Chapter 350: Taste of Your own Medicine.

Chapter 350: Taste of Your own Medicine.

Dragonkins.

Beings of unrivaled mana created by the naturally disasterous event of a monster spawning. Everything on Peolynca was born from mana and earth, and to them we return once we die. Elves, elementals, and dragons, all originated from this singular phenomenon, evolving through the millennia into what we see today.

That voice it was undoubtedly Mothers. I was surprised at first when I found a large bubble of mana, forming wobbly images of Mother and, presumably, her memories on its surface. Just like with my situation, it was clear that whoever was doing this was purposely targeting our souls, extracting information from them, plus I also knew they were trying to drain it of power from the feeling I had before.

Mother, trapped inside this place was in danger, so after making sure there wasn't any sorta traps, I delved into the bubble, only to realize her voice was getting louder. She wasnt using [Telepathy], no, she wasnt talking directly to me. It seemed more like she was narrating her own dreams.

Sadly, in this swirling ice mist, I couldnt really see anything. Everything was just like a haze with nothing visible. I was wandering around, following after Mothers voice, despite how futile it seemed. It came from every direction, so I ended up merely walking around aimlessly.

From mana, the dragonkins became one of the apex predators of this world. In the skies, the dragons reigned free while on the land the drakes terraformed their land to their needs. On the surface of the oceans, the adamantoises created more and more lands for the weaker beings to live on, while in the depths the leviathans battled in lonesome supremacy against their kin for territory.

The land, the sea, the sky; everywhere you went, you would find a true dragonkin or perhaps one of lesser ones. It was truly the age of dragonkins back before my birth.

However, that was when we noticed the birth of elves.

Born from mana and earth just like us, they took on a familiar form of the beings already in existence in this world. While we inherited the forms of the many reptiles of this world, the elves took on the presence of the faefolk.

Fairies and elementals; from them, the first elves were born. Strangely, unlike us, the elves became seapient and intelligent before most dragons. They were gifted with this perk, almost as if a god had created them. Through them, we observed the first beginnings of a proper society.

We dragonkins are territorial beings. At best, our only communities were our nests and families. The bond between parent and child was strong, even back then. However, even we couldnt fathom what the elves would do with their intelligence, and many of us only ridiculed them. Still, they were like a skorr running around us, so we left them in peace to foster, aside from one of two belligerent feral dragons.

For some reason, Mother had turned into a historian. Why exactly was I listening to a history class right now? No, a history documentation narrated by her. Sure, it was interesting to learn about how the elves were created, but why exactly would that matter? It was like learning from biology classes humans descended from apes not really something I would use in my everyday life.

There were conflicts, yes, but what wasnt one in those years? My parents told me wars between elves and dragonkins usually revolved around a single dragonkin. It was obvious the elves would find our existence a threat to theirs. However, over the many years, some societies flourished as they made peace with our kind, even turning some of the dragonkin into the elves' guardians.

We were worshipped like gods by them.

Due to the circumstance of their birth, the elves already knew how to use fae magic, communing with the faefolk to cast spells. The first faemancers and mages. However, from our relationship, the elves evolved their knowledge even further. The birth of wild magic, or as we called it today, custom spells.

Over the years, however, something strange did happen. Some elves were born without their racial features like sharp ears and high magical potency. These were the first humans.

Ironically, humans were treated back then just as badly as humans treat beastmen today. To the elves, the born humans were mutants and weaklings. They couldnt easily bond with an elemental like them, and acted strange. The humans were more curious and true to their feelings.

I heard the elves thought of them as the curse of some god, a being created from their sins. However, in that age, everything was a god, really. We dragons, the elemental kings, and some even imagined an invisible being in the sky; anything could become a god to them, and due to this, some attributed random occurrences to a gods punishment.

This reasoning became even more pronounced as more and more humans appeared. It wasnt normal to the ancient dragons. They didnt understand how something like this could happen, but it did. It felt almost like the mana in this world was purposely creating a new race similar to the elves, almost like a monster spawning, but different.

Just like us dragonkins, entire races could be created by this event. It just felt weird they had to be born from the elves. The bond between an elf and human would create a half-elf, confusing the remaining elves even further, to the point many communities exiled their human children.

Over the millennia, this history blurred as many documents of this event faded due to age. Even the ancient dragons I asked about these times werent sure of every detail. Strange, as they could share this information with the elves of today, but many couldnt be bothered. Even I only just remembered something this insignificant

Then again, it wouldnt matter now. The elves and humans were as racially different as an elf and a dwarf, despite being both born through the elementals. Even humans and beastmen have started to drift apart. Still, one thing they all had in common was the way they were born from mana and earth. Even the grimgarians could be considered as such.

I honestly wondered why Mother was thinking of these things. Did it matter so much to her how these races were created and how they were interlinked with each other? It never felt like Mother really cared about this.

However, maybe she just kept this to herself? If I remembered correctly, my uncle, Mothers brother, was married to an elven woman, and through them, the Nordor clan of dragonewts was created. Yorshka and Priscilla were dragonewts of this clan. Mother cared for her family quite a bit, so maybe that was What?

I stopped walking forward, noticing the world around me changing as the mist cleared up, morphing along with the ground underneath me. Once it all cleared up, I saw two humongous, godzilla-sized beings in front of me. They were both dragons, silver dragons, in fact. Both were looking up, watching two silver dragons literally ascending to the sky through a beam of light.

[Father! Mother! Noooooo! Please!]

[No, no, no, no, dont leave us! Please!]

