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Chapter 93: An Unexpected Suspicion

"Hahaha, it’s the least I could do, Master Karyl. For you, I should always arrange such gatherings.”

Beryl was proudly boasting about his banquet, but it seemed that Karyl had predicted that the banquet would be lavish the second he had set foot in the Kingdom of Istan.

Under the guise of a gathering for magic research, Beryl had invited all of his students and connections within the kingdom.

Some had declined, but most people from the list Karyl had provided were present. The once-disregarded Baron Beryl seemed unexpectedly influential. Even the attending nobles were surprised to find such an unusual assembly of people.

Including an elemental stone in the invitation really worked wonders. Especially since the note specifically stated it was sent to them alone, ensuring the secret was kept.

Karyl, stepping out onto the terrace to get some fresh air, said to Beryl, "Today’s gathering will soon be reported to the king. That will surely spread the word to other kingdoms as well."

Beryl, smiling contentedly, replied, "Now, all three kingdoms will be eager to meet you, Master Karyl. Your name will spread across the continent."

Of course, deep down, Beryl was hoping that his own name would benefit from Karyl’s spreading popularity.

"A proper trade agreement should probably wait until tomorrow. Seems like I had one too many drinks for that... Can I leave the rest in your hands, Baron?"

Though Karyl’s words were phrased diplomatically, as if requesting permission to leave, they were music to Beryl’s ears.

"Haha, don’t worry. I’ll stay till the end of the banquet and filter out the useful individuals to send to you tomorrow, Master Karyl.”

"My thanks again."

"And don’t worry about the Kingdom of Istan or the other two kingdoms in the triad. I have... connections there as well." Baron Beryl lifted his little finger, hinting at his ongoing ties.

Still in contact with those women? In some ways, he\'s remarkable. To remain connected despite his current state... Or is it the other way around? Is it remarkable that he\'s still reaching out?

Karyl chuckled softly. "I trust you."

Beryl, reassured by the day\'s outcomes, straightened his shoulders and went back inside.

Being here was a hundred times less appealing for Karyl than practicing with his sword, but he hadn’t come just to build rapport with the nobles. He glanced at Dushala, her face veiled as usual, conversing with them inside.

Since I\'ve decided to leave the elemental stone business to her, there\'s not much else for me to do. And though she\'s been in the shadows, she fits in well in the light too.

Although she didn’t have as many connections as Baron Beryl, Dushala also had ties with nobles from the Three Kingdoms and had already secured many deals here.

"Hehe, you’re gorgeous...”

"I’m curious about the beauty hidden behind that veil. Perhaps next time you could..."

"I’ve heard a lot about the black market. When can you invite me?"

Despite her black dress, the young nobles gathered around Dushala couldn’t conceal their awe for her voluptuous figure.

I wonder if they\'d still smile like that if they knew she could massacre everyone here without even blinking. Karyl smirked as he watched those nobles practically drool after her.

Ultimately, the elemental stone trade was just an excuse for maneuvering through the Three Kingdoms more comfortably.

Karyl scanned the people in the banquet hall and reminded himself of his real purpose of being there in the first place—to determine if there was a spy from the Wooden Cloud.

I don’t see anyone suspicious among the visible attendees. It’d be great if I could identify who’s related to the Wooden Cloud before the Empire’s war begins...

But it was easier said than done. Bargo Sira, the master of the Ulkas Guild and a member of the Wooden Cloud, had provided only one piece of information before his death.

There is a branch in the Three Kingdoms of Istria that connects Redios and Douglas.

Karyl had made sure to include all those he suspected in Beryl’s list.

Although it was destroyed by the Empire, there are certainly useful people here.

Being useful meant possessing certain abilities. Cooperating with the Wooden Cloud could be considered an act of betrayal to the royal family, but not everyone used their abilities for righteous reasons.

The survivors of the war between the Empire and the Three Kingdoms are likely to be operatives of the Wooden Cloud.

Even until then, the principality would still have its influence, so it was unlikely they would easily kill their own operatives.

Who could it be, really?

It was then that Karyl, leaning on the terrace railing, noticed a group passing below. His eyes flickered slightly.

Huh... Baron Beryl is right sometimes. Karyl watched the man below and chuckled softly. This saves me the trouble of searching. Why didn\'t I think of this?

Or rather, he couldn’t have known. At that time, Karyl hadn’t yet left Kuwell\'s territory and hadn’t known much about the Empire’s affairs, let alone the events within the Three Kingdoms.

So he was here all along.

Karyl was aware of the relationship between the Lurein Principality and the Church. He had tried to find members of the Lurein family through the Church\'s transaction records when he interrogated Bargo Sira.

I was a bit puzzled when Bargo first mentioned the Kingdom of Istan... But I guess he wasn’t wrong, Karyl thought as he watched him. Things might sort themselves out faster than I thought.

Karyl felt that the real power behind the Wooden Cloud, which had only seemed vague before, might now be within reach.

***

"We’re going back."

"Pardon? But there hasn’t been any orders to retreat yet..."

It had been just over ten days since they reached the Wolf-Fox Tribe’s territory. Kuwell MacGovern, after much deliberation, disclosed his decision to the lieutenant.

