Chapter 1020 — Book 2: Chapter 219: No. I don't know anything (2)
13 min read ·
A Dragon who was great and mighty by simply being alive.
Raon came over with his eyes covered by his two front paws as Cale pondered about Eruhaben's comment.
“I am great and mighty!”
Raon had looked completely focused on playing with Hong, but he seemed to have heard the whole conversation between Cale and the ancient Dragon.
As a result, Cale nonchalantly commented back.
“Yes, yes. You are great and mighty and every Dragon is great and mighty.”
He did not want to put any burden on a seven year old.
Cale changed the topic.
“Eruhaben-nim. Then is it okay for Raon to use magic now?”
Eruhaben must have understood that message behind Cale’s gaze as he answered.
“Raon's plate is the present that Raon exists in. I told you it was this world. What do you think that means?”
Eruhaben looked around.
“The reason Raon got a bloody nose earlier is because he didn't know this world very well yet. He pushed himself while not knowing the restrictions or way of things in this world to use magic as he did back in Roan. That is why he got a bloody nose.”
Cale understood what the ancient Dragon was saying.
The ancient Dragon was looking at the world that was covered in snow and a frigid gust of wind.
“Understanding and accepting this world. The burden on Raon's magic will disappear the more he stays in this present.”
Basically, the more Raon lives in this world, Raon will be able to use it as his plate to do as he wants.
"Cale. You teach Raon about the world. Let him see it, let him hear it, let him feel it.”
Poke.
Eruhaben poked the approaching Raon’s cheek almost as if he was flicking it.
"Don’t do that, Goldie gramps!”
The ancient Dragon chuckled before looking at Cale.
Teach Raon about this world.
“That is the way for this little punk to become safe.”
Raon puffed up his chubby stomach. He always took this pose when he was confidently proclaiming something.
“Human! Anyway, let me summarize what Goldie gramps just said!”
He spoke extremely confidently.
“Keep taking me with you wherever you go! That will help me!”
He snickered and fluttered his wings as if saying that was his goal.
Cale let out a sigh.
He shook his head side to side as he asked.
“So how much magic can you use right now?”
Cale heard an odd laugh at that moment.
“Hmph.”
He was sure Raon laughed that way. Cale couldn't believe it. ‘Did this seven year old really go hmph?’
Cale suddenly recalled the laughs of the arrogant, rude, and selfish Dragons in The Birth of a Hero.
‘…This kid is a vicious Dragon as well.’
The moment he was about to worry about a grown-up Raon…
“I can turn the Dragon half-blood and the Black Castle invisible or hide them!”
The subjugation squad of the Holy Empire will be here soon.
Cale clapped as soon as he heard Raon’s answer.
“You truly are a great and mighty Dragon.”
“That’s right! I am great and mighty!”
Raon was able to use the spell they needed the most.
Cale continued to clap and Raon continuously fluttered his wings as if to play along.
Some other people showed up at that moment.
“Cale!”
It was Choi Jung Soo.
The people who had gone to the village with the Chief were back.
Cale flinched.
“…Why do you have such a look on your face?”
“That’s weird, nya! He's approaching like our youngest did, nya!”
As Hong mentioned, Choi Jung Soo was confidently walking with an extremely satisfied look on his face, just as imposing as Raon had just been. Even his steps seemed a bit light.
‘What’s up with this punk?’
He wanted to look away.
In fact, he did look away. However, he had to turn his gaze after hearing what Choi Jung Soo said.
“We might be able to use magic and aura as we wish!”
Cale looked at Choi Jung Soo in shock and Choi Jung Soo pointed at Choi Han.
Mila explained in a gentle voice.
"Sir Choi Han's hypothesis was quite interesting.”
Choi Han awkwardly smiled after receiving everyone's gazes. Cale immediately asked.
“What is your hypothesis?”
“Mm.”
Choi Han had yet to give a name to his hypothesis. He chose to give a short summary of it for now. He wanted to satisfy the people who were waiting for him to answer.
"The hypothesis is to dominate with aura, Cale-nim.”
Cale’s face turned bizarre, and…
– Hmm? Did somebody call for me?
The Dominating Aura reacted.
“…Explain.”
Cale asked the pure Choi Han for details. After hearing Choi Han explain, the eyes of Cale and the others all clouded over.
“Oh.”
The corners of Cale’s lips curled up. Choi Han saw this and finished up.
“As a result, if you are able to control the aura, or domain as I called it, I believe we can resolve these chains suppressing the aura of the world.”
