Chapter 194: Where the Sky Thins (5)
Chapter 194: Where the Sky Thins (5)
“It feels like they knew you would find it here.”
“You’re right.”
Ronan murmured heavily. The situation of discovering the map was too exquisite. Especially considering that even Navardose couldn’t find it, indicating that the map was prepared for a specific someone.
“You said Elysia left from here five years ago, right?”
“Yes. It was around that time.”
“It seems right to assume that she left the map here. I’ll take it with me.”
No matter how much he thought about it, there was no answer other than going there himself. Ronan neatly folded the map and put it in his pocket.
“That’s true. It’s clear that there is something on that island. Hmm, if things weren’t so hectic here, I would be happy to help…”
Navardose murmured with a tone of regret. Since their first meeting, Ronan had thought so. Navardose was indeed a really nice dragon. Despite being much stronger than him, she was worried about his safety.
There was still fatigue evident on her pretty face. No matter what, it wouldn’t be long before she’ll have to head out to battle again. Ronan, who had been thinking deeply about something, spoke up.
“Um, since we’re already here, shall I chop them up a bit more?”
“Hmm? What do you mean?”
“I’m not bragging, but killing those strange monsters is my specialty. I’ll use it as training and take your place on the front lines, so wouldn’t it be okay for you to rest for a few days?”
“Ho?”
Navardose raised an eyebrow. Her sharp eyes softened again. Ronan scratched his cheek awkwardly. Expressing gratitude verbally was sometimes awkward.
“Well, it wouldn’t hurt as long as we contact Philleon… Ah, really, why are you looking at me like that?”
Ronan, who was blabbering, couldn’t stand it anymore and blurted out. The gaze of Navardose, with a meaningful smile on her face, was difficult to withstand.
She laughed out loud and patted Ronan’s head. There was quite a height difference between them, so she had to raise her on tiptoes.
“Ahaha, you’re impressive, it’s so cute. I’m glad he has such a good friend.”
“Ugh.”
Ronan wrinkled his brow. He never got used to being treated like a child, even considering that the other person was the longest-living creature in the world.
“But I’ll have to refuse. I will see you off, so please return as soon as this task is finished.”
“Are you serious? I’m confident I can fight better than most of these idiots here.”
“Yes. You’re a much kinder soul than you think.”
Ronan didn’t understand the meaning right away and tilted his head. Navardose continued.
“Child,I know you’re special. Certainly, it would be good to deploy you to the front line right away. You inherited the ability to cut mana from ■■, so I have no doubt you’d do better than most immortals.”
“Then why…”
“But that’s why you should leave from here. There will be several situations like the one where you rescued Bnihardo and Irainiel, and each time, you’ll hesitate a little more to leave Drimore.”
Navardose’s voice was warm yet serious. Ronan was about to argue why he should care about something like that, but he swallowed back the words that came up to his throat.
‘Damn it. It makes sense.’
In retrospect, it didn’t seem like an entirely unlikely situation. Ronan twisted his lips. Looking back, there had been several such incidents, even when he was rolling with the Punishment Squad.
He didn’t wish to see them getting killed, so he took care of them one by one, and before he realized, he had ended up taking responsibility for quite a few pests. They were indeed scum, but eventually, he grew fond of them, and they repaid their debt in their own way.
Throwing away even the lives he had saved, he cleared a path all the way to Ahaiyute. Navardose spoke up.
“I hope you can see the bigger picture. Like ■■ and Elysia, who’re wandering around the world, searching for a way to save everyone.”
“Lady Navardose.”
“So, don’t worry and leave it to us.”
Navardose, withdrawing her hand from her head, began caressing his cheek. A dry chuckle escaped from between her parched lips. It wasn’t difficult to anticipate what lay ahead.
‘I’ll surely kill those monsters without any trouble. Even the immortal bastards who tick me off will eventually acknowledge my skills. Maybe not as much as in Philleon, but I’ll still manage to enjoy myself to some extent… enough to grow attached.’
Her words were correct. Ronan admitted the likelihood of being hindered by his own sentimental nature alongside his reckless personality. He lightly nibbled on his lower lip.
‘I don’t feel like being used as a chess piece, but I guessI have no choice.’
