Chapter 168
Chapter 168
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 168
Chapter Title: White Tower Ruins (3)
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“Our sister seems to be.”
When Torkel spoke up, Gisar and Ansio’s gazes turned toward him.
“quite protective of Theo Ragnar.”
It was a subtle atmosphere.
The question could easily turn into an accusation that she’d already formed an alliance with Theo.
But Reje crossed her arms as if she couldn’t care less and let out a blatant snort in response.
“Say what you will, but the fact is she beat me once. Wouldn’t it be weird for me to deny it? If anything, a kid like that deserves even more praise. Someone I could put to good use once I take the throne.”
“Well, I suppose that’s how you’d see it, sister.”
Everyone gathered here took it for granted that they would be the ones to claim the throne.
Torkel smacked his lips.
“Anyway, I wanted to get together to talk about Nabban and maybe smooth things over with the strained White Dragon Knights, but it’s a shame it turned out this way.”
His gaze was fixed on the empty seat across from him, the one that had been set for Theo.
His face remained as inscrutable as ever.
* * *
“I don’t like it.”
The gathering of the four candidates ended far sooner than expected.
With Theo absent, Reje called it boring and left first, and Torkel followed soon after, claiming the alcohol was getting to him.
In the end, Gisar and Ansio went home with nothing but frustration over why they’d even bothered showing up.
“What about it?”
“Doesn’t it bother you? Reje sis, that Torkel punk—they spent the whole time just talking about that moron, and nothing got accomplished.”
“Yeah, true. But what can you do? There was nothing left to discuss there anyway.”
Ansio shrugged at Gisar’s outburst of anger.
The original purpose of the meeting had been to discuss how they’d handle the war with Troyvan and how to counter any potential rise of a new candidate.
But in the end, they hadn’t agreed on a single thing regarding the cartel.
“I’ve said from the start that it was a mistake to let a guy like that stand shoulder-to-shoulder with us. If he was starting to sprout, we should’ve crushed him ourselves instead of letting him stick his neck out like that. If I hadn’t been away on your mission...!”
Ansio didn’t respond much.
He was her brother, born from the same womb, but his blood purism was far too different from hers.
“So what do you plan to do?”
“Teach him a lesson.”
Gisar’s eyes gleamed with murderous intent.
“That he doesn’t even have the right to sit at the same table as us.”
“Do whatever you want.”
Ansio shrugged.
She had no real ties to Theo anyway, so she didn’t care what happened to him.
If he fell behind in the competition, it saved her the hassle. If she fell behind, it meant one less rival.
As always, she pursued maximum value with minimal investment.
But Gisar took it as agreement.
His beloved little sister was always on his side.
He believed she would be this time too.
It was a simple misunderstanding.
‘Go ahead and give it your best shot, brother dear.’
* * *
After the welcome-back party ended.
Theo left the large tent with Ley, the Holkus siblings.
But then,
“Ley Ragnar! Duel me!”
“...?”
Holkus suddenly blocked Ley’s path and drew his sword.
The guy, over two meters tall, looked ferocious, making Ley seem tiny by comparison. But Ley just tilted his head with a blank expression, showing no sign of fear.
As if he had no idea what this was about.
Ley’s gaze naturally turned to Erika.
A silent question: Do you know what’s going on?
But Erika just shrugged, acting like she couldn’t be bothered.
Ley turned to Theo this time.
Theo scratched his cheek awkwardly before asking Holkus,
“Holkus, why are you suddenly challenging Ley to a duel?”
“Because I’m the senior!”
“Huh?”
“As a senior in the unit, it’s my duty to show a clueless rookie fresh out of the gate the greatness of his elders and make him feel the harsh realities of unit life down to his bones!”
“...?”
“...???”
“That weird old-timer asshole...”
Erika grumbled, covering her face with her hand like it was a huge annoyance, but Holkus’s eyes were dead serious.
With this return report as the turning point, Ley had now been officially recognized as a member of the White Dragon Knights.
He wasn’t fully official yet since he hadn’t been chosen as anyone’s partner, but he was still a probationary knight.
That alone made Holkus feel threatened in his position.
‘Once Theo becomes squad leader, a spot will open up. I need to prove my worth if I want him to pick me.’
Ley said nothing and drew his sword.
And then,
Clang!
The two clashed in an instant.
Ley had the upper hand, but Holkus wasn’t as easy to beat as before. He was focusing all his senses and moving at full power.
“Let’s just leave that idiot behind.”
Theo was wondering what to do when Erika grabbed his arm and tugged.
“You sure we shouldn’t watch?”
“The outcome’s obvious as day. What they get out of it is up to them. We just need to check the results later. More importantly, didn’t you have some business?”
“How did you...?”
“How’d I know? You were fidgeting in your seat the whole party, wondering when you could leave. Everyone else noticed too, except you. Where to? Let’s go. I’ll guide you. You don’t know the way.”
Theo let out a hollow chuckle.
He’d apparently been too obvious about wanting to tackle the quest ASAP.
The knights had thrown him a welcome party out of genuine warmth, so he felt a bit guilty.
