Chapter 129: Dragon Blood (4)


    “When on earth did he get here?”


    Selperd and hispanions simultaneously drew their swords, pointing them in that direction.


    A small-framed old man stood at the doorway, hands sped behind his back.


    Beside him, Marti was fidgeting nervously, unsure of what to do.


    “Grandfather, barging in like this…!”


    “Who dares tell me I can’t walk around my own house? Isn’t that right, young man?”


    “Yes, you’re absolutely right.”


    Theo nodded calmly as he met the old man’s gaze.


    ‘Vittorio Romellin… the head of the Romellin family and governor of the Floating Archipgo. I heard he was usually unremarkable, but I didn’t know he was this much of a master.’


    Selperd and hispanions swallowed dryly. Cold sweat trickled down their backs.


    All this time, despite being in Romellin’s mansion, they had never seen Vittorio’s face.


    The excuse had been that he was too busy due to martialw, leaving him no time to meet others.


    They hadn’t paid it much attention.


    But this was an entirely unforeseen situation.


    Especially since they had been on high alert, vigntly guarding against any intruder.


    Yet he had entered undetected, naturally overhearing every bit of their conversation here.


    Such a feat would be impossible without skills far beyond theirs.


    ‘A level of a Dragon Gate Swordsman… No, perhaps even higher.’


    In that case, another question arose.


    Why had someone with such prowess merely observed the Ghost yer Squad’s atrocities all this time?


    Did Theo know something?


    He didn’t show any hint of being bewildered, strangely enough.


    “Seemed like an interesting conversation, though I hope I didn’t interrupt. Once you get old, it’s hard to hold back from curiosity. Haha.”


    “Not at all. Vittorio, you have every right to hear this.”


    Theo turned to Selperd and the others.


    “Could I ask you all to step out for a moment?”


    “Theo.”


    “There’s nothing to worry about, I believe.”


    “Hmm. Very well then.”


    Selperd looked worriedly between Theo and Vittorio before finally leaving the room with the other two.


    The man from ck Skull discreetly exited as well.


    “It seems only fitting to continue the discussion. May I join in?”


    Vittorio walked leisurely around the room, hands sped behind his back.


    Yet Theo didn’t yield to his atmosphere.


    ‘I need to handle this conversation well from here.’


    Theo knew quite well about Vittorio.


    A man who, despite his role as the governor of the Floating Archipgo, rarely revealed his true worth.


    Because of this, he had earned a reputation as the worst leader, allowing the Floating Archipgo to be helplessly swept into Troyban’s clutches.


    This was the public opinion of him in his previous life.


    Yet he was also the sovereign who defended the Floating Archipgo against Troyban until the end, ensuring its survival even through the Great War.


    No wonder even ck Snow considered Vittorio more of a threat than the archipgo’s wealth.


    ‘On top of that, his swordsmanship was at the level of a Laurel Sword Master—a warrior on par with the Nine Dragons. He wouldn’t be easy to handle.’


    Thus, gaining Vittorio’s cooperation was essential to im control over the Floating Archipgo and the Shipping Alliance.


    Thest remaining obstacle.


    As Theo organized his thoughts, he spoke slowly.


    “Does that mean Romellin is willing to join us in this endeavor?”


    “Isn’t this an initiative of none other than the great House of Ragnar? In that case, I would rather work with you than against you. Naturally.”


    Vittorio’s eyes momentarily darkened.


    “But if you intend to pull the same tricks as Troyban, the conversation will be entirely different.”


    “No. I have no intention of doing that.”


    “Well then, that’s a relief. To be honest, I never imagined that Ragnar would take an interest in our Floating Archipgo. Your family rarely steps out of the North, don’t they?”


    “I think you misunderstand. When I said Ragnar has no such intentions, it’s because Ragnar truly knows nothing about what’s happening in the Floating Archipgo.”


    “Hmm?”


    Vittorio tilted his head, puzzled by this response.


    Theo’s smile grew more pronounced.


    “I am not here as a representative of Ragnar.”


    “…What?”


    “I’m simply here in a personal capacity.”


    “…That means.”


    “Everything here is my independent decision.”


    “…!”


    Vittorio’s eyes widened.


    An unbelievable notion.


    Was he really supposed to believe that Theo had dismantled Troyban’s influence and even acquired the mysteries of Kriemhild, all without any backing from Ragnar?


