Chapter 179
Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 179
Chapter Title: Intensifying Throne Competition (4)
The barracks of the Black Iron Knights were silent.
As if a fierce storm had just swept through.
The faces of the squad members, always brimming with confidence, were now filled only with deep worry and anger.
“…….”
“…….”
“…….”
It was probably because this was the first time they had ever felt the sting of ‘defeat.’
No results had been declared from the clash with the White Dragon Knights, but they all knew the truth.
If the fight had dragged on any longer, they would have been wiped out.
The White Dragon Knights’ forces were that overwhelming, their command that superior.
“……Theo Ragnar.”
Vice Captain ‘Hobgoblin’ Iyan Sosori squeezed her eyes shut, recalling the face of the rookie she had once tried—and failed—to recruit.
The guy whose fame now rivaled even Torkel’s.
Especially the impression he’d left when he appeared leading the Dragon Legion—it still burned vividly in her mind.
What the hell was that guy’s deal?
Maybe that was why Torkel hadn’t emerged from his tent since returning.
‘He’s basically the first real rival the captain’s met since taking his seat.’
She’d thought the phrase “destined for glory” existed solely for Torkel.
He had always been the one chasing the top, while the other candidates were too busy chasing each other.
But now the positions had flipped.
What kind of pressure must Torkel be under?
Iyan couldn’t quite grasp it.
But as always, Torkel would cleverly overcome this too.
And seize the throne…… That’s what Iyan believed.
It was a belief shared by her and all the squad members.
“You all look like someone died. Anyone’d think you were at a funeral.”
Just then, an unexpected visitor poked his head into the barracks.
Iyan and the squad members turned fierce glares his way.
Ansió chuckled lightly, raising the glass bottle in his hand.
“Came to share a drink with your captain. Mind if we talk?”
* * *
Clink!
Blue liquor poured into an ice-filled glass.
“Have one and go.”
“That’s cold. Here I am, your big sis, offering to keep my brooding little bro company with some drinks.”
“Quit yapping.”
“You’re extra sharp today, huh? Unlike earlier. Must be really pissed.”
Torkel stared silently at Ansió.
But Ansió just leisurely brought the glass to his lips.
Torkel narrowed his eyes.
“Were you always this chatty, sis?”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“You seem extra talkative today.”
Ansió was one of the five top candidates, but always overshadowed by Kishar, making him the least noticeable.
He didn’t talk much, didn’t step forward often.
But now? It was like he’d become a different person.
As if he were gradually revealing a body he’d kept hidden beneath folded wings.
“You’re the one who’s different. You always had that effortless charisma, but now it’s like…….”
“Like?”
“You’re being chased.”
“Hate to hear it, but…… you’re not wrong.”
Pfft!
A snort escaped Ansió’s lips.
“What’s so funny?”
“It’s just weird. You always seemed like you only had eyes for the top. Like you’d ignore anyone chasing you and focus solely on slaying the Demon Dragon. But you’re looking down too.”
“Normally, I wouldn’t care. But…….”
“But?”
“…….”
“Hmm. Not gonna say, huh?”
Torkel couldn’t bring himself to voice the thoughts churning inside to this unbelievable sister of his.
There was a massive gap with Julius, whom he’d assumed he could catch up to somehow. But with Theo, whom he’d expected a huge gap from, the difference was negligible.
That was what deepened Torkel’s anguish.
Stagnation.
He hated it.
But something even bigger loomed……
“You’re actually pissed that Father took Theo along, aren’t you?”
“…….”
“Bingo.”
Ansió smirked.
“Think about it—even as kids, you followed Father blindly more than any of us. You just hate that he’s acknowledging Theo, right?”
Torkel said nothing.
“Bet he said the same stuff to Theo that he did to us. ‘I aim to become a god. And I’ll cut down all the gods and outer gods enveloping this world……’ That mythic tale. You’ve always wanted that spot for yourself.”
Something the Ragnar family barely knew.
But every one of the five candidates knew it well.
Kyle’s goal was the reason Torkel had run relentlessly until now.
“They call that a daddy complex……!”
“You’re misunderstanding something, sis. I don’t chase Father out of respect or worship.”
“Huh?”
“Quite the opposite.”
“……!”
Words she’d never imagined.
Ansió’s eyes widened.
“Worried I’ll lose my spot to Theo? Nah, opposite again. It’s because that guy’s too much like Father that he bothers me.”
Torkel clenched his fist lightly.
Crack.
“So how about we drop the probing and get to the point?”
Ansió quickly composed herself.
Shocked by Torkel’s unexpected inner thoughts, but that shock made her think this persuasion would land well.
She drained her glass, hardened her expression, and spoke.
“Theo’s gonna start getting attention after this. And the Nine Dragons backing him quietly will start rallying.”
Torkel crossed his arms, silently urging her to continue.
“Even now, the Demon Dragon, Sword Dragon, Black Dragon—and even the Ice Dragon—are all meeting with Theo.”
“Isn’t the Ice Dragon big bro’s ally?”
