Book 11 Chapter 2

Chapter 254

Beneath wings that beat the sky, a blue sea and a barren desert quickly flashed by.

"Woah!"

Aki and Nen, finding the sight so thrilling, kept looking down, exclaiming, laughing, and chattering repeatedly.

"……"

My heart, watching them, was anything but at ease, but I had to try my best not to show any sorrow.

Here, where my hair whipped wildly in the gusts of wind, was on Freede's back.

To be precise, we were currently moving to <Flame Continent> in one go with the help of Freede, who had taken the form of a dragon.

Rem and Bart stayed in <Raptas>, saying that the demons might return in the meantime.

Before we climbed onto Freede's back and departed, Rem and Bart each embraced Aki tightly with their affections and offered words of blessing.

Aki doesn't know the meaning of those farewells yet. She'll find out soon enough.

"Rin, no, Rein. Do you see beyond there?"

"Yeah."

"The world of volcanic ash… The ash has gotten thicker than last time."

The endlessly stretching sea and desert gradually lost their light at a certain point, beginning to turn pitch black.

The land of demons, where the light of the gods did not shine, the future that Aki and Nen would have to endure.

A place where servants of the abyss, exiled from the civilized world, gathered, a land called the demon's lair. That land, where volcanic ash scattered darkly, was the Demon Realm.

"I wish I could have borne that myself."

The Black Church, which spread the abyss to the world, lost most of its power and crumbled, but it did not completely collapse.

Just as the <Ones Who Came> defeated the <Forgotten Kings> but could not destroy their divinity, only sealing them.

Someday, they would awaken again and try to invade the world even more intensely and violently than now. Just as in the illusion Karen provided before.

"To have to leave Aki in a place like this."

"Don't worry too much. There are plenty of red dragons, the strongest fighters even among the dragon race, aren't there?"

"……"

"But, Rein, do we really have to leave Aki in <Flame Continent>?"

"Because we promised."

Before departing from <Raptas>, Freede had made this point clear.

- The other red dragons are bound by their souls and bodies to <Flame Continent> and cannot move. The same goes for me. Though the power of that binding is weak.

- So only Freede can move this far?

- Yes, and there are two reasons why I could come here.

- To seduce a man? Agh, my nose!

- This is serious. As you well know, there are now only two true dragons remaining in the Red Dragon Legion, and even those two are gradually losing their vitality guarding <Flame Continent>.

- …

- Understand? I came here to meet you, but also to safely bring the true dragon's hatchling to <Flame Continent>.

And Aki is an exceptionally rare true dragon, possessing two Yeouiju. Her power will surely be needed by the Legion.

"So, there's no way out."

Holding on any longer would be my selfishness. As I forced a sad smile, the time of farewell approached mercilessly moment by moment.

Before long, it began to appear.

Flames, cliffs of flame dominating the horizon, stretching endlessly towards the far east, a magnificent spectacle.

It was so vast and so tall that even from this distance, it couldn't be encompassed in a single glance.

That flames could rise so grandly, beautifully, and orderly was indeed a marvel born of the Divine Dragon's miracle.

"That's <Flame Continent>…"

"Yes, at the end of the turmoil, the Fire Dragon Bel'dakhidun built that wall there. It must be your first time seeing it in person."

"Come to think of it, didn't the Fire Dragon say she was going to fight a stronger opponent back then?"

An opponent stronger than Zernix, who could it be? Could it be the first pillar of the Black Church?

The one whose traces could be glimpsed slightly in the Dragon Slayer's memories… the unknown swordsman who taught humanity's greatest sword.

Miria didn't seem to know what became of her either. Freede said,

"She's alive."

"What?"

"She seems to be doing something below the barrier now, but we have no way of knowing."

And I would never have to defeat her. Karen had said it wasn't my assigned task.

"It's starting to become visible."

The wall of flame was like a ridge.

The wall, drawing closer, undulated like a mountain range, and at each undulating peak, wyverns landed, sharply scanning the abyssal land south of the barrier.

"Aki, look at that! See? Those are your kin! Red dragons just like you. Aren't they cool?"

"Aki's kin?"

"Yeah! They're dragons! Wow, will Aki be that cool when she grows up?"

