Ch.210Chapter 210: Swift Delivery (3)

# Chapter 210: Express Delivery (3)

After shaking off the pursuers from the Duron Kingdom, they finally had some breathing room.

The group gazed out at the vast continent from aboard the airship.

“Woaaaah…”

Though they knew the continent was vast, viewing it from such a height was a first for all of them.

Before their eyes stretched an immense, barren red landscape extending to the horizon.

As the Tempest airship descended from the stratosphere and entered deep into Southern Alliance airspace, the scenery below formed a stark contrast to the green plains of the Duron Kingdom.

Red dust swirled in the wind, and bizarrely shaped red rock formations jutted out like the spine of some enormous beast. This was truly the domain of Kwan, the absolute ruler of the South.

As the Tempest approached the airspace above Gerungtia, the fortress city that served as both the capital of the Southern Alliance and Kwan’s stronghold, two Southern Alliance airships that had been waiting greeted them with a defensive posture.

Their intimidating exteriors, decorated with bones and black steel, differed greatly from the airships of the Duron Kingdom.

A communication channel opened, and a low but intense voice came through.

[Tempest airship identified. You’re slightly later than expected. Descend and land in Central Hangar One. Do not delay.]

Instead of a warm welcome, the voice was cold and commanding.

Professor Liman grimaced as he operated the controls, guiding the airship toward the hangar located in the center of the massive fortress city.

Gerungtia’s central hangar exuded a different kind of intimidation than Siduron’s.

In the enormous space that seemed carved from red bedrock, the Southern Alliance’s military assets, made of bone and black steel, stood in formation.

Valt thought to himself as he observed the scene.

‘This is ridiculous. Is this really the same Gerungtia I visited not long ago?’

As the Tempest gradually lowered its altitude for landing, elite Southern Alliance forces were already lined up below, waiting for them.

Their eyes held both submission and wariness toward outsiders.

When the Tempest completed its landing and the engine noise subsided, the boarding ramp extended.

Valt and his team members disembarked from the airship.

Their appearance showed the toll of their struggle in the Duron Kingdom—their clothes were torn, and their faces clearly displayed fatigue and tension.

Behind them, Lamrpo and Princess Siloin cautiously emerged.

Waiting for them was a figure who appeared to be a high-ranking commander of the Southern Alliance, accompanied by several elite soldiers.

They were likely Great Warriors.

The commander looked Valt’s group up and down, then fixed his gaze on Valt.

A flicker of surprise crossed his eyes.

“Why, Prince Valt, what are you doing here?”

It was Great Warrior Torogin, someone from Valt’s memories.

“Torogin, it’s been a while. There are circumstances.”

Unlike his usually boisterous character, Torogin cautiously asked Valt:

“Did you… bring the items? Kwan is expecting them with great anticipation.”

Without hesitation, Valt took out Franz’s mirror from inside his garment and showed it to the commander.

“It’s all here. All four components and the fifth final piece, all contained within.”

The commander’s eyes fixed on the mirror.

He closed his eyes briefly as if sensing magical power, then opened them and nodded.

“Confirmed. Impressive, Prince Valt. I heard there were many unexpected variables… but you truly are Kwan’s blood.”

His voice finally carried a hint of admiration. From his mention of “unexpected variables,” Valt could guess that the commotion in the Duron Kingdom had been reported to the Southern Alliance.

“Kwan is waiting. Let’s proceed to the audience chamber immediately.”

Following the commander’s guidance, Valt, Professor Liman, Princess Siloin, and Lamrpo accompanied him.

The rest of the team members were directed to a waiting room in the hangar.

Though it was only a temporary separation, Valt signaled with his eyes for his team to wait.

The audience chamber where Kwan awaited was located deep within the fortress built of red stone.

‘Lamrpo must have had a hard time. This place has really changed.’

The overwhelming atmosphere unique to the South became more palpable as they walked down the corridor.

The walls were adorned with the bones of enormous beasts or taxidermied fierce predators, and the soldiers’ gazes were sharper than anywhere else.

Finally, they reached the door of the audience chamber.

As the heavy steel door slowly opened, the absolute ruler of the South, Kwan, came into Valt’s view.

The audience chamber was spacious and solemn.

In the center stood Kwan’s imposing throne made of bone and black steel, with Kwan reclining deeply in it.

Around him stood figures who appeared to be the highest-ranking officials of the South, like shadows.

They were no longer half-naked barbarians.

They had become a power that had embraced magical civilization and the technology of the central continent.

Kwan’s eyes were deep and dark, and in the silence that filled the room, only his presence weighed down the space.

As Valt entered the audience chamber, Kwan’s gaze fixed on him.

