Chapter 239
Chapter 239
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 239
Chapter Title: Dragon King (4)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
‘...War?’
Ronan narrowed his brow as he heard the Dragon King’s words. The solemn tone in his voice made it clear this wasn’t just idle talk fueled by the atmosphere.
Suddenly, a bishop’s words flashed through his mind. When a new head grows, that Navardoje won’t be a match anymore. Ronan’s thoughts raced.
An attitude unlike the rumors. No longer wary of her. Contact with Nebula Klazie. Having pieced together the information in short order, he spat out a curse.
“Nimi. That crazy lizard.”
“Ro, Ronan? Why all of a sudden?”
Asel asked in a voice laced with confusion. Instead of answering, Ronan clenched his fist. The two-headed freak was preparing for war with Navardoje. While feeding off the power of those baldheads.
So that’s why he’s no longer wary.
After calling her a lowly creature, he’d ended up joining hands for his own strength. What Ronan was witnessing now was an event that hadn’t happened in his previous life.
The connection with Adren was a special measure taken by Abel due to the church’s recent poor situation. Thinking about it, this shit happened because of me.
Dangerous.
For the first time, he genuinely thought Navardoje might be in real peril. The Dragon King himself was a lower tier than her, but if he received that bizarre power of the stars, it changed everything. It was an extraterrestrial force that defied reason.
Moreover, the Dragon King was, as his title suggested, the king of dragons and the lord of Adren. His cooperation with the church meant his subordinates and servants might also side with the star-worshipping baldheads.
This was an utterly unamusing situation. He had no idea where to even begin. He hadn’t expected the very top to already be compromised.
As Ronan groaned amid the creeping headache, the light of the magic circle beneath the Dragon King suddenly faded with a soft hiss...
The bishop who had been conversing with the Dragon King spoke up.
“That’s it for today. We’ll continue the rest tomorrow.”
The ritual seemed to have concluded. The Dragon King, who had been gazing at the sky, folded his wings and lowered his head. The third head, covered in white scales, had already grown about halfway.
The two heads smacked their lips. The fanatics bowed their heads in reverence. The twinkling lights that had filled the night air gradually faded.
The believers began packing up the tools used in the ritual. Having pondered their next move, Ronan finally made a decision. His extended finger pointed at the devotees.
“Asel. For now, wait and tail those vermin.”
“W-what?”
“Ah, the finger’s invisible. I mean those fanatic bastards.”
“I-I got that from context, but...”
Asel’s eyes widened round. Schlieffen silently eyed the devotees one by one. Ronan continued.
“Those bastards sleep too, right? There’s probably chambers in this tower. If we search there, something’s bound to turn up, no?”
If no clues, he’d resort to torture. At minimum, he could extract info on Alibrije or the Pope.
The problem was their numbers—quite a few, and all skilled. Assassination or picking them off one by one seemed necessary. With no better plan, Asel and Schlieffen had no choice but to go along.
Asel took a deep breath and was about to move the group when suddenly, one bishop extended a hand toward the three. A chant escaped his parted lips.
“What...!”
Ronan’s eyes widened. In an instant, small magic circles formed before the bishop’s hand, and dozens of wind spears shot toward the three.
Asel gasped.
“Hik...!”
“Damn it.”
Ronan bit his lower lip. Too many to dodge. Even at the risk of exposure, he had to cut or deflect them. Just as he reached for his hilt,
Whoosh! Schlieffen swung his sword a step faster. A swift, seasoned motion, as if he’d been waiting. The gale following his sword path subtly twisted the spears’ trajectories.
“You...!”
“Felt it coming. He kept glancing this way.”
Schlieffen said. Whoosh! The wind spears that should have hit passed by the three with mere paper-thin gaps. Unlike blocking or slashing, it felt natural. To onlookers, it looked like dozens of wind spears had merely crossed empty air.
“...My imagination, huh.”
The bishop who’d cast the spell shrugged. The Dragon King eyed him suspiciously as well. He spoke in annoyance.
“Forgive my rudeness. I felt a presence nearby...”
The bishop dropped to one knee, admitting fault. Even so, his gaze lingered on the spot where he’d fired the spears. He’d definitely sensed something.
The Dragon King laughed. His voice brimmed with such arrogance it bordered on the offensive. Asel, who’d been on the verge of tears as if ready to die, spoke up.
“Ro, Ronan. We should retreat for now.”
“...Yeah.”
Ronan clicked his tongue. He couldn’t deny it had been a razor-close call. Despite the invisibility and concealed presence, pure instinct had nearly exposed them.
Damn. Bishops live up to their rep.
To prevent a repeat, they needed to relocate first. Pondering spots, Ronan pointed to a window two floors below.
“Let’s head in there first. Wait it out, then tail them.”
“O-okay. Got it.”
There was only one staircase connecting the rooftop to the lower floors. Asel moved the group slowly. Fortunately, the bishop’s gaze didn’t follow.
They re-entered the tower through the window. The interior was empty.
“...Huaa!”
Thud. Asel, who had landed everyone, collapsed to the floor. His small frame trembled violently. Wiping his eyes, he muttered.
“Th-thought I was gonna die...”
“Good work. You’re the best.”
Ronan gave a thumbs-up. It was basically all thanks to this guy. Maintaining psychokinesis even as a spear grazed his cheek—is this really the Asel I know? As he patted Ronan’s back, he turned to Schlieffen.
“You’re second best. Thanks to you, we weren’t caught.”