"The Northern tribes never abandon their strongholds."

"But they\'re just barbaric immigrant tribes. Half of them are still alive."

Kuwell shook his head at the lieutenant’s comment. "We’ve been in the North for nearly a year now. The soldiers are exhausted. It\'s better we head back." He stroked his beard as he spoke.

The command of a superior was absolute, especially when that superior was Kuwell MacGovern; there was no questioning it.

The lieutenant nodded in agreement. "Understood. I will inform the knights to prepare for the retreat."

That was when a sudden blizzard from the North engulfed their encampment. It was so intense that the soldiers evacuated at once, as if an avalanche had just occurred.

THUMP...

SWOOSH!!

But even after the blizzard waned, the loud noises persisted.

"..."

Kuwell looked up to the sky. A giant airship, emitting blue flames filled with magic was above him. There were no waterways here, but a ship floating in the sky needed none.

It was the airship of the Guidance Mercenary Gang.

"Why are they here...?" the lieutenant spoke in a low voice, baffled by the unexpected sight.

CLINK—

Once the blizzard stopped and the airship landed, a familiar face greeted Kuwell.

"Hey, you folks haven’t left yet, huh? That’s fortunate. It was a close call."

As if greeting an old friend, Gordon waved at Kuwell from the airship. Despite the biting northern wind, he only wore a thin, worn-out cape instead of warm clothing.

"What brings you here? There’s no profit to be made in these parts."

"The North has even made you frosty. We’re still not enemies, you know?"

"..."

Gordon playfully slapped his hand onto Kuwell’s shoulder. Acting so carelessly with a knight was tantamount to suicide, but no one here could reprimand Gordon for his discourtesy.

"We\'re not comrades either." Kuwell brushed off Gordon\'s hand with a stern face.

"I was just passing by the Imperial Palace. The emperor has certainly aged."

"You didn’t come all this way to the North just to tell me that. What brings you here?"

"How about a drink? I brought some of the finest imperial booze."

The knights at the scene gulped hard at Gordon’s suggestion. Given the harsh conditions in the North, alcohol was a luxury they couldn’t even consider.

"Jaygun, unseal a few barrels and bring them over."

"Right away."

At his command, dozens of barrels of liquor were transferred from the airship.

"The reason I’m here... It’s not just because of the emperor, whom I already met at the palace. They have grown up quite adorable. I thought they grew up just being sheltered, but it turns out they all have fangs." Gordon walked past the tent’s entrance as he spoke to Kuwell.

"Who’s pulling your strings?"

"Does it matter? What changes if you know who it is?"

BANG—

He opened a barrel and took a deep swig, then breathed out heavily.

"Ahh...!! It\'s really something else drinking this in the cold, no snacks needed." After wiping his mouth, Gordon placed a barrel in front of Kuwell. "Delay the retreat by a week. We’ll provide the food for your knights. Plus, there’s the booze."

"What are your intentions?"

It was certainly suspicious for a mercenary motivated by nothing but money to offer his goods with no apparent gain. No one, not even Kuwell, would consider it a mere act of kindness.

Gordon cast him a peculiar glance and said, "I need you to come with me somewhere.”

***

The Three Kingdoms of Istria was doomed to destruction, three years from then.

Everyone was enjoying themselves at the banquet, unaware of their bleak future. A few moments ago, Karyl had felt slightly uneasy, thinking that members of the Wooden Cloud were among the invitees.

Joey Johansel wasn’t someone who didn’t require special attention. Moreover, he wasn\'t a survivor of the Three Kingdoms of Istria. Karyl first saw him in a tent during the war, after an oracle was revealed.

Many people had been injured in that brutal war. There had been a constant shortage of healers, and the Church had supported those fighting against Tarak by sending priests. Joey Johansel was one of the many priests sent.

"Hahaha, I\'ve heard there\'s good news."

"It\'s all thanks to all of you."

"Don\'t mention it. It\'s all thanks to Yula\'s grace."

"When we return, it will be a great joy for the Church. If we prepare quickly and return within a month, the Bishop will not forget your hard work."

A calm voice was heard in the garden.

Joey Johansel’s features were not striking, his narrow eyes and overall ordinary countenance difficult to spot from a crowd.

There was nothing particularly special about him, but his exceptional healing abilities and composed demeanor made him known as one of the most faithful priests out there.

He had been involved with the Empire even before the oracle was revealed. On account of a certain connection, he came to the Empire during the time Olivurn was instigating the Imperial Wars. And after that, he naturally continued to serve as an assistant to the imperial court physician.

There were prominent figures like the chancellor and the court sorcerer, so his presence was faint...

It was an unbelievable scenario and something Karyl had never imagined, but all the circumstances established that incredible premise.

No, thinking about it now, it\'s entirely plausible.

Joey Johansel had a much more unique background than the chancellor or the court sorcerer. Specifically, he had served as the emperor’s healer while he was recuperating at the Church.

In that moment, Karyl felt a chilling sensation as he finally made a connection in his head.

Could it be... that the emperor is involved with the Wooden Cloud?