Chapter 115
Chapter 115
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 115
Chapter Title: Floating Archipelago (5)
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The interior of the mansion was just as vast and magnificent as its exterior.
*They've slathered money on every inch.*
His first impression was similar to the one he'd had at Antonio's mansion in Novaje City.
“You checked out the Camellia Palace where I was staying, right? It wasn't anything like this. This place is flashy, sure, but why does it feel so tacky?”
Theo shot Selferd a subtle glance to keep quiet, then listened to Antonio's explanation.
“Before I introduce my comrades, there's one thing I must earnestly request.”
Theo nodded calmly.
“What is it?”
“Please refrain from drawing your sword recklessly.”
“......”
“They're all a rough bunch, every last one. Some of them won't stop until it's a fight to the death once they draw steel.”
Was this a plea not to waste time, or a warning that acting out like before would make survival difficult?
*Both.*
Selferd and Arin felt the same, their eyebrows twitching.
“This is the place.”
Creak!
Antonio opened the door and stepped inside.
Along the spacious room, six men and women lounged, smoking cigars or sharing drinks.
They were all around Antonio's age.
But,
*Not one of them is a pushover.*
Some were on par with senior swordsmen.
The woman seated at the far end, watching them intently, stood out with her bobbed hair.
“Antonio.”
“Oh! Our brother. Tough journey, huh?”
“Heard the sea beasts are acting up more. No trouble on the way?”
“Questions later. First, someone I want to introduce. It's Lanth, sir. Lanth, come on in.”
The moment Theo entered, the six's gazes sharpened.
“The one from the letter.”
“The guy with Balmunk.”
“Younger than I pictured. What can he even do?”
Most had a negative first impression of Theo.
He looked like nothing more than a spoiled youngest sibling from a noble house—hard not to prejudge.
Thud!
The instant Theo stepped fully inside, dragon slayer intent swept through the room.
Whoooosh—
['Skill: Lesser Drake Fear' activates, attempting to dominate.]
“......!”
“......!”
“......!”
The cigars in their hands flickered out, and the ceiling groaned noisily.
Rumble rumble...!
Disbelief flashed across the six's faces.
His presence alone outstripped most of them.
*Wh-what? Our little bro's this strong? I knew he beat Beta, but this is cheating. We can't even beat him now...?*
*Right?*
*Arin, what're you gonna do now?*
*Do about what?*
*You forget threatening Theo from your belly? Goldfish for brains?*
*That wasn't a threat.*
*It was. Kid's got the captain's temper. Better stay out of sight. Heh.*
*...Can I punch you just once?*
Selferd and Arin, watching from behind, were shocked enough to trade jokes.
Then, Theo pulled Balmunk from his inventory and stabbed it into the floor.
Stab!
Its edge cleaved clean through the marble.
That was when the six's rigid stares shifted.
Greed.
“Balmunk...!”
“The letter was real.”
Reactions varied.
Curiosity, hostility, neutrality.
Notably, those reactions clustered by position.
Even in this small group, factions had formed.
Their unity was weaker than expected.
*Three? No, four factions?*
Theo assessed them inwardly as he spoke.
“Antonio probably mentioned it, but what I want is the mystery on Creamhilt's giant. In exchange, once I reseal the Sea King, I'll return Balmunk.”
“How do we trust you'll hand it over willingly?”
“Who'd want to make enemies of the entire Floating Archipelago Autonomy and Maritime Alliance?”
The man who'd questioned shrugged at Theo's flat tone.
It rang true.
The bobbed-haired woman, most striking upon entry, spoke up.
“Say we get you to the giant. What if you can't get the mystery? Then what?”
“I give up everything and return Balmunk right away.”
“Hmm. Straightforward—I like it.”
“I have a question too.”
“Ask away.”
“We thought Balmunk was with Troyvan all this time. Or at least with Ragnar. Which side are you?”
His gaze was sharp.
The air suggested he'd turn murderous any second.
*Hostile faction's strongest. Connected to Slow Gang? They look alike.*
Bald skinhead, like the other.
“Antonio asked the same. But I don't feel obligated to answer that.”
“Hey, this is us staking our political lives. To work together, show some trust first. How do we team up without knowing if you're trustworthy?”
Another protested, but Theo scoffed lightly.
“Trust is for you to decide after seeing if I can get the mystery. If I were Troyvan? You skipping the job? Ragnar? Bailing then?”
Black Skull fell silent.
“Either way, you need the feat of subduing the Sea King with me at the front—or at least recovering Balmunk, which isn't a loss.”
They were overwhelmed by Theo's aura.
Their minds felt laid bare.
For those who'd ruled from the top of the Floating Archipelago their whole lives, it was utterly alien.
“So don't probe uselessly. Decide. We going together, or not?”
Tension thickened menacingly.
Clap!
Antonio clapped loudly to break it.
“Come on, atmosphere's too heated. Cool it, yeah?”
“Can't stand it. I'm out on this one.”
The skinhead rose coldly.
“Draw!”
Antonio grabbed at him, but the skinhead had already stormed out.
