Chapter 58
Chapter 58
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 58
Chapter Title: Naming Ceremony (3)
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Julius wasn't exuding any particular aura, but the pressure emanating from his very footsteps was far from insignificant.
"Wow... Demon Dragon, Demon Dragon! The Demon Dragon's coming...! The hero of the Theo Rebellion and the Kazakh Annihilation Battle...! Is this for real? Like, actually true...!"
"Please just stay still! I'm dying of embarrassment here!"
Erika tried her best to restrain the fidgeting Holkus, but his excitement didn't die down easily.
For someone who had idolized the Nine Dragons since childhood, this moment felt like a dream come true.
The riders and knights chuckled, finding Holkus's antics endearing.
'This is... the Demon Dragon.'
Theo was just as stunned, though he didn't show it.
The true face of Julius, who had always seemed like a kindly neighbor uncle to him, loomed enormously now.
-I want to be like him.
Theo's eyes gleamed with that thought.
"Welcome, all of you, to the family."
Julius said with a faint smile.
His voice was soft, but it carried a weight that commanded the entire room.
This was the White Dragon Knights.
Unlike in public, he was speaking casually now, as their captain.
"Unlike other units, we in the White Dragon Knights always call ourselves 'family' or 'brothers.' It means we live trusting each other with our lives."
Family.
Or brothers.
The words struck Theo particularly hard in the chest.
"You won't grasp what that truly means right away. But as you live here with us, you'll come to understand quickly, so just follow your brothers well without worry."
"Yes, sir!"
"Yes, sir!"
"Yes, sir!"
Theo and the Lange siblings responded in unison, their voices booming.
Julius smiled and glanced at the rider beside him.
"I thought I kept it short. Is this acceptable?"
"It was getting a bit boring, but you barely saved it."
"Phew, good to hear."
Their light banter revealed the free-spirited everyday atmosphere of the disciplined White Dragon Knights.
Julius ran a hand through his hair and scanned the three recruits one by one.
First, Holkus.
"That'll do for the old man's welcome speech. Mind telling us why you chose this unit?"
Holkus swallowed hard in tension and nodded vigorously.
The sight of the massive guy trembling so finely was so cute that Julius couldn't stop smiling.
"B-Because it's cool!"
"Cool?"
"Yes! White Scale, White Blade, White Dragon... I've admired them all since I was a kid!"
As he spoke, Holkus sneaked a glance at Theo.
Theo's choice of the White Dragon Knights had shocked him, Erika, and everyone else.
He had turned down every other prestigious offer to start from the bottom.
But at the same time, Holkus felt immensely relieved.
He got to stay with Theo, and the White Dragon Knights had been his top choice even before he vowed to become Theo's sword.
"Standing side by side with your idol. That does sound enjoyable."
Julius stroked his chin and nodded.
"But reality might differ. It's far harsher and more unforgiving. Especially since we charge the front lines constantly, with death trailing us like a friend. Far from 'cool.' That illusion might shatter. Are you sure you won't regret it?"
Julius continued.
"Plus, unlike other units, we require an 'aptitude test' first. Can't be helped with partners involved. If you're deemed unfit, the assignment gets revoked. What then?"
Julius's sharp gaze seemed to pierce Holkus.
Gulp!
Holkus swallowed again and finally spoke.
"I-I'm prepared for that much."
"Prepared?"
Surprised, one of Julius's eyebrows arched.
"Yes...! Dragon Knights are essentially the air force. So we ride our partner wyverns daily, and riders must be light enough not to burden them—that's what I know."
"True. But as you can see..."
"Yes. I'm a Lange. I can't help being heavy."
"So you know you might fail the aptitude judgment."
"I've got something planned for that."
"Oh? Care to share?"
"W-Well..."
Holkus's eyes darted sideways.
A shifty look, like he was hiding something.
"You'll see when the time comes?"
"Yes! Exactly."
"Good. I'll look forward to it. Then, what about when your illusions shatter?"
"You're mistaken there, Captain. My admiration for the White Dragon Knights... it's because of their strength."
"Strength, huh."
"Yes! The true 'coolness' of the White Dragon Knights is their indomitable spirit and will!"
Only then did Julius grin in satisfaction, patting Holkus's shoulder.
"Good answer. Hope it's not just smooth talk."
Holkus sighed in relief, thinking he'd made a solid first impression.
Pride swelling, he clenched his fist.
Now it really began.
"Next, Erika Lange."
Theo's gaze turned to her too.
He was curious why the Lange heir would choose this place.
Erika scratched her temple with her index finger, looking troubled.
"I've got a plausible answer and the real one. Which do you want?"
"Haha! Two versions? Can I hear the real one?"
"Because it seemed fun."
The reply came like lightning.
"That's unexpected in its own way."
"Wherever these two idiots are, it'll be fun. And fighting on the front lines should make me stronger fast."
Her eyes flashed with competitive fire, and Julius nodded.
"Comradeship is vital too. Good. I'll tentatively accept your assignment. Hope both you and your brother pass the test."
"Thank you."
Julius, hands behind his back, turned to Theo.
His gaze sharpened more than ever.
"Now, only you remain... Theo Ragnar. Truth be told, I was most curious about your choice."
The riders and knights nodded in agreement.
'What should I say?'
Theo pondered briefly but reached a decision.
He'd speak from the heart.
"Because this is the surest shortcut to my destination."
"Destination..."
Julius's eyes lit up.
He knew what it was.
The throne.
"Yes. So I—"
Something in Theo's chest rose boldly.
"Intend to become captain of the White Dragon Knights. In five years."
* * *
Five years.
Long if long, short if short.
But absurdly brief to become captain of the White Dragon Knights—one of the four pillars upholding House Ragnar.
And Theo declared it so.
