Chapter 149
Chapter 149
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 149
Chapter Title: Unexpected Companions
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As the sun dipped below the horizon and the moon rose in the evening sky, most of the delegations that had come to purchase Earth Dragon byproducts departed.
The numerous factions that had witnessed Marquis Paon Lichtenauer's vitality with their own eyes could now definitively conclude one thing.
As long as this monster still lived, no one could afford to touch the southern continent of Bestrika.
Of course, even Adrian, the prime minister of the Duper Empire, remained inscrutable to the end...
The Duper Empire, too, wouldn't dare launch a reckless conquest of the southern continent alone while both the western and eastern continents still stood strong.
The supply lines would be far too extended, and even if they succeeded in occupation, maintaining control would be impossible with the western and eastern continents remaining steadfast.
In any case, Paon Lichtenauer had succeeded in buying time by publicly demonstrating the clan's enduring strength and might. He immediately turned his full attention to bolstering the family's internal foundations.
The greatest reason Paon hadn't acted rashly despite the ambitions of the Khan Empire and Duper Empire was now gone.
With the Earth Dragon Karaktus issue resolved, there was no longer any reason to sit idly by while knowing their true intentions.
Of course, Paon himself would grow weaker as time passed... but that didn't mean the rest of the clan could afford to slack off.
They began processing the dragon's scales and teeth in earnest, sending its blood and organs to the Magic Tower to be used as materials for new spells.
While Paon methodically prepared for the future, the lesser stars were just as busy scurrying about.
The Latent Dragon Squad's quarters, the Nest of the Greenhorns.
Bang!
Before the sun had even risen, in the early dawn hours, someone kicked the door open with a thunderous crash that shook the heavens.
"Wh-what is it?"
"An enemy?"
"What enemy inside the clan? Get your heads straight!"
Startled by the sudden intrusion, the still-groggy Latent Dragon Squad members stumbled out one by one, rubbing their eyes.
"Sylvia~~ my darling little sister! Big sis came to give you a hug!!"
"Aigoo, Captain Soju! I've told you before, the Latent Dragon Squad is a proper squad too. You can't just ignore protocol and barge in like this!"
"Argh, shut it!"
The identity of the noisy intruder, who had brought the clan steward along and was making a racket from the morning, was none other than Sophia Clonen.
The leader of the Celestial Blossom Squad and the treasure of the Clonen Shadow Clan.
She had arrived at the greenhorns' nest fully armed.
"Eh, sis?"
Sylvia, emerging from her room late, met her blood kin's gaze with bleary eyes.
"Aww, my little sis~! Haven't washed up yet? You smell all musty. Sniff, ha. Sniff, ha."
"Uwaaaah! What the hell are you doing first thing in the morning, you creep!"
How many minutes did she spend tightly hugging the flailing, horrified Sylvia?
"If you're done, let go already. This looks bad."
"Oh, you showed up?"
Sophia released Sylvia and stood, brushing herself off.
The real reason for her visit today wasn't, regrettably, to see the world's cutest Sylvia.
"Are you heading out?"
"Yep."
Sophia had come to bid farewell to the person she saw as both her greatest rival and most approachable competitor.
"Where did you decide to go?"
"North Continent, Krohoka. They're the most dangerous bunch, after all, so it'll probably offer the most opportunities to make something happen, right?"
'The North Continent...'
It wasn't a bad choice from an opportunistic standpoint.
However... the Duper Empire was, in some ways, even more dangerous than the Khan Empire.
Factoring in that level of risk, it couldn't exactly be called a good decision.
"Oh, a little hint: I heard Manus and Andy headed to the West Continent."
'As expected.'
The heirs of the three great vassal clans had all chosen different continents, just as Paon had suggested.
With the southern continent already fully under Lichtenauer's influence, they had no choice but to venture elsewhere to prove themselves in Paon's trial.
"You've chosen a rough path, Captain Sophia."
"Well, the results will be solid in return, won't they? If a woman wants to overcome that disadvantage, she's got to steel herself for this much at least."
