Chapter 264
Chapter 264
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 264
Chapter Title: Aftermath (4)
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"Navardoje."
Ronan spoke up. His eyes met those of Navardoje, who had lowered her gaze. Once again, a soft and majestic voice resounded.
【Nice to meet you, child.】
"You too. Extremely."
Ronan let out a disbelieving laugh. She had said she was late, but the timing was impeccable. If she had been even a little later, they would have lost Asel. Navardoje, scanning her surroundings, continued.
【Where did that monster go? Off to wreak more destruction?】
"Ah. I killed it."
【What?】
"Just like I said. Sliced it up with my sword and cut off its head."
Ronan mimed slicing across his own throat with his hand. Navardoje's face hardened. Whoosh! In an instant, her body was engulfed in flames, then scattered like smoke.
The sky, hidden behind her massive form, unfolded before them. Navardoje, polymorphed into her human shape, rose to her feet. The ever-alluring dragon matron was dressed in battle attire unlike what Ronan had seen back in Phileon. She stepped right up to him and said,
"Tell me the details."
"Whoa... calm down."
Ronan instinctively backed away. The flames trailing her footsteps felt more threatening than any wild beast. If they touched him, he'd surely burn. Cornered, he opened his mouth.
"So... where should I start?"
The crisis was over anyway, so he figured he could explain in detail. The landmass, fixed in the sky like a nail driven into it, showed no signs of falling again.
He should probably start from the reason he came to Adren. As Ronan organized his thoughts and was about to begin,
【Na-var-do-je!!】
"Hm?"
Suddenly, a booming shout erupted from the side. Killing intent, sharp as needles pricking skin, exploded outward.
"Ah. Shit."
Ronan cursed involuntarily. Black mana, which he had grown sick of seeing throughout this journey, was overflowing from Orse's shoulders.
Come to think of it, he had momentarily forgotten. Orse's ultimate purpose in coming to Adren. He had already drawn his spiral spear and gripped it tightly. Spinning it a few times, Orse aimed it at Navardoje and roared,
【You have no idea how long I've waited for this moment! I'll kill you here and bring down Valon!】
"You... you're that demon dragon. Younger than I imagined."
Not a trace of tension showed on Navardoje's face despite Orse's terrifying declaration. Her kin circling overhead bristled their scales.
【Mother! It's dangerous!】
"It's fine. Stay put."
Her children cried out urgently, but Navardoje herself remained calm. Standing with her hands behind her back, she did nothing. Suddenly, Orse vanished from sight. Shiiiik! He closed in instantly and thrust his spear.
【Die!!】
It was an overwhelming strike. The spiral spear, infused with Orse's mana and killing intent, looked less like a weapon and more like a severed bolt of lightning. Pffft! Orse's spear slammed into the center of her chest. Navardoje smiled.
【What...!】
"Such rude manners, child."
Orse's eyes bulged. The spear had pierced, but not penetrated. The blade that had claimed countless lives merely sank deep into her chest without even tearing her clothes.
"My god."
"W-Wow..."
Ronan and Asel covered their mouths with their hands in admiration. It was a double-layered awe. How could flesh be so tough? And how could a spear sink that deep without piercing the skin?
As the two entertained vulgar thoughts, Navardoje tapped the spear protruding from her chest. She hummed curiously.
"Hm... this one's pretty decent. Made from your bones?"
【Th-This can't be! What trick did you pull?!】
"I'll put you in the vanguard especially. I'll overlook this rudeness, so take a break."
【You bitch, da-...】
As Orse tried to shout something, Navardoje swung her upper body using her waist as a pivot. Thwack! An invisible force struck him.
【Gah!】
There was no time to speak. Orse flew back as if rammed by a massive rhinoceros. His body hurtled in a straight line and crashed into the rubble of the sky tower. Boom! A deafening roar echoed as dust exploded outward.
【I-Impossible...】
"Didn't pass out. Does your reputation justice."
Soon the dust settled, revealing him. Buried deep in the debris like some bizarre fossil, Orse twitched. Then his head lolled limply.
Plop.
"O-Orse... sir..."
Asel gasped, clutching Ronan's sleeve. What an ugly defeat. Just like Ronan's earlier joke, he really went down after hitting her in the chest.
"...Fucking idiot."
Ronan tsked pityingly. Orse, fully unconscious, couldn't respond.
He had known their power gap was vast. He knew Orse had depleted his stamina through multiple battles.
Still, he hadn't expected him to go down in one hit. Brushing dust from her chest, Navardoje turned back to Ronan.
"Now, let's continue the story."
"...Sure."
Ronan nodded. He detailed his journey to Adren, the events that unfolded, and even Duaru's death.
"Sorry to interrupt, but I'm going to check if there's anything salvageable left in this land. See you later."
"Go ahead."
Rorhon flew off toward the city with a farewell. During their conversation, the dragons with free hands had scattered across Adren to rescue the wounded and extinguish fires. Only Asel and the rubble-buried Orse remained, listening intently.
"...So it was those fanatics after all. I ordered Azidahaka to eliminate them, but to think he joined hands with them instead."
"He realized his mistake at the end and tried hard, though."
After a long explanation, Ronan wrapped up. The tale had dragged on, and full morning light now bathed Adren.
