C500
The leader of Island 16 and a general included in the Council of 17.
Perry.
There were many expressions to refer to her.
'Just.'
'Trustworthy.'
There were many good expressions, but also...
'Legalist.'
'Stone wall.'
'Guardian of the Great General.'
...many words with meanings that were not very good.
After the Great General fell, even more people referred to her with unfavorable meanings.
"Sister. Do not worry."
Perry responded to her younger brother's words with an impassive face.
"We must fulfill the mission at all costs."
"Yes. I will achieve it even if I have to risk my life."
The younger brother smiled widely.
Perry remained silent for a moment.
Life.
Her younger brother might really have to risk his life today.
But she could not tell him not to do it.
"Of course, I probably don't need to risk my life just to keep an eye on the surrounding pirates."
The younger brother said playfully, shrugging his shoulders.
She recalled the secret conversation she had with her brother the night before. To be exact, she thought about the words he had said.
'The pirate Shark from Island 19 seems suspicious, sister. We cannot waste any more time.'
'Tomorrow, around sunset, I will drive out the surrounding pirate ships under the pretext of guarding the entrance.'
'Once the sun sets, I will immediately go to Island 7.'
Her younger brother would go to Island 7 carrying a letter from Perry.
Because General 7, who along with Perry strives to continue the Great General's will, is there.
'Sister. We must ask General 7 for help. We cannot hold out any longer. Provisions are running out and, above all, the pirates, that guy Shark from Island 19, will try to kill us.'
'And sister, if our island falls, you know, right?'
The decisive words her younger brother said to Perry, who was worried.
'If this place, the entrance, falls, the sea will truly be plunged into chaos, without even the most basic rules.'
It is true.
People mock that Island 16, included in the Council of 17, does nothing but act as the Great General's guardian.
But Perry knows.
'If the entrance falls, the fortress falls.'
The Central Sea.
She must protect the entrance to that vast place that has become a battlefield.
She, at least, must maintain the rules established by the Great General.
That is why,
'Sister. If I go with many ships, I will surely be discovered by those from Island 19 or the others from the Central Sea.'
'Three ships. I will go and return with three fast ships. You know my skills, right?'
Avoiding the pirates of Island 19.
Avoiding the cruel ones found in the Central Sea, passing through the entrance.
Her younger brother, who planned to move with only three ships.
Perry, she...
"Even if it is a small mission, if it is important to protect the sea, it must be executed thoroughly."
She must push him into a desperate situation.
Even if the chances are extremely low, even if the probability of her younger brother reaching General 7 is very slim.
'Sister. There is surely a spy inside the island. Otherwise, how would Island 19 know our patrol routes?'
'And behind Island 19, there is surely someone supporting them.'
'Sister. I and my subordinates will go and come back.'
She must trust and entrust this to her younger brother.
"Yes, sister. I will fulfill the mission thoroughly without fail."
"So be it."
Perry spoke with an indifferent face.
"He who has the duty to protect the sea must never neglect that duty."
"Yes, of course, sister!"
She put a hand on her younger brother's shoulder, who was smiling playfully.
Tok. Tok.
While tapping his shoulder, she observed the ships that her younger brother was preparing to set sail at sunset today.
"The pirates of Island 19, among many others, are currently committing acts of piracy in the sea near the entrance."
She and her younger brother.
The naval officers of Island 16 around them looked at her.
They all had looks of suicidal determination, but there was surely a spy among them who had allied with the pirates of Island 19.
"Today we will carry out a large pirate eradication operation."
After a long time, Island 16 decided to use the majority of its warships stationed on the island to eradicate the pirate ships around the entrance.
A large-scale operation like this was the first in several months.
"Surely Island 19 will intervene in the matter. So prepare well and set sail. Understood?"
"Yes, General!"
"Yes, General!"
To attract the attention of Island 19. They openly filled the southern port with warships.
Tok.
She tapped her younger brother's shoulder, the person in charge, once more, then removed her hand from him and turned around.
The gentle hill located in the center of Island 16.
The central castle located on that hill.
She had to stay there.
She could not abandon this island.
"Mmm."
However, she stopped.
"Mistress of the house."
