Chapter 119
Chapter 119
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 119
Chapter Title: The Mystery of Dragon Slaying (4)
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Krimhilt's new memory regenerated.
Fwaaaah!
Haa… haa…!
Krimhilt was breathing heavily.
Beneath the sword she had thrust into the ground, the evil dragon lay limp with its head pierced through.
With its last remaining strength, it rolled its eyes upward, capturing the image of the dragon slayer who had harmed it.
—The sword that pierced my head was made from my own rib, of all things. Haha. The one who stopped me was the very friend to whom I gave my heart.
The evil dragon laughed.
In truth, Krimhilt had been the only friend he had made over thousands of years.
The one who alone approached him when he was dying under the curse of disgrace and gave him her heart.
A friend who transcended species.
—Don't cry, my friend. Though it's sad that we part like this, how glad I am to entrust my final rest to you. I am truly blessed.
—Levi.
—But since parting like this leaves some regrets, could you grant me one request?
—...Yeah.
—The twin swords I gave you. Pass them down separately, and when a worthy successor appears later, give both into their hands.
Krimhilt thought she understood why the evil dragon left such a final request.
—Is it because of that disgrace thing?
—Disgrace will return someday. And it will try to cover this world in its shadow. Because it is the remnant of the ancient homeland that no one remembers anymore.
—....
—So you must find it. Even to stop that shadow. No matter what.
—Yeah. Got it. I'll make sure nothing like our misfortune ever happens again.
—Thank you. I've chosen my friend well.
Leaving those words, the evil dragon slowly sank into the deep sea along with the crumbling ground.
The Dragon Slaying Sword—what would later be named Balmung, the demonic sword—sank into the seabed alongside it.
Krimhilt quietly watched the sight.
Countless past memories flashed through her mind.
The friend she had met as a companion, who ultimately failed to overcome the curse and became an evil dragon.
And because she had stayed close to that friend, she gained resistance to the curse and was forcibly turned into a <Hero>.
After a long and fierce battle, thrusting her sword into her friend's nape brought the long fight to an end.
—....
Only after a long time passed did Krimhilt rise slowly, thrusting the other twin sword from her waist into the ground.
Then she turned her gaze toward Theo.
“This mystery was an arrangement I made to honor my old friend Levi's dying wish. I never imagined it would be claimed by a northern clan said to be blessed by dragons.”
She scanned Theo up and down before continuing.
“And you even resurrected me using my own bones? The dragon's mate who gained resistance and traits to dragon slaying! Where could there be a greater invincible force? What a sight!”
There was no small amount of admiration in her voice.
That was how astonishing Theo's conquest of the mystery had been.
Theo bowed politely.
“Allow me to introduce myself properly. I am Theo Ragnar.”
“I am Krimhilt. Originally, I was a slave with no name or surname. I only received this name after becoming a <Hero>.”
A faint sneer curled at Krimhilt's lips, but soon her eyes deepened darkly.
The fragile girl's gaze from the first memory was gone.
Only the eyes of a veteran warrior who had seen it all remained.
“Does this mystery awakening mean Levi has awakened from his long slumber?”
“Yes. In this era, he is called the ‘Sea King.’”
“The king of the seas... That friend would love such a name. Good. We don't have time for long talks, so I'll get straight to the point. Draw your sword.”
An opportunity to receive teachings from Krimhilt.
Theo slowly drew Drake's blade.
The greatsword, heavily damaged from continuous fierce battles with the dragon hatchlings.
“Due to the deeds of Disgrace, this world is overrun with <Guardians> who have become like Levi or worse.”
Disgrace.
Theo now realized that word referred to the [Nameless Sovereign].
“And what ordinary humans call <Mysteries> are the traces left by those Guardians. Remnants or arrangements from the ancient homeland that almost no one remembers anymore.”
“...!”
‘Mysteries are devices to stop the [Nameless Sovereign]?’
Not just the primordial dragon's relics?
Theo felt his heart pounding wildly at this newly revealed secret of the world.
Thump!
“And the ‘key’ Levi left to obtain those mysteries is... the twin swords Balmung and Hlati, made from his own ribs.”
Theo clenched his fist tightly.
An entirely unexpected new path lay right before his eyes.
“So now, I will teach you how to use one of them, Balmung. This is what I call it.”
