Chapter 191
Chapter 191
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 191
Chapter Title: Victory Ceremony (1)
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Granada's death.
In a way, it had been inevitable.
Kyle had already crushed the Radiant Dragon Emperor back in his youth.
And after that, he had continued to advance, reaching the realm of a demigod.
So there was no way Granada—who was merely the Radiant Dragon Emperor's disciple and hadn't even earned a place among the Sacred Demon Church's apostles—could stand against him.
‘And he couldn't even fully unleash the Dragon Bow Sword's power...!’
By now, even Ed was starting to feel frustrated.
The gap between them.
The main lineage versus the branch.
Was the difference between the "real" and the "fake" truly this vast?
While staying with the Ragnars, he had thought he'd transplanted all their advantages and systems into the Troyvans.
No, he had even prided himself on creating a superior house by incorporating the Sacred Demon Church's strengths as well.
But it had all been an illusion.
‘Radiant Dragon Emperor.’
What reaction would he have upon hearing their mission had failed?
Would he lament it?
Or sneer?
‘The path to you is so very long.’
"The Troyvans are finished now, huh?"
Julius seemed to read Ed's thoughts, letting out a savage laugh.
Ed gripped his sword tighter and curled one corner of his mouth upward.
"Yeah. They might be. But not me. Not yet."
And then—
Flash!
A streak of light flashed through the air, and blood sprayed into the sky.
* * *
News of the fierce clash between Ragnar and Troyvan spread like wildfire, crossing the North and engulfing the entire Empire in an instant.
It was thanks to all the newspapers, magazines, and newsletters that had been closely watching their war.
[Ragnar's Great Victory!]
[Pillars Supporting Troyvan—Family Head and Nine Peak Lords Fall. Young Heir Captured.]
[Ragnar's Great Army Marches East]
[Forces That Courted Troyvan Go Silent Amid News of Their Crushing Defeat]
[Magic Tower Denies Any Ties]
[[Special Report] How Did Ragnar, Strategically Outmatched, Win the Northern War?]
[‘Dragon Incarnate’ Shines in Battle]
The Northern War was a hegemonic struggle between two of the Empire's premier sword houses, drawing attention from countless people.
Especially since Troyvan had held the clear advantage in forces early on.
Many had thought Ragnar—the North's霸 lord for the past millennium—was finally falling.
But Ragnar had once again proven that their power could blanket the Empire.
The reactions were explosive.
[Siege of Veros Begins]
[Veros Residents Surrender Unconditionally]
[White Flags Fly Over Troyvan Strongholds]
In the end, Veros—the massive eastern city where Troyvan's main house was located—fell into Ragnar's grasp.
Only then did even those who had seen the war as a distant tale feel its ripples.
[Troyvan Branches Submit Swiftly]
[Troyvan's Vassal Houses Surrender One After Another]
All economic activity originating from the East ground to a halt.
And then,
[Traces of Sacred Demon Church Found in Troyvan]
The additional announcement from Ragnar rocked the Empire once more.
[[Editorial] Was Troyvan Truly in League with the Sacred Demon Church?]
[Shocking Report: How Far Has the Sacred Demon Church Infiltrated?]
By presenting the evidence of collusion between Troyvan and the Sacred Demon Church that Ragnar had gathered over time, they flipped public opinion against Troyvan in one fell swoop.
The Sacred Demon Church was an evil cult among evil cults, one that had shaken the Empire several times in the past.
Even the temples worshiping the pantheon's gods had condemned them as heretics that must be eradicated.
[Magic Tower: "Contract with Troyvan Ended Before Northern War"]
[Silk Road Brotherhood: "Deals with the East Concluded Long Ago"]
[Maritime Alliance: "Sacred Demon Church Infiltration Affected Other Powers Too. We Were Once at Risk"]
.
[Joint Statement from 18 Elector Houses: "We Are All Unconnected to Sacred Demon Church"]
The Empire's 18 pillar powers—the so-called "Elector Houses"—moved swiftly, fearing entanglement with Troyvan.
And so, as public opinion in the Empire rapidly swung toward Ragnar—
"No articles mentioning the Radiant Dragon Emperor anywhere, as expected."
Theo chuckled as he scanned the headlines from newspapers gathered from all over.
Julius, sitting across from him and savoring the aroma of coffee, laughed as well.
"Hiding their ugly side, flaunting what they can boast about. That's the world of politics."
"But the Sacred Demon Church still hasn't reacted at all?"
"None. They've all gone to ground. Even the hideouts Black Snow had identified—they've all cleared out."
"Playing it safe to the hilt."
"They never imagined Troyvan would fall. It's all thanks to you."
Theo scratched his cheek awkwardly, unsure how to respond.
In truth, he'd simply carried out his mission to capture Torkel.
But the family's mood was now shifting toward lionizing him as a hero.
Because he had been at the center of this triumph.
The major factions, starting with the White Dragon Knights, had all issued statements of support for Theo.
[White Dragon Knights Announce Full Backing for ‘Theo Ragnar’]
[Revealed Late: He Was the Adopted Son of the Plum Palace Lord.]
[Black Snow Lord: "Only Theo Ragnar Is Fit to Be the True Heir."]
