Tio turned around and smiled. Before she knew it, Edel was already standing behind her, looking timid.
"Grandfather, I'm not crazy. I just have a new sexual preference."
"A little bit...? Really? A little bit..."
Edel came to Tio's side, his expression quite complicated. He raised his hand and repeatedly stroked his brow with his fingers, trying to smooth out the wrinkles.
However, Edel also understood that Tio had already noticed that he had come behind her not long ago, and half of her mumbling was directed to him.
To be honest, Edel was about to come and kowtow and apologize to Hulga and Orna. He blamed himself deeply for having his precious granddaughter, the treasure of the entire dragon race, entrusted to him by his son and daughter-in-law, reduced to this state.
But even if I thought so, I heard Tio's words and saw the happy smile she showed when she turned around...
"I can only accept it."
I can only say this with a wry smile.
"Yes. I hope Grandpa-sama will accept me as I am. Please allow me to introduce you to my master, my father, and my mother."
"...Do you absolutely have to call him Master?"
"Of course! Because the master is the master!"
"Halga, Orna, I'm sorry..."
"No, Grandpa, please don't apologize!"
"I feel guilty towards the ancestors of Kularus...!"
"It's not that serious, is it? Grandpa, please put away that look of deep regret!"
Grandpa Edel buried his face in his hands. Although no tears came out, he must have been weeping inside.
At this moment, Tio finally puffed up her cheeks and started to get upset. But after a while,
"Grandfather...I failed to protect you."
Edel turned his gaze to his granddaughter beside him. After watching the video just now, he naturally understood who she was referring to.
"How can I be called a 'Guardian'? This is so embarrassing. I thought I had become stronger. In fact, I haven't improved at all. I am exactly the same as I was back then. I am powerless."
My compatriots fought bravely and lost their lives. My mother's body was left exposed in the wilderness. Finally, I was separated from my father forever.
Theo, who was still young at the time, was helpless and could only be dragged away by Fenli.
Although he swore to protect everything and gained strength that was said to be equal to or even stronger than the clan leader, his friend was kidnapped.
"If I could, I'd really like to take her place."
This monologue-like sentence must have been spoken only to Edel. It was like a granddaughter's pampering to her grandfather.
The forest was silent.
Edel's face was grave, as if he was thinking about something. Then he spoke.
"Tio. I heard from Fenli that you can change your dragon form at will. Is that true?"
"Hmm? Yes, Grandpa. It's the power that turns into magic."
"Also, from the video, I see that you can deploy your black scales with ease without transforming into a dragon."
"That's probably the effect of the sublimation magic. Furthermore, the situation was dire, and I was completely focused on finding a way out. It seems my Dragon Transformation skill itself has reached a higher level... Grandfather, what's wrong with you?"
Seeing that Edel seemed to be getting more and more troubled the more he thought about it, Tio looked at him with some concern and asked.
Edel fretted for a long time, then finally turned around to see Tio's expression. Only then did he relax his tense shoulders.
"Now, it should be fine."
After saying this, Edel signaled Tio with his eyes, asking her to follow him. Then, he turned and left.
"Grandpa, where are you going?"
"The spirit temple."
Tio tilted her head in confusion. A mausoleum is a shrine dedicated to the heroic spirit of the first Kularus. For all dragonkin, it is a place of caution and self-reflection.
Why is it a place for caution and introspection?
Because, it was this first generation of Kuralus who left behind the origin of the "Holy Verses of the Dragon People".
At that time, it was an era when the dragon people's position was still wavering between humans and beasts.
Persecution of the Dragon People continued unabated. Despite his immense power, the first Kularus sincerely called for cooperation, selflessly helping other races with a noble heart. However, he ultimately suffered ruthless betrayal and the loss of his beloved wife. Ultimately, he lost his mind and became a ferocious beast.
He wreaked havoc everywhere, his destructive power so immense that he was even called a "disaster." In the end, his son, Edel's grandfather, led the dragonmen in defeating the first Kuralus, bringing an end to the disaster.
Because the dragon people showed great strength during the disaster, all countries stopped persecuting them out of fear. Then, the dragon people began to seek the possibility of coexistence, and started this long and difficult history that continues to this day.
By Edel's generation, the foundation for peace had been successfully established, and by Hulga's generation, the goal of coexistence with other races had been truly achieved.
This period of history is a must-learn for all Dragon-Man children. When studying, they must come to the mausoleum and recite the holy words before the statue of the first Kuralus: "Whether human or beast, we must uphold our spirit with determination." Then, they must memorize the history and creed in their hearts.
However, apart from this, this place has no other special significance.
"What are you going to do in Ling Miao? The preparations for the battle should be almost done, so you should go back immediately—"
"Tio. Why do you think the first head of the family was called a disaster?"
This question made Tio's expression even more confused.
"Isn't this... because he's so powerful?"
"Yes, powerful. Too powerful. Even if Harga and I try our best, we can't change the tide of the world. However, the disaster caused by the first head of the family is powerful enough to stop the tide of the world."
"what……"
Tio couldn't help but let out a surprised sound.
"In order to stop him, the Dragon People sacrificed nearly half of their warriors."
"Please wait, Grandfather. I have never heard of such history!"
"Of course you don't know. Because, this is something you don't need to know."
How powerful the first generation leader was isn't the point. The important thing is that the Dragons must learn from the tragedy caused by the first generation. If the Dragons knew that the first generation leader was so powerful and immeasurable, how would they feel?
"There must be people who wonder why he is so powerful, and even want to be as powerful as him. Just like you now."
“──! I can’t hide it from Grandpa.”
