“What did you say? Say that again.”
“The outsider brought in by the Black Skull... just announced that he has become Crimhilde’s successor.”
“What kind of nonsense is that!”
“And currently, he’s leading the crowd that came to see him toward the central temple, demanding that the gate to the Sea King be opened.”
Giuseppe’s face twisted as he listened to the report hastily delivered by his subordinate.
“Crimhilde is the proud hero of our Venota! She’s a legend of the Floating Islands! Why would someone like her pass down her sword to an outsider?”
Despite aligning himself with Troyban’s power to secure his authority, Giuseppe took pride in being a resident of the Floating Islands.
And now, it felt like that pride was about to be snatched away.
It was an unexpected, disastrous turn of events.
“I only received the report, so I don’t know all the details...”
“Bah!”
The subordinate trembled, bowing his head.
Giuseppe could only let out a frustrated laugh.
At that moment, Noyl, who had been silently observing their conversation, spoke up.
“What is his name?”
“Pardon? Whose...?”
“The one who claims to be the successor. I asked for his name.”
“I-I don’t know...”
“How absurd. You don’t even know the name of someone claiming to be the hero’s successor?”
Giuseppe’s face flushed red.
He knew that was a criticism aimed directly at him.
“What are you standing around for? Find out immediately!”
New novel chapters are published on freewёbn૦νeɭ.com.
“Y-Yes, understood!”
As his subordinate rushed out of the room, Giuseppe kicked the door in frustration.
Bang!
“Aaaagh!”
“Quiet down.”
“...My apologies.”
“Don’t blame your subordinates for your own failures. It only makes your ugly situation even worse.”
“....”
Giuseppe had to swallow down his frustration.
“Who would’ve thought we’d lose the secrets of the Dragon Slayer right before our eyes? Now it seems we’re going to lose *Aegir* along with *Balmungr*. We’re like dogs chasing a chicken.”
*Aegir*.
A legendary piece of armor that, along with *Balmungr*, Crimhilde used to defeat the evil dragon.
Currently, it was enshrined in the central temple, where Crimhilde’s relics were kept.
“Why don’t we just deploy the guards immediately, subdue him, and seize *Balmungr*?” Giuseppe suggested.
“He’s already on his way to the central temple, claiming he will capture the Sea King, right? How do you plan to stop him? The foolish crowd will likely protect him. What will you do? Draw your sword on them?”
“...”
“That man is cunning. He fully understands his situation and position. Even though he must be exhausted from obtaining those secrets, he continues without pause. It’s to prevent anyone from making a move against him at Sea Street 3.”
Though Noyl hadn’t met Theo, he had a strong feeling that this was no simple opponent.
Theo seemed to have the public sentiment and power structure of the Floating Islands mapped out like the back of his hand.
“So, what are you planning to do?” Giuseppe asked.
“Just continue to observe. There’s no need to stir up unnecessary trouble. Let him go capture the Sea King. If he fails, all the better.”
“And if he succeeds... Oh!”
Giuseppe, catching on to Noyl’s intent, couldn’t help but marvel.
“By then, even if he has the public’s support, he’ll be too exhausted to resist! Brilliant!”
“All we have to do is secure him as he exits the gate. Just make up any excuse to justify it.”
“Leave that to me. I’ll declare it’s for the new hero’s safety. Later, when the fervor dies down, we’ll question his right to the secrets and seize *Balmungr* and *Aegir*.”
Noyl waved his hand dismissively.
“The secrets are ours to take whenever we wish. Just ensure he’s captured. I won’t tolerate any more mistakes.”
“I understand. I’ll be vigilant.”
“You always respond so well.”
Tsk!
Noyl clicked his tongue, tapping lightly on the table.
When Giuseppe raised his head again, Noyl had vanished like a ghost.
A slight frown appeared on Giuseppe’s forehead.
“You think you can just claim Crimhilde’s legacy? You must be joking.”
Gone was the subservient man who fawned over Noyl.
“In the end, that power will belong to the Floating Islands—and to Giuseppe. We are Crimhilde’s true heirs.”
The schemes surrounding Crimhilde’s secrets and the Dragon Slayer *Balmungr* were only beginning.
* * *
The path to the central temple where Crimhilde’s relics were kept.
Normally a popular path for the residents of the Floating Islands, it was now packed with a massive crowd.
Residents from all over had gathered to catch a glimpse of Crimhilde’s successor, the new master of *Balmungr*, the new hero.
Even though it was past midnight, the fervor was as intense as if it were midday.
“Please, grant us Crimhilde’s blessing.”
“Over here! Please, hero, look this way!”
“Just once! Could I shake your hand? It would be an honor of a lifetime!”
“Hey! Stop pushing! What if someone falls over?”
“What are you saying! You’re blocking the way! Are you the only ones who deserve to see the hero?”
The guards struggled to control the crowd, but it wasn’t easy.
“I’ll move slowly from here, so please stay orderly. If anyone gets hurt because of me, I won’t be able to face Lady Crimhilde.”
As Theo smiled warmly, calming the people, the overheated atmosphere cooled down almost instantly.
