Book 14: Chapter 43
Inard thought he was a goner. Anybody would consider themselves done for if they saw the huge creature before them. The ancient and majestic creature should only exist on worn out leather parchments and in exaggerated stories of poets… until then. A large creature of legends had appeared before him. It transformed from a boulder!
The volume of sand inhibited the elves’ keen senses. The sand and dust covered their vision, while the winds inhibited their vigilant ears. As a result, they didn’t realise what was next to them wasn’t a boulder until they were right next to it!
The dragon raised her long neck and roared as if she was venting the fact that she was buried in the sand. She stared at the elves below with her golden eyes. She leapt off the boulder with her blue claws. The elves thought the sky was raining boulders. The sand on the ground reacted as if it was fleeing for dear life. The ground quaked and strong gales blew toward them, almost blowing Inard off his horse.
“Your Highness, go on ahead!! We shall stay behind to back you up!” cried a guard.
Though they were suddenly attacked and startled, the elite imperial guards immediately composed themselves. They didn’t know how to defeat the dragon, so they chose to sacrifice their lives for their King’s safety. Inard recovered from his fear that had him quaking in his boots. He desperately kicked his horse to try and turn around to flee.
“It’s an impossible endeavour. It’s impossible for me to defeat this monster. Dragon slaying warriors only exist in stories, after all! Who could look this creature in the eye in reality?!! Forget fighting it with a sword, you’d still be a warrior even if you passed out from shock due it! I should let my sister deal with this monstrosity. They’re both monsters anyway. I’m just an ordinary elf. I was too foolish and overestimated myself. I must run now for my family and my nation!” Inard told himself.
However, Inard didn’t move. He didn’t change his mind, no. His steed was already on its knees quaking due to fear. Panicked, he jumped off his horse to run. As soon as his feet reached the ground, he heard a crunching sound.
White bones underneath the yellow sand were exposed. There were bones littered all over as if they were grains of sand. Horrified, Inard shrieked. He thought he encountered the dragon by coincidence. He never thought he was the one who walked right into its den! He realised, “The littered bones here belong to fools just like me!”
The dragon wasn’t interested in the group of elves. It was agonising to bear with, but she couldn’t be satisfied with just some random. Otherwise, she would’ve made do with a rock. Her eyes were locked onto the elf who dismounted and tried to flee. The elf she targeted possessed superior mana to his guards.