Chapter 124
Chapter 124
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 124
Chapter Title: Leviathan (4)
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“The successor of Krimhilt needs us?”
All the Black Skull members turned their gazes toward Antonio.
None of them looked like they could easily believe it.
And for good reason—ever since they heard that the Gang Brotherhood had ignored the organization's decision and stabbed Theo in the back.
They had already assumed all ties with Theo were severed.
They had even been fidgeting in fear that if Theo succeeded in resealing the Sea King and seized power, they’d fall out of favor.
Yet here was Antonio, summoning them in the dead of night to say that he needed them.
Antonio nodded vigorously, his face slightly flushed.
“That’s right. Exactly as I said. The successor of Krimhilt has no intention of remaining just a <Hero>.”
“......So he needs a political foundation.”
“Exactly. He promised the position of Governor if we help him.”
In that instant, the eyes of several members gleamed.
Governor.
The ruler of the Floating Archipelago Autonomy was a seat they all coveted.
“Of course, to get there, we’d have to go beyond mere ‘support’—we’d have to become his hands and feet, or even his lackeys...... But we can handle that much, right?”
“No. It’s not that simple.”
The man sitting across from him put a cigar in his mouth and continued.
It was the man Theo had taken for Black Skull’s leader.
“No matter how much popular support he has, the ones who actually control the Floating Archipelago’s interests are the Maritime Alliance, and at its pinnacle sit the Three Great Maritime Houses. Can we really push them all aside?”
The members all pressed their lips together tightly.
Haa—
Cigarette smoke billowed thickly.
“It’s impossible. Most of us came from the Three Great Maritime Houses to begin with. Turning our backs on parents and siblings to form a new faction? That’s not as easy as it sounds.”
As the man sneered and a heavy silence began to settle,
Antonio shook his head.
“No. Dissolving the Three Great Maritime Houses is possible.”
“What? How?”
“First off, this isn’t just my personal opinion—it’s the successor of Krimhilt’s.”
“......”
The man shut his mouth.
“As you all know, the Three Great Maritime Houses are already splintered. Grimal had Troyvan backing them, so they’re done for now. Romelin was neutral from the start, so they’ll naturally side with the successor.”
The gazes of the man and members fixed on the one empty seat.
Marti Romelin.
Her choice was obvious, as Antonio said—she also held a priestess position in the central temple.
“The last one is my family, Spinola...... But I know my father well. He’s the type to bow his head when a stronger power appears. And then.”
“You’ll create a pretext at the right time, oust your father, and take the family for yourself?”
“If I can’t do it even with the successor of Krimhilt backing me, then I’m just incompetent.”
Antonio was confident.
The pretext already lay with him, not Umberto.
In time, the family’s influence would naturally shift to his side.
If he seized one of the Three Great Maritime Houses, the governor’s seat would be that much closer.
Antonio subtly revealed his position,
and sent a positive message to those from Grimal and Romelin: you can do the same as me.
To those not from the Three Great Houses, it was a signal to join him quickly.
Sure enough, some flashed eager eyes at Antonio, signaling to meet later.
The man gave a wry smile.
The atmosphere, once centered on him, now revolved around Antonio.
‘No. Precisely, it was Lanth? No, that’s probably an alias too. Anyway, the successor of Krimhilt will become the true mastermind. Antonio will just be his puppet.’
The man was genuinely afraid of Theo.
Not even a day since setting foot in the Floating Archipelago, and he was already shaking its power structure.
He’d even built his own foundation from afar with just a few words.
From experience, people like this shouldn’t be opposed.
Better to submit completely.
He could think about future opportunities later.
“......Fine. So what’s the plan now? The other Three Great Maritime Houses will surely make moves to prepare for the Sea King’s sealing too.”
A declaration of practical surrender.
Antonio twisted one corner of his mouth.
“What else? We go welcome our new leader. In person.”
It meant scraping together every soldier each could muster.
To protect him so the Three Great Maritime Houses couldn’t pull anything futile against Theo.
The members nodded gravely in response.
“Then it seems we’ve settled on a course. Let’s hurry.”
Antonio clenched his fist.
A new world.
The Floating Archipelago for himself felt already within reach.
But Antonio’s expectations didn’t last long.
“Antonio! We’ve got a huge problem!”
One member who had gone to gather forces returned pale-faced.
“The guards!”
“Calm down and speak slowly. What happened?”
“The guards defected to Grimal! Grimal and the Beheader Squad are leading them toward the central temple right now! It’s a coup!”
“......!”
* * *
[As additional reward based on evaluation, Dragon Blood trait and talent are strengthened, causing bloodline factor mutation.]
+
[Dragon Blood]
· Type: Talent
· Effect: Ancient Dragon bloodline factor awakens, granting superior regenerative power and mana talent. As bloodline factor strengthens, Ancient Dragon authorities can be awakened.
+
Thump thump thump thump thump!
His heart pounded rapidly.
Crack, crunch—
At the same time, his body underwent a massive change, little by little.
