The 9th Class Swordmaster: Blade of Truth

Chapter 59: The Flying Bow Tribe (1)

In the rugged northern part of the continent, there were tribes who specialized in gathering and mountaineering, their lack of technological development making such skills necessary. In stark contrast, the tribes of the southern region, with their vast grasslands, excelled in horsemanship.

Even among them, the Flying Bow Tribe, Karyl's target, stood out as masters of the craft.

Their expertise in horsemanship, coupled with their lives spent on the grasslands, bestowed upon them excellent vision and, consequently, unparalleled archery skills. It was said that a member of the Flying Bow Tribe could hit a target a hundred yards away without missing.

However, Karyl's interest in the Flying Bow Tribe wasn't merely because of their archery skills. It was the access they would provide to the Great Plains, the continent's only untouched land, a place that no one dared to claim.

"You seem to be from the empire. For you to come all the way here... yes, you must be out of your mind," a low voice remarked.

Yet, far more than the words, it was the sight of the tent in front of him that left him in awe. To call it a tent seemed almost inadequate, given its enormous size capable of housing hundreds.

"Wow... It's my first time in the south. I never knew such places existed," whispered Mikhail in excitement.

"Indeed. This is quite nerve-wracking," added Aidan.

Unlike the tense duo, Karyl remained composed. Swan Mukari, the chief of the Flying Bow Tribe, observed the young boy before him with curiosity.

He took a deep draw from his long, thin pipe and exhaled forcefully. The white smoke dispersed like clouds, bringing a cool sensation to the nostrils. The smoke felt cold, and inside the tent, a bubbling pot held some kind of unknown liquid.

It is shamanism, Karyl noted.

Unlike the magic of the empire, the southern tribes practiced shamanism. Although both forms of power were "Natural", magic was instantaneous, while shamanism took a while to manifest its effects.

While some northern tribes use shamanism, they pale in comparison to the south. Karyl's gaze lingered on the chief's pipe as he contemplated.

"Tatur, huh...? I've heard of that city. It’s a free city sandwiched between the different nations of the continent."

"Indeed."

"If you were a trashy pawn of the empire or the principality, I would’ve slit your throat without even listening to your words."

Karyl merely smiled at the chief’s fierce demeanor. To sense such vitality from an elder seemingly over seventy was astonishing, even for a warrior. Unlike the stern chief, Karyl looked at Swan Mukari with a sense of joy at their reunion.

Karyl knew him very well. Unlike the northern tribes, the south had suffered little under the empire. They survived the continental wars between kingdoms and united under a tribe known as Digon, and the Flying Bow Tribe played a pivotal role in this unification.

Emperor Olivurn once attempted to conquer the south but failed, and the Flying Bow Tribe played a role in that defeat.

Karyl shifted his attention to the robust man standing behind Swan Mukari. He had maintained a stoic face since Karyl's arrival, but underneath that expression was a subtle aggression. Keeping such restrained aggression was no easy feat.

The strength of the Flying Bow Tribe comes from that man. His skill surpasses that of Curan's. Perhaps even the imperial knights would struggle against him. The imperial knights were known as the strongest in the continent right after the Sword Masters. So being comparable to them meant that he had the potential to be a master.

The man was Kinu Mukari, son of Swan Mukari and “the tribe's finest archer."

"Even if you come from such a place, it makes no difference to us. State your purpose for coming here," Kinu Mukari said in a firm tone.

Karyl nodded in acknowledgment. "I wish to trade."

"Trade? It is an unwritten rule that the north and south do not interfere with each other. A mere lord from a city breaking continental norms will not sit well with the other kingdoms."

"That rule exists because the North has shown no interest in the South. With the exception of Digon, the other tribes are well aware that the empire could invade at any time if it so desired."

"What?"

"Be thankful that the Heresy Extermination Decree has diverted the attention to the north. Otherwise, the empire would have sought to expand its territory through a conquest of the south," Karyl spoke without hesitation.

Kinu Mukari's expression hardened, unable to offer a counterargument to the truth. They were wary. The fate of the northern tribes would dictate the south's response.

In my previous life, when Olivurn ascended the throne and sought to conquer the continent, the south quickly united under Miliana’s Digon, not out of loyalty but for sheer survival.

That meant the southern tribes were still separate entities. Apart from Digon, the notable tribes to watch in the south are centered around the Spear family near the Abyssal Rocks. But to secure this area, I have to deal with the Flying Bow Tribe first.

Living on the border of the Great Plains, the tribe acted as a barricade for the southern forces. To counter the empire and maintain Tatur’s strength, influence in the south is essential. And to achieve that, I must become the ruler of the Great Plains before Miliana. Karyl's eyes gleamed.

"So, the empire cares enough to meddle with the fate of the south? You, who slaughter the northern tribes, dare to say such things?"

"We shall tread a different path from the empire. As you know, Tatur is home to many tribes and slaves who have fled the empire." Karyl shrugged at Kinu's words.

"And?"

"It means we're open to incorporating the southern tribes as well."

Kinu was utterly dumbfounded by Karyl's confident tone. "Inclusion? Madness... You, who at best own a small city, want to embrace us, the masters of the Great Plains? You speak nothing but pure absurdity."

As they were the first to defend against any foreign invasion, gaining their trust would vastly ease dealings with other tribes. However, on the flip side, it also meant that there were no tribes more challenging to deal with than the Flying Bow Tribe.

