hotmtlnovel Chapter 128
Chapter 128
Chapter 128: Dragon Blood (3)
The House of Romellin, one of the Three Shipping Families, had long declared neutrality in the political rivalry between Spinola and Grimahl.
Some criticized Romellin’s stance as being akin to that of a bat, wavering between sides.
But the head of the family, Vittorio, had always been confident in his choice.
Standing firm without being swayed by any side—
He believed it was for the future of his family and the Floating Archipelago.
However,
It now felt like the time had come to finally move from his longstanding position.
“...All of this happened overnight, you say? I knew there had been a great disturbance, but I never imagined it would be to this extent.”
Vittorio adjusted the magnifying glasses perched on his nose as he meticulously examined the documents in his hand.
The collapse of the Central Temple.
The change in the magical wind system that sustains the archipelago.
The harm done to the residents of the archipelago.
Simply addressing this disaster would require a considerable sacrifice.
“And this was resolved by an outsider named Lant, correct? We owe him a great debt.”
“It’s Theo Ragnar.”
“Ah, yes, that’s his real name. Ragnar.”
Vittorio lowered his magnifying glasses and looked across at his granddaughter, Marti.
After losing his son and daughter-in-law in a shipping accident during his younger years, Marti had become an irreplaceable treasure and a mirror of himself.
“It’s like we chased away a wolf only to bring a tiger into the house. Who knows what kind of trouble they might cause next? And to think he is the successor of Kriemhild.”
Public opinion on Troyban within the archipelago was already at its lowest.
Some were even voicing calls to go to war.
Would it be any different with the great house of Ragnar?
Inwardly, he was skeptical.
However,
“Ragnar as a whole cannot be trusted. But at the very least, I believe he can be trusted.”
“Based on what?”
“...”
“For now, he might be playing a certain role to gain power. But once he has it? What true face will he show then?”
A bitter smile twisted on Vittorio’s wrinkled lips.
“As a sailor, I spent countless years wandering across the world. And what I learned was that apart from my family and my people, no one is to be trusted. Everyone is busy securing their interests. So why would this boy be any different?”
Tap, tap—
Vittorio tapped the document with his forefinger and continued speaking.
“Of course, I might concede a little and agree with you that for now, this boy might be trustworthy. But, ultimately, he remains bound to follow the orders of Ragnar. In the end, he’ll become a heavy burden for our Floating Archipelago.”
It was a firm declaration.
Theo would be no different from Troyban and his cohorts.
A certainty that he would ultimately reveal his ambition to consume the Floating Archipelago.
“Still, I believe Theo Ragnar is different.”
“So, I ask again—on what grounds?”
Marti vividly recalled it.
In the chaos of those moments, as they plunged toward the sea’s surface, Theo had fought fiercely to save even one more person.
That unwavering vigilance, as if expecting Noyl’s retaliation at any moment, never allowing himself to relax.
That intensity.
That pulsating drive.
That tension.
How could she ever forget it?
“Meet him.”
Yet, expressing all of that in mere words felt impossible, so she could only say,
“Meet him, and you’ll understand what I mean.”
“...”
This time, Vittorio gazed at Marti for a long while, and then,
“It’s been a while since I’ve seen you insist so strongly, not since you joined the Knights of the Temple.”
Finally, Vittorio relented, rising from his seat.
“Grandfather.”
“We’ll know soon enough. Whether he’s someone worthy of staking the fate of Romellin and Venota.”
A sharp gleam flashed in Vittorio’s eyes.
* * *
Theo was caught in a long dream.
Memories of his previous life, slowly fading over time.
A life where he had fought desperately to survive, yet found survival impossible.
One particular memory he had long since buried and forgotten.
– It’s been a while since I’ve had such a young visitor. Well then, what brings you to seek out an old man like me? What is it you’re so curious about?
It was on a walk.
By chance, he’d encountered a group of traveling gypsies and decided to have his fortune told when he heard the price was cheap.
However, he couldn’t quite recall the question he had asked back then.
