Chapter 220. Blood is Thicker Than Water (2)

Sabina, Caron, and Leo arrived at the Oceanwolf Knight Order's North Sea outpost.

"I was just expecting a couple of huts," Caron said, letting out a quiet murmur of surprise as he looked around the outpost.

"Did you really think it'd be that simple?" Sabina replied with a faint smile. "This is still a place where people live. And with the Oceanwolf Knight Order stationed here, it was only natural for others to gather around."

"Does this place have a name?" Caron asked.

"Raelnia," Sabina answered. "It means 'Land of Rael' in the ancient tongue. It was named in honor of our ancestor."

The scale of Raelnia rivaled that of any capital city in a decent-sized territory. Though most of its population consisted of armed forces, Caron could still see plenty of civilians—merchants and others—mingling through the streets.

Sabina rested a hand on Caron's shoulder as she continued, "Of course, where I actually stay is deeper in. This place, Raelnia, is merely the command center for the coastal defenses along the North Sea. I thought you'd be more surprised."

At that, Caron chuckled softly and nodded, then replied, "I came across some reports in Father's office once. The military spending listed was enormous. Enough that the garrison at Azureocean Castle alone couldn't account for it."

"Exactly," Sabina said. "A significant portion of the Ducal Family of Leston's funds has always gone into supporting this place."

"And the royal family doesn't provide any kind of subsidy...?" Caron asked.

"Of course not," Sabina answered bluntly. "Protecting this land is a sacred duty of ours. We have no need to rely on the empire."

Caron let out a deep sigh at those words.

Outwardly, the Ducal Family of Leston appeared to be a proud and noble house, but moments like this revealed the truth.

This is the kind of thing they should be bleeding the empire dry for,

Caron thought.

Time and again, they allowed themselves to be taken advantage of—just like now.

Caron slowly nodded as he examined the massive wall stretching along the coastline. He remarked, "An armed force stationed here, a city growing around it... It's fascinating."

He was beginning to understand why Fayle had placed such a focus on developing the north.

Is it his plan to extend the railway out here?

Caron wondered.

It was a project on a scale rarely seen even in the empire's long history. With full support from the Magic Tower, a rail network was being constructed that would stretch northward. And Caron was convinced this outpost was its final destination.

If Azureocean Castle could be connected to Raelnia by rail, it would create a massive advantage—from troop movement to trade to logistics. The benefits would be endless.

"There are fifty thousand soldiers stationed along the North Sea front," Sabina said. "That's why the royal family keeps such a close eye on us, the Ducal Family of Leston."

"Troops that can't be easily mobilized," Caron murmured.

"Precisely. Even on the day my brother dethroned the Malevolent Emperor, we weren't able to call upon these forces," Sabina explained.

"Hmmm..." Caron rubbed his chin, falling into thought.

It was an overwhelming force of elite troops, sharpened through constant battle with monsters alongside the Oceanwolf Knight Order.

It was no wonder the central nobility feared the duchy.

"I'll need to speak more seriously with the Magic Tower and the dwarves," Caron said. "If we can add their magic and craftsmanship to those walls, we'll be far better equipped to hold back the demonic monsters from the North Sea."

Sabina glanced at Caron, a soft smile forming on her lips. She thought,

He's thinking about the future.

Caron was already planning for the day he would cross beyond the North Sea.

It was the long-cherished wish of the Ducal Family of Leston Duchy to conquer the Demon Realm, and to finish what their forebear had failed to do. And now, a seventeen-year-old youth was laying the groundwork for that vision. As an elder of the family, Sabina could only be proud of him.

As Sabina wrapped up her brief explanation of the outpost to Caron and Leo, a group of Oceanwolf Knights approached them.

"Expedition Commander Rize Pandaim reporting to Lady Sabina Leston," the lead knight said as he bowed respectfully.

"Sir Rize, was everything alright while I was away?" Sabina asked.

"We repelled two waves of monster attacks, including five Fenrirs," Rize reported. "They were small-scale incursions, but we pushed them back successfully."

"And casualties?" Sabina asked.

"Twelve dead and forty-five wounded," Rize answered.

"You've all worked hard," Sabina said softly, her expression tinged with sorrow as she nodded.

The Oceanwolf Knight who had introduced himself as Rize now turned to Caron and Leo with a respectful bow.

"It is an honor to serve the young masters," he said. "I hope you find everything you seek during your stay here."

"You've worked hard," Caron said.