Regardless, he had to make a move within five to seven years. He would entrust the defense against the extraterrestrial forces to Drimore and devise a plan to deal with the winged baldies. Ronan, who had soon made up his mind, nodded.
“Got it. I’ll head back today.”
“Good. You’re a clever child.”
“But, I have something to say.”
“Hmm?”
“It’s a serious matter. It might sound far-fetched, but these are facts I’ve uncovered. I hope you’ll believe me.”
He had requested the reward in the form of setting aside time for this purpose. Navardose tilted her head as if wondering what he was going to say. Ronan took a deep breath before speaking.
“Nebula Clazier. How much do you know about them?”
“If it’s the Nebula Clazier… Ah, that organization that went awry at some point. It’s said to be related to the recent incidents, but honestly, I don’t know much about it.”
Navardose’ reaction was as expected. It was the reaction typical of an immortal. To her, the rise and fall of humans were as natural as the changing seasons.
Although the Savior, the founder of Nebula Clazier, cut off the horns of Gargarens, a member of the clan, that was before the Nebula Clazier was even founded.
‘If I say something wrong, Aselle will be screwed.’
Ronan briefly considered bringing up the incident involving the attempted murder on Itargrand, but he quickly decided against it. It was an act committed by the Winter Witch herself rather than the Nebula Clazier, and speaking too soon might lead to Aselle receiving backlash.
In the end, it was a straightforward confrontation. Ronan, who muttered under his breath, took out the Dawn Emblem from his pocket. Navardose widened her eyes at the beautiful form of Blood Mithril.
“That’s?”
“It’s an identification plaque given to me by His Majesty, the Emperor.”
Ronan explained his position as the Dawn and its duties step by step. It was essential for smooth persuasion. Listening to the explanation, Navardose hummed in interest.
“Oh… you’re an Imperial officer. You’re more capable than I thought.”
“It’s just that there was no one in the Empire who hated those bastards more than me. What I’m about to tell you is what those fanatics are planning to do in the future.”
Ronan began to speak after organizing his thoughts thoroughly. He began talking about the ‘Descent of the Stars’ that would occur in the near future, based on the Darman’s transformation incident that occurred in Parzan.
The baldies descending from the sky in seven years and their unimaginable strength. Until everything was lost. As the story progressed, Navardose’s face stiffened.
“So, you’re saying that in seven years, the monsters will descend upon the world? And that’s when Drimore will fall?”
“That’s right.”
“…To be honest, it’s hard to believe. Even if I don’t know what they are, it’s hard to believe that Drimore would be breached by just three creatures.”
“If the information I’ve confirmed is true, it’ll be difficult to stop even one of them. They have a protective shield that can withstand all damage, without even mentioning their destructive power.”
Ronan described the abilities of the giants, gesturing with his hands. Importantly, he embellished his experiences from his past life as if they were information he had seen somewhere.
He couldn’t bring himself to say that he had regressed. That was a story that was bound to sound absurd even if the opportunity was different. Navardose sighed.
“If what you’re saying is true… Hmm. It’s definitely a problem.”
However, the difference this time was that he could convey his babbling stories persuasively. Since many people, especially ones with significant influence in their respective positions, had witnessed Darman’s transformation into a giant.
‘In fact, that idiot essentially drove in the wedge.’
Just the leaders of one group taking the story seriously was enough to change the tide. It wasn’t for nothing that Ronan had chosen Darman’s transformation into a giant as a turning point. After a few minutes, Ronan finally got the answer he wanted.
“I’ll consider it seriously. I’ll send a letter to Adren by the end of the day.”
Instead of replying, Ronan clenched his fists. From this moment on, Nebula Clazier had effectively become the enemy of a force that rivaled or even exceeded that of the Empire.
It seemed that the day when those bugs would face the dragons’ fire was not far off. No matter what secret weapons they had, the most perfect race since the creation of the world would not be an easy opponent. Ronan, who suppressed his excitement, bowed his head.
“I’ll leave it to you.”
“Thank you for telling me such important information. I should start heading back now.”
The conversation soon came to an end. After searching the room meticulously for about an hour, aside from the map he found initially, nothing useful came up. Ronan decided to leave the fortress as Navardose had suggested.
“Sorry. I wanted to escort you personally.”
“It’s okay.”
