never be used again."

"Yes, sir!"

"Understood!" Beikan and Kinu nodded.

They had done this many times before. When subjugating dungeons in the south of the Great Plains, they would seal all entrances afterward.

Karyl planned to prevent the Taraks from using such dungeons as passages after the prophecy was fulfilled.

"Free Army."

At his command, the soldiers drew their swords in unison. Standing before the monsters, they looked less fearful and more eager for Karyl’s orders.

Observing them, Karyl realized there was no need for him to step in. Instead, he glanced at Viola and confidently said, "Show them."