*Clop-clop-clop*
A lone carriage rolled into a desolate village.
The aftermath of some recent conflict had left the crops destroyed and the buildings in ruin; not a single structure remained intact.
*Creaaak!*
The carriage came to a halt, and the door slowly opened as Ed Troyban stepped out.
“Haah...”
As he exhaled, a voice called out to him from behind.
“So, how does it feel to breathe the outside air again?”
Ed turned and bowed respectfully.
An old man, dressed in fine silks from the East and with a long, sage-like beard, approached with two sturdy guards at his side.
“Father.”
“What are your impressions?”
“It’s... a mess.”
“And?”
“It feels like something big is about to happen. It felt like a completely different world.”
Ed recalled the other villages he had seen while traveling south from the North. They had all been in a similar state—ghost towns filled with emaciated refugees wandering aimlessly.
“Was it really this bad?”
“Yes,” Granada Troyban said, his hands clasped behind his back as he nodded heavily.
“Recently, natural disasters have been wreaking havoc worldwide. Rising sea levels have submerged lowlands, and melting permafrost has buried mountainous areas in landslides. The southern plains were hit by a sudden cold snap, and here in the East, swarms of locusts ruined all the spring crops.”
Ed recalled the empire’s dire situation, which he had learned about through the intelligence network.
“Sudden shifts in ocean currents have disrupted once-thriving trade routes... And an epidemic destroyed a city that housed tens of thousands. Yet, the empire...”
Granada’s tone was calm, but Ed didn’t miss the deep anger hidden beneath it.
“The so-called emperor clings to his corrupt officials and eunuchs, throwing the entire administrative system into disarray. Rebellions are starting to break out, and those with ambition are openly considering independence.”
“So that’s why the Holy Cult has spread so rapidly.”
“In troubled times, people look to religion as their refuge.”
Granada and Ed had allied with the Holy Cult out of necessity, but inwardly, they both held the organization in contempt.
“A great war is coming.”
Those words struck Ed’s heart with a heavy weight.
“And after that... an even greater, unstoppable wave will come, sweeping down from the North.”
“...”
“We have a duty to set things right. Ragnar must be erased, and the Troyban legacy must rise. That’s our responsibility.”
Granada’s eyes gleamed ominously.
“The key to that is the relic of the Ancient Dragon, the ancient mystery that the foolish Ragnar still hasn’t deciphered. Did you bring it?”
“Here it is.”
At Ed’s signal, a subordinate quickly set down a large chest and opened it.
Inside lay a long broadsword, bound tightly in iron chains.
Granada’s eyes sparkled with interest.
“This is the Sword of the Dragonbane.”
“Indeed. Of all the artifacts I’ve encountered, I’d wager none holds value equal to this.”
“Yet you’ve foolishly lost every relic we’ve gathered so far.”
“...”
“And we failed to secure the relic from the Palace of Roses. Losing Emil wasn’t exactly worth the price, was it?”
“...I have no excuse.”
Ed bowed deeply.
“It’s in the past. Fretting over it now won’t change anything.”
Granada waved his hand.
*Clang!*
The iron chains shattered, and the sword floated in the air.
Granada pulled a blue key from his voluminous sleeve.
For a moment, Ed’s eyes sparkled.
*That’s the master key to the relic seal—the one he received from that figure!*
*Thump thump thump!*
Would he finally get a glimpse of the relic’s secrets, which he had never been able to unlock?
“A cursed sword of dragonslaying... Will it truly return here?”
Ed nodded solemnly.
“I swear on my name. That child is indeed the *Chosen One* of this age.”
“Is that so? That will surely please him.”
For the first time, a satisfied smile appeared on Granada’s face.
“Then let us begin.”
He moved the blue key closer to the sword.
---
After Kyle’s order to gather the Nine Dragons.
Julius was exhausted, overwhelmed by the sheer amount of work to be done.
Preparing for war with the Troyban, restructuring and deploying the White Armor Brigade, and handling the aftermath of conflicts with the Elder Council—there was no end in sight.
One bit of good news, however, was the public announcement from the Elder Council.
*"The Elder Council will cease all operations for the next year, with each Elder stepping down to join the ranks alongside the White Armor Brigade in the war effort against the Troyban."*
It was, effectively, a declaration of surrender.
The Elder Council would do whatever it took to retain any semblance of respect.
“Just as I thought I could finally enjoy working in peace...”
Julius’s eyes narrowed as he read the document in front of him.
On the cover, it read:
*"Solo Operation Proposal."*
“So, you’ve come to dump another mountain of work on me?”
He looked up.
Theo stood at attention, his posture perfectly straight.
“I’m sorry.”
“Are you really sorry? Because your mouth seems to be smiling.”
“Oh, my mistake. I’ll correct it.”
“I should never have put you under Evelyn. She was so diligent before, but now look at her.”
Lowering the document, Julius asked, “Explain this so-called solo mission in brief. I’m not in the mood for reading more paperwork.”
“Have you heard of *Benota*?”
“You mean the Free City Alliance in the Northwestern Floating Archipelago?”
“Specifically, it’s a free city governed by three major merchant families—Spinola, Grimal, and Romelin—who control the Seafaring Union.”
