Chapter 334: The Value of Beluga Island

Night fell, and the group rested on Whale Island.

The entire island had been secured; their fate awaited them—transport back to Oxhorn Bay for trial.

Yet under David and Tom’s interrogations, six individuals stood out from the captives.

They were all ordinary people.

Two were craftsmen who had helped build the pier; one had basic experience inspecting and maintaining vessels; the remaining three were skilled swimmers.

After consulting with Lady Misi, Roning removed these six from the prisoner list. They would be taken back to Ubei Domain, like Captain Vik, to serve Roning.

Magic lamps bathed the room in brilliant light.

Roning spread out the map Branci had given him on the table, marking the approximate location of Whale Island.

The island held no mineral resources; its only notable specialty might be the few coconut trees scattered across its surface.

But Whale Island had value.

Its southwestern coastal waters were ideal for anchoring large vessels—likely the very reason the Whale Pirates had chosen it as their base.

“This island has little economic potential, but it can serve as a maritime outpost.”

Roning gazed toward the lower right corner of the map—the region where the Screaming Archipelago lay.

Farther up to the left lay the direction of Torrent Island.

If Roning could secure the rights to Whale Island, he might one day use it as a springboard for swift southern expansion.

“If I propose to His Majesty,” he mused, “would he be willing to grant me this island alongside Torrent Island as part of my domain?”

He decided to try. If refused, he could still attempt to lease it.

An undeveloped island like this shouldn’t cost much.

And even if both options failed, it didn’t matter.

Whale Island currently belonged to the Crown. Unless one were a pirate, no noble would ever consider developing it. For a long time to come, it would remain unclaimed.

As long as no new owner emerged, Roning had his chance.

BOOM!

A thunderous roar shook the wooden building, making its beams tremble. Roning looked up through the eastern window and saw a brilliant violet-red glow flare in the distance.

It lasted only two or three seconds—like a sudden lightning bolt splitting the stormy sky, illuminating the earth in an instant.

It was Melornica practicing his secret art.

Roning rolled up the map and walked toward the area where Melornica trained.

On the empty beach, Melornica focused intently on the Fire-Dance Thunder Slash.

Since acquiring the technique from Rulans, he had trained for nearly ten days, yet mastery still eluded him.

Fusing the two elemental auras required countless repetitions, and his limited stamina and mental endurance restricted how often he could attempt it.

“One more time!”

Melornica raised his sword, one hand crackling with lightning, the other blazing with fire. The two auras clung to the blade, unable to escape, swirling together as if devouring each other.

Purple and crimson light bathed the shore. Roning could sense the immense energy churning behind the glow.

Suddenly—

BOOM!

The energies bound to the blade could no longer be contained. They erupted skyward in a blinding flash, illuminating the surroundings as bright as noon.

“Huff… breathe… huff… breathe…”

Melornica gasped for air. That was enough for tonight.

“My Lord, I felt an unshakable power within that beam of light.”

Melornica sheathed his sword. “An incomplete technique is not worth mentioning. And you may simply call me by name.”

“Very well, Mr. Melornica.”

Roning smiled. “My grandfather says you seem uninterested in titles.”

Melornica turned toward the sea, its surface black and endless. “I prefer pursuing greater strength and the thrill of battle over becoming a noble or managing and expanding a domain.”

“The enemies of Ushan Domain are many. It is indeed a fitting place for you.”

Melornica’s gaze grew distant.

“When I was young, war raged everywhere. Bandits and rebels burned, killed, and looted. My parents died in that chaos. Lord Rulans saved me—and I joined his knight squad by default.”

He paused, glancing back at Roning. “So while I enjoy strength and battle, my true reason for staying in Ushan Domain is gratitude—for Rulans’ life-saving grace and for raising me.”

He had been secretly courted by other nobles many times—some offering conditions far superior to Ushan Castle.

Yet he remained a knight of honor, bound by loyalty and thankfulness.

Roning said, “Some say you are cold and aloof, but I see a man with deep emotion.”

Still, he sensed the unspoken weight in Melornica’s words and asked, “My grandfather’s health is failing. Miloslav says he may have only seven or eight years left. What will you do after he passes?”

Melornica frowned. The thought of Rulans’ dwindling time darkened his mood.

“I will entrust the domain to my son, Taelan. The Teller family will continue to serve Ushan Castle—or whomever Rulans appoints. As for me…”

Melornica’s eyes gleamed with icy resolve. “I will leave Ushan Domain. I will become an assassin—and make those who betrayed the Marquis pay with their lives.”

This answer startled Roning.

“You plan to assassinate Duke Vira?”

Roning revealed, “Branci told me that Andreia is no longer a Meteor Knight.”

“Has he broken through?” Melornica asked, surprised.

Roning nodded. “They say he became a Silver Moon Knight two years ago. But he has never publicly acknowledged or revealed his power, so it’s uncertain.”

Melornica found it entirely plausible.

“Andreia’s talent was only slightly inferior to the Marquis’s. At seventy, becoming a Silver Moon Knight is possible.”

His voice carried a hint of bitterness.

Compared to Meteor Knights, Silver Moon Knights possessed enhanced physical strength, endurance, speed, explosive power—and could briefly hover in midair.

With his current power, assassinating Andreia was impossible.

“I believe we will have opportunities to work together,” Roning said. “What Duke Vira did to our Ushan family must one day be repaid.”

Melornica heard the subtle invitation. He replied coolly, “I serve Lord Rulans. My loyalty belongs to the Ushan family. I do not wish for the Marquis’s bloodline to turn against each other after his death—even to the point of fratricide.”

“No, no, no—you misunderstand me.”

Roning shook his head with a smile. “My enemy has never been Bretton. And I believe Bretton holds no hatred toward me. Moreover, I have a solid chance of freeing my grandfather from his illness.”

Melornica spun around sharply. “Really?”

“Fifty percent certainty,” Roning declared with unwavering conviction.

Melonica scrutinized Rongning with meticulous care, as if determining just how credible those words truly were.

After a long while, he solemnly said, “If you can cure the Marquis, I will seriously consider partnering with you.” (End of chapter)