Chapter 78: Stumble upon an old Enemy
The journey back to the capital of Sorbet Kingdom was something easy for the enlarged group after exiting the natural harbor that made King Taelar take mental notes since this location Vlad anchored down his ship could be used for a new settlement, connecting other regions of his kingdom by bypassing the large barrier called Yehimal Mountain, one just had to hike by the forested zone which was still virgin, unclaimed.
Taking two days of sailing for the medium-sized Caravel, where the citizens of Everfall City who began questioning about where the Grand Healer who vanquished the Spirit of the Mountain could be right now.
From the Ursus Hotel under Bernt, who saw an influx of people requesting accommodations at his establishment, to various accommodation spots, all managed to fork some great money from the rich and poor who traveled from all corners of Sorbet Kingdom just to meet the Great Healer.
Weeks passed, and yet, this person magically disappeared from the picture of Everfall.
Without answers, the people, especially the nobles requested audiences with the Queen, who could have had a hard time managing this new crisis caused by a well-intended gesture.
Inside the Rock King's Castle she exited her meeting room followed by two middle-aged guys with large, strong bodies, one with golden blonde hair and the second one having silver-gray hair.
"Those ungrateful bastards finally remembered that I am their queen only when they want something from me. However, it just so happens I don't have my hands on that strand of hope they want for their spawns and retainers."
"Granny, my apologies. I tried to instruct some of my guys to perform that open body medicine act used by Sir Dracul, but it failed … ending in killing one of the commoners who struggled with late stages of the Maggris Worm affliction."
"Hah, how many are we talking about Fischer?"
"We tried on five people, all ended up dying even after all of our attempts to rescue them." replied the large man to the small old lady who was using her cane to move forward, followed from both sides by those large men who acted with immense respect to the woman.
"Stop performing experiments on the peasants, it will create a bad image on Cormac House. For now, you two accompany me since I want to take a look at Viril and the other four. How are they faring Garald?"
"As you instructed, granny … We only watched them without interfering and offering any assistance by sharing the method the doctor Dracul has sent to us. However because of this … they started feeling worse and worse, unable to find the cure in their own way."
"So it's been one month since that kid left Everfall on his way to Yehimal."
"Give it or take it. Yet … I will be honest with you, madame. It's very unlikely that they will return, if even Lord Taelar disappeared while challenging Yehimal …" added Garald in a straightforward manner, stopping when the old lady turned her head to watch him with her purple eyes.
"Granny, he isn't wrong. If even the Lord has disappeared in the mountain, it can signify many, such as a Spirit existing. But I will never be sure about anything since me and Garald couldn't even reach the summit and we were far from it, at only 8425 meters. At that altitude, we couldn't even think properly, a Death Zone in itself."
"That kid had the aura of a King, something that many dream of possessing, but never owning. Only a handful of people can claim to be True Kings, and I've seen some of them in this boring life of mine."
While the group was moving toward another section of the castle, they continued talking constantly with the two middle-aged Generals filling in the old lady with various information about the Internal Affairs of Sorbet Kingdom, even touching on some External Affairs.
"Some of the Spies in Kaysang Kingdom have reported to me that Kylian should be returning anytime soon, expecting to be today or tomorrow."
"Ohh, that Kylian finished his journey to Kaysang Kingdom? He was away for 4 months already, with most of my Treasury. Have the Royal Guards prepared to assist him and his men in gathering the food supplies he brought to the Warehouse."
"Of course, granny."
The middle-aged generals stopped from talking when arriving in front of a larger door that Conney opened casually making her way inside where six old men were bedridden with paled states, at the death doorstep.
"Conney, you've come to rub salt on my wounds?" asked Viril with a sickly tone, devoid of most of the energy and jubilance he sported when he first met Vlad.
"None of that, old friend. I've taken from my busy schedule to see how you are doing, and if you found a cure to this sickness you've been afflicted."
"... Just kill me, if you want to punish me."
"Kill you? How could I bring myself to do such an act to an acquaintance? Non, I just wanted to see your face for the last time since you'll be soon drifting away towards death."
