Dragonlord

Ep 142. This Cannot Be Mere Coincidence. (1)

Ep 142. This Cannot Be Mere Coincidence. (1)

‘What was that just now?’

There’s no need to know.

‘…What was I doing just now?’

There’s no need to know.

‘…No. It’s not that there’s no need to know. I don’t want to know.’

What difference does it make? There is no reason for a monster to know such things.

‘…’

This is only natural. You lived as your instincts pleased, and now your time has come. All manaspawns are destined to perish to greater beings. The only purpose your life may serve is that of which I’ve assigned to you.

‘Per…haps.’

…

…

…

- ‘Is that…’

…

…

…

- ‘…Is that what you really think?’

✧   ✧   ✧

Fragments of starlight scattered about as Serenis’ spell faded away. Thousands of prismatic mana scraps melted into the snowy floors of Chell.

Soon, a black figure would likewise fall unto its floors with a resounding thud.

In the ensuing silence, not a single soul dared to move.

If anything, most weren’t even sure whose side they should be standing on between the standing dragonlord, or the fallen black figure.

Instead, the first to move was the fallen figure himself.

“…Ugh.”

Karas rapidly shook his head, as well as dust off the snow and dirt that coated his suit. A soft groan escaped his beak before he would rise to his feet, scanning the area around in foreboding silence.

That is, until Light couldn’t bear to remain silent any longer.

“…Professor? Are you okay?”

“…”

The half reflexively took a step forward. Years of built-up trust had prevailed over her doubts as Light began to approach Karas.

However, Serenis’ arm would soon block the half’s passage. Even when Light would look up to the dragonlord with a mix of curiosity and worry, Serenis’ eyes remained fixed on the feathered figure ahead of them.

When her eyes locked with Karas’ unforgiving gaze, Serenis made a small push backwards, urging the cat half to back off a step further.

“Serenis? What’s wrong? The professor’s-“

“That isn’t Karas.”

“…What?”

The dragonlord’s announcement was quickly followed with every pair of eyes turning towards the feathered figure. But as if used to the attention, Karas’ posture noticeably relaxed as he waved away at the staring crowd.

“Haha. How are you even telling the difference? You truly are an enigma, dragonlord.”

“…”

“Well…so much for deception.”

Serenis wore a heavy frown as she listened to Karas. Unlike before, she could now hear a faint layer of demeaning, unsettling laughter mixed into the professor’s tone.

Karas’ eyes would curve in amusement, seemingly overjoyed by the discomfort welling up within her.

“How ironic that you would be the one to facilitate my return. Does this mean I’ve been forgiven for killing your son and his brood?”

“…”

Instead of answering the possessed academic, Serenis turned her gaze to meet Light’s.

For over a minute, no words were spoken. Not even Raizel dared to make a single noise, allowing the situation at hand to fully sink in for the half.

And when Light’s incredulous gaze drifted over to her professor, she was answered with a sarcastic wave and an eerie smile.

“Light, was it? A touching name for a mere stray.”

Whether Light’s ears even registered the casual insult remained a mystery.

After all, she merely stood still, as if frozen in place.

“…Hmph.”

Unamused by the continued silence, Karas’ attention then shifted over towards Aymeia, The former deity stood amidst a handful of Chell’s warriors, studying the feathered figure with visible unease.

As he had countless times in the past, the feathered figure beckoned her over to his side.

“Aymeia. I trust you recognize who I am now.”

Several times Aymeia opened her mouth to speak. Several times she’d close it back with nary a word spoken.

The monster beamed an amused grin at the sight, although his head was shaking in disappointment.

“Hm…disappointing, though I do suppose inner turmoil is still a significant improvement over outright hostility. It seems you really have regained yourself, at least in part.”

“…Felicir?”

“That’s right.”

Even after speaking her old mentor’s name, the turmoil in Aymeia’s eyes refused to disappear.

She instead looked to the dragonlord – as if Serenis would know what to do in her place.

But the feathered figure merely snorted at the sight, stretching out his hand to oncea gain beckon Aymeia to his side.

“Aymeia. That woman is neither your mother nor friend – I’m sure she’s said so herself. She is but an enemy of our kind.”

