Chapter 129
Kalias and Selena, having emerged from the forest, walked to return to the village.
The night sky was dark.
What could be seen were the village's torches, the faint moonlight, and starlight.
And only the footsteps of the two.
Though pretending to be calm, she was not the only one flustered.
'Why does she suddenly want to become a servant.'
He was deeply flustered.
Knowing someone was there and wanting to test his newly acquired power, he used Sylvian's divine art to capture them, and what is this.
To think she would become his servant.
A glance.
Looking back, the elf Serena was walking at a distance, saying she wouldn't dare step on her master's shadow.
At her appearance like a gentle lamb, Kalias was bewildered.
When she said she would become a servant, he had no words to reply and was just heading back to the village...
It seemed she took that as permission.
At first, he wondered if she knew his true identity.
But just being the Count of Carpe wouldn't be enough reason for her to act like this.
'It seems like she's misunderstanding something.'
He didn't bother to clarify.
If someone who would be called a hero in the future wanted to follow him, there was no reason to dissuade her.
Rather than her holding animosity toward him, it was easier if she submitted.
Right now, more than that, he wanted to handle the newly acquired spirit power a bit more.
'I never expected the fairies to all seep into my dantian.'
Whether intoxicated by the spirit fragrance, the fairies that had been flying around like dancing, at some point seeped into Kalias's embrace.
Having run rampant through the holy blood vessels of his entire body, they seeped into his dantian and were now sleeping.
He didn't particularly make a contract.
That was the important point.
The fact that he came to command fairies without a contract. That was very important.
They obtain satisfaction from Kalias's body, and he wields the fairies' power in return.
This would act as an important variable, and it was clear it would become Kalias's lacking strength.
It felt like various things kept filling up his dantian, but it didn't matter.
If it were dangerous,
'Of course, the fairies that entered my dantian won't permanently become mine.'
They were just temporarily intoxicated by the good fragrance and made it their dwelling.
It's the same logic as a traveler taking shelter under eaves to avoid rain.
However, Kalias didn't feel anxious about when they would leave.
Low-rank fairies are children with unclear forms and unestablished egos.
Only at the mid-rank do they fix their forms.
They each develop individuality.
And attributes also emerge.
'Selena's fairy must be mid-rank.'
The flame that wrapped around the bow was not divine power. It was spirit power.
Thus, Kalias hopes.
To mutually benefit and grow with the fairies that have pierced into his dantian.
If that happens, he too could make fairies seep into his sword like her.
For now, it was simply time to grow.
"Master."
"...What is it."
"Though I believe you are already aware, ominous shadows are looming around the village."
Kalias looked beyond the village.
Even with Kalias's qi sense, which had grown closer to Master rank, he couldn't sense it.
Meaning they were that far away.
It seemed the elf's ears were sensing it.
"I suspect it might be the army of those who came to subjugate the Dragonian tribe."
"Faster than expected."
Just a light observation.
Witnessing that, Selena hastily knelt on one knee.
"O Ruler of the Azure Sky. Please lend us your strength."
Ruler of the Azure Sky.
Kalias was not ignorant enough to not know what that meant.
'I see.'
The elf, Selena.
She was seeing him as a dragon.
A request that could be seen as impertinent.
Nevertheless, the reason she had conviction was because she thought Kalias was a dragon.
'Dragon words do not waver.'
Dragons do not break promises.
If he received a 'price' and made a 'promise.'
A dragon must fulfill it.
Probably such thinking was underlying.
'Hmm.'
It didn't really matter.
Besides, he wanted to try using his newly acquired power.
'I have a debt to the Empire.'
Moreover, if it became dangerous, he was confident he could at least take care of himself.
He even had the Ring of Leteti, a relic of the Bira tribe, so if things went wrong, he could just fly away.
Above all, Kalias had no intention of revealing his identity here, so he concluded it didn't matter.
"Let's go to the forest."
Since they would fight anyway, he judged it was better to join the Dragonians where they were stationed.
"Bring Aldu."
"Understood."
A small thrill formed on Kalias's face as he stood with his back to the village.
* * *
Dawn where the night dew had settled.
Now, even the moonlight had somewhat faded.
The Imperial Princess rested her legs on the table of the nearly empty tavern and crossed her arms.
