Chapter 155: Cernust and Severa.

Chapter 155: Cernust and Severa.

Woodland Drake

A drake whose main habitats are forests and woods. These drakes possess the ability to control the vegetation around them through their mana, aiding in their growth and nurturing them when damaged; in return, vegetation will listen to their commands, fighting alongside their protector against the forests foes. The wood and moss growing off the body is actually its shell and loose-hanging scales respectively, giving this physically hardy dragonkin even higher defenses. Rank C

My eyes burnt and a sense of competition awoke inside my soul as I eyed the giant emerald-scaled komodo dragon-shaped monster, towering over me at around the size of a mammoth with a lizards length adjusted to its extra size. If I were to compare it to my own dragon form, then I would be only slightly shorter, since I was a dragon and he a drake

The biggest difference between a dragon and a drake, according to the evolution descriptions I read when I had the option to evolve during my earliest days in Belzac Forest, was the fact that drakes were built entirely for land traversal due to a lack of wings. Using the drake in front of me as a reference, I could conclude that a drake had a sturdier, bulkier frame compared to my more lean, serpent-like form. Of course, this might not be true for future encounters.

Nevertheless, seeing this drake, no, Cernust evoked a desire to test my strength against him, to see who was the apex predator in this area. Thoughts like this is my territory, or arrogant ones like why havent you lowered your head were circling inside my head without any reason. My reasonable side had no idea where all of this was coming from. It was as if my instincts were going haywire again.

And the worst part about all of this was this creeping feeling of [Battle Frenzy] rearing its head. I wanted to fight, I wanted to fight Cernust right now, right here. To unleash flames upon anybody who hasnt bowed their head or tucked their tails between their legs yet. It was suffocating and somehow, I had a feeling Cernust understood this.

Kr-Krauuuuuu?! Without checking on how Severa was, Cernust not only reciprocated my roar but was now in a pose suggesting he was wary of me. His antlers were directed at me like a buck.

Krriiihaaaaaaaaaa, I hissed at him for some reason.

At this point, I was sure that my body was taking over my actions once again, and I wasnt even sure why. Cernust clearly wasnt showing any hostility towards me, so it couldnt be self-defense, right? The last time this happened was after Shiternos stupid decision to bless me with his title, and, if I could count it, was when my [Battle Frenzy] reached the moderate phase.

It was partly because of those two events that I decided upon the sunfang dragon as my evolution choice since it was described as a relatively calm, albeit prideful, dragon in the description. So why was I acting up like a bitch having a hissy fit?

Lady Hestia. Something cold suddenly touched my shoulder, cooling down my fired-up body. Ever since I was reborn as a dragon, I havent exactly been a big fan of the cold; cold water and our attempts to make ice cream may have tasted good, but I still preferred warm food. So, normally the cold would have been annoying, but this felt comforting, like putting the AC on the lowest temperature after a warm, summer school day. Please, calm down. Its alright, its alright. The whispers were like a melody.

Yeah, yeah, calm down. Cool it down. Nothing is wrong. I wont let my body go berserk again, and hurt everybody.

I slammed shut my eyelids and slapped my cheeks until they felt like they were burning, preventing this aggressive feeling from growing any further, before roaring into the sky to release all this negative feeling. I dont know how long I screamed, but once I was finished, my throat felt sore and dry, a sign that I strained my voice far too carelessly.

As I huff-puffed to fill up my lungs again, a finger tapped my shoulder, making me turn my head towards the person. It was Tasianna, who was holding a cyan-colored cup filled with water. She was the one who calmed me down.

Thank you, I told her before accepting the cup of water made using her new catalyst. Im sorry for the scream.

There is no need, my Lady. I am here to serve you. Besides, I managed to activate [Air Shield] in time so my ears didnt explode. Hie hie. Hearing Tasianna giggle was like music to my ears.

Once I was done drinking, I handed her the cup back and turned to Cernust, who looked like he was confused at what was happening. Somehow, I was able to understand his expressions despite the clear lack of facial movements on his dragon head.

Cernust, sorry for that, uhm, I-We can handle this matter later. How about you check on your girlfriend first? The situation was too awkward for me. Never would I have thought Id meet a drake here and now. It would be better if I had my dragon-to-dragon talk later.

