CHAPTER 198: THE CONTROLLER HIDDEN BEHIND THE SHADOWS (1)

What do you mean? Arnold asked in surprise. Are you just looking for an excuse to leave the ship’s deck? What’s your real purpose?

His Lord’s words only left him more confused. If Nolan didn’t want to be on the ship, then why had he even boarded at the port in the first place?

Wouldn’t it have made more sense for him to stay behind from the start?

As if reading his thoughts, Nolan rolled his eyes. "I had to come along because Elina boarded as well. Fine, I’ll explain it in detail. The truth is, I sensed a faint energy fluctuation coming from that sea monster."

His gaze fixed coldly on the distant beast. "The energy felt like a remote-controlled thread. So, I concluded that someone must be pulling the strings from behind. The reason I fell into the sea was to track down the mastermind. If I’d disappeared right away, it would’ve caused trouble and even drawn suspicion from Ruthark and Rafine."

What? That’s impossible! Arnold was dumbfounded. Why didn’t I sense anything at all?

With his power, he should’ve been able to detect even the faintest trace of energy. But just now, he had felt nothing—something that made no sense at all.

"That’s because the energy is unbelievably thin, almost fused with nature itself. Even I can barely sense it," Nolan answered calmly. "Cases like this are rare—and they prove the opponent must be someone powerful. That only makes me more curious to meet them."

A thin, cold smile tugged at his lips. To fool him, that figure must have used a special method he had yet to uncover.

And that was precisely what intrigued him. He wanted to know how they did it—and master it himself.

Arnold remained silent, unsure how to respond. But since his Lord had said so, he naturally believed him. He, too, was curious about the hidden hand behind it all.

Nolan closed his eyes briefly. When he opened them again, his purple eyes had transformed into a brilliance that mirrored the sun and the star. In that instant, the weather around him began to shift.

The once clear sky darkened, swallowed by black clouds, and lightning burst forth in an instant.

Still wearing that cold smile, he muttered, "Found you."

Whoosh!

In the blink of an eye, his figure disappeared.

...

"The two have already left to defeat the monster?"

Ragan’s brows rose slightly as he read the letter in his hand.

It stated that Nolan and Rafine had departed for the Sea of Nureus to confront the sea monster.

As a father, worry came naturally to him. Yet, he could not interfere too much.

The battle for the throne had officially begun, and his role now was merely to observe from a distance.

If he involved himself directly, it would only create unwanted problems.

"Still, those two are indeed brave," he murmured with a proud nod. "I’m proud of them."

The sea monster was both powerful and terrifying. Reports claimed it had already destroyed two of the Empire’s latest battleships, inflicting heavy losses on the eastern region.

Of course, there was a reason he had chosen not to intervene. Since the Empire’s founding, the four dukes had been granted authority to rule their own territories.

Over time, this privilege had bred a sense of superiority within them—one that could easily spark rebellion.

Although no concrete evidence existed yet, rumors and subtle signs pointed in that direction.

Thus, his decision now served as both a reminder and a warning, a way to suppress their arrogance while making it clear that they still depended on the Imperial Palace.

"Orion," he called indifferently.

Whoosh!

A figure clad in a silver cloak appeared before him, bowing respectfully. "Is there something you require, Your Majesty?"

Ragan leaned back and commanded, "Send Lyra to the eastern region to keep watch over Nolan and Elina. But she must not interfere or reveal herself—only protect them from the shadows. Understood?"

Orion gave a small nod. "I understand, Your Majesty."

"Good. You may leave."

Yet, Orion did not depart right away. Instead, he straightened, met Ragan’s gaze respectfully, and said, "By the way, Your Majesty... I bring good news."

"Oh?" Ragan raised a brow in mild surprise. "What is it?"

"Concubine Isabella will return to the palace tomorrow afternoon," Orion reported politely.

"What!?" Ragan shot up in shock. "How could I not know of this? And why are you only reporting it now?"

His expression shifted to irritation, his gaze filled with dissatisfaction.

His wife, Isabella, had been away for two months in the Izanagi Eastern Empire on some undisclosed matter.

He never truly knew what business she had there. When he once asked, Isabella only told him it was important.

Respecting her privacy, Ragan had chosen not to press her further.

Even so, after two long months, he couldn’t help but feel both worried and longing for her.

And now, word of her return had finally arrived—and it filled him with joy.

Orion looked slightly awkward. Scratching his cheek, he said, "I never intended to withhold it, Your Majesty. The news has only just arrived, and I reported it to you at once."

Ragan’s irritation gradually eased. He sat back down, crossing one leg over the other.

"Very well, I forgive you. Thank you for bringing me the news," he replied calmly.

Orion let out a quiet sigh of relief and offered a faint smile. With a small nod, he excused himself. "I’ll take my leave then, Your Majesty."

"Alright," Ragan nodded.

Without another word, Orion dissolved into particles of light and vanished.

Watching him depart, Ragan rose, brushing off his robes.

"Good. Let’s finish all the business today and tomorrow, so I can spend some time alone with Isabella," he whispered excitedly.

Without hesitation, he sat back down and turned to the stack of documents on his desk, tackling them with renewed vigor.

...

Nolan appeared on the shore of an uninhabited island, just beyond the battlefield where the sea monster still rampaged.

His sharp eyes scanned every corner with caution.

"This should be where the one controlling the monster is," he muttered softly.

The island was vast, fringed with rows of coconut trees. White sand glittered under the sun, and small crabs scuttled across it, adding to its natural charm.

Yet beneath that beauty, Nolan sensed a mysterious power radiating from the island’s heart. It was so strong that even he felt a faint sense of threat.

With steady steps, he made his way inland, entering the tropical forest dense with towering trees.

But he hadn’t gone more than a hundred meters before something terrifying emerged before him.

From the forest’s depths, ten silver wolves advanced slowly, their piercing eyes locked on him.

The wolves were enormous, each standing nearly two meters tall.

Long fangs jutted from their jaws, adding to their oppressive presence, while their crimson eyes burned with undisguised murderous intent.

Even so, Nolan showed not the slightest hint of fear. His gaze instead locked onto the strange mark engraved on their foreheads.

"The Black Star mark? Don’t tell me... The one behind this is connected to the Underworld Gate," he muttered coldly.