Without responding to the call of the trusted butler calling her next, she turned around.
Chuaaaa-
The sound of a ship approaching, cutting through the water, is heard.
As a person of the island, as people of the sea.
She could not miss that sound.
Pirate eradication operation.
Pirate ships never approached Island 16, which openly announced that it would carry this out.
"That is-"
She looked at the approaching ship and recalled the urgent report she had received a moment ago.
"The fog."
A gray fog is approaching the southern port.
Chuaaaa-
As the ship advances cutting through the water.
"Mistress of the house. It seems to be the fog ship we were informed about a moment ago."
The existence of a ship that a camouflaged ship of the Island 16 navy, which was monitoring pirate movements outside the entrance, urgently reported.
Ssss-
The fog dissipates.
A ship approaching the dock, dodging the numerous warships filling one side of the southern port.
'Calamity.'
They said that the pirates, upon seeing the fog ship, trembled with fear calling it a calamity.
General Perry did not completely trust that report.
But a sentence from a sailor who was camouflaged as a pirate.
'I only observed from afar. But all the ships that touched the fog stopped.'
Although it was not the vast and dangerous Central Sea.
The pirate ships lurking outside were not weak at all either.
It made all those ships stop?
"General. What do we do?"
Upon hearing the words of the subordinate who approached, Perry took a step.
"Launch a boat."
The operation that will be carried out, even risking her younger brother's life.
For the success of that operation, no variable must be allowed.
"I will go personally."
A small boat was launched into the sea and departed from the dock towards the ship that was slowly dissipating the fog.
“……."
Perry silently observed the approaching ship, without a flag and without a proper crew.
'It is magic.'
A ship that approaches moving the sails with magic to create wind.
Since the fog on the ship had not yet completely dissipated, the faces of those on board could not be seen well.
But she could see someone standing at the bow, at the front, looking at her.
A red-haired man.
He must be the owner of that ship.
The moment she recognized this.
“……!"
When the remnants of the fog, which had not yet completely disappeared, touched her, standing at the bow.
And when it touched the others after passing by her.
"...Halt."
She raised a hand and stopped the boat.
No, the boat had already stopped.
“……."
She remained silent.
It is faint.
It is gradually disappearing.
But she definitely felt it.
'...Pressure.'
A tremendous energy grazed her briefly.
Perry's pupils, which contained no emotion, trembled slightly for the first time in a long time.
It is not simple pressure.
This is the energy of a ruler.
It must be the Dominating Aura of someone who, just by existing, can take control of the lives of others.
'He is strong.'
The owner of this energy is the red-haired man.
He is strong.
'Although it is possible that emitting this energy is his ability and his actual power is weak.'
But, will it really be so?
"Ugh. Gasp."
"Gulp."
Although the boat was small and she had brought elite sailors, she could see the subordinates who could not endure even for an instant.
“……."
She could not blame the subordinate. Because she herself could barely remain standing.
'It is probably because his energy also disappeared.'
The energy that disappeared upon touching her boat.
Thanks to that, she was able to at least remain standing. Her back was soaked with sweat and her mouth completely dry, but at least she held on.
Chuaaa-.
The fog ship stopped, and her boat was already stopped.
They faced each other with the bows pointing at one another, maintaining some distance.
“……."
The fog had completely dissipated and the people on the ship looking down at her.
General Perry, who had gone out in a small boat, had to look up at them.
'They are not easy.'
Among those she looked up at, there are few she can get a read on.
These people-
'They are strong.'
Right when we have an important operation today. For these kinds of people to appear at a time like this-
Her eyes clouded over, but even so, Perry looked at the red-haired man with eyes that became firm again.
And with an impassive face, she opened her mouth.
"Who are you?"
She continued speaking.
"Tell me the purpose of your arrival at this place."
Island 16. As guardian of the entrance to the Central Sea, she treated these strangers following the rules that the people of the sea of Island 16 must comply with.
Who are they?
What is their purpose for heading to the Central Sea?
Perry swallowed her tension inwardly.
A question that has now become insignificant due to the war in the Central Sea.