However, before this would be possible, there was something that I had to resolve first. A young man in armor covered with dirt was shaking in his boots as he pointed his sword at the beast standing before him. His eyes showed a fire to fight back his opposition, but his trembling arms werent fully complying to his wish.

Sir Antonio, stand down! I called him out.

S-Stand down?! A d-dragon has sneaked into Artorias! Lady Shrine Maiden, even if you are a servant of the Goddess, I do not care for what you have to say! T-This is not Loatryx! We do not revere these beasts here! Antonio snapped at me. It was likely that fear was controlling his actions right now.

Honestly, if I were a normal person and suddenly a giant lizard were to appear right in front of me, towering over me by quite a few heads, then I would probably also act unreasonably. I couldnt blame him for what he was saying. However, what I could do was calm him down.

I activated [Benevolent Aura]. It was still at a low level, but it was better than nothing.

Benevolent Aura

An aura that sends out the users inner nature in the form of an aura. People affected by the aura are soothed by the users good-natured spirit, calming them down from mental and emotional burdens. Higher levels increase the efficiency of curing mental and emotional status ailments

Sir Antonio, please, this isnt me trying to preach to you about Loatryxian culture or anything. In fact, I couldnt care less if Cernust were a drake or not. Please, calm down, and think of this more reasonably. As a knight, you have a duty to assess situations with a clear mind, correct? It was the same argument we had before but, this time, I really had to convince him to drop his sword. Why did Cernust reveal his secret here? Wasnt it to rescue your sister who was in danger of being attacked by four wild monsters? You can see tree branches having slain them over there, the handiwork of Cernust here.

I pointed at the grizzly and three wargs hanging off in the corner, even showing that Saori was guarding Severa at this moment before continuing. If Cernust actually was a kidnapper, then why did he save your sister? He had a good opportunity to flee when we all moved to save your sister. Even now, in his current form, why isnt he rampaging? With the ability to control and accelerate the growth rate of vegetation, it would be desirable for him to keep fighting here, as you should be aware from your earlier battle with him.

Then explain to me why did he run away with my sister, my Lady?! Antonio shouted. I gave him the opportunity to surrender! Yes, I might have acted too impulsive as a knight, but it still does not change the fact he kidnapped a noblewoman! I will ask forgiveness from Goddess Erithia and Sir Yeostar later in church; however, I do not believe I acted unfairly here! This ma-drake is a criminal!

He is not a criminal! That shout wasnt from me, but from someone who could explain this situation better than me. Severa, supported by Saori as it seemed that she injured her leg, came forward to reason with her brother. He did not take me away by force, brother Antonio. The decision was mine alone, I wanted to run away from home. Cernust was my opportunity to free myself from everything.

Severa?!

I-I will explain everything, so please, sheathe your blade. Look, even Bornelli isnt willing to fight. She was right, the aggressive hippogryph was still glaring daggers at Cernust but was showing none of the bloodthirst from before. Honestly, hippogryphs must really hate dragonkins if it wasnt scared or shivering before Cernust, despite being a rank below him.

Thankfully, after that, Antonio reluctantly sheathed his sword and calmed down. He gave Cernust a look of wariness as he stared at his drake form, but stopped as he wanted to help his sister. Cernust nodded his head at me and a blue mist appeared from his body.

The mist started to disperse, revealing Cernusts form, however, it was different from the form Id seen before. All his bull features were now completely gone as traits of his drake form took over. Instead of bull horns, he had antlers. Green scales covered his arms and legs, and he had thick, sharp claws on his fingers and toes. A moss-like fur was growing from his neck down to his shoulder, although, if the description of his drake form was correct, this moss should be part of his scales too. He also had a long, lizard tail now instead of his bovine one. He wasnt a bovline anymore; he was a dragonewt.

It seems he only had his pants on. Considering our situation, I would hazard a guess that only his pants were made from mana threads, while the rest of his equipment probably exploded after he transformed. Its a shame about the gauntlets, honestly.

As he came closer, Cernust suddenly kowtowed and tucked his tail between his legs, before speaking in a subservient tone, I apologize for not recognizing your scent earlier, your highn-UHWARGHHHHHHHHHHH!

