Callius and Serena came out of the forest and walked back towards the town.
The night sky was dark.
The only sources of light were the lit torches inside the town, the pale moon and the scattered stars.
And in that darkness only the two of them walked.
Serena was pretending to be calm, but she wasnt the only one feeling awkward.
Why did she suddenly want to become my servant?
Callius was quite out of sorts.
Knowing someone was eavesdropping, hed used Sullivians divine magic to try out his newly acquired power, but when he caught the intruder, what exactly happened?
Why did he suddenly get another servant?
Glance.
When he looked back, Serena the elf was walking far behind, as shed exclaimed shed never even dare step foot on her masters shadow.
Callius was stunned at the sight of her that resembled nothing but a gentle sheep.
Shed declared that shed become a servant, and hed been left speechless, so he was just going back to the town
Shed apparently considered this tacit permission on his part.
At first, hed been wondering if she knew his true identity.
But a mere count of Carpe was not somebody who deserved this level of respect.
I think shes misunderstood something.
Callius didnt bother explaining.
Why stop a hero of the future from following him?
It was definitely more convenient than her becoming an obstacle.
Now, he was more interested in dealing with the magical power hed acquired so recently.
The fairies entered my elixir field.
The fairies, whod been dancing around Callius as if intoxicated by the scent of his magic, had begun to permeate into his body.
From there, to his divine passage, and finally to his elixir field, where they now lay dormant.
They didnt even sign a contract with him or anything, beforehand.
And that was what Callius was focused on.
To have the fairies in his possession without signing a contract that was a very significant event.
They found satisfaction residing in Callius body, and in return he could wield their power.
This was obviously an important variable, and it could make up for the lack of strength Callius was feeling so keenly.
Although his elixir field was getting crowded from how much stuff got keeping stuck inside it, there was no point in worrying about that.
[Instinctive Intuition] would sound the alarm if it ever got truly dangerous.
Of course, the fairies who entered my elixir field wont be mine forever.
Theyd only taken shelter for a while, intoxicated by the bewitching scent.
Similar to a traveler who might take refuge under the eaves of your home to avoid the rain.
So Callius wasnt sure about when they might decide to leave.
Lesser fairies were children whose forms were unclear and whose egos had not yet been established.
Intermediate level fairies would fix their forms.
Each would have their own individuality.
As well as attribute.
Serenas fairy must be intermediate level.
The flames wrapped around her bow didnt spring from the power of God. They were created by natural energy.
So Callius had hope.
That he too could live in harmony with the fairies whod decided to take up residence inside his elixir field, and grow together with them.
Then, like Serena, he too might one day be able to assimilate the power of the fairies into his swordsmanship.
But that would take a period of growth.
Master.
What is it?
You probably already know, but a gloomy shadow has covered the town.
Callius looked over the town visible in the distance.
Even Callius, who was inching ever closer to the power of a Master, wasnt feeling anything.
That was how distant and how faint the disturbance mustve been.
The elves ears were special, so that might be how Serena was feeling it.
Maybe its the army coming to subdue the dragonkin people.
Theyre faster than I thought.
Callius said very lightly.
Seeing this, Serena hurriedly knelt down on one knee.
O Lord of the Skies. Please lend us your strength.
Lord of the Skies.
Callius wasnt ignorant enough to not know what it meant.
Ah.
The elf, Serena
Had apparently mistaken him for a dragon.
She was making such a request that could be seen as quite rude.
Nevertheless, she was stalwart, because she thought Callius was a dragon.
A dragon does not waver.
Dragons didnt break their promises.
If one made a promise after receiving a reward
The dragon would unflinchingly fulfill it.
Perhaps that mistaken impression now coloured all of Serenas actions.
Hmm.
But it didnt matter all that much.
Callius also wanted to try out his newly acquired power.
Time to collect some of the debt the empire owes me.
Besides, he was confident that he could at least protect himself in case danger arrived.
He even had the ring of Leteti, a relic of the Vira Tribe, so he could simply take to the skies and fly away whenever he wanted.
Above all, Callius wasnt about to reveal his identity here no matter what transpired, so it didnt matter.
Ill go to the forest.
If he was going to have to fight, Callius decided that itd be better to join the dragonkin tribesmen.
You, bring Aldo over.
Understood!
A small look of joy flashed on Callius face as he turned his back to the town.
Near the turn of dawn, when the nights dew was beginning to fall
And even the moonlight had dimmed
The grand princess put her legs up on the table inside the tavern, and folded her arms.
Looks like hes already run away.
