Chapter 189 : Side Story 14
Side Story 14
Uriel wanted to face someone for the last time before leaving for the northern territory.
That being was not human like herself, and had been living in seclusion somewhere no human had ever reached.
Among their kind, this being was the most rational and maintained a neutral stance, making conversation at least possible.
"... A human has arrived here? How strange."
Hearing the solemn voice, Uriel slowly revealed herself.
Her counterpart moved their massive body, peering at Uriel's form.
After studying her intently, the being belatedly realized her bloodline.
"So, you are a descendant of Tiksa. Do you know who I am?"
"You are known as Ru the Luminescent."
"How did you discover this place? Even for a fellow dragon, it would not have been easy..."
Ru the Luminescent's golden eyes shifted, revealing a peculiar curiosity.
The descendant of Tiksa had lost the dragon's power in the process of passing down her bloodline.
To be precise, it was stolen by another and had not yet been reclaimed.
Nevertheless, the descendant of Tiksa had concealed her presence and managed to reach this hidden refuge.
"I'll prove my ability with that. I just hope you'll listen to me seriously."
"You're already behaving abnormally. How can you face me without a dragon's power?"
"You did not intervene because of order, did you not? Then shouldn't you accept outcomes like this as well?"
"..."
Ru the Luminescent was silent, locking eyes with Uriel.
Surprisingly, the descendant of Tiksa was aware of Hazlodein's order and Ru's disposition.
Since it didn't seem mere coincidence, perhaps it was worth confirming her intent, if only for a moment.
"I will reclaim the dragon's power soon. Will you still choose to remain a bystander even then?"
"However... it will not be easy. Such innate power should be inherited by bloodline. But as it was forcibly taken, you'll have to bear commensurate risk."
Ru the Luminescent had witnessed the situation at the time and could clearly see the consequence.
The human who stole the dragon's power had been paying a fitting price ever since.
Thus, even if Tiksa's descendant recovered that power, she would undergo a similar ordeal.
"I know. I'll have to attempt another method."
"... There's no reason for me to interfere. That, too, is Tiksa's choice."
Ru the Luminescent was displaying a faint interest in Uriel.
It was not enough that Uriel had come to her in person—she was even expressing her ambition to recover the dragon's power.
Certainly, she was no ordinary human. Ru wondered if she could even expect something of her.
"... Do you truly believe that neutrality is right?"
"It cannot always be right. Still, my intervention should not trigger a distortion."
"Is that a judgment for both dragons and humans?"
"I am a dragon, so I must first consider the safety of my kin. However, since I must not threaten other races, I maintain neutrality."
"So you knowingly leave things as they are, even though you know it is wrong?"
"That is indeed the best choice. It guarantees my kin's safety while preserving my own convictions."
"Is it not that you're just afraid of fighting your own kind? For you, humans are a different race, so their fate does not matter?"
"..."
Ru the Luminescent quietly looked down at Uriel, following the silence.
Hearing those words, she was not particularly angered.
Rather, having her true feelings pierced left her with a sense of alienation.
"Tiksa the Frostbane never harmed humans. He even sealed himself away. Yet, I still have to hide my bloodline because humans hate us."
"..."
"That isn't a best choice. It isn't even a real choice—continuously deferring only leads to being driven away."
"If you know about me, you shouldn't say such things."
"One day, you'll have to abandon neutrality. And then, you'll cite breaking order as the reason. But after that, what do you think will happen?"
"Are you saying I will be destroyed? I am an overseer among dragons, and a mighty dragon at that."
"... I've said all I came to say. I'll go now."
Uriel had never intended to persuade Ru the Luminescent from the beginning.
Ru had already held fast to her own convictions and was fettered by the might of dragons.
In the end, such arrogance would lead her to a humiliating defeat.
'If I do this, perhaps she'll act a little sooner.'
* * *
Uriel obtained permission from the great mage and set out for the northern territory herself.
Now, while fighting on the front lines, her fate would change drastically.
After all, she would eventually come face to face with the one who stole the dragon's power in the northern territory.
'I could steal the dragon's power right away, but... it's much too dangerous.'
As a descendant of Tiksa the Frostbane, she was rightly qualified.
Yet, external interference during the process caused the dragon's power to be lost.
The power of a dragon was intense and alien—direct contact might well destroy body and mind alike.
'That's why I need my child.'
Alone, she could not safely reclaim the dragon's power.
But if another bloodline was combined, the effect could be mitigated and a long-term solution considered.
Perhaps the Book of All Things had suggested a rational method in its own way.
'But that method... would place a heavy burden on my child.'
She herself needed to be sealed, but at least could preserve her life.
However, her child would be forced into hardship in order to reclaim the dragon's power.
In truth, it was no different from sacrificing her child as the price to prevent the destruction of the world.