“Yeah, but
“Starting tonight, foundations will form. Even sis Rene seems to be leaning that way. The throne race is about to kick off for real.”
“So?”
“If we sit this out, our pretty little maknae’s gonna snatch the whole pot. Don’t you think we should team up?”
“Sounds like you wanna use me as your umbrella.”
“Hey, not wrong. Your base is definitely more solid than mine.”
Torkel stared quietly at Ansió, who extended a neatly folded letter.
“A letter from Master. Give it a good read.”
Torkel took it wordlessly.
The seal bore the mark of the Winged Dragon.
“…….”
His eyes darkened deeply.
Behind-the-scenes negotiations for alliances were progressing swiftly here too.
* * *
“The throne, huh…… So you orchestrated this for a flashy debut.”
Ice Dragon Niel scoffed at Theo.
She felt used.
Especially since she’d long supported a different heir.
“What makes you better than Kinkarnon?”
Kinkarnon.
Kyle’s eldest, said to be closest to the throne.
His skills were top-tier, clashing fiercely with Amore over the vacant Anti-Dragon seat.
He was also a comrade with whom Niel shared a deep, long bond.
Unlike the warm gazes from the Plum Palace Lord or Julius, Niel couldn’t help but be cynical.
“Of course, nothing.”
“Then what gives you the confidence to sway me?”
“It’s not swaying.”
“What?”
Niel furrowed her brow, and Theo straightened his back before replying.
“I’m offering you a chance. To claim a stake in me before it’s too late.”
“Hohoho! Still as arrogant as ever.”
Niel laughed long and hard before cutting it off abruptly.
“Kyle gives you a nod, and you get all cocky. You can even look me straight in the eye now.”
Flash!
In an instant, Niel’s form vanished, reappearing behind Theo.
Incredibly swift movement.
But Theo didn’t flinch, drawing Drake’s blade and deflecting her sword.
“Your senses have sharpened nicely. Focus too.”
The changes from Theo attaining Nirvana weren’t just a simple realm breakthrough.
Expansion of thought processes.
Judgment and concentration incomparably stronger than before.
His mental horizon had broadened, perhaps.
His ‘intuition’ had sharpened to the point where it sometimes felt like foresight.
‘It’s not just the growing madness in the sword’s core. Something more fundamental expanded greatly. Hardened. The White Tower?’
The White Tower surely played a part.
But Theo’s instincts told him it was more than that.
‘The Pantheon. Seeing the Pantheon.’
Gods were conceptual beings.
Laws defining this world, like components.
Their depths were infinite, so merely facing them had completely altered his worldview.
“But tricks like this won’t convince me.”
Clang clang clang!
Clang clang clang—
Niel swung repeatedly.
Each time, Theo easily parried and widened the distance. Julius let out a light sigh of admiration.
“See that, Plum Palace Lord? Every swing carries the Demon Dragon Six Senses secrets? Kyah! Theo’s gotta be one of ours in White Dragon Knights—no doubt.”
“Oh my. Doesn’t the White Dragon Knights captain see it? Sword speed aside, linking forms flawlessly—it’s unmistakably Plum Blossom Fourteen Strikes.”
“So what? Can’t even graze Plum Blossom. Looks like backup at best.”
“Guess you need glasses. All the Demon Dragon Six Senses’ menace is gone—nothing but elegance, right?”
“Really?”
“Why? Wanna try?”
Julius and the Plum Palace Lord snarled at each other, forgetting decorum like they’d grab collars. The Black Dragon in the middle sighed deeply, as if the ground would cave.
“Cut it out, you two. Aren’t you old enough to act your age?”
“But this brat……!”
“This good-for-nothing blowhard……!”
Whenever Theo was involved, they regressed to childish bickering like in their youth.
The Black Dragon tuned them out completely and tossed the dagger in his hand.
Clang!
Niel swatted it aside, glaring at the Black Dragon.
“What’s that supposed to be, Intelligence Chief?”
“You’ve passed the test plenty, Frost Palace Lord. Don’t forget why we’re here today.”
Tch!
Niel grumbled as she sheathed her sword quietly.
The purpose of the visit?
Something besides the mystery?
Theo glanced at the Black Dragon, puzzled.
“Our talk must seem strange to you.”
“Yes. It does.”
“Truth is, you just passed the senior swordsman exam.”
“……!”
“Congratulations. Youngest senior swordsman in history.”
Thump thump!
Theo’s heart raced.
He’d expected a tough test.
An unexpected gift.
But oddly, puzzlement overshadowed joy.
Somehow, it didn’t feel like the end.
“And as the report said, seeing it myself confirms it. Your skills have leaped—you could aim for Dragon Gate Swordsman.”
The Black Dragon steepled his fingers and rested his chin.
“Reason I’m here? Besides giving you the Dragon Gate promotion exam if needed, I have one question.”
A question?
“And based on your answer and attitude, Black Snow and I will decide whether to back you.”
“……!”
Thump thump thump thump!
His heart pounded wildly.
The Black Dragon’s red eyes deepened.
“For your promotion exam, if I told you to behead your friend Wellington Narsio—could you do it?”