Dragonlord

Ep 97. It's Not Too Late. (4)

The day passed by rather quickly as Serenis busily went about picking up the pieces before leaving – the first of which was deciding on what Aldrid and Rozerre would do. Though, truth be told, the dragonlord had no intention of letting either of them follow her to the capital.

It was clear Rozere wasn’t willing to go regardless of the circumstances. Aldrid had reluctantly volunteered to accompany her lord yet again, but it wasn’t difficult to persuade the deity of life to do otherwise. The verbal reason was that it’d be troublesome for a deity to openly turn against a particular nation; the underlying reason was because Serenis could clearly see the reluctance in Aldrid’s eyes to leave her son again.

And by nightfall, Serenis was standing alone at Hilia’s entrance, waiting for Raizel to arrive. But instead of the youngling, the deity of life was first to see her lord’s departure.

“Lord Serenis.”

“…Aldrid. You’re not with your son?”

“Haha…I tried, but I’m afraid he wasn’t keen on seeing you again. I think he’s still somewhat scared of you.”

“I cannot blame him. Not after what I’ve done.”

“…That wasn’t your fault.”

Aldrid’s eyes remained locked with her lord’s. Serenis studied the deity’s odd gaze, seemingly mixed with relief and grief.

“Are you still concerned about remaining here? I assure you I’ll return before long.”

“Oh…no, it’s not that. I do trust that you’ll be alright, my lord.”

“…Is it because of your son’s earlier words, then?”

“…”

A brooding silence replaced Aldrid’s verbal affirmation. Ever since Rozerre had spoken of Aldrid’s design in mankind’s evil nature, she had never been at ease.

Half out of guilt, and half out of loyalty, the deity of life began to speak her thoughts.

“Back then…I was being selfish too.”

“…? What do you mean, child?”

“Master Felicir had wanted exact replicas of what mankind was before. Ashamed as I am to admit, I could never quite stand up to him…”

“The other divinities were sided with the Reaper, I’ve heard. You had no choice.”

“…They weren’t in the beginning. Many were sided with me, actually…the majority wanted a new design. A kind-hearted race that would never nurture a glint of evil.”

“? Then why…?”

“Master Felicir threatened to kill Rozerre.”

“…”

“…In the end, it was me who chose to listen. I wove evil into mankind’s heart. I knew what I was doing, but…I still did it.”

“…Child, no one is going to fault you for protecting your son. And you did not worsen the star; you simply recreated life as they were.”

Aldrid beamed back a pained smile at her lord’s kindred words.

“That’s not true, my lord. Do you know why halves are the way they are now?”

“…Halves?”

In the previous era, ‘halves’ were a race comprised of those born between man and demon. Now, the meaning has changed to those whose heritage hails from man and animal.

The difference had always struck Serenis as odd, but she’d never been too keen on knowing why. She’d merely thought that it was…

“…Because demonkind had passed away, and you did not possess the ability to create them anew. Is that not so?”

Aldrid shook her head.

“That’s only half of the truth. If that were the only reason, it would’ve made more sense to not create them altogether. But I went as far as incorporating Lady Felicis’ help just to birth the first few.”

‘…Mana evolution.’

If halves themselves had been Aldrid’s design, the mana phenomenon that created them were doubtless attributed to the deity of mana.

Upon seeing the dragonlord’s confused expression, Aldrid continued with supplementary details.

“Master Felicir wanted a race of similar intelligence to mankind, but of lower status. Looking back, I believe he wanted to raise humans to the status demonkind once retained, just like how some tribes enslaved humans. So from the beginning, halves were created to serve humanity the same way…I designed an entire race to serve as inferiors.”

“…But that hadn’t been the case in Partivine. Halves seemed to be treated as man’s equal.”

“Partivine’s special in that way. The people there worship the deity of mana, so naturally, anything that had her hand in their creation – including halves – are seen in a much better light. Halves don’t receive anywhere near the same treatment elsewhere. As you’ve heard from those soldiers, it’s perfectly acceptable for halves to be enslaved and sold as objects here…as well as most other regions throughout the star.”

“…”

Humans and halves being targets of discrimination was an ancient convention that persisted throughout the demon era.

In all fairness, the dragonkin were the oddities among demonkind for remaining neutral to all races. The other lords had seen their brethren’s exercise of violence against man a given right as the superior race.

Ironically, they’d served as examples of how a race of power ought to live. The example they’d set had persisted into the present, leading to a world where a new set of victims were serving a new race of power in the exact same fashion.

After a quiet sigh, Aldrid began to rummage the insides of her robe while she spoke.

“By the time I thought to separate from Rozerre and hide him away, it was too late. If I’d been willing to part with him early on, then…perhaps it wouldn’t have come to this. In the end, I failed as mother and deity both.”

“…Aldrid.”

“But…it’s not too late. To try being a mother again.”

After producing an orange gem from her robe, Aldrid gently placed the stone above both her palms, offering it to the dragonlord with a respectful bow.

“Thank you, Lord Serenis. I couldn’t have met him again without your help.”

