Chapter 108: Cold Winter (3) >


    Dagatdagatak-


    A lone carriage made its way into the deste vige.


    The aftermath of a war seemed to have swept through, leaving the crops ruined and not a single building intact.


    Creaaaak!


    The carriage halted in the middle of the vige, and slowly, the door opened to reveal Ed Troyban stepping out.


    “Haa…”


    As he exhaled lightly, a voice called out from behind him.


    “How does it feel to breathe the fresh air after so long?”


    Ed turned in that direction, lowering his head respectfully.


    Approaching him was an elderly man dressed in the silk robes popr in the East, his long beard giving him a sage-like appearance, apanied by two robust bodyguards.


    “Father.”


    “I’m curious to hear your thoughts.”


    “It’s a mess… everywhere.”


    “And?”


    “I have a feeling something big is about to explode. It feels like apletely different world.”


    Ed recalled the viges he’d seen while journeying from the northernnds into the eastern region.


    Almost all of them bore a resemnce to this ghost vige.


    A world where crops had been destroyed, and emaciated refugees wandered aimlessly.


    “Was it this bad?”


    “Yes.”


    The elderly man, Granada Troyban, nodded gravely with his hands sped behind his back.


    “Recently, sudden natural disasters have ravaged everything across the world. Sea levels have risen, submerging lond areaspletely underwater, and melting ciers have triggeredndslides that buried entire mountain regions. In the southern ins, a sudden cold snap has hit hard, while in the east, swarms of locusts have devastated all the crops sown in spring.”


    Ed recalled the state of the empire he had once heard of through the intelligence agency.


    “Ocean currents suddenly changed, disrupting once-thriving trade routes… even an outbreak of disease devastated a city of hundreds of thousands. And yet the Empire.”


    Granada’s tone was calm.


    However, Ed didn’t miss the deep-seated anger underlying it.


    “The so-called emperor spends his days surrounded by corrupt officials and eunuchs, throwing the entire administrative system into chaos. Thanks to this, signs of rebellion are sprouting all over the ce. Those with ambition are brazenly considering independence.”


    “So that’s why the influence of the Sacred Demon Church has been spreading rapidly.”


    “In times of turmoil, religion is the only ce the people can find sce.”


    Granada and Ed had allied with the Sacred Demon Church out of necessity, though deep down, they both held it in contempt.


    “Before long, the Great War will arrive.”


    The Great War.


    Just hearing those words pressed down hard on Ed’s heart.


    “And after that, arger… unstoppable wave wille crashing down. From the north.”


    “……”


    “We have a duty to set it right. A responsibility. That’s why the House of Ragnar, outdated and irrelevant, must disappear, and Troyban must rise.”


    Granada’s eyes gleamed with a dangerous intensity.


    “The key to that lies in the Ancient Dragon’s relic. An ancient mystery that those foolish Ragnars have failed to unlock. Did you bring it?”


    “Here it is.”


    At Ed’s signal, a subordinate who had been waiting nearby swiftly set down arge chest on the ground and threw open the lid.


    Inside, a long broadsword was coiled tightly in chains.


    Granada’s eyes shed with interest.


    “The Dragon Spirit’s Cursed de.”


    “So, this is it.”


    “I’ve handled various relics before, but I assure you, nonepare to the value of this one.”


    “Yet, it’s also true that you’ve been foolish enough to lose all the relics we’ve gathered so far.”


    “……”


    “We even missed out on securing the Rose Pce’s relic. Losing Emil doesn’t exactly make it a worthwhile trade.”


    “……I have no excuse.”


    Ed bowed his head deeply.


    “Enough. What’s the use of dwelling on the past? It won’t change anything.”


    Granada waved his hand dismissively in the air.


    Tadadadang!


    The chains shattered all at once, and the sword floated freely into the air.


    At the same time, Granada reached into the wide sleeve of his robe and pulled out a blue key.


    Ed’s eyes lit up at the sight.


    ‘That’s the master key said to unlock the relic’s seal… the one he received from him!’


    Thump-thump-thump!


