Chapter 387
Chapter 387
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 387
Chapter Title: 2-9 The Right to Gaze at the Stars (1)
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#09
The wind was fierce.
The sea of pristine white clouds seemed close enough to touch if I stretched out my hand.
When I looked down, the world slowly receding behind us came into view.
The monotonous red and white expanse of earth looked rather impressive from up in the sky.
I lay sprawled out, exhaling cigarette smoke.
"This is why people buy private rides."
The ride was nothing like Lethansie's telekinesis.
I'd ridden it a few times before, so it felt familiar.
The only issue was that we'd been flying for quite a while since takeoff, and there was still no sign of our destination.
I tapped my heel idly and spoke up.
"How much longer? I might get bedsores like this."
【Don't complain.】
A low, gruff voice echoed from my feet.
It was Captain Orse, currently flying with me on his back.
I liked how his attitude had softened a bit.
Understandable, after I'd diced up three giants right in front of him.
Our destination was the resistance headquarters.
'Damn, looks like all that hardship has finally knocked some sense into him.'
The beastly first impression was fading.
If anything, he seemed more serious and composed than the Orse from my original world.
I could guess why.
He'd probably lived like a dandelion pushing through cracks in the pavement.
His body, polymorphed into his true form, was covered in countless scars.
I swallowed a wry smile and opened my mouth.
"Still prickly, huh? But aren't you flying kinda low for you? You used to shoot higher than the clouds even for a neighborhood stroll."
【Talking like you've ridden my back before.】
"Ah, ignore the bullshit. So, is there a reason you're flying low?"
【What a pain... If we go above the clouds, they'll spot us. Don't want to make things complicated.】
"Huh? Those baldies?"
Orse flicked his tail in annoyance.
It was an affirmation.
So that's why he insisted on low-altitude flight—there was a good reason.
The baldies had even stripped them of the right to wish upon shooting stars.
"They're even bigger assholes than I thought..."
I muttered in disbelief.
The cloud layer completely blanketing the stars wasn't just decoration.
Orse explained it also served as a canvas for giants to draw their magic circles for descending—beyond just detection nets.
"Can't be helped then. I'm tired anyway, so stars can wait till next time."
【Impressive. Can you handle more than three?】
"Of course. Three is nothing. Twenty would be a breeze... Shit, that sounds weird."
I considered asking to gain some altitude but decided against it.
Better to rest when I could, rather than waste energy needlessly.
I had no intention of letting even one baldy leave this world alive anyway.
As I shifted position, I spotted Lethansie, bound to the dorsal spines.
It had been a while since she passed out, but she still hadn't woken.
She seemed alive, but maybe paralyzed or something?
I moved to check her breathing.
"Ah... My, my head..."
"You sleep like the dead. You awake?"
I relaxed.
Lethansie slowly opened her eyes.
She looked around dazedly, then flailed in panic.
"Kyaaack! Wh-where is this?!"
She thrashed like a freshly caught catfish.
Her light brown bob hair whipped wildly.
"Knew it'd be like this. Good thing I tied her up."
"Wh-where are we?! We were in the forest...! Right, what about Orse!?"
"You're on Orse's back right now. Pro tip: stay quiet. I barely talked him out of ripping you apart and eating you."
"N-no way...!"
Lethansie clamped her mouth shut.
Her already pale face went even whiter.
Orse was still radiating intense killing intent toward her.
I didn't know what atrocities she'd committed, but as a church staff officer, her crimes weren't light.
She squirmed a bit before speaking.
"Hoo... Okay. I'll be quiet, so could you loosen these just a little? I can't breathe."
"Sorry, that's not happening."
"Wh-why not?"
"Think about it—the resistance folks won't be thrilled to see you. Gotta rough you up this much to make them buy it. Unless you're confident; want me to untie you?"
Lethansie's face stiffened.
She realized my point was valid.
The resistance were those who fought giants to the end; unless drugged, they wouldn't welcome the bastards who summoned those giants.
Especially not an archbishop.
She pondered, then gulped hard.
"......I'll stay like this."
"Smart choice."
"It feels a bit loose—could you tighten it more? Once we arrive, crawling on all fours would be best, right? Or maybe make a leash for Ronan to lead me... that might be safer."
"At that point, don't you just wanna be treated like a dog? Total hopeless perv."
"I-I'm not doing it for fun, I'm trying to survive! Why say that... Hyaak!"
Lethansie yelped mid-protest.
Orse had suddenly banked sharply.
His back tilted forward, revealing the ground below.
Vast craters dotted the landscape.
My eyes widened suddenly.
"This place."
【Oh? You recognize it?】
Orse curled his lip.
A somewhat self-mocking smile.
My gaze stayed fixed on the ground.
It was devastated, but the outline was recognizable.