"Maybe that would be … for the better."
"Sigh, you old fool. Why are you so stubborn to have forced my hand, in not offering you the treatment the doctor Vlad Dracul has brought for the Kingdom? You narrow-minded old fuck, can't you understand that we are now just a backwattered droplet of water in the large bucket called WORLD GOVERNMENT?"
"We can't afford big expenses, we can't afford to bring notorious doctors or individual masters to their craft from the outside to teach us. If we would have done that, our budget for the Heavenly Tribute would go in shambles! JUST LIKE 8 YEARS AGO WHEN THAT FOOLISH SON-IN-LAW OF MINE SPENT ALL OF THE HEAVENLY TRIBUTE FOR FOOD TO FEED THE STARVING!!"
"... This is different, Conney." called out Viril with a weak voice after closing his eyes shut, when the old lady outburst in emotions.
"WHAT IS DIFFERENT YOU FOOL?! Have you by chance failed to see the Celestials knocking on our doors, asking for reasons we didn't pay the tribute? NO, then do you know what happened afterwards?"
"..."
"To remove the debt of the Tribute, while Kuma was away trying his best to kill as many pirates as he could to make the required money, those bastards arrived and tried to use Runa as a CHIP! A CHIP THAT WOULD ANNUL THE HEAVENLY TRIBUTE DUTY!"
"I am sure, you are fully aware of what happened next!"
"... She committed the unthinkable."
"Indeed, you old fool, while also hiding little Anne in the slums of Everfall. Meanwhile, you were still going about with the same high prices on the people, extorting them of their money, but I didn't say a single thing. HOW COULD I?! I NEED HEALERS TO KEEP MY PEOPLE ALIVE!"
"And I did my job in healing people."
"Old fool, didn't you understand what I said? I need "HEALERS!" not you Viril! This is why I made you old ignorant idiots to take in young disciples to learn the craft. This wasn't so I could remove you from your positions, it was so I could make the lives of the people better by offering available treatment."
Seeing how the old doctors were silent for the most part, with the exception when they looked for excuses which infuriated her, into lashing again, but this time with colder words.
"I wish I was so hard on you like Taelar was. NO ONE WOULD EVEN DARE TO SAY NAY TO ANY OF MY ORDERS!"
"... That's because you aren't like that commoner. You are a Queen."
Conney gave Viril a murderous look at the old doctor, where one could cut with a pair of scissors this tense atmosphere, and unlike how things looked in the Rock King's Castle down the city of Everfall, closer to the harbor a Merchant Ship closer in style to what Vlad's Caravel looked with a lot of aesthetic design approached toward the Harbor.
The fishermen and the ones working in the Harbor noticed that this ship was brimming with rowdy men all wearing winter clothes in the style of Sorbet Kingdom, with a man with dark blue hair styled rather measly standing on the bowsprit.
There was an ear piercing in both of his ears, while his winter clothes were left open to reveal a strong body, not being ashamed to show some of his pectoral muscles touched by the snow. This blue-haired man was decently tall, being at 218 cm while most of his crew were also tall, but smaller in size than him.
"We reached home Master Kylian!! Finally I no longer have to deal with those arrogant Valenty people and enjoy the good company of the brothers in Everfall."
"We still have work to do, boys! Don't forget all the cargo assigned by Granny. There's no rest until all of the food is delivered to the Castle."
The people of the city started gathering to see who the one returning was, some thinking it was Vlad who finally returned to continue his work, but instead, they saw a rather familiar face, the Advisor of the Queen, Kylian Alenvord who finally remembered that he had a home in Sorbet.
Still, it didn't take long since Kylian jumped off the ship to land in the harbor, already beginning his talks with the Royal Guards stationed by Fischer, that another ship could be seen approaching the harbor, this one with a completely foreigner appearance compared to Kylian's ship.
"Ahhh, the doctor returned!"
Various shouts from the commoners took the blue-haired man's attention of his talk with the Royal Guards, which made him turn to look at the brown middle-sized Caravel with a unique design, filled in with various decorations on it.
