SSS Talent: From Trash to Tyrant

Chapter 456: Chapter 456: Sylvar’s Funeral [VII]

’What do you mean?’

Caelvyrn looked at him in silence for a brief moment before answering. ’Exactly what I said. Obviously I was not the only one watching the war. Everyone had eyes on it, rulers, nobles, hidden people, all of them waiting to see what would happen. That part is normal.’ His violet eyes remained fixed on Trafalgar. ’What was not normal was noticing another Primordial watching it as well.’

That made Trafalgar’s expression shift at last. Lysandra, still unable to hear anything, watched from the side with growing tension.

’There was another person of my bloodline there?’

’Yes. Only one. But yes.’ Caelvyrn’s tone remained calm, though something heavier sat underneath it now. ’I imagine that person may have detected the woman. Closing the Rifts that way was not something small. Anyone tied to that kind of power would notice it sooner or later.’

Trafalgar did not interrupt him.

’And on top of that, there is the matter of that Void Creature,’ Caelvyrn continued, his expression turning more serious. ’Honestly, I do not feel like seeing the same kind of thing that happened millennia ago happen again. Once was more than enough for me.’

That line settled in Trafalgar’s mind more heavily than the rest. The war had already ended, a week had passed, the dead were being buried, and yet this conversation made one thing painfully clear. That battle had not only changed the political balance of the continent. It had drawn attention from things far older.

’That is why I want to speak seriously with the girl,’ Caelvyrn said at last.

Trafalgar said nothing for a moment. But he understood now that this was no whim, nor some strange curiosity on the dragon’s part.

Another Primordial. The woman. The Void Creature. Things tied to events from millennia ago. None of that sounded like something to dismiss lightly, and Caelvyrn did not seem like he was exaggerating. If anything, the dragon looked more serious than Trafalgar had ever seen him. That alone was enough.

’You know the Council will be held soon, right?’ Trafalgar asked at last.

’Of course I know.’

’Then it will have to be after that. Once I return, the Council will probably happen shortly after. When it ends, we can meet in Velkaris.’ His eyes moved over Caelvyrn’s current appearance for a brief second. ’And try to fix yourself a little. You cannot keep walking around looking like that.’

For the first time since the conversation had turned serious, Caelvyrn gave a faint smile. ’Hey, I call this a modern look.’ He let the joke settle and fade on its own. ’I’m joking. But yes, I know what you mean. Very well. We will meet after the Council.’

His gaze shifted briefly toward Lysandra before returning to Trafalgar. ’And about your sister...’

’She will not say anything. Do not worry,’ Trafalgar replied calmly.

Caelvyrn studied him for a moment, then gave a small nod.

’There is a place in Velkaris,’ Trafalgar continued. ’It used to belong to two owners named Arden and Marella. Find that place and keep an eye on it from time to time. If you see me there, go in.’

’A quiet arrangement. I like it.’

’It is better that way.’

’Agreed.’

For a brief second neither of them said anything more. The tension from before had not disappeared, but it had changed shape. This was no longer just a strange meeting high above the mountain. It had become an understanding.

Caelvyrn finally inclined his head slightly. ’Very well. I will see you then, Trafalgar.’

’See you.’

’Until then.’

Caelvyrn did not leave through the hole in the wall. The breach had already been repaired so cleanly it looked as if it had never existed. Instead he walked toward the platform, reached one of the unconscious guards, and casually lifted the man’s hand to press it against the mechanism. The elevator activated at once. Caelvyrn stepped onto it without another word, and the platform began descending. A short while later it returned on its own, the guard standing there again as if nothing had happened.

Only after the dragon was truly gone did Lysandra finally speak. ”Are you alright?” The concern in her voice was no longer hidden. ”Is this really safe? That was something very dangerous, Trafalgar.”

”Do not worry. Nothing would have happened. He is a decent type.”

Lysandra studied his face for a second. ”How do you know him?”

”I met him in Euclid,” Trafalgar said, then corrected himself almost immediately. ”No. Better said, do you remember that dragon we saw when we were traveling on old Alfred’s flying ship? That was Caelvyrn.”

Lysandra blinked once, then nodded slowly. ”I see. It seems he is interested in you.”

Trafalgar let out the faintest breath through his nose. ”After the war, I think everyone is interested in me.”

There was a trace of dryness in the line, but also something more tired underneath it. Lysandra noticed. Her expression softened slightly. ”But you are fine, right?”

”Yes. Everything is under control.”

’At least for now.’

After saying that, he realized something. Lysandra had not asked what they had spoken about. Not once. She had clearly wanted to, but she held herself back. Trafalgar understood why. She was trying not to push too hard, trying to earn his trust without forcing it. He looked at her in silence for a moment before saying, ”Thank you.”

Lysandra smiled faintly. ”It seems you noticed that I do not want to bother you too much.” Her voice turned slightly firmer. ”I will not say anything. But if this becomes truly dangerous, I will not be able to stay silent.”

”That is fine. But for now, trust me. There is no war, nothing strange happening right now. He only wanted to speak to me about the war.”

It was only part of the truth, but enough.

”I see,” Lysandra said. ”Thank you for telling me.”

A moment later the guards began to stir. The first one inhaled sharply, then the others followed almost at the same time, their movements abrupt as if they had been pulled back into their bodies rather than waking naturally. Steel rang out as swords were drawn at once, eyes sweeping over the repaired wall, the floor, the platform, and finally stopping on the only two people still standing there.

The guard who had brought them up stepped forward first, still tense. ”What happened?”

”Relax.” The word came out calm, but there was enough weight behind it that the man stopped immediately. Trafalgar looked at the group for a brief second before continuing. ”Nothing happened. I expect you all understand what I mean by that.”

The five soldiers looked at one another, then back at him. They were not fools. Whatever had happened here was something they were not supposed to speak of, and the fact that the place looked perfectly intact only made the meaning clearer.

”The site is fine. No one noticed anything. None of you will have any problems either, as long as you keep your mouths shut. Now guide us back down.”

The guard swallowed, then nodded at once. ”Understood.”

None of them asked anything else after that. They stepped onto the platform together and descended in silence. By the time they reached the lower level, the matter already felt buried beneath the mountain along with everything else that was never meant to be spoken aloud.

Once they were back below and ready to part ways, Trafalgar let out a small yawn. ”Good night, Lysandra.”

”Good night, Trafalgar.” She paused, as if only just remembering. ”By the way, my father wants to see you tomorrow.”

Trafalgar glanced at her. ”Did he say why?”

”I think he wants to give you something.”

That made his eyes narrow slightly, though only for a moment. ”I see. Thanks for telling me.”