Chapter 38: Return Date Undetermined |
A moment later, Emperor Elius’s steady voice broke the silence of the study. “Issue the order.”
The steward standing at the side immediately bowed and took out a specially made blank memory crystal, preparing to record the decree.
“First, transfer a portion of the elite from the Silver Radiance Knights and station them in Coral Thorn City to take over the Shadow Guild’s main assets. Without my authorization, they are not to interfere in any affairs within the city.”
“Second, in the Empire’s name, send formal letters to the major merchant groups such as the elves and dwarves. Express the Empire’s deep concern and regret over the attack on the caravans. If they intend to bid on the Shadow Guild’s properties, the Empire will grant them equal bidding rights and tax concessions.”
“Lastly, order the Empire’s Arcane Academy to compile a report on Legendary creatures related to spatial abilities and submit it as soon as possible.”
“Yes, Your Majesty!”
The steward and the middle-aged official answered in unison, their voices especially clear within the solemn study.
*
More than a day had passed since Kyle left.
What they likewise did not know was that the Sea Ghost Gang trailing far behind them had not only lost their own gang, but even had their backer uprooted along with it.
According to Kyle’s original expectations, O’Brien could establish a certain amount of prestige by wiping out the Sea Ghost Gang, and then would possibly go directly against the Deep Sea Union. At that point, there would be a great show to watch.
He had especially been looking forward to seeing Bartos’s expression when he realized that he actually could not beat a Grandmaster warrior. That look of life falling apart in disbelief would definitely be hilarious.
Paladins were not only especially effective against dark creatures. As long as transcendent power involved negativity, evil, darkness, or similar aspects, it fell within the range of what they countered.
Unless it was also an existence as unreasonable as Kyle, when a paladin fought above his level, he usually cut down monsters one after another without a sound.
That showed just how powerful a Legendary class was.
At this moment, the storm had already stopped. The sky was clear as if freshly washed, and the sea glittered with rippling light, reflecting endless azure blue.
On the deck, Dean was drenched in sweat, still gritting his teeth and continuing his harsh physical training. From time to time, because his movements were not standard enough, he would be struck by projectiles flicked from O’Brien’s fingertips and yelp repeatedly.
That drew low chuckles of amusement from Zack and the others watching the spectacle.
“Mm?!”
O’Brien’s extraordinarily sharp intuition suddenly told him that an extremely powerful existence was approaching, yet he could not detect the other party’s presence in the slightest.
That made O’Brien immediately enter a combat state. The aura around him spread out rapidly, enveloping the entire Wavecrest!
His figure flashed, and he moved Dean behind himself in protection.
The change had come far too suddenly! The smiles on Zack and the others’ faces instantly froze, and their hands instinctively reached for their weapons.
What had happened?
But before they could react further, a tall, heavy figure completely covered in ancient metal armor abruptly appeared beside O’Brien.
O’Brien hurriedly pulled Dean back several steps. He had only just sensed a trace of spatial fluctuation and had not noticed at all how the other party appeared.
He could not accurately judge the other party’s strength at all. The only good news was that he did not feel any hostility from him.
Alvaro’s metal faceplate swept toward Dean, who was being tightly shielded behind O’Brien, and a low, deep buzzing voice full of metallic texture rang out:
“By Miss Caitlin’s instruction, this one came to inform Young Master Dean that Miss Caitlin had temporarily received an urgent summons from her family, and her return date is undetermined. Young Master may cultivate in peace.”
“Does Young Master Dean have any words that need to be conveyed through this one?”
Hearing the metallic bass coming from the tall suit of metal armor before them, everyone immediately felt their spines go numb and goosebumps rise all over their bodies. This voice carried a soul-trembling sense of intoxication.
The two adventurers Vivian and Hailey even had their eyes light up, and the tension that had just arisen vanished completely.
This voice was far too pleasant! Far too manly!
After hearing the exchange, O’Brien also relaxed, though he still maintained sufficient vigilance.
Dean had been left completely dazed by the sudden turn of events. Still an ordinary person, he could not quite keep up with these people’s pace.
But the three words “Caitlin” instantly made him pull himself together.
When he heard that his sister had been summoned back to the family, the boy’s face immediately filled with anxiety and worry.
“Is… is something urgent happening? Will my sister be in danger?!” Dean pressed anxiously.
“Miss Caitlin is very well. Young Master Dean, please rest assured.”
Seeing that Dean still looked worried, Alvaro added:
“Miss and Lord Kyle are together. There will be no problem at all.”
Hearing that his sister was with Kyle, the tightly drawn strings in his heart finally eased a little.
He remembered that his teacher had said how formidable his sister’s younger brother was, a super powerhouse even his teacher, such a mighty paladin, could not see through.
Being with such a powerful expert surely had to be very safe, not to mention that they were blood siblings.
Dean took a deep breath and said seriously to Alvaro, “Please tell my sister that I will definitely train hard and won’t disappoint her!”
Alvaro’s head, covered by the faceplate, tilted slightly, as though nodding.
Then he prepared to leave, but seemed to think of something and turned his faceplate toward O’Brien.
“Sir Paladin, Lord Kyle also needs to return to his family for a period of time. All subsequent arrangements can only be decided by you yourself. Also, the situation in Coral Thorn City has undergone drastic changes. After you return, you may learn of it yourself.”
Once he finished speaking, Alvaro disappeared before everyone’s eyes just as silently as he had come.
Everyone looked at one another. This was the first time they had ever seen a person who came without a trace and left without a trace, and this was even out at sea.
If this had not happened right in front of everyone’s eyes, they would all have wanted to shout, “What the hell was that?!”
“Could that have been… the legendary spatial ability?” Hailey looked at the place where Alvaro had vanished and murmured thoughtfully.
“What did you say?” Vivian, who had just put away her curved blade, had not heard her good friend clearly.
“Nothing…” Hailey shook her head, but her eyes were full of shock and curiosity.
“Th… that just now was…”
“Wh… where did he go?”
“Was I seeing things?”
*
Ignoring the noisy discussions of the sailors, O’Brien signaled for Dean to continue training, while he himself seriously considered Alvaro’s parting words.
The drastic changes in Coral Thorn City’s situation, and Kyle and Caitlin returning to their family—these two matters were very likely connected. He just did not know what exactly had happened to make that vampire, whom he could never drive away, suddenly leave.
For the situation in that super city to change, it meant that the existing balance among the major forces had definitely shifted.
At least one party might have been pushed out, or suffered severe losses?
It probably was not the Artisans’ Association. According to the information Kyle had provided, even if the Artisans’ Association collapsed, it would not have too great an impact on the overall situation.
Besides, if the Artisans’ Association had collapsed, then his agreement with Kyle would have become void on the spot. There was no way he would not have been informed.
The Duke’s Mansion and the Silver Moon Chamber of Commerce were both connected to the Empire. Even if they had no powerful experts stationed there, nothing major would happen to them. Excluded.
The Adventurers’ Guild was even more neutral and powerful. He had never heard of any situation that would drag the Adventurers’ Guild into it, so that too was excluded.
That left only the Deep Sea Union, the Shadow Guild, and the local family alliance.
Either one of those had been forced out, or had suffered severe losses.
O’Brien felt the latter was far more likely. The possibility of being directly removed from the board was not high.
Unless!
The top leader of one side… had been killed!
Thinking of the elusive Alvaro and Kyle, who had returned to his family.
O’Brien’s mouth twitched.
Could it be that this fellow had killed the head of one of the factions, then gone home to lie low for a while?
Hadn’t he said he would not personally enter the fray lightly?
How had it turned into going straight for the big move right from the start?