Chapter 36
Chapter 36
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 36
Chapter Title: Patriarch's Battle
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Paon stepped into the mental realm, and right before his eyes, golden chains tightened from all directions.
Clashing against the ferocious energy like a tiger roaring command over the world, Paon dodged the chains with the skill of a seasoned tamer.
KABOOOM!
The solid ground shattered, and amid the flying dirt and dust, Paon countered the golden chains not with his sword, but with identical chains of his own.
Clinkclinkclink!
As if scorning Paon's chains as pathetic, the golden ones wrapped around them tightly and crushed them to pieces.
Paon, known as the Martial King, wielded his iron chains with exceptional skill, but these golden chains moved like living creatures, defying all common sense.
CRUNCH!
Paon's chains finally shattered, breaking link by link.
Facing the golden chains piercing through the wreckage and hurtling toward him, Paon let out a sigh.
"...As expected, chains are still beyond me."
Shing!
With no other choice, Paon drew his sword and began slowly subduing the rampaging golden chains.
...Swoosh.
Paon emerged from the mental realm.
In his view stood Nedyr, expression calm and composed.
"You're lasting longer against it each time. Heh heh! At this rate, it won't take long to fully master the 'chains' either."
Perhaps because he wasn't a martial artist. Nedyr's admiration rang hollow to Paon, who knew his own progress all too well.
In the mental realm, countless powerhouses acknowledged by Paon had sparred with him virtually, each wielding their signature weapons.
Swords, blades, axes, spears...
At first, Paon struggled without his primary weapon, the sword. But he often overcame equals and claimed victory. After all, he was one of the top geniuses even in the Iron-Blooded Lands of the Lichtenauer Martial Clan.
Yet even Paon...
...could scarcely claim victory over the master of the 'chains.'
No, forget victory—he could barely extend his survival time.
The chain master's prowess lay beyond mortal limits.
But he couldn't admit that humiliating truth in front of a subordinate.
Paon feigned composure in his reply.
"Well, it's just familiarity from repetition. Nothing to get excited about, right?"
Swish!
A spear moved at Paon's will, settling smoothly into the hand of his knightly ornament.
'Truly inhuman strength.'
Nedyr was certain.
The colossal forces dividing the Cataclysm realms—Golden Heaven, Murky Flow, Great Veil.
Those disasters incarnate refrained from extending their claws into Aslan Kingdom due to mutual checks, of course.
But beneath the surface lay this man's absolute influence.
Ten-odd years ago, the Hegemon who devoured the entire northern Krohoka Continent might have been expected.
But in the current Agena, who could truly match this man in arms?
"Talking to me and lost in your own thoughts?"
"Heh heh heh! Nothing at all. I must be getting old—my mind wanders mid-conversation these days."
"Tch, what nonsense."
As Paon grumbled sourly, Nedyr hid his admiration and shifted the topic.
"Heh heh! By the way, tomorrow the Celestial Blaze Unit heads to Megalovria."
"Does it?"
"You didn't know?"
"The clan sends out missions everywhere. How could I track them all?"
He spoke indifferently, but Nedyr knew the truth.
Celestial Blaze Captain Sophia had insisted on attaching the Latent Dragon Squad, and Paon had tacitly approved.
In other words, he knew full well but claimed ignorance. Nedyr chose not to point it out.
No need to stir up trouble.
"Are you sure about this? It's only their second mission. Syncing with another strike team might be premature. And Megalovria... you know how it is."
The Magic Tower's domain, Megalovria.
Their requests were always tricky, laced with unforeseen dangers.
Sometimes they ended as mere mishaps, but for a low-tier strike team, the risk was too high—which was why Nedyr voiced concern.
"They're the ones who stepped up themselves. Confident in their skills, I'd say."
Paon replied coolly, as if discussing someone else's business.
"Hmm, still, calling in the Celestial Blaze Captain suggests... it could be riskier than we think."
"Of course it is. Don't you get it?"
Swoosh!
Paon reached for fruit on the table, took a big bite of an apple, and spoke.
Crunch!
"Choosing the Trial Gate for training shows Ian's burning desire to grow fast. So, fulfilling that desire is only natural, isn't it?"
True enough.
Whether martial arts or magic, one grew blindingly in life's-or-death crises and research far more than rote daily practice.
"Fair point. The Second Young Lord did change after the Gate Opening Ceremony. So, Patriarch, how far do you see him going?"
Nedyr asked meaningfully.
"How should I know? But suppose he's aiming for my seat... Kneeling to this level of danger means it was impossible from the start."
No, he wouldn't even match the heirs currently vying for Paon's own position.
"Might as well let him experience it this time, as a bonus."
Paon wiped apple juice from his lips and continued.
"Those so-called Little Stars. How much higher some stand above them."
Humans were often overwhelmed not by vague skies, but by towering mountains right before their eyes.
This mission would clarify it.
Whether the son departing was just another cocky greenhorn beyond his bravado.
Or if Ian would emerge as a great tree stirring new storms in the rigid succession structure.
Nedyr shook his head as if exasperated by Paon's words.
The Eldest Young Lord Alex's prowess was acknowledged by all in the clan.
Yet Paon disliked his scheming nature, endlessly pitting him against rival heirs. Now he dragged his own second son into the fray.
Even after witnessing the Second Young Lord's feats at the Volcano of Flames and against the Crimson Death Squad, Paon demanded constant proof.
'Always so ruthless.'
Still.
Apart from paternal love, that relentless drive had led the Lichtenauer Martial Clan to its current peak.
