「Now, please save my father.」
Since Theo had connected with Pontus’s consciousness, their communication was now clearer and more direct. However...
‘No, not yet.’
Theo shook his head, and Pontus's eyes narrowed in confusion.
「Are you going to break your promise?」
‘Not at all.’
「Then...!」
‘I just want to tell you that it’s not the right time.’
「The right time?」
‘Surely you don’t expect me to go down to the deep-sea plains unprepared, do you?’
「...」
Pontus finally understood Theo’s point. For a moment, he had forgotten that Theo, though bearing dragon-like qualities, was still human—a creature of the land, incapable of breathing underwater.
‘The pressure alone would crush me long before I reached the depths. I’ll prepare properly and come back for him.’
Theo glanced at the sea creatures still circling the ship.
‘For now, gather your followers and retreat. I’ll contact you separately.’
「...Can I trust you?」
‘You have my word, sealed by my heart.’
To dragons, the heart represented the source of all life and magic. A promise sworn upon it was the most sacred kind of vow. For someone like Theo, who possessed dragon-like qualities, it held even more weight.
「Very well. If you swear upon your heart, I will trust you.」
Pontus let out a loud call toward the sea.
Gwoooo—
The sound rippled through the water, and the surrounding sea creatures promptly began to retreat, one by one.
「But do not keep me waiting long. My father’s madness grows with each passing moment.」
Just then, a notification appeared.
[The quest details have been updated.]
+
[Scenario Quest #4]
To fulfill your companion and guardian dragon Rodbrok’s request, you must meet the Sea King and complete the quest within the time limit.
· Time limit: 360 hours
Foll𝑜w current novels on fɾēewebnσveℓ.com.
· Difficulty: A+
· Reward: +100 Affinity, Awakening of Dragon Blood Talent
· Failure: Death
+
[Countdown begins.]
[360:00:00]
[359:59:59]
.
.
‘I need to meet the Sea King and clear the quest within fifteen days?’
Between arriving at the Floating Archipelago, establishing contact with Black Skull, and preparing, it was a tight schedule.
‘Alright. I’ll move quickly.’
「I’ll be waiting.」
Pontus gave a resolute nod before swishing his tail and diving back toward the depths, casting a glance at Umbra as if silently vowing that next time, the battle would not be so easily won.
Keeeek!
Umbra, of course, glared back, as if daring him to try.
‘Let’s head back.’
Theo stroked Umbra’s jaw, and the creature flapped its wings powerfully, pushing them back in the opposite direction of Pontus.
* * *
- "Huh? What?"
- "The sea creatures are retreating!"
- "What on earth just happened?"
The deck erupted in confusion as the sea creatures, which had been frantically attacking the ship, suddenly disappeared without a trace. Even the raging sea serpent had vanished.
“W-what? Did he really do that?”
Gray couldn’t make sense of what was happening. By all appearances, Theo had somehow managed to drive the sea creatures away, but the exact method was a mystery.
- "Does it matter how? Just make sure they don’t come back! Use up the rest of the ammunition!"
The captain was barking orders below, his face red with exertion. He had only shown up once things had settled down, acting as if he’d been there all along.
Gray quickly moved away from the mast.
If Theo really was the reason the sea creatures had left, antagonizing him further would be unwise.
The sailors, uncertain whether to man the cannons or relax, hesitated when—
Boom!
Suddenly, a huge splash of water erupted, and someone leapt onto the deck.
“Hiii!”
The captain screamed, thinking another sea monster had appeared, but widened his eyes in relief when he saw it was a human.
It was Theo.
“Instead of wasting time, clean up the deck. We don’t want to be late to our destination.”
“Who do you think you are, giving orders—?”
“Ah! There you are, sir!” Antoniou interrupted, cutting off the captain’s protest and rushing over to greet Theo enthusiastically.
Theo, however, remained calm.
“I’ve just cleared out the sea creatures. We won’t be delayed on our way to the Floating Archipelago, will we?”
“As expected, Lord Rant, you truly managed to handle the situation! Thanks to you, we won’t be delayed at all. Right, Captain?”
“Y-yes! We’ll be ready to go within the hour!”
Under Antoniou’s pointed gaze, the captain straightened and gave a hasty salute.
As Theo nodded and started to walk away, Gray suddenly leapt down from the mast and landed between Theo and Antoniou.
“Gray.”
“Lord Antoniou, I have urgent matters to discuss.”
“What is it?”
「Lord Rant has the artifact Valmung in his possession.」
“...!”
「He’s aware of our organization. He wishes to meet with one of our leaders in exchange for the artifact. What should we do?」
Antoniou looked at Theo in shock.
He’d been informed through hidden crewmembers that Theo had mentioned the Sea King, a closely guarded secret. Antoniou had come to the deck, under the pretense of the sea creature attack, hoping to investigate further.
But Theo had already made contact with one of his operatives?
The fact that Theo had managed to identify Gray as a Black Skull agent was surprising enough. But showing Valmung, the artifact they thought was in Troivan’s possession, was beyond unexpected.
He tried to gauge Theo’s intentions, but—
“...”
“...”
Theo’s expression was as inscrutable as ever, his arrogant air making his thoughts impossible to read.
In the end, Antoniou had no choice but to make a quick decision about how to proceed.
‘Which approach should I take with him?’
‘This isn’t Troivan’s style. It’s too crude, not their usual method.’