“The hero is right!”
“Let’s all just stay calm.”
“Not only is the hero as handsome as his heart is beautiful!”
“He looks so dignified, even as a young man. How can someone look like a statue?”
“Haven’t you seen Crimhilde’s statue? She was beautiful, too! He must resemble her!”
“The hero’s qualifications are based on more than just his looks... It’s his noble spirit.”
“Are you saying I lack that?”
“What! Why are you twisting the meaning like that?”
The crowd was entranced by Theo’s beautiful face, graceful actions, and warm words.
A saint.
That’s how they would describe him.
“Can he really pull off that kind of appearance? Impressive,” whispered Selperd.
“His mother, Lady Cecilia, was a famous actress in her youth. Must be thanks to her,” Aryn replied.
“That makes sense. Talent does run in the blood. That face, that swordsmanship, that skill, that acting... it’s all incredible.”
Escorting Theo, Selperd and Aryn couldn’t help but be impressed.
Meanwhile, on the other side...
Selperd sneered as he noticed Antonio trudging along behind them, looking dazed.
Although his acupoints had been released, his face showed little difference from before.
Betrayed by his companions, abandoned by his father—Antonio probably felt alone in the world.
Sympathy, however, was out of the question.
After all, Antonio had initially tried to use and then discard Theo’s group.
He was merely reaping what he had sown.
If anything, he should be grateful he wasn’t cast out entirely.
“Antonio.”
Antonio flinched as Theo’s voice came through to him.
“Don’t make it obvious I’m talking to you. We have plenty of eyes watching.”
Antonio quickly scanned his surroundings.
As Theo mentioned, familiar faces were indeed around.
Members of the Spinoza family, Grimial’s employees, Ghostslayer mercenaries, people from the council, and even Romellin family members yet to reveal themselves.
‘How could he know all of this?’
The fact that Theo had already assessed the entire situation while keeping up his saintly act sent chills down Antonio’s spine.
‘I thought I brought in a wolf, but it was a dragon.’
Antonio realized he and Black Skull had been fighting a losing battle from the start.
“You wouldn’t want to become a puppet on a string now, would you?”
Antonio almost nodded reflexively but managed to restrain himself.
“I’ll give you an opportunity.”
An opportunity?
“Rally your remaining allies. Seize control of Black Skull.”
Antonio’s eyes widened.
He finally grasped Theo’s true intent.
“You wanted to become governor, didn’t you? I’ll help. Use my name.”
Ba-dump, ba-dump!
Antonio’s heart raced, his face regaining some color.
“But first, prove to me that you have the merit and value for it.”
Theo was forming a third faction.
One independent of the Sea Street 3, the autonomous council, and the Sea Alliance’s interference.
If he used Black Skull as his foundation, the Floating Islands would easily fall into Theo’s grasp.
The figurehead would be Antonio, while the real power lay with Theo!
‘I’ll crush my brothers and father and seize authority...!’
Though he’d ultimately serve as Theo’s puppet, it was Antonio who would handle the internal affairs.
“So? Are you interested?”
It was the devil’s whisper.
A devil’s whisper impossible to resist.
Antonio gave a slight nod.
“Good. Then hurry. When I return after subduing the Sea King, I expect to see you and your people there to greet me.”
An offer to share the glory when Theo had everyone’s attention.
Antonio, excitement barely contained, melted back into the crowd.
Watching his retreating figure, Theo smirked.
“Theo, that smile is... sinister.”
“...Ahem.”
Beside him, Rey’s comment made Theo clear his throat.
She had a
knack for seeing through things, even with her naïve expression.
And she was spot on.
Theo never intended for Black Skull to hold any real power.
His focus lay elsewhere.
Somewhere that had yet to show itself.
“By the way, Rey, how did you get here? Without a word?”
Theo subtly changed the topic.
In truth, he’d been surprised to see Rey here.
She was supposed to be in Winterre.
“I got bored at home.”
“Bored?”
“Yes. It’s not fun anymore. Nothing more to learn. So, I asked Captain Baek Gap-yong.”
Theo laughed, picturing Julius’s surprise when Rey appeared out of nowhere.
To him, this was a chance to welcome Rey as part of the team, much like Erika and her siblings.
Rey had never been one to interfere with Theo’s plans.
“Being with you, there’s so much to learn.”
It seemed Rey had learned a lot from the recent banquet.
Feeling slightly embarrassed, Theo scratched his cheek.
In his previous life, he idolized her. Now, it seemed, she looked up to him.
It was a strange feeling.
As they chatted, Theo’s group finally reached the central temple with the crowd.
This was where the gate to the depths, where the Sea King lay, was located.
And then...
Bzzzt!
“You’re doing better than I expected. As expected of my partner.”
Through a brief noise, his partner’s voice echoed in his mind.
It seemed the frequency had realigned as they approached the Sea King.
“Rodbrock.”
“You’ve done well. Now, rest easy. From here on, I’ll take over.”
Theo’s gaze caught the illusion of Rodbrock’s silhouette climbing the steps of the central temple.