"Thank you for the warm welcome," Leo added.

"I serve directly under Sir Zerath," Rise continued. "So please, feel free to treat me casually."

Rize was at the pinnacle of 7-Star. Caron had never seen anyone of that level back at Azureocean Castle. It was clear that this knight had remained stationed in the North Sea for quite some time.

As Caron and Leo exchanged pleasantries with Rize, Sabina stepped in to offer more context. "The North Sea is where the Ducal Family of Leston began. Protecting it has always been our solemn duty. The elders of our house take turns guarding this land."

At her explanation, both Caron and Leo nodded slowly in understanding.

"Caron, hand over the supplies to Sir Rize," Sabina instructed.

"Yes," Caron replied, pulling something from his pouch of dimensional space.

It was a bundle wrapped in rough cloth. Inside, there were ten severed heads in total. Thanks to Rigor, they had been frozen solid, so there was no blood or stench to worry about.

"These are..." Rize began as he unwrapped the bundle with practiced hands. Recognizing the faces instantly, he muttered, "They're the ones who've been raiding our supply lines."

"We ran into them on the way here," Sabina said. "Figured we'd deal with them on the spot."

"Thank you, Lady Sabina," Rize said.

"Don't thank me," Sabina said, shaking her head. "It was Caron and Leo who handled them. I simply observed behind them."

At that, Rize looked at the two young men with open admiration. After all, Caron Leston and Leo Leston were called the future of the duchy.

Rumors tended to exaggerate. But seeing them up close, Rize felt the opposite—the rumors had understated the truth. Their achievements were already far beyond what anyone their age should have been capable of—especially Caron.

Even I can't guarantee a win against him...

Rize thought.

He himself stood at the pinnacle of 7-Star, and even he couldn't confidently say he could defeat Caron in a battle.

"Thanks to you both, we won't have to worry about supply raids for a while," Rize said.

"Oh, we didn't do much," Caron replied modestly with a smile, waving a hand. "We just swung our swords a few times."

"I hope we can cross blades someday," Rize said.

"Oh, I'm down for that anytime," Caron replied.

With the first greetings finished, Rize turned back to Sabina. He said, "We've prepared a small welcoming ceremony, though it may be modest."

Sabina lightly waved her hand, then said, "The Duke instructed us to prioritize the Coming of Age Ceremony."

"Understood," Rize replied.

"We'll postpone all other events until after the ceremony," Sabina added. "Is everything ready?"

"We've already secured the path to the Sea of Beginning," Rize answered.

"Well done," Sabina said, then turned toward Caron and Leo. "We'll head to the Sea of Beginning right away. If either of you needs rest, tell me now."

Both Caron and Leo shook their heads without hesitation.

"Let's go now," Caron said.

"We'll rest after we return," Leo added.

Sabina smiled at their brisk, disciplined response and nodded approvingly, then said, "Good answer. You've both grown well."

Without delay, the three of them set off.

Their destination was the Sea of Beginning. It was the very place where Rael Leston had first set foot upon the continent.

***

The Sea of Beginning lay about an hour's distance from Raelnia. The bodies of demonic monsters piled along the path were proof enough of how frequently they emerged in this region.

Following the trail of corpses, the group finally reached their destination.

It was their first time laying eyes on the North Sea, and the view that greeted them was...

"...This sea gives me chills," Leo commented.

"Yeah, no kidding," Caron muttered.

Just as Leo said, there was something deeply ominous about it.

A subtle trace of dark mana rode the ocean wind, and the coastline itself was visibly tainted by it. Compared to the South Sea, East Sea, and West Sea they had seen before, this one was on a whole different level of danger.

"As time passes, the dark mana seeping from the Demon Realm grows thicker," Sabina said, her hands folded behind her back as she stared out at the waves. "Which means the Demon Kings' power is growing stronger."

Then, after a pause, a faint smile tugged at her lips. She said, "It seems the Guardian Dragon has come to greet you both."

Kwoosh!

A massive whirlpool formed above the sea's surface, sweeping away the dark mana that had been polluting the waters. Moments later, from the center of that vortex, a woman with flowing blue hair stepped forward. Her face was familiar.

It was Gratia, the Guardian Dragon they had encountered before on the Plains of Rest.

Thud.

She landed lightly in front of Caron and the others, then gave them a radiant smile.

"The time of our promise has come, descendants of Rael," she began. "I am Gratia, your Guardian Dragon."