    “Then the Dragon yer Sword, Balmung…”


    “I retrieved it during a mission. While on the Floating Archipgo, I learned of the situation here thanks to ck Snow’s assistance and came to return it to you.”


    “Ha!”


    It was beyond astonishing.


    “And… just how old are you?”


    “Fifteen. I’ll be sixteen next month.”


    “Then youpleted your Blossoming Ceremony…?”


    “This year.”


    “Incredible… utterly incredible…”


    Vittorio recalled what he and his granddaughter, both once called “prodigies,” were like at fifteen.


    Hadn’t they barely managed to channel aura into their des by then?


    Besides, those in House Ragnar first unlocked their magic power at fifteen.


    This meant Theo had wielded a sword for less than a year, yet he disyed this level of skill?


    No, considering his past feats and cunning, could a mere fifteen-year-old aplish all of this on his own?


    This was beyond what one mightbel as genius.


    ‘No, that’s the wrong way to think. If anything, this could make our conversation even smoother.’


    Vittorio ran his hand down his face, organizing his thoughts.


    He had met countless people over the years.


    Many among them were prodigies.


    And one thing wasmon to all such geniuses:


    They could never be judged by ordinary standards.


    With that, Vittorio resolved to treat Theo as an equal negotiating partner.


    “The foundations of the Floating Archipgo and the wealth of the Shipping Alliance—you need those, don’t you? To be the family head.”


    “I never said I intended to be the family head.”


    “Don’t hold back. If someone like you ims to have no ambition, that’s harder to believe. If you’re unwilling to reveal your true intentions, then I’ll simply withdraw my support.”


    “No need for that. Please, let’s continue our discussion.”


    Internally, Theo clicked his tongue, impressed by Vittorio’s insight, which had read his desire for power with only a few clues.


    Vittorio’s eyes glinted with intensity.


    “For thest 400 years, Romellin has conducted intermediary trade across the Empire and beyond, establishing and reinforcing countlessworks. And the vast wealth collected through that goes without saying.”


    King of the Seas.


    That was another title held by House Romellin.


    “If I were to ce all of this into your hands, what would you offer us in return?”


    Thump!


    Theo suddenly felt his heart race.


    Vittorio was asking.


    – How far does your ‘true’ ambition go?


    If he merely intended to govern the Floating Archipgo, then the terms they had discussed so far would have sufficed.


    Theo would secure the archipgo’s foundation, the wealth of the Shipping Alliance, and the power of the Temple Knights as a backup.


    Meanwhile, Romellin would gainplete governance over the Floating Archipgo, exclusive control over maritime trade, and the support of Kriemhild’s heir—a mutually beneficial arrangement.


    Furthermore, since Theo was about to leave the Floating Archipgo, it would be a wee oue for Vittorio as well.


    However, Vittorio was probing for whaty “beyond” that.


    The answer Theo would provide here would determine the hand Vittorio would reveal.


    ‘So… this is a true negotiation. Not just a deal where each side grabs what they want and parts ways. This is a partnership built on trust, one that could shape our future together.’


    Theo felt as though he’d learned a valuable lesson from Vittorio.


    “How about an exclusive trade license in the North?”


    “Oh?”


    “And with ns to expand into the East, Romellin’swork could extend not just across the seas, but deep into the ind territories as well.”


    “You speak as if you’ve already defeated Troyban.”


    “That’s because I’m a descendant of Ragnar.”


    “Arrogant, aren’t you?”


    “I’ve already seeded alone in the Floating Archipgo; a war wouldn’t be much different.”


    Vittorio seemed to like Theo’s bold reply.


    “But didn’t you say yourself that you weren’t here as Ragnar’s representative? Can you make such promises so freely?”


    “It’s not public knowledge yet, but the Ceres Trading Company, which once monopolized Northern trade, has already copsed. You’d be taking their ce.”


    “Even so, the Northerners are as fiercely insr as we are. They won’t wee us with open arms, will they?”


    “Then work with Bhus. If you approach them as a joint venture, it shouldn’t be difficult.”


    “Bhus? Isn’t that one of the Six Snow Families? Will they really cooperate with us?”


    “Yes, they will. The head of that family is my vassal.”


    “Ha!”


    He’d already made the head of one of the Six Snow Families his vassal?


    By now, Vittorio was no longer surprised.


    If anything, his desire only grew stronger.


    ‘Perhaps I secluded myself all these years just to meet this young man.’


