Chapter 58

A strange calm hung over the Dawn Guild merchantman cutting through the vast sea. Sailors bustled on deck while Shadow Blade operatives, disguised as merchants, inspected cargo crates or chatted as they gazed at the sea. The Valerian Empire’s dispatched trade supervisors also came up from the cabins to catch the deck’s breeze, appearing to enjoy an ordinary voyage.

But beneath that peace, an invisible battle of nerves stretched taut like beasts with knives at each other’s throats.

“Captain Hector, the voyage seems smooth.”

Cypher, the chief supervisor leading Valeria’s Ghosts, approached Hector with a gentle smile. He looked like a mild-mannered middle-aged gentleman, but his eyes were snake-like, piercing as if seeing into one’s soul.

“The sea’s caprice is something even the gods struggle to predict, Supervisor. It’s still too soon to relax.”

Hector smoothly played the part of the guild’s head of guards as he answered. He felt the sharp killing intent hidden beneath Cypher’s smile. This man was no ordinary official. He was a kindred human who had tasted much blood and darkness.

“I hear the ‘hardened steel’ the Dawn Guild deals in is something even dwarven craft struggles to produce. Where on earth did the Aster family get such secret methods? Could it be… you’ve discovered some ancient ruin only told of in legend?”

Cypher asked casually. As Rian had expected, it was a sly question aimed at fishing for information about the Dragon’s Heart.

“Haha, so you’ve heard the rumors as well, Supervisor. How would wandering merchants like us know anything so grand? We simply carry out the goods our lord bestowed upon us with diligence.”

Hector, as Rian had instructed, evaded both affirmation and denial like a wily snake. Their conversation was amicable, but their eyes flashed, tracking each tiny change of expression and the slightest tremor in the other’s voice.

That night, a storm arrived without warning.

House-sized waves bore down as if to swallow the ship, and the sky screamed, spitting lightning. The crew fought desperately to lower the sails and hold the helm. Then a mast snapped with the surge, crashing down toward the sailors working on deck.

“Danger!”

At that moment, two shadows moved at once.

Hector sprang out at a speed the human eye couldn’t follow, slashing the falling mast with his sword to alter its trajectory. A blue aura flowed from his blade, shining clearly even amid the storm.

At the same time, Cypher reached out toward the falling sailors. Pitch-black tendrils of darkness extended from his hands, coiling around the sailors’ waists and snapping them to safety in an instant. It was not divine power nor Magic, but the alien ‘dark energy’ used only by Valerian shadows.

Their movements lasted only an instant, but it was enough to confirm each other’s identities.

After the storm passed, the ship miraculously continued its voyage. Hector returned to his cabin and took out a communication Magic device disguised as jewelry.

“My lord, reporting. Valerian rats are not ordinary men. They use a different, dark power than ours. And they keep probing about the ‘artifact.’”

Hundreds of kilometers away in the Aster estate, Rian’s study.

Rian received Hector’s report and placed a black snake marker representing the Valerian Empire on the continent map.

“Just as expected, Hector. They are adept at manipulating darkness. But do not worry. A snake does not fear its own poison. Continue the act. Make them grow more obsessed with our ‘artifact.’ While their gaze is fixed on the mirage of the Dragon’s Heart on the Eastern Continent, we will begin the real hunt.”

“I will carry out your orders.”

The communication ended. Rian stared out at the night sky beyond the window.

A few days later, after a long voyage, the ship finally approached land. Beyond dense fog, a port city with strange rooflines and the scent of unfamiliar spices emerged.
It was the Eastern Continent, a land with culture and atmosphere completely unlike the Western Continent.

Hector and Cypher stood on deck looking in different directions, each lost in his own thoughts.

‘Finally arrived. The nest of the Ashen Worm.’
‘Finally arrived. The first step toward the Dragon’s Heart.’

The moment their ship dropped anchor in the harbor, armed soldiers filling the quay surrounded them. Their armor was unfamiliar, and their eyes were full of strong hostility toward outsiders.

“Ships from abroad must be searched. Everyone, disembark, drop your weapons, and put your hands above your heads!”

At the captain’s shout leading the soldiers, Hector and Cypher’s gazes met briefly in the air.
The same thought was in their eyes.

‘This place… is already enemy territory.’

The shadows of the two empires now found themselves in a strange fate: wary of each other, yet perhaps obliged to cooperate to survive in this unknown land.