Harassed by the endless wave of pirates, holding back Island 19, dealing with outsiders heading to the Central Sea in a disorderly manner.
Only insulting words were spread about Island 16, saying that they only stay on the island without fighting and play guardian.
Weak coward or stupid fool.
Despite hearing various things, Great General Perry of Island 16 always ordered to transmit the rules of Island 16 to everyone who came to the Central Sea.
Who are they?
What is their purpose for heading to the Central Sea?
She had to ask.
Because-
"Hello."
At that moment, the red-haired man greeted kindly with an affable smile.
His carefree appearance, which did not match his powerful energy, made Perry become even more tense.
"It is an honor to meet the Guardians."
He bowed his head towards General Perry, towards the sailors on the boat.
“……!"
In General Perry's pupils, a strong shock emerged and then calmed down for an instant.
Guardian.
It was a title she had not heard for a long time.
'General Perry. You are the one who protects this sea, the entrance to the Central Sea. If the entrance falls, everything will fall.'
'Island 16 and you are the Guardians who protect the fortress that is our sea.'
When she had just become a general. The words the Great General told her.
But now they are forgotten words.
“……."
“……."
The expressions of the elite sailors on the boat changed.
The elite sailors who, although briefly, had been grazed by a colossal energy and were controlling their breathing, but unlike the pirates, were suppressing the fear and terror inside them.
Their gazes turned towards the man who possessed a dominating energy, towards Cale.
Cale answered them in his own way, following his own style.
"We are people who are going to face the sea in battle."
Guardian.
Those who present themselves before the entrance to the Central Sea did not open the door to certain people.
Those who try to harm the sea.
Or those who try to commit acts of piracy.
Those who try to violate the rules of the sea established by the Great General.
Although it was a Central Sea with endless large and small conflicts, and extremely brutal.
To protect its own peace, the Guardian could not allow just anyone to enter the Central Sea.
“……."
The corner of Perry's lips, until then impassive, rose slightly.
'We are people who are going to face the sea in battle.'
That phrase was famous.
Because it was what the people of the islands always said when they challenged this capricious and extremely brutal sea.
Furthermore, these are people who know and respect the ways of this Marine Union.
Therefore, with an impassive face as if she had never smiled, she said:
"The sea is chaotic right now. Do you still plan to go?"
A guardian must open the door to those who wish to challenge.
The Central Sea is a kind of fortress.
But at the same time, it was also a combat arena that spread out before those who sought the opportunity that is the sea.
"Do not worry, Guardian."
With a face still affable, Cale looked at General Perry in front of him.
'General Perry of Island 16. Along with General 7, she is the only one who officially still follows the Great General.'
'She, by protecting the entrance, probably knows the current situation of the Central Sea better than anyone. If we obtain a safe route from her to reach Island 1, where the Great General resides, things will be easier.'
'Besides, Island 1. We might obtain a way to enter.'
Island 1.
The reason why the Great General, unconscious, has not yet been killed and can remain inside that island.
'They said it is a tremendous Magic Formation. Even combined with the Magic Formations of the Murim.'
Raon and the Heavenly Demon could probably infiltrate by slightly opening the defenses of Island 1.
But, through General Perry, his closest confidant, it might be easier. The probability was high that she knew a comfortable way to enter that island.
'Even if it is not so, being friends with the guardian will bring many benefits.'
Recalling Ron's words, Cale expressed his intention to her, who had an impassive face.
To her, who worried saying that the sea was chaotic.
"The sea will soon calm down."
That was the most appropriate phrase he could offer.
Cale and Alberu, while searching for His Majesty the King, also planned to turn the Marine Union into an ally.
"It will soon be so."
“……!"
The moment General Perry understood the great meaning behind those words and her eyes widened.
Cale made her a proposal that would force her to invite him to the island.
"There are probably two ways for the sea to calm down."
The first one.
"That a ruler of the sea recognized by all appears."
Cale's gaze turned towards Witira.
'Eh?'
And he was surprised. Because Witira was already looking at him smiling mischievously.
'Why is she looking at me like that?'
Doesn't the title of ruler of the sea fit Witira, of the whale tribe, better?
Anyway, the other way is...
"That the Great General names an official successor, right?"