    Would he finally catch a glimpse of the relic’s mysteries that he had never been able to unlock?


    “The Demon de of Dragonying… it really wille to this ce, won’t it?”


    Ed nodded heavily.


    “I can say it in my name. That child is indeed the  of this era.”


    “Is that so? He will be very pleased to hear it.”


    For the first time, a satisfied smile yed at the corners of Granada’s mouth.


    “Then, let’s begin.”


    Granada moved the blue key toward the sword.


    * * *


    After Kyle’s summons of the Nine Dragons.


    Julius looked utterly exhausted.


    The sheer amount of work he had to handle was overwhelming.


    Preparing for war with Troyban, redistributing the White Armored Dragon Cavalry’s forces, and handling the aftermath of disputes with the Senate—these tasks weighed heavily on him.


    The only satisfying piece of news was the statement the Senate had issued yesterday:


    – The Senate will suspend all functions for the next year, and all senators will abandon their posts, assuming only the position of simple soldiers, akin to Trainee Swordsmen, in support of the war against Troyban.


    It was practically a deration of surrender.


    If the Senate wanted to maintain any respect in the future, they had to do something drastic.


    “…And just when I thought I’d finally get a break.”


    Julius narrowed his gaze as he looked over the document in his hand.


    On the cover, it read:


    – Solo Operation n.


    “You’ve brought me yet another pile of work, haven’t you?”


    He shot a pointed look in a particr direction.


    Theo stood there in a stance of attentive readiness.


    “My apologies.”


    “Are you really sorry? There’s a smirk on your face.”


    “My mistake. I’ll correct it.”


    “…I shouldn’t have put you under Evelyn. You used to be so diligent, but in just a few months, you’ve changed.”


    Lowering the document, Julius asked a question.


    “I don’t want to read another word. Exin it simply. What is this solo operation you’re proposing?”


    “Do you know of ‘Venota’?”


    “The shipping alliance in the autonomous region of the Northwestern Floating Archipgo?”


    “More precisely, it’s a free city run by the three major merchant families atop the shipping alliance: Spin, Grimahl, and Romellin.”


    “Alright, but why there?”


    Julius’s interests were restricted to the North, where the White Armored Dragon Cavalry operated.


    Other regions held no concern for him.


    This was typical of the Northern mindset, often seen as a separate civilization or kingdom within the Empire. The unique disposition of Northerners was distinct from other Imperial citizens.


    “ording to information shared by ck Snow, the financial flow into ck Skull originated there.”


    “What?”


    Only then did Julius react.


    ck Skull—the terrorists responsible for the deaths of numerous members of Unit 5.


    “So, I intend to investigate directly.”


    “…Investigations fall strictly under ck Snow’s domain.”


    “I’ve already received approval from the Director of Information.”


    ‘That old man really…’


    Julius gritted his teeth.


    So the ck Dragon had secretly met with Theo again.


    “But isn’t that all the information we currently have? It’s too dangerous. And even if we needed to, it’s difficult to send support to such a distant location. Wait until ck Snow gathers more intel.”


    “The main role of the White Armored Dragon Cavalry’s Unit 5 is, as I understand, conducting special missions. From the rank of Practical Swordsman, solo operations are also permitted, aren’t they?”


    “That’s only when themander has deemed the operation executable and given their approval.”n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    “Commander.”


    “No. It’s too dangerous. Return.”


    Julius pushed the documents back toward him.


    “The Archipgo is beyond our reach to begin with. It’s so wealthy it’s said to attract every coin in the world, yet it’s also awless area teeming with escaped ves and exiles. Isn’t it full of madmen bold enough to openly deploy pirates as their so-called navy?”


    “……”


    “And besides, we still don’t know ck Skull’s true nature. Their strength is likely far greater than what we’ve detected thus far. What do you think you’ll aplish by going there alone?”


    Julius’s gaze looked fierce enough to burst into mes.


    “Sure. If it’s you, you might pull something off. There’s probably some n you haven’t told me about. But dangerous is dangerous.”


    Theo could see the genuine concern in Julius’s stern scolding.


    Worry.


    He was thinking of him truly as a disciple, as family, as a subordinate.