'Second Young Lord, you're in for some hardship.'
Nedyr silently wished Ian luck as he headed off on the mission.
Startle!
"...?!"
A chilling premonition slithered down his spine.
On instinct, Ian scanned his surroundings.
"Captain, what's wrong? Something up?"
Never once in three days of rest and travel had he felt this.
"...Nah, nothing."
Ian lightly rolled his neck at Ryu An Pallkion's concerned question.
"Guess I'm just feeling off before a mission after so long."
Ryu An Pallkion chuckled at Ian's casual dismissal.
"Fair enough. Staring at that sight for days is making my head spin too."
Ian, turning at his words, grimaced slightly.
The Celestial Blaze Unit, assigned with Latent Dragon Squad to the birch forest mission.
At their vanguard stood Sophia Clonen, the mission's overall leader and Celestial Blaze Captain.
The captain leading from the front was no issue.
No one in Celestial Blaze outmatched Sophia, and she had no desire to cower safely in the center anyway.
It was admirable, not frown-worthy.
Ian's scowl stemmed from elsewhere.
"Ugh, Sis! Please back off! I said we're moving with our squad!"
"Aww~ My sweet Sylvia's just shy, huh? Even your shyness is adorable!"
Sophia was parading Latent Dragon Squad's Sylvia Clonen right in front of her, bickering playfully.
"Jeez, loving your sister that much is one thing, but clinging like that during a mission..."
Rule-stickler Ryu An Pallkion—or anyone—might assume Ian frowned over discipline. But Ian didn't care about that.
No lunatics in Aslan Kingdom would dare raid a martial clan unit, and he had no interest wasting energy on trivia against Celestial Blaze.
Unlike Ryu An Pallkion, Ian watched Sophia's movements.
'No openings.'
She appeared scatterbrained, goofing with her sister. But reality differed.
Her body was primed for any sudden threat.
Anyone ambushing based on that clumsy facade would be riddled with Clonen Shadow Clan's hidden weapons before realizing what hit them.
The Little Stars were barely in their early-to-mid twenties, yet...
She'd already attained Natural State?
'The clan's heirs are more impressive than I thought.'
The Lichtenauer Martial Clan was like an onion.
Just when you thought you peeled it all, fresh shocks kept coming.
'Or maybe I've just weakened.'
Back in the Krohoka Empire days, he'd have ignored their Natural States.
Lucas's guard teemed with such experts back then.
Krohoka probably had tomorrow's stars like her.
He'd simply failed to utilize them properly, lacking as he was.
'I won't repeat the same mistake twice.'
To avoid that, he first needed to seize the clan—including Little Stars like Sophia.
As Ian assessed Sophia and reflected on himself, she noticed his gaze amid doting on Sylvia.
Of course, Sophia never dreamed he'd discerned her Natural State.
'Hmph! Nothing but the Patriarch's direct lineage. Who're you to lord over my Sylvia?'
As if.
Latent Dragon Squad had no role in this mission.
From start to finish, she'd handle it all with Celestial Blaze's power alone.
Then, post-mission, she'd demand Sylvia's transfer as punishment for their non-performance and reward for Celestial Blaze's feats.
'Can't leave this cutie under that idiot.'
"Sylvia~ Hungry? Want a snack?"
Sophia showered affection, hiding her dark(?) intentions.
"No, I'm fine!!"
Sylvia shoved away the offered chocolate, yelling again.
"Oh, really~?"
To Sophia, even that was another reward(?).
Celestial Blaze and Latent Dragon didn't head straight to the birch forest.
No rush—they could hear details from the client first.
A tower soared skyward at their destination.
Megalovria.
The safest territory in Aslan alongside the clan's lands and Titan.
A repository of knowledge, gathering those closest to truth in southern continent Bestrika.
The Magic Tower's domain.
"We sincerely welcome you to the Magic Tower. Might I ask the purpose of your visit?"
A young mage greeted them politely at the entrance.
"Thanks for your hard work. I'm Sophia Clonen, Celestial Blaze Captain of the Lichtenauer Martial Clan. Here for the birch forest request."
"Sophia Clonen... Ah! The clan's flower. What an esteemed guest."
Even in the bustling Magic Tower, a Little Star's name carried weight; surprise flickered in the mage's eyes.
Confirming Sophia's insignia, the mage linked a communication spell somewhere, inquiring briefly.
He returned soon, guiding them courteously.
"We've heard the details. Right this way. Rest areas are prepared for your team."
"Much appreciated."
After brief thanks, the mage cautiously asked Sophia.
"Um, who is the mission leader...?"
"Me, obviously."
The mage scratched his cheek awkwardly at her response.
"Er... Forgive me, but the client mentioned two units arriving. Where might the other leader be?"
Ian stepped forward at the question.
"That's me."
"Ah! Confirmed. Given the mission's nature, the support unit needs full details too. Please, both of you come along."
'Tch. Unnecessary hassle.'
Sophia clicked her tongue inwardly.
She'd planned to sideline Ian entirely, but now he'd learn the full situation.
'Whatever. I'll wrap it up quick anyway.'
Her face betrayed her annoyance, though.
"...Why the look?"
Sophia's expression screamed, 'Sharing a table with him? Seriously?'
"...Nothing. Client says so, can't be helped. Let's go."
She spun on her heel, following the mage.
Her attitude amused Ian more than irked him.
A Little Star gunning for Patriarch acting so unguardedly childish, talent aside.
'More fun than expected.'
After all he'd achieved, a mere glare couldn't dent him.