Chapter 65: The Leviathan.

Chapter 65: The Leviathan.

[You have your duty to fulfill and Kargryxmor wouldnt be thrilled to see his descendent in whatever state you were planning to put her into,] a low, bellowing voice resounded through my head which seems to belong to the giant crocodile-head [Vellestra Leviathan]. ["Furthermore, have you forgotten about your two subordinates? If the young dragoness was able to inflict this much damage on you, then what would happen to the ice wyverns?]

Hearing him mention the two [Drifting Snow Wyvern], I turned my head back to the area where Astalos took all my fire spells head-on, without trying to avoid it. What stood before me was a trembling ice wyvern whose wings were burnt pitch-black, as if they were turned into coal.

It was holding its wings up like a shield, protecting the unconscious ice wyvern behind it. While it managed to prevent any harm on the other wyvern, the absolutely dreadful state that his wings were in and how his body was having trouble standing up made it clear that it paid a heavy price for its gallantry.

Those wings need immediate help, if they wish to ever touch the sky again.

[Hmm, their situation is quite dire, that I can understand great ocean dragon, however, isnt only one of us needed? As we can see, Princess Hestia Atsuko cannot fly but I am enough to aid her,] Astalos, the leading wyvern, said coldly, dismissing the state that his two subordinates were in. [The boy showed too much sympathy for his failed sister and his confidence to face a true dragons flames, a girl that shares our lords blood, was admirable, but utterly foolish. Im proud to have seen his determination.]

T-This-What sorta sicko is this guy?!

I know I have no right to say this as I am the one that caused it all, but I-I just cant stand the fact that that wyvern said all those things towards them. It looked like he was celebrating that the ice wyvern was able to survive my attacks, instead of being worried about his still depleting Health.

I dunno. It just rubbed me the wrong way, made me feel uncomfortable at hearing those words but what could I do? We're still in a pretty bad situation despite the leviathan having stopped Astalos' attack.

The lizardmen were cowering and screaming like the world is ending, while Saoris Stamina finally has dropped to zero. She was keeping herself on her legs but her heavy breathing and trembling legs told me enough that she couldnt keep fighting anymore.Ñøv€l--ß1n hosted the premiere release of this chapter.

Shes been pushing herself far too much today, especially with her solo duel against a full Health [Drifting Snow Wyvern]. I cant expect her to fight any more than this.

However, what am I supposed to do? The only one left to fight with me was Tasianna and she was getting overwhelmed through stats here. Astalos status board was nullifying Tasiannas efforts, regardless if it were offensive or defensive.

And then there was me. Ive been spamming spells like crazy and I certainly can feel that arcane corruption was starting to build up, seeing as my body was feeling oddly cramped and how something inside me wanted to make me stop casting spells. Mana itself was also slowly becoming a problem too.

I poured in a ton of mana to make [Imperial Hellfire] work but holy fucking goodness, that DIDNT WORK AT ALL. AHHHH, WHY DIDNT IT WORK!

Tch, I made sure to recite everything in Common tongue and I also did my best to imagine the runes for my magic circle using Common tongue letters. I did everything that I learned from Tasianna and it all fumbled. My spell fizzled!

Urgh, get a grip, Hestia. Its frustrating but we gotta stop acting like a kid right now. The parallel minds will kick your mental ass, after all.

[Nonetheless, what is done is done. The law of the strong says that it is fair so I see nothing wrong with the situation. It is a shame but I will not abandon my holy oath for them. I can assure you that they wont find fault in my actions, great ocean dragon,] Astalos said in an aloof manner, completely fine with abandoning his fallen subordinates.

[Hmm, I see,] the leviathan mumbled before retracting the snake back into the ground, closing up the hole before pushing his head into the sky and turning his head aside so his eyes could meet us. [If that is the case then what do you have to say, dragon Princess Hestia Atsuko?]

Huh?! Hes talking to me now?!

[Uhhh, huh? A-Are you speaking with me?] I asked, stumbling on my own words due to how sudden that was.

The leviathan moved his head even closer to us, making it extremely intimidating as it felt like I was an ant in his presence, [Girl, your time is waning, so speak fast. In your current situation, what would you do?]

What are you trying to say to me, old man? Stop implying stuff and just say it clear and loud.

Urgh, while complaining was my first thought, I had to ignore my bratty side for a second to actually understand what his words meant. I was about to be kidnapped by a masochistic, zealous wyvern that would abandon his own subordinates at a moments notice just to fulfill a quest to earn experience; this isnt the moment to joke around, ok!

The leviathan saved the lizardmen and also stayed neutral during the whole battle. I dont have any evidence that he was my ally, but my draconic instincts told me that he is attempting to help me, somehow. I just have to understand what he means.