Navardose couldn’t personally escort Ronan due to time constraints. The portal she had prepared in advance was created at the same spot where they had landed in Drimore. The contrast between the black sky and the blue stars was still beautiful. The elf named Irainiel, whom he had fought alongside a while ago, and a woman he had never seen before, were there to see him off.
“Be careful, Lord Ronan. If you ever change your mind or want eternal glory, please come find me, Irainiel Remation.”
“Next time, I’ll hit you without even counting down.”
“I won’t mind getting hit a little as long as you let me research you.”
Irainiel offered a handshake. Ronan grinned and shook her hand up and down. The woman, who had been pouting, suddenly spoke up.
“Farewell, human.”
“Hmm?”
Ronan turned his head to look at her. She looked fierce, but undeniably beautiful. The problem was, he didn’t know who this woman was that had come to see him off.
“Um, excuse me, but who are you?”
“Ha, did you hurt your head?”
The woman chuckled as if amazed. Her long chestnut hair and assertive figure were impressive. Although she wasn’t on Navardose’s level, she was also violent enough to make Rona start drooling. Violent, so violent… Suddenly, Ronan, realizing her identity, widened his eyes.
“Could it be… Bnihardo?”
“You catch on quickly.”
Bnihardo snorted. It seemed to be Bnihardo’s polymorphed human form. It was natural, but still surprising, considering her appearance bore no resemblance to her dragon form. Ronan spoke up.
“You resemble Navardose. In many ways…”
“You’re stating the obvious. But for you to show manners, have you finally realized my greatness?”
“Huh… You could say that.”
Ronan nodded his head. His gaze remained fixed in one place. He was starting to like the dragon race more and more, which had seemed hopeless in his previous life. Bnihardo laughed, placing both hands on her hips.
“You’re wiser than you appear, human. Hehe, keep up that decorum in the future.”
At first, Bnihardo seemed as dim-witted as Itargand when they first met, but that didn’t really matter. Navardose sent a message as if whispering into his ear.
[I hope you understand… Niha is not a bad child…]
She looked at her daughter with a gaze mixed with affection and pity. The two standing side by side made a beautiful picture. Ronan subtly rested his hand on the hilt of his sword.
‘Lynn. I think your master will probably be fine with a dragon as well.”’
Anyway, it was time to leave now. It had been an unforgettable experience in many ways. From the monsters descending from the sky to visiting his father’s room and the curse of fire, and even the fierce dragon mother and daughter. If he wrote a book about it all, it would probably become a bestseller. Just as he was about to step into the portal, Navardose waved goodbye.
“Well then, farewell. Child. See you again.”
“I am indebted to you.”
With a bright smile, Ronan took a step forward. As space twisted around him, he felt a strange sensation, as if all his organs were attending a masquerade.
It took exactly thirty minutes for him to return to the Philleon Central Square. When his vision cleared up after the blackout, he was greeted by the sight of the moonlit sky. Ronan murmured softly as he confirmed his presence.
“I’m back.”
Everything that had happened felt like a dream. He never thought he’d be touching the sky beyond the sky. The warmth in his chest, the ember of Navardose’s fire, proved that everything that had happened was indeed real.
Now, he needed to plan to head north. Ronan, muttering to himself, stood up. As he brushed off the dirt from his back, he heard a familiar voice from behind.
“You’re boldly catching the wind. Are you observing the stars?”
“Huh?”
It was a voice he hadn’t heard in a long time, yet it was familiar. Ronan turned his head. He widened his eyes at the sight of the slim man.
“…Professor Jarodin?”
“It’s been a while. Have you finished what you had to do?”
The ever-reclusive Earth Mage, Jarodin, stood tall, looking at him. It had been two years since they met face to face. His bony wrists and sunken cheeks still looked pitiful.
“Indeed, it’s been a while. Um…”
Ronan was about to greet him warmly. Suddenly, he noticed a woman hiding behind Jarodin. Only her face peeked out, like a cicada clinging to a tree, making it seem quite adorable.
“And who is that woman?”
“Ah, I guess you didn’t know.”
Ronan pointed to the woman with his index finger. Her face looked like he had seen it somewhere before. Startled, she hid behind Jarodin again. With a faint smile, Jarodin spoke up.
“Say hello. She’s my wife.”