CH 184

Chapter 184

When Peaceful Times Cease To Exist : Each Choice, Part 6 — He Who Unites The Darkness

Translated by KaiesV

Edited by KaiesV

「It’s been a long time, Gwen.」

「…I didn’t want to think about it, but I should’ve expected it. Aurangzebul.」

The old man called Aurangzebul takes off his hood. The face that met beneath it was wrinkled like an old man’s, but the eyes were the color of a sharp, strong-willed forest, and the mouth was tight and the moustache was stocky. And his ears are long and large, showing characteristics different from those of normal elves.

It’s not the face of an evil person. Nor does it give off a deadly look in vain. But the strong gleam in his eyes made it easy to imagine that he was moving with a daring will and would be willing to use any means and sacrifice to achieve his goal. He had the look of a martyr himself, or as they say on the battlefield, a decisive death squad.

Moreover, the fact that Gwendolf and Aurangzebul knew each other seemed to surprise some of the black-robed mages, who each looked at each other. Such things were completely ignored by both Aurangzebul and Gwendolf, though.

「When was the last time we saw each other, Gwen?」

「It was 2000 years ago that you left us. It was when our former chief, the Primordial Wise Dragon Dalen Rokia-sama, fell asleep.」

「How nostalgic. All five of us were still alive then.」

「Yes. But the Elder Giant Broncel was already dead from injuries sustained in battle, and Yelasha the Nike left the continent with her clan in search of a new land.」

「And now there are only three of us left: you, me, and Gora, the raccoon beast who was a little boy at the time.」

「It’s a big deal that three of us are still alive. But you haven’t been seen since then. After that, Gora and I came to a consensus, and we have taught each other the wisdom we know to guide life on this continent in the right direction. At best I taught the elves and giants about magic, but when it came to Gora, he was even more active in going down among the people and now seems to have taken up residence in Gruzald. But what about you? We were all very passionate about it, and we all thought that you would be the one to lead us once Dalen Rokia-sama had gone.」

Gwendolf looks at Aurangzebul with a reproachful look. Gwendolf knows the deeds that Aurangzebul has done through Lifeless and others. He shows it with his eyes.

「… It’s a long story. But, Gwen, my feelings are the same now as they were then. I want you to believe that.」

「Then why perform atrocious imitations. Isn’t what you are doing contradictory?」

「I don’t blame you for taking it that way. But this is necessary pain.」

Aurangzebul looked at him with sad eyes. In those eyes, Gwendolf also knows he isn’t lying.

「Aurang, you…」

「Gwen, I’m not asking you to cooperate. But I do need you to shut up and watch me do it. After what happened, I studied a lot of things on my own. I couldn’t help but notice something. And then I realized that your ways are not good enough.」

「What do you imply with that?」

「I can’t tell you that. But change is already coming. Gwen, look more closely at the world. Then you will see everything. And you will see that I am doing the right thing.」

After that, Aurangzebul didn’t say anything. It was as if he had said everything he wanted to say. At the sight of him, Gwendolf seemed to realize that he could not ask any more questions.

「…I see, there seems to be no point in talking any more. Well then, just one more thing from me.」

「What?」

「Do you want to kill Alfiris?」

This question made everyone tense. It was easy to imagine that if Aurangzebul shook his head at this point, a horrific battle would begin on the spot. Perhaps Gwendolf will also wield his full power as a True Dragon. As a result, this little Febran will disappear from the face of the earth.

But Aurangzebul immediately shook his head. The gesture honestly brought relief to all of them. Although it seemed that they’re clinging to the mercy of their enemies, everyone knew that if they had fought, total annihilation would have been inevitable.

「No, I won’t kill her.」

「…Then fine, for the time being. I don’t have enough information to make a decision yet. I can’t draw any immediate conclusions about what you’re doing.」

「Wait a minute! They’re bad guys, no matter what you think, aren’t they!?」

Unexpectedly, Miranda leaned forward. It was the same feeling with Alfiris. But Gwendolf’s answer was cold.