When I feigned excitement, Aki stared intently at <Flame Continent>. Her eyes held something akin to longing and yearning.

Yes, Aki would be happy there.

Then, a wyvern looking down beyond the barrier turned its gaze towards us and, suddenly stretching its neck, roared mightily.

"What is it…?"

"It's calling Aki."

The roar soon spread in all directions.

As dragons one by one followed suit, sacred roars, sharply rising and reaching the sky, filled the space between the sky and the flames.

Then, Aki and Nen, who had never been taught nor done so in their lives, responded with clumsy roars.

The roar that the Dragon Legion displayed when welcoming kin. The highest ritual. That roar felt like a wall separating me and Aki, making me feel inexplicably lonely.

"Landing."

The heat of <Flame Continent> was unbearable for humans, so Freede landed quite a distance away.

"The true dragons will come to meet you soon. Leave Setsnen to me and go ahead."

"Aung?"

"Setsnen, shall we play with Auntie? How about playing 'transform into a dragon'? Can you fly?"

"I love ittt (惡)!"

Leaving Setsnen with Freede, I walked towards the horizon where flames blazed.

Soon, two dragons with brilliantly shining red scales flew up from the highest peak, followed by three others.

I expected a sandstorm from the impact of their high-altitude descent when they landed before us, but they controlled it with dragonic words, so not a speck of dust touched us.

"Al do re Gubi she."

Two were adult true dragons and three were wyverns, their overwhelming size and majesty were truly no exaggeration to call them traces of myth.

Soon, the two true dragons took human form amidst the transcendent flames.

Scales burning like fire.

And eyes reminiscent of a golden land.

They were a handsome man and woman, clad in red scales like armor, and the woman's demeanor was so similar to my sister Alakesh that for a moment I felt a pang of pain in my chest.

"What is this? The gods shall bless this meeting today, for there are three souls with a fragrant essence that pleases our hearts."

It was the true dragon with whom I had a brief acquaintance 300 years ago. Miria and I bowed almost simultaneously, showing our respect.

"Lord Grydaone, Lord Zhakan."

The red true dragons, Grydaone and Zhakan, were also comrades who had fought together on battlefields during the turmoil.

Of course, we had only exchanged a word or two in passing; we didn't have a deep friendship like Freede, who was raised by the Fire Dragon.

After a brief greeting with us, the true dragons soon approached Aki.

"Welcome, daughter of flame. I perceive the soul-fragrance of Alakesh and Phairas."

"Are you truly the flesh and blood of our eldest, Alakesh?"

"I pray to the gods that this is not a hallucination wrought by dreams."

Aki tilted her head then looked up at me.

"Yes, tell them it's true."

And then she hid behind my legs from the kin approaching her, shaking her head.

"Aki is Daddy's daughter."

"Aki? Your name is a single syllable. I do not know what dragonic word that is. For what meaning did Alakesh give you that name?"

"Aki is Daddy's daughter!"

When Aki shrieked, the true dragons exchanged perplexed glances. I had to intervene.

"Aki's name is Akilea. Aki doesn't know Alakesh-nim. She passed away before Aki hatched from her egg…"

"What was her end?"

"She protected me and the beastfolk from the Young Lord of White, Shar'kas… I apologize. She illuminated the world as a great flame until the very end. Truly."

Not only the true dragons but also the wyverns closed their eyes and let out deep, mournful sighs. The sighs rose like smoke into the sky and scattered in the wind.

"We thank you for bringing that sorrowful yet proud news to this end of the earth, child of the spring breeze with the fragrance of the black sun. Is there anything you wish for?"

"May I dare to speak?"

"You are a benefactor; there is nothing you ask of the Legion that would be too much."

I bit my lip firmly.

As Aki repeatedly looked between me and the dragons with bewildered eyes, I gently pushed her back towards the true dragons.

"Please take good care of Aki, she's a good child. So, yes, she'll become a good dragon. But when she sleeps, someone still needs to sleep beside her, and she still drools a bit, but that's, well, it happens sometimes? It's not severe. And, well, that."

When I came to my senses, words were gushing out, unstructured, like a dam breaking after being held back for so long.