"It seems he has already fled."
The reporting knight was Betan of the Principality.
He was called Betan the Guide.
"Even though we came quite stealthily, he noticed first and hid his tracks. He's more perceptive and cunning than expected."
Princess Rebecca, sitting beside the Imperial Princess, nodded and said.
Her face looked somewhat satisfied.
The Imperial Princess's brows furrowed.
"You seem to be in a good mood?"
"Surely not. I'm merely deeply regretful that we couldn't catch a potential criminal of both the Empire and the Principality."
Hmph.
What an uncharacteristic thing to say.
"Do you think I don't know what's on your mind?"
"What about me?"
"...Whatever. Tch."
So obvious.
She's been like this since childhood.
Given the Princess's personality of not hiding anything from her, but absolutely hating having what's hers taken away.
She must be satisfied that he escaped.
It didn't please her at all, but it was also ambiguous to say anything.
Even if she was below her, she was also a Princess of the Principality. One of her few friends, so she had no choice but to leave her be.
The Imperial Princess rose from her seat and moved, accompanied by the knights positioned around her.
Since that day.
The Empire decided to fortify its internal affairs.
If this expedition was successfully completed, her position would surely become more solid.
Besides, the original purpose of coming here was their extermination.
'He must be entangled with that lizard.'
The eviction order had already been issued.
Along with the warning that if they lingered around here, their heads would hang on the gallows.
Still, the fact that they didn't follow the order couldn't be explained merely by the pretext of being pilgrims.
'If they're entangled with them, surely.'
He too would reveal himself.
The Princess's attitude also made her more curious about his identity.
"Advance. The lizard hunt begins."
It seemed proceeding a bit faster wouldn't hurt.
Originally.
If he took on the appearance of a pilgrim, his level would be no match for a Master.
Then there was no need to fear.
"Wooooooo!"
The battle cry of the knights and soldiers pierced the sky and rang out.
They immediately ran toward the forest.
The massive army holding seemingly endless torches headed for the dawn swamp.
* * *
Crackle!
Thud!
"Chieftain Philo!"
In the midst of the council of elders that had been continuing until dawn.
One tribesman entered the cave and shouted.
"Valavune! What is the meaning of this."
"Something big has happened!"
At his serious expression, the attitudes of the old men of the council changed.
"Surely not?"
"The Imperial Princess has come leading a great army."
"How did she find this place..."
"Is there a traitor among us! How did the Princess know to come here."
It was then.
The tribe's chieftain.
Philomatur spoke.
"That's not what's important. If they found our base first and attacked, we must certainly pay them back."
"Ohh!"
"As expected of the Chieftain."
"A paragon for the new Dragonians."
The elders of the council admired the chieftain's cool-headedness and wisdom.
"Immediately assemble the elites, block their path, and dig traps to lure them. We'll be outnumbered. Show the Imperial Princess the terror of the swamp."
At Philomatur's stern command, Valavune and the council members struck their spears against the ground with a thud.
"For the lost pride."
"Go."
Tap!
Philomatur's eyes went slack as he watched them disappear.
Soon even his upright posture completely loosened and all strength drained from him.
"Living like flowing water, dying like an extinguished flame is my philosophy..."
Why does the world make things so troublesome.
Philomatur let out a deep sigh.
Why does the tribe insist on fighting.
It would be comfortable and nice to just hide somewhere else and live.
With such thoughts, Philomatur rose from his seat.
'If I'm going to run, it's now or never.'
Am I going to stand by and watch the tribe die?
Am I going to drive them into the jaws of death?
Don't make me laugh.
The ones who drove themselves into the jaws of death were not me, but themselves.
'In the first place, them acting like they've forgotten about the past is what pisses me off the most.'
He had imposing scales, and two horns sprouted from his head.
However, compared to the Dragonian tribe, it was more accurate to say his appearance was somewhat more human. Because the form of his arms and legs was closer to human than dragon.
Thus, he had originally been subtly ostracized even within the tribe.
One with thicker human blood.
The shame of the diluted tribe who wasn't fully granted the dragon's blood.
They called him a subversive existence more like a symbol of regression than a product of evolution, and that was originally what the Dragonians meant when referring to him.
But the situation changed.
