Chapter 110
Chapter 110
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 110
Chapter Title: Chilly Winter (5)
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The third son of the Spinola family, Antonio, lowered the report he was reading and rubbed his eyes with snowballs in his hands.
“You fucking bastards. They really know how to piss a guy off. Are they seriously planning to drown hundreds of thousands of people?”
His voice was thick with rage.
The Sea King subjugation had failed.
The Sea King’s frenzy had intensified the dragon surges, causing additional anomalies in the updraft supporting the Floating Archipelago…
At this rate, there was a high risk of the archipelago crashing or sinking, so a new countermeasure against the Sea King was necessary, though it wouldn’t be easy…
Out of all the grim details in the report, the part that infuriated him the most was the very end.
There was value in reconsidering the necessity of positively reviewing Troyvan’s demands…
Those fucking Troyvans!
No, even calling them “dogs” was too generous.
Dogs at least understood loyalty and trust.
But those bastards had none of that.
Benota, where the three maritime families including Spinola had set up shop, and the Floating Archipelago were anomalous terrains rare even in the Empire.
One of the few publicly known <mysteries>.
Vast ocean currents flowing along the seafloor met the mana winds from underwater volcanoes on the abyssal plains, generating widespread updrafts that lifted over a dozen large and small islands into the air.
Far removed from the continent, the Floating Archipelago had developed unique ecosystems and cultures since ancient times.
That nature persisted to this day, turning it into a lawless haven for exiles and criminals from the continent while also becoming a massive hub of interests.
Its location especially allowed it to function as an intermediate hub port distributing logistics from around the world, leading to booming banking.
The Maritime Alliance.
This was the foundation that birthed an absolute powerhouse controlling all sea-based trade routes.
They were even classified as Electors, holding the voting rights needed to elect the Empire’s Emperor.
Their influence on the Empire and the world was immense.
But lately,
The Floating Archipelago had encountered an unexpected disaster.
The ocean currents linking the continent and the archipelago began to waver, and anomalies appeared in the mana wind updrafts supporting the islands.
Several floating islands had suffered intense earthquakes, and some were slowly sinking into the sea.
For now, they were passing it off to the islanders as minor quakes from underwater volcanic activity.
But they couldn’t hide the truth forever.
Moreover, the three maritime families knew exactly who was behind these anomalies.
Troyvan.
The culprits who had shattered the balance of the stable currents and mana wind updrafts.
The problem was,
‘We don’t have the power to pressure them right now.’
No matter how renowned Spinola was in the underworld, they couldn’t compare to a great house like Troyvan.
Even if the Maritime Alliance pooled their strength to squeeze Troyvan’s logistics, the bastards’ eastern location limited their leverage.
Their most useful card was banking, but…
‘Grimal’s not being particularly cooperative.’
Underworld’s Spinola.
Banking’s Grimal.
Shipping’s Romelin.
Only if these three families united as one could they barely overcome this crisis.
But Grimal wasn’t cooperating much.
‘Unlike the other two with regional bases, they’re confident they can relocate their headquarters anytime.’
There were likely backchannel negotiations already underway between Grimal and Troyvan. No, definitely.
Crunch!
Antonio ground his molars.
He wasn’t proud of his clean life in the underworld, but his attachment to his homeland was genuine, so he couldn’t overlook this lightly.
‘If only we could deal with the Sea King nesting under the seafloor beneath the Floating Archipelago.’
Tap!
Tap!
Antonio drummed his index finger on the desk, pondering seriously.
Should they borrow outside power?
‘The Imperial family’s been a mess for ages, so no point asking them… The north. Ragnar in the north is clashing with Troyvan lately. Reach out to them?’
But he inwardly hesitated.
If Ragnar caught on and Troyvan struck the Sea King first, it’d be game over.
The best option was handling it themselves.
“Ugh…!”
Just as Antonio trembled with frustration, seeing no way out.
Knock knock.
“Master Antonio. It’s Paolo.”
The door opened with the knock, and the old butler entered.
He’d long served as Antonio’s aide.
“What is it?”
“Well.”
Antonio dry-washed his face with both hands at Paolo’s words, then looked up.
“If even the butler’s saying that… Fine. Bring all three here.”
* * *
「We’re leaving this whole thing to you, so handle it well on your own. But signal us anytime you need help.」
On the way to the new mansion guided by the old butler.
Selphard and Arin subtly conveyed their thoughts to Theo.
Theo was grateful inwardly.
As mentors on this mission, they had plenty of worries about a rookie leading, yet they trusted him casually.
Thanks to that,
Theo became the young heir of some nameless noble house, with Selphard and Arin as his escort knights.
‘Around this time, the Floating Archipelago was buzzing with rumors of sinking or not. Then it suddenly vanished like a lie. Could there be some connection between the Maritime Alliance and Troyvan?’
While Theo pondered the reasons for the Maritime Alliance and Troyvan’s collusion, the carriage arrived at the mansion.
“This is the place.”
True to one of the three maritime families handling vast wealth, Spinola’s mansion boasted dazzling exteriors.
‘It looks flashy on the outside but lacks substance.’
Thanks to Cecilia’s aesthetic training, Theo felt little for the mansion’s flashy but themeless, ununified interior.
Selphard and Arin weren’t interested either.
But to the old butler, their reaction seemed like country bumpkins pretending not to be amazed.
His smug steps were amusing.
“Please enter. Master Antonio awaits inside.”
As the door opened and they entered, a clean-cut thirties man in a suit greeted them effusively.
