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“Wow… It’s the Dark Dragon! The Dark Dragon is coming! The hero of the Battle of Teonan and the Kazakh Annihilation…! Is this for real? Like, really real?!”

“Please, calm down already! You’re going to embarrass us to death!”

Erika tried to stop Holcus, who was fidgeting nervously, but his excitement didn’t subside easily.

For someone like Holcus, who had admired the Nine Dragons since childhood, this moment felt like a dream come true.

The riders and soldiers chuckled at Holcus, finding his excitement somewhat adorable.

‘This is… the Dark Dragon.’

But Theo, despite not showing it on his face, was equally astonished.

The true nature of Julius, who had always shown him the warmth of an uncle from next door, now appeared overwhelmingly grand.

– I want to be like him.

With that thought, Theo’s eyes gleamed brightly.

“I welcome you all as part of the same family,” Julius said with a slight smile.

Though his voice was soft, it carried a weight that gripped the entire crowd.

This was the White Armored Dragon Cavalry.

Unlike outside, here Julius naturally spoke informally as their commander.

“Unlike other units, our White Armored Dragon Cavalry always refers to ourselves as ‘family’ or ‘brothers.’ It means we live believing that we can entrust our lives to one another.”

Family.

Or brothers.

The word struck Theo’s heart with unusual intensity.

“You might not grasp the meaning of it right away. But as you live and work here, you’ll soon understand. So don’t worry, and just follow the lead of your fellow brothers.”

“Yes, understood.”

“Yes, understood.”

“Yes, understood.”

Theo and the Ranke siblings responded in unison, their voices booming.

Julius smiled and glanced at the rider next to him before asking, “I tried to keep it short. Was that good enough?”

“It was on the verge of becoming a bit tedious, but you managed to save it just in time.”

“Phew, that’s a relief.”

It was a lighthearted exchange, giving a glimpse into the usual atmosphere of the White Armored Dragon Cavalry, where discipline was maintained, but moments of freedom also existed.

Julius ran a hand through his hair, surveying the three new recruits in turn.

First, Holcus.

“Well, that’s enough of the old man’s speech. Now, can you tell us how you came to be designated here?”

Holcus swallowed nervously, nodding his head vigorously in response.

Julius couldn’t stop laughing at the sight of the large, bulky Holcus trembling nervously.

“I-I came because it’s cool!”

“Cool?”

“Yes! The White Armor, the White Sword, the White Dragon… T-they’ve all been my idols since childhood!”

As Holcus spoke, he sneaked a glance at Theo.

Theo’s decision to designate the White Armored Dragon Cavalry had been a shock not only to Holcus but also to Erika and everyone else. After all, it meant rejecting all other good offers and choosing to start at the very bottom.

However, Holcus felt a great sense of relief. Not only would he not be separated from Theo, but the White Armored Dragon Cavalry had actually been his top choice before he even made his vow to become Theo’s sword.

“Standing alongside your idol… That certainly sounds enjoyable.”

Julius nodded while stroking his chin.

“But reality might be different. It’s much more brutal and harsh. Especially since we’re always at the frontlines, where death is a constant companion. It’s far from ‘cool.’ That illusion of yours might be shattered. Are you confident you won’t regret it?”

Julius’s words continued.

“Moreover, our unit is different from the others in that we require an ‘aptitude test.’ We have , so it’s unavoidable. If you fail to pass the suitability test, your designation will have to be withdrawn. What will you do if that happens?”

Julius’s sharp gaze seemed to pierce right through Holcus.

Gulp!

Holcus swallowed hard again, barely managing to speak.

“I’ve… prepared for that.”

“Prepared for it?”

Julius raised an eyebrow, surprised.

“Yes…! The Dragon Knights, if you think about it, are like an air force. That means we usually travel by riding our dragon partners, and during that time, the rider must be light enough not to burden the dragon.”

“That’s right. But, as you can see…”

“Yes, I’m from the Ranke family. I’m heavy, and there’s no way around that.”

“Then you’re aware that you might not pass the suitability test.”

“I’ve thought about that.”

“Oh? Can I ask what your plan is?”

“Well, that…”

Holcus’s eyes darted sideways.

His gaze hinted that he was hiding something.

“You’ll show us when the time comes?”

“Yes! Exactly.”

“Very well. I’ll look forward to it but are you prepared for when your illusion shatters?”

“This is where I believe you’re mistaken, sir. My admiration for the White Armored Dragon Cavalry… stems from their strength.”

“Strength, you say.”

“Yes! I believe the true ‘coolness’ of the White Armored Dragon Cavalry lies in their indomitable fighting spirit and willpower!”

At last, Julius smiled contentedly and patted Holcus on the shoulder.

“That’s a good answer. Let’s hope it wasn’t just empty words.”

Holcus let out a sigh of relief, feeling that he had managed to make a good first impression. Filled with pride, he clenched his fist tightly. This was only the beginning.

