Chapter 113: Floating Archipelago (3) >
「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.
– 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.”