["That is…."]
Esther quietly let out a sigh.
It seemed she was slightly taken aback that what I had done in the West was now happening simultaneously in the East as well.
"Hm."
["Do you know something?"]
"Yeah."
["What is it? Hurry up and tell me."]
No matter how overwhelming Esther's information-gathering abilities were due to her unique traits as a ghost species, it was only effective when she actually engaged in gathering intel.
Naturally, since she was currently bound to me, Esther wasn't actively pursuing information unless I issued a direct command.
As a result, she had no idea why such things were happening over there.
"Kronos Union."
["Ah…."]
Of course, that was only when no information had been provided. As soon as the name "Kronos Union" was mentioned, Esther nodded as if she understood what was going on.
["Hmm, it's certainly plausible… Still, a bit unexpected, considering how passive they usually are."]
"They don't need to be anymore."
["Huh? Why?"]
"Their biggest threat, Ark, is no longer their enemy."
Truthfully, it wasn't as if I hadn't thought this kind of thing could happen.
The reason was simple.
Originally, the Kronos Union should've been focusing all their energy on checking Ark and pulling off some kind of maneuver against them.
But the situation had changed.
Ark, once the Kronos Union's greatest enemy and target, had become a solid ally—and now even supported the Kronos Union.
Because of that, the Kronos Union was able to expand their influence without hesitation, thanks to Ark's backing. The blazing branches of the Church of Morte were the direct result.
["…Still, even so, would those sluggish bastards have a reason to act this aggressively?"]
"Lania must've made a move."
Lania Marcus.
Future second-in-command of the Kronos Union, and one of the characters always mentioned when discussing the strongest in The Defense universe.
And, although it's a bit complicated, she was also my younger sister.
In fact, that blood relationship had a significant influence in bringing about this situation.
["Hmmm…."]
Esther narrowed her eyes.
"What."
["Nothing, it's just… You sounded like a proud older brother for a moment, and it was kind of, um, how should I put this… Just made me feel weird."]
"Shut up."
["Yes, dear brother."]
"..."
I stared blankly at Esther's face for a moment, dumbfounded.
She giggled as if she found it amusing.
Sigh…
I'd rather die than deal with this.
Anyway, what I had to do now became crystal clear.
I needed to meet the Kronos Union.
More specifically, I needed to meet Lania.
After all, it's easier to talk to someone who understands you, rather than someone who doesn't.
"Let's go."
[Kiheet─!]
Horus began flapping its wings roughly.
* * *
Finding the Kronos Union's location from the sky wasn't difficult.
Even though, like the Sandstorm Caravan, the Kronos Union didn't have a designated base, they still had frequently visited key points.
Above all, the Kronos Union's influence wasn't even comparable to the Sandstorm Caravan.
The Sandstorm Caravan was, at the end of the day, merely a commercial guild. In contrast, the Kronos Union was one of the few massive forces that could rival Ark.
In short, their power was too great to conceal.
'Though that also means they're quite dispersed.'
True to their name, the Kronos Union didn't usually gather in one place.
In a way, they were similar to the Church of Morte, but the biggest difference was that the Union, as the name suggests, possessed a powerful cohesion.
["Master."]
"Yeah."
Esther pointed to a rocky mountain below.
At first glance, it looked like an ordinary rock formation, but a closer look revealed small openings and guards stationed outside.
It was similar to the kind of place the remnants of Kronos used to use as a base. But what made it different now was the discreetly installed anti-air turrets and missiles.
"Wait here."
[Kihet!]
I left Horus behind and jumped down.
If a beast like Horus lingered too close, it would likely be attacked by Kronos's aerial defense system.
'Well, not like Horus would actually get hurt by that… but there's no need to provoke them unnecessarily.'
That's why I chose to walk on foot from a distance toward the rocky mountain.
"Who goes there? Identify yourself."
"Carl Marcus."
Maybe because of how straightforward I was, the guard seemed a bit caught off guard but still aimed his gun at me.
"What's your business?"
"I want to meet Lania Marcus."
The guard's expression turned strange.
He must've realized I wasn't an ordinary guest.
Then another guard chimed in.
"Carl Marcus? Wait, Marcus?"
"That's right."
The two guards whispered something to each other, then said,
"…Please wait a moment."
One of them went into the cave.
Even though the gun was still pointed at me, I knew it wouldn't fire.
"Brother!"
Guess I was lucky.
Or maybe the ether was unconsciously drew me in.
Coincidentally, the base I arrived at was the one led by Lania.
"Lania."
"Hm… I figured you'd come by sooner or later. Welcome."
Lania greeted me with a smile.
Separate from that, however, the ether radiating from her was intense.
[Kigik, kikikik───!]
[Carl Marcus. Carl Marcus. Carl Marcus. Carl Marcus. Carl Marcus. Carl Marcus. Carl Marcus. Carl Marcus. Carl Marcus. Carl Marcus. Carl Marcus….]
[He's here, here. He's here.]
I had thought my own growth had been absurd, but Lania Marcus had outdone me.
To be exact, in terms of ether sensitivity, even if I used every method including Esther, I couldn't surpass her.
