Chapter 204: A New Dragon (4)
“Why is Lord Kinkarnon involved in this?”
“You don’t seem too surprised.”
Depth slightly opened his eyes, as if perplexed by Selperd’s indifferent response to his presence.
“You’re Lord Depth, correct?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
“How long has it been since you started assisting Lord Kinkarnon? Seven years? Eight years? I don’t recall seeing your face before that.”
“It’s been about five years.”
“Then in that time, you must have had plenty of opportunity to observe Gardner’s methods, haven’t you?”
A sudden question.
But Depth found himself intrigued by this person named Selperd.
‘They said he wasn’t worth dealing with, but their assessment was completely wrong.’
When Depth had first requested a meeting with Selperd, Diego had been insistent.
He’d warned that Selperd was an illegitimate child who had turned his back on the family’s grace and that expecting any courtesy from him would be foolish. Diego had even added that Selperd’s long years on the battlefield might have eroded his manners, urging Depth to excuse any potential improprieties in advance.
The impression was as if they were speaking of human trash.
But now, face-to-face, Depth could see the truth clearly.
On the surface, Selperd might appear to be an uncouth and arrogant individual, devoid of any sense of refinement, just as Diego had described.
However, his sharp, piercing gaze told a different story.
Compared to most of Gardner’s wolves, this man was far superior.
‘No wonder the White Armored Dragon Cavalry Commander, who’s obsessed with gathering talent, kept him close for so long.’
Depth briefly licked his lips in regret, thinking that Selperd might have made an excellent sword for Kinkarnon.
“Each time a generation changes, Gardner has an uncanny knack for sniffing things out like a cur, doesn’t he? That’s why I assumed he’d show up again somehow.”
Selperd spoke with deliberate emphasis on the word “cur.”
For a moment, Diego’s face turned beet red, but Depth merely chuckled lightly.
“You seem to harbor considerable resentment towards the family.”
“It wouldn’t be fair to say otherwise, would it?”
“Well, whatever happened in your family is your business… In the end, I suppose I could interpret this to mean you expected Gardner to make some kind of contact with Lord Kinkarnon sooner or later, right?”
“Think what you will. Now, what brings you here?”
“I heard that Theo Ragnar is your junior.”
Selperd’s expression instantly turned cold.
The same was true for Arin and the other companions.
“Watch your mouth. That person is now our Young Lord. No matter how much of a ‘dog’ you might be for Lord Kinkarnon, you shouldn’t recklessly speak his name.”
Dog.
Depth’s actions had lumped him together with the Gardner family.
“You insolent bastard, how dare you!”
Diego shot to his feet, drawing his sword halfway out of its scabbard.
But before he could move further, Arin and her companions had already drawn their swords and aimed them at him.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
In response, Gardner’s swordsmen also unsheathed their weapons, aiming them at Arin’s group, creating a tense standoff where everyone’s blades were pointed at one another.
The only ones who remained seated were Selperd and Depth.
Diego’s eyes twitched as he stared at the tip of Arin’s blade, hovering dangerously close to his throat.
He had inwardly underestimated his half-sibling, whom he had dismissed as someone incapable of even meeting his eyes in their childhood. However, it seemed this would not be as simple as he had thought.
“Should we interpret your current actions as a declaration of war against Lord Kinkarnon and the White Armored Dragon Cavalry?”
Selperd’s chilling warning sent Diego involuntarily gulping down a shaky breath.
Gardner’s other swordsmen also wore visibly troubled expressions.
Ever since the war with Troyban, public opinion in the North regarding the White Armored Dragon Cavalry had been soaring.
Moreover, with their reputation as the ‘Young Lord’s Escort,’ opposing them would effectively mean challenging not just the Young Lord, but also Kyle, who had designated him.
Depth’s face twisted into a fearsome grimace.
“Lower your swords!”
“But, sir—!”
“I said lower them!”
“……!!”
Reluctantly, Diego and Gardner’s swordsmen withdrew their weapons.
Then—
Smack!
Depth landed a resounding slap across Diego’s cheek.
“Do you have any idea what kind of mess you almost caused just now?”
“M-My lord! I was only trying to—”
Smack!
“And you have the nerve to talk back!”
Diego collapsed to the floor, clutching his reddened cheek, his face filled with both fear and indignation. His gaze shifted to Selperd, filled with resentment.
‘What a spectacle.’
Selperd found the entire display laughable.
A man who probably couldn’t even hold a sword properly was slapping the heir of Gardner? As if that would truly intimidate anyone.
It was obvious that Depth was merely putting on a show to seize control of the atmosphere.
“Please forgive the discourtesy committed by this man, and consider it a lapse in my judgment.”
“A cur only did what a cur does. Why would there be any issue?”
Selperd’s words made it clear he still regarded Diego and Depth as the same ilk.
Depth’s brow furrowed slightly, but he exhaled deeply to regain his composure.
“Lord Kinkarnon has no intention of antagonizing the Young Lord—no, the Young Lordship. In fact, he wishes to establish a friendship instead.”
Selperd raised an eyebrow.
What was Depth’s true intention?
“In that case, it seems you should have gone to the Camellia Palace instead of coming to me.”
“That’s true, but, you see, Lord Kinkarnon didn’t want to leave empty-handed.”
‘He can’t be the first to bow his head, can he?’
This was a power struggle.
Kinkarnon appeared to want Theo to approach him first and ‘invite him.’ Perhaps, as the eldest, he desired to assert some control.
