Chapter 8
Chapter 8
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Vine
Chapter: 8
Chapter Title: Ainkel's Legacy
-----------------------------------------------------------------
&
The cavalrymen of history could largely be divided into two types.
Horse archers who utilized overwhelming mobility to attack and retreat, and heavy cavalry who shattered enemy lines with mighty charges.
The centaurs of the Raging Flames tribe were closer to the former.
Fierce Eye and the other centaur warriors drew their bows and nocked their arrows. Firing a bow while riding a horse required a high degree of training, but for centaurs, who were one with their equine bodies, it was as natural as breathing.
Juingong had asked them to draw the attention of the Cassius herd, not to destroy it.
Fierce Eye had no intention of making a reckless charge against a herd that outnumbered them, so instead of a direct assault, he loosed his arrows. The shafts flew in a great arc, becoming a rain of death.
The downpour of arrows from the sky was certainly intimidating, but the Cassius creatures didn't even try to evade it, charging forward with brute force.
The ones at the front were struck and fell, but a far greater number of Cassius passed through the volley. Enveloped in a violet miasma, they seemed to be controlled by something, heedless of death. Some of them even deflected the arrows as they galloped.
The centaurs continued to fire as they maneuvered. Each volley brought down dozens of Cassius, but the distance between them and the centaurs was also closing rapidly.
After loosing a third volley, Fierce Eye swapped his bow for a spear. With the Cassius matching the centaurs' mobility and charging with no regard for their own lives, a clumsy attempt to create distance could easily result in exposing their backs.
A close-quarters battle was inevitable.
Fierce Eye let out a furious roar.
The roars and shrieks shook the heavens and the earth. Juingong didn't look back at Fierce Eye's battlefield. He let the clever Draco guide their path and checked his mini-map.
A portion of the Cassius herd had broken off and was heading toward the temple. A clash with them seemed unavoidable.
‘There are so many.’
There were dozens, at a rough estimate. It was only possible because the Cassius herd outnumbered Juingong's party and the centaurs.
Riding his Draco right beside Juingong, Karak asked.
"Prince! Do we just need to reach the temple?!"
Juingong didn't know for sure. Green Wind had only said that Ainkel's remaining power was in the small temple; she hadn't specified what kind of power lay dormant there.
But Juingong nodded. As a king, he gave his subordinate the answer he needed.
"That's right! Once we reach the temple, victory is ours!"
At Juingong's cry, Karak grinned. He raised his dwarven axe high and shouted with gusto.
"Then I'll punch us a hole!"
The Draco carrying Karak picked up speed. Karak shot to the very front of the wedge formation that had naturally formed around Juingong and let out a war cry.
"Karaha!"
It was a warrior's shout that jolted the senses. Juingong responded by thrusting his dwarven dagger into the air.
"Under the King's Banner!"
It was the first time he had used Under the King's Banner since acquiring the Anvil that Births Thunder. Enhanced by his increased Conquest level, a new power was unleashed from the skill.
A massive flag made of pure white light unfurled behind Juingong. The brilliant light burst forth, enveloping not only Karak but also Karma and the centaurs riding with Juingong.
Karma, now within the range of Under the King's Banner, felt vitality surge through her body. The centaurs galloped furiously, outrunning the wind.
Juingong felt the change as well. Under the King's Banner, they had all become one.
"Break through!"
"Kuraha!"
Karak responded to Juingong's command. Enveloped in a mass of pure white light, Juingong's unit was like a single arrow.
About thirty Cassius and three of the monsters from Green Wind's vision—Drake Ogres—blocked their path. Karak, far from slowing down, accelerated even more and swung his axe with all his might.
A violent collision occurred. Blood and flesh scattered into the air, while monstrous shrieks and roars exploded in unison.
Juingong knew instinctively. If they stopped, it was over. They had to pierce through them right now.
Karma leaped like she was flying, ruthlessly stomping on the heads of the Cassius. Karak swung his axe like a madman to open a path, and the centaurs brandished their spears fiercely to block the approaching creatures.
The Cassius didn't just take the beating. They lunged forward and dragged several centaurs to the ground. Even enhanced by Under the King's Banner, the centaurs were not invincible. The sharp teeth and claws of the Cassius mercilessly tore apart the fallen warriors.
Horrific screams pierced his ears. But they couldn't stop. Karak roared loudly.
"Prince! Go!"
A path was open. The small temple was now just a stone's throw away.
"Krathaa!"
A Drake Ogre let out a desperate cry and tried to block Juingong, but it was no use. Karma leaped like a guardian beast and stomped on its head, while Karak's axe slammed into its side. The force was so immense that the Drake Ogre, far larger than Karak, lost its balance and was sent flying sideways.
Juingong raced through the opening. He was now at the very front. And there, before his eyes, he saw Drake Ogres hammering away at a green barrier at the entrance of the small temple.
"It's Lady Green Wind's barrier!"
One of the centaurs following Juingong shouted. Juingong charged straight ahead, pulling back his right arm. A red and yellow light emanated from Earthquaker, and the Draco carrying him momentarily accelerated as if it had gone berserk. By the time the Drake Ogre hastily turned to face him, the distance between them had become zero. Juingong didn't spare his aura.
Fist of Explosion!
The pure white aura, amplified by Earthquaker, struck the Drake Ogre. It didn't explode like the Cassius had, but the massive Drake Ogre was thrown back and tumbled to the ground.
The wall of green light did not block Juingong and his party. Juingong was the first to pass through, followed by Karak, Karma, and the centaurs, who poured into the small temple.