With the great warriors dying in droves from consecutive battles, when Philomatur left the tribe, went on a pilgrimage, grew stronger, and returned.
It was rather the tribe that had regressed.
He wanted to mock them, but they never doubted that Philomatur's power was the power of dragons, their ancestors.
Thus, he naturally became the tribe's chief, and the obligation to lead them was imposed on him.
"Don't make me laugh. I'm originally just a sinner who only runs away."
Of course he had no qualification to lead them.
Nor any reason to.
So whatever happens to the Dragonians.
"Let them perish."
He had no affinity or sense of belonging with them.
He was neither a Dragonian nor a human, a being that belonged nowhere.
'I shouldn't have come back.'
I should have just adventured with those guys.
I shouldn't have stopped the pilgrimage.
I came back for no reason.
Yes, so.
"Let's leave."
Because I don't care what happens to this worthless tribe.
No luggage needed.
Just one spear.
That was enough.
Philomatur came out of the cave.
His resolve was firm, and his steps were light.
He could leave anywhere.
"Chieftain..."
"Wow, it's the Chieftain!"
"Chieftain, have you seen our dad?"
The children wriggled closer.
The young children chattering at his feet were the future of the Dragonians.
Soon to face cruel reality.
"You dummy, they say enemies came."
"What's an enemy?"
"I don't know either. Chieftain, what's an enemy?"
"..."
"Whatever it is, it'll be fine because the Chieftain will take care of it. Dad said so. He said the Chieftain is the greatest and strongest warrior."
Philomatur's face crumpled violently.
"Damn it."
Creak.
The spear shaft screamed under his strong grip.
"Hide."
Tap!
As he stamped his foot and leapt up, Philomatur's figure vanished in an instant and was already passing through the forest toward the swamp.
Leg strength that transcended humans.
And the spear in his hand was fierce enough to pierce anything.
But he was still hesitating.
He just.
Just like always.
"I want to run away."
Like a lizard cutting off its tail and fleeing.
He just wanted to run away.
He was neither dragon nor human, just a mere lizard.
But now he had to choose.
Whether to be a lizard.
Or a dragon.
"You want to run away? Go ahead."
"...!"
Flinch!
Philomatur's figure, which had been swiftly cutting through the bushes, stopped abruptly.
Thud!
A trench was dug into the ground as Philo stopped and immediately thrust his spear forward.
Goooo...!
The atmosphere was pierced by his strike.
Bang!
The sound of splitting air spread as his spear was about to tear apart the source of the voice.
Claaang-!!
A massive hammer blocked him.
"Philo!"
"Aldu!?"
Why was he here.
A faint smile appeared on his confused face.
Aldu and Selena.
Seeing their faces, his tension loosened. But he didn't completely let down his guard.
Because beside them was a being arrogantly looking down at him.
'What is this.'
The divine power was faint.
But it was a being where another unprecedented power was felt together.
Though his entire body was wrapped in a pure white robe, Philomatur instinctively realized he was by no means a weak person.
"He is the one who will help you."
"An ally, that is."
At the sight of Aldu and Selena laughing heartily, Philomatur's Adam's apple bobbed.
Kuaaaaa!
Boom!
The battle had already begun.
"Good to see you. But it doesn't seem like the time to catch up right now."
"Yeah, that's why we..."
Just as Aldu was about to say something.
"A promise must be kept. I've also received the price."
His hand moved.
An ominous purple energy drew elegant letters in the air.
"Scriptural Relic of the Three Scriptures. Net Teaching (Wangjiao)."
Rumble!!!
The entire swamp area was covered in purple.
Something hidden within the swamp emitted an intense purple light.
The purple energy that burst out in perfect order became a net and covered all directions.
"Uwah!"
"W-What is this!"
The Imperial knights fell into the swamp and struggled. The Dragonians didn't miss that gap. They simultaneously aimed their spears and thrust.
Stab! Stab stab!
The screams of the Empire began to echo.
"No way..."
Lost for words at the tremendous might, Philomatur turned his head to the one who had created this spectacle.
"If you want to run away, then go. There's no ally more dangerous than one who wavers."
Swish.
Beneath the removed hood.
Purple eyes looking down with a gaze that seemed to freeze everything.
The moment he witnessed that.
Philomatur strongly felt.
That he wanted to flee to him.