## Chapter 518
“How is it?”
At Cale’s question, Ron responded:
“You look very sharp, Young Master.”
Ron had a satisfied face. Cale, feeling somewhat uncomfortable at that expression for some reason, turned his head.
“Your Highness also looks very sharp.”
*Smile.*
Alberu showed a radiant smile and responded freshly:
“It’s obvious. I am intelligent.”
Cale let those words pass naturally and asked Ron:
“Did only two messages arrive from the Seventh General Hinari?”
“Yes. They say there are no more.”
The butler Ron, Cale, and Alberu were wearing the same attire today.
“Fuuu.”
Cale gave a smile to Ashifrang, the youngest son of the Great General, who was letting out a deep sigh.
“Don’t worry.”
“… Who is my secretary?”
The butler Ron raised his hand.
“It is I.”
Cale, Alberu, and Ron were wearing black suits, the uniform of a butler and secretary who works at the Great General's mansion. Today, the three of them would receive the 17 Generals who would visit Island 1.
“And the other two?”
To Ashifrang's question, Cale replied:
“I will be the one for the Third General. His Highness will be for the Seventh General.”
*Wuuuuu---wuuuuu!*
On Island 1, the gigantic barrier that mixed magic and Magic Formations to protect the unconscious Great General and the residents was disappearing.
*Clap!*
Ashifrang clapped his hands.
*Click.*
The door opened. Outside the room, a total of 15 escorts were waiting. Cale and Alberu took their places among them with total naturalness.
“Let’s go, young master Ashifrang.”
In the same way, Ron placed himself beside Ashifrang as if it were the most logical thing.
“…….”
Ashifrang, the youngest son of the Great General, looked at the ceiling for a moment before speaking.
“All right.”
At the southern port of Island 1, numerous ships were slowly entering. They were all types who, with their own desires, planned to tear this island apart.
“… Well, today we will know who will end up being devoured.”
He began to walk.
“Let’s go.”
The room they left was empty. There was no one.
Neither the Great General, nor Choi Han, nor Raon, nor Mary—none of Cale’s companions remained in that place.
---
When Ashifrang arrived at the southern port, the clock struck exactly 11 in the morning.
*Wuuu—, crack!*
The vibrating barrier shattered and a bright light emanated from it. Ashifrang raised his hand.
*Buuuuu—*
Along with the sound of a horn, several ships approached Island 1 now that the barrier was gone. The exact number was 17. From Island 2 to Island 18. They were the ships carrying the 17 Generals.
*Shuaaaa—*
On the leading ship was General Pery of Island 16. She was the one who, as guardian, had convened this meeting.
*Shuaaaa—*
“Older sister.”
“Save the unnecessary words.”
General Pery spoke without even looking at her brother's face.
“…….”
The brother closed his mouth tightly. General Pery observed the 16 ships following her. Since each carried its own command flag, one could clearly tell whose ship was whose.
“Sister. Many opportunists have come as well.”
Furthermore, behind the ships of the 17 Generals, other vessels were approaching, still floating on the sea.
*‘… They have come to watch.’*
They were ships that had gone out to sea out of pure curiosity about what would happen at today's 17th Grand Conference.
*‘How stupid.’*
They should have better infiltrated the islands near Island 1 to spy.
*‘They have no idea what is going to happen here today.’*
However, General Pery stopped thinking about the onlookers. She was the one who had contributed to what was about to happen.
“Their gazes are fierce.”
She could feel it without looking. The pressure from the Generals on the 16 ships following her was palpable.
“Sister, they all seem to be elite troops.”
The Generals did not bring large armies or fleets. At most, they did not exceed 10 ships. But it was evident they were filled with the best of their forces.
“There must also be many ships hidden in the nearby islands.”
Surely, besides the curious ones, there would be ships following the Generals hidden in the surroundings.
*‘They have all come prepared for war.’*
Today there would be no possibility that blood would not run in this sea.
*Buuuuuu—*
Pery's ship docked where the horn was heard.
*Step.*
She stepped onto firm ground on Island 1. The place where she had been until last night.
“Welcome, Guardian.”
Ashifrang, representing Island 1 in place of the Great General, greeted her.
“It has been a while.”
General Pery returned the greeting briefly. There was no longer time for conversation.
*‘Young Master Cale Henituse.’*
Among the many secretaries, she saw a man with black hair and glasses. Their gazes met. General Pery, satisfied with this, turned her head.
*Step, step.*
The 16 Generals were walking toward this place. There were established veterans, emerging forces, and even foreigners who did not originally belong to RMPAG. From those who had obtained the rank of General in recent years to those who had held the position for decades.
