The expedition’s voyage was smooth after leaving Ribenda. Thanks to Theo’s Sea Dragon Blessing, the fleet glided through the seas with the wind at their backs and the waves pushing them forward.
[Sea Dragon’s Blessing]
[The power originating from the blood of Aquilo, the sea dragon who dominates the sea, is given to the owner. As a sea dragon dominates the sea, a person with the Sea Dragon’s Blessing won’t die at sea from natural causes. If the power increases, you can even breathe in water.
* Your ship will be given additional acceleration.
* You can transcend the environmental disadvantages of the sea.
* The wind and wave directions applied to you will always be favorable.
* You are still unfamiliar with using this power. You can’t increase or decrease the wind and wave power.]
Theo stood at the prow of the ship and looked at the information window again. He remembered something Aquilo had taught him
If I accept more of Aquilo’s blood or continue to use it, will this power grow?
The former required a corresponding price, while the latter couldn’t be done in the short term. However, he felt himself becoming more familiar with manipulating the currents. When he first started practicing, he didn’t have the luxury to concentrate on anything else, but now he had room to think.
Theo stood on the deck and watched the rough currents before him. He had concentrated for so long that it felt like his whole body was exhausted. He might have fainted if he hadn’t trained his mental power.
“Sir Theo.” At that moment, a man approached Theo, who had barely regained his strength. He wore a luxurious cloak, had several artifacts, and wore practical yet stylish light armor mixed with mithril.
Theo immediately recognized him. “How are you doing, Viscount Carter?”
It was Bors Carter, the veteran magician and commander of the magic troops in this expedition. He was famous for his red flame.
Carter responded to Theo’s question with a confused expression, “Please speak more informally. We have left home and are heading to the battlefield, so we must adhere to the hierarchy.”
“… I will accept your advice, Viscount.”
“Thank you.”
It was as Carter said. Theo was an honorary marquis, so he technically outranked Viscount Bors. Additionally, Theo was the commander of a unit and had the same authority as the White Tower Master.
I never dreamed things would turn out this way.
Setting aside right and wrong, Theo was younger and more immature. Carter was a prominent nobleman and veteran who had experienced war in the past, so Theo must seem like an upstart.
Yet Carter’s attitude was more polite than he expected, so Theo asked with a puzzled expression, “Apart from the advice, once again, why has the Viscount come to find me?”
“It is nothing big. We will be sharing a life and death experience together soon, so I thought we could become more familiar with each other.”
“……”
Theo looked at Carter in quiet patience. Carter seemed like he had something else to say to Theo. The two men looked at each other silently for a moment.
However, the silence didn’t last long. Carter gazed into Theo’s eyes before letting out a heavy sigh, “Hoo, I understand. I came here to apologize for my rude actions toward Lord Theo.”
“Viscount’s rude actions?”
“The incident that happened during the academy.”
The academy.
Theo hadn’t made the connection until right then.
Garcia Carter.
In the first battle magic class, Carter had fought with Theo and tried to keep his pride by using an artifact. That naughty person was Viscount Carter’s son. Theo understood Viscount Carter’s apology and glanced away.
The viscount didn’t know how to interpret Theo’s expression and continued speaking, “My child almost caused a disaster. I will be sure to pay you back according to the Carter family’s honor once this expedition ends.”
Bors was serious. There was no flickering in Bors’ deep eyes, so Theo didn’t doubt the authenticity of his words. Unlike many nobles, Bors wasn’t arrogant. Theo was impressed with the excellence of Commander Bors. Bors wanted to eliminate any potential for discord before the civil war began. Since he was sincere, Theo acted accordingly.
“No, I have already forgotten about it. Do we need to make a fuss about the past when we have such great responsibilities toward the country?”
The viscount looked at him in admiration before bowing politely. The younger one was, the more emotions ruled them. However, Theo’s answer was perfect. He’d read Bors’ intentions and accepted them in an instant.
“Then thank you, Lord Theo!”
“Yes, please take care.”
The two men shook hands on the deck. It was a strong handshake which shed all the nasty things of the past.
***
A fortnight after departing from Meltor, they reached Piris, a port city in the Soldun Kingdom. No sailor in Piris would’ve believed them. Generally, even with the wind at their backs, it would take twenty days to travel between Ribenda and Piris. There was no need to mention the time it would take if the conditions were bad.
At this point, Meltor was ahead of any other country.
I haven’t seen this sight in a long time.