‘I’ll have to apologize to the captain separately later.’
With that settled, Theo decided to accept their help.
No point in hiding it anyway.
“I want to go to the ruins.”
“The ruins? At this hour?”
“That’s why I’m going now.”
“...?”
Erika tilted her head, not grasping at first, then her eyes went wide.
“You don’t mean...!”
“Shh. Not certain yet. Let’s get in and out without the Black Iron Knights noticing.”
Erika nodded in a daze.
Then she remembered how Theo had solved the mystery of the floating archipelago, and her face lit up with excitement.
The thought of slapping the Black Iron Knights—who’d been eyeing the White Tower hungrily—in the face already put her in a great mood.
* * *
The White Tower was distinctive enough to spot from afar.
The eleven-story stone tower, carved from white marble, leaned at over ten degrees, looking like it could topple sideways any second.
It resembled the Leaning Tower of Pisa from his first life, but far more weathered.
“Halt! Access around the tower is forbidden after 10 p.m. State your affiliation and withdraw. Resist, and we’ll execute you on the spot.”
Guarding the White Tower were knights clad in crimson plate armor. Their helmets were pulled low, making their faces hard to discern.
The Crimson Sword Knights.
This invincible group, loyal only to Family Head Kyle’s orders, hadn’t left the area for a moment since the tower’s value was revealed.
Not knowing when Troyvan might attempt to seize it.
‘What now? This is outside my expectations.’
Theo pondered as he stared at the White Tower glowing with blue light, signaling the quest location.
He’d planned to snatch the mystery before the Black Iron Knights or Torkel could react.
At this rate, maybe he should just get official permission tomorrow.
But then,
“We’re Combat Swordmaster Erika Ranke and Theo Ragnar of the White Dragon Knights. We’re here to investigate on orders from Captain Demon Dragon Julius Ragnar.”
Erika flashed her ID and smoothly spun a lie.
Even the Crimson Sword Knight frowned.
“White Dragon Knights? We weren’t informed of any dragon knights visiting at this hour.”
“Yes, exactly. It was decided just now. We’re here to verify for Theo Ragnar’s promotion exam, so an urgent cooperation request should be heading to your headquarters right about now. You know who this guy is, right?”
The Crimson Sword Knight looked troubled.
Who in the Ragnar family didn’t know Theo’s face? Rumors were already flying that he’d soon take the exam to become the youngest senior swordsman.
“Then wait here until the document arrives...!”
“Come on, no need to be so strict between fellow family members. We just need to look around the perimeter.”
The knight hesitated, then nodded.
Unlike the Black Iron Knights, relations with the White Dragon Knights and Crimson Sword Knights weren’t bad, and Theo was a heir apparent mentioned as one of the top six candidates.
No need to be overly rigid.
‘The Black Iron Knights will want to know about this too.’
He’d actually taken a bribe from them to report if the White Dragon Knights tried anything at the tower.
No issue with standing watch, so he planned to inform Patai right away.
“Very well. But stick strictly to the outer area until the document arrives. Entry comes after.”
“Heh, as expected. Crimson Sword Knights are straightforward, unlike those mangy mutts.”
“Ahem! Let’s pretend I didn’t hear that—it could cause trouble.”
Pleased by the praise nonetheless, the knight readily opened the barricade.
Erika winked at Theo with one eye. See what I can do?
Theo chuckled softly and approached the White Tower with her.
『So that’s the familiar aura you sensed—you found a new relic already.』
At that moment, the channeling with Lordbroke connected.
The voice brimmed with delight.
‘Do you know what function that tower has?’
『Not precisely. But I do know it’s a ‘gate’ leading somewhere.』
‘A gate?’
It differed slightly from what Theo knew, sparking curiosity, but he figured he’d find out soon enough. He pulled out the [Blue Key].
“A key?”
Erika, watching him, looked puzzled.
Theo grinned.
“Want me to show you something fun?”
“What?”
“That White Tower you see? It’s just camouflage.”
“Camou...flage?”
“Yeah. The real one’s right here.”
Theo’s gaze dropped to the ground beneath his feet. Erika’s followed.
But while invisible to her, a blue glow swirled around Theo’s feet.
“It’s hidden underground.”
Theo jammed the key into the ground and twisted it.
Click!
A lock disengaging echoed, and then,
Rumble...
An earthquake began.
“...!?”
Erika’s eyes widened.
The ground shook, rising up and tracing strange patterns.
A mystic circle spun wildly, creating the illusion of a ‘gate’ opening.
Even more shocking, bright light flooded the first floor of the teetering White Tower.
As if welcoming someone’s arrival.
“Wh-what’s going on here?!”
The Crimson Sword Knight rushed over, demanding an explanation.
He’d been waiting for the Black Iron Knights, but something felt off.
“When the Black Iron Knights show up, pass this on for us: The White Dragon Knights are claiming the White Tower’s mystery first.”
“Wh-what...?!”
Ignoring the knight’s shock, Theo was already engulfed in the light.
Flash!
[The quest begins.]
The alert rang in his ears.
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