Theo focused all his mind on Krimhilt's every movement.
“Nibelung.”
Krimhilt raised her sword.
“In the ancient tongue, it means ‘ruin.’”
Krimhilt's teachings began.
* * *
“What is this nonsense?”
Umberto lowered his reading glasses and scowled.
A subordinate burst into the study, flinging the door open in urgency.
“It's disaster, Family Head! Krimhilt's colossal statue is collapsing!”
“...Explain in detail. What exactly is happening?”
“The mystery is going berserk! Because of it, the statue's guards and the entire league have been put under emergency mobilization!”
“That idiot Antonio! What the hell is he doing!”
The fact that Black Skull could approach the statue without interference was because Umberto had pulled strings.
In truth, he hadn't expected his young son and friends chasing illusions to obtain the mystery.
But what if?
With the council meeting approaching, even a hint about the mystery would be a gain, so he had provided support.
He never imagined such a catastrophe would occur.
If things continued like this, not only Black Skull but the entire Spinola family could bear all the blame.
“What about Grimal? What is Romelin doing?”
They had to strike first before the other maritime three families moved.
But,
“Grimal's Family Head is moving toward the statue with the Execution Squad...”
“Damn it!”
Bang!
Umberto slammed the desk in irritation.
Grimal was currently the leader of the pro-Troyvan faction in the autonomous council.
A banking family with immense influence worldwide, they had long maintained good relations with Troyvan.
They advocated for the Floating Isles to seek Troyvan's aid to subdue the Sea King and ensure long peace.
Meanwhile, Spinola positioned itself as the head of the anti-Troyvan faction, standing in opposition.
If the colossal statue containing their great ancestor's spirit were destroyed here, Troyvan's influence would undoubtedly grow accordingly.
‘Handing the Floating Isles over to those thugs? Absurd!’
The problem was that Grimal's Family Head had personally mobilized the Execution Squad.
—Execution Squad.
Grimal claimed they were merely mercenaries hired from the ‘mainland.’
But everyone knew their true identity: a unit dispatched by Troyvan to exert influence over the Floating Isles.
Their skills were exceptional, to the point that even Black Skull struggled against them every time.
If they were deployed, it meant they saw this as a golden opportunity to seize power.
“Gather every last one of our men. Tell them war might break out, so prepare themselves. We're heading to the statue.”
“Yes, understood.”
The subordinate nodded gravely and rushed out.
Umberto grabbed his jacket from the sofa and clenched his fist.
If they went to war with Troyvan backed by Grimal's wealth, what would become of the Floating Isles' fate?
A grim future already loomed before his eyes.
* * *
“Pah哈哈哈! Looks like Umberto that friend got too greedy and dug his own grave.”
Grimal's Family Head, Giuseppe Grimal, burst into laughter that shook his plump body.
The man sitting across from him nodded silently.
A freak wearing a mask carved from wood.
「Don't get too arrogant. Arrogance is often the cause of ruining everything.」
The voice, unable to produce proper tones, was horrific like nails scraping glass.
Yet the thick magic infused within it never failed to chill Giuseppe to the bone.
Noil.
An old eastern word meaning the number nine.
The Execution Squad called him that.
As one of the nine vassals upholding Troyvan.
‘If all of Troyvan's vassals are like this... No, if those above are even higher, we must never defy them.’
Giuseppe was convinced.
The war between Ragnar and Troyvan would end in Troyvan's overwhelming victory.
Thus, the future of the Floating Isles and Grimal lay with them.
“If I stray from the path in arrogance, won't the vassal correct me? I'm utterly ignorant in politics and trust only the vassal.”
「Your tongue is as slippery as if oiled, every time.」
“I'll take that to mean I'm not misinterpreting the vassal's words due to dullness.”
The vassal said no more.
As if bothered to continue the exchange.
Instead, he changed the subject.
「As per your request, the Execution Squad will capture Black Skull just before they escape the scene. Then we'll escort them straight to the imperial palace.」
“Black Skull is the rebel force publicly declared by the imperial family. If we link them with Spinola, not only the autonomous council but the entire maritime league will have no choice but to align with Troyvan.”
「On the flip side, the Floating Isles' forces will be cut in half. Is that alright?」
“Won't Troyvan fill that gap?”
Tsk!
