Chapter 56
Chapter 56
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 56
Chapter Title: Designation Ceremony (1)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
‘What’s he thinking?’
Theo looked at Ed.
Unlike Axion, whose thoughts were completely transparent, he wore an impassive expression.
It was impossible to read what lay beneath.
Anti-Dragon.
A dragon that had ascended to the heavens, symbolizing the immense authority he wielded as the Family Head’s sword, with unchecked power.
Yet rumors also gave him another moniker.
Serpent Dragon.
A dragon with the sly, cunning nature of a snake.
And right now, that description fit perfectly.
A snake lying in wait for the chance to snap up its prey in one bite.
“What do you think you’re doing, Central Intelligence Chief!”
Bang!
At that moment, Julius shot to his feet, slamming his fist down hard on the table.
The man who always treated even the lowliest swordsman with utmost courtesy was now brimming with fury.
As if he were facing an enemy.
“What do you mean? Proposing a position to eagerly recruit talent is a long-standing tradition of the Designation Ceremony, isn’t it?”
But Ed remained utterly composed.
“Do you think everyone here is a fool? Who doesn’t know you’re just lashing out over your nephew’s death!”
“You’re wrong.”
Ed firmly denied Julius’s words before continuing.
“As Ed Troyvan, in my personal capacity, I do harbor anger toward Theo Ragnar. But my perspective as Central Intelligence Chief takes precedence over that.”
“Your perspective is different?”
“Indeed. The Awakening Ceremony is a rite born from Ragnar’s ancient traditions. Any grudges or conflicts that arise within it are to be buried once they step outside— that’s the unwritten rule. No, it’s something to celebrate. After all, the Awakening Ceremony signifies rebirth as a proper swordsman.”
Ed’s gaze turned to Theo.
“That’s why I wholeheartedly welcome the emergence of a new genius following the Black Iron Knight Commander. And my desire for such talent burns just as fiercely.”
Theo could read the faint emotion blooming at the corners of Ed’s eyes.
Greed.
Or perhaps longing.
The man craved Theo.
‘But that longing isn’t purely for me.’
For some reason, Theo felt he knew exactly what Ed desired.
‘Observation.’
[Observing ‘Ed Troyvan.’]
+
Ed Troyvan (46 years old/Male)
· Title: Anti-Dragon
· Talents: Sinister. Scheming. Stratagem. Hidden Dagger. Ambitious.
· Status: Seeks to take ‘Theo Ragnar’ under his wing as a hunting dog to uncover the secrets of the Primordial Dragon’s relic.
+
‘As expected.’
His suspicions were confirmed.
Ed was after the Primordial Dragon’s relic.
He had even noticed that Theo possessed a piece of it.
‘More important than avenging his nephew, huh?’
The relic was a mystery passed down for Ragnar in the first place.
Why was a man of Troyvan bloodline so covetous of it?
“As you know, the Central Intelligence Agency, unlike you who fight on the front lines, handles intelligence gathering across the realm and enforces central discipline. As such, we desperately need talent to carry out our missions. It may seem excessive, but offering Theo Ragnar such a lofty position is precisely for that reason.”
Even as Theo pondered, Ed’s explanation flowed on smoothly like a clear stream.
To anyone unaware of the circumstances, it would seem like he truly needed Theo.
Julius’s face twisted in displeasure, but suddenly, the Plum Palace Lord seated beside him rose slowly from her chair.
Was she about to help him?
Julius turned to her, but her words were utterly unexpected.
“This time, I agree with the Central Intelligence Chief.”
“……Palace Lord?”
「I’m sorry, White Dragon Knight Commander. But I need Theo just as desperately.」
“……!”
Julius’s face hardened.
The Plum Palace Lord deliberately avoided his gaze as she spoke.
“If we need talent, we must offer treatment worthy of it. Thus, I, Osa Ragnar Pruners, not only renew my offer of apprenticeship to Theo Ragnar but also promise him the position of Sub-Palace Lord of Camellia Palace.”
The hall erupted in chaos.
-S-Sub-Palace Lord……?
-The Plum Palace Lord…… doesn’t have children with her consort, right?
-Th-Then……!
-That means adopting him in all but name!
-The consort’s successor!
The Plum Palace Lord’s influence in Ragnar was no small matter.