This was where I used to live.
"Balon."
【Yes. The land that was once the capital.】
Orse confirmed.
The ancient city, prosperous for over a millennium, was now ruins where even traces of a city were hard to find.
No grand imperial palace, no Phileon Academy where I'd laughed with friends.
The lifeless city had no signs of human presence.
Only white trees sprouting through debris swayed in the night breeze.
"......Fuck."
Nothing to say but curse.
Lethansie meekly lowered her eyes.
Adeshan's face flickered like the moon.
Couldn't bear thinking this was the future landscape.
Orse glanced at me and continued.
【Strange guy. Acting like it's your first time seeing it.】
"Shut up."
【Hmph. Grip tight. Fall off mid-way, and you'll be a stain.】
"W-wait, what does that mean?"
Lethansie interjected, sensing doom.
I gripped the dorsal spines hard instead of answering.
Orse's already steep angle went fully vertical.
"Hiyaaaaak! Nooo!"
A shrill scream erupted.
My guts felt like they were floating up.
Whiiiiish!
His four wings folded completely, and we plunged.
"Cr-crashing! We're crashing, Ronan!"
The ground rushed toward us.
We should've decelerated by now, but Orse didn't slow.
No water or giant marshmallow below.
More suicide dive than flight, but I waited calmly.
I had a rough idea what came next.
"D-dying... Urk."
"Such a drama queen."
Lethansie fainted from terror.
Ten meters from impact.
I was starting to think maybe I should jump.
Each scale on Orse's body began glowing black.
"There we go."
A chuckle escaped me.
Right as I sighed in relief.
Boom!
The light intensified, blacking out vision.
No collision.
Less than a second later, sight returned.
Ruins gone; a massive vertical shaft appeared.
Wide enough for three Orses; walls covered in glowing moss.
"This moss..."
Familiar stuff.
As I peered around, the floor appeared.
Orse and I enveloped in black light again.
Boom!
Floor vanished; another shaft unfolded.
Orse's signature short-range blink.
"Damn, impressive."
Admiration spilled out.
Underground, control should've been tricky—no margin for error.
Boom!
Boom!
Pop!
Several blinks in succession.
Like camera flashes strobing.
The rapidly shifting scenery stabilized.
Shwaaa...!
Bright, warm light poured over my face.
Orse unfurled his folded wings.
【We're here.】
"Whoa."
I froze, speechless.
Impossible this was the same world as moments ago.
A colossal space sprawled underground.
Could fit all of Phileon Academy inside.
Magic sun and glowing moss on walls provided daylight-like illumination.
"Green..."
The ground was carpeted in vegetation.
Varied species—not corpse-white, but vibrant greens I knew.
And other colors too.
Red, yellow, green, occasional purple.
My nose tingled suddenly.
More modified than before, but I'd been here once.
Following Didikan.
With Asel and Marya.
I wiped my face and murmured softly.
"Gran Cappadocia."
【That was its name in the past, I suppose.】
Should've realized when we reached the capital.
This was the forge where Ramancha was born.
Where I'd severed Sirylla and Eduon's limbs.
Suddenly, raucous cheers erupted from far below.
"Look! The boss is back!"
"Captain Orse!"
Voices incongruously cheerful for the times.
Peering over, I saw bustling people.
Mostly long-lived races like elves and dwarves.
Or polymorphed dragons.
Orse growled down at them.
【Quiet, you idiots.】
"How'd it go today? Give 'em hell?!"
They welcomed him like a triumphant general.
For a guy who called himself not resistance, he sure got along well.
I chuckled and nudged his back with my toe.
"Hey, captain. Say something."
【......Shut up.】
Orse grumbled curtly.
Typical tsundere.
The warm wind tousled my hair.
He circled slowly before landing.
In a relatively secluded corner, bright with colorful wildflowers.
Wondering why here specifically.
"Welcome home, dear."
"......!"
A gentle woman's voice from nearby.
I whipped my head around.
A red-haired woman was watering flowers.
Clear water flowed not from a can, but her fingertips.
"Orse never brings anyone—quite the surprise. I called you here to chat leisurely."
【I didn't follow your orders.】
"Yes, yes. Of course."
She giggled.
Treating the legendary dragon like a child.
Soon, done watering, she turned.
Her ample bosom swayed a beat late.
"Ah."
I quickly knelt on one knee in respect.
No need to see her face.
Her unreal movements confirmed her identity.
Didn't expect to meet so soon.
Deep breath, then spoke.
"I see the Mother of Fire."
"......My god."
Her response was odd.
Not joy or wariness—pure shock.
After freezing, she approached.
Graceful fingers lifted my chin.
Her beautiful face filled my view.
Crimson lips like pupils parted slowly.
"You... you're Cain's son."