Moreover, Antoniou recalled that Troivan had used Valmung as leverage numerous times but had never once actually shown it.
‘Something must have happened during the Battle of the Blanc Fortress...’
“I have something important to discuss. Could I trouble you for a moment?”
Antoniou’s decision was swift.
* * *
Inside Antoniou’s private office aboard the ship.
“Quite spacious. It makes first-class seem modest.”
“There’s so much work to handle even during travel. I need a space that feels like my regular office; otherwise, I can’t be productive.”
“That’s understandable. People are influenced by their surroundings.”
As Theo admired the luxurious decor, he slowly took a seat opposite Antoniou. Selpard and Arin waited just outside, ready to intervene if needed.
‘To meet a Black Skull agent even before reaching the Floating Archipelago... My luck couldn’t be better.’
“So, what did you want to discuss?”
Theo played along, feigning ignorance about the reason Antoniou had called him here, maintaining the air of arrogance expected of "Rant."
Antoniou stared at Theo for a long time before sighing, lighting a cigar, and taking a few slow puffs as he gathered his thoughts.
“I heard you possess Valmung.”
“You heard my terms.”
“Show me Valmung first.”
“Show me proof you’re someone worth talking to. I don’t have time to waste on someone who lacks authority.”
They exchanged sharp glances, each testing the other’s resolve.
“We’re in the middle of the open sea. This is the private office of a direct successor of the Spinola family.”
“And?”
“You wouldn’t be so foolish as to forget that you’re inside the lion’s den, would you?”
Antoniou crossed his legs, the cigar still in his mouth, with the calm, poised demeanor of a classic mafioso.
Click!
The soft hum of gears turning filled the room as he tapped his finger on the armrest, activating hidden mechanisms in the walls and ceiling.
“This room is equipped with various magical devices and mechanical traps. At my signal, Lord Rant, you’d be reduced to ashes in an instant.”
Though he kept up the polite tone, his words were anything but.
Theo, however, just smirked.
“So that’s your play.”
Suddenly, the ship jolted violently.
- "Sea monsters! They’ve returned!"
- "Damn it! Weren’t they gone? What’s attracting them here?!"
- "Fire the cannons!"
- "We can’t! They’re only targeting the hull. At this rate, they’ll breach the lower decks!"
Chaos erupted on deck as the sailors scrambled to respond.
“That’s how you do it.”
Theo’s cold smile widened as Antoniou’s expression turned rigid.
“What... did you do?”
“Who knows?”
Theo didn’t bother explaining that Pontus had left some sea creatures nearby, waiting for his signal. He knew that with a single command, they could easily breach the ship’s hull.
“With the strong currents in this area, a wreck would mean certain death. I’m confident I could escape before the traps activate, but are you?”
“...”
“And who knows if this ship would be the only casualty. If the entire Floating Archipelago sank beneath the sea, the Spinola family’s foolish heir would be blamed. Imagine handling that rage in the afterlife.”
Crack.
Antoniou’s grip tightened on the armrest as he realized he’d lost the psychological battle.
He couldn’t win a fight that risked the lives of tens of thousands on the Floating Archipelago.
“...Black Skull was originally founded as
a secret organization to ensure the survival of the Floating Archipelago,” Antoniou finally admitted, extinguishing his cigar in defeat.
“Survival?”
“Independence from the Empire, and control over the seas. The Empire is in no position to protect us anymore, and the title of Margrave is nothing more than a formality. Black Skull was established as a last resort.”
Theo nodded in understanding. Signs of a major conflict brewing across the continent had been growing clearer.
“So all three of the Shipping Triad are involved in Black Skull?”
“Not quite. In fact, most of the family heads aren’t even aware of its existence.”
Antoniou scratched the back of his head, clearly uncomfortable with saying too much. Theo quickly understood the situation.
“So Black Skull is a faction within the Shipping Triad, led by the more radical members advocating for independence.”
「It’s as if you’ve read my mind.」
“Who knows?”
“You’ve pieced this together so thoroughly, it’s pointless to hide it.”
Antoniou realized that Theo’s insight was sharper than he had anticipated. The cards in their hand were too few.
A sudden thought crossed his mind: From the sea creature attack to this very moment, perhaps he had been unwittingly playing into Theo’s plan all along.
“To be precise, it began as a gathering of like-minded friends, including myself,” Antoniou admitted.
“I see. That explains why it’s remained so hidden. You intended to steer public opinion or, if necessary, launch a coup to secure independence.”
“I don’t think it’s necessary to divulge our objectives in full.”
Antoniou drew a line, refusing to reveal more.
“Anyway, if you’re looking to speak with someone of authority, I can discuss that with you directly.”
Theo nodded and pulled Valmung from his inventory.
Antoniou’s eyes widened in shock.
“Valmung...!”
The sword they thought was in Troivan’s possession was right here.
Hoo—
Antoniou took a deep breath, regaining his composure.
“Lord Rant, are you affiliated with Ragnar?”
“I don’t think I need to answer that.”
Theo gave Antoniou’s words right back to him, smiling.
“You get what you need, and I get what I need. Since there’s no trust between us yet, let’s start with a ‘small transaction’ and build from there.”
“Very well. What do you seek?”
“The path to the Sea King.”
Theo’s request, for a ‘small transaction,’ was anything but small.
“T-that’s...!”
“I want the <Mystery> at the heart of the Floating Archipelago.”