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“They’ve completed cross-verification, and they estimate with approximately 89% certainty that it is true.”

“…This is really driving me mad.”

Julius frowned at his subordinate’s report.

The emergency report that had suddenly come through the hotline last night was sitting on his desk, abandoned.

The contents detailed how Trainer Isben, the commander of the 5th unit, who had held a position in the White Armored Dragon Cavalry even longer than Julius himself, had been killed in action, along with 15 of his subordinates who had gone on the mission with him.

Though Julius had asked Black Snow for confirmation, he had to endure their sorrowful response.

It was the most painful loss they had suffered in the countless battles over the past three years.

“As per your orders, Senior Inspector Evelyn Nerevil from the 1st unit has been temporarily appointed as the 5th unit’s commander, and three new recruits have been assigned under her. They are scheduled to be deployed on a mission three days after their provisional training ends.”

“To think we have to deploy green rookies on missions… we’re truly on the edge.”

The subordinate had many things he wanted to say in response to Julius’ sigh, but he kept them to himself, tightly sealing his lips.

After all, Julius was undoubtedly feeling even more frustrated than he was.

In truth, this was one of the chronic issues plaguing the White Armored Dragon Cavalry.

‘If it weren’t for the damned Intelligence Bureau and the Senate…!’

The White Armored Dragon Cavalry was part of the Air Force.

This meant their operational range was much wider compared to other units, which were heavily influenced by the terrain.

Because of this, the White Armored Dragon Cavalry was always overwhelmed, barely able to handle the never-ending flood of mission requests.

The 1st unit handled special missions.

The 2nd unit was tasked with scouting and monitoring the movements in the Demonic Sea.

The 3rd unit protected the Great Wall and scouted the surrounding areas.

The 4th unit safeguarded Winterer and monitored the Six Snow Families of the North.

The 5th unit was responsible for responding to various incidents and aid requests happening across the northern regions.

Each unit was responsible for a vast area as large as the missions they had to handle.

From the Demonic Sea to the Great Wall, and across the entire northern expanse.

With fewer than 500 people to oversee such an immense region, the manpower was woefully insufficient.

No matter how often they requested reinforcements, the Central Intelligence Bureau and the Senate always reacted with reluctance.

Although they claimed a shortage of talent as the official reason,

everyone knew that political maneuvering was the true cause.

Because of this, the White Armored Dragon Cavalry constantly struggled with a lack of manpower.

And right now, it was no different.

Despite the death of the commander of the 5th unit, instead of mobilizing the entire force for revenge, they simply replenished the unit with new recruits and prepared for a counterattack.

If something similar had occurred in another unit, people would have been gossiping about how the discipline of the entire force was crumbling.

“You know this well, but we can’t entrust major responsibilities to the recruits just yet. For this mission, make sure they only engage in reconnaissance or support. Even with that, they’ll learn a lot after experiencing real combat at least once.”

“Understood.”

After the subordinate bowed and left, Julius turned his chair around and looked out the window.

The blue sky seemed especially indifferent today.

“An 89% probability… So, there’s still an 11% chance he’s alive. Even if he’s hurt, just stay alive, old man.”

Julius thought of Trainer’s face, who used to constantly nag him with stubborn comments, then suddenly, Theo came to mind.

Wouldn’t the young master from the Camellia Palace, who had always shown surprising miracles, perhaps display another one this time…?

But that thought only lasted a moment.

Julius let out a soft chuckle.

‘Seems like I’m feeling quite hopeless too.’

Even if it was Theo, there were limits to what could be expected.

It was an absurd hope, even by his own standards.

What was he expecting from a trainee who had just turned fifteen?

And yet.

What if… What if a miracle did happen?

Click!

Julius unlocked the tightly sealed drawer in his desk and pulled out a booklet from inside.

It was the secret manual the Lord of Plum Blossom Palace had handed him, speaking of a shared destiny.

‘I hope this could somehow help that miracle come to pass.’

He gently rang the bell on his desk.

Ding!

A knight who had been waiting outside entered the room.

“You called for me?”

“Bring Evelyn to me.”

* * *

– By three days before the official mission begins, all assigned snipers must ensure that basic training is completed for their assistants.

Evelyn’s orders, given along with the mission announcement, caused an uproar in the 5th unit.