    Now he understood why Marti had said he’d realize once he met Theo.


    Here was an opportunity to expand Romellin’s influence—not just confined to maritime trade, but extending northward into the mysterious Northern territories, and even further into the deep ind regions of the East.


    And an alliance with a force aiming to be the King of the North.


    ‘A great storm is on the horizon for the Empire. Storms can capsize ships, but at times, they also carry merchants faster and farther.’


    Although Vittorio knew nothing of the Great War, he had sensed that a tremendous era of chaos was about to sweep the Empire.


    If so—


    Rather than avoiding this storm, he might need to ride it.


    But Vittorio only stroked his chin thoughtfully, refraining from giving a direct answer.


    There was something he wanted to confirm first.


    “Tell me, would you care to perform a little y with me?”


    * * *


    The Assembly Hall of the Autonomous Territory bustled with council members for the first time in a long while.


    This was due to the summons for an emergency general assembly.


    – Hmph! Half the seats are still empty, as expected.


    – Well, didn’t Spin and Grimahl both get smashed to pieces overnight? They’re probably overwhelmed cleaning up the mess.


    – Actually, I heard it’s because the Temple Knights rounded them all up. They’ve thrown everyone into prison, ming them for this whole incident. Naturally, everyone’s lying low.


    – With even the Head of Security removed from power, no one could stop them. Ha!


    – Oh,e to think of it, didn’t you dine with the head of House Grimahl a few days ago?


    – Hey, you! Must you always bring that up! It was only because they begged me to eat with them!


    – Wasn’t it to ask for a job for your son?


    – What are you insinuating! I swear on my name, I’d never do such a thing!


    The downfall of Spin and Grimahl.


    Since many council members inevitably had ties with them, they were anxiously watching their words, fearing they’d get ensnared in any suspicion.


    Even at this moment, the Temple Knights were said to be scouring every corner of the Autonomous Territory with watchful eyes, adding to the council members’ unease.


    – But what are we going to do about the sessor of Kriemhild?


    – I heard he’s a foreigner? And supposedly from House Ragnar, no less.


    – It’s just absurd. Just what’s happening in this world? Ugh!


    – Shouldn’t we start by retrieving Balmung?


    – Of course! Balmung is originally the proud holy artifact of our Venota and the Autonomous Territory!


    – Exactly! Being a hero is one thing, but this is different.


    – We’re inevitably heading for a sh with Troyban anyway, so a measured show of force should suffice.


    – Strictly speaking, isn’t it thanks to us that the boy could even acquire that kind of power?


    We’re not the ones who should be bowing our heads; rather, they should be bowing to us.


    This was the shared opinion among the council members concerning Theo.


    Unlike public opinion among the residents, they were inherently the privileged ss.


    It was only natural they didn’t want to jeopardize their vested interests and thus found it difficult to look favorably upon Theo.


    – But still, if he’s conspiring with the governor to pull something, what are we to do?


    – True. That’s a problem as well…


    Some voiced concerns.


    – They’re now the only remaining member of the Three Shipping Families, and with effective control over the Temple Knights, it’s practically a dictatorship…


    – Shh! Quiet. They might hear you.


    A few nced nervously toward the highest seat in the assembly hall and then turned their heads aside.


    It was at that moment.


    – The Governor is entering. All council members, please stand.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    With Marti’s assistance, Vittorio carefully entered the Assembly Hall.


    The sound of dry gulps could be heard from all around.


    ‘The Governor…’


    ‘Was he always this imposing?’


    Until now, Vittorio’s presence had been overshadowed by the forceful influence of Spin and Grimahl.


    But now, the entire atmosphere in the hall revolved around him.


    Whether this was Vittorio’s true self or the result of the formidable Temple Knights and ck Skull at his back was unclear.


    – Everyone, please be seated.


    As Vittorio took his seat at the governor’s position, the other council members followed, sitting in order.


    “I have called you here despite your busy schedules because the sessor of Kriemhild has finally regained consciousness. To hear his testimony regarding recent events and discuss the future of our rtionship with the Floating Archipgo, I wish to invite him here. Are there any objections?”


    Silence continued to fill the room.


    The council members’ gazes turned toward the entrance instead.


    “If there are none, let us bring him in. Enter.”


    Creeeak!


    As the doors swung open, Theo strode in with amanding presence.


    In one hand, he held Balmung, and in the other, Aegir’s helmet.