“Next is Erika Ranke.”

Theo’s gaze naturally followed to Erika as well. He, too, was curious why she, the young head of the Ranke family, had chosen to come here.

Erika scratched her temple with her finger, as if unsure how to answer.

“There are two answers—one that sounds good, and the real one. Which would you like to hear?”

“Haha! Two answers, huh? Can I hear the real one?”

“Because it seemed like it’d be fun.”

Her response came swiftly, like a bolt of lightning.

“That’s quite the unexpected answer.”

“I figured being with these two anywhere would be fun. Plus, I think I’ll get stronger quickly if I fight on the frontlines.”

As the gleam of ambition flashed in Erika’s eyes, Julius nodded in agreement.

“Comradeship is indeed an important factor. Very well, I’ll accept your designation for now. I hope both you and your brother do well in the test.”

“Thank you.”

With his hands clasped behind his back, Julius turned toward Theo, his gaze sharper than ever.

“Now, the only one left is… Theo Ragnar. Truth be told, I’ve been most curious about why you chose this unit.”

The rider and the other members of the White Armored Dragon Cavalry all nodded in agreement, as if they shared Julius’s curiosity.

‘What should I say?’

Theo pondered for a brief moment, but in the end, he made up his mind.

He decided to speak with all his sincerity.

“Because this is the most certain shortcut to reach my desired destination.”

“Your destination…”

Julius’s eyes glinted. He knew exactly where Theo’s destination was.

The throne.

“Yes. That’s why I…”

Something within Theo’s chest was stirring, rising to the surface.

“I plan to become the Commander of the White Armored Dragon Cavalry. Within five years.”

Five years.

A time that could be considered long, or short, depending on the perspective.

But for someone to become the commander of the White Armored Dragon Cavalry—one of the four pillars supporting Ragnar—it was an absurdly short amount of time.

Yet, Theo declared that he would do just that.

It wasn’t an exaggeration to say that this was practically a declaration of war against Julius, who currently occupied that position.

Naturally, the eyes of the rider and the other members of the unit gleamed sharply, and even the Ranke siblings stared at Theo as if he had gone mad.

‘What’s wrong with him…?’

“Pahaha! He really is a madman!”

The only person laughing at that moment was Julius.

“Five years… That’s quite specific. Is there a particular reason for that?”

A reason?

Theo’s reason was clear.

He knew better than anyone what would happen to this world in five years.

The Great War.

When that time comes, the entire order and structure known to everyone here, including himself, would collapse.

It would mark the beginning of an era where the strong devour the weak.

If Theo wanted to seize the throne amidst that chaos, he needed to establish his foundation before everything unraveled.

“The White Armored Dragon Cavalry is the root of Ragnar.”

“The root… True, after all, the cavalry originated from the knight order that Sigurd, our ancestor, first established when he pioneered the barren North, overrun by monsters from the Demonic Sea. So, yes, you’re not wrong.”

The Dragon Knights.

Sigurd, who had made the contract with Lodbrok, built the Northern Great Wall and established the knight order to protect it.

That knight order later grew and expanded, eventually transforming into the great family known as Ragnar.

The original mission of the Dragon Knights had been passed down and evolved into what is now the White Armored Dragon Cavalry.

This legacy was why many of the residents of Winterer supported the White Armored Dragon Cavalry, seeing it as a symbol of tradition.

It was also the source of the cavalry members’ unshakable pride, even in the harshest of environments.

However.

The swordmasters of Ragnar in modern times were trying to diminish the pride of the White Armored Dragon Cavalry.

They did so to elevate their own status.

And this was precisely what Theo had pointed out.

He was telling them that they, the White Armored Dragon Cavalry, were the true pillar and root of Ragnar.

“Ahem! For someone so young, you’ve got a sharp eye.”

“Hmph, hearing the truth like this makes me feel oddly embarrassed.”

Thanks to that, the sharp gazes that had been directed at Theo softened considerably.

Julius, finding his subordinates’ reactions amusing, chuckled lightly.

“So, your goal is to seize those roots and establish your own foothold?”

“The Upsurging Dragon Hall, the Central Intelligence Bureau, and even the Plum Blossom Palace have all promised me positions and benefits far beyond what I deserve. However, in the long run, those offers would only poison me.”

Julius nodded in agreement.

It was natural that a fifteen-year-old novice who had just become a trainee knight receiving such a high-ranking position would only invite jealousy from those around him.

‘He really is a thoughtful kid.’

Julius was satisfied to see that his judgment of Theo had not been wrong.

“But the White Armored Dragon Cavalry is a place where I can rise based on my achievements and merits. Also, it is the root of Ragnar, which is why I chose to designate it.”

Because the White Armored Dragon Cavalry fought on the frontlines more than any other unit, it prioritized skill over seniority. Even the most junior member could rise through the ranks if they proved their ability.