Serenis blinked curiously as she took the glowing gem into her hand. It was similar enough to the previous iterations for her to guess at what it was.

“This is…your son’s divinity?”

When Aldrid raised her head once more, the concern in her expression had changed to an adamant resolve. She nodded to her lord, beaming a longing smile.

“It’s long overdue, but…I’m going to raise him again. Not as deities, but as mother and child.”

“…Are you certain? If he wants to keep it for the time being, then…”

“He wanted to get rid of it.”

A soft sigh escaped the deity of life. She’d always seen her son as peculiar, but in truth, perhaps she’d been misunderstanding him from the very beginning.

“Isn’t it ironic? Even though I knew just how much Lady Felicis suffered from being forced into her position, I did the same to my own son. But he could never tell me how troubled he was…I was a terrible mother.”

“…”

“…So from now on, I’m going to try harder. I’m…going to try and make it up to him. I’d hate for his entire childhood to be nothing but sacrifice.”

“…Very well.”

Serenis’ gaze fell to the orange gem in her grasp. A faint glow began to shimmer from her hand, slowly melting the divinity within – though this time, the dragonlord was struggling to repress a pang of jealousy welling inside.

‘If they were still alive…’

They weren’t, and so, it was a pointless conjecture. But Serenis couldn’t help but wonder if she could restore the relationships with her own children as Aldrid have.

Perhaps it’d be an effort in vain. Perhaps her children would bitterly curse their mother for abandoning them so.

“…”

In a momentary burst of regret, Serenis clenched her fist into a tight grip, shattering the gem with a brilliant flash. After its dust faded into the air, the dragonlord hid her longing beneath her usual façade.

Watching her son’s divinity disappear from sight, Aldrid met her lord’s gaze once more, hope and uncertainty mixed in her eyes.

“Lord Serenis…you’ll be back, won’t you?”

“…Of course I will, child. I haven’t forgotten our promise, and I’ve yet to collect your own divinity. Until that time comes, use it well to nurture those around you.”

“I promise I will.”

After another minute of exchanging wordless gratitude, Serenis turned to scan the surrounding vicinity. Knowing who the dragonlord was waiting for, Aldrid likewise looked around the surrounding area – they’d both thought that Raizel would be here by now.

“…You’re waiting for Raizel’s arrival, right? I wonder where she’s gone…”

“I’m here.”

Mere moments after Aldrid’s question, Raizel emerged from the forests Serenis was looking towards. The youngling was quick to summon her wings, readying to take flight.

“Sorry, had to do something. Are we good to go?”

“As long as you are, child.”

“Alright then.”

After lowering her stance, the steel dragon leapt into the air with a deafening sound from kicking off the ground. Serenis likewise summoned her wings, sparing one last look towards the deity of life, smiling back all the same.

“Take care, my lord. I’ll be waiting for your return.”

Instead of a verbal reply, the dragonlord return a grinning nod before taking off into the air. Aldrid watched the two dragons disappearing into the night sky, and once they were gone, turned towards one of the wooden houses behind her.

“You didn’t have to hide like that. She probably knew you were right there.”

“…Really? How?”

“Well…your foot’s sticking out, Rozerre. Have you not noticed?”

“What?!”

Aldrid softly snickered to herself at the sight of When her son hurriedly jumped out from behind the building in panic.

“I’m just kidding. I’m sure she didn’t see anything.”

“…That’s mean, mother.”

“Was it? Why’re you smiling then?”

“…”

After exchanging a mutual laughter, Aldrid made her way over to Rozerre’s side, taking him by the hand with a gentle pull.

“Come, let’s go build ourselves a home before it gets too late. Now that you’re not a deity anymore, you’ll need all the sleep you can get!”

“…Maybe for me, but you don’t need sleep at all, do you? You’re still…”

“Needing and wanting are two different things, Rozerre. Or maybe you’re too old to sleep with your mother now? Is that it?”

“…One day you’re telling me to behave like a deity, next you’re treating me like I’m 10 again…”

Even while her son pouted at her side, Aldrid couldn’t stop smiling at the little figure following along her steps. She was finally beginning to remember just how much she’d missed walking like this with her son.

And this time, she wouldn’t ever have to forget it again.

“…That reminds me. There’s something I’ve been meaning to tell you.”

“Huh?”

Aldrid came to a brief stop, lowering herself to meet her son’s eye level. She gently caressed his cheeks, making the proudest smile she ever had.

“…Mother?”

“…”

‘I’m sorry I pushed you away. I’m sorry I didn’t understand your troubles. I’m sorry for leaving you alone for so long.’

After a long silence, Aldrid quietly whispered to her son.

“I love you. I always will.”

✧ ✧ ✧

Slurp.

“…?”

When Serenis glanced towards the youngling flying at her side, she could see Raizel profusely licking her lips. Upon a closer look, the dragonlord could see hints of red surrounding the steel dragon’s lips.

“Raizel? Did you eat something?”

“Huh? Uh, yeah, got a little hungry. Went on a little hunt before we left that place.”

“…Is that so?”