House Mother.
A mother who cradled the vast world of Ragnar in her bosom.
Her position as the first wife, her swordsmanship that even Kyle had to respect, her warm temperament.
Because of that, there was widespread opinion that if she had borne children, the competition for succession might never have formed in the first place.
All the people of Winterer would have supported her offspring.
And now, to be adopted by her?
It would shatter the limitations of his illegitimate status that had bound him in secret all this time.
No, it would grant him wings.
Rumors had long swirled that the Plum Palace Lord coveted Theo.
But announcing it publicly sent shockwaves far beyond imagination.
Even the expressions of the five major candidates in the executive seats stiffened.
「I’m sorry, it’s the least I can offer. I’ve made you suffer because of my shortcomings.」
Theo turned to the Plum Palace Lord at the telepathic message whispering in his ear.
「I’ve always wanted to say this.」
It was an apology for what Felix and his gang had done.
Though she bore no fault, the Plum Palace Lord offered no excuses.
She was the kind of person who shouldered her subordinates’ mistakes like a yoke without complaint.
「I’m fine. Please don’t worry. If anything, I’m grateful you understand my feelings.」
Theo shook his head, mouthing the words silently.
The Plum Palace Lord nodded, surprised that Theo could already use telepathy.
「Don’t feel burdened by your choice. No matter what you decide, I’ll always be on your side.」
Theo bowed his head once more in thanks.
She would always be on his side.
Her sincere words touched his heart.
-Anti-Dragon offers Vice Chief, Sword Dragon offers Sub-Palace Lord? That’s basically naming him a successor.
-Three of the Nine Dragons already……!
-I heard Theo Ragnar announced he’d join the throne race. Starting with such massive backing.
-Yeah. The other unit commanders and organization heads won’t even dare speak up.
The crowd murmured, glancing toward the executive seats.
Sure enough, the Stormblade Unit Commander and Security Chief wore bitter smiles.
It was tantamount to giving up.
To claim Theo, they’d need backing on that level first.
-So Theo Ragnar’s options narrow to those two?
As someone posed the question.
A rough echo suddenly boomed from the sky.
「Mind including me in that lineup too—!」
All eyes turned upward.
Rumble!
Atop the central flagpole on the platform, a black lightning bolt struck, and a man clad head to toe in pitch-black robes appeared.
His long white hair cascaded down, and a jet-black mask covered his face.
-Th-That’s the Black Dragon!
-Black Emperor! The Black Emperor has appeared!
A dragon incarnate in the heavens, the Black Emperor on the earth—none can halt Ragnar’s era……!
The impact of this figure, said to have ushered in Ragnar’s golden age alongside Kyle, was immense.
Ed’s face stiffened completely.
‘Why is he here?’
Theo was just as shocked.
The image of the old man fishing with Griffin flashed in his mind.
Thump thump thump!
His heart raced in tandem.
-The Black Emperor himself……!
-Does he want to recruit Theo Ragnar too?
“Theo Ragnar.”
Even just calling his name sent.
Thump thump thump thump!
His heartbeat inexplicably quickened further.
The cold gaze beyond that black mask seemed to pierce through everything about him.
A feeling utterly different from facing Kyle.
‘Stay calm, stay calm. Unlike me, he knows nothing about me.’
Theo took a slow, deep breath.
His heartbeat gradually slowed, but tension still prickled his spine.
“I watched you throughout the Awakening Ceremony.”
‘Me……?’
Since when?
Had he seen the part with Lordbrock too?
“And I became certain. Your temperament closely resembles our Black Snow.”
Having spent so long in Black Snow, traces of their habits lingered in his speech.
“Thus, I promise you the rank of ‘No Snow.’”
“……!”
“You know what that means, don’t you?”
Theo knew well the significance of ‘No Snow’ within Black Snow.
‘It means he’ll let me see the light of day.’
No Snow were elite special agents of sorts.
Unlike other Black Snow agents doomed to live in shadows forever, they could reveal their identities to the outside world.
Naturally, they could rack up achievements and wield power.
All while receiving support from Black Snow’s vast intelligence network—an enormous privilege.
Only eight existed currently.
It was the position Theo had desperately yearned for in his previous life.
Thump thump thump……!
The dream he’d chased in his sleep was now right before him, stirring his heart.
