Chapter 187. The Fading Embers (2)

That night, after finishing his conversation with Harashin, Evan urgently summoned all his companions in the Solaid Kingdom.

Reading the serious atmosphere from his face, the companions intuitively knew that tonight's meeting was for a very important declaration and quietly focused on Evan.

And in front of his companions, Evan clearly declared.

“I intend to see this war through to the end.”

Everyone already knew of his determination to finish off the Emperor to keep his promise with the wolf god, so it was not particularly surprising.

So Rorn chewed his meat without much emotion, and Gaiard also crossed his arms with an indifferent expression.

“But the other kingdoms think differently. Everyone is tired, and the enemy's strength is still intact, so they want to stop here.”

At the explanation of the situation, Jaina cautiously offered her opinion.

“But that’s not right, is it? If there’s a ceasefire, all the plans you've made will be ruined.”

“That’s right. You said we have to draw the capital’s forces out to get close to the Emperor.”

Mei also supported Jaina’s statement.

Evan slowly nodded and continued.

“That’s right. That’s why we can't end the war here and now. Because the goal is almost within reach.”

“Almost there? On what basis are you so confident?”

Anton asked with a cautious expression.

After a moment of silence, Evan revealed a secret that only his past self could know.

“Robern’s Knight Order……. A royal guard knight order led by the Emperor's closest confidant, they have never once shown themselves on the front lines in the past. The fact that such people have appeared at the border means the Emperor has no more cards to play.”

“It means they are similar to the Empire’s Imperial Guard. If they’ve brought out such an existence, then it must be true that they’ve gone all the way.”

“Of course, there are still many ordinary soldiers left, but what’s important is the existence of an overwhelmingly powerful person.”

Jack added, taking control of the conversation.

“Like the man in the iron mask, right?”

“That’s right. It’s because of his appearance that everyone is deciding on a ceasefire.”

Evan explained the true intentions of the three kingdoms he had heard from his conversation with Harashin, and said that he had already found the answer to get them to move again.

“So from now on, I will prevent a ceasefire and try to reignite the fading embers once more.”

Those embers were none other than ‘the last Seven Extreme Stars who does not belong to any kingdom.’

“If a being of that caliber appears on the front lines again, it will be able to reignite the loosened hearts of the Allied Forces. Now is the time when the Empire is at its most vulnerable.”

A moment of silence.

The one who broke the silence first was Rorn.

“Alright, I get that bringing that Seven Extreme Stars or whatever is the priority…… but why have you gathered all of us here like this?”

“I wanted to ask for a favor.”

“A favor?”

To help them understand, Evan spoke more directly.

“That Seven Extreme Stars is not in the room next door, and I can't bring him in a single day. So…… I want you to hold the front line until I return.”

When his companions still didn't get his true meaning, Evan explained step by step.

“Harashin has decided to support the central Allied Forces with thousands of troops soon. The Solaid Kingdom is trying to make its opposition to a ceasefire clear. But this alone is not enough to turn the tide.”

Even if the Solaid Kingdom showed a strong will, as long as Harashin himself did not move, it was obvious that the other two kingdoms would not move.

And the Empire would not stand still either.

“The Empire will definitely send a warning with a preemptive strike before the three kingdoms can unite again. At that time, you will have to step in with the Solaid army and stop them. That is what I want to ask of you.”

If they could hold on without collapsing until Evan brought the Seven Extreme Stars, they could create a huge storm that would once again change the flow of the war.

This was Evan’s real plan.

And a moment later,

“I was wondering what great favor it was.”

Jaina answered coolly first.

“Exactly. Why do you have to say it so difficultly, as if it’s a huge favor? We’ve already been through a war. As long as you pay us properly, we’ll do anything.”

Mei also agreed cheerfully.

“You’re going to work me to death anyway, so it’s nothing new.”

“If it’s a chance to avenge the wolf god, I will fight as much as you want.”

Gaiard and Rorn also readily agreed.

Even Anton, who had been watching silently, eventually nodded in agreement.

“So, Evan. Have you found out the location of that Seven Extreme Stars?”

“Yes. The last sighting was at the eastern port of the Manoa Kingdom. From what I’ve found out, he is living there quietly.”

“Coincidentally, that is where the emissaries left for. Perhaps you might even run into them. Don't tell me you're thinking of getting on a ship, swayed by their persuasion.”

At Anton’s joking request, Evan burst out laughing.

“Even if it means putting others on a ship and sending them away, I will never leave this continent before I finish my business with the Emperor.”

Now, the opportunity to finally sever that loathsome and ill-fated connection had come.

A golden opportunity that might never come again.

Of course, it was clear that this opportunity would be difficult to seize with his own abilities alone.

‘That’s why I need them, and I must bring that person. I absolutely must!’

In the process of putting the puzzle together piece by piece, a crucial piece existed right at the eastern port of the Manoa Kingdom.