“…….”
“…….”
Everyone looked forward in silence.
“Welcome.”
Ashifrang gave the welcome. No smiles. Not a single person was smiling.
“Then, I will hand it over now.”
At Ashifrang's words, all eyes turned to him and General Pery.
*Step.*
Ashifrang took a step forward and pulled a small box from his chest.
*Click.*
He opened the box, and inside was a golden key.
“It is the key to the Grand Conference Hall. I hand it over on behalf of the Great General.”
General Pery inhaled deeply, exhaled, and received the entire box.
“I will guide you.”
Ashifrang turned around and started walking.
“The Grand Conference will begin at twelve. No other action is permitted except for going to the restroom.”
*Step, step.*
The moment he walked, the people who were originally behind him moved.
“They are the ones who will guide the Generals.”
Each General had to be accompanied by a single subordinate. To each pair, one more person was joined.
“…….”
“…….”
Many showed discomfort, but no one said anything. Although some looked at Ashifrang with ferocity.
“If you have any complaints, you can choose not to attend the meeting.”
At Ashifrang’s firm attitude, they did not open their mouths. Although, of course:
“Juju.”
There was someone who did speak. The General of Island 2 could not contain his laughter, as if he found it amusing.
“He looks like a puppy that is absolutely scared to death.”
Ashifrang’s gaze turned to him.
“What?”
The General of Island 2 shrugged his shoulders.
“Was I just talking to myself?”
Ashifrang bit his lip. Ashifrang was trying to avoid impulsive actions from the Generals and protect Island 1 as much as possible. The General of Island 2 was mocking him by calling him a coward.
“They say when the tiger is away, the fox tries to act like a king; it seems a snake bastard who doesn't even reach the level of a fox is making a scene.”
“What did you say?”
At those words, the face of the General of Island 2 contorted. When the Great General was well, he was the one who flattered him the most. At the insult, the General immediately looked toward where the voice came from.
“……!”
He was surprised. The same happened with the other Generals.
“Let’s behave ourselves.”
General Pery, known for being polite and upright. She, who was young compared to most of the Generals, looked at the General of Island 2 with a frigid gaze.
“How dare you—”
The General of Island 2 regained his furious face in an instant and tried to speak. But General Pery ignored him and said:
“Everyone knows it.”
She crossed gazes with each of the Generals.
“I am not strong. But at least one.”
In her voice, there was an intense resolution that went beyond conviction.
“I have enough strength to drag one with me to the depths of the sea.”
She wore her usual impeccable clothes. Her expression was calm. But her gaze was truly terrifying.
*‘That is...’*
The General of Island 2 closed his mouth at that gaze that reminded him of the Great General's youth. Of course, unlike General Pery, the Great General was like an indomitable whirlwind. He jumped across the entire sea and created new rules for the Marine Union.
“Ahem.”
The General of Island 2 remained silent. Acting naturally, as if nothing were happening, his attitude matched his usual opportunistic personality.
“…….”
General Pery, seeing that everything was silent again, signaled to Ashifrang. Ashifrang nodded and just when he was about to move again:
“But, one thing.”
Someone spoke again. General Pery and Ashifrang tried to keep their expressions under control. It was the Third General Wo-ho. The Wanderer sworn brother of the Third Emperor. He was the one who spoke.
“Is the tiger still alive?”
Tiger. He was referring to the Great General. At the question, Ashifrang’s expression hardened.
*‘What do I do?’*
How do I respond? I must not give this guy even a single opening. It was at that moment:
“There are no tigers on Island 1.”
A smooth tone of voice but with clear lines. The Third General Wo-ho turned his head. It was the Seventh General Hinari. The eldest daughter of the Great General. She spoke with a relaxed smile.
“On Island 1 there are many other animals, but there are no tigers. I don’t know why you are looking for a tiger.”
It was sarcasm toward the Third General, but in her natural tone, no hostility was felt. She said to General Pery:
“I am curious to know why General Pery convened the Grand Conference. Let's go quickly. I don’t want to waste time with useless words.”
The corner of the Third General's lip rose crookedly. And the Seventh General simply smiled and diverted her gaze with total naturalness.
“Interesting. Ha, hahaha—”
Wo-ho let out a laugh.
*‘Seventh General. You've grown quite a lot after hearing that the Second Emperor is coming. After having left your own father in a state more terrible than death!’*
He was amused by such brazen behavior.
*‘It’s funny to see these guys who will die soon!’*
Both the Second Emperor and these scraps here. All will die today.
*‘I will kill you myself.’*
Determined to end the life of the Seventh General with his own hands for having mocked him, he spoke:
“I am also curious. To see what topics we will discuss.”
