Returning to Shore

Capricorn's voice dissipated above the isolated island, carrying a trace of melancholy that even it could not fully comprehend.

“Missing without a trace...”

Klein repeated those words. His mental exhaustion made the scenery before him sway slightly, yet his taut nerves did not relax in the slightest.

The Dragon had vanished.

This sounded like a massive lead had been cut off.

However, Klein did not feel this was bad news.

In fact, it was quite the opposite.

His impression of this “Dragon” was actually quite positive. Whether it was the legends of ancient wisdom and power from his past life’s memories or the tip of the iceberg he had seen in those brief dreams, everything pointed to an existence entirely different from the chaos and devouring nature of the other entities.

Furthermore...

Klein’s fingertips unconsciously brushed against each other. He thought back to that incredibly complex segment of information he had never been able to decode.

In the past, he had been limited by his technology and understanding, lacking the means to unravel it.

But things were different now.

After briefly touching the realm of “godhood” and conducting a mad alchemical experiment using the entire ocean as his material, his horizons and knowledge system had undergone a world-shaking transformation.

The first thing he would do after returning was to crack it.

Klein finalized the plan in his mind. Perhaps everything regarding that “Dragon” and the deeper secrets of the will of the deep sea lay within that data.

His thoughts wandered for only a moment before being pulled back to reality by the strength of Ophelia’s hand supporting his arm. He looked up, his gaze locking once more onto Capricorn’s semi-transparent phantom. His voice was hoarse, yet it carried an unquestionable decisiveness.

“You may stay.”

Capricorn’s phantom stabilized for an instant at those words.

“However, there are conditions,” Klein continued, each word seemingly squeezed through his teeth as he spent what little energy he had left. “You will reside within Aphros’s soul. This requires her personal consent. If she agrees, I will place a ‘lock’ upon her soul.”

“A lock?” For the first time, a hint of wariness entered Capricorn’s tone.

“An alchemical shackle.” Klein’s lips curled into a cold, alchemist’s smile. “It will not affect your thoughts, nor will it erase your sense of self. But it will guarantee that you cannot harm your host, cannot violate her will, and certainly cannot use her to cause any form of... pollution to this world.”

He paused before adding a final point.

“Should you violate this, the shackle will instantly decompose your existence, reducing you to the purest form of energy. Just as I did to that stretch of sea moments ago.”

A threat.

A naked, blatant threat.

Capricorn fell silent. It could sense that this man, who appeared to be on the verge of collapse, was not lying. The source of power rooted in his soul—the same power shared by the “Divine Apostle” Ophelia—was the best proof of his capability.

“I... We accept.” After a long silence, Capricorn spoke with difficulty. For beings that craved “existence,” living under conditions was far better than total annihilation.

Klein nodded and stopped looking at it, turning his gaze toward the petite figure that had been curled on the ground from the beginning.

Aphros.

She was still hugging her knees, trembling all over like a fledgling bird drenched by a storm. Her gray-green vertical slit pupils were filled with tears and terror.

Ophelia knelt down and, in her gentlest voice, explained Klein’s plan and Capricorn’s request in a way Aphros could understand.

“...They want to live inside your body, like tenants,” Ophelia said, softly stroking the girl’s hair. “Klein will lock the door to make sure they don’t do anything bad. But the final decision must be yours. If you don’t want to, Klein can make them disappear right now. Forever.”

Aphros looked up, gazing tearfully at Ophelia before looking at the nearby Klein, whose face was as pale as paper.

She didn’t understand concepts like order or chaos.

She only knew that the monster called Capricorn had said they were like her—that they all came from the deep sea.

Were they kin?

She remembered the loneliness of her birth and the twisted, mad companions she had seen in the ocean.

Did they... also not want to be like that?

Did they also want to... live properly?

Aphros lowered her head, looking at her smooth, human feet. Mr. Klein had given her these. And now, he had given her the right to choose.

After a long time, she spoke in a voice as thin as a mosquito's buzz, heavy with a nasal tone from crying:

“I... agree.”

This decision surprised even Ophelia, but she didn't ask further, simply nodding with respect.

Klein walked over.

He did not chant any complex incantations, nor did he draw an intricate array. He simply extended a finger, and a faint light—a mixture of blue and gold—lit up at the tip.

That light connected to himself at one end and to Ophelia beside him at the other.

This was a trace of the authority left behind from when he had used his brief divine level of existence to bestow the status of “Divine Apostle” upon Ophelia.

He lightly tapped this trace of authority against the center of Aphros’s brow.

The light flashed and vanished, transforming into an extremely complex mark that resembled a miniature star chart before sinking beneath her skin.

It was done.

From this moment on, every existence residing within her would be constrained by this power derived from Klein and Ophelia. Aphros’s will was now the supreme law.

Just then, an alchemical gadget at Klein’s waist gave a slight vibration.

It was a communication from Nelisa.

Klein connected the call. Nelisa’s voice came through immediately against a background of noisy voices and crashing waves, though her tone had returned to its usual composure.

“Mr. Klein, the fleet is gathering at Silver Scale Harbor. The Emperor’s orders are to ensure the safety of the chamber’s vessels and to rest in the port after taking an inventory of the losses. If you are willing, you can meet us directly at the harbor.”

“...Fine,” Klein replied with a single word before cutting the connection.

He needed rest, and he needed a place to handle the many affairs following this great battle. Silver Scale Harbor was the best choice.

He patted the silver dragon’s neck.

The dragon let out a low rumble and submissively lowered its head, allowing Ophelia to support Klein as they climbed onto its broad back along with a still-dazed Aphros.

Wings unfurled, and a powerful current of air kicked up the fine sand on the beach.

Carrying the three of them, the silver dragon took flight toward the continent.

The high-altitude wind was as sharp as a blade. Ophelia held Klein tightly in her arms, using her own body to shield him from the cold currents. She could clearly feel the weakness of his body and his uncontrollable, slight trembling; her heart clenched with worry.

“When we reach Silver Scale Harbor, don’t worry about anything. Go to sleep immediately,” she whispered into his ear, her tone firm.

Klein closed his eyes and didn't answer, simply burying his head deeper into the crook of her shoulder, drawing in the warmth and fragrance that brought him peace of mind.

After an unknown amount of time, the familiar silhouette of Silver Scale Harbor appeared on the horizon.

Inside and outside the port, the Imperial fleet and the ships of the Silver Scale Chamber of Commerce were crowded together, their masts like a forest. Countless soldiers and sailors were busy on the decks, repairing ship damage and moving supplies—the entire harbor was a scene of post-disaster activity.

The silver dragon did not land immediately, but instead circled high in the sky.