Chapter 108
Chapter 108
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 108
Chapter Title: Chilly Winter (3)
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Clatter-clatter-clack—
One carriage was entering a desolate village.
It looked like a battlefield had swept through—crops were all ruined, and not a single building stood intact.
Screeech!
The carriage halted midway, and the door slowly opened as Ed Troyvan stepped out.
“Haa…”
As he let out a light breath, a voice called from behind him.
“How does it feel to breathe fresh outdoor air after so long?”
Ed turned toward the voice and bowed his head.
An elderly man dressed in fine silk robes popular in the East, his beard grown long like an immortal’s, approached with two burly guards in tow.
“Father.”
“I’m curious about your impressions.”
“It’s a mess… sir.”
“And?”
“I have a feeling something big is about to explode. It feels like a completely different world.”
Ed recalled the villages he’d seen while leaving the North and heading to the East.
They all looked much like this ghost town.
Crops destroyed, starving refugees wandering about.
“Was it this bad?”
“Yes.”
The old man, Granada Troyvan, nodded gravely with his hands clasped behind his back.
“Natural disasters have been striking all over the world lately, ruining everything. Lowlands have been submerged as sea levels rose, and mountain villages buried under landslides from melting perennial snow. Sudden frosts hit the southern plains, while locust swarms devastated spring plantings in the East.”
Ed remembered the empire’s reports he’d heard through intelligence channels.
“Ocean currents shifted abruptly, disrupting bustling trade routes… Epidemics wiped out entire cities of hundreds of thousands. And yet the empire…”
Granada’s tone was flat.
But Ed didn’t miss the thick undercurrent of anger.
“That emperor holes up with his eunuchs and sycophants, turning the entire administration into a shambles. Rebellions are brewing everywhere. Ambitious lords are openly plotting independence.”
“That explains the Holy Demon Church’s rapid spread lately.”
“In chaotic times, people have nothing but religion to cling to.”
Granada and Ed had allied with the Holy Demon Church out of necessity, but they despised them inwardly.
“Soon, the Great Cataclysm will come.”
Great Cataclysm.
Those words pressed hard on Ed’s heart.
“And after that… an even greater wave, one no one can stop, will come from the far North.”
“…”
“We have a duty to set it right. An obligation. The Ragnar family, fallen behind the times, must vanish, and the Troyvans must rise—that’s why.”
Granada’s eyes gleamed fiercely.
“The key to that is the relic of the Primeval Dragon. That ancient mystery the foolish Ragnars can’t unravel. Did you bring it?”
“Here it is.”
At Ed’s gesture, a waiting subordinate swiftly set down a chest and flung open the lid.
Inside lay a long broadsword, tightly bound in iron chains.
Granada’s eyes lit up.
“The Dragon Bow’s Returning Sword.”
“So this is it.”
“I’ve handled many relics, but nothing compares to its value, I daresay.”
“Still, it’s true we stupidly lost all the relics we’d gathered so far.”
“…”
“And we missed the Rose Palace relic we absolutely had to secure. Losing Emil in the process hardly makes it a profitable deal.”
“…I have no excuses.”
Ed bowed deeply.
“Enough. What’s the point of dwelling on the past?”
Granada waved his hand lightly in the air.
Clang-crash!
The chains shattered all at once, and the sword floated gently into the air.
At the same time, Granada drew a blue key from within his wide sleeve.
Ed’s eyes flashed.
‘That’s the master key that un seals relics…! The one he received from that person!’
Thump-thump-thump!
Would he finally glimpse the mysteries of the relics he’d never once unlocked?
“The Dragon Slayer’s Demon Sword… it will truly return here, won’t it?”
Ed nodded heavily.
“I stake my name on it. That child is undoubtedly the Chosen One of this era.”
“Is that so? He’ll be delighted to hear it.”
A satisfied smile finally curved Granada’s lips.
“Then let’s begin.”
Granada brought the blue key toward the sword.
* * *
After Kyle’s Nine Dragons Assembly.
Julius looked utterly exhausted.
He had mountains of work to handle.
War preparations against the Troyvans, dispersing and planning the White Dragon Knights’ forces, settling disputes with the Elder Council, and more.
The one bright spot was the Elder Council’s announcement yesterday.
—The Elder Council will suspend all functions for the next year. All elders will step down and serve solely in the war against the Troyvans, like training swordsmen.
It was practically a surrender.
They’d do anything to remain a respected institution.
“…So I thought I could finally handle my work in peace.”
Julius narrowed his eyes at the document in his hand.
The cover read:
—Solo Operation Plan.
“You’re dumping another pile of work on me?”
He glared at the spot where Theo stood at ease.
“I’m sorry.”
“Is that really sorry? Your mouth’s smirking.”
“Oh. My mistake. I’ll fix it.”
“…I shouldn’t have put you under Evelyn. A diligent kid like you changed in just a few months.”
Julius set the papers down and asked,
“I’m sick of reading, so explain simply. What’s this solo operation you want to run?”
“Do you know ‘Benota’?”