Karak once again knew what he had to do. Instead of following Juingong inside, he stood his ground at the temple entrance with his axe raised. Karma and the centaurs, breathing heavily, took their places beside him. Unlike the party, the Cassius herd and the Drake Ogres couldn't pass through the barrier and began to pound on it frantically.
‘Hurry! Enkidu's weapon will guide you!’
Green Wind's voice echoed in Juingong's mind. Leaping off his Draco, Juingong rushed deeper into the temple. The magic of Enkidu contained within Earthquaker showed him the way.
In a wide, flat area in the deepest part of the small temple, a great tree was growing. Despite being inside a building, the tree had taken root and spread its branches, serving as a pillar that supported the entire temple.
Enkidu's magic resonated. As Juingong held out his right arm, the one fitted with Earthquaker, Ainkel's magic was released from deep within the tree.
The tree standing tall before Juingong looked like one but was, in fact, many. Covered in dozens of large trunks, it emitted a green light—Ainkel's color—and began to loosen its bonds. It was like a flower bud opening.
Juingong held his breath. With each trunk that opened, Ainkel's magic grew stronger, and Earthquaker shone even more brightly.
And finally, what had been hidden deep inside the tree revealed itself to Juingong. Nestled among the dozens of trunks was a green gemstone the size of a fist. The moment he saw the jewel-like object, Juingong knew.
‘A Dragon Heart!’
The source of every dragon's magic. The symbol of power that proved they were descendants of the great Sole King and true inheritors of the mystical ley lines.
It wasn't a complete piece. As Green Wind had said, it was a fragment. But it was a fragment of an Elder Dragon, Ainkel.
The green light entwined around the tree trunks took the form of Green Wind. Appearing before Juingong once more, she explained in an urgent voice.
"Long ago, the Watcher Ainkel used her great magic to turn the Enger Plains, which was once a desert, into a grassland. This temple is situated at the center of that magic."
A feat worthy of an Elder Dragon. Green Wind took Juingong's hand and continued.
"I cannot do it, for though I was born from Ainkel's fragment, I have become a nature spirit over the long years. Please, awaken the ancient magic of Ainkel that remains in this temple. With the magic she left behind, protect the Enger Plains and my children."
The moment Green Wind's hand touched him, Juingong became aware of the situation outside the small temple. The green barrier surrounding it was on the verge of collapsing, and Fierce Eye and the centaurs were engaged in a fierce, bloody battle with the Cassius herd.
Juingong steadied his breath. He naturally recalled what had happened at the Anvil that Births Thunder.
This time, Caitlin and Felicia weren't with him. But he had to succeed, even if he was alone.
Juingong extended his right arm. He placed his hand on the green gem, the fragment of the Watcher Ainkel.
&
In the beginning, there were six great dragons who existed with the world.
One among them.
There was one born from the green that covered the earth and the wind that roamed the world.
Her name was Ainkel, the Watcher. Unlike the tyrant Enkidu, who was born of the earth and sought to rule over the world, she was a beautiful and gentle woman who wished to watch over the land and its life.
Juingong saw a vision of a dragon covered in green scales. There was none of the pressure and fear he had felt when he saw Enkidu. She was immensely large, yet also incredibly beautiful and natural. Like a cloud in the sky or an island on the sea, she blended into her surroundings, becoming a part of the scenery.
She, with her slender and lush deer-like antlers, looked down at Juingong. Her green eyes emitted a soft glow like the moon, and Juingong closed his eyes in the warmth.
[You have acquired Dragon Script Lv1.]
A clear voice rang out in his head. At the same time, Juingong came to understand a part of the magic Ainkel had left on the Enger Plains.
Awakened by the great Enkidu's magic, it granted Juingong's wish. A new magical power enveloped the entire small temple.
Green Wind hugged her own shoulders, trembling at the feel of Ainkel's magic after so long.
She raised her consciousness high into the sky and looked down upon the Enger Plains. The miracle she had hoped for was happening. All around the small temple, great tree trunks began to sprout from the ground. They were the private soldiers of the Watcher Ainkel, and they soon rose from the earth and began to take on human forms.
They were Treants, born when spirits inhabit ancient trees.
What began as one soon became ten, and then multiplied into dozens. They had yet to uproot themselves and take their first steps, but it was only a matter of time.
The Cassius and Drake Ogres were visibly panicked. The Drake Ogres who had been fighting fiercely with the centaurs hastily turned their forces toward the small temple, but between them and the temple now stood dozens of Treants.
It was done. It had been close, but they had made it in time. Although a great sacrifice would be necessary, the Enger Plains would be saved.
Green Wind let out a sad sigh of relief and returned her consciousness to the temple. She intended to express her deep gratitude to Juingong once more.
But upon her return, she could not. A gasp of shock escaped her lips.
Juingong still had his hand on Ainkel's fragment. Even though Ainkel's magic had already been activated in response to Enkidu's, the connection between Juingong and the fragment had not been severed. The remaining magic in Ainkel's fragment was being sucked into Juingong's hand.
Why, for what reason!
There was only one answer.
Conquest.
The voice of a woman in white.
She, who wore a golden crown, perceived Green Wind's shock. She whispered to Juingong's soul with all her heart.
*Dominate.*
*Conquer and subjugate.*
*Even the remnant of an Elder Dragon shall kneel before you.*
*You, the Knight of Conquest.*
Juingong did not stop. He was dominating the power left in Ainkel's fragment.
&