As Sophia said, the North Continent was distant and treacherous land, but achieving results there would leave the strongest impression.
Ian nodded as he watched Sophia speak so calmly.
'She's truly a rare heroine.'
And one he would eventually bring under his command.
Scritch, scratch!
Ian pulled a sheet of paper from his bosom, scribbled something on it, and tossed it toward Sophia.
Thwap!
"What's this?"
"Payment for the information you just shared. If you ever hit a wall in the North Continent, seek out High Captain Hiren of the Creep Merchant Guild. Our goals align somewhat, so mention my introduction, and he'll take good care of you."
"What, giving this to a rival? Captain Ian, you got a crush on me or something?"
"...I said it's payment for the information you just shared."
Sophia burst into clear laughter at Ian's serious expression.
"Pft! Just kidding, kidding. Well, looks like I'll have to eat later then."
Sophia tucked Ian's paper securely into her bosom and stood.
"See you next time, Captain Ian. Skipping meals with me so far... you'll regret it. Next time we eat... you'll probably have to serve me with respect as your superior."
As Sophia flashed a confident, playful taunt, Ian smirked and replied in kind.
"Sure, we'll see. Who ends up on top remains to be seen."
Crossing beyond the southern continent, the heirs' journeys to claim the Martial Clan's succession began across the entire Agena continent.
Andy Pallkion of the Pallkion Sword Clan and Manus Kalia of the Kalia Spear Clan chose the western continent, Osela.
The reason was obvious.
'Torpenhow and Dharma Kingdom are strong. Even with the Holy Kingdom full of saints and Sun Church priests, it won't be easy to subdue.'
That was likely the conclusion from the sword and spear clans' advisors.
Their traditions differed, so their contact points would vary... but the end goal was the same: discreetly ally with those two powers to check the Holy Kingdom while expanding Lichtenauer's influence in the west.
As the most chaotic and disorderly of the four continents, it would be easier to make a name for the Martial Clan there.
Moreover, with the Sea King's absence causing the Mudflow's influence in the western seas to wane, it was a stable choice for growth.
But conversely, it was also the continent least likely to face conquest from the south.
It offered reliable results but made it hard to achieve standout, extraordinary feats.
In contrast, what of Sophia?
To overcome her gender disadvantage, she boldly chose the harsh North Continent.
That fact alone suggested her vessel was larger than those two.
'Now's the time to go all-in. Playing it safe and building steady achievements won't cut it.'
However, while the three great vassal heirs' choices stemmed from their own insights... it wasn't entirely their own will.
Securing the southern continent internally was a solid option, but too massive a wall stood in the way for that.
Alex Lichtenauer.
The eldest young lord of the Martial Clan had chosen the simplest, most straightforward, and certain path.
Pacifying the Great Flood.
The very reason for the Lichtenauer Martial Clan's existence and their longest-held aspiration.
He had begun moving directly toward that grand endeavor.
For those of the Lichtenauer Martial Clan, no achievement could leave a stronger impression than succeeding there.
'He's a tough one, alright. For now... he's still the most threatening rival.'
It bordered on recklessness, but someone of Alex's caliber wouldn't choose it without thought.
With the Mudflow and Golden River in turmoil, the Great Flood was a literal cauldron of chaos.
It wouldn't be easy... but Ian's intuition told him.
When Alex returned, it would be after shaking up the Great Flood immensely.
"...I can't just sit still either."
Scritch!
Ian stepped outside with his packed belongings, where the Latent Dragon Squad members waited, their own gear loaded up.
"You're late, Captain."
As always, Ralph started grumbling first.
"Man, of all places, the East Continent... I swear, Captain's gotta be a total perv."
Ralph had good reason to complain.
The East Continent, untouched by any heirs, was in some ways even harder to achieve results than the North Continent.
The arrogant Khan Empire was hostile to the Lichtenauer family simply for bearing the Martial Clan name and tightly controlled the other nation, Pang Kingdom.
