Chapter 113

「Now, go save my father.」

Perhaps due to the channeling link with Pontus, his thoughts were now clearly expressed and his intentions unmistakably conveyed.

However,

‘No, not yet.’

Theo shook his head.

Pontus frowned.

「Are you planning to break your promise?」

‘Not a chance.’

「Then…!」

‘I just want to tell you that the time isn’t right.’

「The time?」

‘Surely you’re not expecting me to head straight for the Deep Sea Plain without any preparation, are you?’

「…….」

Only then did Pontus understand Theo’s words.

Theo’s temperament was so similar to his own, a dragonborn, that he had briefly mistaken him.

But Theo was human.

A land-dwelling being.

Underwater breathing was impossible for him.

‘Not only is breathing difficult, but with my current level of magic power, I wouldn’t last long under the deep-sea pressure. So, I’ll prepare quickly and head there.’

Theo glanced around at the chaotic sea beasts still circling nearby.

‘So for now, take your subordinates and go back. I’ll contact you separately.’

「…Can I trust you?」

‘Trust me. I swear on my heart.’

「…….」

For dragonborn, the heart was the source of all life force and magic.

Swearing on such a heart was the most sincere oath one could make.

Especially for someone like Theo, who possessed the essence of a dragon—it held even greater meaning.

「Very well. If you go that far, then I will trust you.」

Pontus let out a powerful roar toward the ocean surface.

Guooo-

A resonating wave spread outward.

The sea beasts that had been frantically circling the ship started to return one by one.

「But I can’t wait long. My father’s madness grows by the moment, like a snowball rolling down a hill.」

Just then,

Ding!

[Quest update received.]

+

[Scenario Quest #4]

To fulfill the request of your companion and guardian dragon, Lothbrok, you must meet the Sea King and complete the quest within the allotted time.

– Time limit: 360 hours

– Difficulty: A+

– Reward: +100 Affinity, Dragon Blood Talent Awakening

– Failure: Death

+

[Countdown begins.]

[360:00:00]

[359:59:59]

.

.

‘I need to meet the Sea King and clear the quest within fifteen days?’

With the time needed to reach the Floating Archipelago, make contact with the Black Skull, and finalize preparations, it would be cutting it close.

‘Alright, I’ll be there soon.’

「I’ll wait.」

Pontus gave a firm nod before swiftly turning and moving down toward the ocean depths, his tail swaying powerfully.

He subtly glanced at Umbra, as if signaling that he wouldn’t be caught off guard so easily next time.

Keekk!

Of course, Umbra responded with a defiant posture, as if daring him to try.

‘Then let’s head back too.’

As Theo stroked Umbra’s jaw, it spread its wings wide, propelling them in the opposite direction from Pontus with the force of the water.

* * *

– Huh? Wh-what?

– The sea beasts are retreating!

– What just happened here?

Chaos spread across the deck.

The creatures that had been desperately clawing their way up onto the ship just moments ago had vanished as if it had all been a lie.

Even the Sea Serpent, which had been thrashing about as if it would sink the ship, was nowhere to be seen.

“What… What’s going on? Did he really handle it?”

Grey couldn’t make sense of the situation.

From the looks of it, Theo must have done something, but he couldn’t begin to guess what kind of method he might have used.

– Who cares why! Let’s fire every remaining shell we’ve got to make sure they don’t come back again!

Below, the captain was shouting at the top of his lungs, spitting as he ordered everyone to fire.

Despite not showing his face during the earlier chaos, he suddenly appeared as things calmed down, yelling wildly.

Grey quickly leaped from the lookout post.

If it was indeed that mysterious man who had driven off the sea beasts, provoking him further wouldn’t do them any good.

Just as the crew hesitated, torn between glancing at the cannons and second-guessing their orders—

Boom!

A massive spray of water erupted from the sea’s surface, and something leaped up onto the deck.

“H-Heek!”

The captain, thinking the sea beasts had returned, shrieked—only to freeze when he saw that the figure was human.

It was Theo.

“Quit the unnecessary fuss and clean up the deck. We can’t afford any delays reaching our destination.”

“Who are you to order us around…!”

“Oh, you’re here!”

The captain had barely begun to protest when he suddenly shut his mouth, shrinking back as Antonio, the effective owner of the ship, eagerly greeted Theo.

Theo, on the other hand, remained unperturbed.

“I’ve just returned after handling all the sea beasts. We shouldn’t be delayed in reaching the Floating Archipelago, right?”

“So it was you, Sir Lant, who quelled the commotion. Thanks to you, it didn’t escalate too much, so we shouldn’t be delayed for long. Isn’t that so?”

“Y-Yes! We’ll have everything cleared up within an hour!”

The captain, catching Antonio’s look, straightened his back with a hasty nod.

Antonio stared at Theo for a long time, then sighed lightly as he placed a cigar between his lips.

After lighting it, he sat silently for a while, finally speaking once he’d gathered his thoughts.

“I’ve heard you’re in possession of Balmung.”

“I thought my terms were already clear?”

“Show me Balmung first.”

“Show me proof that you have the authority to negotiate with me. I don’t want to waste my time on someone without decision-making power.”

A tense standoff began, both sides vying for control.

