NoveLight ™
[The functions of the ‘Dragon-Slaying Sword: Balmung’ have ceased, and it has returned to a sealed state.]
The chill of the night breeze brought Theo’s senses back to full alertness.
“Obtaining Balmung was a wise decision. It will be an invaluable asset in my path to the throne.”
Theo resolved to unlock the mysteries of Balmung at any cost. In some ways, it might be even more valuable than the ancient dragon relics.
“And I also managed to acquire this.”
He smirked, examining the small box in his left hand.
[Garuda's Heart]
He had succeeded in stealing it while the Black Dragon's sudden appearance distracted Hilda.
No doubt she would be furious once she discovered the theft, but what could she do? Their relationship was already fractured.
“Besides, the Black Dragon’s presence means Father will soon hear about this. Even if Hilda tends to act without restraint, she’ll have to hold back for now.”
Theo couldn’t help but grin, knowing the effects of Garuda’s Heart.
“This will be a crucial key in unlocking Balmung’s secrets.”
As he placed both items into his inventory—
Screech!
Umbra let out a long, eerie cry, as if warning him.
“Yes, but that’s only if I fully escape from here.”
Narrowing his eyes, Theo activated his spiritual vision.
Not far off, atop a mountain peak, stood Tenglong.
“Already gave Hilda a run for her money on your way out? You never cease to surprise me.”
Theo tensed, placing his hand on the hilt of his Moonlight Sword. Although he had exhausted most of his mana escaping the Three-Second Abyss, he couldn’t afford to appear weak.
But then—
Click.
Tenglong sheathed the sword he had been holding.
“...?”
What was he planning?
Theo’s eyes widened in surprise.
Tenglong chuckled softly.
“There’s no need for such caution. I don’t intend to harm you.”
“...!”
“Though I consider myself a loyal vassal of Lady Hilda, a true servant must be able to offer counsel when the lord makes a misjudgment.”
Tenglong’s smile deepened.
“No matter how much pressure you put on a young man with such a strong will, he may yield at first, but he’ll eventually turn his back. I opposed this restriction from the beginning, but Lady Hilda insisted on it. And besides… you’re the cherished friend of my only disciple. I couldn’t possibly harm you.”
Theo’s lips moved in response.
“Are you sure about this?”
“About what?”
“If you just let me go, Lady Hilda won’t take it lightly.”
“Ah, you mean the aftermath? Don’t worry. She may be fierce when provoked, but she’s not so petty. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have allowed you to take ‘that’ with you.”
“...!”
“It would also be wise to reflect on things alone from time to time.”
Tenglong’s gaze, fixed on Theo, was profound, filled with the wisdom of a sage.
“None can deny that the current Clan Leader has led Ragnar to its peak. However, he is, at his core, a tyrant. One misstep, and he could plunge Ragnar into the abyss.”
“…”
“He rules with an iron fist, driving even his own children into ruthless competition… I am deeply concerned. That’s why I’m working to contain him through Lady Hilda.”
“But Lady Hilda doesn’t seem like the right answer either.”
“True. But you have time on your side—and regression. In the end, the ultimate victor will be you. Use Lady Hilda. Just as she intends to use you.”
Advising Theo to use his own lord—it was advice that most would consider treasonous.
Yet Theo found Tenglong’s words sincere.
“For now, the Clan Leader may be taking a liking to you, but who knows when that might change? It’s wise to have insurance. Besides, Lady Hilda could serve as a powerful backing for your ambitions. Both I and Well can support you as well.”
Tenglong winked.
Theo nodded solemnly.
“I understand. I’ll consider it.”
“Thank you, even if it’s just words. Oh, and don’t hold too much resentment toward Lady Hilda over this.”
With Tenglong’s words lingering, Theo ascended higher into the night sky.
Use Lady Hilda.
Tenglong’s words echoed in his mind, along with memories of Hilda’s imposing presence.
[Congratulations! You have successfully resisted external temptations and threats, completing Scenario Quest #1.]
[Rating: A+]
[You have received 2 coins as a reward.]
[As a bonus for your high rating, you have gained a significant amount of additional experience points.]
[Your level has increased.]
[Your level has increased.]
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In the early hours, with the moon veiled by clouds, a breeze took on a human form in the underground prison of the White Armored Dragon Brigade.
“This should be the place.”
Number 4, a top-ranked assassin, withdrew a dagger, his eyes cold.
His mission was to eliminate the prisoners held here.
Given that this was the White Armored Dragon Brigade’s headquarters, assassination and escape would be challenging. But he had already mapped out every detail in his mind—guard patrol routes, shift changes, observation points, prison layout, and prisoner locations. All of this was information one could only obtain directly from within Ragnar.
“Ragnar is full of traitors.”
Having performed similar missions before, Number 4 couldn’t help but chuckle.
Click.
Upon reaching his target, he used a prepared key to unlock the cell door.
Inside sat four prisoners, their faces blurred and vacant.
“You are…?”
“Sydra Eboil, I presume?”
Sydra looked up, recognizing the situation with a bitter smile.
“Director sent you, didn’t he?”
“It seems you are Sydra Eboil. Don’t hold a grudge. I’m merely following orders.”
Number 4 drew his dagger.