No matter how rushed the situation, the instructions seemed utterly unreasonable this time.

However, orders were orders.

Even if there was dissent, a command that had not been rescinded had to be followed.

Thus, the designation of supervisors for the three new recruits was swiftly made, and Theo followed his own supervisor to the training grounds located in one part of the White Dragon’s Nest.

‘What on earth could it be? A mission urgent enough to involve recruits who haven’t even received proper training yet?’

Evelyn, citing security reasons, had not shared any details about the mission until it officially began. As a result, Theo could only keep sifting through the knowledge from his previous life.

However, nothing significant came to mind for this particular time period.

This only deepened his concerns.

The one thing that did seem to stand out was just one incident.

‘The Northern hostage crisis involving the Ceres Trading Company.’

The Ceres Trading Company had clashed with Theo about six months ago during the Gathering of the Hidden Dragons banquet. It was, in fact, closely linked to Ed Troyban and the House of Troyban from behind the scenes.

Still, outwardly, it appeared to be a northern trading group that pledged loyalty to Ragnar.

But around this time, while engaged in business, they suddenly became involved in a hostage situation with a band of thieves known by the unfamiliar name “Black Skull.”

At that time, the 5th unit of the White Armored Dragon Cavalry had been deployed, rescuing all the hostages and wiping out the band of thieves, concluding the matter.

In the harsh northern territories, it was one of the many common incidents that occurred due to the tough living conditions. Neither Ragnar nor the White Armored Dragon Cavalry paid much attention to it.

However,

‘Much later, Black Snow discovered something. Among the goods the Ceres Trading Company was transporting during that business trip was none other than the Dragon Slayer Sword. Because of this, the House of Ragnar was forced to deal with a major crisis.’

A few years from now, Ed Troyban would attempt a coup.

By putting his nephew, Axion Ragnar, forward as the new head of the family, Ed, with the help of the Central Intelligence Bureau, would cause massive administrative paralysis, cutting Winterer off completely from the outside world and causing irreparable damage.

At that time, several elders and senior members residing in Winterer stepped up to subdue Ed, but all of them lost their heads.

This wasn’t just due to Ed’s skill, but also because of the weapon he wielded, which was a natural enemy to the Ragnar family.

The Dragon Slayer Sword, Balmung.

A cursed sword with history and mystery, said to have been used to slay a Dark Dragon during ancient mythological times.

With this sword, Ed had managed to push the coup to the brink of success.

‘Though my father and the Black Dragon eventually subdued him… the damage was undeniably great.’

There had even been speculation afterward that if Black Snow had uncovered the existence of the Dragon Slayer Sword during the hostage crisis, much of the damage caused later could have been avoided.

‘But unlike my past life, Axion is no longer here. The pretext for a coup has vanished… So, what kind of change has this caused?’

Ed Troyban was so insidious in his schemes and plots that even the Black Dragon found him chillingly cunning.

Therefore, with his pawn, Axion, gone, it wouldn’t be surprising if he had altered his original plans in a different direction.

In fact, when Theo had refused the position of Deputy Director, the look in Ed’s eyes had been anything but ordinary…

‘If this really is a butterfly effect caused by that refusal, I need to see how things have changed with my own eyes.’

Theo knew he was bound to clash with Ed Troyban again, repeatedly. He needed to keep track of Ed’s every move. Perhaps, depending on the situation, he might even need to strike first.

“Alright, now I’ll teach you how to mount the saddle and fix the reins.”

At that moment, Theo was pulled back to reality by his supervisor’s loud voice.

“No matter how much training they’ve had since they were young, wyverns inherently hate being restrained. Being weighed down makes flying harder for them. That’s why a ‘partnership’ with a wyvern begins with the saddle and reins.”

Selperd Gardner.

Theo’s assigned supervisor was fully focused on his explanation, his usual humor completely gone. He knew that if they didn’t take this basic training seriously, it could lead to a crisis in actual combat.

And not just for themselves—other comrades could be put in danger as well.

“Alright, give it a try.”

Theo nodded, picking up the saddle and approaching Umbra.

Umbra immediately backed away, squinting in displeasure.

Grrrr…!

A low growl, like the sound of phlegm bubbling in its throat, rumbled from the wyvern.

But for some reason, Theo got the strong impression that Umbra wasn’t grumbling about the saddle in his hands, but rather at him.