'…No wonder she's a top-tier contender in the world.'
At this rate, she wouldn't even need to reach the late stages—just mid-to-late—and she'd be strong enough to surpass Isabelle.
Considering Isabelle, the head of the Shadow Order and Young Lady of the White Line, was not someone to be taken lightly, it really was astonishing.
"Hmm… Carl, you seem different somehow… Did you, by any chance, see that?"
"What do you mean?"
"The eyes."
I couldn't hide my surprise at Lania's completely unexpected words.
I never thought Lania would bring that up.
"…Do you know what that is?"
"So, you did see it."
Whatever had happened, it seemed Lania had also encountered the Watcher.
As I suspected, there was definitely something in the Marcus bloodline.
Lania glanced around discreetly.
"Let's go inside for now. Looks like we have a lot to talk about."
* * *
Maybe it was thanks to Ark's support, or perhaps the Kronos Union had just grown that much stronger, but the inside of the cave was surprisingly well-constructed.
In the past, it felt like they had simply set up camp inside a raw cave. Now, it was just the exterior that remained rocky — the inside had been built into a proper structure.
Considering the Kronos Union had to relocate with each Wave, the fact that they built something this substantial showed how far their strength had come.
"This is tea Ark sent us. I didn't know what to make of the taste at first, but I've come to like it. Though I still prefer liquor."
Lania poured the tea.
It was the same taste and aroma I remembered from Ark.
"Carl, remember? The old man… I mean, Grandpa used to always say this one thing."
For some reason, what Kurilta had said on the day I first came to this world came to mind.
「"Why give this to me...?"」
「"Damn it! You still bitter about the old man scolding you? Not the time for jokes—get ready!"」
「"…Get ready? For what?"」
「"Dammit! Do whatever you want!"」
What exactly had Carl Marcus heard from Grandpa that day?
It seemed like there was some kind of argument, but obviously, I didn't know the details.
I had no reason to pretend otherwise — there was no way I could know. So, I answered honestly.
"I don't remember."
"Hm… yeah, I guess that makes sense. Grandpa always said we had a mission. I never understood what that meant — until now. I think I'm starting to get it."
"What is it?"
"Liberation."
The sudden, out-of-the-blue response left me staring blankly at Lania's lips.
"What does that mean? Liberation from what?"
"Dunno? I don't really know either. I just know this: Liberation — that's our mission."
Liberation.
What exactly were we liberating? And why did the Marcus bloodline have to do it?
"…I don't understand at all."
"Right? Same here. But I do know we have to do it."
Lania gave a soft smile.
To believe in a mission she didn't even fully understand... I couldn't quite relate. But considering what I had seen — the existence of the Watcher — it didn't seem entirely impossible either.
"Well, that's enough about me… I doubt you came all the way here just to talk about this. So, what's going on?"
Though she hadn't forgotten her so-called mission, Lania hadn't neglected her role as one of the leaders of the Kronos Union either.
Since this matter was the real reason I had come here, there was no need to change the subject.
"I'm going to establish a trade route."
"…Huh?"
"Centered around Ark. Connecting the West, the East, and even further — past the South and Mount Noah."
As she listened, Lania's expression gradually twisted into shock.
"I'm going to complete the Silk Road."
* * *
It seemed Lania never expected me to say I was creating a massive trade route, and the more I explained, the more visibly astonished she became.
"…You really do always exceed my expectations, Carl."
"For someone who says that, you look pretty well-prepared."
"Mm? Oh, well, it happened by chance. Or maybe it was inevitable — thanks to the alliance with Ark."
Lania smiled gently.
"I'll need to talk to the old geezers about the details, but… it should go through easily. Unlike the alliance, this is undeniably a good deal for the Union."
The negotiation was a success.
Actually, there was barely a need to negotiate at all.
The Kronos Union had been a staunch ally of Ark for a long time already.
"I'll take care of it. Trust me."
"Come on, who else could you trust in this world besides me?"
In a way, it sounded like we were the only family left.
I still didn't fully think of Lania as family, but I could agree with her on that point.
"You're right."
"…That sounded like a forced compliment, but fine. I'll let it slide."
With everything wrapped up, Lania seemed to remember something.
"Oh, and there's something I want to show you."
"Show me?"
"I found it by chance while clearing out a branch of the Church of Morte… I have no idea what it is, but for some reason, I thought you might."
I didn't know where her baseless confidence in me came from, but I nodded.
"Let me take a look."
"Follow me."
The path through the cave was like a spiderweb, but Lania moved with practiced ease.
We arrived at a large cavern.
Originally, it might have been used as a storage facility. But now, there was only one item sitting alone in the center.
"This is it."
At first, I didn't recognize it.
It was too worn and broken to immediately tell what it was.
But soon, I realized what I was looking at.
"No way…"
"You do know what it is?"
I knew it.
No — I had to know it.
A sail.
More precisely, a fragment of a sail.
An object that was essential to fulfill the wish of the Shadow Order, specifically Young Lady of the White Line, Isabelle.
And we had found it in the most unexpected of places.