The Rebirth Of The Hero’S Party’S Archmage [EN]: Chapter 254

254.

Beneath wings that beat against the sky, the blue sea and desolate desert flashed by in a blur.

“Uwaaah!”

Aki and Nen found the sight so thrilling that they kept looking down, exclaiming, laughing, and chattering.

“…….”

Watching them, my heart was far from at ease, but I had to try hard not to show any sadness.

My hair whipped wildly in the gale on Friede’s back.

To be precise, with Friede’s help in her dragon form, we were instantly traveling to Bel’dakidun [a city within the Demon Realm].

Rem and Bart stayed behind in Trident Point [the protagonist’s home], worried that the demons might return in the meantime.

Before we left on Friede’s back, Rem and Bart each hugged Aki tightly with affection, offering words of blessing.

Aki doesn’t yet understand the meaning of those farewells. She will soon enough.

“Lin, no, Rain. Can you see beyond?”

“Yeah.”

“The world of volcanic ash… It’s even thicker than before.”

The endless sea and desert gradually lost their light and began to turn black at a certain point.

The land of demons where the light of the gods does not reach, the future that Aki and Nen must face.

A place where servants of the abyss, banished from the civilized world, gather, a land called a demon nest. That land where volcanic ash scatters darkly is the Demon Realm.

“I wish I could bear it instead.”

The Black Church, which spread the abyss into the world, has lost most of its power and collapsed, but it has not been completely destroyed.

Just as Zernyx [a powerful demon] was defeated, but could not destroy their divinity and only sealed them.

Someday they will awaken again and try to erode the world even more fiercely than before. Just like the illusion Karenden showed me before.

“To have to leave Aki in a place like this.”

“Don’t worry too much. There are plenty of Red Dragons, the strongest fighters among the Dragon race, right?”

“…….”

“But you know, do we really have to leave Aki in Bel’dakidun?”

“Because that’s what we promised.”

Before departing from Trident Point, Friede made this point clear.

– The other Red Dragons are bound to Bel’dakidun in soul and body, so they can’t move. The same goes for me. Although the power of that bond is weak.

– So only Friede can move this far?

– Yes, and there are two reasons why I could come here.

– To seduce men? Ack, my nose!

– This is a serious story. As you know, there are only two True Dragons left in the Red Dragon Legion, and even those two are gradually weakening as they protect Bel’dakidun.

– …….

– Do you understand? I came here not only to see you but also to safely bring the True Dragon’s essence back to Bel’dakidun.

And Aki is also a True Dragon who unusually possesses two Orbs [sources of magical power]. That power is essential for the legion.

“So, there’s no way out.”

To keep her any longer would be my own greed. As I wore a sad smile, the time of parting was approaching mercilessly.

Soon, it began to appear.

The flames, the cliffs of fire, filled the horizon with an imposing presence, undulating endlessly towards the far east.

It was so vast and high that I couldn’t take it all in at a glance, even from this distance.

That flames could rise so grandly, beautifully, and orderly was truly a spectacle born of the Divine Dragon’s miracle.

“That’s Bel’dakidun, huh…”

“Yes, the Fire Dragon Bel’dakidun built that wall when the turmoil ended. I guess it’s your first time seeing it in person.”

“Come to think of it, didn’t you say the Fire Dragon was going to fight an even stronger opponent back then?”

An opponent stronger than Zernyx, who could it be? Could it be the first pillar of the Black Church?

The mysterious swordsman who taught the greatest swordsman of mankind, whose traces could be glimpsed in the memories of the Dragon Slayer.

Even Miria didn’t seem to know what had happened to him. Friede said.

「He’s alive.」

“What?”

「He seems to be doing something under the barrier now, but we have no way of knowing.」

And I won’t be the one to defeat him. Karenden said it wasn’t my job.

「It’s starting to show.」

The wall of fire was like a ridge.

The approaching wall undulated like a mountain range, and at each high point of the undulation, Wyverns landed, sharply scanning the land of the abyss south of the barrier.

“Aki, look at that! Can you see? They’re your kin! Red Dragons just like you. Cool, right?”

“Aki’s kin?”

“Yeah! Dragons! Wow, is Aki going to be that cool when she grows up?”

Feigning excitement, Aki stared intently at Bel’dakidun. With eyes that seemed to hold both longing and nostalgia.

