Chapter 132: Like a Dragon (1)

Cut the soul and the heart.

Gert was cut.

His king was cut.

All the feelings and souls were cut.

The mass that contained all of Adelein’s despair collapsed. The Demon Flower lost its life energy and withered instantly.

The black mist that rose as a result densely covered the sky.

Suddenly, amidst that darkness, columns of light began to descend from the sky one after another.

Through those beams, white, shining things began to rise.

“Ah…”

It looked like a sacred scene.

Yuri couldn’t understand what it meant. Were these the souls of Adelein ascending to the place they were meant to go? Or was it simply the final combustion that occurs when life evaporates?

The only certain thing was that it was so beautiful, it stirred a feeling of sanctity in the viewer.

Yuri’s companions approached his side. No one said a word. Even though they hadn’t seen the past like Yuri had, they could all sense what had happened.

The victims of Adelein were finally being released from those dark claws.

Jose spoke up.

“Your Highness.”

“Sir Jose.”

“What exactly is happening in this world?”

He was watching the souls ascend through the light. His head was raised, and since Yuri was shorter, he couldn’t see his expression.

Yuri lifted his arm and placed it on Jose’s shoulder. Due to the height difference, it was barely a light touch, but he didn’t care.

Yuri said.

“A time has come when knights must do what is right.”

“For knights to do what must be done, huh…?”

Jose chuckled softly.

“Said like that, it sounds much better.”

The black mist gradually dispersed, and the columns of light weakened.

The blue sky began to show. Sunlight gleamed.

Adelein’s funeral was over.

Yuri walked to where the Demon Flower had been. There, on an old scroll, a shriveled mass of unknown flesh lay with roots spread out.

It was the same as the one they had recovered from Okua.

“Cory.”

“Yes.”

“Can you use sealing magic?”

“Yes, I can.”

“Cast it on that scroll. But don’t touch it.”

“Understood.”

Cory sealed it multiple times with magic before Yuri picked up the mass and tucked it into his chest along with the scroll. Although a faint demonic energy could still be felt, the pressure of the Cut of the Soul and the Heart suppressed it.

With that, Maryrose’s task would be easier. Then, Jared suddenly spoke.

“One of the Ten Greats will be vacant, won’t it? Will Your Highness become one of them for being the one who cut down Gert?”

“Are you crazy?”

“That’s normally how it’s passed on, right?”

“This is different.”

Yuri looked around and found a sword lying on the ground. It was Gert’s sword.

As if all the time it had been suppressed had suddenly been unleashed, the sword was completely rusted and its edges worn down.

Yuri picked it up and planted it into the ground.

“Gert fulfilled his duty and left of his own will.”

“And what will happen to Adelein?”

“If we say nothing, it’ll stay this way. The fact that Gert is gone will become known on its own, so let’s not say anything.”

“Understood.”

Thus ended the battle of Adelein.

Everyone collapsed onto the ground. Only Yuri remained standing, remembering the fight.

He was still affected by the memories Gert had passed on to him.

But suddenly, he noticed Cory didn’t look well.

“Cory, are you okay?”

“Yes…”

“You don’t look it.”

“Actually… I’m not…”

“Then say it.”

“Hehe…”

Yuri touched his forehead. His body was burning like fire.

“What’s wrong with you?”

Cory lay on the ground, drenched in sweat. The group gathered around and began checking him.

“Why is he so hot?”

“Did he suddenly catch a fever?”

“It doesn’t seem like just a fever.”

“This is…”

Jose stroked his chin and said.

“Looks like Cory is suffering from magic sickness.”

“Magic sickness?”

“Yes. Let me check.”

Jose placed his fingertip on Cory’s forehead and closed his eyes.

“There’s an unknown energy inside Cory that’s clashing with his mana.”

“That’s magic sickness?”

“Yes. I’ve only heard of it. They say it happens when incompatible energy enters the body.”

“But how? Did that energy enter him earlier?”

“No. Magic sickness isn’t caused by an external attack. It’s generated from within.”

Yuri had heard a similar term from Moyongchan.

It referred to the internal deviation known as drifting to the demon.

Cory spoke.

“I think I overdid it earlier…”

“Earlier when?”

“When I formed the character in the core… I don’t even know how I did it…”

“Sir Jose, how do we treat this?”

“I don’t know.”

“Damn it…”

Yuri tried to transfer the energy of the Cut of the Soul and the Heart into Cory’s body.

He thought if it was demonic energy, it would expel it.

But it didn’t work.

Worse, the three energies mixed, causing greater chaos.

“Argh!”

“S-Sorry!”

Yuri immediately withdrew his hand.

“Damn it… this is why there should be two mages.”

“Huh?”

“If one gets hurt, the other can heal him. What?”

“Ah… nothing…”

“What did you think?”

“Nothing.”

Yuri lifted Cory onto his back. He felt heavier, probably from the muscles he’d gained.

But now wasn’t the time to worry about that.

“Let’s go. To a nearby village… no, to a temple…”

But Yuri couldn’t run.

“What the hell is that…?”

Something was flying from high in the sky. It had red wings.

That creature spun several times in the air, as if watching them, then began to dive.

Yuri had seen it before in Gert’s memories.

“So that’s Cruar…”

The Ten Greats didn’t consist only of humans.

The elf Inariel was proof of that, and so was the Death Knight Gert.

There were two other non-humans.

One of them was Cruar, the last dragon.

“…Damn it.”

Everyone fell silent.

The red dragon stood about three meters tall, and its wings seemed twice as wide.