"That one, isn't it the style of the ones from Picodras? Hey, Rangvald, doesn't this ship remind you of one from Lord Patrick's Fleet? The one used by Nelson the Golden Sea Lion?"
A man who was coordinating the process of taking the cargo off the ship, shifted toward the Caravel approaching the harbor, and with some surprise, he agreed with the blue-haired man.
"Yeah, it does resemble a bit."
"Hehh, but we met with them 3 months ago when we got attacked by those Shark Jelly Pirates or whatever they were called. I thought they returned back to Picodras after they sold out all their goods, especially those girl dolls we bought for the kids."
"Maybe it's a separate party of Merchants from there?"
"We'll see. Rangvald, you continue with the work, I'll do the greetings."
.
On the other hand, Vlad could notice that another decent-sized ship anchored down at the harbor used by the civilians, with many people gathered around which had him frown since he wanted not to be bothered currently.
Reverscar and Taelar were at the Forecastle admiring the snowy city, with the Elder breathing in relief, commenting about what he could observe.
"Everfall looks to be alive."
"And poor." added Bonney who was standing beside Eleine in the main deck watching the sight of Everfall from another point of view, seeing not many changes since last month.
Yet herself? She experienced so much in just one month from all sorts of emotions she thought she had lost in herself, growing as a young lady under the guidance of someone who continued to remain mysterious and unfathomable even after one month of observations.
Vlad, who had Titania on his shoulder talking with her about the docking, once he did that, he turned his attention to the blue-haired man watching back at him with big eyes as if he saw something that didn't make sense.
"Titania, is that guy by chance an enemy? He gives me that look, as if can't believe what he just saw."
"I doubt, it's probably a dumb person."
Both were wrong in their thoughts, especially when Kylian rushed with all of his agility to reach closer to Vlad's Caravel forecastle where King Taelar and Count Reverscar watched with confused expressions on this middle-aged guy.
"Are you by chance … Kylian? Kylian Alenvord?" asked Reverscar after studying the middle-age man's appearance, immediately clicking with his memories from 10 years ago.
"Youuu, that face … Are you His Grace Reverscar? Impossible, you have been declared dead after disappearing in that cursed mountain. It has been ten years, and you haven't aged since I last saw you at the Castle."
Then as Kylian, later on, shifted to a young girl with pink-hair standing beside a gorgeous black-haired woman, making him want to say something, but out of curiosity looked at Taelar, being required to raise his head at this large man, which led to him trembling with emotions.
"Sandur … you say this young man is that prankster, Kyly?"
"Ahh, right. Your Majesty has been frozen in time for 20 years, unlike me who last saw him 10 years ago. I think the last time you've met him was when he was only 12 years old, but this man who looks like a Kaysangian is indeed Kylian."
Hearing their conversation, Kylian couldn't control himself and shocked everyone when he dropped in his knees, calling out with full emotions.
"But this is impossible. So many years have passed since your disappearance. Are you truly, you? Father?"
Taelar jumped from the forecastle followed by Reverscar, appearing next to Kylian who remained on his knees as he looked up at this man who didn't change one bit since he last saw him 20 years ago.
"Raise, my boy. I am unworthy for this fealty from you after bringing so much pain in your hearts."
The older people in the public when they heard the loud distinguishing voice of this large man had dumbfounded eyes followed by rubbing their eyes, all so it could be seen as an illusion, but even the voice of Count Reverscar brought first memories before tears flowed down, with many of them dropping on their knees greeting King Taelar.
"WE GREET HIS MAJESTY THE KING!"
Dalyon moved toward Vlad who finished placing the anchor down and told him with an annoyed tone.
"I don't want to be seen by any of those vermin. It will bring trouble on me if those bugs actually figure out I am a Lunarian."
"Yeah, I know what you are feeling right now. I also don't like when people gather around like this, not giving me space."
"I will not go out from the ship, I'll stay in my cabin until you return."