Unlike the first case, the second was a bit risky in the current situation.
Because the Great General was unconscious, and even if he named an official successor, after a momentary peace, there would be many who would pounce.
“……."
Perry said nothing.
'If that were possible, this would not be happening.'
Both options were currently impossible, that is why the Central Sea was in chaos.
At that moment, Cale, smiling sweetly, said casually:
"General Perry. I have heard that you, as a Guardian, have powerful authority."
The powerful authority obtained by protecting the entrance to the Central Sea.
The only authority that only she could use, apart from the Great General.
Cale asked naturally, as if he were greeting.
"Convene a Grand Council. You can do that, right, General?"
The chaotic Central Sea.
At this moment, when the atmosphere of trying to kill each other has reached an extreme.
Only General Perry could convene a Grand Council.
"...With what intention do you say that?"
Perry's expression hardened and her mind began to get complicated.
Cale responded with a carefree smile.
"Just out of curiosity."
“……."
Faced with his completely inscrutable attitude, Perry could say nothing and could only look at this powerful being who had appeared suddenly.
At that moment, Cale said with a carefree smile:
"But, General."
"Yes?"
"Can we enter the island for now?"
He rubbed his stomach.
"I'm hungry."
He was really hungry.
After spending the whole night watching things get destroyed, he had even more of an appetite.
"Ah-"
The moment she let out a sigh at that scene.
Cale added:
"And can we sleep for one night? We can pay for the lodging. Ah, and tomorrow we will go to the Central Sea. You will open the entrance for us, right? And for your information, we can all prove our identity. Haha!"
General Perry, who had been silently observing Cale's affable appearance, finally had no choice but to nod and allow their entry into the port.
Even if they were very strong and their identity was uncertain.
At least they had respected the formalities of this place.
"After completing the identity verification at the administration office, you can rest comfortably and receive a sailing certificate before departing tomorrow."
"Yes!"
General Perry, after staring at Cale, who responded vigorously to her words, finally returned to the southern port towing the fog ship.
“……."
Without Cale realizing, his gaze passed over the warships filling the east side of the southern port.
Human, what is going on here?
To Raon's words, he only responded with a mysterious smile.
However, his gaze turned towards Alberu. Crown Prince Alberu also, after confirming the scale of the warships, made a peculiar expression.
Cale's group could not help but realize.
That something big would happen on Island 16 today.
And that afternoon.
When the sun was beginning to set.
Buuuuuu------
When a trumpet sounded loudly.
"Set sail!"
The moment Ebo, General Perry's younger brother, shouted.
Numerous warships departed simultaneously from Island 16 towards the sea.
At that moment.
"Captain! They report that they have set sail!"
The leader Shark of Island 19 smiled widely at his subordinate's report.
"Nothing else matters, just capture that crazy woman's younger brother. No matter how much you injure him, just leave him alive. No, wait."
He got up from his seat.
"I will go personally."
Shark's ship, which targeted solely General Perry's younger brother, Ebo, set sail in secret from Island 19.
And at that moment...
"Human, the steak made of fish is also delicious!"
"It is true."
Chew~
Cale, having an early dinner, observed the departing ships.
Tok. Tok.
Tapping the Mirror, the Sacred Item of the God of Death, to verify if there was any new message from the God of Death.
"Archie."
"Yes?"
Cale asked a favor of Archie, who was finishing his meal quickly and trying to drink alcohol at this important moment.
"Would you like to follow them in secret to see how the situation is?"
The events that would occur on Island 16. By understanding them, Cale could obtain something from General Perry.
Just one day.
Within that time, Cale, who needed to obtain something quite big, needed as much information as possible.
Cale smiled and asked Archie, who was not moving.
"Are you not going?"
“……!"
"You're still not getting up, right?"
"!"
Archie jumped up and headed immediately towards the sea.
Cale watched him with satisfaction, and Alberu said with a radiant smile:
"As expected, it is my younger brother (dongsaeng)."
Without Archie, the companions calmly enjoyed an early dinner. Since they did not know what might happen during the night, they needed to fill their stomachs well.
Thanks for the translation! I look forward to the next ones
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