Your sole focus should be growing stronger and stronger, so when the time comes—and things do collapse—you’re ready to catch them.
Because trust me when I say this, Hero.
Things will collapse.
The balance will break.
And there is nothing you or anyone else can do to stop it.”
Kael’s face turned solemn when he heard those words.
For a moment, both Kael and Veylara stayed silent, not saying anything, until finally,
“You seem pretty certain of it.”
Kael couldn’t help but comment.
“Of the Balance breaking, I mean.”
Veylara smiled at those words as she turned her head and glanced at the vast skies. The two of them were still flying in the air on top of Velyara’s Firefang Wyvern. Kael followed her gaze and realized that they were now near some forest.
Forest that looked quite… beautiful.
“According to the ancient scriptures and myths, the Hero will be summoned when Nerathis’s very existence is in danger.”
“And you believe these scriptures?”
“I do not wish to, but…”
Veylara glanced at Kael and,
“The Hero is here, just like how it was mentioned in the scriptures.”
“That doesn’t necessarily mean that Nerathis is in danger.”
“It is in danger.”
Veylara nodded, almost sounding a little too certain of it.
“Hero Kael, do you know that Nerathis hasn’t seen a major war in 350 years? The Power Balance and the Peace you are witnessing has lasted more than three hundred years.”
“Is that not a good thing?”
Kael questioned.
“A good thing?”
Veylara laughed at those words.
“Humans strive for power, and they go to war for that Power.
Peace… is nothing more than silence before a storm.
Sometimes, peace is far more dangerous than war. After all, it is during peace where alliances and factions are formed, plans are made and… preparation for war continues.”
Veylara stayed silent for a moment.
“This Peace has lasted for 350 years. Imagine how many complex alliances and factions, all with different goals, must have formed during this time. Generations after generations of planning, all in an attempt to break the balance.
And yet…
The balance still remains.
How much longer do you think this balance can hold out?
Especially when you add Xenthalor, which has now started using Power of Corruption, Twilight and…”
Veylara looked into Kael’s eyes and,
“You, the Hero, into the fray.”
“…”
Kael’s expression turned grim.
Veylara then laughed.
“If there are people who still think that this peaceful time will remain, they are either commoners or… fools.
Something will happen, and whatever it is, it will happen soon. In a few years if we are lucky. If we are not then…
a few months.”
The woman declared with a smile on her face.
It was almost as if…
She was looking forward to it.
“And what will you do once something does happen?”
Kael questioned, wanting to know more about her.
“Are you trying to find out what my goal is?”
Veylara smiled.
“I wish to know where the strongest being I know stands.”
“Why? So that you can stand with me?”
“Maybe? I do not know.
I am simply trying to ensure my survival. If standing with you makes that possible, then why not?”
“Heh, how brazen.
I taught you how to think, but it seems that I also need to teach you how to speak.
If you negotiate like this, those vultures out there would tear you apart.”
Veylara shook her head in disappointment.
“I have a lot to learn.”
Kael nodded.
“Indeed.”
Veylara nodded.
Soon, however, she just sighed,
“Well, I guess I am expecting a little too much from a boy who has just been here for a few weeks.”
“You still didn’t answer my question, Lady Veylara.”
“I will stand wherever my heart desires. That is the choice I have as one of the strongest.”
“Even if that means… standing against Drakthar?”
“I have no reason to stand against Drakthar.”
“Why?”
“Because Drakthar is strong.”
The answer was much simpler than Kael was expecting.
“Drakthar ensures my and my family’s survival. Not many forces other than Drakthar can do that.”
“But aren’t you the one who makes Drakthar as strong as it is?”
Kael questioned as he tilted his head in confusion.
“I am only a part of it.
Drakthar is much stronger than you think, Hero Kael.
It isn’t called the Strongest Kingdom without a reason.”
Veylara answered. She then glanced at Kael and,
“This is also the reason you do not need to worry so much. The enemies who are after you are also Drakthar’s enemies. They wouldn’t be able to get rid of you as long as you remain by Drakthar’s side, even if… they are a part of Drakthar.
Unless of course, you keep acting like you are right now.”
“What…?”
Kael frowned.
“You are truly clueless, aren’t you?”
Veylara smiled as she observed the man sitting in front of her.
“I was hoping you would explain to me…”
Kael requested.
He already knew how stupid he was.
What he needed was a way out, not insults and pity.
“Keep in mind, Hero.
Everything in this world revolves around self-interest.”
Veylara started, looking at the vast skies again.
“I stand with Drakthar because I know it is strong enough to protect me and my House.
Drakthar gives me protection, a place to live, and a social standing. In exchange, I protect it from possible enemies.
The same is true for others like me, and the same is true for you.”
The woman turned towards Kael again.
“Drakthar protects you because it wants you to stay by its side when you grow. Right now, however, your actions have become suspicious. You seem… wary of Drakthar, which is not a good sign. Drakthar might consider the possibility of you betraying it in the future.
It is something that puts you against Drakthar’s self-interest. Let alone protection, Drakthar might even target you if this continues.”
Kael’s frown deepened.
“It was fine till you were hiding your first Bond. While it was indeed over the top, most people bought the excuse of your bond being shy.
You were just summoned to this world. Being scared was normal. Bonds often mirror their Tamers’ personalities. A timid Bond hiding from strangers was somewhat believable.
However…”