Chapter 100
Chapter 100
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 100
Chapter Title: Island Night Yaksha (5)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Around the time Winterer was buzzing with the tense atmosphere of war against the Troyvans.
A certain rumor began to spread through Winterer.
—Theo Ragnar had received a half-sword from the family head.
This wasn’t just about another sparring match like before.
Receiving a half-sword.
It meant he had inherited a single sword from the Half-Sword Tomb.
Those who didn’t fully grasp the implications dismissed it as Kyle simply favoring Theo, nothing major.
But the elites beyond regular combat swordsmen tensed up immediately.
—Is the family head truly planning to turn the five candidates into six?
It was common knowledge among those in the know that all the current five successor candidates—who were just starting to build their reputations—had been separately summoned to the Half-Sword Tomb and met with Kyle.
Now that Theo had done the same, all eyes naturally turned to him.
Especially now, in this near-wartime state where war clouds were gathering.
Theo’s name carried even more weight.
“I wonder if this is exactly how my brothers and sisters felt when I first showed up?”
Torkel Ragnar was one of them.
The Black Iron Knights.
He was their captain, leader of an invincible ground force whose fame rivaled even the White Dragon Knights.
The youngest among the five candidates, yet building his reputation faster than the others by a wide margin.
But even he couldn’t just brush off this particular rumor.
“Me... right in front of me... what the hell are you thinking...!”
But Torkel’s thoughts didn’t last long.
A voice suddenly called up from below.
A middle-aged man stood there, covered in blood, his face weary with exhaustion.
“Oh, right, we had a guest like you. Got so bored I forgot. Sorry about that, old man.”
Blatant mockery.
The middle-aged man’s face twisted in fury.
But he couldn’t protest.
His opponent had surpassed that level entirely.
In fact, the man hadn’t landed even a single scratch on Torkel throughout their fight.
The gap was enormous.
“Why... why the hell are you doing this...! At least tell me the reason...! We’ve served Ragnar with absolute loyalty for centuries... why treat us like this...!”
The middle-aged man. Evan Barkus, head of the Barkus family, seethed with rage.
Just an hour ago, the Black Iron Knights had barged in without warning, and the Barkus family had been wiped out in an instant.
“You haven’t heard about the Ceres Merchant Group yet?”
“Ceres...?”
Why bring up the in-laws here?
Evan’s eyes widened in confusion, shaking.
“News travels slow. Ceres colluded with the Troyvans to start a rebellion. You Barkuses dared to kill Ragnar’s executioners who came to punish them.”
Torkel sneered at Evan.
Evan’s eyes bulged.
“Th-there’s clearly some misunderstanding! We have no connection to the Ceres Merchant Group...!”
“No connection, yet you drew your sword?”
“That’s...!”
“No need to drag this out any longer.”
Torkel cut Evan off mid-sentence and yanked the reins.
The ironclad horse beneath him whinnied fiercely.
Prrrrr!
“Anyway, the main family has already decided on the disposition for the Barkuses.”
Evan’s eyes shook violently.
“In consideration of the Barkuses’ centuries of loyalty, we won’t exterminate the family. But the blame for this incident falls on Family Head Evan Barkus and the key executives. The criminals will all obediently accept the summons and stand trial in Winterer. For the time being, Naban Barkus will serve as interim family head.”
“...!”
“Decide, Evan Barkus. Will you accept the disposition, or reject it?”
Evan clenched his fists tight.
Now he understood the situation, but the mere accusation of treason left him with no options.
‘That bastard son is finally trying to end our family’s long history...! Should’ve cut his throat ages ago.’
Evan deeply regretted his past mistakes and bowed his head heavily.
“Seal the Aura Halls of all the criminals and escort them to Winterer.”
In the end, Evan and the Barkus family’s key executives were all reduced to criminal status, dragged away ignominiously.
“Iyan.”
“Yes, Captain.”
Vice-Captain Iyan Soso approached with a nod.
“You said Theo Ragnar really grew on you?”
“I’ve told you a hundred times. He’s got the exact kind of personality you’d love, Captain. That kid’s the real deal. Too bad we couldn’t bring him along this time.”
“Is that so? Even more promising, then.”
Heh.
Torkel chuckled lightly and lowered his raised helmet visor.
“Alright, everyone, let’s head back!”
The hooves of the Black Iron Knights pounded the ground powerfully.
Thud thud thud—
* * *
Theo felt awkward staring at his reflection in the mirror.
“My son! As expected of you—you never fail your mother’s expectations! It’s not just beautiful; it’s utterly mesmerizing! Most noble ladies wouldn’t stand a chance against your looks!”
Cecilia’s fussing only made Theo more uncomfortable.
‘Seriously... I should be used to this by now, so why does it still feel so off?’
What Theo was wearing was formal attire.
A clear navy blue suit that gleamed like it had been dipped in seawater and pulled out.
Its ornate design and silk fabric made Theo’s features stand out brilliantly.
Clothes Cecilia had made for him while he was away.
‘How many outfits is this now...?’
He’d worn so many that he couldn’t even remember.
