Chapter 243
Chapter 243
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 243
Chapter Title: Alivrihe (4)
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【It's not been long, brat.】
Orse growled. His ferocious aura was still bristling like a well-honed blade.
Ronan kept his eyes fixed on him as he asked Alivrihe.
"...Why is this bastard here?"
"I found him collapsed in some out-of-the-way spot and brought him back to treat him. We go way back."
"Way back?"
Ronan's eyebrow twitched. Come to think of it, after that whole commotion, Alivrihe's whereabouts had been a mystery—he must have gone looking for Orse.
And with it, a conversation from the Savior's memories surfaced. Alivrihe had told the departing Savior—off to meet Navardoje—about Orse.
He had warned that humans would soon settle that land, so Orse should relocate his lair. That must have been the "acquaintance" Alivrihe was referring to.
Orse spoke up.
【Don't play the hypocrite. How long do you plan to bring up something from before the Empire was even founded?】
"You black dragons are sharpening your blades against each other too much. Don't you even know how to say thanks?"
【Ha, fellow black dragons. Cut the senile old man act first, then maybe I'll consider it.】
At the mention of "old man act," Ronan turned to look at Alivrihe. Sure enough, the guy was deliberately putting on the appearance of an old geezer. Alivrihe glanced at Ronan and cleared his throat.
"Ahem, don't get the wrong idea. No particular reason. It's just that if I look like I'm on my last legs, the church slacks off on assigning me work."
"I haven't said a word yet."
Ronan shook his head. Orse, watching the two of them, opened his mouth.
【So what's your scheme in dragging this brat before me? Feeding him to me since he's gotta be hungry?】
"Figured your interests aligned, so I brought him. I'll step out for a bit—have your chat."
"Interests? Wait, where are you going?"
Ronan asked, but Alivrihe didn't answer. Without another word, he turned and left the room. In the ensuing silence, the two facing each other grimaced simultaneously.
【I have nothing to say to you. Hand over that damned sword and Navardoje's location, then get lost.】
"Why don't you lick my ass instead."
【Even debauchery has its limits. You think I can't dispose of a worm like you just because I'm injured?】
Suddenly, black energy began to rise from Orse's shoulders. The lantern flickering beside him swayed precariously. He slowly rose to his feet and growled.
【Last chance. Tell me Navardoje's location.】
"Ha... shit."
Ronan sighed. It wasn't fear so much as frustration. He figured even talking to a rock would go better than this.
He couldn't fathom Alivrihe's intentions. The old man had mentioned aligned interests, so he clearly knew what this guy wanted.
His impatience only grew. With the ritual two days away and Schlieffen's fate unknown, what the hell was he doing here? Right as his guts were churning...
'Wait, no way.'
A flash of inspiration, like a breeze, crossed Ronan's mind. He thought he knew what Alivrihe meant. After organizing his thoughts, he let out a deliberate sigh.
"Hoo... If you want to know that badly, fine. That big sis is in a place called Dreemuir right now."
【If you won't talk, no choice. You'll stay here... What?】
Orse's eyes widened. He clearly hadn't expected such a sudden answer. The murderous intent prickling Ronan's skin eased for a moment.
【...Dreemuir? Where the hell is that?】
"A fortress floating high in the sky. It's..."
Ronan gave a concise rundown on Dreemuir. He stripped away all extraneous details, emphasizing only its mysterious location, the surrounding scenery, and the fact that Navardoje was there.
Orse stared piercingly into Ronan's eyes as he spoke, ready to rip his head off at the slightest hint of a lie.
Of course, nothing like that happened. Ronan had only controlled the information—no lies. He could see anticipation gradually building on Orse's face. Once the explanation ended, Orse spoke.
【...Doesn't seem like a lie. So how do I get there?】
"No idea."
【What?】
Orse's brow furrowed deeply. This was the crucial part. Ronan organized his words mentally and shook his head.
"I've only been there once myself, so I really don't know. We got there repeating spatial magic. But there's exactly one person here in Adren who does know."
【Who?】
"Dragon King Azidahaka. The ballsy bastard who got Navardoje's letter and ignored it."
Ronan continued nonchalantly. He summarized the ritual at the top of the Sky Tower and its purpose.
The third head, starting a war, and all that. Orse ground his teeth at the explanation.
【Daring to go after Navardoje without me? Pathetic fool...!】
"You lost to that pathetic fool, though."
【Keep flapping that tongue if you want to die. Last time was carelessness—head-on, I'd never lose.】
A grinding sound came from his clenched jaws. Seeing the reaction, Ronan inwardly sighed in relief.
'Good. Dragons are dragons after all.'
At this point, he was pretty much hooked. Orse's obsession with Navardoje wasn't just strategic—it went beyond wanting to eliminate her before dealing with Balon. There was a competitive drive to defeat the strongest dragon in history with his own hands.
"So, what now?"