He also walked with a face as if nothing were happening.
*‘They said General Pery also joined our side, right?’*
A quick glance. General Pery’s brother was not by her side.
*‘That Mujeon.’*
General Pery’s brother was currently captured by his sworn brother Mujeon, under threat of death.
*‘What a clever guy.’*
General Pery was his puppet. He had no choice but to believe that.
“…….”
The person who was beside General Pery as her subordinate.
*‘Cho!’*
It was Cho, the younger brother of the Wanderers. She smiled slightly at the Third General’s gaze and then diverted her eyes, pretending not to notice anything.
*‘Everything is in the palm of my hand.’*
The Second Emperor would also arrive soon. She said she would come directly to the Grand Conference Hall before 12 noon when the meeting began.
*Step, step.*
The Third General walked calmly.
“Older brother.”
Soyeon, the third member, called him and discreetly pointed to one side. Avoiding the gazes of others, he looked over there. It was a building located at the port. In the shadows of that building, his brother Mujeon gave him a small bow.
*‘Soon I will see the Third Emperor, my older brother.’*
And then we will stain the sea with blood. Wo-ho repressed a laugh that was about to burst out.
*Step, step.*
His steps were light and without hesitation. Because the future that would unfold before him was clear. In his pupils, the secretary walking beside him was not reflected.
*‘It seems he has no interest in me at all.’*
He didn't even give a glance to the secretary. He was a non-existent being to him. He was someone inferior even to the Generals, whom he called scraps. That secretary was Cale, with black hair and glasses. He gave a polite bow at Soyeon's brief inspection gaze. Soon Soyeon also lost interest. A simple secretary was not something she should worry about.
Wo-ho looked only forward. Meanwhile, Soyeon watched the surroundings without letting her guard down.
Cale walked beside them, observing them calmly.
—Human.
The voice of Raon was heard, who was at a certain distance in an invisible state.
—Archie asks if he should destroy all the ships when you give the signal later.
Cale nodded slightly and looked around. Alberu was with the Seventh General. Cho was with General Pery. Mujeon was in the shadows of the building. Ron was with Ashifrang.
—And human, I will bring them!
Cale looked at the Third General Wo-ho and Soyeon.
*Step, step.*
Cale thought about what situation would be the best. The Second Emperor is also an enemy. The Third General's faction is also an enemy. Furthermore, all the Generals in front of him and the ships filling the sea were enemies. In such a situation, what would be the best move?
*Step, step.*
They arrived in front of the Grand Conference Hall building. It was a dome-shaped building. The iron door, firmly closed, was full of magic circles.
“I will open the door.”
General Pery opened the box again and took out the golden key. All eyes turned to that key.
The key was inserted into the hole of the iron door.
*Drrrr.*
The key turned and...
*Click.*
It unlocked.
*Reeeeak—*
The door automatically opened slowly.
“…….”
“…….”
The Generals knew well the scene that would unfold inside. For the Grand Conference was held before the Great General fell.
*Reeeeak—*
A dome-shaped building, solid as a bunker, where not a single ray of light entered. Inside the conference room, there was only a round table and chairs around it. However, only one of those chairs was situated on a raised platform.
The Great General.
It was his seat. And it was the seat desired by the Generals who came here. The conference room was dark.
*Thump!*
When the door opened completely, the magic activated. The interior of the conference room illuminated automatically.
*Pa-aaaaat!*
“……!”
“!”
“Ah!”
And at that scene, no one could say anything.
“Gre- Great General—”
“Lord Great General……!”
Someone who could not be seen in the darkness. An elder sitting relaxedly at the round table. The Great General was eating a fruit and smiling from ear to ear.
“Welcome.”
The ruler of this sea, of whom they said was unconscious. He was alive and receiving them. With a face that radiated absolute amusement.
And in that instant.
*Fiuuuuuu—*
A hand charged with wind headed for the back of someone's neck.
“!”
The Third General Wanderer Wo-ho. The sworn brother of the Dragon King. He, who felt momentary confusion at the healthy image of the Great General, turned his head upon feeling a chill. That brief oversight. There was someone waiting for that oversight.
The Third General Wo-ho could see how a being he hadn't even considered, to whom he hadn't paid attention for being nothing more than trash, extended his hand toward his neck. Someone whose existence he had ignored despite being less than a step away.
*Smile.*
The secretary with black hair and glasses smiled. Cale greeted him freshly.
“Hello.”
Before the Second Emperor arrived. Before the exact arrival of the Second Emperor which he knew through General Hinari. First, he would capture the unnecessary variables. Cale grabbed Wo-ho's neck.