Girls, [Thought Acceleration] now! We need to think!

My senses slowed down as it started to feel like everything around me was going in 0.5 speed. The leviathan's eyes locked onto mine as I tried to find some sorta clue in his words but noticing that staring deeply into his navy blue eyes was similar to gazing into the depths of the ocean, I turned my head to my surroundings.

In your current situation, what would you do? he saidwell, Astalos is about to force me to come with him, and considering his size, hell probably be able to, even if he had to carry my dragon body. It would be easier for him in my dragonewt form.

There is also the case of the lizardmen that I needed to help get out of the Belzac forest. I made them a promise and I will not break it if I have the choice, however, Astalos is firmly against it. If I continue mentioning it then an "accident" might happen, although I think the leviathan would be able to defend against it.

In my current situation, well I needed to persuade Astalos. My goal is to help the lizardmen and Astalos is to take me in peacefully if it was possible. I honestly didnt want to come with him but what choice do I have in that matter?

I cant escape nor can I fight back. Continuing fighting would be futile and once Im down, hell just swoop in to pick me with his talons. Ill be dragged through the skies like a prisoner in that situation. Not to mention what he could do to Tasianna and Saori

As I continued to mull over my options, the sight of the two defeated wyverns came into my view. The male wyvern with the destroyed wings had finally fallen on the ground, lying there as he panted heavily.

Looking at the wings, the webbings were completely gone but the limbs themselves didnt look that terrible. I mean, they were still coal-black but I could only see a few spots of burnt flesh, as the scales of the ice wyvern seemed to have managed to defend against most of my fire.

It was very unlikely that he would actually be able to fly with those damaged wings butmaybe there is a possibility for him to fly again?

Hmmm, can I do it?

[Astalos!] I called out.

[Oh? Princess Hestia Atsuko, are you finally willing to drop your resistance? Oh ho ho ho, if thats the case then let us be off, swiftly,] he said with elation.

[No, but I do believe you wish for me to come with you peacefully, correct? That would make your job easier, right?] I asked.

[Hmm? Well, that is quite true, yes. Flying is already hard but having to drag your body with me would be a challenge, especially considering the distanceso, what do you mean with No?] he asked with suspicion.

[Astalos, I wish to bargain,] I announced. [You know that I made my promise with the lizardmen and that I will not drop it. If you want me to come, then allow me to first fulfill it.]

Astalos tilted his head for a second before responding, [That is not a bargain. A bargain would benefit me in some way but that just wont. I have no time to waste waiting for you to finish that frivolous wish of yours when I can instead drag you through the skies. It might be a trial, but I consider that more beneficial for me than giving you a chance to escape.]

I hesitated for a moment to gulp down a dry spit but reaffirmed my courage as I knew that I had to, [Well, thats why I am offering my skills. My ability to heal those two wyverns from their wounds.]

[Healing? Those?] Astalos twisted his neck around to confirm that I really was talking about the ice wyverns. [Princess, you were the one that brought them into that state and now youre offering to heal them to bargain with me? Why, that is rather shameless but also completely irrelevant to me. I wont entertain your wish.]

Heilige scheie, this guy is impossible.

While I expected him to mention the fact that it was hypocritical of me to even consider healing the wyverns, it surprised me that he was dismissive about that fact. I thought he would have at least considered it if the chance appearedbut I guess that was too nave.

While I was trying to think up a reason to persuade him, Saori moved in front of me to talk to him, [Please, mister Astalos, they will die at this rate, you must allow-]

[Oh, what is that beast doing, speaking with me? Your words are meaningless so stay silent lesser being,] Astalos cruelly shut Saori down before she was able to make her point.

[How audacious! Lady Hestia is merely offering to fix the results she created so how can you not even consider that! How can you call yourselves a humble servant of the true dragons?!] seeing Saori not even given any attention, Tasianna blew up on Astalos, forgetting that angering him might be a problem.

["Hmmm? First, a beast and now an insect tries to speak with me? You were given the honor of listening to my conversation with Princess Hestia Atsuko so why must you speak up? You are interfering, can you not see?"] the pompous asshat responded.

This bastard

Gritting my teeth and scratching the ground in frustration. I was ready to claw his face at this point for insulting my friends like this, insinuating that they werent people in his eyes. He probably was thinking that anything not related to dragons was beneath him, an arrogant mindset that made it hard for me to think of a measure.

[Young garm, did you know that this title once belonged to your bloodline? The mighty S-rank [Three-Eyed Fenrir] Belzac was once the ruler of this forest and after his death, his bloodline inherited this strength,] the leviathan further added. [However, a few years ago, that title was suddenly granted to me, awakening me from that slumber. I was acquainted with that [Fenrir], who I suppose is your great-grandfather. I was surprised that such a prideful monster like him was taken down.]