"Rein."

Miria placed a hand on my shoulder and quietly shook her head. Zhakan was looking at me with a warm gaze.

"I understand your earnest heart well. But do not worry. We shall raise Alakesh's daughter beautifully with all our hearts and intentions."

Just one more time, one last time, I wanted to hold her close. I wanted to meet her eyes and stroke her hair. I wanted to laugh heartily together at silly things.

But.

If I did that, it would only cause greater pain for both you and me. So, so, right now, I have to be expressionless like a cold-blooded creature. Like a rock…

"This is goodbye, Aki."

"Goodbye…?"

"It means we're parting. Aki, I told you at the beginning, didn't I? I'm not your daddy. You're a dragon, and I'm a human."

"Aki doesn't understand. Daddy is Daddy."

"No, I'm not your daddy. It's time to go to your real family now."

"Daddyyy."

"Goodbye."

Aki blankly clutched at Celesia's sleeve.

For the first time since meeting Aki, I shook off her hand and turned away.

As I turned, I saw Aki's eyes looking up at me blankly at the edge of my vision, but I looked away.

This is how it has to be.

This is how…

When I reached transcendence, Alakesh's Yeouiju all left my soul and settled in Aki.

So, Alakesh and Aki are not separating either.

Now that it's happened, Aki will no longer mistake me for her father. It's for the best. It's for the best.

"Aki."

Miria, who had been staring at the distant sky with a complex expression, also patted Aki's shoulders and hugged her tightly before turning away.

"Where's my sisterrr?"

When I returned, leaving Aki far behind, Setsnen tilted her head and asked.

"Aki isn't coming."

"Whyyy?"

"If I say she's not coming, she's not coming. We're going now."

"No, nooo, I don't want to if my sister's not here! Leaving my sister alone is baaaddd (惡)!"

"Stop it."

That's when Aki cried out in a voice that sounded like it was about to break.

"Does Daddy hate Aki now?!"

Those words were like thorns, no, sharp thorns that pricked my heart painfully. I felt my body grow heavy like lead.

"Daddyy, Aki, Aki did something wroong…"

Aki stumbled, walking through the sand that sank up to her ankles.

"From now on, I will, I will never bother Daddy again. I'll do everything Daddy tells me to do well, even better… I won't drool, I'll always speak politely, so Aki… please don't leave me…"

I had to leave, before those footsteps got closer, but I couldn't move at all.

The world was blurry from the sudden surge of tears.

No, I can't get swept away by emotion… Now that we have to start new lives, I can't dwell on the past.

"Aki, Aki likes Daddy best in the whole world… Does Daddy really hate Aki…?"

Do I hate you? Is that something you even say?

It's not true.

You were Alakesh's smile, her warmth, her flame, and that distant Harbadonia. You are Trident Point, and Kasena's laughter, and the Durankus tribe.

You are the scent of flowers at the moment the wind sweeping low across the ground shakes the twilight herbs, and the sound of logs burning, warmly illuminating the winter of life.

Every journey of life that led here began the moment I met you.

I couldn't even imagine it.

Because I was afraid to imagine it. Life without you.

"You idiot…"

That was my limit.

I turned and ran across the sand.

And I hugged Aki, who was coming towards me crying, tightly.

"Of course I don't hate you. But, but, so, you're a dragon and I'm…"

"Then Aki won't be a dragon… I don't want to be a dragon… I won't be a dragon, Aki, Aki doesn't want to part with Daddy…"

Aki sobbed, burying her face in my shoulder.

Her voice was so soft it sounded like it might break.

Miria, who had been holding back, also came over and hugged my shoulder and Aki's head.

"It is impossible for a human to be a protector of the dragon race."

But reality is called reality precisely because it's not so easy that tears can solve it, isn't it?

"Dragons are different from humans; they are born with a mission and die with a mission."

"Even this time displaying childish behavior is a waste for you, child of fire."

As the wyverns resolutely denied that possibility, Aki shook her head wildly.

"No, Aki won't!"

Miria, daringly disrespectfully, grabbed the wyvern's arm reaching out from its massive stature towards Aki.

"Just a little, isn't it alright to give us just a little more time?"