Rogue Villain-Chapter 311: Listen

Ackster could sense the landmass, but since it appeared to be just that—a piece of land, Ackster’s senses hadn’t alerted him of its sudden appearance.

At Karandiel’s and his words, everyone turned to look at the island, lush with green trees. Gradually, as they moved toward it with Mara’s magic, it became obvious that it wasn’t an ordinary island.

"Makes sense..."

Ackster was the first to notice and confirm it, but the others also quickly realized that it was a moving island.

They hadn’t scoured all of Millmeria’s oceans since that could take up to a year, even with Mara’s top speed, since the planet was so stupidly large. But they had covered a lot of distance without so much as a sign of Paradise.

But what if it was a moving island that wasn’t as big as they had expected? It was a lot more reasonable for them to have missed it.

However, if there was one thing that worried Ackster’s party now that they had discovered a mysterious island that should be what they were looking for, it was the fact that it was moving toward them. Was it a coincidence? Or had it noticed them? Was it looking for them just like they were looking for it?

’Only one way to find out.’

Ackster looked at Mara, who steered them toward the moving island with her magic. She had worked hard the last few weeks, flying them all and training her other magic at the same time. She showed clear signs of exhaustion, but Ackster knew that she still had a lot of power left, so he wasn’t worried about bringing her to a dragon’s island.

Ackster looked at Kargas.

"What do you think?"

As the Dragon Slayer, Kargas’ senses should be even more sensitive than Ackster’s when it comes to dragons.

Kargas looked at the island with a sharp gaze before shaking his head. After half a shake, he stopped. Then, he nodded slowly.

"...I’m not sure. It feels like there’s something there. But all I can sense is an overwhelming amount of vitality."

"Yeah, that’s the place then."

"How so?"

"I can’t sense it."

Kargas’ and the others’ eyes shot up in surprise. They couldn’t believe Ackster, who could hear the grass grow, couldn’t sense it.

"Then it has to be a dragon’s vitality."

Mara sharpened her gaze as she looked at the island, voicing the same conclusion that everyone except Makkel would have drawn sooner or later since he was still behind in understanding everyone’s identities.

Before long, Ackster and the others were right in front of the island, only a few strides away from setting foot on the glossy green grass and colorful flowers.

As if beckoning them to enter, the trees and plants moved to the side, creating a path for them to follow.

"Guys, you mentioned Paradise earlier, right?"

Makkel spoke when everyone was looking at the island with suspicion.

"Yeah."

Wilma nodded, answering for the others.

"I think I’ve heard of it."

Ackster raised an eyebrow.

"Speak."

Makkel would have asked for a please if he didn’t get knocked out the last time he tried that.

"I—I’m not sure, of course. But some of the other inmates talked about a mysterious island that appears by shipwrecked ships, offering bountiful treasure, lovely land, and fruits that grant the one who eats it immortality. The ones who spoke of that island said that if there was one place befitting of the name Paradise, it was that island."

"You’re saying your Paradise and the Paradise we’re looking for is the same?"

Ackster glanced at Makkel, considering the idea. With Mastrax’s usual modus operandi, it wasn’t impossible. And since the Dragon of Life had a mobile island, it wasn’t strange if he went around picking up drowning sailors or people stranded at sea, offering them what some might consider immortality.

Ackster tilted his head. Mastrax shouldn’t be getting much out of just picking up ordinary sailors.

"Did they mention more details about who the island picks up and who doesn’t?"

Makkel shook his head.

"In the first place, there was only one or two who had ever heard of Paradise before, much less details about the ones who got to enter."

Wilma looked at Ackster.

"Do you know something?"

Ackster looked forward again, trying to pierce the island with his gaze.

"No. Just that we should be prepared for everything and anything. Unlike when we picked up Makkel, this is going to be a whole other kind of adventure."

Ackster didn’t wait for the others to respond as he led the way onto the island, stepping out of Mara’s magic and onto the grassy road. His party members had no choice but to follow.

Mara and Karandiel were right behind Ackster, securing the vanguard. Wilma and Makkel stayed in the center, and Kargas secured the rearguard. All of them kept watch over their surroundings, waiting for anything to happen or for Ackster to spring any traps with his reckless advance.

"We’re at the right place, at least."

Ackster spoke after they had walked in silence for a little while.

"Hadn’t we already confirmed that?"

Wilma didn’t stop scanning their surroundings.

"It could have been a decoy, a trap, or something set up by another dragon. I’m pretty sure that while Mastrax is good at it, he isn’t the only dragon with a talent for vitality."

Wilma sighed.

"...Fine. How do you know?"

"Listen."

Everyone did as Ackster said and listened.

"I don’t hear anything."

"Me neither."

"I don’t either."

"Dead silent?"

Ackster looked at Kargas, the only one yet to say anything.

"It’s dead silent because there’s no life."

The others looked at Kargas.

"What are you talking about? This place’s full of nothing but life."

Makkel looked at Kargas as if he were stupid.

"...No."

Mara looked around in dawning realization before turning her gaze to Ackster.

"It’s vitality, not life. Life force, not life itself."

"Bingo."

Ackster continued walking, satisfied.

"There aren’t any insects, birds, critters, or living beings that ought to exist in such a bountiful forest as this one. There isn’t any wind causing the leaves to rustle despite being in the middle of the ocean. Even when the trees move, their leaves and branches don’t brush against each other as they might do if it was caused by nature."

"Are you saying...?"

Ackster nodded.

"Yep. This whole place’s controlled by Mastrax to the finest detail."