Floating Islands (4)
mystery.
Even in this age where airships fly through the sky and trains sprint across the ground, there are still unknown phenomena that have not been solved.
Some people gain great magical powers here, while others gain the miracle of youthfulness.
There were cases where a family suddenly prospered, or on the contrary, suffered a curse where everyone around them died.
So people look up to the mystery but are afraid and do not want to come near it.
Today, very few people are able to properly utilize the mysteries.
Ragnar, who uses the <Relic of the Ancient Dragon>, can be said to be a representative example.
Externally, the mystery of the floating archipelago known as the “Colossus of Kriemhild” was most famous.
The Colossus of Krimhild.
It will be located on Benota Island, the top and center of the floating archipelago, and will stand tall over the vast ocean.
In normal times, it serves as a lighthouse to guide ships searching for floating archipelagoes at dawn after the sun has set.
There was a legend that when something unusual happened in the floating archipelago, the blessing of the hero Krimhild, who was inherent in the giant, would be bestowed upon the ‘blessed one’.
However, in order to obtain that blessing, one must go through certain trials, and of course, the floating archipelago never opens up these trials.
No, it was impossible to even approach the Krimhild Colossus from a certain distance.
But Theo says he’ll go right here.
Of course, Antonio could not help but frown as he felt it was an excessive demand.
“Is that mystery absolutely necessary to appease the fury of the Sea King?”
I had to harden my expression at Theo’s subsequent words.
“… … Please explain in detail.”
“There is a legend about the Colossus of Krimhild. The legend is that the ancient hero Krimhild sealed the evil dragon of the sea. Isn’t the motif of the Colossus actually a recreation of that time?”
“What does that ridiculous legend have to do with appeasing the Sea King’s wrath?”
“There’s no way there’s no connection. The Sea King you’re talking about is that evil dragon. Isn’t that right?”
Theo didn’t miss the flickering of Antonio’s eyes.
‘I had a hunch, and it turned out to be true.’
In fact, it was right after reading the Thoughts of Pontus that Theodosius Krimhild’s legend came to mind.
This was because the sight of the Sea King in the form of a dragon brought back memories of seeing the colossal statue of Krimhild in a previous life.
Moreover, the Dragon Sword in this hand also gave off the aura of the Sea King.
So naturally, the information is connected.
I wonder if the sword that Krimhilt used to kill the evil dragon was Balmung.
“In order to put the Sea King back to sleep, we need to awaken the latent Balmung function. To do that, we need the mystery of the giant.”
“Are you saying that you will put the Sea King to sleep?”
“Didn’t you see that a little while ago? Repelling the Sea Serpent. I have the power to deal with the Sea King. However, I lack the strength, so I need the mystic.”
“… … .”
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“Then I’ll return the Balmung as promised. It won’t be bad for you, right? You’ll protect the floating archipelago and get the Balmung back.”
“Are you getting lucky?”
“Let’s help each other out.”
Of course, Theo had no intention of returning the Dragon Sword.
There is no reason to reveal such feelings.
Antonio was lost in thought.
“Is there anything to worry about? Mystery is important, but if it were me, the safety and lives of the citizens would be my priority.”
“There might also be an option where we can retrieve the Balmung from you and obtain Krimhilt’s karma.”
“If the mystery of the giant could be awakened, it would have been awakened long ago.”
“… … .”
“But I have a way. What do you think? Isn’t it dangerous?”
Antonio shook his head.
“This doesn’t seem like a matter I can decide on my own. The Krimhild Colossus is under the jurisdiction of the General Assembly… …!”
“If you’re going to say that you don’t have the authority to make a decision, then let’s just end it here. Even if the main family makes a formal proposal to the shipping association, I think they’ll accept it.”
Theo got up from his seat without any hesitation.
The only reason he wanted to contact Black Skull was because he knew the secrets of Balmung and thought it would be much easier to approach Kriemhild’s Colossus.
‘I didn’t want to draw the attention of my family… … I don’t have time, so I’ll have to find another way, and if that doesn’t work, I’ll have to use this as a last resort.’
“Just wait a minute!”
Antonio grabbed Theo’s sleeve urgently.
As Theo’s indifferent gaze turned towards him, Antonio ended up biting his lower lip.
‘Yes. Even if they take the mystery, if I can just get Balmung back… …!’