Yeah, Aki would be happy there.

Then, one of the Wyverns looking down over the barrier turned its gaze this way, suddenly stretching its neck and roaring loudly.

“What is it…?”

“It’s calling Aki.”

That cry soon spread in all directions.

As the dragons followed one by one, sacred cries soaring steeply and reaching the sky filled the space between the sky and the flames.

Then, Aki and Nen, who had never been taught and had never done it in their lives, also responded with clumsy roars.

The roar that the Dragon Legion shows when welcoming their kin. The highest ritual. That roar felt like a wall separating me and Aki, making me feel strangely lonely.

「Landing.」

The heat of Bel’dakidun was said to be unbearable for humans, so Friede landed quite a distance away.

「The True Dragons will come to meet you soon. Leave Setsunen to me and go forward.」

“Awoong?”

「Will Setsunen play with her aunt? How about playing dragon transformation? You can fly in the sky?」

“Goodaaaaak(惡)!” [a playful dragon-like roar]

Leaving Setsunen to Friede, I moved towards the horizon where the flames blazed.

Soon, two dragons soared from the highest peak, their red dragon scales shimmering brilliantly, followed by three more.

I thought a sandstorm would blow due to the aftermath of their high-altitude descent when they landed in front of us, but they controlled it with Dragon Words, so not even a speck of dust touched us.

「Al do re Gubi she.」[likely a Dragon Word or greeting]

Two were adult True Dragons and three were Wyverns, and their overwhelming size and majesty were no exaggeration to call them traces of mythology.

Soon, the two True Dragons took human form in the flames of transcendence.

Scales burning like fire.

And eyes reminiscent of a golden land.

They were handsome men and beautiful women wearing red dragon scales like armor, and the woman’s appearance was so similar to Alakish, who was like a sister, that I felt a surge of pain in my heart for a moment.

「What is this? The gods will bless this meeting today, for there are three fragrances of souls that gladden our hearts.」

It was a True Dragon whose appearance I had a brief connection with 300 years ago. Miria and I bowed our heads almost simultaneously to show respect.

“Grüdaone-nim, Jakan-nim.”

The Red Dragons, Grüdaone and Jakan, were also comrades who had fought together on the battlefield during the turmoil.

Of course, I had only exchanged a few words with them in passing, and I didn’t have a deep friendship like Friede, who was raised by the Fire Dragon.

After exchanging brief greetings with the two of us, the True Dragons soon approached Aki.

「Welcome, daughter of fire. I smell the soul fragrance of Alakish and Phyrus.」

「Are you truly a blood relative of our eldest Alakish?」

「I pray to the gods that this is not an illusion created by a dream.」

Then Aki tilted her head and looked up at me.

“Yeah, tell them it’s true.”

And she hid behind my legs from the relatives approaching her, shaking her head.

“Aki is Daddy’s daughter.”

「Aki? The name is monosyllabic. I do not know what kind of Dragon Word that is. What meaning did Alakish give you that name?」

“Aki is Daddy’s daughter!”

Aki shouted, and the True Dragons exchanged glances with embarrassed expressions. I had to step in to mediate.

“Aki’s name is Akilea. Aki doesn’t know Alakish-nim. She had already passed away before she came out of the egg….”

「What was her end?」

“She protected me and the beastmen from Baekdoryeong Shar’kas… I’m sorry. She illuminated the world as a great fire until the very end. Really.”

Not only the True Dragons but also the Wyverns closed their eyes and let out deep groans. The groans soared into the sky like smoke and scattered in the wind.

「I express my gratitude for bringing that sad yet proud news to this end of the earth, child of the spring breeze with the scent of the black sun. Is there anything you desire?」

“May I dare to speak?”

「You are a benefactor, there is nothing lacking in asking the legion for something.」

I bit my lip.

Gently pushing Aki’s back towards the True Dragons, Aki’s eyes darted back and forth between me and the dragons with a bewildered expression.

“Please take good care of Aki, she’s a good kid. So, yeah, I mean, she’ll be a good dragon. But she still needs someone to sleep next to her when she sleeps, and she still drools a bit, but that’s, that’s just sometimes, you know? It’s not that bad. And, um, that’s it.”

When I came to my senses, words were pouring out like a dam bursting, without even forming a coherent structure.

“Rain.”