'Is there truly no other way?'
Uriel gazed at the drifting snow in the air, seized by a faint unease.
After she was sealed, she would have no way to intervene.
All she could do was hope her child, left with everything, could bring about a peaceful ending.
Even if she foresaw the future, she could not find comfort.
'Knowing the future is a torment. Perhaps ignorance would have been better.'
If she could predict the events to come, she might avoid all losses and crises.
But reaching such results entailed an inevitable process.
The path demanded endurance and solitude, which brought nothing but further anguish.
'If I continue to act according to my own thoughts, trouble will surely arise...'
Perhaps no one would ever understand her intentions.
That would incite resistance and endless interference from many.
Nevertheless, she would stand firm, unswerving in her chosen actions.
'If that is a trial I must face... then I will accept it.'
* * *
Zair was inspecting the forces and supplies in preparation for the monster invasion.
As a commander, he managed his royal court unit and was also entrusted with the defense of the First Outer Castle.
Given the possibility that the First Outer Castle might fall, he had to devise a thorough tactic.
"Rodden, how's the repairs on the castle walls going?"
"Almost done. I suppose it's about time to inspect the main gates."
Rodden Hiberat, Captain of the First Outer Castle guard, replied calmly, following Zair.
He was effectively Zair's closest knight and had become a commander through skill alone.
In the field, he was in a superior realm, and as Zair's comrade-in-arms, he had played a great role.
"Is the retreat route to the Second Outer Castle secured?"
"We're following the existing route, but... just in case, I've prepared an alternative."
"I'll check that route myself later. How are the soldiers?"
"I'm focusing discipline on the new recruits. If they run away in fear, that'd be a big problem."
"Don't push them too hard. It's only natural to be afraid, if it's their first time."
"But we can't coddle them for everything. Everyone must care for their own life, you know?"
"Who really fights because they like it? Everyone values their own life, and for the new recruits, that's even more true."
With a serious gaze, Zair surveyed the soldiers upon the castle walls.
Sure, most had joined for high pay or prospects of advancement.
But among them were those with pure patriotism and loyalty.
That was why every single soldier had to be valued and sent into battle.
"Sir, you really are too soft-hearted. Don't you think we should be tougher?"
"We're already strict enough, aren't we? The training isn't exactly gentle."
"But that's just training. In real combat, you must show decisiveness."
"I won't force the soldiers to the front by sheer authority. When it comes to that, I must be a model myself."
"Aigh... in that case, I'm the only bad guy again, aren't I?"
Rodden voiced his complaint, but nevertheless accepted the logic.
Victory and survival depended upon the commander's orders.
Many such as he accepted the sacrifice of troops in pursuit of victory.
But Zair always placed the survival of his forces first, working solely for the safety of the subjects.
"You're closer to the soldiers than I am. That's why you must be a bit strict."
"I'm used to being a strict commander... but I worry that you might be underestimated, sir."
"Before that happens, you'll no doubt take action. With your nature, you couldn't leave it alone."
"Still, if you took initiative yourself, that would give everyone a sense of urgency."
"Isn't one scary commander enough? No need for two."
Zair patted Rodden on the shoulder and resumed his patrol of the walls.
Rodden let out a dry laugh, unwillingly accepting the order.
"The reinforcements will be here soon, so make sure the food stores are sufficient."
"The supplies haven't arrived yet. I guess we'll have to bring it from the Second Outer Castle..."
"Commander! The mage society and holy knight order dispatched from the capital have just arrived!"
"... Is that so. I'll go in person."
Receiving the report, Zair immediately turned around.
He had expected them to arrive later than the imperial reinforcements, but the timing was sooner than anticipated.
He would need to check the numbers and internal structure and reorganize his forces.
"Anything out of the ordinary?"
"Yes, sir! The holy knight order includes the cardinal, the archbishop, and other priests; and from the mage society, top mages representing each society have been dispatched."
Nodding, Zair headed for the southern gate.
By now, the group had likely already passed through or was gathering near the gate.
Most would probably be assigned to the Second Outer Castle, with only a select few entering the First Outer Castle.
"... Ah! The great mage's society sent the great mage's personal apprentice, I hear!"
"What a gathering of dignitaries. This should be sufficient, don't you think?"
"It's not as bad as I feared."
Spotting the reinforcements, Zair quickly surveyed them.
From the holy knight order, both the order captain and cardinal stood out.
The mage society numbered only a few dozen—it seemed that only a select few elites had been sent.
'That person...'
As Zair glanced over the mages, he locked eyes with a familiar face.
Bundled in a thick coat, but with indigo-blue eyes shining softly.
White hair spilled from under her hood, setting off a serenely beautiful visage.
'That woman keeps drawing my gaze. Why is that?'