The ancient Dragon commented.
“…This sounds possible.”
Cale slowly pulled the red crown out of his pocket.
The crown, which had a red body and a red jewel, released a strange, no, beautiful light in the white snow.
* * *
The Haru Kingdom controlled the place Cale appeared in.
Its territory had shrunk to a third of when it was an Empire in the past and what remained was far from a fruitful land. It made it impossible to imagine the Empire’s past glory.
A white-haired man clenched his eyes shut in a hidden room at the most central spot of the capital.
“…Prime Minister.”
His two hands were tightly clenching the armrests of the chair.
His eyes looked extremely tired when he opened them back.
However, his appearance was too young to even call him a young man.
The young seventeen year old king. Dennis.
“The First Knights Brigade of the Holy Empire will soon arrive at the Erghe Mountain Range?”
Yes, Your Majesty.”
The Prime Minister, who was over eighty, had white hair just like the seventeen year old white-haired king.
“…I guess the Holy Empire is really planning on eradicating the Wolf Tribe this time.”
“That seems to be the case, your Majesty.”
“Ho.”
King Dennis let out a deep sigh.
He had a self-deprecating smile on his face as he spoke to the Prime Minister.
This secret room had no light other than the small amount of light from a candle.
"Will the Holy Empire listen if I tell them that there are no more Beast people in the Erghe Mountain Range so please send the Holy Knights Brigade back?”
“…….”
The Prime Minister did not answer but the king knew the answer.
“Fuck!”
Bang!
His hand was full of rage as he slammed down on the armrest.
That anger was directed at himself.
“If I can’t help the Wolf Tribe, I should at least do something to prevent them from dying!”
After Dennis became king at twelve years old… The Haru Kingdom has officially stated the following.
We have never located any Beast people in the Erghe Mountain Range.
Nonetheless, the Holy Empire sent a subjugation squad every so often, almost as if it was a ceremony, and a portion of the Wolves lost their lives each time.
As a result, the Holy Empire berated the Haru Kingdom for lying to them. This was the Haru Kingdom's response.
‘We are too weak to go deep into the rough Erghe Mountain Range. We also do not have the skills to find the Wolves.’
Maybe it was an excuse that lowered the dignity of the kingdom.
However, the Holy Empire did not blame them as this was the truth.
The radiant Empire that never lost to anyone was now the weakest kingdom on the continent.
“…Prime Minister, is there a way to help the Wolves?”
Honestly speaking, the Haru Kingdom was pretty much aware of the Wolves existence.
Dennis had always kept an eye over the land to the north after he became king.
Otherwise, how would the Chief of a small village in the north have information about when the Subjugation squad would arrive?
The Chief and the informants of that village probably thought that they themselves figured out that information, but it was only possible because Dennis was secretly helping them from the shadows.
However, that was also showing the extent of what he was able to do.
“…My deepest apologies, your Majesty.”
“No. No. It is not your fault.”
Dennis held back his sorrows as he calmly answered.
“We were at least able to delay the subjugation squad thanks to you, Prime Minister. I know you suffered quite a bit holding those heinous bastards back.”
“How could I take credit for that? It is all thanks to you, your Majesty.”
The subjugation squad that started from the Holy Empire traveled through the Holy Empire to head north.
The two of them had suffered quite a bit to secretly slow them down while delivering information to the north without the Chief and the Wolves noticing.
The king was hoping that the Beast people would use the information to hide deep in the Erghe Mountain Range or run away.
“…You secretly sent some people, right?”
Yes, your Majesty. I sent the Vice Captain of the Guards and some of the members.”
“I heard that those bastards of the First Knights Brigade are truly wicked. They are extremely arrogant.”
Young king Dennis thought about the representative of the subjugation squad who came to greet him when they stopped by the capital.
That guy was respectful, but he did not hide the fact that he was looking down at Dennis with his gaze.
The gaze of that Dragon half-blood looking down on him for being human…
That guy had shown his respects but their infamy was known throughout the continent.
Dennis was worried that they would not only scorch the Erghe Mountain Range but also destroy the village.
He had no idea what issues would arise in the north.
"We need to stop the worst.”
“Yes, your Majesty.”
The tired king's eyes noticed the Prime Minister's gaze.
The white-haired old man was suppressing the rage in his eyes.
“Huuuuuu.”
King Dennis turned his head.
He saw a wall drenched in darkness.
“…We lose yet another pillar of the kingdom like this.”
