Chapter 169

Wail—!

Clang, clang, clang!

“What the hell is going on here?!”

“An emergency alarm?! Why now?”

People from the surrounding military camps swarmed toward the White Tower, drawn by the sudden commotion.

The cause was the bright light emanating from the tower.

Though only the first floor was illuminated, it was enough to shock everyone present.

“This incident. Blame. We will. Somehow.”

“White Tower. Opened. That. Ours.”

“What will you do? About this?”

The natives, who had guarded the White Tower for generations, were furiously protesting to the Red Blade Knights on watch. Their broken imperial speech, paired with their defiant tone, only made the situation more tense.

“Damn it! Who could’ve predicted the Mystery would activate here?”

The Red Blade Knight gritted his teeth. To make matters worse, he had to admit there was no official document supporting the Vanguard’s presence. Thoughts of the inevitable reprimand swirled in his mind, leaving him on edge.

Still, he couldn’t show weakness.

Slamming his sword against the ground, he shouted:

“Silence! We are currently investigating the situation. All parties are to remain calm and wait for an official announcement!”

More knights arrived, drawing their weapons to back up their comrade. Seeing this, the natives hesitated but didn’t back down completely. Their eyes burned with hostility.

Some gripped slingshots, while others notched arrows, ready to escalate the situation.

The air was heavy with the threat of violence.

Then, cutting through the tension—

“Stand down.”

A cold, commanding voice rang in the natives’ ears.

Thud, thud, thud!

The ground trembled with the sound of approaching hooves.

“T-That’s!”

“It’s the devils! The devils are here!”

To the natives, there was only one group worthy of such a title:

The Black Iron Brigade.

Dozens of mounted squads, each consisting of five riders, approached with long spears glinting ominously in the light.

The natives were no match for the Brigade’s precision and force.

No defensive formation could withstand the charge of the mounted cavalry.

Crash!

Boom, boom, boom!

“Father, no!”

“Tsahanu!”

With the sound of hammers smashing into barriers, the natives’ defenses crumbled completely.

By the time the screaming subsided, the Black Iron Brigade had already secured the area around the White Tower.

“This area is now under the protection of the Black Iron Brigade,” one of their officers declared. “Detain all members of the rebellious White Tower Tribe for interrogation and monitoring.”

“Yes, sir!”

“Yes, sir!”

Torquel, watching from atop his horse, had clearly decided to use this opportunity to eliminate the troublesome natives.

The White Steel Vanguard arrived belatedly, rushing toward the scene, but it was already over.

Despite their victory, Torquel’s expression remained stony beneath his helmet, his mood sour.

The Mystery, the very thing they sought to secure, had long since slipped into the hands of the one person he feared most.

“How could this happen…”

His low murmur escaped almost unconsciously.

“Could he truly be this era’s chosen one?”

Torquel’s words were spoken so softly that no one around him heard them.

His tone was flat, devoid of any discernible emotion.

***

“Looks like the Black Iron Brigade has already taken over the White Tower? Wow, our rookie really stirred the pot this time.”

“Damn it.”

Julius scowled at the report from Amore Tan, the leader of Squad One.

What in the world was Theo thinking?

If Theo had even hinted at his intentions, Julius would have been ready to support him.

Instead, the sudden departure from the welcome party left them scrambling, and their current state was hardly dignified. Some of the squad members were still hurriedly strapping on their armor.

“This is a clear violation of orders. Theo Ragnar must be disciplined immediately upon his return,” said It Volseman, the leader of Squad Two, glaring toward the White Tower as if he wanted to tear Theo apart.

But Amore only chuckled and replied nonchalantly.

“On what grounds are you calling it a violation?”

“He disobeyed the order to stay on standby!”

“Forgot already? The Squad Five leader’s position is still vacant, and Theo Ragnar only just returned to active duty. He hasn’t received any official orders yet.”

“...!”

It’s eyes widened.

“Then he must have violated protocol by lying about a cooperative mission…”

“Oh, you mean the fake notice about a collaboration? Sure, that was a lie. But if anyone questions it, our dear commander here could just say it was being prepared. Isn’t that right?”

“...…”

“See? The kid’s sharp. Too clever for his own good, really. That’s why I like him.”

Amore smirked. She’d love nothing more than to march into the White Tower, grab Theo by the cheeks, and tease him mercilessly.

It was hard to decide if his cunning was endearing or infuriating. Either way, Theo had an uncanny knack for staying in everyone’s good graces.

“Still, this mess has grown far too big. Letting it slide without consequence would only sow disorder,” It grumbled.

“True. No matter how adorable he is, a mistake is still a mistake,” Amore agreed.

“Enough, both of you,” Julius interjected, cutting their bickering short. “Where is Erika Ranke? She went with Theo to the White Tower, didn’t she?”

Amore scratched the back of her head sheepishly.

“Looks like the Red Blade Knights detained her.”

“The Red Blade Knights?”

“Yeah. Judging by their faces, they’re pretty pissed off. Theo played them for fools, so they’re unlikely to let her go easily.”

“Great. Another enemy to add to the list after the Black Iron Brigade.”

Julius sighed. He couldn’t read Theo’s exact plan, but he trusted the boy wouldn’t have made such a bold move without reason.

‘Could he know about the connection between the Red Blade Knights and the Black Iron Brigade? I only learned about it through whispers from old man Robert.’

No matter where Theo had picked up his information, Julius couldn’t help but be impressed.

