Chapter 255

Chapter 255: Journey to the Stormy Region

After removing the giant harpoons nailed to the hull and patching the jagged gaps, the Narwhal Skyship resumed its original course.

Though Victoria briefly considered storming the Rothschild Guild’s headquarters for answers, Midi dismissed her vengeful thoughts with one blunt remark:

“I can’t single-handedly crush the entire Rothschild Guild.”

It was a plain truth.

However strong Midi might be, he remained a lone fighter at level 51.

He could sway battles but couldn’t bear the weight of full-scale war alone.

If he truly possessed power to rival the Sea of Clouds’ greatest factions, he’d have barged into their headquarters and forced them to reveal the Stormy Region route. Why bother with the Sky Arena’s roundabout methods or cautious exchanges with Victoria?

Even the mighty Lord of the Light City had fallen. Midi knew better than to overestimate his limits.

Victory required steady growth of power and alliances—for both him and Victoria.

First, they needed common ground.

“What do you want from me, Mr. Blade?” Victoria cut to the chase. The shrewd heavenly girl had learned quickly: strong men like Midi preferred directness over wordplay.

Her frankness drew a faint smile from Midi. “I’ve heard the Rothschild Guild knows a route through the Stormy Region. Do you have details?”

He already knew the answer.

If her brothers merely wanted the Narwhal’s spices, they’d have raided it on the floating island.

To ruin her, they’d have destroyed her shop.

To kill her, they’d have sunk the Skyship outright.

Their elaborate schemes proved one thing: Victoria guarded a secret worth coveting—the Stormy Region route.

Midi asked anyway to gauge her honesty. Few dared lie under his scrutiny, but fools always existed. Yet Victoria, ever sharp, understood concealment was pointless.

“You’re right,” she admitted freely. “The Spice Route—my grandfather’s legacy, now mine—is the Guild’s greatest secret.”

“The Spice Route.” Midi echoed.

Centuries ago, this path through the Stormy Region’s shifting heart had built the Rothschild fortune. Even a novice like him grasped its value: slashing time and costs for spice shipments, doubling already staggering profits.

No wonder her brothers deployed eight Skyships to seize it.

Likely, the Guild’s higher-ups approved—who’d trust their greatest treasure to an eighteen-year-old girl?

Women were always sensitive. Victoria must have sensed the mounting pressures from multiple fronts and the silent approval from above, which drove her to desperately seek outside assistance, ultimately pulling Midi into the vortex of internal conflicts within the Rothschild Guild.

Truth be told, luck played no small part in Midi reaching the core of matters at this moment.

Yet wasn’t this also proof of his capabilities?

Had he not spent over a year navigating the Sea of Clouds, he would never have incidentally absorbed the Rothschild Guild’s secrets. Without sufficient strength, he wouldn’t have caught Victoria’s attention. Without extraordinary power, he couldn’t have turned the tables, nor earned the privilege of being served fine black tea by old steward Lund as an honored guest.

It all came back to Arad’s traditional proverb – opportunities favor the prepared.

When Victoria admitted the Spice Route’s existence and confirmed it was under her control, Midi maintained his calm exterior but secretly sighed in relief.

He’d abandoned Sky City’s administration and the Hawk Brigade’s development for a full year of exploration. Now he finally grasped the thread he needed.

As for costs? Midi never lacked resources in that regard.

"Since Lady Victoria speaks plainly, let’s be direct." Midi’s tone remained even. "I must obtain the Spice Route. Name your terms."

Victoria paled slightly at these words. Beside her, loyal steward Lund’s face wrinkled like a dried walnut.

With one sentence, this man sought to claim the Guild’s greatest secret held for centuries. None would keep composure facing such demand.

Yet Victoria knew refusal wasn’t an option. She owed Midi heavy debts of gratitude, and more crucially – only through his power could she oppose her brothers while the Guild stayed silent, securing her path into the Higher-ups.

"No terms required." Victoria drew deep breath. "If Mr. Blade desires the Spice Route, I relinquish it willingly. By Victoria Rothschild’s name, I’ll withdraw and transfer all intelligence to you."

"Interesting." Midi’s eyebrows rose before he smiled. "You misunderstand, Lady Victoria. I’ve no interest in spice transport – keep your trade. I simply require control of the route itself."

Truthfully, the Guild’s involvement suited Midi perfectly.

Hadn’t this same Victoria maintained supply lines for the Stormy Region expeditionary troops seven years later in his past life? Now entering the Stormy Region himself, he needed strong backing.

For Victoria, retrieving what she’d steeled herself to lose brought instant relief. The flawless business genius momentarily dropped her guard.

"My mistake." Victoria sipped black tea, composure returning. "You seek passage through the Stormy Region. This spice trade provides perfect opportunity – we planned to fund operations through the Route anyway."

Steward Lund smoothly unfurled an elaborate map across the table.

The chart displayed every floating island in the Sea of Clouds, marked with warm currents, cold currents, turbulence zones, and flight paths unknown even to Midi’s past life knowledge.

This was the Rothschild Guild’s complete navigational chart, presented not for show but as earnest gesture.

At its heart glowed a crimson line – near-straight until reaching the Stormy Region’s "Extreme Danger" zone, where it twisted violently yet pressed onward where others skirted the edges. The Guild’s greatest secret: the Spice Route.

"Two weeks." Victoria’s voice held gravity. "The Narwhal enters the Stormy Region then. I sincerely hope you’ll find what you seek, Mr. Blade."

"My expectations align with yours." Midi nodded solemnly.