Bang!
“Damn his foul temper.”
“Let him go. He'll slink back when he's bored.”
His comrades brushed it off casually, accustomed.
The leader-like man grinned.
“Vote then. Hands up if you're helping Lanth get the giant's mystery.”
Four hands rose.
“Majority. Black Skull aids Lanth from now on. Contact the giant's guards. Ask 'em to clear a path.”
Creamhilt's giant was always garrisoned due to its importance.
Sneaking past without them meant huge effort.
But with Spinola and Black Skull cooperating, it was doable.
Thus,
Black Skull's movement began.
* * *
“This way.”
Under a thin crescent moon in the dim night.
Theo's group slipped out the back door of Spinola mansion, guided by Antonio and Black Skull.
“The giant's perimeter guards will be thin for the next 30 minutes. Retrieve the mystery safely within, Sir Lanth, and return.”
“That's too tight.”
En route, Antonio briefed precautions.
But Theo was incredulous.
30 minutes?
For the Floating Archipelago's famed mystery.
It might take 24 hours nonstop—absurd.
“Sorry. We stretched it as far as we could, but using shift change, can't leave longer.”
Antonio bowed apologetically.
But Theo was certain.
His hidden lips were smirking.
*Petty tricks to reclaim Balmunk.*
If he failed the mystery, he'd return it as promised—so they skimped time on purpose.
Better for them to take Balmunk and run than let Theo gain the mystery and reseal the Sea King?
Of course, Theo had no intention of falling for it.
“Here.”
Thud!
Soon, Theo stood before Creamhilt's giant.
Far larger up close.
Dozens of meters, easily.
Shiiiine—
A soft blue glow emanated from the sword gripped by the giant Creamhilt.
Balmunk, wrapped and slung on his back, vibrated intensely.
“We'll hold here. Good luck.”
*Selferd, Arin—guard this spot. Black Skull might interfere.*
*No worries. These sturdy seniors got it.*
*Be careful.*
Theo lightly vaulted the chain-link fence around the giant.
Ziiing!
Balmunk now thrummed violently, as if about to shatter.
['Dragon Slayer Sword: Balmunk' yearns to return to its original place. Locate it, claim the embedded mystery, and prove your worth as master.]
Finding the 'location' the message mentioned wasn't hard.
Just follow where Balmunk vibrated strongest.
He arrived.
Before the massive sword embedded in the evil dragon's nape.
*Shape's different from Balmunk.*
Balmunk was a plain longsword, but Creamhilt's was ornate, studded with jewels.
Worn by time? Or legend's embellishment?
As he unwrapped Balmunk, thinking that—
“Die, Ragnar!”
Suddenly, something plummeted from the sky.
A massive hammer.
Theo hastily drew drake blades to deflect it.
Boom!
The hammer's owner flipped gracefully in midair and landed.
Bald skinhead.
Two-meter musclebound giant.
“Draw.”
Then,
Shimmer—
Space rippled around, revealing over a dozen figures.
All wielding varied weapons.
But the black skull mark on their chests stood out.
“Gray.”
Theo gave a hollow laugh at the familiar flame mage among them.
A miscalculation.
He'd figured betrayal would wait until after securing the mystery.
Setting a 30-minute trap like this?
*Unless...*
Theo narrowed his eyes.
“Hand over Balmunk willingly, Sir Lanth, and we'll spare your life.”
“No idea why, but was sneaking it necessary? Better after I get the mystery, no?”
“You get too strong with it, harder to backstab. Easier now.”
“Not because you're hiding from Antonio and the others?”
Gray clicked his tongue.
“Smart ones are a pain... No need to hide now. Yes.”
As expected.
Not Black Skull's will—Gray and Draw's solo act.
His sense of disunity was spot on.
They were fractured.
But that suited Theo fine.
Divided opinion made cooking Black Skull easier.
“We swore long ago never to share sky with Ragnar. Can't accept your proposal.”
“Never said I was Ragnar.”
“How long you gonna deny it?”
They seemed convinced he was Ragnar by some unknown means.
Theo couldn't hide it forever.
He glanced at Draw, still radiating kill intent.
“So you're Slow Gang's brother?”
“Something like that. And one more thing.”
Whoosh!
Gray's robe fluttered as flames erupted.
“I'm a 'Gang' too. Gray Gang. Avenuing my brother Slow, wrongfully slain... I'll kill you now. Ragnar.”
Theo judged he needed another way to escape this trap.
Outside, Selferd and Arin were surely trapped too.
*Then.*
He poured mana into Balmunk in his left hand.
Craaaack—
Boom boom boom...!
Sword resonance roared, hot winds blasting everywhere.
“Futile struggling. Recover Balmunk!”
As Gray unleashed magic and Draw's men charged—
“Guess we see who's struggling.”
With a cold smile, Theo swung the steaming Balmunk toward Creamhilt's giant.
Aura-charged blade whirled, shredding the giant.
“What're you—?! No, nooo!”
As Gray and Draw paled, Creamhilt's giant exploded.
BOOM!