Arc | Chapter. 109: Draconic Troubles

Chapter. 109: Draconic Troubles

The Dragon of Earth’s vision narrowed as he processed a message from Regis’karr.

Arc was in Vaelith.

The Dragon of Earth didn’t know where Vaelith was, but now he had a destination in mind. He just had to make it there before the Dragon of Nature. While he didn’t know if the Dragon of Nature was aware of the information, it didn’t matter, all that was important was making haste.

And so, he set off in his journey to find Vaelith, all while trying to avoid the surveillance of other dragons looking for him.

* * * * *

Time passed and fortunately nothing more happened; however Regis’karr began to dress in different clothes which I found weird. Faral seemed to be waiting for something. And during that time, I went to visit the Dragon of Water, and brought Ceylon along, all to look into the Orow family.

After all, even though I had tried to relax upon arriving at the capital of Draliz, Vaelith, there were still things that had to be taken care of. Mostly in relation to the new hero in the picture; the Hero of Spirits. I didn’t know what to expect of him, or how strong the man was, but it was best to be cautious.

Malz didn’t know anything about the man, but the Dragon of Water did have something interesting to say.

“The Hero of Spirits? He is but someone who lives through borrowed strength, one of those weak heroes that have a fraction of a power that another hero possesses. Surprised he’s picking a fight with you.”

That was what he had said. I didn’t know what to make of it other than he was implying the man was basically Giselle with the Hero of Arachnids. There existed a step above the Hero of Spirits, though by the time I surmised that I was already back at Vaelith. So in the end, I’d only ask him once I saw him again; probably after the ceremony.

After that, the Arlow family had mobilized its resources to look into strange things happening into the Orow family, and now all that was left was to wait. And that’s what I intended to do until Meika out of all people showed up at my doorstep⁠— or inn room.

“Arc, we have to talk,” she said.

I raised my brow. Ceylon was out with Malz, so I didn’t think twice before telling her to come into the room to see what she wanted.

The woman seemed panicked, almost weirded out. Meika was an adventurer, and even though I had seen moments of emotional weakness from her, this was… different. Her black hair was messy and her green eyes seemed to be trembling; as if she was deeply shaken.

I closed the door only for her to stop right next to me as she hesitantly spoke.

“Arc, ehem, Dragon of Frost.” I raised my brow. “I thought you’d be the one I should mention this to, but…”

“But?” I urged, completely confused on what she was about.

“There have been reported sightings and casualties in relation to dragons as of recently.” She breathed. “I thought you may want to know.”

“Uh huh…” I blinked. “So?”

“So?” she asked, almost panicked. “Aren’t you a dragon yourself; do you not care about your kin slaughtering the humans or something?! No⁠— what am I saying, why would you even care.”

She spun, grabbing her head in frustration, all while my mind pieced together what was happening.

“So you’re saying that the dragons are…”

“Two dragons attacked a group of adventurers near Vaelith, and…” she trailed off.

“Right…”

I wasn’t particularly interested in trying to fight the dragons, but I could acknowledge that it was indeed a problem. However, I had to keep in mind that Jake and other S Tier adventurers were still around; not every dragon was SS Tier either, so there was no need to act. Nor did I want to act. It wasn’t exactly my business after all.

She turned.

“Anyway, you have to help.”

I awkwardly shifted. “I don’t think that’s my responsibility…”

“It probably isn’t but don’t all dragons listen to the commanding dragon?! You have Malz the Dragon of Shadows, Regis’karr the Dragon of Flames, and Faral the Dragon of Wind all following after you. Can’t you put a stop to the other dragons?”

“That is true, but⁠—”

“If things continue this way a conflict with a hero will occur, I don’t want Draliz to be turned into an active warzone.” She shook her head.

“A conflict with a hero?”

“That is right.” Meika immediately nodded. “Apparently one of the dragons claimed to be looking for the Hero of Frost.”

I blinked.

My mind processed what that meant, and I couldn’t help but recall a particularly angry dragon.

“That is not… good.”

“It isn’t!” Meika exclaimed.

“Come with me,” I spoke quickly. “I need to find these dragons as fast as possible.”

“And then will you get them to go away?” Meika asked, hopefulness in her voice.