For some reason, Cernust was sent flying into the distance.

KYAAAHHHH! SHUT UP! Oh, thats right, its cause I kicked him.

Lady Hestia?!?!?!

Ahhhh! Verdammt, Im sorry, Cernust!

Still, how did he know?

He wasnt able to end his sentence before I kicked him away, but I was sure he was about to say something about royalty or something, and I just instinctively kicked him to stop him from saying that. My gut told me to do it, I swear.

After apologizing to Cernust about what happened, I whispered to him to keep quiet for now about everything. After I healed Severas sprained ankle, Antonio found a place for them to sit. Meanwhile, my party was inspecting the monsters who attacked Severa when we noticed that they had collars and some scrap armor equipped on them. Since Saori had just become a tamer, she presumed they were some tamers monsters, which meant we might face some problems later on. Then again, we acted in self-defense, so whatever, not our problem.

We then settled down and gathered around Severa, where she told us the truth behind this whole affair. In short, Severa left the house cause she fell in love with Cernust.

What! Absurd! How can a Lecartiglio noble have feelings for this-this dragonkin! Antonio exclaimed. Beside, Severa, as a noble you cannot just mix your blood with a commoner! There is a place for everything, but this action will not benefit our House at all! What will Father and Mother say when they hear this. Antonio slapped his forehead, looking anxious as he contemplated his parents reactions to the news.

See! This is why I left home, for this exact reason! How is it taboo for a Lecartiglio noble to marry a beastman, excluding arvisians, simply because they are the descendants of beasts? I knew you would not agree and neither would Father and Mother. That is why disappearing from your life was the best way for this to resolve peacefully for our lives! Severa screamed at her judgemental brother. I would leave Artorias behind and move to Loatryx with Cernust, where we would live our lives in peace. Where all the stress of becoming a better mage just to uphold our houses honor would be gone.

Antonio winced. I-I understand you would feel distressed considering our bloodlines lackluster mana growth, but that still doesnt mean you can disappear without saying anything to your family! Have you no idea how worried Father and our eldest brother were? Not to mention Mother and our sister! You cannot just run away like this just to marry some commoner dragonkin from Loatryx after only knowing him for a few months!

Sorry for chiming in, but Im actually from Kargryx and, while we dont have an actual feudal society with a class system, all true dragonkins like dragons, drakes, leviathans, and adamantoises are considered like nobility by the lesser dragonkins, dragonewts, and levianewts, Cernust explained. Oh yeah, I havent introduced myself properly, right? I am Cernust Gaia Kurnistus. I am a drake and my ancestor was the forest guardian, Kurnistus. In terms you humans would understand better, my family would be similar to a schwertnoble.

What? Antonio let out with widened eyes.

That is beside the point, brother Antonio. Even if Cernust was an actual dragonewt or bovline, I wouldnt have cared and gone with him anyways! Severa vehemently made her stance clear. This isnt some maiden fancy as you would like to believe! Cernust might have a rough speaking habit, but that is because he only learned Common after he left his home two years ago. He isnt some vagabond who sweeps in to steal away hearts, but an actual good man!

Antonios story on how his sister met Cernust was true, confirmed by Severa herself. The only differences were the details needed to actually make sense of the story. Severa met Cernust during a routine outing around House Moreschis fief to inspect the land and its serfs. Cernust was there to fulfill a Quest from the hunters guild to hunt down some mole-type monsters infesting the local farmland.

Severa stumbled upon him and saw his earth magic, causing her to feel envious as her own magical abilities were subpar, a common trait among schwertnobles, but not for viscount houses. House Moreschi was on the border between a viscount and baron when it comes to magic potential, which has been a constant reason for stress for each of their House Heads.

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Friday, April 23, 2021 2:21:13 AM Germany [Member of Zard Skwad]

Bio: Hey there, AbyssRaven here. I'm just an avid Light Novel and Fantasy story reader who randomly thought of a story and began writing about it.

I eventually found out that I've been spending a bit too much time with building, planning, and researching for the story, that I've decided to just share it with others.

Writing is mostly a hobby for me, but I would still love any kind of criticism to improve on it.

I'm also german, so please excuse anything that sounds a bit weird...I wouldn't mind you pointing it out though.

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