Chapter 177

Theo stood amidst the storm of gazes directed at him.

Thump, thump, thump!

While this moment was something he had orchestrated, facing it in reality brought a pressure far heavier than anticipated.

Yet, the exhilaration of being the center of attention overshadowed that pressure.

The realization that every gaze in the vicinity was fixed on him filled Theo with an intoxicating joy.

For two lifetimes, he had been a supporting character, a pawn in someone else’s story.

But now, he felt it deeply—this was truly his life.

『Am I right?』

Lodbrok appeared beside him in her spectral form, a smile on her face.

‘You are. But you’re not planning to reveal yourself just yet, are you, Loddy?’

『Impact is most effective when delivered in doses. For now, focus on the mysteries of the White Tower and being chosen as the heir of the Primeval Dragon. It’s not yet time for me to step into the spotlight.』

Theo agreed, nodding slightly.

The titles of “heir of the Primeval Dragon” and “companion of the Guardian Dragon” carried vastly different implications.

The Primeval Dragon, said to be the progenitor of all dragons and the founder of the Winter Mountains, was a figure shrouded in ancient myth.

If word spread that Theo had been chosen by such a being, it would shroud him in an aura of mystery and reverence.

With dragons under his command, he could shatter the limitations of his status as a bastard and become someone extraordinary.

However, the title of “companion of the Guardian Dragon” carried a different weight.

Lodbrok, as the Guardian Dragon, was not a mythical figure but a part of Ragnar’s accepted history.

This association would solidify Theo as Sigurd’s successor, a title of immense power and authority.

But that power could also turn dangerous.

It might threaten not just his succession but also Kyle’s throne itself.

‘Loddy’s existence must remain hidden for now—at least until her body fully recovers and my position is unshakable. Revealing her prematurely would be a mistake.’

The more hidden cards he had, the better.

With that thought, Theo leapt down, landing next to Julius.

Thud!

“Theo! Are you alright? Did you get hurt anywhere?”

Julius, who had been poised to confront the three dragons, relaxed his stance and immediately inspected Theo.

His first impression?

‘He’s gained something incredible.’

Given the White Tower’s historical weight, Julius had suspected that its secrets wouldn’t be ordinary.

Otherwise, Torkel, the Black Iron Guard, and even Troyban wouldn’t have shown such interest.

But the moment Theo appeared with multiple dragons under his command, Julius realized the power Theo had gained was far beyond his expectations.

Above all—

The presence Theo exuded was entirely different.

His strength may not have increased drastically, but his spiritual aura had reached a new height.

This wasn’t simply a matter of being strong or not.

It was a matter of potential.

The aura Theo now possessed was the kind that promised unparalleled growth and the ability to command countless followers.

Even his gaze carried a newfound depth.

“I’m fine, thanks to you.”

“You…!”

“I apologize for acting without notice and leaving you to clean up after me. I’ll explain everything in detail later.”

Even Theo’s tone had shifted subtly.

It now carried the weight of someone who had lived multiple lifetimes or endured ages of experience.

「It’s a relief to see you unharmed.」

The Plum Blossom Lord seemed more relieved by Theo’s safety than concerned about his transformation.

「Because of you, Rey nearly ended up in danger right after joining the White Dragon Cavalry. I’m not letting this slide easily, so don’t think you can avoid me. Find me later.」

Niel frowned, her tone sharp with disapproval.

Theo smiled faintly and sent a mental message to both.

「If you give me time, I’ll explain everything to you as well.」

Eventually, the Plum Blossom Lord and Niel stepped back.

Only Magnus remained.

He stepped forward, his sharp eyes scanning the lesser dragons encircling Theo.

“Theo Ragnar.”

Theo quickly adjusted his posture, offering a formal bow.

“Theo Ragnar, combat examiner of the White Dragon Cavalry, greets the Captain of the Blue Sword Guard.”

