Above The Sky
Chapter 265 - 265 252 Identity Exposed 13

265: Chapter 252 Identity Exposed (1/3) 265: Chapter 252 Identity Exposed (1/3) Watching Green Tide suddenly lose control of his emotions, Ian was first puzzled, then seemed to grasp something.

He appeared contemplative and didn’t say much, only quietly stepping back as if he hadn’t witnessed the other’s outburst.

After retreating, he gathered the other decision-makers in the area to inquire about the current situation.

Due to Ian’s strength, as well as Yisen, Iron Hand, and Blue Sail’s return, the young man quickly gained control over the entire territory.

“So three Sublimators had already died or gone missing before?”

Ian’s brows furrowed, not expecting the situation to be so severe.

Originally, the pirates had four Sublimators, and the fifth, the strongest captain along with Shark, had disappeared without a trace.

On the side of the exploration ship, there were five – two were Yisen Gard’s bodyguards, two were skilled individuals summoned by the Platinum Iridium Workshop which included Blue Sail and Green Tide, and one was the ‘Wave Singer’ from the Platinum Iridium Workshop accompanying the ship.

In terms of Sublimators, the exploration ship held the advantage, but the pirates outnumbered them.

Indeed, both sides were hostile toward each other, but they were all followers.

Without the captain and the boss, as well as the pirates’ target missing, there naturally wasn’t much fierce fighting – and not long after, the Aberrant Ape-Beasts and Frost Moths arrived.

A hard battle ensued which left one Sublimator dead on the pirates’ side, and the exploration team’s ‘Wave Singer’ got focused and killed by the Frost Moths due to his inability to summon the tides.

However, it was this difficult fight that dispersed the originally much larger army of Aberrant Beasts, so the intensity of the subsequent attacks wasn’t as great as the first one, making defense not so difficult.

Still, merely defending was not a viable option – Wildfire, another bodyguard of Yisen Gard, volunteered to scout ahead but never returned, most likely having fallen into an ice chasm or been killed by monsters.

The remaining few Sublimators gathered to discuss and agreed this was no solution, hence a few Sublimators from both the pirates and the exploration ship went out to check the situation, hoping to find a way.

The pirate group encountered remnants of the monsters and had to retreat to help Green Tide defend the territory, while those from the exploration ship encountered Ian, who broke the siege.

As for Ian’s strength…

Everyone was observing in secret this person who claimed to be a ‘Wave Singer’ appraiser…

His power was exceptionally strong!

The previous ‘Wave Singer’ was practically useless in the frosty environment, whereas Ian’s power could even mobilize the frost, clearly not the ability of an ordinary ‘Wave Singer’…

perhaps not a ‘Wave Singer’ at all!

“Indeed, there aren’t many cannonballs left.”

Without heeding the unusual glances from the others, Ian summarized the cannonball data and found that the remaining two boxes of cannonballs were likely insufficient to withstand the next attack.

“It’s time to retreat.”

He looked up, his eyes shimmering with Spirit Energy Radiance, and addressed everyone present, “Staying here to clash head-on with endless monsters is the most dangerous option.

Let’s consolidate our resources and prepare to move northwestward.

There should be an exit or a turning point in that direction.”

Though Ian didn’t offer any reason, everyone decided to follow his lead – not only because of his strength, but also because Ian’s tone and confidence indeed had the power to lead people forward in critical moments.

“Yisen, discuss the details with them.

I’ll go see if there’s anything usable left with the exploration ship’s equipment.”

Turning his head, Ian intended to have Yisen coordinate the supplies and manpower – he was quite capable in this regard.

But the blond young man gestured for Ian to come closer and then whispered a secret message to him.

“Huh.”

Ian raised his eyebrows and immediately followed Yisen out of the center of the territory.

Master Gossay had woken up and was lucid, wanting to speak to him about something very secret.

“The teacher said he only wants to see you, and I have no idea what it’s about.”

Although somewhat aggrieved and puzzled, Yisen Gard obediently left at the teacher’s request.

