Chapter 388: Threat
Chapter 388: Threat
Getting lost might explain ending up somewhere along Dawnfall Territory’s coastline, but there was no way anyone could accidentally wander all the way to the border of Nightfall Domain.
"What an arrogant man," Airkly cursed inwardly. But remembering the terrifying mobility of the enemy Divine Chosen, she quickly called out,
"We mean no offense. We only came to rescue our sailors."
"Wait... Miss Airkly, I can sense the lingering aura of the Silver Key on him."
"Huh? Lady Contily, are you serious?"
All of Airkly’s caution vanished at once. She immediately turned back toward Phield.
"Phield... um, Sword Saint Phield. You possess the Silver Key, don’t you?"
"What is that?"
Alice looked completely bewildered.
"Hmm... it does sound a little familiar."
Phield’s thoughts raced as his memory slowly resurfaced.
After defeating the little chubby dragon, he had found a silver sword inside the treasure chest it guarded. It was called the Silver Key, and mysterious runes were engraved along its blade.
Later, at the Salt Mine Outpost, he had discovered an underground palace whose entrance required two swords to unlock.
"So it really is with you!"
Noticing the subtle change in Phield’s expression, Contily could barely contain her excitement as she threw back her robe.
"The Silver Key is in your possession."
Phield widened his eyes.
She had fin-like blue ears, greenish-blue hair, and enchanting, almost supernatural features that gave her an incredibly fantastical appearance.
Although she had human legs rather than a mermaid’s tail, she was clearly not fully human.
Then her next sentence instantly erased any goodwill Phield had felt toward her.
"Please return the Silver Key to us. It belongs to my people."
"No, it should be handed over to us."
Airkly was considerably more reasonable.
"The Silver Key originally belonged to our nation. It was simply stolen from us."
So the two of them weren’t actually on the same side.
Phield replied calmly,
"Then... does that mean the Golden Key is in your possession?"
The two Divine Chosen froze simultaneously.
Neither of them had expected Phield to know about the Golden Key.
"I knew it."
Phield nodded before raising his chin and gazing forty-five degrees into the sky.
"I already told you. I am the Empire’s Sword Saint. Since I’m the Sword Saint, both swords naturally belong to me."
"I merely misplaced one of them after battling demons."
"If you happen to find it, please return it. I’ll reward you with fifty silver coins."
Phield answered with a perfectly shameless expression.
The two women actually paused, seemingly trying to recall whether such a story had ever existed.
"Pah! Pah! Pah! What kind of nonsense are you spouting, shameless Sacred Griffin Empire dog!"
Contily’s nose nearly twisted with anger.
"Those two keys exist solely to open the underground mausoleum of the Ancient Moon Empire’s Empress. They don’t provide any combat enhancement whatsoever."
"Oh... the Ancient Moon Empire. Now everything makes sense."
Everyone suddenly understood.
Nothing in the world lasts forever.
The nations of the continent had never remained unchanged.
Long ago, the Sacred Griffin Empire, the Blue Dragon and the Magic Tower United Empire, Fralanvia, and the surrounding island nations had all belonged to a single empire known as the Ancient Moon Empire.
Only after its collapse had it fractured into numerous independent kingdoms.
That also explained why so many noble families still maintained marriage ties across national borders.
"So the gate leads to the imperial mausoleum."
Phield’s interest immediately grew.
"That makes sense. The Northern Frontier Province used to be an incredibly prosperous region. Having an imperial tomb here isn’t surprising at all."
Ashina’s eyes sparkled.
"It sounds like there must be a lot of amazing treasures inside."
"Then there’s even less chance we’re giving it to you."
Alice had already begun thinking of herself as a member of Nightfall Domain.
"You people..."
Airkly covered her face before sighing helplessly.
"Forget it. We’ve already attracted plenty of greedy flies. A few more won’t make any difference."
"Go on."
Phield shrugged.
"So what exactly are you trying to accomplish? Let me remind you that you’ve invaded imperial territory, and more specifically, my territory."
"Calm down, Mr. Phield."
"Your Empire may excel in land warfare, but your navy is absolute garbage. The Empire doesn’t even know we’ve landed."
"The surrounding Pirate Alliance, the island nations, ancient noble families, and the merfolk will all participate."
"There are roughly six major factions involved."
"Every faction possesses a fragment of the Golden Key."
"So there are that many?"
Phield looked completely baffled.
"And you were hiding all of this from me."
"What are you looking for? The Pirate King’s treasure?"
Airkly sheathed her naval saber and spread her hands.
"Empress Adalaiti IV of the Ancient Moon Empire, known as the White Sage, foresaw an invasion from demons of another dimension."
"She deliberately chose the Northern Frontier Province as the location of her mausoleum and sealed away several supreme Divine Artifacts there as humanity’s final safeguard against the demons."
"What kind of Divine Artifacts?"
Phield immediately asked.
"How should I know?"
Airkly shrugged helplessly.
"I’m a pirate... I mean, a naval officer, not an archaeologist."
"They’re related to water."
Contily raised both hands high, her face filled with reverence.
"They are the sacred treasures of our aquatic people. Humans merely borrowed them."
"It’s time for them to be returned to their rightful owners."
"When that day comes, all merfolk will unite and finally obtain true freedom."
"What, some kind of Dragon King’s staff..."
Phield thought to himself,
Damn it. The White Sage built the mausoleum inside Nightfall Domain. Doesn’t that practically mean it was left for me? It’s an inheritance passed down from my ancestors to their descendants. What business do outsiders have interfering?
They actually came onto my land, demanded my key, and now they want to steal my Divine Artifacts too.
That’s going too far.
You’ve earned yourselves a death sentence.
The Divine Chosen of Nightfall Domain exchanged glances before silently assuming combat stances.
"Mr. Phield, don’t get any foolish ideas."
Contily wagged a finger.
"Our people have studied that mausoleum for generations. Nearly a hundred years of research."
"Without the proper timing and specialized exploration techniques, it cannot be opened."
"Besides, our allied fleet is stationed just off the coast of Dawnfall Territory."
"Don’t be overconfident."
"So..."
Phield narrowed his eyes.
"We join forces!"
Airkly pumped a fist through the air.
"You provide the Silver Key and work together with us."
"Once we open the treasure vault, everyone gets rich together."
Phield frowned.
He had no intention of exploring the mausoleum anytime soon.
After all, it was located inside his own territory.
It wasn’t going to sprout legs and run away.
If he simply continued building his strength and gathered the Golden Key himself, every treasure inside would eventually belong to him alone.
Why would he ever share them?
Blinded by thoughts of wealth, Airkly sneered.
"The mausoleum only opens once every twelve years."
"We’re not about to miss this opportunity."
"If you refuse to cooperate..."
She let out a mocking chuckle.
"Your territory is nearby, isn’t it?"
"The number of Divine Chosen and soldiers under our command is far beyond anything you can imagine."
"Once we land, we can simply begin large-scale looting and slaughter."
"We’ll seize the key either way."
"I doubt your territory could survive the losses."
They actually dared to threaten him.
They were threatening to plunder his own domain.
The calm Phield had maintained until now gradually gave way to an icy killing intent.
"Very well."
Phield smiled pleasantly.
"Let’s form an alliance."
Just wait until you step onto my home ground.
Then I’ll show you exactly how I’m going to wipe every last one of you out.