Chapter 297

Kalen felt a sharp jolt in his mind.

His thoughts came to a halt, and his trembling hands instinctively reached for the box before him.

He grasped it with both hands, which quivered uncontrollably.

“Timothy…”

Kalen’s voice reverberated with a heavy sorrow.

The deep tone of his voice, coupled with the intensity in his lowered eyes, caused cracks to form on the wooden floor beneath him.

“How could it come to this…”

As Kalen questioned, Timothy closed his eyes.

The memory of the strike replayed in his mind, a moment so chilling it defied description.

Slowly, Timothy began recounting the events in detail.

“…That is the message from Theo Ragnar.”

Timothy clenched his fists tightly, his gaze fixed on the ground.

As Kalen listened to the story, he opened the box to confirm the face inside.

“To think the true heir of Narsio, the pillar of this family, could be reduced to this…”

Kalen reached out to close Tamuth’s lifeless, unblinking eyes.

Rising to his feet, a menacing aura of bloodlust emanated from Kalen, his bloodshot eyes burning with fury.

His face twisted into something almost demonic as he quietly muttered:

“War… For daring to desecrate Narsio, even if it means invoking the power of the Empire, I will annihilate Ragnar.”

The words dripped with venom, like a curse.

Rather than feeling invigorated by Kalen’s declaration, Timothy was overwhelmed by a sense of despair.

The emotion Kalen radiated was indeed sorrow.

Profound and heavy sorrow, so consuming that it defied containment.

This was a side of his father Timothy had never seen before.

Yet, it wasn’t grief over Tamuth’s death.

Despite the humiliating way Tamuth had died, Kalen never once uttered his name.

His only concern was for the future of the Narsio family.

“From this moment, the Narsio family is in a state of war. Gather our allies and send word to the Golden Lion Knights immediately.”

“Yes, understood.”

Ralph Nagnik bowed deeply and quickly moved to carry out the orders.

Timothy, however, stood silently, watching Kalen for a moment.

It was as though he was hoping for something.

But—

“Move quickly.”

The words Timothy longed to hear never came.

I thought… I thought he would mourn, even if just a little.

Neither Timothy nor his late brother Tamuth mattered to Kalen.

Only anger toward Ragnar remained.

A profound sense of loss over the family’s fallen pillar consumed him.

Yes, it was as if a tool he found useful had broken.

“…Understood.”

Timothy hid the bitterness in his heart and left the office.

As he exited the ancestral patriarch’s quarters, he glanced back for a moment.

It felt as though he could see faint traces of the times he had played with Tamuth as children.

Forgive me, brother. I swear, I will kill that man and offer his head to your memory.

Far beyond, floating above the clouds, was an airship fleet.

Five colossal, majestic ships, their massive sails emblazoned with a golden lion.

The hulls of the ships were crafted from blackwood, a material said to grow by consuming iron. Yet even this was not deemed sufficient, as the lower portions of the hulls were reinforced with steel, overlaid with perpetually spinning magical defensive wards.

One might mistake these ships for vessels carrying noble guests, but they were undeniably weapons of annihilation.

Their capabilities far surpassed the mass-produced airships created by the Mage Tower.

The defensive wards alone were impervious to most forms of conventional firepower, and the cannons and magical artillery mounted aboard could obliterate enemies with ease.

It was said that just these five ships could devastate an entire nation.

And yet, these warships were now heading north for the sake of a single family.

Their imposing presence even kept birds from approaching. However, a lone pigeon hovered near the flagship, circling curiously.

It was a message bird sent from the Imperial Army on the ground.

One of the guards on deck retrieved the message and took it to the officer aboard.

Knock, knock.

“Enter.”

Inside the office, the officer was reviewing tactical plans.

“A message bird has arrived.”

“Hmm? Understood. Leave it on the desk and you may go.”

“Yes, sir.”

The officer picked up the note from the desk and began reading it slowly.

As his eyes moved down the page, his expression hardened.n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

Quickly standing, the officer left his quarters.

Rather than heading directly to the commander’s quarters, he went to the ship’s deck.

There, Felix stood near the stern, bathed in moonlight.

The officer knew that Felix had been troubled about this northern expedition since it began.

Every night, Felix stood at the stern, trying to calm his restless mind.

“Commander.”

At the officer’s voice, Felix turned, the moonlight casting his cold expression and piercing gaze.

“A message has arrived from the Narsio family.”

The sender’s name alone sharpened Felix’s already icy glare.

“What’s the content?”

“The head of the Narsio family was executed by Theo Ragnar. Additionally, Ragnar’s forces are currently marching toward the Narsio estate.”

“…This just got complicated.”

Felix’s brow furrowed deeply.

I heard he was a calculating man.

A man like that shouldn’t have ignited a war so readily.

A calculating leader wouldn’t act on pure emotion.

Even if Ragnar had executed the head of the family, the move was justified under Ragnar’s current circumstances.

He could have chosen to surrender.

Though humiliating for the Narsio family, unconditional surrender would have ensured the family’s survival.

Not even Ragnar could have completely eradicated them under such circumstances.

“So he’s chosen war after all…”

Felix found this displeasing.

He already considered the Golden Lion Knights part of Narsio’s forces.

“The old man must be desperate.”

From the Narsio family’s perspective, Kalen’s decision was infuriating, yet Felix could understand it.

He had seen Kalen’s ambitions clearly through reports.