“Fine, whatever. Why do you bring it up?”
Julius only focused on matters within the North, where the White Armor Brigade operated. He had no interest in other regions, as did most Northmen.
“Intelligence shared by Black Snow indicates that funds flowing to Black Skull originated there.”
“What?”
Now, Julius was paying attention.
Black Skull, the terrorist group that had caused the deaths of many in the Fifth Unit.
“So, I intend to investigate personally.”
“Investigations fall under Black Snow’s jurisdiction.”
“I’ve already received permission from the Intelligence Chief.”
*“That old man...”* Julius gritted his teeth.
So Black Dragon had secretly met with Theo without his knowledge?
“But the information you have is minimal, isn’t it? It’s dangerous. Black Snow should gather more data first.”
“It’s my understanding that the Fifth Unit’s primary role is special operations. Practical swordsmen are permitted to carry out solo missions.”
“That’s only if I’ve personally authorized it.”
“Captain.”
“No. It’s too risky. Dismissed.”
Julius pushed the document back toward Theo.
“The Floating Archipelago is beyond our reach. It’s a wealthy but lawless zone where runaway slaves and exiles live openly. They even use pirates as their so-called ‘navy.’ It’s crawling with lunatics.”
“...”
“Moreover, Black Skull’s true identity remains unknown. Their actual strength could far exceed what we’ve detected. What could you hope to accomplish there alone?”
Julius’s eyes blazed with concern.
“Sure, maybe you could achieve something. I’m sure you have ideas you’re keeping from me. But it’s dangerous all the same.”
Theo could see the genuine concern in Julius’s stern words.
He regarded him as a disciple, a son, and a loyal subordinate.
But this was exactly why Theo knew he had to proceed.
*This is necessary for me.*
Upon learning that the funding for Black Skull flowed from Benota, Theo recalled several facts from his past life about the Seafaring Union’s significance.
- *The financial source of the Holy Cult.*
- *The center of revolts and uprisings across the empire.*
- *The shadow behind the great upheaval.*
*Could it be mere coincidence that the terrorist group Black Skull is connected to Benota?*
And another thought struck him.
*If Black Skull is indeed one of Benota’s hidden weapons, why did Troyban and Black Skull join forces in the upheaval, despite being enemies at Blankey Fortress?*
Clearly, there was a hidden conspiracy at play.
*If I can uncover it, I’ll gain a strategic advantage.*
This was why Theo had worked late into the night drafting the solo mission proposal.
*And I might even uncover the secrets behind the Dragonslaying Sword.*
Tracking down Black Skull was his top priority.
“Captain, I need to do this.”
“...”
Julius remained silent, meeting Theo’s steady gaze.
“I can’t say for certain, but this mission is also likely connected to the Troyban. Please allow me to go.”
Julius still hesitated, lips pressed tightly together.
“This will also be my first step in establishing a solid foundation.”
“...”
Finally, Julius exhaled a deep sigh.
“Fine. If you insist, I’ll approve this mission. But since the intelligence is still incomplete, you must coordinate with Black Snow.”
“Yes, sir. I will.”
*Thud!*
Julius couldn’t shake the feeling that he was throwing Theo into the jaws of the Black Dragon, but he knew he had to grant the request. The conviction that Theo was meant to be Ragnar’s next leader was already firmly planted in Julius’s mind.
In the end, Julius stamped his seal on the document.
*Thud!*
*Approved.*
“And I’ll assign a guard as backup.”
“Thank you.”
“Not too many. We’re under full mobilization orders for this operation.”
This chapter is updat𝙚d by freeweɓnovel.cøm.
“Your support is more than
enough. Thank you. I’ll take my leave.”
With a respectful bow, Theo left the office.
*Click—*
Julius turned his chair to face the window.
Snowflakes were drifting down from the sky.
“When you return, you’ll be sixteen. You’ll have crossed into a new year.”
The thought of Theo’s growth brought a smile to Julius’s face.
---
Theo’s preparations were swift.
*If Benota is truly backing Black Skull, then their alliance with the Troyban must involve a deeper scheme.*
He knew time was running out.
*With Troyban moving far earlier than in the original timeline, it’s likely that the plot in Benota has already begun. I must cut it off and, if possible, turn Benota to my side.*
Though he wasn’t entirely certain how the changes had altered events, Theo was confident he could adapt.
“You’re leaving already, sir? It’s unfortunate—I was hoping the shop would open soon. The new year is almost upon us, too.”
Cecilia looked at Theo with a wistful expression.
Theo couldn’t help but smile.
Due to the recent banquet at the Blade Shrine, orders for the formal attire he’d worn had been pouring in.
The same was true for the dresses worn by Cecilia and Evelyn.
As a result, Cecilia had been planning to open her shop earlier than expected.
However, Theo’s mission was starting even sooner.
“I’ll be back soon.”
“Yes, I know you have your own duties. I’m sorry to trouble you before such a long journey.”
Cecilia pulled Theo close, embracing him tightly.
“Just remember, your home is right here. No matter what, you’re always welcome back.”
“Yes, I’ll remember.”
Theo closed his eyes, savoring the warmth of Cecilia’s gentle touch on his hair.
It was comforting.