Balmung is also a symbol of the legitimacy of the floating archipelago and the maritime federation.
If we can get our hands on it, it would be a great help to Black Skull in seizing power.
And you might be able to sit at the top of it.
Even without that, his position within the Spinola family would have been solidified.
If only I could get rid of the two older brothers above me.
Antonio nodded, having done all his political calculations.
“I will do it. But please do me a favor.”
“what?”
“The original request I was going to make was for you to attend the upcoming general meeting of the three shipping companies as my escort inspector.”
Phew!
Antonio took a deep breath and spoke in a hard voice.
“If you succeed in putting the Sea King to sleep again, you will gain immense fame and support. Then, give me and Black Skull strength so that I can become the Doge.”
* * *
After all transactions are completed.
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“Let’s talk.”
Theo was on his way out of Antonio’s office when Arin grabbed his wrist and dragged him somewhere else.
“What’s going on?”
Arin had a stiff expression. Shelford also had a complicated expression.
“Explain it to me clearly. What on earth are you planning?”
“Didn’t you say that you would faithfully follow my advice in this operation?”
“That was before you knew that the guys you were trying to join hands with were Black Skulls!”
bang!
Arin nervously slammed the wall hard.
“Hey! Hey! Stop making a fuss! If you keep doing this, your stomach will break!”
Although Shelford made a fuss, Arin paid no attention and just glared.
“You’re not saying you don’t know what those guys did to your seniors, are you?”
“I know very well.”
“But why… … !”
“Because the enemy of my enemy is my friend.”
“you!”
“If I have to borrow a cat’s hand to defeat Troyvan right now, then I will.”
The moment Arin’s life began to blossom, Theo continued.
“And I never said I would tip the scales in Black Skull’s favor.”
“… … What do you mean? Explain in detail.”
“I also have no intention of leaving Black Skull, who dared to harm the Baek Gap Yonggi Corps, alone.”
“… … .”
“Tosaguppeng. After the hunt, you can just boil the hunting dogs in a pot and that’s it.”
Theo’s gaze was indifferent.
But that’s why Arin’s heart wavered.
Because it was the same as usual.
“Can I believe that?”
“Arin. Do you remember what I said when I first enlisted?”
Arin also vividly remembered what she had heard at the time.
-I want to become the captain of the Baek Gap Yonggi Corps within 5 years.
“You said you would become the captain?”
“yes.”
“Weren’t you just saying that?”
“I hate inefficiency the most.”
Theo continued with a faint smile.
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“Isn’t the support of the members the most important thing to become a trusted leader?”
Arin burst into laughter without realizing it.
Because the ‘great group’ that Theo spoke of included himself and Shelford.
I will start by winning your favor.
And I will use it as the right arm and left arm to take over the Baek Gap Yong Gi Dae.
That’s what he was saying.
‘This is reckless.’
Arin didn’t hate this cheeky yet cute junior.
Rather, I thought that if he continued to act like he was doing now, he might be the one who gave him the most strength to become the leader.
“Okay. If you say so. Then what are we going to do now?”
Only then did Arin release her grip on Theo and ask.
Theo said, adjusting his collar.
“As I said, the most important thing is to bring Black Skull to our side first, and while solving this case, we also have to put the Maritime Federation in debt. In the process, we also have to get rid of Troyban’s shadow.”
“In the process, the Black Skull will disappear on its own?”
Theo answered with a sly smile.
Arin smiled happily.
“Okay. I’ll look forward to it and continue to cooperate.”
“thank you.”
Shelford, who was watching the two from the side, also smiled.
* * *
“Do you trust the author?”
“If you don’t believe us? Is there any other way for us?”
Gray asked Antoniou cautiously, but ended up keeping his mouth shut when Antoniou answered back.
As he said, there was no way for them right now.
“It’s better. If what that guy said is true, that a crisis is an opportunity, then it would be a chance for us to turn the tables. Even if we fail, we won’t lose anything, right? We can just pretend we didn’t know anything and that’s it. And.”
The corners of Antonio’s lips twisted.
“The mystery that was taken away can be returned after it has been used.”
Gray nodded.
Contrary to his seemingly nice appearance, Antonio was never a nice person to outsiders.
What belongs to the floating archipelago, belongs to the floating archipelago.