Before leaving, he was instructed by Ian to organize the teams and gather tools.

At this moment, only Master Gossay and Ian were in the cabin.

“You’re finally awake, Master.” The youth walked into the cabin, immediately closing the door behind him to keep out the chill wind.

He turned his head, looked at the white-haired old man, and smiled faintly, “Without your help, our journey would have truly been difficult.”

“Had you not awoken, you might have frozen to death.”

In the cabin, converted from a scouting vessel, the old man warmed himself by the fire, weakly surveying his surroundings.

Then he said to Ian with a smile, “You’ve done quite well, lad.

Your abilities, even those true nobles’ scions, or the attendants of well-known Knight Orders might not possess, can’t simply be explained by talent or as a Chosen One—you must have had a good teacher.”

“When you dealt with those people from Fiery Flame Land, I saw your sword…

let me guess…”

Having said that, the older man closed his mouth, just quietly staring at Ian.

It seemed he wanted to see some shadow of bygone days in the youth, who was just calmly smiling.

The shadow of that glorious era which he himself had once been proud of and dedicated to.

To this, Ian was not surprised in the least, he nodded slightly and said softly, “Is that so?

Even in your old age, you don’t dare speak their names.”

“Even here in the distant South Ridge, far removed from the Imperial Capital, even in this ancient relic isolated from the world.”

“…Hiliard Lesi.

That man was your teacher,” he stated, not provoked but simply convinced of this fact, Master Gossay said the name and then fell silent for a long time.

His expression was indescribably complex, but in the end, he let out a relieved smile, “I didn’t let down the Black King or him back then, and it’s not my place to feel guilt—I couldn’t do anything else anyway.”

Raising his head, Master Gossay gazed at the person before him: “Ian, aren’t you planning to kill me?”

Ian was noncommittal, merely humming lightly, then he walked over to the old man and raised his sword.

The sword was not aimed at the old man’s neck or heart, but positioned to allow the other to see the material of the blade more clearly.

“How can I conceal the material of this sword?”

He asked, “This is the weapon left to me by my teacher.

Ordinary people are fine, but for elders like you, it’s probably a bit conspicuous…

How can I hide this fact?

I don’t have another weapon that’s good enough to use, but I don’t want to reveal my identity so easily either.”

Without any fear, Master Gossay reached out and took the Heavy Abyss Iron Sword from Ian’s hands.

He pondered for a while and then said slowly, “…Indeed, the side sword of the previous generation of the Knight Order of Inspectorate.

Since the First Knight had his own weapon, this ceremonial side sword wasn’t specially treated—it’s just an ordinary side sword for a Great Knight.”

“A whole batch of longswords was supervised and forged under orders by me and my teacher.

Others might not recognize it, but I certainly can.”

Raising his head, the old man looked at Ian again, his expression somewhat dim, “It seems the legend has come to an end, but it has left you behind.”

Ian did not ask Master Gossay how he knew his teacher had passed away.

These older generations might have worked closely together for a long time, or even have enjoyed private drinks and camaraderie—he would not understand what details gave it away.

So he simply said, “Tell me how to conceal my swordsmanship as well.

I believe my swordsmanship has become quite unique and shouldn’t reveal traces of my teacher.”

“Indeed very good,” said Master Gossay without hesitation, offering his advice: “But it’s the details you do too well that give you away.

The swordsmanship is seamless and solid yet not without weight; your offense is quite fierce, but your defense appears too simple and direct, just protecting the vital parts—how is that possible?

At least not for a ‘Wave Singer.’ It was because of this I became suspicious.”

“Moreover, when you piloted the Armor Suit, the fact that Yisen couldn’t integrate the data cables with you…

First Energy Level.

Such physical strength is scarcely found in any Inheritance.”

Speaking of this, the old man’s expression became complicated, as if feeling slightly embarrassed.

But after a short pause, knowing the urgency of their situation, he sighed and continued, “And that sword—honestly, I didn’t faint from the shock of the battle or because of parasites.”

“I purely fainted from the shock of your identity, overcome by turbulent emotions, I passed out.”