Chapter 249. Cartel (1)
At the main palace, where the former emperor's coffin lay in state...
Caron stood silently before it. The coffin, adorned with gold and a multitude of precious gems, gleamed in the soft light. It felt too splendid—far too extravagant for a man who was now dead.
"I offer you a flower, Your Majesty," Caron murmured.
He gently placed a single chamomile bloom—freshly picked from the imperial garden—at the foot of the coffin. The emperor's throne, once occupied by Pellin, sat atop the steps just behind it.
No one else was present in the main palace. Caron was alone, and in that solitude, he quietly gazed at the coffin.
The late emperor, who had overthrown his own father—the Malevolent Emperor—and ruled the empire for nearly fifty years, lay within. In his lifetime, he had been praised for restoring order to a realm left in chaos by his predecessor.
And to some degree, Caron agreed with that assessment.
"You went through a lot," he said quietly.
In Caron's memories, Pellin remained the ambitious young third prince. Opportunistic to a fault, perhaps, but not an entirely bad man. They didn't share many memories together—at most, fleeting recollections from the days when Caron had still gone by the name Cain Latorre.
Even so, he sincerely wished for Pellin's peace.
"Rest easy now," Caron added.
Pellin had watched his own son die before him. That fact alone was reason enough to offer a prayer for the dead.
"When I face the Malevolent Emperor's true body one day," Caron said, his voice low and resolute, "I'll make sure to sever one of his hands and bury it beside you. That should be enough, don't you think?"
It seemed a fair gift for the dead.
Pellin had lived his entire life in the shadow of the Malevolent Emperor. He had spent those years correcting his father's mistakes, only to be toyed with once again at the very end.
For a man like that, offering the Malevolent Emperor's wrist as a burial tribute seemed fitting.
Pellin was the one who had trusted Caron and shared with him the imperial family's secrets. There was no bitterness left between them.
"You should've just been more honest while you were alive."
A bitter smile touched Caron's lips as a memory surfaced—something Revelio had once told him.
"He said I was his favorite. Apparently, I look a lot like my mother. People are funny like that, huh? Who's going to believe the words of a dying man? 'Give me a proper funeral. Don't let my corpse be discarded.' He just wanted to die with a shred of dignity."
Revelio had spoken those words with his usual cynicism, but Caron hadn't shared his perspective.
To him, Pellin's final words had likely been genuine. After all, people tended to speak from the heart when they stood at death's door.
"I'll support your son, and help make him a fine emperor," Caron said softly. "Ah, but I'll be skimming a little off the top for myself. You're alright with that, aren't you?"
He smiled faintly.
And of course, no answer came from the coffin.
"I'll take the silence as approval," Caron said.
He had offered a blessing, placed a flower, and soothed the man's passing spirit. That was enough of a farewell for the dead.
"It was nice seeing you again. Well then, I'll be off," Caron added.
The knight gave his final farewell to the son of the sovereign he had once served. Then, he turned and began walking out of the main palace.
As Caron stepped outside, the harsh sunlight beat down on his face. He squinted slightly and descended the stone steps.
"Caron! What took you so long? You said you'd just drop off the flower," Leo called out.
At the bottom of the steps stood his companions. Leo, Utula, Orion, and even Leon were all present. They were the same group that had once fought together in the Southern Great Forest against the Demon King of Slaughter.
"I had a lot to say," Caron said.
"About what?" Leo asked.
"I told His Majesty I'd wring every coin out of his son. He said that's perfectly fine," Caron said, smirking.
"Caron! Don't tell me you secretly mastered necromancy without me knowing! Truly, is there anything the great warrior can't do?" Utula exclaimed dramatically.
"...I guess I really can't joke around in front of you," Caron said with a chuckle and a shake of his head.
Though it hadn't been long since he and Utula had last parted ways, it was clear the giant had changed in that short time. Utula had come this time as the representative of the giants—meaning he had become the Grand Chief.
"Look at you," Caron said, raising an eyebrow. "You've come a long way from getting captured by humans."
"The chiefs of each tribe have decided to ally with the Ducal Family of Leston! We elected the grand chief through a fair process, and I was elected," Utula replied with a huff of pride.
"A fair process?" Caron asked. "You mean a duel?"
"Of course not. We held a vote," Utula answered.
"Was it through combat aura? Yours seems much stronger now," Caron remarked.
"Oh! You noticed. After my father passed, I had a new tattoo etched—a mark only a chief may bear. Do you want to see it?" Utula asked.
Without waiting for a response, he turned, revealing his massive back. It was covered in intricate, untranslatable characters, etched with such detail that it seemed to hum with mana. The tattoo practically radiated mana, and it was clear that it was enhancing Utula's combat aura.
"It's like a magical array," Orion murmured from beside them, studying the markings intently. He continued, "I heard the giants don't usually dabble in magic."
