Chapter 233

Theo’s curiosity was piqued.

“Why am I the only one who can handle this?”

To ask him to face Hilda and the countless factions colliding in one place on his own was tantamount to asking him to march to his death.

No matter how much Theo had honed his skills, he was nowhere near Hilda’s level.

The three figures exchanged puzzled glances, then let out faint chuckles.

“Oh! It seems we may have explained this poorly. Of course, all Nine Dragons will participate in the mission to suppress the Transcendence Ritual. The Patriarch as well,” said the Maehwa Palace Lord.

“However, none of us can intervene directly in the ritual itself—not even the Patriarch,” added the Black Dragon.

Theo raised an eyebrow.

“The Patriarch is incapable of intervening?”

“Well, doesn’t the Patriarch seem a little more than human in your eyes?” Julius burst out laughing, his voice booming across the room.

Theo awkwardly scratched his cheek, unsure how to respond.

After all, this was the man who had toppled the Dragon Emperor from his throne and pierced Lodbrok’s heart—not something a typical human could achieve.

It wasn’t unreasonable for Theo to think of him as far beyond ordinary.

The Black Dragon interjected, his tone matter-of-fact.

“It’s precisely because the Patriarch doesn’t feel like an ordinary person that he cannot act directly.”

“?”

What was that supposed to mean?

“As we’ve said, the Transcendence Ritual involves opening the gate to the Pantheon. To close that gate, one must possess a vessel capable of enduring such a task…”

“And it’s too vast for him to handle?” Theo finished, understanding dawning in his expression.

“Exactly.”

“Hah.”

It was ironic that the Patriarch, being so extraordinary, couldn’t intervene without risking his own transcendence.

Considering Kyle had already surpassed mortal limits, he was likely capable of ascending to the Pantheon at any moment.

“And as for the Nine Dragons… we fall short in the opposite way. We haven’t achieved the enlightenment of Nirvana,” the Black Dragon explained.

Theo nodded, grasping the explanation.

“In the end, what we can do is hold back the Sacred Demon Cult and the other factions. Closing the gate itself is up to you.”

Theo nodded gravely.

A full-scale battle involving the Patriarch and all Nine Dragons…

With Ragnar’s full might being mobilized, this event would serve to solidify Ragnar’s position as the strongest clan in the world.

If they succeeded, it would also go a long way in preventing the great calamity that loomed.

But if they failed?

If Ragnar showed even the slightest sign of weakness to the other Elector Counts…

‘I don’t even want to think about it.’

On the other hand, Theo couldn’t help but worry about Wellington’s involvement on Hilda’s side.

Why hadn’t he left that group yet?

It was clear this battle would be far from simple.

***

“Theo Ragnar!”

“Theo Ragnar!”

“Theo-o-o!”

Banners and flags bearing Theo’s name fluttered everywhere. From the city streets to the grand stadium, the atmosphere was electric.

Among the throngs of people, figures cloaked in heavy robes moved discreetly, muttering under their breath as they observed the scene.

“I’ve always thought this, but…”

“...?”

“Ragnar hates the Sacred Demon Cult more than anyone else, right?”

“That’s true.”

“Then why does it sometimes feel like Ragnar is worse than those cultists?”

The man in the lead, draped in a crimson robe, let out a hollow laugh.

“Look around at this frenzy. How is it any different from those fanatics? Birds of a feather, maybe? Or perhaps it’s that saying, ‘He who fights monsters should see to it that he does not become one.’”

“...Don’t go spouting that nonsense where others can hear you.”

“What, you think I’m crazy? I don’t want to get dragged out of bed and lynched.”

This was Winterer, Ragnar territory.

Here, the clan’s eyes and ears were everywhere. It wouldn’t be surprising if someone overheard their conversation and reported it directly to the Court of Law.

The man in the blue robe walking behind quickly scanned the surroundings.

Fortunately, the crowds were too busy streaming toward the stadium, or they were hawkers shouting over each other to sell their goods. No one seemed to be paying attention to them.

Only then did he let out a sigh of relief.

“Hey, you’re such a coward. A real man should have the guts to—”

“Shut your mouth, will you? And stop with the whole ‘real man’ talk. What era do you think this is? Especially when you’re the first to run for cover whenever things go south.”

“Hey! That time was—”

The two bickered as they made their way to the stadium, their banter laced with an air of familiarity.

But their sharp gazes constantly swept their surroundings, betraying a warrior’s instincts.

For a brief moment, the hem of one robe shifted, revealing what appeared to be a long, slender tail. It flicked briefly into view before vanishing back into the shadows of the fabric.

***

The Fourth Arena

The Fourth Arena held a special significance—it was where Theo Ragnar first stood back up and laid the foundation for the elite guard.

It was also the chosen venue for the Lunar Sword promotion trial.

Details about the trial had been sparse, but one rumor dominated the whispers of the crowd:

"The Young Patriarch’s promotion trial will be a consecutive match against the Nine Dragons."

A consecutive match, not against just one, but against multiple of the legendary Nine Dragons?

Naturally, anticipation reached a fever pitch.