“What’s wrong? Are you mad because I left you alone yesterday without staying with you?”

Keeek!

Umbra spread its wings wide, flapping them noisily.

It looked like it was about to lunge at Theo, prompting Selperd to move in, but Theo held up a hand, signaling that it was fine.

“So that’s it, huh? You’re sulking because I left?”

Kek! Keeek!

Umbra flapped its wings even more furiously, as if demanding, “Do you even need to ask?”

Pfft!

Theo couldn’t help but let out a small laugh.

Keeek!

Umbra protested again, as if asking, “Are you seriously laughing right now?”

“Oh, my bad, my bad. Haha!”

Keeek!

Theo simply couldn’t stop laughing. The contrast between Umbra’s menacing appearance and its adorably petty complaints was just too amusing to resist.

Of course, Umbra was utterly exasperated.

But at the same time, Theo could understand why Umbra was upset.

Having spent its whole life without family or friends, Umbra had finally made a friend, only to have him suddenly leave and go home without saying anything.

It must have worried all night, wondering if it had been abandoned again.

“I’m sorry. I should have been more considerate. I won’t leave you behind like that anymore.”

Keeeek!

Umbra let out a screech and turned its head sharply to the side, visibly sulking.

– Do you think a simple apology is enough?!

Theo realized he would need to bring out his secret weapon to soothe Umbra’s anger.

“Oh no, this won’t do… I actually brought a gift for Umbra, but I guess I’ll have to take it back now.”

With an overly theatrical tone, Theo turned his back, pretending to rummage through something.

Flinch!

Umbra, who had turned away, twitched slightly.

“It’s a really expensive pearl necklace. What should I do with it, huh?”

Trying to pretend it wasn’t interested, Umbra’s pupils secretly darted toward Theo.

Theo held the pearl necklace that Cecilia had given him.

Shiver!

Umbra’s pupils trembled slightly at the sight.

“Oh, I heard the Commander’s Gula likes things like this. Should I just give it to them ins—”

Keeeek!

Suddenly, Umbra flapped its wings in a panic.

No! Stop!

Theo turned back with a mischievous grin.

“Or… would you rather have it?”

Keeek! Keeek!

Umbra nodded vigorously, as if worried Theo might change his mind.

Still smiling, Theo hung the pearl necklace alongside the one already draped around Umbra’s neck.

Umbra’s mood immediately brightened, and it spent a long time playing with the necklace using its claws.

In the meantime, Theo successfully fastened the saddle and reins onto Umbra’s shoulders.

“…What on earth did you do?”

Selperd, who had been watching the whole scene, was completely dumbfounded.

Even for partners, it normally took at least two weeks to get a wyvern accustomed to a saddle and reins.

Yet, Theo had managed to do it within just a few hours.

Because of that, Selperd couldn’t help but drop his serious demeanor and revert to his usual self.

“I’m not sure. It just worked.”

Theo quietly shrugged his shoulders.

“…Haven’t you heard people say that to you before?”

“What do you mean?”

“That you’re annoying.”

Theo just smiled silently in response.

After that, Selperd continued with the rest of the basic training.

Theo absorbed the tactical strategies unique to the White Armored Dragon Cavalry, their command structure, the characteristics of each unit, formation theories, and emergency protocols at an impressive speed. Fortunately, thanks to his past life experience working with Black Snow, he didn’t face any significant difficulties.

On the other hand, Selperd, who had no idea about Theo’s previous life, could only come to one conclusion.

‘This kid is a genius! And not just any genius—one born specifically for the White Armored Dragon Cavalry! I have to protect him no matter what! I can’t let anyone else take him! You’re mine, Theo Ragnarrrrr!’

The arrival of such a talented assistant would significantly boost the supervisor’s performance and evaluation scores.

Already, Arin and the other recruits were practically drooling over Theo, eager to snatch him up.

But Selperd had made up his mind—no matter what happened, he had to keep Theo as his assistant.

Fwoosh!

Selperd’s eyes blazed with determination, the intensity almost palpable.

Theo, feeling an unexpected chill, instinctively flinched.

And so, time flew by in a flash.

Three days later.

“We’re moving out.”

At Evelyn’s command, the 5th unit of the White Armored Dragon Cavalry, including Theo, began their deployment.