"This isn't magic," Utula said firmly. "Our shamans grind mana stones into dust and etch them into the skin themselves."
"How does it work, exactly?" Caron asked.
"Giant tattoos enhance the body," Utula explained. "But the process is agonizing. Some warriors even die before it's complete."
"Well, that makes sense. It's basically forcing mana directly into the body," Orion nodded thoughtfully, while Caron examined the markings with growing interest.
"That's a fascinating technique," Caron said. If one could just endure the pain, it would be a method that brought great results.
"It'd be nice to speak with your tribe's shamans separately later," he muttered.
"If you're interested, you can do just that," Utula offered. "They're eager to meet you, Caron."
"Me? Why?" Caron asked.
"They say you're the one from the prophecy. You should stop by sometime," Utula said.
"If I'm the one they're looking for, doesn't that mean it's urgent?" Caron asked, raising an eyebrow.
Utula gave a snort, then said, "You think some shamans can just summon my friend whenever they feel like it? Go when you want to. Right now, we've got more pressing matters than shamans."
"Becoming a chief made you smart," Caron said with a smirk.
It looked as if he now had a reason to visit the giants' territory someday. If there was a way to strengthen his body, it was worth going.
With a slight nod, Caron turned to the others and asked, "Where are the people from the Pajar Sultanate?"
"The emperor summoned them. Representatives from the beastkin, the dwarves, and the Pajar Sultanate are waiting in the Grand Assembly Hall," Leon responded
"They're waiting for me?" Caron asked.
"Yes, he told me to bring you over as soon as you finished paying your respects," Leon answered.
Even after the new emperor's coronation, the Oceanwolf Knight Order remained stationed at the Imperial Palace. Leon currently served as a liaison between the emperor and the Ducal Family of Leston.
Caron stretched his arms lightly and nodded, then said, "Guess it's about time I got back to work."
"How's your training coming along? What about your signature technique?" Leon asked. As a member of the Leston bloodline, she understood better than most the weight that a signature technique carried.
Caron gave her a wide, cheeky grin, then said, "I'll show you sometime, Leon. You'll probably be stunned."
"...Is it that good?" Leon asked with a sigh.
"What's with the sigh?" Caron asked.
"I'm just feeling bad for the poor people who'll have to stop you," Leon said.
Everyone except Caron had to admit—Leon wasn't wrong.
***
The Grand Assembly Hall of the Imperial Palace was a vast building, large enough to seat dozens, and now filled with representatives of many races.
There sat Samir, the envoy from the Pajar Sultanate, and Tauga, leader of the beastfolk. There was also Utula, representing the giants, and Orion, the voice of the elves.
"All familiar faces..." Caron remarked with a smile, just as his gaze landed on another non-human figure seated on one of the high-backed chairs.
"Oh?" he murmured.
The figure was short but solidly built, with thick, calloused hands that told of a lifetime of labor. His brown beard and piercing gaze gave him a sturdy, commanding presence. He watched Caron with a glimmer of interest.
"You must be the one who rescued our kin," the dwarf said with a grin.
Caron straightened and offered a respectful nod, then said, "It's an honor to meet you. I'm Caron Leston."
"I'm Theo Ironbeard," the dwarf replied. "Think of me as just an old man from the back halls of the Haroon Kingdom."
Haroon was the name of the dwarves' kingdom.
Though Theo had humbly downplayed his status, Caron knew the dwarves wouldn't have sent just anyone to their first major diplomatic gathering. This man was no mere elder.
Caron clasped Theo's thick hand and smiled.
Just as their introduction ended, a soft, composed voice echoed through the hall. It belonged to Revelio, who sat at the head of the assembly. "You're here, Caron.:
"Your Majesty," Caron said, rising slightly and bowing. "Allow me to offer my sincerest congratulations on your ascension to the throne."
"Alright, now come sit," Revelio said.
"Where should I...?" Caron trailed off.
"To my right. Don't act like you don't know," Revelio said with a teasing smile.
Sure enough, the seat closest to the emperor was empty, reserved for Caron.
This wasn't a coincidence. This meeting had been scheduled for the foreign representatives aligned with Caron. His presence here, after all, was not only as a member of the Oceanwolf Knight Order, but also as the envoy of the Ducal Family of Leston.
Without complaint, Caron sat where Revelio had indicated.
As soon as Caron took his seat, the official discussion began; the first to speak was, as expected, Revelio himself.
"On behalf of the empire," Revelio said, his voice calm yet dignified, "I extend my deepest gratitude to all of you who have traveled far to pay respects to my late father, even though many of you had never met him. I hope today marks a turning point—one where our shared future begins anew."
It seemed that introductions had already taken place before Caron's arrival.
At Revelio's words, the other envoys—including Prince Samir—responded with light applause, acknowledging the sentiment.
Samir, prince of the Pajar Sultanate, a nation long considered a historical enemy of the empire, spoke with respectful gravity.