Shing—
“There’s no need to worry about your family’s safety or rewards… That was part of the message.”
“That’s a relief.”
Sydra closed his eyes, leaning back against the wall, as if prepared for death.
He had anticipated Edgar’s actions to silence him.
“Wait! Please, I don’t want to die yet! I can pay you whatever you want—”
One of the prisoners clutched Number 4’s pant leg, desperate.
However, Number 4 coldly drove his dagger down.
Just as the blade was about to pierce the prisoner’s neck, a sharp breeze intervened.
Clang!
The dagger was deflected.
“What?!”
Number 4’s senses went on high alert at the stealthy sword movement that had slipped past even his own trained perception.
Swoosh!
Four blades of wind converged on him in an instant.
“Ugh!”
Deflecting the attacks with his dagger, Number 4 threw himself backward, intending to cloak himself and vanish—
“Not so fast.”
Evelyn had already closed the gap.
An assassin’s power lay in their stealth, difficult to detect.
But once spotted, the advantage shifted.
Moreover, Evelyn’s way of tracking Number 4 was not based on simple perception.
It was the movement of the wind.
By following the wind’s path around him, she could predict his movements, attack direction, habits, and intentions.
Right overhead.
Evelyn swung her sword according to her prediction.
The blade struck down like lightning, tearing through Number 4’s side.
Slash!
“Argh!”
His hand, still holding the dagger, was severed, spraying blood into the air.
Evelyn quickly grabbed him by the collar and slammed him to the ground. She reversed her grip on her sword and struck a nerve point to prevent him from self-termination. The blade was already coated in a paralyzing toxin.
“How prepared she was…!”
Number 4 convulsed like an epileptic before finally going limp.
Evelyn coldly tore away his collar, exposing a tattoo hidden beneath.
“As Theo suspected.”
It was a symbol of a snake biting the moon—a mark of the assassination group known as The Season of Serpents.
But more significantly, this group was closely associated with a certain noble family.
We’ve caught the tail.
Evelyn’s eyes glinted coldly.
In front of Camellia Palace, Erich and his sister stood. Normally, they would have walked in without hesitation, but Holcus couldn’t bring himself to enter.
“What, are you going to stand here forever?”
“But, but…!”
“But what?”
“Just look at that! How can I go in with a clear conscience when Theo Ragnar, that enviable guy…”
Holcus trembled, pointing to the bustling palace entrance, filled with people—primarily women, all strikingly beautiful.
Erich shook his head in exasperation.
“There’s no way Theo would use his looks and fame to attract women.”
“Well, I guess… but!”
“And even if he were, do you think he’d line them up like that? Doesn’t make any sense.”
“Then what is that?”
“They’re probably here for something else. They look like actors or stylists.”
“Still, I can’t forgive Theo Ragnar for living in such a blissful world, leaving me out!”
Erich sighed and shook her head at her brother’s melodramatic outburst.
“Fine, do whatever you want. I’m going ahead.”
She walked toward the entrance of Camellia Palace, leaving Holcus to his theatrics.
“W-Wait! Don’t leave me! Sister!”
Holcus quickly chased after Erich.
Theo greeted Erich and Holcus, his face looking a bit worn.
“What happened to you? Did you stay up all night training or something?”
“He must have been out with those girls…!”
Smack!
“Can you quit it already? Aren’t you tired of this?”
Erich smacked Holcus on the back of his head, then turned to Theo with a concerned look. Theo just gave a tired smile and shook his head.
“I was just really busy yesterday. And those people outside are all visitors from my mother’s business, so don’t get any ideas.”
He thought of Cecilia, who had started her own business with funding from Kyrson, and smiled wryly.
“Looks like I’ll be trying on all kinds of outfits for a while…”
The fatigue from that alone was already starting to set in.
“But anyway, what brings you here? Isn’t today your day off as a mission reward?”
“Yeah, it was supposed to be. But thanks to someone, that vacation was completely canceled.”
“...?”
Theo looked confused, tilting his head.
Erich handed him a document.
“Take it.”
“What is it?”
“A new mission order. It’s classified as Level 1, so they told me to deliver it to you secretly.”
“Who’s it from?”
“The Captain.”
Theo took the document and quickly scanned it.
“Since you’re the one who caused the incident, the Captain thinks you should be the one to handle it.”
As Theo read the orders, his eyes sharpened.
As I suspected.
As of 1:51 AM today, Squad Leader Evelyn Nereville of Team 5 successfully captured an assassin who infiltrated the underground prison. It was confirmed that the assassin is associated with The Season of Serpents.
The Season of Serpents is an assassination group linked to the Eastern noble house of Troyban, which has strong ties to the East and is the home family of the Central Intelligence Director, Hangryong. There is also significant suspicion that this incident involves an internal informant.
The upper echelons have determined this incident to be sensitive and difficult to ignore. Therefore, a rapid strike on The Season of Serpents is recommended before Troyban has time to respond.
Given that this mission was proposed by Theo Ragnar from Team 5, as reported by the squad leader, the task has been assigned to him.
However, since Theo Ragnar was scheduled to take his promotion exam in four days, the exam will be replaced by this mission.
You are to begin the mission immediately upon receiving this order.
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