“The maritime alliance in the Northwest Floating Archipelago Autonomy?”
“Precisely, the free city run by the three great merchant houses at its apex: Spinola, Grimal, and Romelin.”
“Whatever. Why there?”
Julius’s interests were limited to the North, under the White Dragon Knights.
He ignored everywhere else.
Most Northerners felt the same.
The North had its own distinct culture and kingdom-like qualities, far removed from the rest of the empire.
“Black Skull’s funding traces back there, per shared intel from Black Snow.”
“What?”
Julius finally reacted.
Black Skull. The terrorists who’d killed many of Squad 5’s agents.
“So I’ll investigate personally.”
“…Investigations are Black Snow’s domain.”
“I already got approval from the Intelligence Chief.”
‘This old coot really.’
Julius ground his teeth.
Didn’t that mean the Black Dragon had secretly met Theo without telling him?
“But isn’t that all the info we have? It’s dangerous. Too remote for us to provide backup easily. Wait for Black Snow to gather more.”
“Squad 5 of the White Dragon Knights specializes in special missions. Real combat swordsmen can handle solos, right?”
“That’s only if the captain deems you ready and approves.”
“Captain.”
“No. Dangerous. Go back.”
Julius pushed the papers forward again.
“The Floating Archipelago Autonomy is beyond our reach from the start. Insanely wealthy, hoarding the world’s riches, but also a lawless haven for escaped slaves and exiles. They even openly use pirates as their ‘navy’—full of madmen, aren’t they?”
“…”
“And Black Skull’s identity is still unclear. Their forces are likely far stronger than detected. What do you plan to do alone?”
Julius’s eyes blazed like they’d spit fire.
“Sure, you’d pull something off. You’ve got some unspoken plan. But dangerous is dangerous.”
Theo read the genuine concern in Julius’s stern tone.
Worry.
He truly saw Theo as disciple, son, subordinate.
But.
‘That’s exactly why I have to go.’
Right after learning Black Skull’s funds originated in Benota.
Theo recalled key facts about the Maritime Alliance from his past life memories.
—Holy Demon Church’s funding source.
—Center of uprisings across the lands.
—Mastermind behind the Great Cataclysm.
‘Is it coincidence that terrorists Black Skull link to Benota?’
And one more thought.
—If Black Skull is one of Benota’s hidden blades, why did the Troyvans—enemies with Black Skull since before Blanc Fortress—ally with them in the Great Cataclysm?
There was definitely some conspiracy he didn’t know.
‘Uncovering it would give us a huge advantage.’
That’s why Theo had stayed up nights drafting this solo plan.
‘And I could unravel the Dragon Slayer Sword’s secrets too.’
Black Skull.
Finding them was top priority.
“This is necessary for me, Captain.”
“…”
Julius clamped his mouth shut at Theo’s gaze.
“I can’t say for sure, but this ties directly to the Troyvans. Please let me move.”
Julius’s tight lips stayed sealed.
“And it’s my first step to building my foundation.”
“…!”
Julius’s mouth finally opened.
A deep sigh escaped.
“…Fine. If you put it that way, no choice. Approved for this op only. But intel’s thin, so coordinate with Black Snow.”
“Yes. Understood.”
Tch.
Julius inwardly wondered if he was shoving Theo into the Black Dragon’s jaws himself.
But what could he do? When his disciple insisted it was essential, he had to yield.
His conviction that seating Theo as next Family Head was best for Ragnar was firmly rooted.
In the end,
Julius slammed his seal onto the papers.
Thud!
—Approved.
“And I’ll attach a backup squad for support.”
“Thank you.”
“Can’t give many. Total mobilization’s out due to this op.”
“Your thoughtfulness is enough. Then.”
Theo gathered the papers, bowed, and left the office.
Creak—
Julius swiveled his chair to the window.
Snowflakes drifted from the sky.
“You’ll turn sixteen by the time you return past the new year.”
He wondered what the newly aged Theo would be like.
The thought made Julius smile unwittingly.
* * *
Theo’s preparations were swift.
‘If Black Skull’s backer is truly Benota, there must be some grand plot behind Benota siding with the Troyvans.’
Time was short.
‘Troyvans moved far earlier than in the original history, so their Benota scheme’s likely underway. Cut it off—and if possible, flip Benota to our side.’
The butterfly effect’s unknowns worried him.
But Theo trusted he could improvise.
“Leaving already, son? Shop opening’s soon—such a shame. New Year’s almost here too.”
Cecilia gazed at Theo with regret.
Theo smiled wryly.
After the Plum Palace banquet, orders flooded in for the suit he’d worn.
Cecilia and Evelyn’s dresses too.
She’d advanced the shop opening far ahead.
But Theo’s op started even sooner.
“I’ll be back soon.”
“Yes. You have your duties, as I have mine. Sorry. Feels like I’ve only worried you with this long trip.”
Cecilia pulled Theo’s head to her chest in a tight embrace.
“But remember. Your home is right here. Return anytime, no matter what.”
“Yes. I will.”
Theo savored her gentle hand stroking his hair for a long while.
It was warm.