The knight giving the report was Bethan, from the principality.
Called Bethan the Guide.
Even though I carefully hid our tracks, he noticed it first and disappeared. Hes quicker than I thought, and smarter.
Princess Rebecca, sitting next to the princess, nodded her head as she commented.
Her face looked a tiny bit satisfied.
The grand princess eyes narrowed.
Are you feeling happy about that?
Grand Princess, please! It must be a matter of great regret to fail to catch a potential criminal of the empire and the principality.
Hmph.
That wasnt an explicit denial either.
Do you really think that I cant tell?
Tell what?
Forget it. Tch.
It was almost obvious.
Itd been like this since their childhood.
Even if she had nothing to hide, Princess Rebecca had an acquisitive fixation whod resist having her toys taken away even if it killed her.
She mustve been content that the man had run away.
Grand Princess Lavian didnt care for it, but it was hard for her to say anything.
Even though the other party was of a lower rank, she was still a princess of the principality. And Lavian wasnt exactly swimming in friends either. So she had no choice but to leave Rebecca be.
The grand princess rose from her seat and moved, her knights falling in place around her.
After that day
The empire had decided to strengthen its internal order.
If she successfully completed this expedition, her position would become firm enough to withstand the coming turbulence.
Besides, the original purpose of coming here was to exterminate the lizards, not anything else.
He must have some connection with the lizards.
An eviction order has already been issued in his name.
Along with the saying that if he kept wandering around here, his head would be propped up on the tip of a spear.
But even so, the man didnt obey, and stayed only depending on the status as a pilgrim.
If hes really connected with them, he must
Inevitably appear in her path.
Princess Rebeccas attitude made Lavian even more curious about the mans true identity.
Sort yourselves out, you lot. The lizard hunt begins now!
There didnt seem to be any harm in moving things a little faster.
In the first place
If the man acted like a pilgrim, his level wouldnt be comparable with a Master.
So there was no need to be afraid.
Woooooooooooooooooooooo!
The shouts of the knights and soldiers resounded through the sky.
And they started running, straight towards the forest.
At the break of dawn, a large army, carrying a seemingly endless procession of torches, headed towards the swamp.
Pit-a-pat!
Crunch!
Chief Philo!!
A meeting of the tribal court, which had convened at dawn, was in progress.
But suddenly one of the tribesmen rushed into the cave, shouting.
Balabune! What do you think youre doing?
Theres trouble! Big trouble!
His serious face made the tribal elders change their expressions.
Surely not?!
The imperial princess is here with a large army!
How could that
There must be traitors among us! How did the princess come to know of this place?
That was then.
The clan chieftain
Philomatour, spoke.
Its not that important anymore. Since theyve found us first and attacked our home, we should repay them.
Oh, ooh!
As expected of the chieftain!
A model for young dragonkin everywhere.
The old men of the tribal court admired the cold rationality and incisive wisdom of the chieftain.
Immediately form a team of elites, block their path, and dig a trap to lure them into. We cant compete in pure numbers. Drive the fear of the swap deep into the imperial princess heart.
At Philomatours solemn command, Balabune and the people of the court thumped their spears upon the ground.
For the sake of our lost pride
I bid you, go!
Pit-a-pat!
Philomatours eyes, as he watched the crowd disappear, quietly began to droop.
Soon, his upright posture also relaxed to the fullest, and all strength seemed to escape him.
My philosophy has always been to live as peacefully as a flowing river and to one day pass as calmly as a lamp is blown out
But why did the world have to bother him so much?
Philomatour took a deep breath.
Why was the clan always raring to fight?
Wouldnt it be nicer and more comfortable to just live in hiding somewhere else?
With that thought in mind, Philomatour stood up.
My only chance to escape is now.
Would he stand by as his clan died?
Did he not send them like lambs to the slaughter?
What a joke!
It was the people of the clan themselves, not him, who were eager to rush to their own deaths.
The most annoying part was how I had to pretend Ive forgotten everything.
He had majestic scales, and two horns adorned his head.
But compared to the average dragonkin, he could truly be considered somewhat closer to humans. Because the shape of his arms and legs were closer to humans than a dragon.
As a result, hed been secretly ostracized within his own clan.
As a being with thicker human blood
His existence had been a mark of shame from the viewpoint of the clan members who were insecure about their diluted bloodline, about not being fully endowed with dragon blood.
Hed been called a disgusting abomination, more of a symbol of degeneration than a product of evolution, and that had been his place among the tribe.
But things had changed.