The only other factions were bandit groups of thieves.
There was virtually no foothold to wedge into.
"How could a sparrow comprehend a dragon's intent?"
"Haha! Exactly! How could us sparrows know a dragon's mind? It's all~ Captain Ian's grand design!"
As Ian chuckled and headed for the sea route to Pang Kingdom, an unfamiliar voice chimed in agreement.
Ian turned to see new faces amid the grumbling squad members.
Two dark elves with obsidian-smooth black skin and long ears stood there.
And even the bandaged freak from the branch family, the thunderbolt kid.
Ian let out a low sigh as he eyed the unwanted guests and addressed the dark elves first.
"You two are really set on not returning to the Great Flood? Planning to settle here for good?"
"Hahaha! What's wrong with that? We rolled together in the Great Camp. We're practically comrades, right? Just give us two extra spoons."
"......"
The cheeky male elf replied boldly, while the female elf shyly nodded in agreement.
These two were Aelion, subordinate of Dooji and Drakelas from the Great Camp plot, and his adjutant Biyona.
Originally, their condition for guiding the way to the Great Camp was to spare their lives.
But under the pretext of treating wounds from the Great Camp battle, they had subtly settled into the Lichtenauer Martial Clan.
When prying eyes grew burdensome, they slyly requested to join the Latent Dragon Squad.
"Come on, don't be like that. My injuries were just that bad back then, but we're pretty useful, you know? We can more than pull our weight."
Ian knew full well. Despite Aelion's frivolous demeanor, Drakelas had entrusted him with sowing discord between Golden River and Mudflow—a testament to his prowess.
Not to mention, Ian had even clashed directly with Olka, the troll who performed that mission alongside Aelion.
'They're solid assets, sure...'
But fighting together was another matter.
'Can I really trust them?'
Reading the doubt in Ian's eyes, Aelion—who had been jesting playfully—grew somewhat serious.
"We've already crossed the point of no return by awakening that Earth Dragon. If old lady Drakelas had died then, maybe, but with Toomgrok alive and fled deep into the Great Flood... living in the northern Great Flood is impossible."
He was right.
For those two dark elves, there was truly no place left in the Great Flood.
Not just the betrayed north, but as the mastermind behind countless casualties in Golden River and Mudflow—even if by orders—it was undeniable fact.
Golden River especially, where even their great warrior Turka fell to Aelion's hand.
"So, the only place we can stretch our legs worry-free is here! Don't worry, we'll earn our keep and then some—use us hard!"
As Aelion grinned and stepped toward Ian,
Swish!
The bandaged man, Kasar Lichtenauer, had silently flanked him, pressing a small hammer-like odd weapon against Aelion's shoulder from behind.
-Stop there. Don't come any closer.
He shook a slip of paper before Aelion's eyes—unclear when he'd written it.
"...By the way, what's with this mummy-lookin' guy? He part of your squad too?"
Ian rubbed his throbbing temple at Aelion's question.
"Kasar Lichtenauer. You're really set on coming with us?"
At Ian's query, Kasar nodded quietly and proffered another paper.
-I told you. I've decided to support you.
"Urgh..."
Ian felt a migraine coming on.
Kasar Lichtenauer.
The branch family's thunderbolt kid, a powerhouse strong enough to be named a lesser star.
Like Aelion and Biyona, he outclassed the Latent Dragon Squad members and would be a huge asset.
But.
"...Let go nicely while I'm asking."
Biyona menaced Kasar—threatening Aelion—with a dagger to his throat.
"Hey, hey, everyone calm down. You're scaring the captain."
Aelion mediated between them with a laugh, even as the hammer swung inches from his neck.
The Latent Dragon Squad watched agape at the trio's antics.
Renowned as oddballs even in the Martial Clan, they were at a loss in this mad scene from the 'real' crazies.
'...Is taking these bombs on a mission really the right call?'
On the road to the East Continent.
Ian's mind was a whirlwind of unease.