430 Side Chapter; David Armand Perspective III 2/4: The Ideal Vessel (1/2)
David and his party capabilities had developed as he explored the Fiery Lava Dungeon, the intricate mazes filled with hellish flames and boiling lava pools were obstacles amongst many. The number of creatures that thrived in such a place was outstanding. Fiends of all shapes and sizes, several of them of Basilisk, Dragon, or Reptile species, which David was capable to prey on to gain new strength and abilities.
After many hardships and days, David's party had defeated two more Boss monsters, having crossed twenty more floors.
Since then, the party had changed even so slightly, Kaze had become sharper and his physique had become swifter, while new equipment obtained through battles and prizes adorned his slim body. He had evolved after defeating the fourth boss of this dungeon, becoming a Windstorm Werefox Ninja.
Leonia had her arms covered in burn scars, after crossing her fist against the Blaze Basilisk Emperor, her arms had been burned completely, but healed through Blaire's magic. Her body seemed sturdier and even stronger. She wore a new set of lightweight armor and clawed gauntlets. Leonia's physical appearance changed slightly, as she had evolved as well after the fourth Boss, becoming a Berserk Lioness Brawler.
Blaire's appearance had changed the most, her red scales had become pale white, and her burly hands became more delicate, through the sharp claws remained. Her tail had grown more, and the claws in her feet became sturdier. She was now covered in slim, yet incredibly sturdy white scales, and from her forehead, white horns, seemingly made out of jewels grew. Having evolved after the fourth Boss, she had become a White Flame Half-Salamander Priestess.
Meanwhile, David's appearance had matured, he did not look like a naïve young man anymore, but his growth and the ability to obtain Bloodlines from creatures had increased his development exponentially.
His body was slim, yet sturdy. His muscles had been tightened and refined. Smooth, yet hard skin covered his body. Although his face still held some of the youth's naiveness. His eyes had become more serious and fiercer, he resembled a beast in the skin of a young man.
His armor had changed as well, through the mysterious powers of David's Epic, his entire armor had evolved into Mythic+++ rank, one evolution before finally reaching Legendary. In the other case, his sword had finally become Legendary. The blade shined brightly as it was now covered in an indestructible material.
David glanced at the door in front of him, seemingly the last trial that this dungeon offered. Through their trials and explorations, the party had found several clues that the Dragonoid Sage was currently living in this dungeon, but his whereabouts were still unknown.
Now that they had reached the last floor, the only place where this old mand could be was in the Boss Room itself.
”Perhaps that old man was eaten by the lizards in here?” asked Leonia.
”Leonia-san… t-that's… I remember that he was an immensely powerful wizard. I don't think he has just eaten!” said Blaire.
”We cannot leave that possibility aside…” muttered Kaze.
”Kaze, Leonia, be patient. Perhaps he is with the Boss? Or he was eaten by it. The only way to find out if he was either eaten or escaped from here is by passing through this door” said David.
Kaze, Leonia, and Blaire nodded in agreement. They had gone through several hardships already, even if they were not to find the Dragonoid Sage, they would still be thankful for having come in here, as such exploration had increased their strength to levels that they had not expected.
”We have grown a lot since we got in here… quite fast, to say the least,” said Blaire.
”It must be David-sama 'Epic' supporting our growth. The more he grows, the more we do as well” said Kaze.
Although David's Legendary Party had been killed aside from Blaire, it was possible to create a new Legendary Party if the main Hero, owner of the Epic, was still alive.
David's Epic had already automatically added Leonia and Kaze as part of his Legendary Party, and they were granted increased growth in all aspects.
Vastrasz seemed excited, his voice voraciously guided David towards the next prey.
”Kid, you're not half bad! Now defeat this Boss and eat it! I think that you may finally awaken into a Hero if you do so… this trial will be decisive to your growth” muttered Vastrasz.
”A Hero… me?” wondered David.
Since he had escaped from Athetosea, the only 'Hero' that he had known as 'the Hero of Raging Winds', a wicked man that did not even represent what the word 'hero' meant.
The rest of the Champions were not different than him in several things, each one seemed like someone that would never fit into the 'Hero' role. People twisted and wicked by their destinies, becoming greedy or obsessive assassins. Or people that could not find a purpose and fell to mundane pleasures.
Some were filled with revenge, others with grieve, and some even had their minds traumatized from a young age, becoming deviant individuals with strange tendencies.