"That's fine by me. As I told you before, you can do whatever you want until you take your revenge. Just don't mess the ship or burn it with your flames, I still got some important data logs on my laboratory."
Then, Eleine walked up to Vlad who watched the commotion from the ship, asking him a sensible question.
"What should we do with those two guys? It seems the blue-haired man wants to bring them to the Castle, also has been calling out for Bonney-chan to join him, calling her Niece."
He remained unfazed and while walking to the forecastle where Bonney was trying to convince Kylian to stop calling her "Anne", the man stopped from convincing Bonney to join him when he appeared beside her, like a gigantic shadow.
"I don't know what business you have with my companion, but if she says NO, it means no. Now, get going and stop this pathetic scene in front of me. I didn't regain my sight to see some men bowling their eyes out and hugging like bitches." mentioned Vlad, who placed gently his large hand around Bonney's shoulder.
Kylian, who could see Vlad closer, now found his appearance, from his cold facial expression to how he let his black hair flow past his shoulders reaching his back, surprisingly familiar. However, he didn't know why he found Vlad familiar, but he brushed off this aspect, and focused on Bonney.
"Little Anne, you got to return home. You've played your home runs for far too long that it has upset Granny. Look, this is your grandfather. How couldn't you join us back to the castle?"
"Kylian, I don't want to return to that place! Stop bothering me, or I will never ever talk with you."
"... Please, Anne, don't force my hand. I did promise Granny I would pick you up from the Slums by the time I return home."
Bonney only smirked a bit knowing that Vlad would support her with anything she chose and aware of his abilities from his political power and grasp to his fighting prowess, something that King Taelar picked swiftly when Vlad's abyssal eyes got colder when gazing at Kylian.
"Kyly, it's fine. She will return when she wants. There's no rush, for now it's better that I am updated with the situation in the Kingdom as fast as possible. Also, I want to reunite with Conney."
"But … I can't leave Anne with some Picodras Merchant or Pirate for all I know. Yeah, don't give me that smug look you bastard. I am aware you are from Picodras since I know how your shipwrights like to build since they stole the blueprints from Kaysang Kingdom."
"Also, if you plan on doing something stupid, know that I can quickly get in contact with your boss, and remove you from the list of merchants affiliated with Picodras."
Titania who was standing on Vlad's shoulder, unnoticed by the blue-haired man couldn't help but get a bit taken aback, whispering to Vlad. "Does this man know about mister Patrick?"
"Right, right. He is that person Kylian, the old man mentioned. Well, it seems I will not twist some of his bones. Bonney, remember what I told you when we first met, whenever you need me, just call my name, and I'll break their bones for you."
"Thanks, Vlad."
A small smile appeared on his lips as he tapped the girl's shoulders, shifting to move in another part of his ship, his laboratory where he picked a large jar containing the head of an individual who had a Name-Tag on it [Laurance - Pirate - 10.000.000 𝔅]. Finally catching a good chance to get rid of this useless head, and claim a great sum of money to fund his future excursions.
While Vlad was away, Kylian didn't abandon the thought of picking up Bonney, but Taelar who experienced firsthand how terrifying Vlad was to face, pulled the blue-haired man filling in with some information about Vlad, and while they started the journey to the Castle, Kylian couldn't help but ask confused.
"You say that guy can take down our entire kingdom on his own?"
"Yeah, and if he can't take it by himself he has another monster with him who can turn Sorbet upside down. It's better if we keep a friendly relationship with this man, and luckily he looks at little Anne favorably."
It was something hard to believe by Kylian, who didn't experience his strength firsthand, but how could Taelar forget the ground-shaking clash between Vlad and Dalyon or the outburst against Nihiloor?
As he was distancing away from the harbor followed by the people, the fact the Great Healer appeared again in Everfall was drowned.
"Have those noisy people scrammed?" asked Vlad, who stepped out from the lower deck holding in his hand a large glass container covered in a black cloth.
"Yeah, lucky for us most including those guards left the harbor."
"Mhm, perfect. Then let's move to the Marine Base inside Everfall and claim some money. I've been running low on funds for the Extravagance we have been enjoying. Afterwards we'll go to the City Center to buy clothes since it's not my style to wear such rugs."
