Inheriting the Novel

Preparation for the Decisive Battle (2)

When countless dragons gathered on the primeval lands, I could feel the earth itself tremble.

Kukukung, kukukung!

Mersaya, startled by the mighty rumbling of the ground, lifted her head and sensed that the sky was gradually darkening.

'What is this? It was so clear just a moment ago...'

As she pondered and looked up at the sky, she immediately realized the cause.

It wasn't the weather that had changed.

Something massive was covering the entire sky, blocking out the sun.

"Ooh! It's Lord Largios!"

Wings incomparably larger than any other dragon.

Not just one pair, but three pairs of wings beating, stirring up fierce gusts that toppled the surrounding trees.

A being whose every flap of its wings could shake the earth and bring forth tempests.

It was none other than the primeval dragon, Largios.

'Wow...'

It was so enormous, I couldn't imagine it as the same dragon species—the overwhelming strength was tangible.

It felt as though I was witnessing a 'god'.

「It has truly been a long time since I gathered so many children like this.」

The sky hummed as Largios' Dragon Tongue echoed above.

Dragons polymorphed in all manners listened to Largios' words as if entranced.

「The reason I have gathered you is because I have something to announce.」

"Announce?"

"What could be important enough that Lord Largios himself..."

If Largios, known as the primeval dragon, personally summoned the dragons to talk, it could only be something momentous enough to be recorded in the continent's history.

Mersaya swallowed hard, focusing on Largios' next words.

「There will be a war.」

At Largios' calm declaration, the dragons grew perplexed.

"A war... but wars happen all the time, don't they?"

「It's not just any war. It is a war that will determine the history of the world.」

"It will decide history?"

Largios moved his massive head, gazing down at the dragons on the ground.

「A gate to the new world is opening. Before that, we must seize control of this world, to bring order to it once more.」

"Is that for the sake of balance?"

「The current world is twisted. That is why wars arise, and their power is scattered. We need to gather that power in one place.」

The dragons found it hard to understand Largios' intentions. Those words didn't quite sink in.

「And when all the strength is gathered, we will invade the world of the gods together with Altair.」

To do so, unification was necessary.

A world governed by divine power and under the absolute strength of dragons.

Honestly, Largios himself had no interest in the act of ruling.

But... the thought did stir his curiosity.

― Don't you want to see the world of the gods, Largios?

That's what Altair said.

If you help me, I'll help you reach the world of the gods.

For Largios, who was bored of his endless life and prepared to enter eternal sleep, it was an enticing offer.

"Lord Largios, does that mean we are to aid Altair and wage this war?"

「That's right. First, we will unify this world, then we will act.」

The war that Largios spoke of was not between the living beings on the continent, but against 'the gods' themselves.

To Largios, this didn't even count as a war.

"Will it... start right away?"

「No. When Altair moves, we too shall move. It will likely take considerable time.」

Largios once again swept his gaze over those present, speaking in a kindly tone.

「However, I am not compelling anyone to participate.」

He addressed the dragons with a merciful voice.

「All of you, as bearers of balance, may choose for yourselves. I am only granting you the choice. Move according to my and Altair's will, or do not fight at all.」

As he had said from the beginning, this was merely a 'notification'.

「But if you do not join me, you will not be able to reach the world of the gods.」

At that moment, the dragons each realized the truth.

That choosing not to stand with Largios essentially meant becoming his enemy.

To turn the mighty primeval dragon into an adversary?

'Is there really any need to commit such a suicidal act?'

There was, after all, nothing to lose from Largios' proposal. Compared to being forced to live limited lives as bearers of balance, unable to act freely, this was a better deal.

It meant escaping a feeble existence living out mere dreams in the name of amusement.

「Now, make your choice. Those who will not stand with me may leave.」

At Largios' words, the assembled dragons nodded quietly as if there was no need to think about it.

Except for one, the youngest dragon.

"Mersaya?"

Those who knew that dragon smiled wryly.

"Well, if it's that half-baked one, war might be scary."

"Yeah, it's better if those types drop out. Honestly, it's embarrassing to consider you kin."

Seeing Mersaya step out, a few dragons hesitated and quietly withdrew as well.

Dragons of gentle disposition, or those who had deep ties to other living beings, tried to avoid war if possible.

「Good. Those who don't stand with us may now leave. And... I hope you do not regret your choice.」

At Largios' words, Mersaya shot a glance back before transforming into a dragon and taking flight.

'What kind of major incident is this?'

She tried to act calm as she ascended, but her heart was pounding.

She knew it was no ordinary situation, but she never expected that Largios would join hands with Altair.

'Still, I suppose I should be glad there is still a little time.'

Mersaya now worried that she might have made the wrong decision.

Realistically, with Largios and so many dragons in motion, the fate of the continent was essentially sealed.

Even Altair was acting alongside them.

Yet, Mersaya instinctively turned her back and soared away.

'Ugh, whatever. I don't want to fight alongside those guys!'

There was no way she could be on the same side as the dragons who always belittled and scorned her.

'... If I tell that man, he'll do something about it.'

It was almost a reckless faith, but that was the kind of human Clay was to Mersaya.