“Best refers to only the singular utmost.”
Schlieffen replied dryly. Normally he’d rib with some vulgar analogy, but not today. If he hadn’t acted, they’d have been exposed for sure. Probably beaten to a pulp by the Dragon King and fanatics before plummeting to death.
“Alright. Rest a bit, then move...”
“Found you. You little rats.”
Ronan, who’d been chuckling, was midway through speaking when a familiar voice rang out from behind. A chill raced up his spine like ice water poured over him.
They slowly turned their heads. A middle-aged man in white robes stood at the staircase about twenty paces away. It was the bishop who’d fired the wind spears at them.
“I know you’re there. Show yourselves obediently.”
Dozens of magic circles already floated before him. Wind spears and blades poked out like bear cubs.
The invisibility was still active, but they were definitely busted. Feeling a chill, Ronan looked up to see a glowing magic circle clinging to the ceiling. More wind weapons protruded from it.
Shit.
Ronan bit his lower lip. The suspicious-looking face had followed them after all. A bizarre, shimmering star’s blessing enveloped his body.
“...Drop it.”
“Ro, Ronan...!”
“Now.”
With a sigh, he nudged Asel’s leg. The invisibility lifted, revealing the three. The bishop’s lips curled slyly.
“Good instincts. I was gonna fire if not all three showed.”
Ronan said nothing. He rapidly scanned the situation, eyes and mind whirring. No other presences nearby—he’d come alone.
“That presence earlier was definitely real. You don’t seem like the Dragon King’s servants. What are you doing here?”
The bishop continued. He was poised to unleash his arsenal at any suspicious move.
Judgment made, Ronan switched cores. The mana’s weave shifted, sparkling mana rising from his shoulders. He spoke.
“We’re allies, Bishop. Acting on Alibrije’s orders, forced to tail reluctantly.”
Ronan answered without a twitch. Hearing Alibrije’s name, the bishop raised a brow.
“What? Alibrije’s?”
“Yes. She ordered us to secretly check if anything odd during the contact with Dragon King Azidahaka. Probably worried since she knows dragon nature as one herself.”
The bishop’s eyes widened. Too much knowledge for mere spies: his bishop status, the Dragon King contact. Even that Alibrije was a dragon.
Moreover, the black-haired youth emanated the distinctive aura of Nebula Klazie. He tilted his head.
“...Is that true?”
“Yes. She stressed absolute secrecy—no detection. I’m ashamed.”
“Hard to buy easily. I heard her declare personally—no interference from anyone but the Pope during her vacation.”
“I only spoke the truth. She’s probably in Adren now, so concern arose.”
Ronan said. Asel and Schlieffen admired his stone-faced delivery. Can people lie this well?
“Hmm, well...”
The bishop hummed. The magic circles’ glow dimmed noticeably.
Ronan inwardly cheered silently. Not denying the location meant Alibrije was definitely in Adren. He hadn’t known about the vacation.
“Still can’t fully trust. No star power from those two behind you. State your branch and names.”
The bishop spoke again after pondering. Quick eye contact with his group, Ronan flashed a forlorn smile.
“Can’t do that. All lies I just made up.”
“What?”
The bishop frowned. Simultaneously, Ronan gripped his hilt and drew. He tried to recast, but Lamancha’s blade was already dyed sunset hues. Flash! A burst of light rippled, yanking the bishop’s form right before Ronan’s eyes.
“What...!”
The bishop’s eyes bulged. A crimson slash trailed by a scarlet tail cleaved the star’s blessing like tofu. Slash! A red line traced above his Adam’s apple. His head separated and soared skyward before he could resist.
Asel extended his hand and chanted the spell. The falling torso, flying head, and spurting blood fountain froze midair. Confirming no blood splatter nearby, Ronan sighed in relief.
“Phew... Well done.”
“Ack!”
Ronan patted Asel’s back heartily. Still prime time for a clean getaway. He’d planned to escape anyway, but leaving traces could accelerate pursuit. Asel asked.
“Wh-what about this body?”
“Mash it unrecognizable and toss out the window. Hold it steady.”
“Huh?”
Asel tilted his head. Without giving him time to speak, Ronan swung. Splash! The airborne corpse shredded into hundreds of pieces. Held by psychokinesis, they didn’t fall. Finishing swiftly, Ronan nodded.
“Good. Now ball it up like a meatball and chuck it out. As far as possible.”
“Hiiik!”
Said so calmly, like asking for a cup of water. Asel’s face drained white.
Just imagining it turned his stomach, but no other way now. As he steeled himself to craft the world’s most revolting meatball,
The moonlight from the window vanished in an instant.
“Hm?”
All three whipped around. And froze solid. One of the Dragon King’s heads stared at them upside down. Silence fell like time had stopped.
The Dragon King said. The woman’s voice came from above, so likely just the left head had descended.
Ronan muttered curses under his breath. He could almost hear his plan shattering. After a brief pause, he spoke.
“Uh, well, insomnia hit, so I was wandering around and...”
Interrupting Ronan, the Dragon King sighed lowly. Suddenly, his maw gaped wide. Light particles gathered deep in his throat, condensing.
“...Scatter.”
Ronan hoisted the seated Asel and spun. He and Schlieffen leaped down the stairs. Boom! A tsunami of light surged, sweeping the corridor.
“Kyahaaaaack!!”
Asel screamed as if his soul were being ripped out. The golden beam shattered the opposite wall and streaked into the western sky. The Dragon King’s voice boomed.