Chapter 136

Theo suggested to Kassandra that they keep the current matter a secret.

It wasn’t just about him avoiding attention related to any "prophecies" involving him—he didn’t want others finding out about his ability to read stray thoughts. The implications of that revelation were unpredictable.

Though he feared Kassandra might refuse, she surprised him with a simple nod.

“Sure. That’s fine.”

Her response was so casual, it bordered on anticlimactic.

“Besides, no one believes my dreams anyway. My mother always told me not to talk about them recklessly.”

When she mentioned her mother, a fleeting shadow crossed Kassandra’s face. But she quickly smiled again and extended her pinky finger toward Theo.

“So, does this make us friends now?”

“Friends?”

“Yes. Mom said that sharing secrets is what makes someone a friend.”

Theo chuckled softly and hooked his pinky around hers.

“Alright then. From now on, we’re friends.”

“Hehehe. This is the first time I’ve ever had a friend.”

Perhaps this was her way of coping with sadness.

Theo gently patted Kassandra’s head, feeling a mix of pride and pity for the young girl.

---

At the headquarters of the Tulip Floral Guild, Guildmaster Ode Lemer scowled deeply.

“What? More guests are coming?”

“Yes…”

“Deungryong alone is enough of a headache! What now?!”

Ode had lived her entire life far removed from war. Her world revolved around **hwa-ye (화예)**—the art of flowers. She took pride in being a master artisan, praised for elevating floristry to an art form.

Although the guild was technically under Ragnar’s vassalage, news of war didn’t much concern her. After all, what trouble could possibly find its way into this place, where the only thing of value was flowers?

Recently, however, the arrival of two unusual groups of guests began to unravel that peace. Particularly nerve-wracking was the visit of Deungryong—a figure who hadn’t been seen outside the northern territories for ages.

And now, there were more guests on the way?

“What’s the issue this time?” she snapped.

“Well… the thing is…”

Ode’s assistant, Glen, hesitated under her piercing glare before continuing.

“They’re coming to rendezvous after completing a mission, and there’s a note of caution… something about potential conflict with Troivan.”

“Are they planning to turn this place into a battlefield?!”

*BANG!*

Ode slammed her desk and leapt to her feet. Hosting important guests from the main family was one thing. But she drew the line at getting caught up in the flames of war.

The "new guests" Glen referred to were none other than Theo and his companions.

“This won’t do.”

Ode gritted her teeth.

“What are you going to do…?” Glen asked nervously.

“What do you think? I’m going to sort this out! Unless you want the souls resting beneath this garden disturbed?”

“But still—”

“No buts! Come with me!”

“Guildmaster! GUILDMASTER!”

Glen had no choice but to chase after Ode, who stormed out of the office.

---

“It seems our guildmaster is quite upset,” Deungryong observed with an amiable smile as Ode entered the room, visibly fuming.

A steaming cup of tea sat before him, the aroma of steeped flower petals wafting through the air.

“This tea is excellent. Might I ask what kind of petals were used?” he inquired.

“Oh, stop making idle conversation and focus!” Ode yelled, slamming the table so hard that the teacup rattled.

Glen stood in the background, nervously observing the situation. *What is the guildmaster thinking…?!* 

Deungryong was no ordinary man. Among the Nine Dragons, he was potentially the strongest—a living legend of the north. Yet Ode showed no hesitation in confronting him head-on.

“Are you not aware of what this place represents?” Ode demanded, crossing her arms.

“How could I not?” Deungryong replied with a serene smile. “This is the ancestral tomb of Ragnar’s forebears.”

If the Tulip Guild were merely an ordinary floral organization, it would never have been accepted as part of Ragnar’s vassalage. This place held historical and spiritual value as a **yeongmyo (영묘)**—a sacred mausoleum.

Ode’s tone turned grave. “The tulips here are not ordinary flowers. They embody the blessings of the Flower God. The ancestors who gave their lives for Ragnar’s glory now rest here, their forms transformed into these flowers.”

The room fell silent, the weight of her words settling over everyone.

“Therefore, I cannot allow this sacred ground to become entangled in war. Leave at once.”

Deungryong calmly sipped his tea.

“That won’t be possible,” he finally said, setting the teacup down with a decisive clink.

Ode’s brow twitched. “This is another political ploy, isn’t it?”

“I can’t say,” Deungryong replied, his deep eyes reflecting the seriousness of the matter. “But I must see this mission through here. There is something I need to confirm.”

---

Meanwhile, Theo and his group arrived at the Tulip Guild, only to be greeted by an unexpected figure.

“Well?”

“It’s been a while, Lord Theo,” said a familiar voice. “You’ve matured since we last met.”

The speaker was Wellington—a young warrior who had trained under Deungryong. His name had become renowned in recent months, even more so than Theo’s. Wellington was one of the "8 Jun" within the prestigious **Three Lords, Eight Heroes (삼군팔준).**

Wellington shifted the conversation, noticing Kassandra hiding behind Theo. “This is the child you rescued, isn’t it?”

Theo nodded, patting Kassandra’s head protectively. “Yes. Her name is Kassandra. She’s a good child, though a bit shy.”

Wellington gave her a gentle smile. “Hello, Kassandra. I’m Wellington.”

Kassandra clung to Theo, offering no reply.

“She’s been through a lot recently,” Theo explained, his voice tinged with concern. Despite his attachment to her, he knew they couldn’t stay together indefinitely.

「This child is in your hands now. Take good care of her.」

Wellington nodded solemnly. 「Understood. But the final handoff isn’t to me. It’s to someone who’s been waiting for her arrival.」

As Theo processed this, a chilling voice interrupted.

“You must be Theo. The rival Torquel wouldn’t stop talking about.”

The speaker was a woman perched cat-like on a rooftop, her enormous scythe gleaming in the sunlight.

Theo’s instincts screamed danger. **"Why is the Black Reaper here?"**

Her name was Lezé Ragnar—the Black Reaper and one of Ragnar’s most fearsome elites.

At that moment, Theo’s earring, ring, and sword all began to vibrate violently. The enormous scythe strapped to Lezé’s back mirrored their reaction.

**Artifacts of the Ancient Dragon.**