Kyran did not say anything throughout the briefing with Oceanus and his people. Since they would only scout the location and find a route to get closer to the portal, they did not need to have an in-depth discussion about the members of The Council staying in their camp.
They also mentioned the possibility of a High Sovereign's presence overseeing the area so they could stay on their guard and act accordingly in case they encountered her or him.
After the briefing, Kyran went back to his room while the others gathered in the dining hall for dinner. Oceanus invited him, but he declined, saying that he wanted to rest early.
Oceanus did not insist because he more or less guessed that Kyran wanted to read and review the information Maren distributed during the briefing. For this, Oceanus admired Kyran's attitude. On the other hand, he felt a little disappointed that Cove and Irving chose to improve their relationship with his daughter.
Although it was true, they would only be scouting the location, and they had pretty much gathered the intel they needed, except for the route they would use to get close to the portal; reviewing the intel they had and making their own preparation was always welcomed.
Alas, the two talents Leif had said were worth cultivating would rather build a good rapport with her than take their scouting task seriously.
Oceanus did not show his disappointment to the others. However, Leif accurately guessed it. In fact, she felt the same. She, too, was disappointed in Cove and Irving. Nonetheless, they had a pleasant talk over dinner before they retired to their rooms.
The portal's location required at least two days' journey, even when riding a transcendent-tier ship. Thus, Oceanus let the others do as they pleased inside the ship and only forbade them to enter a couple of rooms.
While he placed little restriction on everyone, Oceanus still kept a close eye on them. In particular, he was very interested in Kyran.
As a matter of fact, during dinner, Oceanus was monitoring what the younger man was doing.
Unfortunately for Oceanus, he only saw Kyran browsing the temporary portable tablet he issued him. When, in fact, Kyran was having a somewhat heated conversation with Shaiha.
Shaiha was horrified at Kyran's lack of reaction after hearing there was a High Sovereign overseeing The Council's camp. She admonished him for this and persuaded him to rescind his agreement with Oceanus.
Before Kyran could respond, Shaiha continued and reminded him that he and Oceanus had yet to finalize his remuneration, so they could back out of the agreement at any time.
In the end, Kyran chose to ignore most of Shaiha's ramblings. Besides, Oceanus's side only mentioned the possibility of a High Sovereign present in The Council's camp. There was no evident proof that there really was one.
Until they confirm this, they should not overthink. Of course, that was not to say they should not be prepared. Kyran was memorizing the plane's terrain at that moment for that very reason. In any case, in the worst-case scenario, he would just go straight to the portal and force it to open.
Kyran knew he could do that. If not, what was the point of him being the Void Master?
The journey to the portal's location was uneventful. Shaiha, who had been worried Cove and Irving would pick a bone with Kyran, was somewhat disappointed.
To be honest, Shaiha was waiting for them to challenge Kyran, so when they fought, and Oceanus witnessed it, he would know for a fact that Kyran was not simple. Maybe then, he would change his mind about taking Kyran to the portal's location where The Council was.
Because if the Council noticed Kyran's prowess and decided to recruit him, Oceanus would have lost his chance to have a very rare talent like Kyran in his clan.
Shaiha was overthinking things.
"Overlord Oceanus, if I may speak?" Kyran raised his hand before Oceanus could finish speaking.
Everyone, except for Leif, immediately frowned at him. Did he not know it was disrespectful to interrupt Overlord Oceanus when he was speaking?
On the other hand, Leif looked at Kyran in amusement. These past two days, the latter had mostly kept to himself. She did not mind it and was very interested to know what he had been up to. In any case, Kyran's eyes were overflowing with confidence. He did not even care how others were frowning at him.
"Go on," Oceanus was of a similar mind to his daughter. Not only did he see the confidence in Kyran's eyes, but when he reminded them about the plane's dominant magic energy, Kyran was the only one who remained unfazed.
As a visitor in Ogen, Kyran's innate magic did not necessarily have to be Water magic. Unfortunately, like his origin, Oceanus and his people failed to grasp his innate magic.
"I will venture alone."
It was not a request but a statement. Kyran would go alone, and Oceanus could not change his mind.
"You are being overly disrespectful of Overlord Oceanus—!"
"All right."
Cove, who refuted Kyran just now, was rendered speechless when Oceanus readily agreed.
"Overlord...?" he stammered while looking in Oceanus's direction.
But Oceanus was not even looking at him. His attention was focused on Kyran.
"I suppose you do not want me keeping an eye on you as well?"
"Yes," Kyran replied. But then he realized he sounded too curt and added, "... please, and thanks."
"Very well."
"Overlord, it is dangerous to venture around here alone..." Maren tried to dissuade Oceanus's decision.
"It is fine. Null has concealment ability. If I, an Overlord, are having trouble detecting him, what can a beast sovereign do?"
"If you put it that way, Overlord, then..."
"Let us not waste time and meet back here in three hours."
"Yes."