    But…


    ‘That’s why I have to do this.’


    The moment Theo learned that ck Skull’s funding source was in Venota, memories from his past life resurfaced, revealing the significance of the Shipping Alliance.


    – The source of funding for the Sacred Demon Church.


    – The center of uprisings and rebellions across the regions.


    – The power behind the Great War.


    ‘Is it really a coincidence that the terrorist ck Skull is somehow tied to Venota?’


    Yet another thought struck him.


    – If ck Skull was indeed one of the hidden weapons Venota kept, then why did Troyban and ck Skull end up coborating in the Great War, despite being sworn enemies since the nky Fortress Battle?


    There was surely a conspiracy he didn’t yet understand.


    ‘If I uncover this, I could gain an advantageous position.’


    This was why Theo had stayed up night after night preparing the solo operation n.


    ‘It may even lead to unlocking the secret behind the Dragon yer Sword.’


    ck Skull.


    Tracking them down was urgent.


    “This is necessary for me, Commander.”


    “……”


    Seeing Theo’s determined gaze, Julius held his silence.


    “I can’t tell you everything, but this matter is undeniably tied to Troyban. Please, allow me to make my move.”


    Julius kept his tightly pressed lips sealed, still unwilling to answer.


    “And this mission is also the first step in establishing my foundation.”


    “…!”


    Finally, Julius’s mouth opened, letting out a deep sigh.


    “…Alright. If you’re that determined, I suppose I have no choice. I’ll approve this operation. However, information on this matter is extremely limited, so you must coborate with ck Snow.”


    “Yes, I’ll keep that in mind.”


    Click!


    Inwardly, Julius felt as if he were personally pushing Theo into the jaws of the ck Dragon.


    But what could he do? When a disciple sincerely pleaded for something essential to his growth, he had to allow it.


    The conviction that cing Theo as the next head of House Ragnar would serve the family was firmly ingrained in Julius’s mind.


    In the end,


    Julius stamped his seal prominently on the document.


    Thud!


    – Approved.


    “And I’ll assign you a guard as support.”


    “Thank you.”


    “I can’t spare many. A full mobilization order has just been issued due to this operation.”


    “Your consideration alone is enough. I’ll be on my way, then.”


    Theo gathered his papers, bowed, and left the office.


    Creak—


    Julius turned his chair around to gaze out the window.


    Snowkes were gently drifting down from the sky.


    “By the time he returns, it’ll be the new year, and he’ll be sixteen.”


    How would Theo look with another year behind him?


    The thought alone made Julius smile to himself without realizing it.


    * * *


    Theo’s preparations were swift.


    ‘If Venota truly is behind ck Skull, there must be a substantial conspiracy for Venota to align with Troyban.’


    He felt a sense of urgency.


    ‘Since Troyban has made their move far earlier than in the original timeline, there’s a strong chance the conspiracy involving Venota is already underway. I’ll cut it off—and if possible, bring Venota over to my side.’


    The uncertainty about how much the butterfly effect had already taken hold was a concern, though Theo trusted he could adapt and manage somehow.


    “Are you leaving already, my son? It’s unfortunate, as we’re about to open the shop soon, and the New Year is just around the corner.”


    Cecilia looked at Theo with regretful eyes.


    Theo smiled wryly.


    Since the recent banquet at the Water Lily Pce, orders had been flooding in for the ceremonial robes he had worn at the time.


    The same went for the dresses Cecilia and Evelyn had worn.


    Thanks to this, Cecilia was now preparing to open the shop much sooner than initially nned.


    The problem was that Theo’s mission was starting even earlier than that.


    “I’ll be back soon.”


    “Yes. Just as I have my responsibilities, so do you, my dear. I’m sorry if I’ve only added to your burdens as you head off on this journey.”


    Cecilia pulled Theo close, holding his head to her chest.


    “But always remember this—your home is here. Whenever you’re struggling, don’t hesitate to return.”


    “Yes. I understand.”


    Theo savored the feeling of Cecilia’s hand gently stroking the back of his head for a long time.


    It was warm.