That gaze held no joy or concern at meeting his son after a long time—only coldness, as if merely confirming a “result.”

It was like a meeting between a client who had ordered a precious delivery and the courier.

Valt stood before Kwan’s throne. Professor Liman, Princess Siloin, and Lamrpo stood in a row behind him. Lamrpo trembled under Kwan’s intimidating presence, and Princess Siloin also appeared tense.

“Interesting. So you’ve come,” Kwan spoke softly.

His voice was low but resonated through the room like thunder.

Valt answered briefly.

“Yes. Given the nature of the matter, I helped Lamrpo a bit.”

“The items.”

“As promised, I’ve brought all five.”

Valt once again took out Franz’s mirror and carefully presented it to Kwan with both hands.

Kwan’s eyes fixed on the mirror.

“Hmm, I’ve heard of it. Franz’s mirror. To think my son possesses such an artifact. Not bad.”

Valt remained vigilant, concerned it might be taken from him.

“It’s not mine. I borrowed it.”

“Khuhuhu, who said anything about taking it? Bring it here.”

Eventually, Valt handed over the mirror to Kwan for inspection.

He rose slightly from his throne to receive the mirror.

When his hand touched it, Valt felt something unstable.

He couldn’t tell if it was due to the core’s instability or Kwan’s powerful magical energy.

‘When did he develop such magical power…’

He was a monster.

Valt wondered if there was anyone on the continent who could defeat his father now.

No matter how formidable the Dark Assembly might be, the Kwan before him seemed to have transcended human limits.

Kwan examined the mirror briefly.

His expression barely changed, but a faint hint of satisfaction seemed to cross his face.

“Hmm… just as Lamrpo said. You’ve brought quite a useful item.”

He handed the mirror to an official standing beside him, who received it respectfully.

“Well done, my son. You’re quite perceptive. Had the items not arrived, something interesting would have happened. Kuk kuk.”

Valt felt the hair on his body stand on end.

This mad father had truly been planning to start a war using the components as an excuse.

‘Huff… at least the delivery is done, so that’s settled for now. But…’

Even as he listened to Kwan, Valt couldn’t shake the doubt and anxiety rising from deep within him.

‘Is this… really all there is to it? Why did the Dark Assembly act so strangely?’

Valt didn’t mention any of his anxieties or suspicions to Kwan.

He knew that if someone suggested ulterior motives, there was no telling what Kwan might do.

In his eyes, only the result—”water production”—mattered now.

‘No… what if this is all an act? What if delivering this item to Kwan was part of the Dark Assembly’s plan all along?’

Once raised, the suspicion refused to subside.

Unaware of his son’s thoughts, Kwan leaned back on his throne and issued orders.

“Provide suitable rewards to those who have worked hard, and let them rest sufficiently. Especially, thoroughly inspect this airship and… expedite the performance verification of the items.”

“Yes, Kwan.”

The officials answered in unison.

Kwan, as if no longer interested in Valt’s group, shifted his gaze and gestured toward the chamber door.

“You may withdraw now. As for the stolen airship, handle it yourself, my son. I detest troublesome matters.”

“Understood.”

Kwan was already aware that Valt had stolen the airship.

Valt briefly showed respect to Kwan and walked toward the chamber door.

Professor Liman, Siloin, and Lamrpo followed behind him.

After the audience chamber door closed, Valt’s group was guided by a Southern Alliance Great Warrior back to where the rest of the team was waiting.

The mission had been successfully completed.

The components had been delivered to Kwan, and they had met the deadline. The threat of war with the Duron Kingdom had been averted for now.

But Valt’s mind was in turmoil.

More than relief at the mission’s success, he felt an ominous premonition that he and his companions were being drawn into the vortex of a massive conspiracy.

The Dark Assembly, the Duron Kingdom, and Kwan—all of it felt like one elaborately orchestrated play.

And he was… an actor who had performed an important role in that play.

‘Now… what is the Dark Assembly planning? Faulty components? Would they use such a stupid ploy?’

Valt had no choice but to ask Lamrpo.

“Are those components in proper working order?”

Lamrpo nodded.

“Y-yes. At least when I checked them, there was no problem, Lord Valt.”

‘Damn it, this is frustrating.’

There was nothing he could do right now.

Valt reluctantly thought that resting to prepare for whatever might come next was the wisest course of action at the moment.

Observing Valt, the perceptive Liman placed a hand on his shoulder.

“Some problems don’t have immediate answers, my student. Let’s rest for now. I’m exhausted, you brat.”

“…Alright, Professor.”

Valt and Liman trudged along.

The express couriers for Kwan headed toward the banquet hall, feeling extremely fatigued.

That’s when Siloin spoke to them.

“But there is some good news…”