Noil clicked his tongue inwardly at Giuseppe's sycophantic grin.
The fool seemed to think he was buying Troyvan with money.
And even planning to control Troyvan's core with his wealth.
Hah?
‘I should teach him that some things can't be bought with mere money.’
Noil dismissed it, figuring his superiors would handle it.
“However, to make that happen, you must secure Antonio, Umberto's son, at all costs.”
「Don't worry about that. It's the Execution Squad's specialty.」
Giuseppe shuddered again at Noil's icy voice.
He could already envision the Floating Isles prostrated at his feet.
* * *
“Gray...! Slow after you, now you too!”
Antonio ground his teeth at the sight of Gang Brotherhood corpses strewn around the statue.
The worst-case scenario he had desperately tried to avoid had come to pass.
“Theo! Theo!”
“Theo! Where are you? Answer if you're there!”
Meanwhile, Selphard and Arin searched frantically for Theo but found not a single trace he had left.
The heat haze, glow, and dust clouds blocking their vision were a major issue.
“We can't keep wasting time like this forever.”
Ray's words made the two faces harden.
In truth, they could search like this only thanks to Ray's chill.
Just as they were about to ask how much longer they could buy time,
“Someone's there.”
Selphard suddenly sensed something and turned his head the other way.
Arin and Ray's gazes followed.
Beyond the flames mingled with bright light, dozens of fierce glares appeared.
Each one brimming with murderous intent.
—Subdue all survivors near the colossal statue and drag them in! If bodies are inconvenient, just collect heads recognizable by face!
—For glory!
—For glory!
‘Guards? But their killing intent is too strong for that. Just like Troyvan's men...!’
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
As Selphard thought that, the owners of those glares leaped over the flames and descended upon the four.
“Arin! Ice Blade!”
While Arin and Ray deflected the ambushers' attacks, Selphard launched himself toward Antonio.
Clang clang clang!
Screee—
Selphard barely succeeded in saving Antonio, then righted his stance and pointed his sword forward.
“You must be the freak Antonio's Black Skull brought. Not bad. You blocked my sword. Makes me curious about your identity. You seem kinda familiar.”
The enemy leisurely adjusted his sword and smiled.
“Who knows. I don't recall befriending shady types like you.”
Selphard scoffed and pressed his sword to Antonio's neck.
“Don't come closer. Move another inch, and this young master's head rolls on the ground.”
He felt Antonio flinch at the blade's cold edge, but Selphard paid it no mind.
The enemy watched, then smirked.
“Spinola's third son, huh. Orders from above were to bring him if possible.”
Smirk!
A smile crept onto the enemy's lips.
“Well, if he dies in a hostage stunt, can't be helped. Actually, better this way. Easier to tie together.”
The enemy approached Selphard as if daring him to try.
Mmph! Mmph!
Antonio struggled. Pleading to be saved.
‘These aren't maritime league people. A third force...!’
In that moment, Selphard realized their identity.
It was because Theo's offhand words flashed in his mind.
Troyvan.
“Glib tongue too. Well, we'll find out when we interrogate you.”
Clang clang clang!
Selphard and the enemy exchanged dozens of clashes in an instant.
Thanks to that, Selphard was certain.
Ed's features and swordsmanship had already been publicized to all Ragnar swordsmen.
The enemy bore them perfectly.
‘Is Troyvan's reach into the Floating Isles deeper than thought? If so, I need to inform HQ.’
The problem was the enemies arriving here kept increasing.
If only they had secured Theo, they could attempt escape, but not now.
Strategic retreat was impossible.
If Theo was captured, it would reveal Ragnar was extending its hand here.
“Such a thoughtful face. No need for that, though.”
The enemy sneered coldly and unleashed a lion's roar toward the sky.
「Execution Squad, form the Execution Sword Formation and secure them all!」
Tss tss—
The Execution Squad moved in perfect unison, forming ranks.
Troyvan was famed for its elusive formations and sword arrays.
They said once trapped in one of their sword formations, escape was impossible forever.
This was truly dangerous.
‘Damn!’
Just as Selphard was about to shout something,
Grrrrrind!
Krimhilt's colossal statue, which had been teetering as if about to collapse, began moving with a bizarre sound.
The head looking downward slowly turned sideways,
Flash!
And a deep glare formed in the eyes staring straight at the Execution Squad.
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