Therefore, Evan entrusted his companions with an important mission and planned to head straight for the Manoa Kingdom.

* * *

The eastern port of the Manoa Kingdom.

Perhaps due to the wartime situation, the port was packed with numerous warships and merchant ships.

—Cheolsseok! Cheolsseok!

Moreover, a fierce storm was raging, as if it would capsize the ships at any moment, so setting sail was not even an option.

As a result, there were those who were unexpectedly stranded, and one of them was the emissary delegation from the Kaien Kingdom.

“This is quite troublesome. I wonder when this storm will ever subside……”

Duke Belban, the head of the emissaries, sat by the window of the port inn, looking out at the rough storm and sighed deeply.

The storm, which showed no signs of abating easily, seemed to reflect the current chaotic state of the continent.

“What a hardship in my old age……. I shouldn't have offered to take charge of the emissaries.”

Duke Belban, who had long served as an elder councilor to the king.

He had intended to retire after this emissary trip.

He had judged that representing the king's words for the last time would be the most meaningful end to his life.

But that final journey was truly not easy.

‘Not only was the ship we were supposed to take separately shipwrecked, but it’s a shame to return without even being able to say anything proper to the Empire because of the war. In many ways, the losses outweighed the gains.’

It started badly, and in the end, the finishing was also not good.

Nevertheless, there was nothing he could do for now.

He could only hope that those who did not join the emissaries would return safely without causing any major incidents.

It would be even better if they came back now, but that possibility was extremely low.

‘Duke Evan. What on earth are you thinking? This old man cannot fathom your thoughts at all.’

At that moment, someone knocked on the door.

—Knock, knock.

“Come in.”

The person who opened the door and entered was the captain of the first ship that had accompanied the emissaries.

“Sir, I asked the local fishermen about the sea conditions, and they say this storm will last for at least three or four more days.”

The fact that he had to stay here for a few more days gave Belban a throbbing headache.

But what could he do.

If the sea did not open the way, humans were beings who could only wait.

“What? We’re in a hurry, and the heavens are so uncaring. I understand. As soon as the weather improves even a little, have the preparations for departure ready.”

Duke Belban picked up a money pouch from the table and threw it to the captain.

The captain who received the pouch barely suppressed a smile and bowed his head.

“Understood. Please rest comfortably.”

The captain bowed respectfully, left the room, and headed out of the inn, shaking the money pouch he had received.

‘It’s good to receive a lot of money. But damn this weather…….’

Even for a veteran captain who had been on ships his entire life, a storm this severe was a first.

The captain, frustrated, came out to the port in the rain to check on his ship.

—Swaaaaaa!!!

Along with the thick raindrops, the sea raged fiercely, as if threatening even the huge warships.

The captain, standing on the deck, looked at the furiously roaring, angry sea and shook his head, unable to even think of setting sail.

At that moment, one of the local fishermen came up to him.

“Aigo, why did you come out in this weather? Surely you’re not thinking of setting sail in this storm?”

“Are you crazy? If I set sail now, I’ll be fish food in no time. Where in the world is there such a fool?”

“That’s right. Then why did you come out?”

“I just came out to check on my ship. But why are you out in this rain?”

Behind the fisherman, he could see other fishermen following in a line, carrying wooden boxes and nets.

Seeing this, the captain asked with a puzzled look, and the fisherman grinned.

“Ah, even in this weather, we have to do what we have to do. It’s about time for him to come……. Ah, there he comes!”

As the fisherman pointed to the stormy sea with his finger, the captain also turned his gaze in that direction.

And seeing the sight before him, he gasped in disbelief and horror.

—Swaaaaaa!!!

Waves the size of houses were crashing from all sides, and cutting through that fierce current, a small dot was approaching from the sea.

“That crazy bastard…… is he swimming here now? In this storm?”

Unlike the captain, who was in shock with his mouth agape, the surrounding fishermen had perfectly normal, calm expressions.

“I wonder what he caught today?”

“……What? Caught?”

Hearing the fisherman’s words, the captain looked more closely again, and he saw something being dragged in a huge net behind the swimming person.

‘Sharks?’

Not one shark, but dozens of sharks were wriggling inside the net.

It was an incredible sight that became clear only when the waves briefly subsided.

“He, he caught all those sharks by himself?”

While the captain was stunned with a dumbfounded expression, the swimming man had already reached the port and grabbed the top of the pier with a large hand.

“Heave-ho!”

In an instant, he lifted his entire body onto the pier, and a man with long hair, tanned and firm muscles, and wearing short pants appeared.

He nonchalantly slung the net over his shoulder and began to hum a cheerful tune.

“Euhm heum heum~ wherever there is a sea~ a man of the sea who runs anywhere~♪”

An eccentric who belonged to no country.

But a wanderer and a fisherman who no one could forcibly hold back because he was stronger than anyone else.

‘The Man of the Sea,’ Ron.

He was the only remaining Seven Extreme Stars, along with Harashin.