“Spare me the formalities. What are these dragons, and what happened to the White Tower? Explain yourself.”

Theo was acutely aware that Magnus wasn’t the only one watching him.

Among the crowd was Torkel, whose resentment over being overshadowed was palpable.

“These are the fruits of the White Tower.”

“The White Tower…?”

“Yes.”

“Are you saying you’ve obtained all its secrets?”

“Not only that. I’ve also been acknowledged by the being who created it.”

“Stop speaking in riddles and explain.”

“The White Tower was created by the Primeval Dragon.”

“The Primeval… Dragon? You mean the mythical progenitor of all dragons?”

“Yes, that very being.”

“Ridiculous!”

For a moment, Magnus thought Theo was mocking him.

But—

Keeeeee!

The roars of the dragons encircling Theo left no room for denial. The evidence was clear and undeniable.

“It won’t be easy to believe, but as you can see, my words are the truth. With the Primeval Dragon’s blessing, I can now tame all dragon-kin.”

[Skill Activated: Lesser Drake’s Fear.]

Whroooom—

A powerful vortex of energy radiated from Theo, sharp enough to sting even Magnus’s skin.

But what truly shocked Magnus was something else.

Crack, crack!

Theo’s appearance began to change.

His crimson eyes glowed brighter, narrowing into slitted pupils. Scales emerged along his neck and arms, and a horn began to sprout from his left temple.

He now resembled the legendary hybrid race—a Dragonian.

[Dragonian Mode Activated.]

“I’ve even gained the ability to embody the traits of a dragon.”

With Nirvana’s awakening, Theo had unlocked the ability to amplify his talents to their fullest.

“...!”

“How… how can a human face look like that?”

“It’s a Dragonian! A real Dragonian has appeared!”

“So, the legend is true?”

The crowd was now utterly shaken.

This was all tied to a legend deeply rooted in Ragnar’s history.

“The one who awakens Ragnar’s true potential shall become the master of all dragons.”

Ragnar had always claimed to be descendants of ancient dragon-kin, justifying their belief that they were the rightful masters of lesser dragons.

This belief was why the White Dragon Cavalry held the highest honor—they were the only division within Ragnar that could command dragons.

Naturally, the Four Divisions, along with every swordsman witnessing this spectacle, were shaken to their core.

Theo looked as though he had stepped directly out of the legend.

‘He planned all of this!’

Only now did Magnus realize that he and the Blue Sword Guard had walked right into Theo’s meticulously prepared trap.

And it wasn’t just them. The dragons, the Four Divisions, everyone present—they had all been caught in Theo’s grand performance.

Pulling off such a dramatic display in front of key figures ensured their complete attention.

‘The mysteries of the White Tower were a known battleground between the White Dragon Cavalry and the Black Iron Guard. By agitating that conflict, he ensured the Red Sword Knights and the Blue Sword Guard would gather here too. And now, he’s commanding the entire stage!’

But the most concerning part was something else entirely.

‘This move relied on the White Dragon Cavalry, led by Julius, standing firm against all three other divisions. If they had shown any sign of losing, this performance would have collapsed completely.’

As Magnus grasped the depth of Theo’s confidence, he felt a sense of futility wash over him.

He was the captain of the Blue Sword Guard, one of Ragnar’s Four Divisions, yet here he was, realizing that he had been reduced to a mere piece on the board of someone who wasn’t even twenty.

Keeeaaak!

Meanwhile, murmurs among the crowd grew louder, and the dragons became even more menacing.

Even the Blue Sword Guard began to waver.

「...Captain.」

「Please, issue your command…」

What should I do?

Magnus found himself at a crossroads.

One option was to acknowledge the shift in momentum and retreat quietly.

The other was to risk significant casualties and order the Blue Sword Guard to apprehend Theo.