Theo admired the shimmering lights of Piris at night with a sense of nostalgia, before noticing magic fluctuating next to him.
A white robe fluttered in the aftermath of the space movement.
“White Tower Master.”
“Umm,” Orta said quietly, “We’ve arrived five days earlier than expected. The sooner the better, but the prince’s side might not be ready.”
“Yes, that is true.”
They had arrived so quickly that it defied common sense. Prince Elsid and Marquis Piris couldn’t be expecting them yet. So, it was possible that they might not even get a response if they sent a signal. At the same time, it was impossible for them to wait right outside the port.
Theo prepared the signal they’d agreed on in the letter. It was a magic light which couldn’t be seen without special magic tools.
Piing.
He cast Covert Glow. The light leaving Theo’s fingertip caused a faint explosion in the air, but no noise or light accompanied it. However, anyone who looked in this direction using a magic tool would be able to witness the enormous surge of light.
“Wait for a while. If a response doesn’t come back, I will go and find Marquis Piris.”
“That would be best.”
The two men made their own contingency plan as they waited for a reply.
“……”
.
“……”
After waiting thirty minutes, there was no reaction from Piris. Had they arrived too early? This might reveal the existence of the expedition. Theo sighed and flexed his magic power. It looks like he would have to see Marquis Piris himself.
… Splash.
At that moment, a sound tickled his ears. The White Tower Master heard it as well.
“Tower Master, did you hear that just now?”
“Well, I heard it.”
The two people looked out, and noticed a small boat sculling toward them. They could also see the flag of the Soldun Kingdom flying from its prow. The expedition had turned off all their lights, so it took some time before they could see who was on the boat.
Theo was startled as soon as he recognized the person on the boat. “Marquis Piris?”
Marquis Piris cleared his throat and greeted Theo, “It has been a while, Sir Theo.”
Orta stepped back discreetly once Theo had identified the person. It indicated that he would let Theo talk to Marquis Piris. Theo wasted no time. “This is a little bit different from what was written in the letter. Was there a hidden password or something?”
“Kuhuhum! No, that isn’t it…”
Marquis Piris’ explanation was very concise. He was only expecting the tool to send a reply to arrive tomorrow morning. Simply put, Meltor’s fleet had arrived too quickly. So, Marquis Piris had been forced to move personally. He was accompanied by a few of his most trusted knights.
The marquis looked around carefully and whispered, “Sir Theo, all these people… Does this mean that Meltor is completely siding with Prince Elsid?”
“Of course. We were planning that from the beginning.”
“Oh, very good! If we settle this battle successfully, I will repay you for all your help!” Marquis Piris was so delighted by Theo’s answer that his shoulders shook a few times. He was so excited that he seemed drunk. However, he didn’t forget his job. Marquis Piris quickly pointed out the location they had prepared for the expedition.
“Please follow the coast this way. There’s a coastal cave hidden around the bend where you can secretly anchor the ships.”
“I understand.” Theo nodded, and the soldiers pulled up the dropped anchors.
This time, there was no need to control the current. As the ships drew closer to the cave, Theo questioned Marquis Piris. “By the way, I’m curious about the situation. We came as soon as possible, but I’ve heard a lot of rumors…”
“What, the rumors have traveled as far as Meltor?”
“Yes. There seems to be a lot of talk about Lairon.”
It wasn’t a complete lie. The general public had no idea, but agents of the White Tower had clearly noticed some suspicious movement from the Lairon Kingdom. Marquis Piris couldn’t deny Theo’s words and made a serious expression.
He replied firmly, “We aren’t sure about the veracity, but do you still want to hear what we know?”
“Yes, it is better to assume the worst than to not know anything.”
“Then… it can’t be helped,” Marquis Piris shook his head like he didn’t want to think about it. “This is a recent message from a spy I placed next to Duke Cornwall. He reported seeing a man in full silver armor and holy relics hanging from his waist.”
Theo and Orta stiffened at the same time.
“… It can’t be.”
He had never seen them before, but Theo knew of the people who fit that description.
They were the strongest swords of the Lairon Kingdom, the fanatic protectors of their famous cardinals. The cardinals claimed to be god’s, and in the old days, had a fragment of the divinity of Lairon implanted in their bodies. Every successive cardinal could then use the power of god.
“Crusader.” It was a name that magicians spoke with disgust, as if they were chewing on shit. “In the end, the nobles have drawn in Lairon’s mad dogs.”．𝗻𝐞𝘁