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Chapter 190: Reunion with Viola

“You look more like an adult now.”

Hearing that, Karyl rubbed his chin thoughtfully.

“Come to think of it, I haven\'t really looked in a mirror lately.”

Though Karyl himself didn’t fully realize it, after consuming the dragon\'s heart, his physique had developed far beyond that of his peers. He would turn fifteen in a month, but his build was already similar to when he had mastered the sword at eighteen in his previous life.

Now, his body was poised to surpass even that level.

“Well, even when we first met, you looked young on the outside but were indecipherable.”

Karyl chuckled at Viola’s comment. Indeed, while his appearance was changing into that of an adult, his mind had lived through countless years.

“Did I really seem that much like an old man?”

“No, it’s different from that. I’m not sure how to put it... You’re so mature, and yet you can also be very unpredictable.”

“Well, you yourself seem to have changed a lot since then, Princess.”

“...Do I look old?”

Karyl smiled faintly at her question.

"Not at all."

At her age, it was natural to be concerned about appearances. But as Dushala had reported, the Kingdom of Fenria was in turmoil because of Viola. She was bearing such a heavy burden that she had little time to care about her looks.

It was ironic, but Viola found herself reflecting on Karyl\'s words.

“If anything, I would say that you look even more regal than before.”

It wasn’t just empty flattery. When he first met her in Tatur, Viola had been beautiful but naive, but after spending time with him, she had gained a confidence that radiated from her expression even now, giving her a distinctly regal air. Her beauty had blossomed to match her newfound dignity. Now, she exuded the aura of a mature woman.

“That’s a relief.”

She blushed slightly as she looked at Karyl, who was now taller than her. Dushala glanced at Karyl with a hint of annoyance at Viola’s reaction.

“You too.”

Receiving looks from both women, Karyl casually addressed Greys, who stood behind Viola.

Judging by how well he has harnessed his mana, he’s certainly grown.

His face, once delicate and handsome, had grown sharper and more defined.

“It’s been a while,” Greys responded in a low voice, still keeping his guard up.

Well, he had the talent to reach the rank of Sword Master in the other life. He’ll probably reach that level faster this time. He might even make a name for himself.

Karyl nodded in satisfaction as he scanned Greys.

“You’ve fulfilled the promise you made before we parted. Not only did you unify the south, but you also established a country and even gained recognition from the empire.”

“Lord Karyl is now the ruler of a country, so please watch your tone, Princess,” Dushala quickly rebuked in a sharp tone. Her face was concealed by her veil, but everyone in the reception room could feel her intense gaze on Viola.

“Ahem...” Viola, realizing her mistake, covered her mouth. “Please excuse my rudeness toward the king of Tatur.”

“It’s fine. Speak comfortably.”

“Still...”

“It’s alright.”

Despite Karyl’s reassurance, Dushala pursed her lips in disapproval, though nobody saw it.

“Thank you for your understanding, Your Majesty,” Viola muttered, her face slightly flushed.

“When you told me you would take the Three Kingdoms of Istria, it felt like a distant dream. But now, with you being the ruler of the Free State of Tatur, it’s become a reality.”

“Well, it was a lot of hard work.”

"I envy you. Or rather, I admire you. You’ve kept your word.”

Karyl shrugged lightly, chuckling.

“No matter how envious, what prompted you to make such a reckless decision. I hope you didn’t follow my example.”

Viola laughed drily at his teasing tone.

“You mean the principality? It’s just a small, remote land with less than a thousand troops. Even the most foolish king of Fenria has an army of at least a hundred thousand.”

Greys’ expression hardened slightly at her words.

“I apologize.”

“No, I wasn’t blaming you. I’ll be forever indebted to you for the support I received from the Fanpinel family.”

At that, Greys bowed again and stepped back.

“It’s not unusual for royalty to take on a ducal title... but the king of Fenria won’t take this lightly.”

“What can he do? He ignored my advice and spent the treasury on elemental stones, and now the kingdom’s finances are in shambles.”

“That’s not true. As I mentioned before, we provided the stones free of charge to prepare for a future war with the empire. The treasury isn’t the issue...”

Karyl’s eyes gleamed.

“The kingdom is faltering because Fenria is trying to join the territorial war between Istan and Tevanel, right?”

“...”

“And you established the principality to prevent that. But are you sure you don’t intend to go to war with your father?” Karyl spoke gently, as if lecturing Viola.

“You seem to know everything,” she said with a sigh. “I came as soon as I heard you had returned to Tatur...”

“Yes, it seemed to me like you were in a hurry.”