“…”

“Nor am I your enemy. I am but a mentor who yearned for your return.”

There was no way to tell if the possessed academic’s benign, gentle words were out of actual sincerity. But whether it was sincerity or deceit, his words were clearly taking a notable toll on Aymeia’s conscience.

The dragonlord’s next phrase certainly didn’t help clear her mind.

“Do as you wish. I cannot dictate who you should be.”

“But…you’re…”

“I am not your mother. Your memories of being my child are but those stolen from my dead son.”

“…”

‘The son that likely perished in your mentor’s hands, no less.’

Serenis had no intention of winning Aymeia over in any regard. If anything, having Aymeia side with Felicir would make the situation at hand much simpler to deal with.

And while the two conversed, Karas – or Felicir, rather – began to examine his own, newfound physique. He’d been in temporary control of Karas’ body before, but there had never been a time where the Reaper was completely free of the monster’s influence.

Soon, he’d beam to himself. His eyes regained their eerie glint.

Unlike before, an air of arrogance radiated from the possessed academic as he interrupted the dragonlord’s conversation.

“Should you really be so relaxed, dragonlord? If I were you, I’d be more worried about my return.”

“…”

Serenis squinted her eyes at the Reaper’s mocking tone.

“Should I? Of you, who’s lost body and divinity both?”

“It’s true I no longer possess my divinity, yes. But I do possess a body – as you can clearly see. One far more capable than the previous.”

“...You truly believe you’re capable of surpassing me in that body?”

“Ha! I wouldn’t go that far now, especially with two of your strongest kin standing at your side. However…”

As Felicir held his clawed hand away, a dense air of blue wafted outwards from within his palm.

“…Given the environment, I do believe this body is capable of a number of interesting things.”

A demeaning chuckle followed as the feathered figure scattered thick, intangible waves of blue about the surrounding area.

Many stood in place, unable to understand what he was doing – including Serenis herself.

‘Mana?’

Felicir was scattering pure mana into the open – that much, she could plainly see.

The reason, Felicir would soon explain himself as he turned towards Light.

“You were the slaver’s student, yes? Let this be a lesson to you.”

Thud!

When the earth lightly rumbled from the ringing thud, Chell’s inhabitants immediately looked around, suddenly alert of their surroundings. Even Ilias and Raizel scanned the area to spot the source of the sudden tremor.

But as if expecting the impact, Felicir didn’t even so much as flinch. He instead gave a mocking shrug.

“Monsters are neither living, nor dead – they simply ‘are,’ borne of mana found in nature.”

While the Reaper’s explanation continued, several additional tremors followed the first.

Soon, a looming shadow stood before Chell’s wooden walls, accompanied by several more of equally towering sizes.

“Hence, monsters are not drawn to regular prey; as they are borne of mana, their sustenance depends on mana. The very reason they tend to be hostile towards humans is because human bodies offer mana of highest concentrations compared to other animals…but even then, there’s nothing quite like pure, unaspected mana that draws them in.”

Serenis’ eyes hastily darted between Felicir, and the army of shadows that were rapidly approaching.

The ones that had been responsible for the tremors weren’t the only monsters surrounding Chell – hundreds of mana clusters were beginning to surround the vicinity, each cluster undoubtedly belonging to yet another monster. In mere minutes, the settlement was practically under their siege.

Finally, Serenis returned her attention to the possessed academic, glaring at him with doubtful eyes.

“…That’s impossible. A living being cannot wield unaspected mana. They’re bound to their individual affinities.”

“Normally, yes. But haven’t I just told you, dragonlord?”

Following suit, a large roar echoed throughout Chell’s vicinities. Giant, ape-like creatures tore down Chell’s wooden walls with ease, each towering above the inhabitants at several times their heights; their crimson eyes were hungrily staring down upon the gathered occupants.

And from another side, enraged animals of all sorts began bashing and clawing against the wooden barricade. Those that were lucky enough to find the broken rear entrance were entering with no resistance whatsoever.

As fellow monsters swarmed into the rural settlement, Felicir’s grin only widened further.

“A monster is neither living, nor dead. They simply are.”