David and most of the Ten Elemental Knights could have been said to be the sanest between the group of humans that protected Athetosea… but even in their group, some were already wicked and corrupted.
But David still remembers those younger than him, whose eyes were filled with determination and hopes for the future, to guide Athetosea towards the prosperity that they desired so fervently.
However, from all of them, he was the sole survivor. The one that was supposed to protect them, the one that was supposed to fall before them, their teacher, had survived.
David holds those feelings, the wills of his companions deep within his heart. The desire for the prosperity of humans in this wild and dangerous Realm.
But David could not simply risk his life for the rest of humanity, he had a family to protect and prioritize first. He could not simply become detached from them and begin his own crusade against Kireina.
About a month has gone by since he had stayed in this dungeon, and his family was still residing in the village that he had previously rescued from Orcs while being protected by his loyal servants.
However, for him it has been an eternity, David desired to see his sisters and parents more than anything now. He had understood how much he needed them in his life. If he were to choose to abandon them, he could never forgive himself.
”David-sama?” asked Blaire.
David had been immersed in his own thoughts and had lost the notion of time, Blaire, the last member of his original Legendary Party brought him back to reality.
”Blaire… I was just… thinking things” muttered David.
”David-sama, do you miss your family?” asked Kaze.
”I… I do…” answered David.
”There is nothing wrong with missing your loved ones, David-sama. After all, they are always a force that makes us strive to overcome difficulties and challenges. Holding them always within our hearts makes us stronger” said Leonia.
”Indeed. It does not mean that you are immature, David-sama. It means that you have a beautiful heart. I do miss your family as well. I have become attached to them” said Blaire.
”Everyone… I do not want… I do not want revenge. I have a large family; I cannot bring myself to abandon them to seek the destruction of a creature that may be too far from my grasp… I only want the best for us, and I must prioritize that before humanity… I may sound selfish, but this is what I believe. I do not have the drive to avenge the fallen… even my wives and master when there are several other people alive that I must still protect” said David, with a firm voice. Melancholy could be heard from within the tone of his voice.
”There is no problem, David-sama,” said Blaire, hugging David from behind.
”Blaire…?” muttered David.
Blaire's scarlet eyes were teary, crystalline tears began to flow from her eyes like rivers.
”David-sama… I understand your pain… I really do… And I also understand what you meant. There is no problem. No matter what you decide, I know it is for the best of all of us… So please, do not feel afraid of expressing your thoughts. We would never dare to defy you, someone who has given us so much…” said Blaire, crying. Her tears flowed through David's red-colored armor, but the intense heat of the dungeon made them quickly dry out.
”It is just as Blaire-san says. There is no issue with your decision. We shall always be at your side, David-sama” said Kaze, with a warm smile.
”Count on me, David-sama. I will protect your family no matter what” said Leonia.
”Everyone…” David moved towards Blaire and embraced her in a tight hug.
”Thanks, Blaire… Kaze, Leonia” he said, while he hugged both of his retainers as well.
Unlike many humans who possessed servants, David was someone highly sentimental and held his retainers as if they were his siblings and family. He did not saw them as disposable pawns, but as companions, friends, and close family.
Kaze and Leonia could not resist the hug of their beloved master, smiling even more. Leonia in specific used her herculean strength to grab on David and hug him even tighter.
”Sigh… David-sama is really a very sentimental man, it shouldn't really be a thing, coming from someone who will one day become Hero” chuckled Kaze.
”Well, he's still developing. Isn't he? Only in his early twenties… Though, how many years do human life?” asked Leonia.
”Around eighty years…” muttered David.
”A-Anyways, I think we are going too off-topic here… David-sama lets go defeat the Boss and end this once and for all! If the Dragonoid Sage is in here, then we'll drag him out forcefully!” said Blaire.
”You're right, Blaire. Everyone lets go!” said David, heroically, his figure radiating greatness.
Opening the large, crimson door. An unexpected view was revealed at the party.
A large red and brown-colored dragon was lying in the ground, motionless, its stomach was wide open, and its innards were being devoured by another dragon. This dragon was large and dark, its scales resembled an armor, and its flesh seemed to be rooting. Several of its bones such as ribs could be clearly seen, its large head held twelve crimson eyes, glaring with an intimidating gleam to the party that had just entered the room.
The overwhelming presence of the fiend before them made the party led by David freeze.