Eleine chuckled a bit, returning to Bonney's side telling her they would to off the ship, while Vlad turned toward Dalyon who only scoffed, walking back inside his cabin on the base main-deck level where the sailors were supposed to stay.
Not minding the Lunarian's antics, especially after he almost destroyed his bathroom, or flooded his lower deck, he took the girls along with him toward the Marine Base, a building that didn't match in style with any of the buildings in Everfall.
From the moment your eye dropped on this building, you could see the Bold Letters engraved on the medium-sized building stating the obvious [MARINE].
Vlad who had the advantage of his height, could see most of the building's geometry and structure, but he didn't like how his vision was blurred at times, nonetheless, he made his way inside the courtyard of the Marine Base immediately attracting the attention of the marines with his large size and beautiful entourage.
"He doesn't look like someone from Sorbet. I wonder what business such a person has with our base."
Both Titania and Eleine looked at this place with interest since they didn't have much interactions with the Marines, apart from hearing stories about them or encountering their ships as Titania and Vlad experienced. Nonetheless, there was no worry in their eyes, apart from Bonney who looked to be slightly nervous.
"If they try something funny on you for some petty crimes you've done in the city, I'll leave their hands off." mentioned Vlad in a calm tone, as he was the first one to step inside this marine building, watching with interest at how those Marines constructed their buildings.
Step by step, without even requiring his Passive Echolocation or Active Echolocation, he walked toward an [Information Bouth] but all around the walls he was passing there were Wanted Posters for various individuals, something he didn't bother to read, but the pink-haired girl stopped in front of a Wanted Poster.
「'The Tyrant' Bartholomew Kuma - Dead or Alive - 296.000.000 𝔅」
Titania and Eleine also turned and immediately could make the connection between this man who had a fearsome appearance being capable to stare you into submission even from the Wanted Poster, and the portraits from the Rock's King Castle where a man with similar features had a kind smile on his face as he was standing beside a beautiful woman seated on the throne chair, while at his leg side was a little girl.
'So, what she said about her father becoming a pirate was true. Poor girl, losing both parents from a tender age.' thought Titania, flying toward Bonney and tapping her head gently.
Meanwhile, Vlad arrived in front of a youngster, short in stature, about 1,69 meters wearing a cheap marine uniform without anything impressive about him, especially after he started getting nervous when looking at the black-haired man towering over him.
"S-Sir, how can we help you?"
"I want to claim a reward from a pirate I slayed not too long ago if possible."
"O-of course, sir! C-Can you confirm the corpse of this said pirate for identification?"
Gazing at this brat with his abyssal black eyes, he could smell the fear in his body, and while placing the large jar on the marines counter, it sent a chill down the spine of the youngster when taking off the black cloth covering the jar.
"This face, I am sure I've seen around." said the Chore Boy tasked with dealing with the public, before he inspected the jar, reading the label Vlad placed.
「Name: Laurance / Location: Bulge Island / Bounty: 10.000.000 𝔅」
"S-Sir, I got to report to my Captain. He is the one to authorize such transfers of money, and it requires some closer inspection on the target. If I may ask you, please move to the Waiting Room until all the checks are finished."
"Yeah, sure. No problem, check it around if you think it is not the legit person."
"I-I don't dare, mister. I just follow the procedures placed by my superiors."
"I see."
Vlad didn't go to the waiting room, and instead moved to look at each bounty having nothing better to do while the marines were checking on Laurance pig's head, and as this whole process went on, the aura around his body changed, sending goosebumps on the other Chore Boys who were going about with their daily tasks.
「'Dirty Money' Dethell Blokted - Dead or Alive - 82.500.000 𝔅」
When he opened his mouth a gust of wind spread around the interior of the Marine Base, scarring even the girls who were not far from him.
"So it's you who blinded me. Now that I know your face, pray that I don't stumble upon you. I'll make you only eat gold until you've satisfied your greed for money just like King Midas."