He must have realized there’s no future for his family in the north and is staking everything.

Still, something didn’t sit right with Felix.

Was it truly necessary to execute the family head?

He could understand Ragnar’s justification for executing someone, but a family head was a different matter.

Even killing one of the direct heirs would have been less problematic.

But a patriarch’s execution crossed a line.

Was this the rashness of youth?

Ragnar’s actions had essentially invited Imperial intervention.

He must have known we were already mobilized.

The deployment of five airships couldn’t have been kept secret.

Ragnar’s intelligence division was also renowned for its capabilities.

If Theo knew about the mobilization and still acted this way—

Is it arrogance? Or the hubris of youth?

It was nothing short of a provocation against the Empire.

By executing the family head and triggering war, Ragnar was essentially declaring he could win even if the Golden Lion Knights joined Narsio.

I deployed five airships, thinking the threat of war was unlikely. I didn’t expect things to escalate this far.

Deploying five airships to counter a single family’s military was overkill.

It was meant to serve as a show of force, not an invitation to open conflict.

“This could turn us into scapegoats.”

With the conflict now escalating into a territorial war, the Empire could no longer ignore their ties to Narsio.

How they would intervene remained uncertain.

The message had not specified the exact nature of their support.

“Gather all information regarding the disputes between Ragnar and Narsio. Use the Imperial Intelligence Division and the local information guilds if necessary. Do it quickly.”

“Understood, sir.”

The officer bowed and left swiftly.

Moments later, a small auxiliary airship detached from the main fleet, descending toward the ground.

Left alone at the stern, Felix closed his eyes.

This mission was unlike any he had undertaken before—fraught with uncertainty.

For that reason, he had to proceed with the utmost caution.

This time, he would move guided solely by his own convictions.

***

The Ragnar expedition was set into motion with remarkable speed.

Unlike the movement of a massive army during the Naga Forest campaign, this deployment was lean and efficient.

Thanks to Julius’s swift coordination, preparations were completed just hours after the succession ceremony ended.

At the forefront of the formation stood the White Armored Dragon Cavalry, mounted proudly on their majestic wyverns.

Leading them was none other than Julius himself.

“Been a while…”

Selpherd and Arin greeted Theo with awkward smiles. Behind them stood Holkers and Erica, who also waved hesitantly, their expressions similarly uneasy.

Now that Theo had become the patriarch, their previous casual demeanor had been replaced with formality.

“I’m still not used to being addressed so respectfully.”

“You’ll need to get used to it. You’re no longer just a young lord or a soldier. You are the patriarch of Ragnar.”

Theo chuckled at Arin’s words, but before he could reply, Julius stepped forward with a dignified expression, standing just behind Theo.

As the Black Dragon had predicted, even the Nine Dragons now addressed Theo with respect befitting his status.

When Theo’s eyes met Julius’s, the latter offered him a soft, reassuring smile.

“The White Armored Dragon Cavalry will advance as the vanguard,” Julius began. “On the ground, Lord Harald has graciously provided the Black Moon Knights, along with the Gale Sword Squad and the Blue Sword Guard, led by Fanryong as the rearguard commander. They will rendezvous with us at Snowman’s Shoulder.”

The Blue Sword Guard—known as the shadow of the patriarch—would always follow wherever Theo went.

I hope he’s not overextending himself.

Theo hadn’t requested Harald to shed blood on his behalf, but before leaving Winterer, Harald had insisted on leaving his most elite Black Moon Knights to support the campaign.

He had also entrusted Theo with the care of Ash, a request he made sure not to forget.

Smiling at Harald’s goodwill, Theo decided it was time to reveal his own ace in the hole.

His ultimate weapon and partner from the Abyss, something he had yet to show others.

Keeeeeeeehk!

A thunderous roar shook the area as Umbra emerged from Theo’s shadow, displaying its immense and intimidating form.

Keeeek?!

Kyaaahh!

The assembled wyverns shrieked in panic, hastily distancing themselves from Umbra.

Umbra, noticing their frightened state, let out a disdainful snort that could only be interpreted as a mocking laugh.

It’s not surprising, but really… this guy…

Theo let out a wry smile, shooting Umbra a brief glare.

“So… this is Umbra?” Julius’s voice betrayed genuine astonishment.

Even Julius, who had seen Umbra before, couldn’t hide his amazement at its evolved form.

Previously larger than typical wyverns, Umbra now stood on an entirely different level.

Its aura, appearance, and presence were unmistakably that of a dragon, not merely a wyvern.

Mixed with a Viper’s traits, but still… evolving into a dragon? Is that even possible?

Even among the White Armored Dragon Cavalry, murmurs of envy and disbelief rippled through the ranks.

Lucky bastard.

I knew he was exceptional, but this? Even his mount is a miracle.

Life’s not fair.

As if his strength and looks weren’t enough, now he’s got a dragon too?

The other soldiers couldn’t help but let their jealousy show.

“Hahaha! Incredible!” Julius laughed, clapping his hands in amazement. “A dragon! You’ve truly written history today. You are the epitome of a true Dragoon!”

Julius’s laughter was infectious, but it was soon replaced by a more serious tone.

“Patriarch, please give the order to advance.”

At Julius’s prompt, Theo mounted Umbra, steadying himself on the dragon’s broad back.

“All units, advance!”

Theo’s command rang out, loud and clear. The entire expedition force surged forward, their journey toward the Narsio estate beginning in earnest.