The two arrived at the mausoleum and entered the ancestral hall. After walking about twenty meters through a narrow passage, they arrived at a rather spacious hall. At the other end of the hall stood a single altar, housing a statue of the first head of the family.
Edel took the statue in his hand, scratched his fingertips with his claws, and dripped the blood onto the statue's mouth, injecting magic power into it.
"Could it be... that this statue is actually a divine artifact?"
"Indeed. This seems to be a kind of sealing device. What is sealed within it is the very commandment that we, the Dragon People, must never forget."
At this time, it seemed to be split in two.
Instantly, a strong sense of oppression swept over her like a storm. Tio's eyes widened in surprise.
"Impossible! This aura is... conceptual magic!?"
"As you would expect. I just saw Lord Nagumo's 'Negation of Existence' and I think that this is probably the case as well."
Inside was a scale, the color of dried black blood, constantly releasing terrifying resentment.
This aura was extremely terrifying, and just being close to it was enough to drive a person crazy. It was indeed very similar to the concept created by Hajime, 'Negation of Existence'.
"This is the dragon scale of the first head of the clan. It's the only thing that cannot be destroyed by any means. Furthermore, it's said that any dragon-man who touches it will be forced to transform into a dragon, losing their mind and becoming a ferocious beast... but in return, they gain immense power."
It is said that after the first head of the family passed away, when no method was found to seal the scales, a dragon man was bewitched by the scales and reached out to touch them.
It is said that only those who have inherited the Kularus bloodline, or those with special powers, can endure it for tens of seconds through mental strength. Some of the dragonkin who were bewitched in the past have regained their sanity and committed suicide to prevent a second disaster.
"Later, a special sealing method was discovered, one that could only be broken by Kuralus's bloodline and magic power. Since then, generations have kept it hidden as a symbol of self-discipline, and it remains so until now."
"Grandfather... the reason you showed me this wasn't just to remind me to be cautious, right?"
Tio's eyes turned serious. Edel nodded.
"You, as you are now, may be able to defeat the first head of the family. When you do, you will gain even greater power than you have now..."
"At the same time, perhaps I can wipe away the lingering sorrow of the first head of the family... Is that what you mean?"
Edel nodded. Now, Tio finally understood why he was so troubled.
Because doing so is too dangerous, and if it fails, it will cause irreversible consequences.
However, when Tio mentioned that she couldn't save Yue, she looked extremely regretful...
More importantly, to her, her beloved's favorite should be her rival, but Tio was completely concerned about Yue's safety, without a trace of negative emotion, only showing an unwavering determination to save Yue. Such a Tio, how noble and dignified...
That's why Edel made this decision.
Edel said no more, leaving the final decision to Tio, and looked at her with calm eyes.
And Tio's reaction was──
"Phew, I am your master's useless dragon. Pain is your reward, come on!"
Although she was joking, her expression showed her determination not to back down. Tio picked up the dragon scale without hesitation.
Suddenly, she felt as if her blood was freezing, and was overwhelmed by an incomparably powerful force, causing Tio to fall to her knees.
"Hold on to your mind! Don't let it consume you!"
"Uh, uh, uh, uh, cough!"
Magical energy churned like mud. Tio's hand, holding the first dragon scale, gradually became stained black and red. Her beautiful golden eyes lost their luster and gradually became cloudy.
"It's still not working... Tio, put it down!"
Edel roared. However, Tio didn't react. Magical power surged wildly, a pressure so strong it could cause a person to lose their mind, wreaking havoc within the mausoleum.
"There's no other choice... Is there anyone among your companions who knows regeneration magic?"
Edel decided to burn Tio's hand. He raised his knife and concentrated the burning power in his hand. At this moment—
"My Lord, please wait!"
"Tio!"
Tio raised her head. Although her body was covered in cold sweat, she still had a rebellious smile on her face.
"The First Head was indeed a violent elder... Grandfather, I'm sorry, but please tell everyone that our departure will be delayed. I will stay here... and use all my strength to comfort this wailing First Head!! — 'Forbidden Zone Release'!"
“Huh!? To think you have such power!”
Tio's entire body was filled with pitch-black magic power like the night sky, competing with the magic power of the first generation.
The collision of two powerful magical powers made it difficult for even Edel to get close.
Tio closed her eyes, concentrating completely, looking like she was having a conversation with the First Head, no, maybe even arguing with him. Seeing Tio like this, Edel couldn't help but smile wryly.
"So, you've already forgotten me..."
Sensing the magnificent torrent of magic power, Cartus and other fellow villagers rushed over.
Edel explained the situation to them and gave them instructions, then just waited on the side.
He wanted to witness his granddaughter become the strongest dragon person in history in the truest sense, and to have that moment imprinted in his eyes.
After that, about a day and a half passed.
Dark clouds enveloped the island unnoticed, and suddenly...
It was completely blown away by a single shot of "Dragon's Roar (Dragon's Breath)".
The power of this attack far surpassed the dragon breath that Halga Kularus emitted before his death. Its momentum soared into the sky, like a myth.
It was late at night.
The compatriots gathered in the square, each dressed in battle attire. Tio stood before them, looking majestic.
When she just walked out of the mausoleum, she was so exhausted that she couldn't even walk, so she had to be carried back to the mansion by Edel, where she rested under Fenli's careful care.
However, it seems there is no need to worry now.
"My fellow countrymen. Now, I shall plunge into a decisive battle where my future is at stake."
Her voice is full of majesty, which makes people feel comfortable and deeply touched.
"Over five hundred years... the long period of dormancy will now come to an end. The world needs our strength! It longs for guardians, weavers of peace, the legendary dragonkind!"
Everyone listened to the princess's speech with mixed feelings in their hearts and clenched their fists.
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