“We’re in the middle of the open sea. The place you’re sitting right now is Spinola territory, specifically in the office of an heir with the right to inherit the family.”

“So?”

“I don’t think you’re dense enough to need me to remind you that you’re sitting in the jaws of a tiger.”

With his cigar clenched firmly in his mouth, Antonio crossed one leg over the other.

The cigar, the impeccable suit, the heavy atmosphere—he was the very image of a classic mafia boss.

Thud!

Grrrrk-

As he lightly tapped the armrest with his index finger, a whirring of gears echoed from various points in the ceiling and walls.

“This room is equipped with numerous emergency magic arrays and mechanical devices. At my signal, Lord Lant, you’ll be reduced to nothing but ashes.”

Though he still used honorifics, his tone conveyed no respect whatsoever.

However,

Smirk!

“Is that so?”

Theo chuckled lightly, sinking halfway back into his chair. He also took a cigar and held it to his lips.

“You remain arrogant even with the prospect of dying right here. If you’re placing your hopes on those two waiting outside, I’d advise you to think otherwise.”

“‘Advice,’ is it?”

Thud!

Suddenly, the ship shuddered.

– T-The sea beasts are back!

– Damn it! I thought they’d retreated! Why are they here again?

– Cannons! Fire the cannons!

– We can’t! There’s no clear line of sight! The sea beasts are all targeting the hull… At this rate, they’re going to break through from below!

Chaos erupted outside once more.

The crew had barely begun the aftermath cleanup, and the sudden attack only heightened the commotion.

“This is how it’s done,” Theo said, a cold smile on his face.

Antonio’s expression turned rigid.

“…What did you do?”

“Who knows?”

Theo didn’t bother to mention that Pontus had stationed a few sea beasts near the ship as a means of communication.

But as soon as Theo gave the signal, there would undoubtedly be a massive hole torn in the ship’s hull.

“The currents around here are also pretty treacherous. If you get stranded, survival will be nearly impossible, right? I’m confident I can get out of here before that magic array activates, but I’m not so sure about you.”

“…”

“And do you really think this ship would be the only thing to sink? The Floating Archipelago would go down with it—imagine that. Because of Spinola’s foolish son, everyone would be drowned. It’d be a struggle to handle all the resentment waiting for you in hell, wouldn’t it?”

Clench.

Antonio’s grip on the armrest tightened with barely contained rage.

He recognized that he had lost the power struggle completely.

If he considered the hundreds of thousands of residents on the Floating Archipelago, this was a fight he could never hope to win from the start.

“…The Black Skull was originally a secret organization created to protect the survival rights of the Floating Archipelago.”

Antonio sighed, extinguishing his cigar in the ashtray.

It was, effectively, a declaration of surrender.

“Survival rights?”

“Independence from the Empire. And the establishment of maritime sovereignty. Right now, the Empire is in no state to protect us. The authority of an Elector might sound impressive, but it’s practically useless. So, this was our last resort.”

Theo nodded in silence.

Signs of a great upheaval were already surfacing everywhere.

“So, does that mean all three of the Shipping Families are involved in Black Skull?”

“Uh, well, not exactly. The heads of the families probably don’t even know about it.”

Antonio scratched the back of his head, hesitant to elaborate further.

Theo immediately caught on.

So that was the true nature of Black Skull.

“A group within the Shipping Families started it, then—a minority faction, leaning toward the radicals, I’d guess, judging by their push for independence.”

“…Did you read my mind?”

“Who knows?”

“If you’ve figured out that much, it’d be hard to keep hiding it.”

Antonio had been trying to twist his words to keep as much hidden as possible.

But now, he had to admit that Theo was sharper than he’d anticipated.

The cards in his hand were far too few in comparison.

At the same time, another unsettling thought crossed his mind:

From the sea beast attacks to this very moment, maybe he’d been dancing in the palm of Theo’s hand the whole time…

“To be precise, it originated from a group formed by friends with shared beliefs, myself included.”

“If that’s the case, it makes sense why it’s stayed hidden for so long. Were you planning to form a faction to guide the future sentiment of the Floating Archipelago, or, if necessary, stage a coup for independence?”

“There’s no need for you to know our ultimate goals.”

Antonio cut him off decisively.

“At any rate, if you’re looking to speak to someone with decision-making power, you can discuss matters with me.”

Theo nodded and retrieved the Dragon Slayer Sword from his inventory, displaying it openly.

Antonio’s eyes trembled in shock.

“Balmung…!”

The sword, which he had assumed was still in Troyban’s possession, was now right before him.

Hoo!

Antonio took a deep breath, steadying himself as best as he could.

“Are you… aligned with Ragnar?”

“I don’t think there’s any need to tell you that.”

Theo smirked, throwing Antonio’s own words back at him.

“You get what you need, and I get what I need. Since we don’t trust each other yet, let’s start with a small transaction to establish rapport.”

“Yes, fair enough. Then let’s hear what you want first, Lord Lant. What are you seeking?”

“A path to the Sea King.”

Contrary to Theo’s phrase “small transaction,” his demand was anything but.

“T-That’s…”

“The core of the Floating Archipelago. I want the Mystery that lies within it.”