“You’ve had a long journey. Please, sit here. I’m Antonio, third son of Spinola.”
Inside was a table prepared with refreshments and cigars.
Theo glanced there but didn’t enter immediately, asking coldly.
“Why keep summoning us back and forth? I came because Spinola’s heir wanted to meet, but if it’s just to see faces without reason, it’ll be boring.”
Arrogant and haughty demeanor.
If some lowly mercenary punk acted like that, he’d be buried in the back hills unknown.
‘He single-handedly smashed an entire branch?’
Antonio instead took their attitude as confidence in skill.
Especially Theo, whose beauty rivaled top beauties despite the rough speech—clearly a noble heir.
His attire hid refined taste no merchant or nouveau riche could mimic.
Definitely children of a great house with escort knights.
‘The three maritime families’ meeting is soon. If we have powerhouses like this…’
Antonio’s eyes gleamed with calculations but quickly hid them under a friendly smile.
“Would I waste precious guests’ time on that? I wanted to apologize for my subordinates’ stupidity and make a good proposal, so I humbly invited you here. Please, sit.”
Docile for a great house son.
Merchants over nobles, after all.
After dealing with haughty Ragnars, meeting a new type was refreshing.
“Fine.”
“Haha. As straightforward as you look.”
Antonio sat opposite Theo’s group, quickly sizing them up.
Young Theo at the head, the other two naturally at the sides.
Theo was the leader.
The arrogance fit perfectly.
“The Rednight Plains in the south have ideal sunlight and temperature, so their coffee always has a unique aroma. I brought it out for esteemed guests, but I hope it suits your taste.”
“This Rednight? The lemon scent made me think it was from Pharaoh Highlands.”
“Oh, really? My mistake, then. I’ll have the butler fetch another.”
“Never mind. I didn’t come to enjoy coffee.”
Theo picked up a cigar from the table, naturally cut the tip with a cutter, put it in his mouth, and lit it with a match.
Sizzle!
Puff—
「……You know how to do this too?」
Even Selphard was slightly surprised at the fluid motions.
Theo smiled faintly, recalling his past life.
「She nags Erika not to drink, but she’d flip if she knew about this.」
“Still, I like this. Baoyan Desert production? The cocoa scent’s always appealed to me.”
“As expected, your discernment is renowned. You spotted it right away.”
“I also like sprinkling Kubana fruit powder from Upfman on these. Gives it a really unique aroma.”
“Oh, I didn’t know that method. I’ll buy some and try.”
“You won’t regret it.”
Antonio was convinced Theo was a great house heir.
No one else could know such luxuries and tastes.
“So, let’s hear the main point. Some business proposal?”
“I heard the three of you are currently escorting a swordsman.”
“You peeked at our access records?”
As Theo narrowed his eyes unpleasantly, Antonio quickly bowed.
“My apologies. We needed certainty, so I overstepped.”
“Fine. Anyway, so?”
“The currents to Benota lately aren’t stable. Sea beasts are appearing frequently too.”
Sea beasts.
A catch-all term for monsters living in the ocean.
“You want us as escort forces?”
“Would I make such a rude request? We have our own escorts, not comparable to Lord Rant but still.”
“Then?”
“But in case of emergencies…”
“We accompany?”
“Yes. In return, we’ll cover first-class passage and all your expenses in Benota.”
Theo let out a hollow laugh.
“What do you think we’ll do there?”
“I pride myself on reading people. You surely won’t cause harm in Benota.”
“Haha. Your words alone are pleasing. But we might stay quite a while.”
“There’s a saying: Spinola without money is just a corpse.”
“Confident, huh. Fine. Any other requests? That seems the real point.”
Skilled in politics and talk for someone so young.
Antonio’s inner evaluation of Theo kept rising.
“Lend me your strength just once when I ask.”
“You know what it is?”
“Hear the request and decide. But I stake my name it’ll benefit Lord Rant, never harm.”
“Hmph. What honor does a lowly merchant’s name hold.”
Even blatant contempt didn’t shake Antonio’s smile.
“Fine. No reason to refuse such treatment. When’s departure?”
* * *
The ship to Benota was clearly different from others.
Protrusions on both sides of the hull seemed to stabilize it in updrafts.
‘Lots of escorts. Some skilled ones too. Currents are rough, so things aren’t great?’
Theo’s group boarded comfortably mixed with Antonio’s, noting their non-trivial armaments.
Especially some separately hired by Antonio like them, openly wary of Theo’s group.
Probably annoyed at late joiners getting better treatment.
「Want to knock their egos down? They’ll hassle us the whole five days otherwise.」
As Selphard felt the same and asked Theo, then.
Dong…!
Dong…!
A faint vibration suddenly detectable.
Theo’s face stiffened slightly as his gaze turned outside the ship.
Toward the broad horizon.
Something was resounding.
「What’s wrong?」
「Something out there?」
Selphard and Arin caught Theo’s sudden change and hurriedly looked the same way.
*Do you two not feel that?*
Theo wanted to ask but soon widened his eyes.
A familiar energy amid the faint vibrations.
Dragon power.
Dragon mana.
And,
『My mate…』
Static, crackle—
A familiar voice pierced the noisy static.
“……!”
Theo hurriedly surged his mana.
Thump thump thump thump thump!
As the faint vibrations synced with his heartbeat, the frequencies attuned.
Ziiing!
His relics all resonated too,
And a clearer voice came.
『Can you… hear my voice…?』
‘As expected. Not my imagination.’
『If you can hear… wave a carrot…』
Even silly jokes.
It was Lordbrock.