[Elder Council's Silence]
[Azure Sword Guard Also Declares Support for Theo Ragnar]
Of the Nine Dragons present at the time, most had either openly backed Theo or shown tacit approval.
Elder Council Leader Wolfgang had declared neutrality in the succession struggle, refusing to intervene in anything involving Theo.
And the Azure Sword Guard's Captain, the Returning Dragon—who had been at risk of political purge due to ties to Torkel—had openly switched sides to Theo.
No major faction remained openly hostile to Theo.
Naturally, this trend became prime fodder for the press watching Ragnar closely.
[Rising New Star: Who Is ‘Theo Ragnar’?]
[The Emergence of a 1-Star Surpassing the Fame of the Three Armies and Eight Generals]
—1-Star, Night Rakshasa Star.
A new moniker recently attached to Theo.
He felt both thrilled and a bit embarrassed by it.
"But they'll squeeze every last drop out of the Anti-Dragon title, so something's bound to come of it."
Still, Theo didn't get carried away by the fame.
To claim the throne, he had a long road ahead.
And for that, he had to eradicate the Sacred Demon Church—the culprits behind the Great War.
Which was why he hoped Ed, whom Julius had successfully captured in the last battle, would talk.
Of course, the guy showed no sign of cracking easily.
If anything, he acted like "kill me if you want."
‘He's not banking on anything. Nor has he given up. What the hell is he thinking?’
Should he meet Ed himself?
Theo pondered seriously.
"Anyway, you're the star of tonight's victory ceremony, so don't be late. We've got a great gift lined up—look forward to it."
As Julius winked with a grin, Theo nodded with a casual smile of his own.
Just as he said.
This victory ceremony would be the most crucial event for him yet.
Because it was the gathering of—
‘Even Kinkarnon, who's been in hiding, is supposed to show up?’
All current succession candidates.
* * *
If you asked Winterer's residents about the atmosphere at the Fourth Training Ground lately, they'd all say the same thing.
—A place that hasn't known a quiet day.
Even after Theo left, the vibe he'd instilled lingered, with his followers' spars and drills continuing nonstop.
Plenty of curious newcomers drawn by the desire to grow as strong as Theo had tried to keep up but ended up clicking their tongues and bailing.
But today, the Fourth Training Ground was even noisier than usual.
"Hurry up! Move it!"
"You lot! Pick up the pace, or we won't snag good seats!"
It was all because of the victory ceremony.
With Theo sure to be the centerpiece, they wanted the closest spots possible.
"It'd be great if Evelyn or Wellington could join us too. Dang."
"Yeah. But what can you do? They're swamped with missions."
"Anyone hear even a hint about what those missions are?"
"Nope."
"Me neither."
"Secret ops?"
The followers felt the absence of their usual companions keenly.
Rumors had reached them too that Theo might be named Young Heir.
They wanted to celebrate such a historic(?) moment together.
"But we'll cheer twice as hard to make up for those two!"
"Right on! Right on!"
"Alright, listen up!"
Clap clap!
With the applause, all eyes turned to one person.
"Listen well, you idiots! If you embarrass yourselves today and tarnish Lord Theo's name, I'll dunk every last one of you headfirst into ice water! Got it?!"
By "embarrass" he meant things like their cheers being quieter than other groups' or failing to grab front-row seats.
"Of course!"
"We'll keep it in mind!"
"Then let's gooooo!"
"Azuuuu!"
The followers set off in high spirits, buzzing with excitement.
* * *
Victory Dragon Hall.
Winterer's massive venue that could host any event.
Its entrance buzzed with crowds.
Aside from those on key missions, every Ragnar member had been ordered to attend, and the Six Snow Houses along with vassal and knight houses had all shown up too.
"Hoo... Hoo...!"
Just before entering.
Cecilia took long, tense breaths—uncharacteristic for her.
Kirson, baffled, just puffed on his pipe.
"She throws such hysterics normally. What's with this now?"
"Isn't it obvious? It's where our son will be in the spotlight. We can't embarrass him, can we?"
"Who'd dare ignore the son of Theodor and grandson of Basque Forge? Starve in the North? Ha!"
But Kirson scoffed.
Sure, he might've been just another harem bastard back then.
Try that now, and you'd lose your head.
Cecilia's business was booming, and Basque Forge—featuring Theo as their poster boy—was seeing record growth daily.
With Plum Palace and White Dragon Knights as backers, his status alone put him closest to the throne.
And lately, hordes of followers had sprung up around him?
After Torkel and the Black Iron Knights got "wiped out" in the Northern War, that trend intensified.
Theo's name was a sensation in itself now.
‘I hear there might even be a successor announcement at this victory ceremony.’
Kirson had planned to send just a proxy.
But if the rumor was true, a storm dwarfing anything before would hit the North.
As a businessman, how could he miss that spectacle?
‘Advertising! We poured so much into ads—gotta be there!’
His eyes blazed with resolve to rake in even bigger profits.
"Any later, and we won't even glimpse the boy. Let's go."
Kirson shoved Cecilia's back, ushering her inside.
After the tedious formalities and ceremonies dragged on.
"We now commence the rewarding of merits."
At Kyle's words, all eyes focused intently.