“And these earrings and ring you saved—they’re so practical. The design isn’t too crude, yet elegantly refined, matching just about any formal wear. Artifacts, right?”
Cecilia gently touched the ring and earring on Theo.
All relics from the Ceres Merchant Group.
Theo nodded in agreement.
‘At least these things have finally settled down completely.’
After absorbing the orb from the sword Kyle gave him.
Theo hadn’t stepped outside the house for days.
He’d been sorting through the fragmented thoughts that surfaced unconsciously and meticulously checking the relics’ functions.
Thanks to that, he’d fully grasped his dramatically changed physical state.
‘Especially the breakthrough with aura—that’s the biggest gain.’
As a satisfied smile tugged at Theo’s lips,
“Still, the detailing on these cuffs is a bit lacking. The stitching needs to go further inside, and this line should fall more like...”
With every comment from Cecilia, the maid beside her hurriedly jotted notes.
‘When will this end?’
Theo endured several more changes, finally reaching the last one.
‘Finally...!’
Now he could rest.
He was just about to slip on the jacket with that hope in mind.
Bang!
The dressing room door flew open.
It was the head butler.
“Urgent news!”
“What is it?”
Theo and Cecilia’s gazes turned to him.
The head butler shouted, his face pale as a ghost.
“The Troyvans have refused to respond to the protest letter!”
Ragnar had given the Troyvans 72 hours regarding the Ed incident, and they rejected it.
There was only one meaning behind that.
“...War.”
As Theo murmured to himself, a chill wind blew through the dressing room from somewhere.
* * *
“No, war’s breaking out, and people still have the mind for this?”
Julius grumbled, scanning the surroundings with a bewildered expression.
♪ ♬ ♩ ♪ ♪
A symphony orchestra—one of the largest even in the capital—was playing.
Men and women danced to the music or gathered at tables scattered through the garden, laughing merrily.
The Plum Palace Lord chuckled beside him.
“That’s exactly why we need to show composure. No matter what you all are plotting, we couldn’t care less, we’re not worried—that’s the message we need to send to Winterer’s residents.”
They were at the Susun Palace.
Among Ragnar’s many palaces, it boasted the most stunning exterior.
Its garden bustled with crowds.
Dressed to the nines.
“Besides, doesn’t even the White Dragon Knights’ captain know how much the Susun Palace Lord dotes on her daughter? The child was barely expected to live past ten, but she’s thriving now. It’s even better if we all bless her together.”
Julius nodded, but his expression remained sour.
The fifteenth birthday party of Ray Ragnar, the only daughter of Susun Palace Lord Niel Ragnar Ton.
It was grand enough that Julius, the Plum Palace Lord, and several other Nine Dragons attended.
The Susun Palace Lord was already one of the Nine Dragons, carrying immense weight, and she placed great significance on this birthday.
So naturally, many people gathered.
In his youthful days as a notorious playboy(?), Julius had enjoyed these events plenty.
But now, with age, they just bored him.
‘Evelyn probably won’t come either.’
He’d told her to drop by if she had time since being alone was dull, but given her personality, she wouldn’t show up at a chaotic place like this.
Another reason Julius had no need to be here.
“And above all.”
The Plum Palace Lord picked up a wine glass from a passing waiter and continued.
“Do you think these people’s attention is really on the Susun Palace Lord’s daughter?”
“...Ugh. That’s exactly what I don’t like.”
Julius groaned.
Their interest.
Only one thing.
Theo Ragnar.
The protagonist shaking up Winterer time and again lately.
“Can’t exactly lock him away so no one else sees him... Sigh! Anyway, once Theo gets here, stick him right by your side.”
As Julius muttered irritably, the Plum Palace Lord suddenly tilted her head.
“What are you talking about? Why would you casually stick someone else’s son to your side? I’ll be keeping Theo with me.”
“...?”
“Sorry, but please use the next opportunity. I reserved him first this time.”
Julius’s face turned incredulous.
“Reserved...? You talked to Theo first?”
“Why would a mother and son need prior arrangements?”
“No, you’re not even really mother and son...!”
As Julius shot to his feet to protest,
Flap flap!
A powerful wingbeat echoed overhead.
Julius shivered and looked up,
Spotting a black dragon landing lightly on the ground.
“Sorry to both of you. Looks like I’ll have to take my nephew. Need to explain how to use the token I gave him earlier.”
A muffled chuckle came from behind the mask.
Julius’s face crumpled.
“You pulled that stunt just to use it like this?”
“No idea what you mean, White Dragon Knights’ captain.”
“No, brother! Seriously, you gonna keep pulling this crap?”
“This is an official event. Please distinguish between public and private, Captain.”
“I agree with the Intelligence Chief.”
“As expected of the Plum Palace Lord. You get it.”
The black dragon and Plum Palace Lord, now allies, exchanged glances.
“Argh, seriously...!”
Julius’s fist trembled with frustration.
“Entering: Lady Cecilia Ragnar of the Camellia Palace and Theo Ragnar—!”
The butler announcing guests drew all three gazes that way.
At the same time,
“...”
“...”
“...”
A profound silence fell over the garden, as if on cue.
Every eye turned to the entrance.