As it folded them, its long, serpent-like body was revealed. The scales, reflecting the sunlight, gleamed with various shades of red depending on the angle.

Yuri looked up even further.

A face with two horns and an elongated snout stared down at them.

Its yellow irises narrowed as they swept over Yuri’s group.

The mouth opened, revealing sharp fangs.

[Cruar has appeared.]

Though the voice wasn’t human, it spoke clearly in the continent’s common tongue.

Faced with this sudden encounter, Yuri and the others could only stare silently.

A long silence ensued.

Cruar opened his mouth again.

[The great dragon went through the trouble of leaving his nest and descending here. Don’t you think you should applaud or bow your heads in respect…?]

He seemed to be talking to himself.

He turned his head as if looking elsewhere, but shot a sidelong glance at Yuri’s group.

Seeing no reaction, he muttered again.

[Without a greeting, this gets a bit awkward… If you keep standing there, the great dragon Cruar might accidentally breathe fire…]

Yuri, finally grasping the situation, began clapping vigorously.

“The great dragon Cruar has come! Incredible, what a glorious event! I’m truly honored!”

Though the others were still confused, Simon—having grown up as a baron’s illegitimate son and skilled at reading a room—caught on immediately and took the lead.

“Ah, ah! What fortune to be able to see the great dragon Cruar! This humble human, Simon, pays you his respects!”

And he prostrated himself, face to the ground.

Finally, the others also understood and began greeting one by one.

“Hahaha! What an honor to meet you in person, Lord Dragon! I’m Jose Aratur, and it’s a real pleasure!”

“A mere villager like me, who grew up as a commoner, meeting Cruar! I can die in peace!”

“Laurent Flandre, son of Count Française, pays homage to the great dragon Cruar!”

“Ah… I can’t believe this is happening. I feel like I lived just for this day!”

“Ah… h-hello… sorry I can’t get up… I’m sick…”

At those reactions, the corners of Cruar’s lips, who pretended to look elsewhere, rose slightly.

[Ehem, ehem.]

Each time he cleared his throat, small sparks flew out.

[With such a welcome, it seems it was worth coming. How are you, humans?]

Cruar greeted awkwardly, waving a long-clawed hand.

Yuri didn’t let his guard down. Although he seemed a bit clumsy, Cruar was known to breathe fire if annoyed.

He had even once razed a village of the Empire, prompting the Emperor to put a bounty on his head.

But Yuri was confident about one thing.

“Nice to meet you, Lord Cruar. On behalf of everyone, allow me to greet you once again.”

[Oh, you seem like the leader. Human… if you act arrogantly just because you have high status, you might end up roasted on my table…]

“That would never happen. I am Yuri Briol, third prince of the Kingdom of Briol. It is an honor to meet the great dragon Cruar.”

[Briol… Briol…]

Cruar muttered that name and suddenly flinched.

[Briol… are you the son of that monstrous human?]

“If you mean Fiore Briol, then yes, he’s my father.”

Cruar’s face hardened.

[Hmm… the son of that monstrous human…]

Though he was the last dragon, that didn’t make him invincible. On the continent, there were nine other beings of equivalent power, and among them, Fiore Briol was considered the strongest.

Yuri knew his father had once faced Cruar. Cruar looked into the void and muttered in a slightly subdued voice.

[Hmm… hum… Although it’s uncomfortable to deal with the son of that human monster… I’m a merciful dragon to all, so if you remain respectful, I’ll treat you well too…]

“Of course. I’ve always admired the reputation of the great dragon Cruar.”

Yuri bowed his head, and seeing that, Cruar’s expression brightened.

[That’s right, that’s right. You’re a well-mannered human.]

“Thank you for saying that.”

With a smile, Yuri asked him.

“However, the great dragon Cruar is famous for never leaving his nest. What brings you here to us?”

[Ah, right. I came for an important reason.]

Cruar’s eyes rotated. His yellow pupils glowed intensely.

At the end of his gaze… was Cory, lying on the ground and groaning.

[That half-breed.]

“Excuse me?”

[It’s because of that half-breed.]

Cruar took a step forward. The ground trembled under his weight.

[The reason that half-breed is sick now is…]

Then, Jose intervened.

“Could it be a magical illness?”

Cruar frowned.

[Interrupting the great dragon Cruar’s words might cause him to accidentally breathe fire and turn you into a well-done steak…]

“S-Sorry.”

[It’s similar to a magical illness, but in essence, it’s something entirely different.]

Cruar extended his hand. From the tips of his sharp claws, a cold energy wrapped around Cory’s body.

[If someone who has never walked tries to run by force, what do you think will happen to their legs?]

“They’ll hurt, I suppose.”

[Exactly. The great dragon Cruar would appreciate applause for such an excellent analogy…]

“What a clear comparison! Now I understand perfectly!”

“So Cory used something he wasn’t used to using!”

“Ah! So that was it!”

[Seems you all liked my explanation.]

Cruar’s eyes curved slightly.

With two fingers, he pinched Cory’s cheeks, making his lips come together and form a small gap. Cruar examined that opening closely.

[Being a half-breed between human and orc, something extremely improbable has occurred in him.]

Simon, who had caught on to Cruar’s personality, stepped in.

“This ignorant human cannot imagine what great truth Lord Cruar knows. Could you share a bit of your knowledge so that even beings as humble as us can understand?”

[Of course… Only a great dragon could know this. Let me explain. If everyone pays attention to what I’m about to say, I’ll feel much better…]

Everyone raised a hand and placed it over their ear, showing total attention.

The corner of Cruar’s lips rose again.

And he said.

[This half-breed was born with a dragon speech respiratory organ.]