Raizel nodded back, facing forward again while consciously telling herself not to lick her lips. She much preferred her lord not questioning the matter further.

Technically, she wasn’t lying. What she ate were no different from animals.

✧ ✧ ✧

Half an hour ago…

“Sir…how are we ever going to escape?”

“If what we heard are all true, then…that was an actual dragonlord. And with them was another dragon, and two deities to boot…”

“…And they got everything they wanted out of us. We all know what useless prisoners become.”

“Silence.”

The lead officer pulled on the tree roots wrapped around his wrists, binding him to the shed’s floor. Unfortunately, the plant refused to give way whatsoever.

Gritting his teeth, he turned towards his three complaining soldiers.

“It’s not a matter of whether we can or cannot – we MUST return to the empire and inform them of the dragonlord’s existence. The emperor’s waged war against the dragonkin before…he will know what to do.”

“But sir, escaping from here is…”

“Do not lose hope, Elgade. If you die, your brother will kill all of us.”

“…Yes sir.”

“Besides, your own wedding is just up ahead, isn’t it? I understand that you’re worried, but the deity of life is known to be the most kind and benevolent of the Twelve. If she meant to kill us, she would have done so long ago.”

“…”

“Our chance will come. Until then, imagine how handsomely we’ll be rewarded for playing a part in slaying the lord of dragons herself – when we become nobility, this will all be a mere story to tell over a couple drinks.”

Boom!

Just when the officer’s words were beginning to convince his men of their bright, golden future ahead, the shed’s door was bashed open by an iron hand.

The men froze in fear at the sight of the steel dragon. Among the four they’d seen, this one seemed to be the least forgiving – and also the most dangerous.

…Which is why they were all the more shocked when the dragon grabbed the tree roots binding them, tearing it to pieces in her hand.

The freed soldiers stared at Raizel in unison, confused by her sudden actions. The lead officer rubbed his wrists a few times before getting up to his feet, facing the youngling eye to eye.

“…What’s the meaning of this?”

“Not much. Lord told goldie to let you all go tomorrow, so thought I’d do the job today.”

“…?”

The officer’s suspecting eyes stared into the smiling dragon a moment longer, but he wasn’t going to pass up on this chance. After all, his voice had been relatively low, and he hadn’t said a word after Raizel had entered; surely she couldn’t have heard him from outside.

He turned to his men and exchanged brief nods, the group hurriedly making their way towards the door afterwards.

“Thank you, dragon.”

“Yeah, yeah.”

Raizel watched them disappear into the woods. They clearly weren’t heading to the village; instead, the soldiers were planning to go through the woods and find another way back to the empire’s forefront.

‘Fine by me. Makes things a lot easier.’

The steel dragon soon followed after the men, making sure to tear off the door and break bits of the shed’s floors with her foot before leaving.

Otherwise, it wouldn’t look like they struggled to break free.

“…”

“…”

“…”

“…”

Soon after realizing they were being stalked, the lead officer came to a stop after a few minutes. He looked back to see Raizel following after them in leisure steps, wearing a rather ominous smile on her face.

“…Dragon? Is there something you need from us?”

“Hm.”

Raizel glanced back at the distance they’d walked. They were quite far from the village – likely far enough for a little noise to go unnoticed.

“There’s something I meant to ask you four.”

“…Yes?”

“Your emperor. Is it the same guy from before?”

“…?”

The four soldiers confused looks with each other. The lead officer once again stepped up, this time answering in confidence.

“As far as we’re aware, the ruler of Akeia has always been Emperor Amadeus Lavnore. We were told Akeia’s ruler has never changed once.

“…Hmph.”

The youngling scoffed at the answer. Humans didn’t live very long, but it wasn’t exactly impossible for them to last a little over a century. This was especially true with mages of higher circles, Otoka being one such case.

And in turn, that meant that the current Akeian emperor was still the same emperor Raizel had faced as a hatchling; every soldier before her were his underling.

“…Lord was gonna let you four go anyways, and she’s never gonna find out anyways. The rest will think you ran away on your own…”

“…?”

“What, you didn’t seriously think I’d let you scamper off and tell on your bloody emperor, did you?”

“Wh-“

Before the officer could respond, Raizel’s figure became encased in a sphere of grey scales. A giant, reptilic head burst forth afterwards, crushing the man between its fangs before swallowing him, armor and all.

Two began to run away in panic. One fell to his knees, looking up at the towering figure to beg for mercy.

“D, d, dragon, I swear I’ve never done anything to your kind. I have a bride waiting for me at home, I-”

“I don’t care.”

The moment the empire had drove their blades into her mother, what they had to say didn’t matter.

An empty laughter escaped from the man’s lips as Raizel’s looming shadow crept over his figure. The laughter abruptly died when the youngling’s jaw snapped shut with sounds of crunching bones and metals.

She then looked into the distance with a bloodied maw, head slightly raised above the treeline. It wasn’t long until she found the two men running away in the distance.

“…Idiots.”

If they wanted to live even a second longer, they should’ve at least discarded their armor.