Chapter 91
Chapter 91
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 91
Chapter Title: Found You, Finally (1)
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Dozens of wyverns streaked across the sky in a long formation.
“Hurry it up!”
“By now, Captain Evelyn and Theo have probably already stormed the Ceres Merchant Group's headquarters. There might be Holy Demon Church forces there, so even if it's tough, push a little harder!”
At the front of the formation, Selphard and Arin urged their comrades onward.
White Dragon Knights Squad 5.
These knights, who were scattered across the vast northern regions and rarely gathered in one place, had mostly assembled.
‘To think I get to witness a sight like this...!’
Holcus gazed at his squadmates with a face half-lost in rapture.
‘I played a part in bringing everyone together like this!’
He grinned ear to ear.
It looked like his mouth might split up to his ears.
Erika shook her head at her brother.
‘Here he goes again.’
But though she didn't show it, she felt the same quiet pride inside.
The White Dragon Knights were far more appealing than she'd imagined.
‘Everyone's giving it their all. They're of one mind and purpose. And even with this sudden call to assemble, not one of them complained.’
After the Erika siblings delivered Theo's promotion exam orders, the mission they'd been assigned was simple yet grueling.
-Gather as many Squad 5 members scattered across the north as possible and rendezvous with Squad Leader Evelyn.
The objective was to catch Ed Troyvan's tail.
Violent clashes were inevitable in the process, and depending on circumstances, they might have to wipe out entire factions outright.
Ed Troyvan's influence in the north as Central Intelligence Chief was that immense.
This was no simple mission to raid the Serpent Season headquarters and call it done.
‘But once Squad 5 assembled, we planned to launch linked operations... Theo's suggestion moved everything up much earlier than scheduled.’
It was a decision made because on-site commanders Cleve and Squad Leader Evelyn judged Theo's proposal sound.
For the youngest, tasked with rounding up the squad members, the past few days had been hellish.
Hadn't he memorized nearly every inch of the northern terrain?
‘If the reports are true and Ceres has allied with the Holy Demon Church, they won't go down easy. That's why... we need to hurry even more.’
Selphard and Arin knew this well, redoubling their pace.
Somehow coaxing and soothing their weary wyverns along the way.
“Sis.”
“What?”
Erika watched warily, wondering what nonsense her flower-brained brother would spout next.
“If we swoop in with a big ta-da, Theo's gonna be shocked, right?”
“Probably.”
“Eheheh...! What if he begs me to be his sword?”
“......”
“Ah, that'd be awkward. If I accept too easily, it'll kill the charm. But if Theo keeps pleading for help, eheheh, I can't go easy just 'cause my heart softens.”
Holcus even wriggled in delight.
He hadn't dared voice his wish to be the first sword last mission since he'd been no help.
This time, he clearly planned to prove his worth.
“And, and...! I'll get set up on a date with that lady who works under Theo's mom and snag myself a gorgeous bride! How's that! My perfect life plan!”
“......”
‘Sigh, so it was the wedding rice cake he cared about more after all.’
Erika just shook her head without responding.
Too tiresome to deal with.
Screeeeech—
Meanwhile, the formation accelerated even further.
* * *
“What in the world is this, son-in-law?!”
Navan's sudden betrayal rocked the Ceres Merchant Group.
Not widely known, but Navan was a master equivalent to an advanced swordsman.
A genius once called Torquel's rival, no less.
His defection to the Ragnar side would widen the power gap inevitably.
Flick—
Navan casually shook the blood from his blade, sneering at Quadlak and Lily.
“What, you think a weirdo needs some grand reason? He just lives how he pleases.”
“......!”
“......!”
“Well, sorry to the missus. Truth is, she's not my type at all. Guess I'll find someone else to prove my loyalty to?”
“You...!”
Lily's tightly clenched fist trembled with rage.
Quadlak bellowed.
“No choice now. Kill them all! Don't let a single one escape!”
At that moment, the Blood Priests, who'd been eyeing each other, unleashed [Blood Light Harmony] in unison, hurling black iron threads at Theo's group.
The area drowned in crimson radiance.
“Planning to slaughter us and pretend this visit never happened? Parading us as rebels, eh?”
Cleve read Quadlak's intent, scoffing as he gripped his sword tighter.
But he stayed vigilant.
Even a rough count showed over ten Blood Priests here.
‘No way the whole parish flipped?’
If so, they were outnumbered.
Even with Navan joining them.
BOOM!
Dust clouds erupted instantly, engulfing everything.
Seizing the chaos, Quadlak urgently told Lily.
“Lily, hurry to Warehouse 4 and burn everything inside. They absolutely cannot find out.”
“But, Father!”
“No arguments. Go! Now!”
Lily bit her lower lip hard, glaring fiercely at Theo and Navan before turning away.
“Theo Ragnar.”
Channeling mana in the Holy Demon Church style made his right arm throb again.
“Spare Theo Ragnar. I need to cut off that bastard's right arm just like this and toss it to the dogs.”
“Got it. I'll remember.”
Whoosh—
Only then did Lily's face ease as she kicked off the ground.