Someone special.

Mersaya thought of him like the protagonist in a novel.

And so, she was able to make this kind of choice, even if she thought herself foolish.

Whether it was the right choice or not—she did not know yet.

* * *

"Setram has sent letters to the kingdoms within his reach."

Before heading to Setram, I had to prepare in several ways.

I needed to become more proficient with the Heaven-Slaying Arms, and I had to check the current situation in Setram.

"What was in those letters?"

"As you'd expect, it was about war."

Jade reported to me, looking worn out. He must not have been sleeping well, given all the recent turmoil.

"The exact date...?"

"It's not set yet, but it'll probably be about a month from now."

"That's not much time."

"Honestly, I doubt Setram is counting much on outside help from the other kingdoms."

It seemed that as long as he could buy some time, that would suffice. Clearly, Setram had plans in place to win, even if it meant taking on the whole continent.

"And here's the list you asked for."

"Thank you, Jade."

I tucked the paper Jade handed me into my pocket.

Jade said there was still about a month left, but things could always change—I had to act quickly.

"Son-in-law~! The task you asked for is done!"

Just then, the door burst open and Rutia staggered in.

"Mother, please don't call Clay that."

"Why not~? You worried about the others hearing? Really, with a guy like Clay you can just do whatever—"

Rutia cut herself off as she spotted Riya sitting right next to me, smiling sweetly.

"Count Clay Vanhart, I have successfully spoken with the Seven Heroes."

"...... Thank you for your work."

Rutia, now speaking stiffly, snuck glances at Riya seated beside her.

With Riya's mood suddenly plummeting, her lips twitched, ready to unleash Dragon Tongue at any moment.

Seeing this, Rutia hurriedly grabbed my sleeve and changed the subject.

"R-right! I had a precognitive dream for the first time in ages!"

"A precognitive dream?"

"Yes! It really has been a long while."

Since the Eintban incident, where she had influenced the original story, Rutia hadn't had any precognitive dreams.

"What kind of dream was it?"

"It's strange. Normally the hero in my dreams is that man, but this time, it was you."

"Me?"

Her precognitive dreams were always based on the original story.

In other words, just like my synopsis, she would see something like Fabian's tale from the original.

"Yes. You seemed to be wandering somewhere."

"Wandering... Did you see where that was?"

"I'm not sure. It was just... hard to describe."

In short, she had no meaningful information yet.

"The more I dream, the clearer it'll get. Eventually I'll be able to see it straight. I'll tell you or give you a warning before I do anything about it."

"It's best to warn me ahead of time, before you do anything."

"All right."

With that, Rutia gave Riya one last wary look before leaving and shutting the door.

"... Sorry about my mother."

"Not at all. She's really delightful, you know—at least she's better than mothers who always want to kill their own children, right?"

"...."

At Riya's cold words, Maria pressed her lips shut.

"But Riya, she's not your real mother, after all..."

"Yes, my birth mother has already passed away."

I, too, was left with nothing to say.

[Why is this lizard girl so touchy?]

'I guess she doesn't like the idea of me going alone.'

She accepted it readily at first, but as the news came in, I could tell she was growing anxious about letting me go solo.

"... Clay."

"Yeah?"

Finally, Riya put down the pen she'd been toying with and spoke hesitantly.

"If you don't mind, at least take that weirdo with you."

"The weirdo... you mean Mersaya?"

"Yes. She's a dragon, so she'll be useful. And though I don't like it... I recommend taking Kisea as well."

Right now, Ian had left for the empire, and Teo was on his way to Lavantara. They had messages to deliver, preparing for the coming war.

So, of the talent left in the domain, only Kisea was really available.

'I was planning to do that anyway.'

Of course, I was never planning to go alone. Who knows what could happen?

But if I said so directly, things could get awkward, so I nodded carefully instead.

"I'll follow your advice, Riya. Kisea will definitely be a big help."

"Well, I suppose you would have, even if I hadn't said anything."

"......."

She was right. I'd already hinted to Kisea as well.

Seeing this, Riya smiled softly, propping her chin up and looking at me.

"I just... wanted to act a little spoiled. Really, I came here to spend more time together... but it's hard just to see you for long."

"This won't last forever."

"Really?"

"Of course."

Even considering how much the original has changed now, there really weren't many enemies left.

At my words, Riya lapsed into thought, then shyly tugged at my sleeve and whispered.

"Then, Clay—if you come back safely, will you grant me a wish?"

"A wish?"

"Yes. That is..."

Just as Riya said that, someone put their palm over her lips.

"Don't go dropping strange foreshadowing. If you say stuff like that at times like these, something bad is bound to happen."

"... What do you mean by that."

"You worked on novels with Clay for ages—is that what you're going for?"

At Maria's chiding, Riya only glared, but let it go without any retaliation.

Seeing them like that, I couldn't help but laugh.

If only I could take care of things quickly, living like this wouldn't be so bad.

[So, are we going now?]

'Yeah, we should.'

I gently brushed over the paper I'd slipped in my pocket.

Written on this paper—the location of the imprisoned Michelle Atell.