Viola blushed again at his words.

“It’s easy to predict if you think about it,” Karyl went on. “Forgive me, but your father’s way of thinking is quite simple.”

At that, Viola gave a bitter smile.

“But the reason I provided the elemental stones was to fight under our flag in the war against the empire, not for them to use against each other.”

“I also think it’s pathetic.”

“Right. I assume that very frustration is the reason you sought me out...”

There was no need to beat around the bush any longer.

“What do you want?” Karyl went on.

“Lend me your soldiers.”

“...!!”

Everyone in the reception room, except for Karyl, was stunned by her bold request.

“For what purpose?”

“To become the queen of Fenria and to unify the Three Kingdoms of Istria.”

Karyl looked at her thoughtfully.

I knew she wouldn’t remain a simple girl, but... she’s made an even bolder choice than I expected.

Indeed, on the day they parted after the battle at the Twin Armor, Karyl had urged her to become the ruler of Fenria.

She must have gone through a lot since then...

Realistically, being the third princess, Viola’s chances of inheriting the throne and becoming the queen of Fenris were terribly slim.

Should I look at this as a positive development?

In fact, Viola had managed to exceed his expectations. It wasn’t just her appearance; her resolve also embodied the essence of a queen.

“In the Free City, you can buy anything for the right price. What will you offer in exchange for borrowing my soldiers?”

At that moment, Viola’s eyes gleamed with determination.

"I will become the queen and give you the Three Kingdoms of Istria."

“...!!”

Everyone stared at her wide-eyed.

“Wh-Wha...? Wait, Princess!”

Even Greys was completely taken aback by her statement.

“Are you saying you’ll give up the kingdom where you were born and raised?”

“You think we could stop Lord Karyl’s Free Army?”

Although pessimistic, Viola was honest, and no one could contradict her.

However, Karyl asked her with a serious face, “Why?”

“Because that’s the best way to save the most lives in the Three Kingdoms,” she replied with a slight smirk.

“It’s not about disgracing myself by selling out my country. It’s because, as you said, if my country keeps going in this direction, it will eventually destroy itself. I thought about what I could do...”

“You could ask the empire for help. They are still more powerful.”

“Maybe they are, for now. But wasn’t the whole reason you didn’t attack the Three Kingdoms that you believe if their strength is combined, they could stand a good chance against the empire in a war?”

At that, Karyl flashed her a smirk.

“Quite cunning, Princess.”

After taking a deep breath, she continued,

“There are young nobles in Istan and Tevanel who share my thoughts. They know that continuing as they are will lead to self-destruction. Not everyone under a foolish king is a fool.”

“A war against the empire... Are you really committed to this?”

"A while ago, you asked why I didn\'t choose the empire. You know better than anyone that giving the three kingdoms to the empire would be worse than self-destruction."

“Dushala.”

At Karyl\'s call, Dushala knelt and responded.

"Yes, My Lord."

“Provide the Free Army to Princess Viola.”

Everyone was surprised by Karyl’s decisive command. If Viola failed, it could cripple Tatur’s military and give the empire an opportunity to invade.

“How many... should we offer?”

Even Dushala seemed slightly anxious, her voice quivering.

“How long would it take to travel from here to the Antihum Grand Library?”

Everyone was puzzled by the question, wondering why Karyl was inquiring about the journey to the base of the Immortal Council instead of the number of troops.

“Huh? Um... If we followed the river, it would take about four months. Why?”

“Two months. I will go there and return within that time. The number doesn’t matter. Just report to me that the Three Kingdoms have been secured when I return."

For a moment, the boldness of his words made everyone in the room shudder. He was telling Viola to conquer the three kingdoms in just two months, an accomplishment that had eluded them for countless years.

Unlike the others, who were speechless, Dushala licked her red lips and muttered, “Interesting.”

“Then... you won\'t be in Tatur?” Viola asked, a slight hint of anticipation in her tone.

“I have other matters to attend to.”

Princess Viola had sought him out to request his troops in order to unify the Three Kingdoms —Karyl was now convinced her visit was a stroke of fate, a blessing in disguise.

There is only one year left until the Oracle War.

There was a place he needed to visit before then—the lair of the Platinum Dragon.

But I won’t go alone. Karyl smiled faintly.

“I have a promise to keep.”

After hearing the necromancer’s story from Quenite at the Ghost Castle, Karyl found a possible solution.

Allen Javius...

As if making a vow, Karyl whispered the final words to himself, “When I meet the Platinum Dragon, I will go with you.”