[Wait, that [Fenrir] had that title before you? Was he that much stronger than you?!] I asked.

["Ha ha ha, I must disappoint you but no. I am many, many, many centuries his senior. I am old enough to have witnessed the appearance of our great origin gods into this world. I did not receive that title before his death because I never vied for it, for I was a foreigner of these woods. My home is the oceans of Plesia and I am simply living here to ensure that I gather enough strength for my evolution into an S rank. It would seem like the title has finally accepted me as a denizen of Belzac forest.]

In other words, this place was like a summer vacation home for him.

After he reminisced on his age, he continued with our original topic, [I met your mother, young garm.]

[Do you mean my garm mother? You met her?] Saori hesitantly responded. [Sorry, I actually do not know her much. She died after I was bornin an accident.]

"In an accident", yeahthank you, Saori.

[I seea shame. When I met her, I wanted to aid her but she suddenly wandered away from me. A shame but seeing as she was able to give birth to you, then I should not be worried about Belzacs lineage. You have grown into a fine wolf, and you make your title [Belzacs Successor] proud,] he said.

[So that was the real reason you helped usI guess your family saved us three from being separated, right Saori?] I joke as I looked at Saori but she didnt seem to have realized it, mulling about something.

[No, that is one reason but not the main one,] the leviathan once again moved his face closer to us, inspecting us with his giant eyeball. [The main reason is you, young dragoness.]

Flinching backward, I said me? which seemed to be the reaction that the leviathan wanted from me, [I can feel itit somehow eludes my eyes but I can feel the presence of the origin gods inside you. The light that surrounded you and your ability to heal people from such a young age made me believe that you were chosen by Aurena, Goddess of Light.]

Thats right! [System Neutrality]!

[The Light], the title that I got from Aurena recently unlocked both [System Neutrality] and [Faithful Function] after Rajah and his virigress family became my followers. [System Neutrality] made it so that it was invisible for everybody, besides for the gods and those with my permission to see it.

[[Otherworldly Reincarnator] and the blessing from Aurena and Kargryxmor. Anybody can see that the gods are planning something, although, it seems that wyvern over there hasnt noticed yet. Hmph, he is far too young,] the leviathan scoffed. [My goddess Plesia is the head Goddess of all six origin god and if somebody like her was willing to allow another [Otherworldly Reincarnator] to enter this world, then as her servant I must make an effort to help.]

Huh, I already had a good impression on her cause of Tasianna but now it got better. Plesia rocks!

[Wait, excuse me but could you repeat that? another [Otherworldly Reincarnator]?' there have been more instances just like the both of us?"] Saori pointed out to my surprise.

["Yes, but that is something of the past. I've met that person and greatness has found them in their lifespan. You two will soon learn about that person, but I will not be the one to tell you about it,"] the leviathan said with a small shake of the head. [It seems your wyvern escorts patience is waning, so our talks must end. Before I go, I would like to tell you two something. Consider ita welcome gift to Peolynca and her beauty.]

Hearing that, Saori and I began listening intently to what he has to say.

["To the young garm, whenever you reach Plesia's domain, I bid you to call me at that time. I hold onto your birthright and in respect to my late friend, I would like to grant it back to you. However, you must prove yourself at that point to me,"] he said before focusing his eye on me. [For you, young dragon princess of the dragon empire Kargryx, these words might be heresy but I believe it would be appropriate of me to warn you. Do not put all your full trust in any of the subordinate gods.]

[I should not put my trust into the subordinate gods? Wait, are you telling me that I shouldnt trust Kargryxmor?] I asked, not sure if I heard it right.

[Kargryxmor is a subordinate god of Aurena, and although he is righteous due to being the god of oaths, I do not believe he has called you to this world with a pure intention. All the subordinate gods that I know, the ones under my goddess Plesia especially, are ravenous. They seek to further their goals and quarrel amongst each other, while their leading deities are working peacefully to ensure our worlds safety. I witnessed the origin gods power when they came into our world, and in them I trust.]

The leviathan eyes suddenly sharpened, as if he was trying to remember something that agitated him, ["However, once a mortal, always a mortal. And what we mortals know since the day of our birth is to be greedy. Greedy for resources to survive, to become stronger, to be more influential. Some seek fame and honor in a mad pursuit to fulfill their own desires, bringing carnage and pain to everybody around them. The tragedy that brought my old friend's bloodline to ruins is a clear indicator of mortal lust."]

