As the question rumbled in Julius’ mind, the dragon’s mana-imbued voice thundered from the sky.
"Exordium, that’s how the first mages called this province before the demon invasion fifteen thousand years ago. For their contribution in repelling them, we offered them a world core’s fragment and miniaturised the place for them to rule as they saw fit as long as they never interacted with demons."
The dragon’s voice hardened, and its eyes narrowed into fiery slits before it continued.
"Millenia passed, and these brave humans, elves, and dwarves disappeared, but what have you done to honor their memories?"
As the question thunder, Rose’s cape fluttered, and her armor clanged as she shot through the sky to look the dragon in the eyes fearlessly.
"I raised an army and obliterated them. I sunk their continent, their city, and their legacy. I grasped this golden prison between my fingers for ten thousand years. And now I’m free."
Her rosy lips curled into a smirk as she pointed a finger towards it.
"And you’re the next."
The dragon’s laughter rocked the sky as its eyes sparkled with amusement and its colossal shoulders trembled.
"It’s been a while since someone dared to challenge me, little one." Its eyes narrowed to the south, landing on the ghost army, leaving the province and Rose’s real body. "Trying to divert my attention while you escape. A smart one, indeed. Leave and increase your tier to match mine. I never backed away from a challenge. But remember: the moment you try to summon or interact with demons you’ll die, and trust me, I’ll feel it no matter where you stand in the realm."
Then, it peered down, its eyes causing Julius to tremble in his boots as it added.
"For the others, you’re free to do whatever you want. There are no rules in my quarter of the world. Protect yourselves from beast’s attacks, your neighbours’ invasions and the bacteria of the real world." It shook its head, explaining this just for the form. "The vast majority will die from sickness. The rest? You won’t survive the wild beasts’ attacks without that woman’s army."
With everything said, its wings blotted the suns as it flapped away, leaving a last sentence that chilled The Beast Emperor’s blood.
"The archmage who summoned Nyxara’s brother for an hour, I’ll keep my eyes on you. I’m eagerly waiting for you to slip up once more."
The emperor’s heart almost exploded, icy sweat marring his regal robes, causing it to stick to his skin as he trembled like a battered leaf under the mythical dragon’s threat.
"I never planned to summon demons! I did it only once and attached strict rules to bind his actions!"
He exclaimed, his breath laboured as he almost regretted the trade with Adam... Almost. After all, it had allowed him to free himself from the magus’ clutches while, unlike him, Vivian and Marina would have to join it as living beings or ghosts.
’Thinking about Marina, didn’t the dragon take her city with him?’
He gazed at the horizon, wondering out of pure curiosity if she had escaped.
Meanwhile, Marina shuddered in horror under Kumari Kandam’s barrier as the Kraken’s tauntings reverberated in her ears.
"Hahaha! Why don’t you mock me again? Didn’t you say my masters would never return? I wonder what shade your face will take once you see them!"
As she almost fainted at the idea, the dragon’s concerned voice echoed to answer.
"Didn’t they die at that woman’s hands?" It tucked its claw around its scaled maw, a pensive glint flashing in its eyes. "There has been no trace of them since I offered them the province. I know you liked them, particularly that leader brat, but you must accept it, Abyss. They are no more and will never return."
Instead of despairing, the Kraken laughed harder, unbothered by the dragon’s cruel revelation... because he had a hint. One that couldn’t leave any ambiguity about their fates.
"Is mom dead too, then? Because I remember she left with them before that mad woman’s betrayal." It squinted its eyes, a knowing spark dancing in their depths. "Even you can’t kill her, much less any creatures from that weak province."
The dragon’s pupils constricted as its heart shuddered for the first time since the demonic invasion.
"These fools awakened her? Don’t tell me they’ve been hiding here and plotted everything for millennia!"
The Kraken shook its head, its tentacles shrugging.
"You can lie all you want about offering everyone a haven, but we both know you and the other kings feared her and the mages she had raised. Everything you’ve done only aimed to seal her, and you succeeded partially. However, you didn’t take one thing into account." Its beak curled into a warm smile as he reminisced about his mom’s prowess. "She had never feared any of you and only wanted peace. If you didn’t feel her presence, she’s either slumbering somewhere or..."
Its face turned somber as a possibility he had never considered before blossomed into its mind. Was it possible, though?
It shook its head, not believing the wild theory he came up with, and continued.
"Anyway, I’ll continue guarding their city until they return." It turned its face to Marina and smirked. "I guess you should pray for it to happen soon because otherwise, we’ll spend a looong time together, my dear Marina."
Meanwhile, the dragon sighed, worry gnawing at its heart as he thought about the Kraken’s mother’s potential return. No one wanted to see this unruly calamity back. The worst part? They had offered her a territory to rule and to become the realm’s fifth king.
Yet, she had refused despite her powers, only answering that the world was her house and she wouldn’t restrain her movements to a part of it.
"What a headache... I hope she’ll never wake up if she’s really slumbering."
Simultaneously, Julius, Mathias, and Alice recovered from their stupor.
"We must return to the college and discuss what to do with the others!"
Julius’ voice thundered as he drew Adam’s teleportation circle onto the ground and asked Alice to fuel it with mana.
However, space seemed to have become much thicker now that they were in The Realm of the Four Kings.
In the end, they used their enchanted items to pour a colossal amount of energy into it until the symbols finally brightened and space shuddered around them.
Without wasting a second, Alice and Mathias jumped inside, a blinding light engulfing their disappearing bodies.
Yet, Julius lingered for a second, gazing behind and feeling his heart pound in his ears in hesitation.
"Big brother... Please be safe. I have to protect everyone in your stead, and I know that’s what you want me to do."
His foot edged on the circle as a conflicted sigh escaped his lips.
Was his choice right? Could he abandon Adam in favor of all their friends and acquaintances? Even if he knew Adam would have risked his life for their safety, he still couldn’t help but feel the question gnaw at his heart.
Still, he stepped forward, the light engulfing his body as he disappeared from the ruined Jadevale kingdom.