"If he defeats even one, it proves he's worthy of the Lunar Sword. But consecutive victories? Is that even possible?"

"If it weren’t possible, they wouldn’t have planned this event."

"How far will he go? I doubt he’ll get past someone like the Black Snowlord or the White Armored Dragon."

"True. Those two are ridiculously strong. And don’t forget the Mad Dragon and the Maehwa Palace Lord."

While speculation about the trial’s format ran rampant, a common conclusion emerged among the spectators:

"The matches will likely proceed in reverse order of rank within the Nine Dragons."

Though all members of the Nine Dragons were considered superhuman, it was widely believed that certain individuals, such as the leader of the Blue Sword Guard, the Phantom Dragon, or the Cold Palace Lord, the Ice Dragon, were among the weakest.

Some even included the Elder Council’s chairman, the Primordial Dragon, who had recently lost an arm to Julius, in this lower tier.

Thus, the crowd expected one of these three to be Theo’s first opponent.

But then…

"What? What’s happening?"

"Why is it so intense from the start?"

"Well, this is even better for us!"

Cheers erupted in thunderous waves as the first opponent stepped into the arena.

『They’re playing their trump card right from the start.』

"Exactly what I was thinking," Theo sighed, exasperation clear in his tone.

“...Are you seriously doing this?”

“Surprises must stay surprising until the end, don’t you think?”

“If you pull another one, there won’t be much of me left by the time we’re done.”

Theo grumbled, his voice dripping with annoyance.

The first opponent, grinning mischievously, rested his sword on one shoulder.

It was Julius.

“Well? Are you not going to fight?”

“I have no choice, do I?”

“None at all.”

“Right.”

Julius burst into laughter, his booming voice filling the arena.

“Lighten up. To be honest, both Robert and Osa wanted to go first, but I stopped them to spare you.”

“...How is that any better?”

“It is better. They would’ve fought with pure strength alone, but—”

Julius swung his sword down with a powerful motion.

Slam!

A circular boundary, about three meters in diameter, etched itself into the ground around him.

“I propose we settle this quickly. You’ve got more opponents waiting, after all.”

He was offering a wager.

Theo’s eyes narrowed, his expression darkening.

“What are the terms?”

“Five exchanges.”

“?”

“If you can push me out of this circle in five moves, you win.”

“!!”

“Sounds easy enough, right? But it won’t be.”

A fierce aura erupted around Julius, radiating from him like a storm.

The overwhelming pressure crackled in the air, making the spectators’ skin tingle.

“I’m considered one of the stronger ones, after all.”

Rumble.

The oppressive force weighed down on Theo’s shoulders, eliciting a small, determined smile.

It had been a long time since he’d felt such intense energy.

This was it.

The battlefield he’d always longed to stand on.

He was Ragnar, through and through.

A man who could only thrive with a sword in hand, standing on the frontlines.

Thud-thud-thud-thud-thud!

Theo’s heart pounded like a war drum.

“I never thought this would be easy. But it does seem… fun.”

He gripped the Drake Fang Blade, channeling his mana into the weapon.

Fwoosh!

The greatsword gleamed, its glow shifting from fiery red to a deep, ominous black.

Dragon’s Claw.

With a burst of speed, Theo launched himself forward, executing a technique he had learned long ago from Julius himself.

The technique had been passed down from Kyle Ragnar to Julius, and Julius had inscribed it into Theo’s very being.

But Theo had since refined and reimagined it, making it uniquely his own.

Crack-boom!

A lightning bolt seemed to fall from the heavens, its intense heat palpable even to the audience.

Julius laughed as he deflected the strike.

The boy who had once stumbled onto this very arena, barely able to hold a sword, now stood against him as a worthy opponent.

Julius had known of Theo for a long time, though not with any particular interest.

Among the many children of his esteemed elder brother, Theo had always been quiet and reserved.

With his handsome but cold demeanor, he had an unusual warmth that made him popular among the servants.

"What a shame. If only he could truly blossom."

Julius had once thought so.

Now, seeing how far Theo had come, how could he not feel pride?

More than anything, Julius hoped Theo would surpass him.

To watch the child he once looked down upon grow into someone he now looked up to—what could be more rewarding?

Swoosh!

Julius swung his sword in a wide arc, a strike so fierce it felt like the tail of a dragon tearing through the air.

The resulting flash collided with Theo’s Dragon’s Claw, the two forces locking in a dazzling explosion of light.

Crash!

The arena was bathed in a blinding glow as the clash of their energies filled the space. Neither gave an inch, their auras surging against each other.

Julius grinned.

"This boy’s understanding has grown to rival my own. But if this is all he has, he’ll never push me out. Let’s see what else he’s got—"

“Do I have to use all five moves at once?” Theo asked suddenly.

“!?”

Before Julius could respond—

Crack-BOOM!

Four additional strikes descended like lightning, each carrying the weight of Theo’s full strength.

It was already taking everything Julius had to block one strike. But now, four more were coming at him simultaneously?

“...You’ve got to be kidding me.”

As he considered whether to laugh or curse, the full force of the attack hit him like a thunderclap.

KABOOM!

Julius was swallowed whole by the explosion.