A great number of the clans champions had been killed in successive battles, and Philomatour had come back from his pilgrimage as a powerhouse.
It was the clan that had degenerated.
Theyd tried to ridicule him, but they did not doubt that Philomatours power was the power of their ancestors, the dragons.
As if it was natural, hed become the clan chief, burdened with the duty to lead them.
Its not even a good joke. Im just a criminal with a history of escaping.
Of course, he had the qualifications to lead them.
But he had no reason to.
So, the dragonkin people
Will be destroyed.
Philomatour didnt feel any familiarity or a sense of belonging with these people.
He was neither a dragonking nor a human, and he didnt belong anywhere.
I shouldnt have come back.
He shouldve just kept adventuring with them.
He shouldnt have halted his pilgrimage.
Hed come back here for no reason.
Indeed, and therefore
Lets go.
It didnt matter what happed to the tribe.
There was no luggage to carry along.
Just a spear.
That was enough.
Philomatour came out of the cave.
His determination was firm, and his steps were light.
He could go anywhere his feet took him
Chief
I-, its the chief!
Chief, have you seen Uncle?
A gaggle of children rushed at him, squealing.
These little children were the future of the dragonkin people.
Soon, theyd face a cruel reality.
You idiots, the enemy is already here!
What enemy?
I dont know either. Chief, whos your enemy?
Itll be fine, the chief will deal with then. Uncle told me, the chief is our greatest and strongest warrior!
Philomatours face wrinkled.
Damn it all.
Creeeeak.
His spear groaned in protest under his tightened grip.
You lot, hide!
Step!
As he jumped off the slope of the hill, Philomatours form vanished in an instant, and he quickly passed the forest and headed for the swamp.
The strength of his legs far surpassed human norms, no matter how they looked.
The spear in his hand blazed with power so fiercely as if it could pierce anything.
But there was still hesitation in his heart.
Just
As usual
I want to run away.
Like a lizard running away after cutting off its own tail.
He just wanted to escape.
He wasnt a human, he was just a lizard, right?
But now in front him was a choice.
Whether to remain as a lizard, crawling upon this earth?
Or to soar as a dragon?
Are you thinking of running away? Not that I care.
!
Flinch!
Philomatours form, which had been speeding through the bushes, came to an abrupt halt.
Screech!
A furrow was dug into the ground along his trail as he bled off his momentum, and his spear reflexively stabbed out.
Woooo!
His blow tore through the air.
Spang!
The shockwave headed unerringly towards the source of the voice.
Claaang-!!
A great hammer stopped the blow in its tracks.
Philo!
Aldo!?
Why was he here?
A smile appeared on Philomatours face despite all his confusion.
Aldo and Serena
Seeing their faces relieved some of his tension. But he didnt fully lower his guard.
Because beside the two, there was a third, arrogantly surveying the scene.
What?
The divine power Philomatour could feel from the newcomer was weak.
However, somehow his presence felt like a font of immeasurable power.
Although the newcomers whole body was covered in a pure white robe that hid his identity, Philomatour instinctively realized that this was by no means a weak existence.
He is the one who will help you.
Hes like a colleague.
Philomatours throat twitched at the sight of Aldo and Serena grinning.
Aaaaaaahhh!
Claaang!
The battle was already in full swing.
Nice to meet you. But I dont think now is the time for a chat.
Yeah, thats why we
Just when Aldo was about to say something
I will keep my promise. Ive been paid for it.
The newcomers hand moved.
An unsettling purple energy drew elegant letters in the air.
Venerating Treasure of the Three Beliefs Web Edict ().
Crackackackackackackack!
The whole swamp was dyed with a purple hue.
Something hidden in the swamp emitted an intense purple light.
The burst of purple energy quickly spread out, becoming a net that covered all directions.
Ugh!
Wh-, what is this!
The imperial knights were now drowning in the swamp. The dragonkin people did not miss this opportunity. They aimed their spears and stabbed any enemy they could reach.
Aaaaahhhh!
The imperials screams echoed.
Impossible
Lost for words to describe this grand reversal, Philomatour turned his head to the progenitor of this tragedy.
If you want to run away, go. A stumbling ally is more dangerous than any enemy could ever be.
Rustle.
The hood came off.
Purple eyes looked down on him, bearing a frosty chill that seemed like it could freeze everything in sight.
The moment he witnessed them
Philomatour felt a strong urge.
He now really wanted to run.
Editors Notes:
None for this chapter.
Dont forget to like, comment and rate/review on ! Were quite a way into the middle of the story, so hopefully youve formed enough of an opinion.