“No.”

I shook my head and opened the door.

“I’ll drag information out of them.”

Meika swallowed but in the end accompanied me. She was confused, and at the same time I didn’t bother to explain anything. I just left a card of ice with writing on it for Malz and Ceylon to find; essentially saying I left on urgent business and that I’d be back later today.

With that, we quickly left the city, not even bothering to grab a request from the Adventurer’s Guild like Meika tried to convince me to do so.

We stood right outside of the city gates as I turned to her.

“So in which direction were the dragons seen?”

She blinked. “You can’t possibly be thinking about transforming into your dragon form right here, right?”

“Which direction?” I repeated myself.

Meika swallowed. “Northwest.”

I nodded and grabbed her hand.

Meika winced⁠ and I used my skill⁠—

[God Step]

And in a single moment we disappeared.

* * * * *

Meika felt sick⁠— she never expected being transported by a dragon to be so overwhelming and underwhelming at the same time. Of course, she had experienced riding Faral, and she hoped the experience to be similar but instead she was being teleported around like some type of cargo as she struggled to give directions.

And by the time they were near the spot of the dragons she felt like fainting. Arc gave her a pitying look, but said nothing⁠— the woman didn’t even dare to offer a helping hand. At first she was nervous to confront the leader of the dragons, but now Meika didn’t really care.

She wanted the dragons that were terrifying Draliz to be dealt with, yes, but she also couldn’t help but wonder if she had come to the right person. Perhaps asking Faral would have been the better outcome.

Instead however, Meika had told her mentor she had urgent business with Arc, so she had left just like that.

It was… unfortunate.

Arc was already quite a few steps away as she turned back.

“You coming?”

Meika took a breath and began to advance, though she felt dizzy. It was hard to walk. But somehow, and in some way, she managed to do so. She accompanied Arc through the forest and no words were spoken, but resentment was beginning to build up within Meika, until finally she had enough.

“My first impression of you was that you were nicer.”

“Ha?” Arc raised her brow. “I’m nice.”

“Given how you’re treating me, I don’t think so.” Meika shook her head. “Come on, you could’ve at least tried to give me a hand when I’m evidently on the verge of throwing up.”

“Right.” Arc seemed uncomfortable. “I know Faral fancies you, but I’m just not like that⁠—”

“It’s just basic human decency.” And Meika stopped. “Right, you’re a dragon.”

Arc shook her head.

“If you wanted an apology you could’ve just said so. Only reason you’re here is so I can find the dragons faster.”

Meika paused. “Sorry I guess⁠—”

“But sorry for treating you like that,” Arc interrupted with a sigh.

Something seemed to be on her mind, but Meika decided to not inquire about the woman. Asking for a dragon to know how to properly socialize was a bit unreasonable, let alone teaching them how to care for others⁠— well that wasn’t true. Meika had seen Arc care for Ceylon. It was as if the woman just couldn’t care for anyone else.

Which Meika found weird but decided not to think too much about.

“Still, I never imagined you were the Dragon of Frost.”

Arc shook her head but said nothing, however at that moment the forest rustled and two looming figures appeared before them. Meika immediately shivered⁠— they had come out of nowhere! They were the dragons! One had a weird black sheen and the other one was pale white.

“Oh, one of them is SS Tier and is the Dragon of Space. Huh.” Arc tilted her head looking at the black dragon.

The two dragons immediately gazed at her.

“You’re just a dragonkin and you dare to claim you’re the Dragon of Frost?” The pale one sneered. “Ridiculous.”

“No problem if I kill one right?” Arc asked Meika.

Meika froze. “N-No, but why would you kill your kin⁠⁠—”

“You must be delusional,” the black dragon “You stand no chance at killing any of us dragonkin⁠—”

“[Frost Lightning].”

Her chilly voice cut through the air and like a smite from a divine god, a pale white flash of light struck the weaker of the two dragons. Flesh and bones flew through the air as the ground trembled. Meika just gaped⁠— realizing that the S Tier being that had just stood there was now… no longer.

The dragon had died just like that.

The black dragon quaked. “You, I will kill you⁠—!”

“[Frost Lightning].”

And a second smite came.