It was practically a declaration of war against Julius, who sat in that very seat.
Naturally, the riders and knights' eyes flashed sharply,
And the Lange siblings now stared at Theo like he was insane.
'Why's he like this...?'
'Pfft! He really is crazy!'
Julius was the only one smiling.
"Five years... Very specific. Got a reason?"
A reason?
He had a damn good one.
He knew better than anyone what would befall this world in five years.
'The Great Cataclysm.'
When it hit, every order and system known to him and those here would collapse.
Then came the true age of the survival of the fittest.
To seize the throne amid that chaos, he had to build his foundation somehow within that time.
"Because the White Dragon Knights are House Ragnar's roots."
"Roots... Well, our founder Sigurd established the precursor to the White Dragon Knights when he first pioneered the barren north against the demon sea beasts. True enough."
Dragon Knight Order.
Sigurd, contractor of Lordbrock, built the Great Wall and founded the order to defend it.
The order grew vast, eventually becoming the great house of Ragnar.
Its original mission lived on in today's White Dragon Knights.
That was why so many in the Winterlands cheered them on— their legitimacy.
It was also the pride the knights never lost, even in harsh conditions.
But.
Today's Ragnar swordsmen sought to undermine that pride.
To elevate their own status.
Theo was pointing that out.
You are the 'true' pillar and root of Ragnar.
"Ahem! A kid with sharp eyes."
"Hmm! True, but hearing it straight makes me embarrassed for no reason."
The glares from the knights softened toward Theo.
Julius chuckled lightly at their cute reactions.
"So, you aim to seize those roots and build your own position?"
"Dragonwatch, Central Intelligence, Plum Palace—all offered me ranks and perks beyond my station. But long-term, they'd poison me."
Julius nodded in agreement.
A fifteen-year-old fresh trainee swordsman getting undue position would only breed envy.
'As expected, a deep thinker.'
Julius was pleased his judgment was spot-on.
"But the White Dragon Knights let me rise through achievements. And as Ragnar's roots, that's why I chose it."
The White Dragon Knights prioritized skill over seniority, fighting on the front lines more than any.
Even the lowest rookie could climb by merit.
In the utter chaos of the Great Cataclysm.
Leading the legitimate 'roots' would give him immense standing.
"So you'll rise to this seat to prove it? Hahaha."
Julius loved Theo's confidence.
It might sound like bravado, but from Theo, it felt possible.
'Guess I need to stay on my toes?'
He thought he'd recruited a promising talent, but it was more like bringing home a tiger cub.
"But even so, that doesn't explain pinpointing five years."
Theo just smiled silently this time.
"No answer, huh. Got a plan? Makes sense—with the throne in sight, starting late means scrambling to claim position before adulthood."
Julius concluded for himself and nodded.
"I love ambitious folks. They keep improving, spurring those around them. But."
Suddenly, Julius's eyes flashed coldly.
"Conversely, they sometimes endanger comrades for their ambitions. If I see even a hint from you... I won't hesitate on summary execution."
A wave of killing intent crashed over Theo.
A warning: Pull any tricks, and you won't be spared.
It stung his skin, but... Theo nodded with a light smile.
"Yes. I'll keep that in mind."
"...You're no fun. Tsk."
Julius withdrew the intent as if it were nothing and smacked his lips.
He'd pranked to see Theo flinch, but no reaction killed the vibe.
As always, the kid was an old soul.
"Still, these three should keep things lively for the next five years. Selphred! Arin!"
A white-haired man and a petite woman stepped forward.
Selphred and Arin.
The awakening ceremony examiners Theo had met.
"Take the recruits to the 'nest.' Check and brief them on unit essentials, and prep for the test immediately."
"Yes, sir!"
"Yes, sir!"
"A-Are we doing the test already?"
Holkus asked, stunned.
"Drag it out, and you won't have time to pick your next choices. Better wrap up quick for everyone. Good luck, all."
Julius greeted the recruits and leaped lightly into the air.
Then, a massive wyvern appeared from the sky, letting him mount before vanishing beyond the horizon.
"Oh?"
"That's the wyvern we've only heard about...!"
Selphred chuckled at the awestruck Lange siblings.
"The captain's partner, 'Gula.' Gluttonous and lusty beast. Energetic as hell. You'll meet ones like that too."
"R-Really?"
Holkus's eyes sparkled.
"Well, after passing the aptitude test."
"Oh... right."
Holkus's shoulders slumped.
Selphred laughed at his ever-shifting reactions.
Arin elbowed him to stop scaring them, but he ignored her and addressed the recruits.
"Alright, time to head to the nest. Prep to mount the wyverns."
Whoosh!
Arin pursed her lips and whistled sharply.
Two wyverns descended from the sky.
Smaller than Gula, but clad in white armor all the same.
The term White Dragon fit perfectly.
"Aptitude test's simple. We'll toss you three into the wyvern nest. Just get chosen by your partner wyvern. Easy, right?"
Selphred's grin belied his playful tone.
Wyverns were infamous among lesser dragons for ferocity and strength.
Even trained, they weren't easy to handle.
"Get ready."
As the Lange siblings checked their gear, the wyverns landed quietly.
But now there were three wyverns, not two.
One already had a rider.
A face very familiar to Theo.
"Evelyn?"
"Long time no see, Young Master."
Evelyn, armored in white scale, bowed lightly.
"Why is Evelyn here...? No, your arm...!"
"Oh, this?"
Evelyn stroked her left prosthetic—gripping the wyvern's reins—with her right hand.
"A gift from your mother."
"......!"
Then, Kirson's words from before the ceremony flashed in Theo's mind.
-Understand if your mother's extra emotional today. She's been agonizing for a fortnight. And the 'gift' she prepared for you...!