In the chaos of the Great War to come, holding the title of leader of such a legitimate and deeply rooted force would undoubtedly be a solid foothold.

“So, you plan to climb to the top from here? Hahaha.”

Julius was impressed by Theo’s confidence. To some, it might sound like arrogance, but coming from Theo, it seemed entirely possible.

‘I’m going to have to stay on my toes, aren’t I?’

Julius had thought he was recruiting a promising talent, but it seemed he had brought in the cub of a tiger instead.

“But still, that doesn’t explain why you’ve pinpointed the time frame of exactly five years.”

This time, Theo smiled without answering.

“No response, huh? You must have a plan. Well, if you’re aiming for the throne of Ragnar, you’re already behind compared to other candidates. It makes sense to secure your position before you come of age.”

Julius, drawing his own conclusions, nodded.

“I like ambitious people. Those with ambition are always striving to improve, and they tend to motivate the people around them as well. But.”

In an instant, Julius’s gaze turned ice-cold.

“On the flip side, such people sometimes endanger their comrades for the sake of their own ambitions. If I even sense a hint of that in you… I won’t hesitate to eliminate you.”

For a brief moment, a wave of killing intent washed over Theo.

It was a clear warning—if he tried any foolish tricks, Julius wouldn’t let it slide.

The intensity was enough to make his skin sting, but… Theo simply smiled and nodded calmly.

“Yes. I’ll keep that in mind.”

“…You really are a boring guy. Tch.”

Julius retracted his killing intent as if it had been a lie, clicking his tongue in slight disappointment. He had teased Theo, hoping to see a reaction of surprise, but Theo remained unphased, deflating the mood.

As always, Julius thought, Theo was like an old man in a young body.

“Well, thanks to you lot, it seems I won’t be bored for the next five years. That’s something to look forward to. Selperd! Arin!”

A white-haired man and a small-framed woman stepped forward.

They were Selperd and Arin, the examiners Theo had met during the Blossoming Ceremony.

“Guide the new recruits to the ‘Nest.’ Go over everything they’ll need for the unit, and prepare them to take the test immediately.”

“Yes, sir!”

“Yes, sir!”

“W-Wait, we’re taking the test already?” Holcus asked with a shocked expression.

“If you delay, it’ll be harder for you to choose a backup unit if things don’t work out. It’s better for everyone to finish quickly. Best of luck to you all.”

With a light farewell, Julius pushed off the ground and soared into the air.

At that moment, a massive wyvern suddenly appeared from the sky, catching Julius on its back before disappearing into the clouds beyond.

“Oh?”

“So that’s the famous dragon mount we’ve heard about…!”

As the Ranke siblings expressed their awe, Selperd chuckled.

“That’s the commander’s partner, Gula. A creature with an immense appetite and… well, a strong libido too. Naturally, its energy levels are off the charts. You’ll eventually meet your own partner like that.”

“R-Really?” Holcus’s eyes sparkled with excitement.

“Well, only if you pass all the aptitude tests first.”

“Ah, I see…”

Holcus’s shoulders slumped in disappointment. Selperd, finding his reactions amusing, let out a quiet laugh.

Arin nudged Selperd with her elbow, telling him to stop scaring them, but he paid no attention, addressing the new recruits instead.

“Alright, it’s time to head to the Nest. Get ready to mount the wyverns.”

Whiiish!

At that moment, Arin pursed her lips and let out a sharp whistle. Two wyverns descended from the sky. Though smaller than Gula, they were also clad in white armor, perfectly embodying the name White Dragon.

“The aptitude test is simple. We’re going to drop the three of you into the wyvern’s nest. All you have to do is get chosen by a wyvern as its partner. Simple, right?”

As expected, despite his tone, Selperd’s lips were curled with mischief.

Wyverns, even among lower dragon species, were notorious for their ferocious temper and immense strength. Even with regular training, they were not easy to handle.

“Alright, get ready.”

While the Ranke siblings checked their equipment, the wyverns landed quietly on the ground. But something had changed—the number of wyverns had increased from two to three.

On one of them, someone was already mounted.

A face that was all too familiar to Theo.

“Evelyn?”

“It’s been a while, young master.”

Evelyn, dressed in the white armor of the White Armored Dragon Cavalry, gave a polite bow.

“Why are you here, Evelyn? No, more importantly, your arm…!”

“Oh, are you referring to this?”

Evelyn stroked the left prosthetic arm she was holding tightly onto the reins connected to the wyvern’s neck.

“Your mother gave it to me as a gift.”

“……!”

At that moment, Theo recalled something Kirsion had mentioned before the designation ceremony.

– Try to understand if your mother seems overly emotional today. If you knew how much heartache she’s had over the last two weeks, you wouldn’t be able to say a word. Not to mention the ‘gift’ she’s prepared for you…!