"The Sultan also sends his condolences," he said. "Though the late emperor was once an adversary, he was undoubtedly a great ruler. The Sultan wished that to be conveyed."
"There's no greater honor than receiving respect from one's enemies," Revelio said.
"Once enemies, perhaps. But from now on, shouldn't we fight side by side?" Samir replied.
Between the empire and the Sultanate, a commonality had emerged. Both had recently suffered at the hands of Demon Kings. With a shared enemy now threatening them, former rivals were more than willing to unite.
Today's gathering was no less than the foundation for a grand alliance.
Revelio smiled at Samir's words, then slowly turned his gaze to the other non-human envoys.
"This is our first time inviting members of other races to the Imperial Palace," he said. "If there were any shortcomings in our hospitality, I ask for your generous understanding."
Tauga, chieftain of the beastkin, waved his hand and said warmly, "You've done more than enough. Seeing the prosperity of the empire with my own eyes was a revelation."
"If there's anything you need, do not hesitate to speak. You are welcome to remain in the palace as long as you wish," Revelio said.
"Ha! Your Majesty has a truly generous heart," Tauga said with a chuckle.
"My personal goal is to drain the palace treasury dry!" Revelio replied with a laugh.
Their small talk, full of good humor, eased the lingering tension in the room.
After exchanging a few pleasantries with the non-human delegates, Revelio smoothly shifted the meeting toward its true purpose.
"In truth," he began, a faint smile tugging at his lips as he looked at Caron, "I won't be the one leading today's meeting."
He turned to the others and raised his voice slightly. "I'm sure most of you already know him. Allow me to introduce the empire's greatest hero—our lightning-born divinity—Caron Leston."
Caron blinked in disbelief and asked, "...Me, Your Majesty?"
"Yes, you," Revelio said, still smiling.
"But I don't know anything about how to run a meeting," Caron said.
"Just say whatever comes to mind," Revelio replied breezily. "You're good at that, aren't you?"
Caron stared at him, stunned, but Revelio's voice dropped into a mockingly serious tone as he declared, "That's an imperial decree."
"Wait, that's not fair—" Caron began to protest.
"If you've got a problem, go ahead and take the throne yourself," Revelio shot back.
Now he was blatantly pulling rank.
Caron let out a quiet sigh, then slowly rose from his seat. There was nothing he could do when His Majesty commanded him. There was no getting around it; when the newly crowned emperor gave a direct order, there was no choice but to comply.
Besides, there was only one real reason everyone had gathered here, and Caron already knew what needed to be said.
"I'll keep this brief," he began.
A new age had dawned. The continent now faced a massive, looming threat—one born from the Demon Realm.
"Our target is the Demon Realm. We will unite our forces, invade it, and burn everything within it to ashes," Caron declared.
With those words, he gave shape to the vengeance that burned within each of them.
"Let's join forces. Seeking revenge alone takes a long time. But if we do it together, we can settle our grudges much faster," Caron added.
There was no need for flowery words or lofty rhetoric. Everyone in the hall had come here already prepared to cooperate.
"There will be many obstacles in forging this alliance," Caron continued. "But so what? If it's for revenge, we'll leap over every one of them. That's why I'm proposing an alliance here and now."
In the distant past, during the era of Rael, the continent had once united in just such a way. Caron intended to revive that alliance to rally the full strength of the continent and unleash it upon the Demon Realm.
"Oh, and if anyone has objections to this alliance," Caron added casually, "Feel free to speak now."
Utula slowly raised his hand and said, "I have a question."
"Yes, go ahead," Caron said, drawing out the name with teasing politeness. "Chief U-Tu-La."
"What happens if we refuse the alliance?" Utula asked.
Caron beamed at him and replied, "What do you think? If you're curious, why don't you be the first to say no?"
Utula shifted his eyes nervously from side to side, then cleared his throat and gave a firm nod, then said, "Hmm. A sound proposal. Yes. The giants have always intended to join the alliance."
Everyone in the room knew exactly what would happen if they crossed Caron, the Mad Dog of the empire. And so, predictably, one by one, they fell in line.
"Our beastkin will join as well," Tauga stated.
"The Pajar Sultanate gladly lends its strength to the cause," Prince Samir added.
"The elves are also in agreement," Orion said.
Even Theo, the dwarf representative, shrugged and joined the consensus. "Can't have us left out of the fun, can we?"
And just like that, the informal alliance—later known as the Caron Cartel—was formed.
Caron glanced around the hall, satisfied, a grin spreading across his face.
"Well then," Caron said, "Why don't we move on to the first historic agenda of our alliance?"
The very first objective of the Caron Cartel was simple and bold.
"I'm thinking we should go raise hell in the Holy Kingdom. Any objections?" Caron asked.
The Holy Kingdom, long-standing ruler of the southeastern continent, had no idea that a calamity was now descending upon it.
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