‘Perhaps there’s a way to turn this situation to our advantage.’

With the White Tower Tribe now under enemy control, the Vanguard’s options were limited.

“No matter what Erika Ranke has done, any disciplinary action is for us to decide, or for the Senate’s judgment. It’s not within the Red Blade Knights’ authority to interfere.”

All eyes in the Vanguard turned to Julius as he continued.

“Fully arm yourselves and prepare the white dragons. Surround the White Tower.”

“Commander! That could lead to civil war—”

“I’ll take full responsibility.”n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

“...Understood.”

It could no longer argue and instead focused on executing Julius’s command, as was his duty as a squad leader.

“The White Steel Vanguard, surround the White Tower!”

With a roar, the Vanguard mobilized.

The white dragons waiting outside the camp took to the skies, swarming over the White Tower in formation. The sight of over a hundred wyverns circling like a storm sent ripples of unease through everyone present.

The Vanguard troops closed ranks, their formation exuding an almost oppressive intensity.

Thud! Thud! Thud!

The sound of marching feet filled the air as the Vanguard tightened their siege.

Not to be outdone, the Black Iron Brigade held their ground like an unyielding wall, long lances at the ready.

The standoff was tense, the air crackling with the potential for violence.

Clip-clop.

Breaking the silence, a single black horse trotted forward.

The steed’s glossy, obsidian coat shimmered in the moonlight, setting it apart from the others.

Torquel.

“Commander of the White Steel Vanguard, surely you’re aware that your actions here verge on treason?”

Torquel’s voice was calm, his words laced with deliberate provocation. By addressing Julius only as the commander of the Vanguard, he was intentionally disregarding his rank as the Dragon Slayer.

But Julius saw it all as mere posturing, unworthy of concern.

A faint smile spread across his lips.

This only deepened the scowls of the Black Iron Brigade. Their commander was being mocked, and everyone could see it.

“I’m well aware that you’re detaining not only our members but also the natives you’re meant to protect. Release them immediately.”

Julius’s voice carried no magic, no weight of intimidation—just a simple statement.

His gaze shifted past Torquel to the cluster of Red Blade Knights behind him, who seemed to be guarding something carefully.

“And if we refuse?” Torquel asked.

Julius’s smile disappeared.

Whoosh!

A violent surge of magical energy erupted, engulfing the White Tower and its surroundings.

‘When did he…!’

Torquel froze as he felt the cold edge of a blade against his neck.

The Black Iron Brigade and Red Blade Knights stiffened, their eyes darting to the source of the overwhelming pressure.

Hiss!

Black smoke coiled around Julius, shrouding him like a dark mantle.

Crack!

The ground trembled. Shoulders sagged, heads bowed, knees buckled.

High above, a monstrous presence loomed. A dragon forged of pure malice glared down, its icy eyes piercing through the night.

Kreeeeaaak!

Even the wyverns screamed in terror, their cries echoing like the harbingers of an apocalyptic storm.

“As per Ragnar’s law,” Julius declared, his voice cutting through the chaos.

“...!”

“...!”

“...!”

Everyone fell silent, swallowing nervously.

Some recalled the recent rumors of Julius tearing off the arm of the Senate’s right-hand man without breaking a sweat.

Torquel remained the only one standing, though even his composure was cracking.

“If you wish to start a civil war in front of our enemies, so be it. I’ll crush you, and them, all at once.”

Torquel smiled faintly.

The Dragon Slayer grinned back, ferociously.

***

The Hall Inside the White Tower

Theo found himself in a small circular hall, no larger than about a hundred square meters.

The smooth, curved walls encircled a spiral staircase that wound upward. The higher the stairs climbed, the narrower they became, with the ceiling slanting ever so slightly. It gave the impression of standing inside the very White Tower itself.

‘Is this a quest to ascend the tower?’

Theo took a tentative step forward.

Thud!

「Well, well, a visitor after such a long time.」

Out of the seemingly empty air, a figure materialized—a bipedal crocodilian dressed in a butler’s uniform.

A curved horn protruded from its left temple, giving its face an intimidatingly feral appearance. However, its manner of speech and overall demeanor radiated sophistication and elegance.

Theo froze, stunned by the sight of the unfamiliar creature.

『A Ceratopsuchus,’ Lodbrok’s voice echoed in his mind. ‘An ancient, lower dragon species that went extinct long before your kind ever appeared in this world. Primitive and barely intelligent at best. But this one… this one’s different. Fascinating.』

「Fascinating, you say? Such words bring great sorrow to the creature who hears them, oh ancient one,」 the Ceratopsuchus replied smoothly.

Theo’s eyes widened further.

The telepathic communication that Lodbrok used exclusively with him—this creature could hear it too.

Lodbrok’s spirit form shimmered into view beside Theo, his expression curious and intrigued.

「You truly are unusual. Your spiritual resonance is incredibly high—bordering on that of a demigod. What exactly are you? I’ve never heard of a being like you serving under the Primordial Dragon.」

Demigod.

The word sent a jolt through Theo’s mind, his eyes widening further.

That would place this creature on par with figures like Kael or Hilda!

The Ceratopsuchus, unfazed, bowed deeply, folding its short arms respectfully.

「I offer my greetings to the great guardian dragon and his chosen companion. I am Kerato, steward to the Primordial Dragon, envoy to the Pantheon, and caretaker of this White Tower.」