「Magnus! What are you hesitating for? Capture that bastard immediately! Forget this nonsense about the Primeval Dragon—he’s the one who stirred up internal strife! He defied orders and tampered with the White Tower without proper procedure! Do you intend to set a precedent that the ends justify the means?」

The commander of the Red Sword Knights, Mokolin Dotzenber, shouted, his face red with fury, pressuring Magnus to act.

「If you move to arrest him, I’ll assist you, senior.」

Even Torkel, who hadn’t lowered his battle-ready stance, chimed in, feigning generosity while clearly attempting to solidify his own position.

‘It’s no secret that Mokolin and Torkel have been meeting frequently of late. Are they trying to force me into their faction with this?’n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

Torkel’s gaze remained fixed on Theo, as though instinctively recognizing that if he didn’t eliminate Theo now, the young man would become an insurmountable obstacle in the future.

The problem lay in the consequences of siding with these two.

While the Plum Blossom Lord and Niel were currently supporting Magnus, everyone in Ragnar knew how deeply they cared for Theo.

Especially the Plum Blossom Lord, who treated Theo as though he were her own son and successor.

If Magnus moved to arrest Theo, the Plum Blossom Lord would undoubtedly take his side, and the fallout would lead to genuine, irreparable internal strife.

Drip!

A bead of cold sweat rolled down Magnus’s cheek.

As a guardian of the clan’s glory, being forced into this “game of sides” felt nothing short of humiliating.

Just as Magnus prepared to make a decision and issue his command—

“Everyone, stand—!”

「Well, isn’t this entertaining?」

All eyes turned skyward at the sudden interruption.

A sword was descending straight toward the battlefield.

“What… what is that?”

“It’s… Caliburn!!”

Kyle Ragnar’s treasured blade, the symbol of his authority, had appeared.

BOOM!

When Caliburn struck the ground, a wave of immense energy rippled outward, enveloping not only the Four Divisions but the entire encampment.

The oppressive auras of the lesser dragons and even the Nine Dragons were snuffed out as though they had never existed.

Even Julius’s formidable killing intent vanished in an instant.

“The clan leader is here!”

“The clan leader is here!”

The swordsmen all fell to their knees, bowing deeply in the direction of the sword.

Atop the sword’s hilt stood Kyle Ragnar, arms crossed.

But his gaze was not on his subordinates—it was fixed solely on Theo.

‘Father… How is he here?’

Since the outbreak of the northern war, Kyle had rarely shown himself.

Many speculated that he was preoccupied with an even greater conflict elsewhere, and no one had expected him to appear here.

『Your father… he’s grown even stronger than before. The more I see him, the less human he seems.』

Theo involuntarily looked up, startled.

In normal circumstances, raising his head without permission would have been considered a grave insult, but Theo had no room for such concerns now.

His gaze landed on Lodbrok’s spectral form, her chest bearing a gaping hole—an injury Kyle himself had inflicted.

Lodbrok glared at Kyle with a hatred that could scorch the heavens.

The problem was… Kyle was staring back at Lodbrok.

And it was clear—he could see her.

Drip.

Cold sweat trickled down Theo’s back.

Thump, thump, thump, thump!

Theo’s heart pounded furiously as he wondered what his father would say—or how he would react.

While Theo had always anticipated a reunion, he had never imagined it would happen so abruptly.

『Not even Sigurd in his prime could match this.』

Lodbrok’s lips curled into a snarl as though challenging Kyle to fight then and there.

Kyle, however, shifted his gaze from Lodbrok to Theo.

“Theo. Follow me.”

Shing!

With Caliburn in hand, Kyle disappeared without another word.

The crowd stared in stunned silence.

『What are you waiting for? Hurry up and follow him!』

Prompted by Lodbrok, Theo mounted Umbra and took off, following the trace left by his father.

Keeeaaak!

The griffins, fairy dragons, and other dragon-kin quickly followed in his wake.

“……”

“……”

Those left behind could only stare blankly at the scene.

An incident that could have escalated into chaos had abruptly come to an end.