"It's quite bold of you to claim yourselves as the rulers of the Great Plains. Besides the Flying Bow Tribe, the Tu, Lahu, and Lisu tribes also inhabit these lands."

"You..."

"Furthermore, once the empire finishes its conquest in the north, its blades will inevitably turn southward."

"Nonsense!!"

"Calm yourself," Swan, the chief, said, his deep voice cutting through the tension.

"I acknowledge that the south is still embroiled in tribal wars, but still it won't yield easily to the empire." Swan took another slow draw from his pipe, exhaling as he spoke, "If the empire ever points its blades at us, the south will unite and fight." His eyes, too sharp for an old man, gleamed with resolve.

"I agree as well," Karyl nodded.

"Moreover, as troubling as it is to say... you mentioned a trade, didn’t you? If you wish to win our allegiance, what will you offer? It almost sounded like a threat to me."

"Father!! Are you truly going to entertain this nonsense?!" Kinu burst out, his frustration evident.

Karyl, interjected with a slight smile, "A wise chief is preferable over a hot-blooded son. The conflicts among the tribes and the empire's threat are ultimately secondary concerns."

Silence settled over the tent as Swan’s gaze flickered. The southern continent, with its Great Plains and and deserts, was a harsh and arid land. The soil lacked moisture, and the occasional storms provided little relief in terms of drinking water. The perpetual scarcity of food was an unsolvable issue for centuries. As a result, most southern tribes relied on hunting for basic sustenance, trading skins and bones for food.

The empire and principality, deeming the southern tribes as nothing but a nuisance, had no dealings with them. Tatur was their sole trading partner on the wide continent.

"I have no intention of meddling with Tatur's existing trade. But I ask again, where will the empire turn its gaze after subjugating the northern tribes? It’s the principality and the three kingdoms, and that too using Tatur as a stepping stone."

The tent was filled with a heavy silence.

"As I mentioned, I've come to propose a trade. And a trade must benefit both parties. Tatur's existence ensures the survival of the southern tribes, and the southern powers can deter the empire from meddling with Tatur."

"So... what you propose is an alliance?"

At Swan Mukari's words, Karyl paused, contemplating for a moment.

"It is a tad bit different. What I propose is a trade?"

"What sort of trade...?"

"I'll handle the other tribes eyeing the Great Plains. In exchange, you'll clear the path to the Abyssal Rock for me."

Swan's expression remained unreadable, still uncertain of Karyl's intentions from earlier.

"Perhaps I should elaborate further. Allow me to meet with the Spear family and the other four leading families guarding the Abyssal Rock."

"...Those families are far more hostile than us."

"Do not worry. You simply have to gather the five families in one place for me, and I guarantee that you will rule over them."

Swan Mukari found the claim too fantastical. Facing three subtribes of the Great Plains alone was already challenging enough, not to mention the decades-longstanding unresolved conflicts among them. And now, Karyl proposed to conquer all five major families as well.

It was a plan that seemed reckless, but it fit perfectly within Karyl’s grand vision.

The four major tribes of the Great Plains and the five families of the Abyssal Rocks. Unless I have them under my control, I can't subjugate Digon's Miliana.

Miliana, the Dragon Empress, was one of the ten knights who had followed Karyl in his previous life, in fulfilling the oracle. Although she was a companion from his previous life, with no ties in the present, there was only one way to make her his in this life as well—Power. He understood that bringing her over to his side through overwhelming authority was the only path forward.

But to achieve this, I need to fulfill certain conditions. Before heading to Narh Di Maug's lair, he intended to complete a piece of the grand plan he had devised.

"Well, mere words may not be enough to convince you. Perhaps it would be better to continue this conversation after I've dealt with the other three tribes." Karyl suggested, rising slowly from his seat. However, the other two, Mikhail and Aidan, remained seated, seemingly unsure of what to do.

"And..."

In an instant, a bone-chilling coldness emanated from Karyl, causing frost to form beneath his feet, and spread outward. With a swift and fluid motion, he unsheathed the Freezing Talon at his waist, its sharpness gleaming.

Kinu Mukari, caught off guard, could only watch in disbelief as Karyl's sword approached.

"If you wish to bear the title of the master of the Great Plains, then act with honor."

Swan Mukari's pipe was sliced in half, its fragments falling to the ground. Only then did the people of the Flying Bow Tribe raise their bows, aiming at Karyl. However, the Freezing Talon was already pressed against Swan's throat.

"Using shamanism in such a manner is unbecoming of you. I recognize the scent emanating from your pipe—it’s white snakeroot. When mixed with the vapor from the boiling yukaf liquid in the pot, the smoke becomes cold and creates a paralyzing effect," Karyl explained, crushing the shattered pipe under his foot.

"For your information, I'm immune to such poisons."

Having consumed the heart of a dragon, Karyl's veins coursed with dragon mana, rather than ordinary mana. It's a known fact that dragons were immune to all poisons, and even though his meridians were not fully open, Karyl's dragon magic possessed the inherent characteristics of a dragon.

"Give the antidote to these two immediately," Karyl demanded, his voice filled with repressed anger. "I respect your capabilities. However, do not provoke me to favor dealing with the other three tribes over the Flying Bow Tribe through such foolish actions."

Swan Mukari gulped unbeknownst to himself.

"Then you will get what you desire.”