Warehouse 4 held not just Ed-related documents, but all sorts of valuables that could never reach the Ragnars.
-But eyes had been watching.
‘There.’
Theo's eyes gleamed coldly as he moved.
[Wind Thunder God – Gale Step]
Whoosh!
A vortex of wind swirled from his feet, kicking up dust and propelling him straight to Lily in an instant.
“Damn it...! Theo! Block that bastard first, Theo Ragnar! Hurry!”
Quadlak paled, realizing Theo had waited precisely for Lily's move.
The warehouse location could be exposed!
“Where do you think—!”
“Insolent fool!”
Screech!
Two Blood Priests blocked Theo's path.
Wreathed in blood light, madness gleamed in their eyes.
They were on the verge of ecstatic possession.
[‘Skill: Lesser Drake Fear’ sharpens the killing intent, coating the blade.]
[You can now infuse mana into the blade.]
[The blade heats intensely with immense fervor.]
Sizzle—
In a flash, the drake blade glowed red-hot like fresh from a forge, steaming fiercely.
Theo's signature form, enhanced by Heat Convergence.
The blade exploded with light.
BOOM!
[Dragon's Five Claws – Subdue Demons]
His [Brute Strength]-empowered swing brutally repelled the two Blood Priests.
Scratches marred the diamond-hard black iron threads, shock flashing across their faces.
“Evelyn! Navan!”
At Theo's shout, two gusts followed—one veering left, the other right—to pursue the flung priests.
Both were advanced swordsmen Ragnar prided itself on.
Dispatching wounded Blood Priests was no challenge.
Thud, thud—
Amid it, Navan glanced at Evelyn.
He sensed it instinctively.
‘Told me to be the second sword. Guess she's the first.’
Though Evelyn outranked Theo in the current chain of command, her support for him was no ordinary skill.
And so,
Theo closed the gap to Lily in one breath along the path they'd cleared.
[Pouring additional stat 10 into Agility.]
[Agility: 89 → 99]
[Movement speed greatly increases.]
He dumped the level-up stats from mid-battle into [Agility], reaching for her.
Horror crossed Lily's face as she turned.
‘Got...!’
But just as his fingertips grazed her nape, an intruder wedged between them.
Rumble—
Roar!
A fist strike strong enough to deflect even Theo's heat-charged slash.
The shockwave hurled Theo back, nearly shattering his body; he gritted his teeth, barely regaining balance after tumbling far.
‘Damn it! If [Agility] had just one more point!’
He'd have broken 100, unlocking a new ability to dodge the interference.
“Heh heh! Word was Ragnar had a promising young hatchling this time. Guess that's you?”
Theo's attacker was drenched in blood-like fatigue—hair and eyes stained deep crimson.
Lily, barely escaping Theo's grasp, sighed in exhausted relief.
‘Parish Chief level...!’
In the Holy Demon Church hierarchy—‘Apostle → Cardinal → Archbishop → Bishop → Parish Chief → Blood Priest’—a [Parish Chief] commanding one parish often outpowered several advanced swordsmen.
They heard the god's voice directly, too.
No pushover.
But,
“Letting you live here would sow the seeds of a demon wrecking God's will forever.”
The Parish Chief inspired worldly dread for an entirely different reason.
“Hear the word of God, ye servants—!”
At his cry, over twenty Blood Priests and equally menacing lesser fanatics appeared on the rooftops encircling Theo.
Sizzle—
Their blood light already dyed the air crimson.
-Convey the oracle!
-Convey the oracle!
Echoes rang from everywhere.
Filling the entire headquarters.
Blood Ghost Night Parade.
Wherever a Parish Chief went, dozens to a hundred fanatics trailed like a yokai horde.
Bringing calamity and slaughter always.
Hence, people called them ‘Blood Ghosts.’
‘Th-those lunatics...! I told them not to come out until the signal!’
Quadlak paled, trembling.
With the Parish Chief and Blood Ghosts exposed, even the other northern merchant guild members outside would uncover the Holy Demon Church ties.
They'd summoned those guild members to gather everyone for [Fanatic Brainwashing].
After, slipping one or two Blood Ghosts into each returning caravan would infect the rest.
That would hand the northern merchant guild wholly to Ceres...
The problem? Those hotheaded fanatics jumped out without word.
No convincing them otherwise.
They were mad from the start!
“Slaughter the unbelievers, the dragon spawn! Delight our god with blood—!”
-Holy Demon Glory!
-Holy Demon Glory!
As Blood Priests and Blood Ghosts roared in response, charging onto the battlefield—
Whoosh!
A thrilling chill raced up Theo's spine.
But the familiar sensation whispered something.
Shrieeeek!
Umbra thrashed wildly, sensing it too.
“It's over.”
Theo grinned broadly, snapping his head skyward.
Dozens of shadows fell over them, over the Ceres headquarters.
Theo raised the flag in his left hand high.
As if to say: right here.
As if welcoming them.
Those above spotted Theo's flag.
-That guy with the flag the new recruit?
-Yeah. First time for me too.
-Rumors say he's a genius with killer skills. Let's meet him.
After brief chatter,
-All units, descend.
White Dragon Knights Squad 5 descended.