All the various fortunes Theo had accumulated—spirit demon poison, Krimhilt’s mystery, and more—began fusing with the Dragon Blood into one.
A refreshing clarity filled his mind.
Along with it, the inspirations from the sword’s orb grew even sharper.
But the most tangible change was something else.
“Heh heh. Now we’re finally at a point where we can truly call each other ‘mates.’”
『Heh heh. Now we’re finally at a point where we can truly call each other ‘mates.’』
Lordbroke’s voice and telepathy arrived simultaneously.
It meant his channeling with her had strengthened.
[Connection with Guardian Dragon strengthened. Now you can casually seek Guardian Dragon’s opinion anytime, anywhere.]
Theo stared at his reflection in Lordbroke’s massive eyes.
‘Observation.’
[Observing ‘Theo Ragnar.’]
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Theo Ragnar (15/Male)
· Titles: Flash Tiger, Millennium’s Greatest Prodigy, Flash Night Fang.
· Talents: Ragnar, Player, Observation, Inventory, Shop Use, Guardian Dragon’s Mate, Hundred Veins Divine Water, Spirit Evil Dragon, Krimhilt’s Heir, Dragonkin, [Inaccessible].
· Status: Floating Archipelago Autonomy residents desperately hope for your return. Gaining their ‘faith’ will bring great change.
· Level: 41
· Stats (▼)
Strength: 121 Agility: 103
Vitality: 48 Mana: 243
Intelligence: 104 Luck: 33
Additional Stats: 20
· Skills (△)
· [Inaccessible]
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Theo now believed he was fully at the level of an advanced swordsman.
A year would soon pass, turning him 16, but it was still remarkable growth.
“You look quite satisfied with yourself.”
‘Indeed I am.’
‘Your growth speed is unparalleled even compared to past Chosen. But rushing too fast can lead to burnout, so take care.’
‘I’ll keep that in mind.’
“Heh heh heh. You say that with no intention of slowing down.”
‘Caught me?’
‘That confidence is part of your charm.’
Lordbroke spread her two wings wide and rose.
Rustle—
The Sea King below her was rapidly disintegrating without its heart.
‘Thanks to you refining the curse, the mana extracted from the heart is considerable. It’ll take some time to store it all, so I’ll contact you again once it’s done.’
‘Is it still not enough to fill the heart?’
‘Heh heh. I stood at the pinnacle of all dragons. Isn’t this vessel too small to fill with something like this?’
Lordbroke winked one eye.
Theo inwardly stuck out his tongue.
The Sea King was a natural disaster itself, yet Lordbroke was far above it?
Then what level was his father, who defeated her?
Still impossibly distant.
An incomprehensibly high wall.
‘Even so, I’ll keep the channel open anytime, so feel free to contact me if you’re bored. Isn’t that the role of a mate?’
Lordbroke vanished quietly after her final playful words.
Hoo......
Theo took a long breath.
From Krimhilt’s mystery to the Sea King’s death.
He’d pushed through events nonstop so relentlessly that fatigue crashed over him.
Just enduring took all his strength.
‘But one final task remains.’
Seizing control of the Floating Archipelago Autonomy.
He needed to make this place his foundation.
‘Master.’
Then, Pontus approached quietly.
He no longer called Theo ‘you,’ but ‘Master.’
A sign he now truly acknowledged him as owner.
The same went for the other sea beasts—his surroundings were filled with them.
‘Thank you.’
‘Don’t you resent me? In a way, I killed your father.’
Pontus shook his head.
‘How could we? We spent centuries watching Father suffer intense agony. It hurt us just as much to witness it. You brought him peace.’
Pontus glanced around.
The deep-sea terrain warped by the Sea King’s frenzy came into view.
‘And Father will continue watching over us in nature’s embrace. We don’t think of him as gone. More importantly, Master, I have a request.’
A request?
Something unfinished?
‘A retainer’s duty is to serve their master at their side. But as you see, this place still needs tidying. With Father’s passing, no more mana updrafts will form, so the upper archipelago risks sinking.’
Theo had a hunch what Pontus’s request was.
‘I wish to stay here, to carry on Father’s and my friend’s wills. And preserve the traces you left. Will you allow it?’
Pontus wanted to remain here.
Following Theo would be fulfilling, but succeeding the Sea King here was important too.
Theo could see how much deliberation preceded these words.
Theo smiled.
‘Pontus. Do you know what my dream is?’
‘Dream?’
‘Yes. Dream.’
‘I don’t...... know.’
‘To become king.’
‘......!’
Pontus’s eyes widened.
‘But to become king, I’ll be endlessly busy ahead, unable to settle in one place. So I need someone to govern my territory in my stead.’
Theo already considered the Sea King and Krimhilt’s domains his territory.
‘Can you help me?’
‘Of course......’
Pontus bowed his head in moved voice.
Countless sea beasts followed, lowering their bodies.
‘As long as I, Pontus, live.’
The being who became the new Sea King declared with solemn oath.
‘The seas shall be your retainer and your friend, serving you.’