The sunrise over the horizon was beautiful. Far below, the distant ocean sparkled in the sunlight. Mulling over the story, Navardoje spoke gravely.
"I must hold them accountable. Where is Azidahaka?"
"Hm? Now that you mention it..."
Ronan shrugged. Thinking about it, the dragon king had been missing for a while. Asel, who had been quietly catching his breath, pointed with his index finger.
"Th-There. I feel a presence over there."
"Oh, thanks. By the way, you're stammering again, Asel. You were kinda cool earlier."
Ronan chuckled. He knew he'd never forget Asel's figure drawing in starlight to halt Adren's fall.
It felt like just yesterday they were raiding goblin villages together, yet here he was, all grown up. Taking the joke seriously, Asel sniffled.
"S-Sorry... I really need to fix it..."
"Doesn't matter. It's fun to tease you like this anyway."
Ronan patted Asel's back firmly. He used to force corrections to avoid being looked down on, but now there was no need. Who would dare underestimate a mage who halted a falling island barehanded over a stutter?
Ronan and Navardoje followed Asel. It didn't take long. They stopped at the forest clearing where they had fought Duaru. Spotting Azidahaka, Ronan narrowed his eyes.
"...Azidahaka?"
【Ah... you've come.】
Azidahaka's left head opened its mouth weakly. He lay sprawled on the ground like a beached ship. Around him stood Schlieffen, Naransoniya, and dragons who appeared to be his retainers, all wearing grim expressions.
"You were here too?"
"Yeah."
Schlieffen nodded at Ronan's question. His face was as dour as the others'. Ronan easily guessed they had gathered to attend his deathbed. Without turning his head, Azidahaka continued.
【I should praise your achievements, but... as you see, my condition doesn't allow it... Search the sky tower ruins; you'll find the treasures I gathered. Take them...】
His voice scraped like plowing drought-cracked fields. The right head, housing his female persona, hung with eyes closed as if dead. Blood still poured from his gaping flank wound and severed leg. Ronan, biting his lip, sighed.
"Got it. We'll gratefully accept. But you have a guest to meet."
【A guest...?】
Azidahaka laboriously lifted his head. Navardoje stood silently. Finally meeting her eyes, he froze like a statue. After a moment of silence, Navardoje spoke.
"It's been a while, Azidahaka."
【...Indeed.】
"Don't you have something to say to me?"
【Much... very much... urgh.】
Thud! Azidahaka's head dropped again unsteadily. Crashing chin-first before Navardoje, he spoke regretfully.
【Forgive my rudeness... Primordial Flame.】
"It's fine. I know the gist of the incident. Quite the conspiracy you brewed."
【...I won't deny it. Jealousy blinded my eyes, envy deafened my ears. The dragon city of glory reduced to this... all my fault.】
"Yes. I like that you admit it. You know why I'm here, right?"
【A failed revolutionary is but a traitor. I accept it.】
Azidahaka readily confessed his guilt. Navardoje gently raised her hand. His retainers froze at the sight. A light gesture, but its implication was heavy.
【Your Majesty!】
Those present knew she could incinerate him without a trace with a flick. As Azidahaka breathed raggedly, he spoke.
【Don't move. Naransoniya... I'm just taking responsibility.】
【But...!】
Naransoniya halted mid-lunge from behind. Blood dripped from her clenched fist. The other subordinates writhed in agony, unable to step forward. Navardoje glanced at them and shrugged.
"You have good retainers."
【Too good... for me.】
Azidahaka's mouth corner lifted. Navardoje placed her hand on his forehead. Naransoniya and the others let out silent screams. Eyes closed, Azidahaka pleaded.
【Mother of Fire... the others... my subordinates... are innocent. Please end it with my head alone.】
"Sorry, but that's not possible."
【No way... at all?】
"No."
Navardoje nodded coldly. Despair settled on Azidahaka's face. She apparently intended to punish his complicit subordinates as well.
Her hand on his forehead began to glow faintly. Soon, the Primordial Flame would reduce him to ash. As Azidahaka tried to say something for his retainers, Navardoje suddenly smiled brightly.
"You have two heads, after all."
At the same moment, the light from her hand intensified. It wasn't flames of destruction. Azidahaka's closing eyes snapped open.
【What...】
His body was enveloped in warm light. His chilled blood warmed again. The wounds on his flank and severed hind leg healed rapidly.
"Th-The wounds...!"
The surrounding dragons exclaimed in shock. Ronan's group watched his recovery as if entranced. How much time passed? The right head, slumped as if dead, slowly lifted.
【...Primordial Flame. Why-】
【spare me?】
【I committed-】
【an unforgivable sin...】
The male and female voices resounded once more. His faded scales now gleamed a brilliant gold, brighter than when they first met. Navardoje nodded.
"Responsibility isn't just about death. Besides, you have work left to do. It's grueling, but think of it as atonement, and it won't feel so unfair."
【Work? What-】
【is it?】
Azidahaka tilted his head. Raising her hand, Navardoje pointed to the sky.
"You read my letter, right? High in those skies lies a fortress called Dreimor. You and most of Adren's dragons need to go there. Only then can they handle my absence."
"What?"
Ronan's eyes widened at the story. Navardoje leaving Dreimor? He hadn't even imagined it. She turned to him with a serious nod.
"Yes. We are launching a total assault."