Chapter 745: Leaving the Cromwell Kingdom
The room was quiet for a while, and Dorran hadn’t said a single word since Nox asked the question. Whether he didn’t want to talk about it or simply didn’t hear was unknown.
Either way, Nox decided to repeat the question once more just in case he hadn’t heard it properly.
"The statue. Where did you find it?"
Finally, Dorran’s gaze drifted to the window, to the grey sky over Crownhold. A long silence stretched out. It was clearly a question that dug up things he’d rather leave buried. He shifted uncomfortably in his seat.
"It was a long time ago," he said in a low and slow voice.
Nox didn’t push and just waited with a neutral expression on his face. He knew this was sensitive for Dorran, so he preferred the latter reveal things at his own pace.
Dorran let out a short breath and continued. "The ocean. Off the coast of Aetherai. One of the six kingdoms in the human domain."
Nox gave a single nod and glanced at the map Terra had given him. His finger traced the coastline until it found the name: Aetherai. And there, right over its western waters, was one of the marked spots—a small, faded symbol of a beast’s head.
"Aetherai," he murmured, more to himself than to Dorran. A statue, at the bottom of the sea. It didn’t make sense at first for something like that to be there.
Then he thought about the history of Eos—the great wars that had reshaped the continents centuries ago and the disappearance of beast tamer scrolls. Things had been lost, hidden. Purposely sunk, maybe. It was the only conclusion that came to mind.
He rolled the map up, dark eyes fixed on Dorran again as he spoke.
"I’ll make you an offer. Help me find this statue. Do that, and I’ll spare your life."
Dorran laughed, but it had no real humor in it. "An offer? Sounds like a threat. What do I get out of it, besides not being killed by you?"
"You get to keep breathing," Nox replied flatly. The truth was, he had no plan to kill the only other beast tamer he’d ever stumbled across. The man was a resource. But letting him know that would ruin any leverage. Dorran needed to feel the pressure.
The pirate studied him, looking for a bluff. Nox’s face gave nothing away. His shoulders slumped slightly as he sighed. "Fine. I don’t exactly have a choice, do I?"
"No," Nox said simply, getting to his feet. "You don’t."
As King of Cromwell, he couldn’t just disappear. He left Dorran under guard—comfortable guard, but guard nonetheless—and went to find Nathan. He located his grandfather in a hallway.
Nathan listened, and when he was done speaking, asked, "For how long will you be away?"
"I don’t know. I’ll send word when I can," Nox answered.
"Understood. I will keep things in order."
...
Next, he found Nyx and asked her for a sturdy ship at Lumina Bay. Fortunately, because of their trading plans, Aina had a few of those already.
Word traveled fast in the castle about Nox’s plans to leave. Later that day, Akira and Serana found him in his room.
"We heard you’re going on a trip," Akira said, her tone light but her eyes serious.
Nox looked up from the map he was studying. "How did you know?"
"You asked for a ship. You wouldn’t ask for that if you weren’t going anywhere." Akira frowned, folding her arms across her chest.
"Can I tag along?" Serana shyly spoke up.
"I? I thought it was we," Akira frowned.
He thought about it and shook his head. "I don’t want you two in danger, so I’ll have to say no. Besides, I already have a partner."
As he said this, he walked out on them. They tried to persuade him, but it fell on deaf ears.
The following morning, just as Nox was about to leave, someone he hadn’t seen in quite some time approached him.
It was Zarek, the vampire.
"Do you mind if I tag along with you?" he asked.
Unlike the girls, Nox didn’t really see anything wrong with Zarek joining. The man was powerful—perhaps even as strong as him.
"Sure," he nodded with a faint smile.
Dorran was brought in by one of the guards. Together, the three boarded a carriage that headed for Lumina Bay.
As they traveled, Dorran took in the kingdom he had once tried to raid, a newfound wary respect in his eyes. Riding the dragon earlier, he hadn’t really seen much—only an aerial view.
Some time later, they arrived at Lumina Bay, which was several times busier and noisier compared to Crownhold.
There, someone guided them to the port where an impressive vessel was indeed waiting.
It was long and sleek, with dark sails. Aina was waiting on the dock.
"She’s all yours," she said, handing Nox a heavy ring of keys. "Don’t sink her."
"I’ll try," Nox smiled.
Aina attempted to kiss him the way she had when he was little, but he slipped away in time, leaving her frowning as if wronged.
They boarded. The crew—a mix of seasoned Cromwell sailors and a few of Nox’s own soldiers—cast curious glances at Dorran but asked no questions. Orders were orders.
As the ship pulled away from the dock, cutting through the calm waters of the bay, Nox stood at the bow. Dorran came to stand beside him, the wind ruffling his blond hair.
"You never said why you want this statue so badly," Dorran said, breaking the silence.
Nox kept his eyes on the horizon. "It’s important."
"That’s not an answer."
"It’s the only one you’re getting for now."
Dorran scowled but fell quiet. After a minute, he spoke again, his voice lower. "That water... near Aetherai. It’s not friendly. There are currents that can snap a ship in two. And things in the deep that don’t like being disturbed."
"What exactly?"
***
Thanks to all those that still support supreme BeastTamer despite my lacking updates...I really appreciate. Another Chapter coming in few seconds!