“As expected, you know. Seems you like it too?”
The Black Dragon’s eyes crinkled behind the mask.
Like a fisherman spotting a hooked fish.
-Three of the Nine Dragons already……
-Ones who rarely show their faces in other rounds, yet here!
-What about the other dragons? Will they join too?
As the crowd buzzed.
A tense aura swirled between Ed, the Plum Palace Lord, and the Black Dragon.
「Both of you, step back. No matter what, Theo Ragnar is coming with me.」
「Do you really think Theo would go to the Central Intelligence Chief?」
「A child with ambition and wits would know which choice benefits him most, wouldn’t he?」
「In that case, wouldn’t Black Snow be better than the Central Intelligence Agency or Camellia Palace, where you never know when you’ll get stabbed in the back?」
「Intelligence Chief! Is that any way to speak……!」
「Did I say something I shouldn’t have, Osa?」
Neither side yielded an inch.
It looked ready to erupt into blades deciding the victor.
“Anti-Dragon, Sword Dragon, and now Black Dragon? I wonder if the Nine Dragons’ weight has ever felt this light before.”
Tsk!
The referee clicked his tongue, sensing the tension.
He could even hear the unspeakable barbs flying between the three dragons.
Finally,
Boom……!
He stomped the ground hard.
Rumble—
His aura spread outward, not only repelling the three dragons’ presences but calming the noisy crowd.
Whoosh!
The referee’s overwhelming killing intent blanketed the area before the hall.
A silence so thick it made swallowing dryly impossible descended.
“What is this disgraceful display! In front of everyone, bickering over a child like toddlers, radiating killing intent everywhere. How can those who lead Ragnar show such a sight!”
As the eldest among not just the Nine Dragons but all executives, the referee’s sharp rebuke made even them shrink back.
The Plum Palace Lord bowed her head in shame, Ed averted his gaze, and the Black Dragon remained silent.
“There are children waiting for later rounds, so stop dragging this out. Anyone who wants the top rank, step forward now! Let the top rank choose from among them!”
Of course, in this atmosphere, no one else dared.
They were too busy reading the room.
“Ahem! Unlike those rude ones, I’m not tied to any faction, so I have the advantage of acting freely. That means I can do plenty on my own for the throne race, right?”
Then the referee cleared his throat lightly and tossed those words at Theo……
The crowd failed to grasp it at first, then realized with shock that the referee was soliciting Theo too.
-The Origin Dragon too……?
-That’s cheating……
“You refused before, but I’ll keep the opportunity open, so think it over.”
The referee winked.
Theo scratched his cheek with an awkward, troubled expression.
-So what now? Four of the Nine Dragons……? Half?
-No, fool. There’s one more.
-Ah!
The crowd’s eyes naturally turned to Julius.
Everyone knew.
Julius was the one who first discovered Theo.
What offer would he make?
However,
“Our White Dragon Knights naturally burn with desire to recruit Theo Ragnar. But what we can definitively promise is full support for his activities as a trainee swordsman and the pride of being a Dragon Knight. We cannot grant special privileges that undermine fairness with other new recruits.”
He still coveted Theo, but he would never bend the rules.
-What? So the White Dragon Knights are bowing out this Designation Ceremony?
-Something like that.
-Shame. The White Dragon Knight Commander is so rigid in that regard. He could just go big.
-True. Investments like that are natural to claim talent.
-But doesn’t he have a point? Special treatment breeds discord in the organization. He’s avoiding that risk.
The crowd, well aware of Julius’s longing for Theo, wore pitying expressions.
Some even sneered.
But Julius showed no hesitation whatsoever.
An unyielding stance.
That resolve struck Theo even more deeply.
‘As expected…… that’s the Demon Dragon for you.’
Rigid, if you call it rigid.
But he couldn’t ignore that it was a choice for the organization’s discipline and his subordinates’ camaraderie.
Julius cherished Theo that much, yet treated the White Dragon Knights like his own children.
Moreover,
One phrase from Julius lingered in Theo’s heart, resounding deeply.
-The pride of being a Dragon Knight.
Dragon Knight.
A position every Ragnar swordsman dreamed of, now within reach.
‘That’s Ragnar’s true identity, after all.’
After long deliberation,
Theo made his final choice.
“I……!”