Chapter 450 - Was it an Illusion? (1/2)

Chapter 450: Was it an Illusion?

Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio

Dragon Valley, Mist Maze.

Whoosh, whoosh. A red dragon carrying two figures hurtled out of the Mist Maze.

Once outside the maze, the two figures jumped down from the dragon’s back and began racing across the Korora Mountain range.

One of them, a black shadow, streaked across the ground while being followed closely by a shape of pure light floating ten feet above the ground.

From within the light, a voice rang out, “Eugene, I know what you’re thinking. The dragons are weakened, and you’re planning something up north, aren’t you?”

“Halino, stop sticking your nose into my business all the time! I’m just going to settle a deal with that upstart Morpheus. I am capable of restraint, you know!”

“Restraint? Who was the one responsible for the destruction of the city of Veron 200 years ago? Who was the one who caused that ruckus with the merfolk 130 years ago? Wasn’t it you who brought that epidemic to the city of Tanreau 80 years ago? Let’s talk about something a bit more recent, then. It was you, wasn’t it, who had taught the Dark Elves how to summon Divine Gear? I can tell when you’re up to something!”

In front of him, the black figure laughed bitterly. “Halino, your words do not mean a thing to me. There’s no point in hanging onto such trivial things. What do the lives and deaths of mortals have to do with us? As long as there’s still a realm to live in, everyone’s happy. Don’t you agree?”

“That’s what you think!” The apparition of light laughed coldly. “I was given this power by the realm of Firuman just so that I can deal with someone like you!”

“You really should keep your nose out of people’s business!” Eugene shouted back angrily, his pace quickening even more.

“Yes, and your business just happens to fall into my territory!”

“Screw you, Halino!” Eugene exploded in anger.

In the Emerald Council, they were able to put aside their differences for the sake of sealing up the spatial crack, but once outside the Council, they resumed their almost 300-year rivalry.

In a flash, they vanished into the woods.

After a while, another red dragon came out of the maze, this time with the Mountain Sage Heroto on it. Once outside the Mist Maze, he leaped down from the dragon’s back, patted on its head and spoke with a sigh, “Little one, tell your queen to stop being stubborn and just give up on fighting that thing head-on.”

He then scampered towards the woods and sank into the earth.

Not long after, Bryant exited from the Mist Maze. He turned back to give one last look at the maze and chuckled bitterly. “Oh Link, you attaining dragonification may not be a good thing. Your infatuation with the Red Dragon Queen will most certainly spell your doom.”

He, too, patted the head of the Red Dragon Warrior who had flown him across and said with a smile, “Little one, there’s no hope left for the Dragon Valley. Come with me to the Isle of Dawn; I’m sure you’ll get along fine with the emerald dragons there.”

The emerald dragons were descendants of those who had left Dragon Valley centuries ago to live with the High Elves. Some of their ancestors had fallen in love with the High Elves there, some were drawn to the peaceful way of life in the Isle of Dawn, while there were others who gained the elves’ magical affinity to nature from the World Tree.

As of now, the number of emerald dragons had reached no less than 500.

The Red Dragon Warrior hesitated, pondering the High Elf’s words. The situation in Dragon Valley had indeed worsened, and its future did not look too promising.

Sensing the hesitation in the dragon, Bryant laughed encouragingly. “Young one, with your strength, you’ll be treated like a king. For someone with your potential, there’s just no other way to go but up. Dragon Valley is doomed anyway, so shouldn’t you start looking for greener pastures now?”

“I… won’t be able to face the queen.”

“Ah… You’re already an adult, and the Red Dragon Queen isn’t even your mother. Shouldn’t you be the one deciding your own future? Also, given the state she’s led the Dragon Valley into, I don’t think she’s a leader worth following.”

The Red Dragon Warrior hesitated for a long while, then bit his lip and began flying towards the Isle of Dawn.

On his back, Bryant’s face lit up with a satisfied smile at his newest recruit for the army of the Isle of Dawn.

…

In the Dragon Valley.

Outside the city walls, the Red Dragon Elders had assembled before their queen who was explaining the details of the city’s evacuation to them.

“We’ll be going into the Soul Realm to deal with the Void Tyrant. Even if there doesn’t seem to be any way to take it down, we’ll at least try to buy some time. Pettalong, I’ll leave the evacuation arrangements for the Warriors and commoners to you.”

“Understood.” Pettalong nodded. He glanced at Link, was about to say something, and then stopped himself.

Link knew what he was going to say, and waved a hand casually at him. “You go, I’ll protect the queen.”

There was a look of relief on Pettalong’s face, and he turned back to begin the evacuation of the Dragon Valley.

Link turned to Gretel. “Time is of the essence, this thing is about to move. We should start right now.”

“Okay!”

In his current state, entering the Soul Realm was no longer a problem for Link. With ease, he mentally cast the Soul Conversion Spell.

Whoosh. In an instant, the colors of the world before him faded into black and white. The space around him was dotted with points of red light, which were the souls of the Red Dragons.

Among these lights, the Red Dragon Queen’s stood out the brightest, dying even the grey sky in a dim reddish hue.

Coming in second was Link’s soul, whose light was different from the others. It was neither red nor black, but transparent like water. It was also extremely concentrated, almost solid-like, and did not stand out as much.

Then there were the crimson lights of the Red Dragon Elders and the Dragon Soul Guard. They were not Legendary Magicians, and so their lights seemed far weaker. Compared to the Red Dragon Queen’s, theirs were like little stars overshadowed by the sun itself, rendered almost invisible.