The Wolf Tribe of the Erghe Mountain Range.
Dennis was thinking that they were a tribe he needed to protect for the future of the kingdom.
Squeeze.
He clenched his fists again.
Again-
Please, once again-
Dennis wanted to see the Haru Kingdom stand back up while he was alive. However, the kingdom had way too little to do that.
‘We are helpless.’
How could they overcome this helplessness?
Did he always have to be unable to do anything and just watch?
King Dennis clenched his eyes shut while surrounded by darkness.
The old Prime Minister looked at the young king and bit down on his lips.
‘This intelligent king is unable to do anything he wishes-!’
The Prime Minister's one and only wish would be for this intelligent young king to be able to do everything he wanted.
However, the Haru Kingdom did not have the means for him to do so.
‘We've been ripped into pieces.’
There were a lot of traitors in the kingdom.
There were people within the top executives who were not loyal to King Dennis or the Haru Kingdom.
Furthermore, the Prime Minister had yet to figure out who they were.
That was why the king and the Prime Minister had to secretly talk in this small, dark, secret room.
“…Prime Minister.”
The young king opened his closed eyes. His eyes were sparkling despite the fatigue.
He was waiting for the light while in the darkness.
If he persisted, one day, even the smallest ray of light… Maybe he might be able to grab onto the smallest bit of hope.
“Continue to keep an eye on the north.”
He was also preparing to latch onto that hope.
“The rumors about a poison that makes the Beast people become violent. How is the investigation going?”
He asked in a calm voice.
"Also, the Blue Wolf. Have you found any clues?”
Dennis was well aware of what he had to do.
The way to break through this situation…
“Prime Minister. The rumors about being able to kill Dragons. Did you find out who said that?”
The Prime Minister answered.
"We’ve got some clues, your Majesty.”
The two white-haired people continued their conversation in the darkness to make the future of the Haru Kingdom a bit brighter.
* * *
At the center of the Holy Empire…
There was a large temple in place of an Imperial Palace.
This was the Grand Temple at the center of the numerous temples worshiping the Dragons.
At the central spot of the Grand Temple…
Drip. Drip.
In the prayer room where the drops of water fell from the ceiling to form a small lake…
A woman who was there opened her closed eyes.
It was the Pope, Casillia.
The Bishop next to her walked up as soon as she opened her eyes.
“Is something the matter, your Holiness?”
“The North.”
Her eyes headed toward the map of the continent on the floor.
“The laws have been broken in the north.”
Magically, as soon as she said that, the northern part of the continent, the area around the Erghe Mountain Range, distorted as if it had been caught in the storm.
This meant that a variable that broke the rules of the world created by the Dragons had appeared.
This situation symbolized two things.
The Bishop cautiously commented.
“Maybe one of the esteemed Dragons has gone out for some fun?”
Dragons, the ones to create the new laws of the world, were the only ones who could break the laws of the world.
That was the reason the Dragons sometimes came out for some fun and enjoyed themselves by breaking the laws before heading back.
“It could be but it could also not be.”
“Has the Lord not said anything?”
“Not yet.”
The Pope gave an order as she had not heard anything about it.
“Please contact the subjugation squad that has headed north.”
It would not matter if it was just a Dragon having fun, but…
If it was not that and actually a variable that caused the laws of the world to break…
The Pope spoke in a stoic voice.
"Tell them that the laws were broken by the Erghe Mountain Range and that they must find the reason and restore balance.”
“Yes, your Holiness.”
The Pope and Bishop did not think that the subjugation squad would fail that mission.
This subjugation squad consisted of individuals whose density of Dragon blood was over half of all of their blood.
"We must protect the laws of the world.”
The Pope spoke gently.
“For everyone.”
The Bishop responded to her.
“For everyone.”
Drip drip.
The surface of the small lake was shaking as the sound of water dropping continued to be heard.
* * *
A few days later…
Zenyu, the person in charge of the subjugation squad, saw out into the distance that would be too far for normal people to see.
He could see a run-down village covered in snow.
The perilous Erghe Mountain Range was clearly visible beyond the village despite the snow.
“Boss, we just have to kill them all, right?”
He nodded his head at his subordinate.
“That’s right.”
He was speaking in a nonchalant tone.
At the same time, the Village Chief, who was aware of the fact that the subjugation squad would soon arrive, could not hide his anxiety. He looked to the side.
Choi Han was there wiping his sword with a cloth.
—
Translator's Comments
Uh oh, here comes trouble!
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