「I don’t know about that? It’s a matter of your human values. As far as I know, Aurangzebul isn’t a man who kills for no reason, and I certainly know too little about anything at this stage. I can’t pass judgment.」

「But that doesn’t mean it’s okay to kill people!」

「You were an Arnelian Sister, weren’t you? Your view is only as a human being. From our point of view, all animals in nature fight when they have to. It’s no different than that. Kindness is a virtue, but for those like us, who are the original guardians of all living things, it doesn’t change the fact that humans, plants, trees, and even fiends are equally to be cherished by those who live on this earth.

Therefore, it would be breaking a taboo for me, who is essentially a True Dragon, to take the side of Alfiris. But she and I are already involved by fate. I have received so much from her, and I, as one living being, a proud True Dragon, must return the favor I have received to her. This is not me acting as the head of True Dragons, but as a single dragon, Gwendolf.」

「…」

Miranda fell silent. Certainly Miranda’s argument was on the side of the human side only. But was she really? For Miranda, it is all about the events she has seen so far. She doesn’t know how much Gwendolf knew, but it was very hard to believe that the beings in front of her were right.

Then Aurangzebul slowly opens his mouth.

「So Gwendolf, you’re taking the girl’s side then?」

「Yes, you’re welcome to think so. Me personally, of course.」

「Hmm. Then I, too, would prefer not to fight with you. Of course, this is my personal wish, and killing is not what I want.」

「So why don’t we just call it mutual non-interference here? This is, of course, until I know the whole situation. Under the right circumstances, I could be your enemy. Of course, I just hope it doesn’t come to that.」

「It’s the same for me. But one never knows what fate will bring. At least let’s hope for mutual guidance from Dalen Rokia-sama.」

「Ahhh.」

Then Aurangzebul spun around and said to everyone in black robes.

「Look, a promise has just been made. We will not interfere with these girls! This must be observed for whatever reason. Swear this by oath.」

「「「「「「「「Understood.」」」」」」」」

Then, all at once, they slash their fingers, one by one, wound to wound to Aurangzebul. A simple pledge, but at the same time mentally constraining. It prevents them from acting contrary to this pledge, even unknowingly.

Then Aurangzebul turns to Gwen again.

「I’m with you.」

「That’s right.」

And Gwendolf and Aurangzebul do the same. Herein the pledge became. If the pledge is ever dissolved, the other side will know about it immediately. The offending party would then lose their magical legitimacy and be erased from the world of mages as heretics. To dissolve a covenant, they must meet with each other again and pledge to rescind the covenant.

After the pledge, Aurangzebul glances at Alfiris. Alfiris freaked out, but even she didn’t have a peek into what Aurangzebul was thinking. Furthermore, just as Aurangzebul was about to leave, he stopped to look at Lisa. His eyes opened for a moment with interest. But it was really only for a moment, and even Lisa herself paid little attention to it.

And then the black-robed humans left one after another. Doom threw Lisa a kiss, which she brushed away with her hand. Doom sees this and leaves with a shrug. Lifeless also leaves, chattering his teeth in frustration at Alfiris. When they saw him, each of them took one look at Alfiris and then left. But only Dragleo didn’t move, and on the contrary, he strode steadily toward Gwendolf. Gwendolf stopped Aerial that was about to leap out of the way, and he was now facing Dragleo.

「Hey, you. You’re ridiculously strong.」

「Thanks for the compliment on that. I think I’m strong enough to satisfy you, don’t you?」

Gwendolf laughs briskly, and Dragleo also returns a big smile.

「Oh well! I hope we can do it someday!?」

「Let’s see, I don’t know if it’s fortunate or unfortunate that such a time will come, but…」

「Don’t be so difficult! It’s the law of nature that strong men draw and fight each other!!」

「Well… perhaps so.」

Dragleo’s theories are always simple and clear. Even Gwendolf can’t help but laugh along with Dragleo. Indeed, seen in this way, Dragleo had no evil spirit to intimidate those around him, in fact, he was even refreshing. But Aerial was the only one who couldn’t resist. And when Dragleo doesn’t even want to look at her again, Aerial loses control of herself.