Miria put her hand on my shoulder and quietly shook her head. Jakan was looking at me with a warm gaze.

「I understand your kind heart well. But do not worry. We will raise Alakish’s daughter beautifully with all our heart and soul.」

I wanted to hug her one more time, just one last time. I wanted to make eye contact and stroke her hair. I wanted to laugh wildly together at trivial things.

But.

If I did, it would only leave greater pain for both you and me. So, so, I have to be expressionless like a cold-blooded person right now. Like a rock…….

“This is goodbye, Aki.”

“Goodbye…?”

“It means we’re separating. Aki, I told you at the beginning, right? I’m not your dad. You’re a dragon, and I’m a human.”

“Aki doesn’t know what that means. Daddy is Daddy.”

“No, I’m not your dad. It’s time to go to your real family now.”

“Appa [Korean for Dad].”

“Goodbye.”

Aki blankly grabbed the hem of Seresia’s sleeve.

I turned away, shaking off that hand for the first time since meeting Aki.

As I turned, I saw Aki’s eyes looking up at me blankly at the edge of my vision, but I ignored them.

This is it.

This is…….

When I reached transcendence, all of Alakish’s Orbs left my soul and settled in Aki.

So it’s not like Alakish and Aki are separating either.

That’s how it is, so Aki won’t mistake me for her father anymore. It’s a good thing. It’s a good thing.

“Aki.”

Miria, who was staring at the distant sky with a complicated expression, patted Aki’s shoulders and hugged her tightly before turning around.

“What about Unnieeeee [Korean for older sister]?”

Leaving Aki far away, Setsunen tilted her head and asked.

“Aki’s not coming.”

“Whyeeee?”

“If she’s not coming, she’s not coming. We’re going now.”

“No, I don’t want to, I don’t want to without Unnieeee! Leaving Unnie alone is aaaaaak(惡)!”

“Stop it.”

It was then that Aki shouted in a voice that seemed about to break.

“Does Daddy not like Aki anymore?!”

Those words were like thorns, no, they became sharp thorns and pricked my heart painfully. I felt my body becoming as heavy as lead.

“Appa, Aki, Aki did something wrong…….”

Aki staggered as she walked through the sandy field where her ankles sank.

“From now on, from now on, I will never bother Appa again. I will do everything Appa tells me to do and do it better…… I won’t drool anymore, I will always use polite language, so Aki…… please don’t leave me behind…….”

I had to leave, before those footsteps got closer, but I couldn’t move at all.

The world was blurry because of the tears that suddenly welled up.

No, I can’t get caught up in emotions…… We have to start new lives, we can’t dwell on the past.

“Aki, Aki likes Daddy the most in the world…… Does Daddy really not like Aki anymore……?”

Did I not like her anymore? Was that even a question?

That’s not true.

You were Alakish’s smile, warmth, and flame, and that distant Harbadonia. You are Trident Point, Kasena’s laughter, and the Durankus tribe.

You are the scent of flowers in the moment when the wind sweeps low across the ground and shakes the twilight grass, and the sound of firewood burning warmly and brightly through the winter of life.

Every journey of life that had been on the way here started from the moment I met you.

I couldn’t even imagine it.

I was afraid to imagine it. A life without you.

“You idiot…….”

That was the limit.

I turned around and ran through the sandy field.

And I hugged Aki, who was crying as she approached, tightly.

“There’s no way I could hate you. But, but, so, you’re a dragon, and I’m…….”

“Then Aki won’t be a dragon…… I don’t want to be a dragon…… Aki, Aki doesn’t want to separate from Appa…….”

Aki sobbed, burying her face in my shoulder.

Her voice was fragile as if it would break.

Miria, who had been holding back, also came over and hugged my shoulder and Aki’s head.

「It is impossible for a human to become a guardian of the Dragon race.」

But isn’t it because reality is called reality because it is not so easily resolved with tears?

「Dragons are different from humans, they are born with a mission and die with a mission.」

「Even this time showing childish behavior is a waste for you. Child of fire.」

As the Wyverns firmly denied that possibility, Aki shook her head wildly.

“I don’t want to, Aki doesn’t want to!”

Miria dared to grab the Wyvern’s arm reaching out to Aki from that great stature, disrespectfully.

“It’s okay to give her a little, a little more time, right?”