Instead, he remembered the answer he had received with strange clarity.
– So, that’s what you’re curious about? An unusual soul, aren’t you? Wait a moment. Let me cast a divination for you. Here, draw three cards.
– Like this?
– Hmm, let’s see.
– What do they say?
From the moment he saw the faces of the cards, he couldn’t shake a bad feeling.
The Wheel of Death.
Of course, from her perspective, there was no reason to support those who’d once been ready to betray her behind her back.
Naturally, Black Skull had been blindsided, expecting to secure a solid position with Theo’s help.
It seemed that for the past four days, he had been desperately begging for just one chance to see Theo’s face.
Theo gave the guards a silent nod, signaling that they could leave, and they withdrew with a crisp salute.
Thud!
The door closed.
The man, who had been pleading moments earlier, now appeared restless, unable to meet Theo’s gaze.
In the last four days, Theo’s standing within the Floating Archipelago had risen to nearly rival that of the Commandant.
“Sir... Hero. We, we stood by your side against the Ghost Sword Formation to the end, hoping to...”
“Do you want to live?”
Theo cut off the man’s rambling explanation with a firm voice.
The man quickly gathered himself, nodding furiously.
“Yes, yes! I do!”
“There is one way.”
“One way... you say?”
“Senior.”
Theo looked at Selperd.
Selperd gave a small smile as he guarded the door. Arin stood by the window, while Ray kept watch outside.
A pulse of magical energy flowed from Theo, transforming the room into a sealed space.
Gulp!
The man swallowed nervously, his anxiety evident.
Even sitting in bed,
Theo’s eyes gleamed with the sharpness of a dragon’s.
“Become a dog.”
“...!”
“A dog that barks when told to bark, and wags when told to wag.”
“...”
“Can you do that?”
There was only one thing Theo desired from what remained of Black Skull.
Absolute obedience.
To serve as his hands and feet in mobilizing the Floating Archipelago.
What response could the man possibly offer here?
All he could do was bow his head.
[‘Skill: Hatchling Synchronization’ has activated, imprinting trauma into the target’s subconscious mind.]
[Attempting indoctrination.]
Shiver, shiver...
The man’s body trembled uncontrollably.
“I... I’ll do anything. All of us share the same thoughts.”
[Indoctrination successful.]
[The target will now feel intense fear toward you and will obey your commands unconditionally.]
[You have discovered a new application for ‘Skill: Hatchling Synchronization.’ Skill rank has improved.]
“Good.”
Theo smiled coldly.
If Hatchling Synchronization could read thoughts, he’d wondered if it might even be possible to implant specific thoughts in return.
Fortunately, it had worked, thanks to the man’s psychological instability and fear towards Theo.
It felt as if he’d gained a new key to build his power base moving forward.
“Then, here is your first command.”
“Please, just say the word!”
“Have the remaining members of Black Skull join the Temple Knights.”
“I-I will obey your command.”
The man didn’t ask for reasons.
He was merely a dog, moving as ordered.
‘With this, I can not only compensate for the losses in the Temple Knights but also strengthen Marti’s position.’
If needed, it would also serve as a means to keep Marti in check.
Though he didn’t believe she would betray him, as the heir of Kriemhild, it never hurt to be prepared.
“Say that I gave this to you and bring it to the Temple Knights. You should be able to join without difficulty.”
Theo casually tossed a booklet in front of the man.
“What is this?”
“Nibelung.”
Theo spoke with emphasis.
“It’s Lady Kriemhild’s secret technique.”
“...!”
He intended to transform the Temple Knights into a complete Kriemhild Order.
To gain their absolute loyalty, making them his base of power.
And through this, gaining full control over the Floating Archipelago.
The Floating Archipelago’s economic influence on the empire through its banking, shipping, trade, and brokerage services was immense via the Shipping Alliance.
Wealth.
Seizing it entirely was—
Theo’s ultimate scenario.
At that moment.
“Seems like you’re painting quite the grand picture. Would this old man be able to join in, perhaps?”
A low chuckle sounded from behind him.