At her words, Sabina knelt on one knee, placing her right leg forward in a gesture of respect. Leo followed suit beside her.

But Caron acted differently. He looked at Gratia with a disinterested expression and asked, "It's really you this time, right? Your real body?"

Gratia gave a small nod and answered, "Yes."

"Still not sure I trust you," Caron said.

"What would I gain from deceiving you?" Gratia asked with a gentle chuckle.

"Fair enough," Caron admitted.

"Sabina Leston and Leo Leston, you may rise," Gratia said. "There's no need for you to show me such formal respect. In fact, I should be the one thanking you."

With that, Sabina slowly stood.

"You have protected this sea in our place," Gratia continued. "As the last surviving member of the Azure Tribe, I offer my deepest respect to those who bear the name of Leston."

Then Gratia lifted a hand and gave it a light wave.

Flash.

A shimmer of blue light appeared in midair and quickly flowed into Sabina and Leo's bodies.

Sabina let out a soft gasp and murmured, "This is..."

"This is the blessing of the Azure Dragon," Gratia said. "You'll find your mana flows more smoothly now."

"Thank you," Sabina said, bowing her head.

Caron, meanwhile, shrugged at Gratia and asked, "No special blessing for me?"

"What are you talking about? I already blessed you last time," Gratia answered.

"...Did you?" Caron asked.

Now that she mentioned it, things had started going unusually well for him in his training after they'd left the Plains of Rest. So it had been her doing after all.

But Caron, in his usual shameless tone, insisted, "Then just bless me again."

"...Do you think that's how this works?" Gratia asked, blinking slowly.

"The Saintess did it for me," Caron replied.

"Divine power and mana are not the same, Caron," Gratia explained.

Caron clicked his tongue in response.

Truly, there was probably no one else in the world who would talk to a guardian dragon like this.

Even Sabina, watching from the side, couldn't help but click her tongue at his attitude.

The Guardian Dragon was someone the members of the Ducal Family of Leston had longed to meet for generations. Yet in Caron's eyes, she seemed to be nothing more than a walking loot chest.

Gratia let out a deep sigh. She had thought so the last time as well, but this young man was simply in a league of his own. To think the fate of the continent rested on the shoulders of someone like Caron was an absurd notion.

"Let's just get the Coming of Age Ceremony over with," Caron said, his voice blunt and impatient.

Gratia shook her head in mild disbelief, then lifted her hand with a small flourish.

Boom!

The sea split cleanly to either side with a deafening roar, revealing a massive stairway that had been hidden beneath the waves.

It was a breathtaking sight—mystical and otherworldly.

Caron, watching Gratia part the sea, leaned toward Sabina and asked under his breath, "Was it like this for everyone else?"

"Up until now, they just dove into the sea. This... This has been prepared solely for you, Caron," Sabina replied.

"Why me, of all people?" Caron asked.

"Because you were chosen by the Guillotine, and because you shattered the Pledge Stone," Sabina explained.

"Then what about Leo—" Caron began to ask, but before he could, Gratia spoke as if it were obvious.

"Leo Leston is bound to your fate. The two of you must descend these stairs together," Gratia said.

Caron slowly turned to her and asked, "What's down there?"

"The very thing you must face and fight," Gratia replied firmly.

"Will we see the same illusion?" Caron asked.

"There's no way to know that," Gratia answered. Her blue eyes shimmered faintly as she added, "My role is merely to guide you to the trial. Nothing more."

Caron let out a sigh and muttered under his breath, "Useless, as always."

"...What did you just say?" Gratia asked.

"I didn't say anything," Caron replied, brushing her off without missing a beat.

Then, he turned to Leo with a grin and said, "Let's go, Leo."

"...This isn't going to turn into something crazy, right?" Leo asked.

"If it does, just give up. But you know what happens if only I pass the ceremony, right? We switch roles. You'd have to start calling me 'big brother.' Might want to get used to it now," Caron replied.

"I'll take the lead," Leo snapped, clenching his fists. "I'd rather eat dirt than let that happen."

Leo marched forward, and Caron watched him go with a satisfied look. Then he turned to Sabina and gave her a respectful nod.

"Well then, we'll be off," Caron said.

"Return as adults," Sabina said, her voice steady. "May fortune walk with you."

"Yes, Lady Sabina," Caron replied.

With that farewell, Caron followed after Leo and stepped onto the staircase.

Rumble.

The moment their feet touched the steps, the entire staircase vanished from sight.

The ceremony had begun.