Chapter 553 - 421: Seagull Port and the White Siblings
Raylo looked at the man before him.
He looked to be in his early forties and possessed the strength of a Domain Knight.
But he carried none of the vibrant spirit of a young expert, only an unshakeable weight.
Just as Raylo was about to speak, another figure emerged from the tent.
It was a young woman, who looked to be a few years older than Raylo.
She too wore a suit of Leather Armor. Her short, neat black hair made her look all the more dashing and formidable.
Her face also showed fatigue, but her big, bright eyes held a livelier spark than her brother’s.
"Freya White," she introduced herself, her voice crisp and clear.
She was also a Domain Level Knight, yet she was almost unreasonably young for it.
She walked to Hank’s side, standing shoulder-to-shoulder with him, and also studied Raylo with a scrutinizing gaze.
"Count Raylo."
"Crown Prince of the Thunder Dragon Duchy, the rising star of the Continent’s younger generation. News of that Knight tournament not long ago spread far and wide. Many Knights from our own Seagull Port went to your territory in search of hope and a future!" Freya said.
Raylo nodded.
"It seems you are very well-informed, Miss White."
"In these ruins, if we don’t keep our eyes wide and our ears open, we won’t even know what killed us."
Freya’s tone was calm, yet tinged with a hint of bitterness.
She paused, her gaze sharpening.
"So, Count Raylo. A great personage such as yourself, why have you come alone to these ruins—a place even the seagulls won’t land—instead of enjoying the comforts of your own territory?"
Raylo met Freya’s sharp gaze and replied calmly.
"Because I need a seaport."
The answer was direct and frank.
"Black Stone Territory needs trade, and it needs to develop. And Seagull Port is the best harbor in the Northern Territory, even if it’s a ruin now."
A flash of derision crossed Freya’s eyes.
"A ruin with a Catastrophe Level Magical Beast blocking its gate can hardly satisfy Lord Earl’s great ambitions, I’m afraid."
"A Catastrophe Level Magical Beast is indeed a problem."
His gaze went past the two siblings, drifting toward the seemingly calm, azure sea in the distance.
"The Legendary Pirate King’s Contracted Magical Beast, seeking revenge for its master, summoned a tsunami and destroyed this seaport."
"Your ships cannot set sail. Supplies from the outside world cannot get in. You are like prisoners trapped in these ruins, able only to watch as your food runs out, watch as hope is ground away bit by bit, until finally, you rot and perish along with this city."
Raylo’s words struck the hearts of the White Siblings like a heavy hammer.
He was speaking the truth.
It was the most desperate reality they had faced every single day for the past six months.
Hank’s face, which had been forcing a resolute expression, instantly crumbled, consumed by endless pain and powerlessness.
He wanted to retort but could find no reason to.
"Enough!"
Freya cut Raylo off with a low shout.
Her eyes were also a little red, but her gaze remained calm.
She looked at Raylo, took a deep breath, and asked.
"You’ve said so much. Now, you can tell me your purpose. Count Raylo, what do you want?"
"It’s simple."
Raylo finally laid his cards on the table.
"I will help you rebuild Seagull Port. Furthermore, I will provide the protection of a Catastrophe Level Power for the rebuilt port."
The protection of a Catastrophe Level Power!
Those words made Freya’s breath catch in her throat.
"In exchange," Raylo said.
"Seagull Port must be annexed into Black Stone Territory and become part of my domain."
A dead silence fell over the entrance to the tent.
Only the sound of the sea breeze MOANING through the ruins could be heard.
Freya’s heart was pounding violently.
She looked at the calm, young Count before her as if she were seeing a faint glimmer of light piercing through endless darkness.
Rebuilding their home and gaining the protection of a Catastrophe Level Power.
The temptation was simply too great.
So great that it was enough for her to overlook the harsh condition of being "annexed into Black Stone Territory."
She could feel that she was tempted.
However, her brother Hank, who was beside her, suddenly snapped his head up.
"I refuse!"
His voice was hoarse yet resolute.
"Seagull Port is the foundation the White Family has protected for generations! It was paid for with the lives and blood of my father and my grandfather! I will never hand it over to anyone!"
A nearly fanatical Flame burned in his eyes.
"Even if I die in battle here, even if I am destroyed along with this city, I will never give up its sovereignty!"
This was his bottom line, his final pride as the heir to the White Family.
Freya’s heart sank.
She knew her brother’s temperament.
The negotiations seemed to have reached a stalemate.
The atmosphere instantly dropped to a freezing point.
A hint of helplessness flashed in Freya’s eyes. She understood her brother. Behind his seemingly stubborn insistence lay centuries of their family’s heritage and glory.
It was a line he would never, ever cross.
However, to her surprise, Raylo didn’t get angry at Hank’s vehement reaction.
There wasn’t even a trace of displeasure on his face.
He just watched Hank quietly.
"I understand your conviction, Hank White."
Raylo began to speak slowly, his voice calm and full of sincerity.
"A Lord who doesn’t know how to protect his own home isn’t worthy of anyone’s respect. Your resolve is the very thing that proves I haven’t come to the wrong person."