[Then what are we supposed to do then? Were about to meet Kargryxmor and youre telling me to not believe everything he says? Im sorry but that is nerve-wracking,] I admitted my personal feelings at the information that was given to me.

[I apologize if it displeases you but that is why it is: heresy. I have merely retold you what I have experienced in the long years of my life and how I witnessed the ascension of four primal beasts. Ancient beings that have reached the peak, where we are mere ants to them. How they became known to the origin gods is a story for another time.]

Stopping there, the leviathan jerked his head back before roaring out, Mooooooooooaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaarrrrrrrrrrrrrrhhhhh!, and then dived back into the swamp, sending a geyser of water into the air, showering us like rainfall.

[I wish you good travels, Hestia, Saori, and Tasianna. May the origin gods guide you to whatever your heart desires. Remember my words, young garm, the next time we meet it will be when I have evolved into an S rank, so gain power and challenge me to regain what was rightfully yours,] with those parting words, the leviathan disappeared into the depths of the swamp.

As I quickly work through the information that the leviathan gave us, having my parallel minds sort everything for easier reference in the future, I noticed that my two companions were still staring blankly at where the leviathan once was.

[Hey, guys? You two ok?] I asked a bit of worry.

[Huh? Oh yeah, sorry, Hestia. That wasa lot to process,] Saori said exasperatedly. [That wastoo much information for me. Far too much and it is giving me a slight headache.]

[Im also alright, Lady Hestia. I was in wonderment really. A fellow follower of the goddess of water and he was old enough to witness her in her glory and beauty. I only wish I couldve asked him a few questions but, alas, I didnt want to interrupt your conversation,] Tasianna admitted with a playful smile.

[Well, we have to meet the lizardmen again anyways, so you can always ask him about the details later on when we visit the levianewts, right, Saori?] I turned to my first friend in this world, after seeing Tasianna say I cant wait.

[Huh? M-Meet the leviathan, again? W-Well, I guess it would interest me also from a historians perspective,] she said a bit absent-minded.

Worried that she was being a bit weird, I asked her about it, [Saori, is something wr-]

[Princess Hestia Atsuko, you have spoken with the ocean dragon, yes? Now that he has left, I advise that we move out as soon as possible. It will still take me the whole day today to reach there, so let us be off now,] Astalos urged us.

Knowing that I can talk about it to Saori later on, I decided to put it aside, for now, to focus on bringing the lizardmen out of the forest. As everybody slowly climbed onto the wyverns back, I noticed that the wyverns were pouring in mana into their wings.

Wanting to learn how to fly, I asked Astalos, [Flying, Princess? Hmm, it will still take a while until your wings grow large enough to carry your whole body. However, once we are in Wyvern Peaks, I will have your two new retainers teach you until you are content.]

Two new retainers, huh? I guess he was talking about the two ice wyverns. Its a shame that they didnt have [Telepathy], otherwise we could talk about itbut I think its better this way. I havent apologized yet and I also feel too awkward to do it.

Once everybody was on board, the wyverns began flapping their wings after casting wind magic to help them take off. The burst of powerful winds gave the wyverns the necessary oomph to catapult their bodies upward despite how many people they had to carry right now.

Being up in the sky again was quite the experience. Instead of feeling like I was free when I flew, it felt more as if I was on an airplane, cruising through the skies on my way to Japan or Germany during vacation time.

As Astalos said, it took until the evening for them to make it past the mountain pass that connected Belzac forest with the elven territory. Watching the sea of trees just slide pass me in a single day does make me envious. Flying was so much faster.

After exiting the mountain pass, we chose a spot close to an elven settlement that Tasianna knew about and let the lizardmen off. Saying our tearful goodbyes, especially when I had to do it with the kids, made me feel nauseous. I wanted to give the kids an idol concert but until we met again, that promise would be left unfulfilled.

Its just sadbut what can I do? They were finally out of that devils hole so I should, instead of feeling sad, be happy for them that they didnt have to suffer anymore. They were finally so close to reaching their goal.

It might have been a depressing goodbye, but I could also see the elation and relief in their faces. They were sick and tired of the forest so it made sense that they felt like that.

After giving them all their belongings back, including some of our rations to help them for a few days, we parted. With that taken care of, Saori, Tasianna, and I departed with the wyverns towards the south, intending to reach Wyvern Peaks which was among the mountain range of Aviator Peaks.

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General, are you sure about what that scout told you?

"Yes, my King! The scouts spoke with the indigenous kobold tribes and found out that the wyverns were flying to the north!

"Huh, that should make it easy for us. Turn our aims up north and let no one enter the skyspace of these mountain ranges without my permission."

Permission to fire at will?

Shoot them cannons when you see them. Were gonna hunt us some wyverns.