“That’s why I was hoping you could assist us.”
“Be specific. If you keep beating around the bush, I won’t understand a word you’re saying.”
“I’ve heard your relationship with the Young Lord is quite special. So, I’d like you to grease the wheels a little—build a bridge for us.”
Depth continued, wearing a seemingly affable smile.
“Tell us about the Young Lord’s preferences, his current interests, or what he’s planning these days. And, in turn, speak favorably of Lord Kinkarnon to him.”
“So, you’re asking me to spy?”
“Why frame it like that? I’m suggesting we work together from a broader perspective to prevent further division within Ragnar.”
Ultimately, Depth’s point was simple:
- Make Theo think favorably of Kinkarnon.
Depth’s eyes curved into crescents as he smiled.
“If you need anything, we’ll provide it.”
「For instance, ensuring the safety of your maternal family.」
“……!”
Immediately following his words, Depth transmitted a covert message.
“What do you think? Will you help us?”
“…….”
To Selperd, Depth’s smiling eyes looked utterly insidious.
How did they know about his maternal family?
He was sure he’d kept it hidden, or so he thought.
「Don’t waste your time overthinking it. Our people are already there. If you refuse our offer, they might all end up meeting an unfortunate—」
Creaaaak!
“What a long-winded way to say something so simple. I’m not interested. Let’s go, everyone. I think we’ve seen enough for today.”
As Selperd stood up, Depth’s face twisted in frustration.
“Do you think you’ll walk away unscathed after this?”
“Sure, sure. Do whatever you like.”
Arin and the others followed Selperd, rising from their seats.
“And if you plan to threaten me again, I suggest you do your homework. I cut ties with my maternal family ages ago, so stop bringing them up. Tsk.”
As they moved to leave, Gardner’s swordsmen blocked their path.
Selperd’s raised eyebrow twitched in annoyance.
"Why is it that you lot never change, not then and not now? At some point, don’t you think it’s time to try something different?”
Bribes, cajolery, coercion, threats...
Selperd was sick to death of anything and everything connected to Gardner.
It was because of them that his mother had died.
Even his disillusionment with the maternal family he had tried so hard to protect stemmed from them.
“Not stepping aside? Why? Do you actually want to go all out for real?”
The swordsmen’s gazes naturally turned toward Diego and Depth.
‘That loudmouth boasted from the start that Selperd’s affection for his maternal family would make him an easy hostage. Nothing that comes from trusting that fool’s words ever turns out right!’
Depth, concerned about dragging Kinkarnon into unnecessary scandal while the Soaring Dragon Battle wasn’t yet concluded, hastily issued an order.
The orb-shaped artifact in Depth’s hand suddenly lit up with a dazzling flash.
The world fell silent.
* * *
‘It really has to be Senior Selperd.’
The person Theo had in mind for the deputy leader position of the White Armored Dragon Cavalry’s 6th unit was none other than Selperd Gardner and Arin Negatives.
They were the ones who had always looked out for him since he first joined as a rookie, and he felt deeply grateful to them.
If he asked to take both, Evelyn, the original captain of the 5th unit, might complain, but Theo couldn’t help himself.
Influence, skill, and insight—finding someone who excelled in all three was rare.
‘And if I could also bring along Reina Holcus and Erika, it would be perfect. If I could add Well on top of that...’
The comrades he’d undergone the Blossoming Ceremony with were all individuals destined to become renowned talents in the distant future.
Moreover, with the Narcio and Ranke families supporting them, the foundation Theo envisioned for Ragnar would be unshakable.
With that thought in mind, Theo had come to the “Nest of the White Dragon” to discuss matters with them—
“Selperd and Arin? What a shame. They went to watch the Soaring Dragon Battle.”
“Is that so?”
The timing was unfortunate; both individuals were away.
It seemed they had gone to observe who the newly emerging Soaring Dragon would be and plan countermeasures accordingly.
With no other option, Theo decided to look for other peers, but he was met with an entirely unexpected response.
“Um, are you planning to head to the Nest of the White Dragon?”
“Yes, that’s correct.”
“I wouldn’t recommend going there.”
Theo tilted his head in curiosity at the squad member, who scratched his cheek awkwardly as if troubled.
“Is something wrong?”
“Well... no. You’ll understand when you get there. Just go.”
“...?”
Carrying only questions, Theo made his way to the Nest of the White Dragon, where he quickly learned the reason.
“So, you’re Theo Ragnar, the one who became the Young Lord recently.”
He had encountered someone unexpected.
A colossal man with an imposing build and a fierce demeanor, almost bear-like in appearance.
‘Bracken Ranke!’
The head of the Ranke family was sitting casually, grilling meat on a hot plate alongside Erika, her sibling, and other members of the 5th unit.
It seemed Erika had recently returned to her hometown for a short vacation, and she had apparently brought her family along.
However,
‘Why... do their expressions...?’
At first glance, everyone appeared to be enjoying themselves, gathered around Bracken Ranke, arms slung over each other’s shoulders like close friends.
But the faces of the White Armored Dragon Cavalry members told a different story.
Pale and drained, their expressions screamed in silent unison:
‘Save us!!’
Around them lay toppled bottles of liquor and overturned jugs of alcohol, with vomit spilled in places and squad members lying sprawled and twitching on the ground.
Danger radiated from the scene.
Theo instinctively took a step back, his alarm bells ringing loudly.
Something was definitely wrong.