「Hey, you!」

「Ahn?」

「You killed my father… you killed Phalanx, aren’t you!?」

「Phalanx? Who is that…」

Dragleo, ear-splittingly, asked in a disinterested manner. Aerial was so taken aback by this attitude that the difference in ability blew her mind, and she held up her spear without a second thought.

「The Flame-used Red Beast you killed on the Prairie! Have you already forgotten it!?」

「Oh, yeah, that guy. I remember him.」

At that moment, Dragleo’s eyes softened and deepened. Aerial couldn’t help but relax her hand holding the spear.

「That guy… he’s strong. Was he the fifth strongest I’ve ever fought? He looked like he was nearing the end of his life, and I would have loved to fight him as hard as I could when he was stronger. I’m sure it would have been a much better fight…」

「That’s my father!」

「Father? What’s that?」

Aerial was stunned by what Dragleo replied back.

「You, are you toying with me?」

「No, I really don’t know.」

「What!?」

「But I hear it means an important word to you. So what do you do?」

「Kuh, I will come for your head sooner or later. Remember, my name is…」

「Ah, it doesn’t matter. You’re no good.」

「Wha–…」

With those last words, Dragleo turns his back. He mustn’t be interested in Aerial at all. Aerial looks on in dismay. Her face red with anger and humiliation, she gripped the spear so tightly that blood spurted out, when Alfiris gently took her hand and slowly shook her head at Aerial. Aerial then gradually looked down and dropped the spear without effort.

「Damn… damn it! What’s with that guy?」

「…Perhaps he really isn’t interested. He couldn’t have been lying, as his feelings and reactions couldn’t have been more clear. In general, I don’t think he’s smart enough to tell a lie. It’s true that he want to fight Gwendolf, that Phalanx was strong, and that he’s not interested in Aery. In his eyes, he only sees the strong people he recognizes. So the next time we meet, he won’t remember us.」

「In our land, it would imply that I’m recognized yet.」

「Unfortunately.」

At the same time, she thought it was the right thing to do. Lisa tried to explore Dragleo’s inner world, but felt an endless rush of energy, as if she had glimpsed a sun or a tornado or a huge waterfall at the end of the world, and she involuntarily withdrew her attempt to explore. Lisa’s instincts told her that if she touched that thing, it would take her consciousness with it, and she stopped detecting.

「（A mass of life force… is that the best way to describe it? He’s a monster. How could something like that be created?）」

Despite Lisa’s worries, one late Dragleo is picked up by Bloody Maria.

「What are you doing, Dragleo. Let’s go～」

「……Gah.」

「This guy, sleeping while walking… unbelievable.」

Bloody Maria was taken aback. A moment later, as she was about to grab Dragleo and activate the transition, she looked at Gwendolf and giggled. Gwendolf is taken aback by the significance of the look in her eyes.

「（That girl… was she?）」

But soon Bloody Maria disappeared, accompanied by Dragleo. Only the smile on her mouth was strangely impressive to Gwendolf.

And after everything was gone, all that remained were sword marks on the ground and a broken building. Euthy and Nia fearfully peek at the marks of the sword.

「I can’t believe it. They cut deep enough to fit Alfie in there.」

「…That’s impossible. There was no sign of magic, was there?」

「Yeah, I mean pure sword power.」

「That’s ridiculous.」

The two look toward the building. The building had been neatly cut in half, and after cutting the ground, it led even further in the other direction.

While the group was stunned, not quite realizing that the crisis had passed, Alfiris turned to Gwendolf with a mysterious look on his face.

「Gwen, can you explain this?」

「…Let’s see. If things have reached this point, I’d better explain it to you. In the meantime, let’s change places. People will be here soon.」

「Then let’s continue on our way to the North Highway. I guess the immediate danger is over, so for now, let’s head in the direction of our destination, Alfie?」

「Yes, that’s right…」

Alfiris replied with a lot of unexplained things. And what occupied the center of it all was why she was so afraid of that mage who called himself Aurangzebul. There were so many other things to think about, but this was the thing that bothered Alfiris the most.