【I'm heading to the Sky Tower right now. You've spilled the info, so I'll spare your life. Hand over that cursed sword and scram.】
"Jumping the gun, aren't you? I've got a better idea—wanna hear it?"
【A better idea?】
Orse's eyebrow twitched. Time for the finishing blow. Ronan nodded confidently.
"Yeah. Come up the tower with us. I've got business there too."
【Ridiculous. Why would I tag along with a human?】
"You fucking prick. Knew you'd pull this stubborn shit..."
Orse snorted derisively. It was the expected reaction, so Ronan wasn't particularly offended. As he was about to continue...
A voice came from not far off.
【Can't rule out the sewers either. Search them thoroughly.】
"Understood, Panthayon-nim."
Both their faces hardened. Unmistakably those people's voices. About 70 meters away, judging by the footsteps—around ten of them.
"Shit, they've already reached here?"
Ronan clicked his tongue. He'd anticipated it, but not that they'd start combing the sewers this quickly. Alivrihe still hadn't returned from whatever he was doing. Suddenly, Orse started toward the entrance.
【Vermin crawling in. Time to exterminate.】
"There's a dragon among them. Tough for an injured guy like you, right?"
【Ha, tough?】
Orse scoffed mockingly. Pfsh! Instead of answering, he plunged his hand into his own chest. Not into a pocket or anything—he literally shoved his hand inside his flesh.
"What...!"
Ronan grimaced at the grotesque sight. But no blood sprayed, no flesh tore. Orse's skin parted like water, smoothly accepting his arm.
Shluck! Soon, his arm emerged. Ronan's eyes widened. In his hand was the pitch-black spear he'd seen back at Aurora Scar.
"You..."
【Such impudence.】
The spearhead was still wickedly twisted in a helix. Boom! Orse kicked off the ground and charged. His form blurred for an instant—insanely fast. Precisely when Ronan blinked.
"W-Wait... this guy's!"
【Orse! You're here!】
"Gaaah! Save me!"
Screams began echoing desperately. Crazy bastard. Cursing, Ronan hurriedly followed. It didn't take long to reach the scene. He stopped and let out a hollow laugh.
"...Hah."
It was already over. The flowing water ran red. The stench of blood mingled with the dank sewer air. Shredded corpses floated down the channel.
【Y-You... bastard...】
The dragon-like man slumped against the wall, dying. The black spear pierced his chest dead center. Orse stood amid the carnage, drenched in blood.
【Say it again. Tough? You think I need help from the likes of you after this?】
He turned to Ronan. Arrogant, brutal, overwhelmingly powerful—the epitome of a demon dragon.
His bandages had come undone, revealing a healed abdomen scarred but whole. Then, the dying man raised his arm toward Orse.
【...Die.】
【Hm?】
Orse's eyes widened. He whipped his head around, but a magic circle already shimmered before the man's hand.
An unknown spell on the verge of activation. Reflexively, Ronan gripped his sword hilt. Fwaaah...! A sunset glow flashed, yanking the dying man's body right before him.
【What... Gack!】
The man's eyes bulged. Stab! Ronan thrust wordlessly. The man shrieked in his death throes as the blade pierced his heart. His limp body splashed into the sewer below.
Splash. He sank with the water and didn't resurface. An awkward silence fell. Ronan turned to Orse and chuckled.
"Looks like it was."
【You...!】
Orse's eyes twitched. Blood masked it, but his face was probably beet red. Yeah, this was embarrassing as hell. Then, a shrill scream erupted from Asel, still slung over Ronan's back.
"Hiiyaah! G-Gonna get eaten!"
"Fuck!"
Ronan swore. He'd nearly screamed himself. As he shook him off, Asel fell flat on his ass.
"Ow!"
"Damn it, you nearly scared me to death."
"Eek... Eeee... R-Ronan?"
Asel finally looked at him. Terrified, but his complexion was much improved.
His memories must have stopped at being swallowed by Alivrihe in the lake. Looking around like a startled rabbit, Asel whimpered.
"W-Where are we? We were definitely... with the dragon... Eek! B-Bodies!"
【Shut up. What's that?】
"My embarrassing friend."
Orse frowned at Ronan's reply. The tense atmosphere shattered instantly.
【Come to think of it, I think I saw him in the north too.】
"Eek! D-Dragon?!"
Asel freaked out again upon meeting Orse's gaze. Footsteps approached from the side. All three turned to see Alivrihe standing there.
"What was all the commotion? I rushed back, but looks like it's already done."
Alivrihe held a basket brimming with food. He'd gone to fetch that, apparently. Surveying the scene, he sighed.
"Can't even give you proper rest... Did the talk go well?"
"Somewhat."
Ronan nodded. Asel hurriedly hid behind him, and Orse said nothing—probably wrestling with shame. Alivrihe spoke.
"Follow me. We'll set up right under their noses."