It has always been Antonio’s intention to pursue a closed policy.
“Contact both headquarters and the family in advance. They will arrive soon, so be prepared.”
“Yes, I understand.”
Gray bowed his head and left.
A place left alone.
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Antonio put a cigar in his mouth.
The room was filled with silently rising clumps of cigarette smoke.
* * *
The rising air currents from the ocean began to lift Theo and his party’s ship into the air.
“Oh, it’s rising, it’s rising! The ship is flying in the sky!”
“It’s so noisy I could die. What’s so amazing about doing something so amazing?”
“Then isn’t it amazing? It’s a completely different feeling from cutting through the sky.”
“Ugh, I don’t know.”
While Arin was shaking her head while watching the excited Shelford,
The ship was already cutting through the thick fog and was approaching the island of Benota.
At the tip of the island, a giant statue standing tall, several dozen meters tall, was visible.
A female warrior stomping on the head of an evil dragon that she had stabbed with a sword.
‘That is the <Colossus of Krimhild>.’
Theo felt something shaking inside his inventory for a moment.
The Dragon Sword was reacting.
-Huh?
-what’s the matter?
-Didn’t you see? Didn’t the giant seem to be moving a little while ago?
-What the hell are you talking about? Why is that thing moving? Are you half asleep?
-No… … . It definitely moved… … .
-That’s nonsense. I guess it’s because the boat is rocking.
While various conversations were going on around us, the boat arrived at the dock.
“Just follow me.”
This time too, Antonio was the first to leave the ship.
Outside, Spinola’s iconic eight-wheeled carriage was already waiting.
‘I wonder if that guy is doing well.’
While Theo was thinking about his friends from his past life, the eight-wheeled carriage comfortably guided Theo and his party to Spinola’s mansion.
A mansion with a splendid exterior that makes you think it might be a palace.
As they entered the yard, a gardener, who was pruning trees and wearing a straw hat pulled down low, greeted them warmly.
“Oh, is our son here?”
“Yes, Father. I have returned safely. And this is Lord Land and his party, whom I spoke to in the letter.”
“Oh! It’s rare for Antonio to praise you, but you are such great masters, aren’t you? Nice to meet you. I am Umberto, the head of Spinola.”
Contrary to his friendly speech, Umberto had a solid build and sharp eyes.
The appearance of a king of the afterlife, where death and blood run rampant.
At least he was at the level of a senior inspector, or at least a Yongmun inspector.
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Shelford and Arin also seemed to be getting very nervous.
‘I told you that you had already told your father about me.’
It must have been intended to give him strength in what he was about to do. If not, it was a warning to not get in his way.
Theo took the hand he extended.
“My name is Rant.”
“Lant! What a good name. May I ask you the name of the saint?”
“We are currently conducting a secret investigation, so we ask for your understanding as we cannot tell you anything.”
“That’s right. I heard that while conducting an inspection, there are cases where you hide your identity and travel around the world to develop your skills. It must be hard for you. Hehe.”
“Thank you for understanding.”
Theo and Umberto began to walk side by side along the garden path naturally.
They were followed by Antoniou, Shelford, and Arin.
“Our Spinola has high expectations for you, Lord Rant.”
“Is that so? I’m worried that I’ll have to live up to expectations.”
“Contrary to your humble speech, your face is very confident. Hehe. I really like such confident people.”
Umberto’s eyes, which were drawing a curve, were deeply sunken. He was definitely not a man to be taken lightly.
“Actually, when I first heard from Antonio, I couldn’t believe it either. A hero who would save the archipelago from the crisis that is currently engulfing it… … Isn’t the timing of his appearance just too coincidental?”
“You might feel that way.”
“But then I suddenly had this thought. No matter what you’re hiding, if you wield a knife well, it’ll be a jackpot.”
‘You’re really good at threatening that if you don’t do it as I said, there won’t be any soup left.’
Theo nodded, not showing a smile.
“I will keep that in mind.”
“Oh. I didn’t mean to nag you. Hehe. Then, while you’re here, make yourself at home and go. Antonio, show me around.”
“Yes, Father.”
Umberto saw Theo and his party off in front of the mansion and returned to the garden.
Antonio looked at his father’s back and gestured to Theo and his group.
“Follow me. Your comrades are waiting inside.”
How the bastard of the Return Sword Family lives
