Chapter 615
"That sounds like a bit of a stretch to me," Archeas replied calmly, a slight smile on its face. "There were many other events after that which carved rifts into the world. It was only a matter of time. The same result would eventually have occurred."
"Still, it seems he moved that timeline up quite a bit," Ian said with a chuckle. Perhaps all legendary beings were just bastards who had a hand in ruining the world.
"To a dragon, such things are minor differences. And perhaps we could have repaired the damage. But we didn’t. Even after realizing we should not have stood by, we left rather than take responsibility."
The smile on Archeas's face had turned bitter. "As far from the continent as possible."
"If you ask me, you should have done the same," said Ian.
Archeas let out a soft, amused laugh. "Someone had to stay behind. And it was only natural that I, the one closest to humankind, should be the one. Even if it hadn’t been, I would’ve volunteered."
Its golden gaze drifted back to Ian. "I was curious what would become of the continent once the dragons were gone."
"So you chose loneliness just to satisfy your curiosity?"
"I have no regrets. The age of humans has been more interesting than any before it. Besides, it led me to meet you, did it not?"
At Archeas’s teasing tone, Ian snorted. "Save your breath. It's not like I'm your first Agent."
"But you are the most interesting, and the one I am most fond of. Just look at you now. You've surprised me yet again, haven't you? And perhaps all of this might not be a mere product of chance."
"What, are you saying I'm fated to clean up my ancestor's messes?" Ian scoffed in reply, then suddenly froze.