A female and male, both crying out to the two disappearing in the clouds.

[Nooo! Emperor Kargryxmor, why?! Why our parents?!] That was Mothers voice. She was screaming from the top of her lungs, sounding like she was weeping.

It all happened that day. The Black Tyrant of the Skies ruled over all dragons in his Empire of Kargryx. However, after the War of the Demons, it all changed when the ancient dragons of yore followed their emperors apotheosis. They were to make way for the new generation, but to the many battle-scarred dragons around our age? We only thought of this as a tragedy.

I had heard from Mother how much the Demon Wars took from the dragons, how they were in the frontlines more often than not, and that was how so many died. I looked up again, now also noticing other dragons being pulled up to the skies, as if this was judgement day or something. The mountains and beautiful vista of this place were elevated even further by this incandescent sight.

However, at the same time, I would understand what this was, at the end of the day the day of their parents passing. Mothers father should have fought bravely during the war, and it seemed like he survived till the end. If I were in her shoes, I would be thrilled to see my parents returning from war unharmed only for my happiness to vanish as they still had to die.

Many dragonkins lost their parents or older siblings on this day. What an honor, right? However, all I could see was my parents being dragged away from me without anything I could do. How could Aurena do this to us? How could the Emperor do this to us?

Eventually, Odlesstrus and I accepted their passing, realizing they still looked down on us from the heavens. I still had hoped they were with us. I had to, as I believed they wouldnt abandon us completely. Still, neither my brother nor I could ever hear their voices ever again. To me, they were dead.

Sadly, this event also left a power vacuum in our Empire. Who would be the new emperor? A war of succession began between Kargryxmors children, all striving to reach for the crown to make their father proud.

From what I heard from Eltharion, many werent too keen to fight, but were dragged into the battle through their maternal clans anyways. Many wanted to become the right-hand clan underneath Clan Kargryxmor. Because of this chance, their siblings or their clans couldnt allow such an opportunity to pass.

Eltharion himself was expected to fight his siblings, as he was heir apparent. He needed to fight, slay his family, and unify Kargryx for his fathers legacy. It was tragic, even more if you considered this happened not long after the Demon Wars ended.

The Civil War of Kargryxs Succession.

My brother and I were neutral. We supported no one, as I determined it was the best course of action. Unlike the dragons fighting during this time, we were still considered pretty young compared to them. There was a thousand-year difference between Eltharion and me, for example.

Without the ancient dragons to guide them, many of these youngsters became belligerent and thirsted for power. Without my parents, I couldnt muster the strength to fight back. I felt weak in front of all them, as I was just a newly evolved S rank back then.

Sadly, in this war, there was no way for us to stay out of the conflict. Eventually, a clan came over, aiming to recruit us. We accepted under threat. We were the only Nordor dragons, after all. We couldnt reject their demands, risking making them into our enemies at that point.

I knew they came for me, as Odlesstrus was only A rank back then. Even if I was a new S rank, I still was an S rank. The more they recruited, the better their chances were. For my brother, I would fight and survive, as that was all I could do.

[Mellox Grraaaaaak!]

[Im sorry! IM SORRY!]

I had to slay former friends. For this was war. Even those who wanted to stay neutral were dragged into battle, forced by their new masters to fight. Friends battled friends, family slew family. It was the bloodiest part of our history.

Mother did not tell me this. I just witnessed her flying in the sky, killing those she once considered friends. She saw the friends she made during this war getting burned and ripped apart by her enemies, some of which were even her old friends from before the war. Whose side was she supposed to fight on? Although, at the end of the day, she could only think of her brother.

In all the blood raining down on me, I could only see her tears. The rage she felt for this tragedy, the sadness she experienced as she wished for the ancient dragons back, and the grudge she had for Kramps for not listening to her prayers.

However, none of her feelings mattered. In her wake, Mother gazed at those she froze, staring at their cold dead eyes. Mother sure was a force back then, but it seemed she showed little to no joy in surviving for this long. To me, survival was winning, but during a war like this was it actually winning if you killed your countrymen as a result? For Mother, the answer was obvious to see from the pain and rage in Mothers eyes.

This was why she despised wars and Kramps.

I could understand from the sight I was watching. Dragons ripping each other apart, others burned or torn asunder by magic and dragon breaths, while some were crushed by the strength of mountain-sized drakes. This was carnage. This was hell. This was

war.

Senseless violence performed as sacrifices for the goals of those above. The ones fighting limb and limb would never fully reap the rewards from this conflict, as many were traumatized by the fighting. Mother was strong, but even she only considered herself a foot soldier.

So what was I then? I fought for Aurena to fulfill my deal with her to return to my parents. I couldnt give it up as I wanted to meet them again to apologize for being an idiot daughter. After what I had learned, my conviction just became stronger. Still, wasnt I just another puppet to end this war for Aurena? Sure, I knew this already, but it felt harder to swallow after seeing what a real war was like.

Was this what I was leading up to? Sure, instead of a civil war, we would be fighting the enemy, at least, that was what I thought. However, how much did I know about the demonkins? How much had Aurena told me about them? Was I just a puppet? If you thought about it, I was lacking information, and only through knowledge you could move forward with agency.

In this case, I sorely lacked a real idea on wars. I couldnt fathom seeing a civil war like this, even if I had watched movies about them. The reality inside a movie wasnt as intense as watching a dragonkins corpse rotting alone on the ground. The fields of dead dragonkins. The roars of battle filled with both blood rush and agony.

I felt ignorant.

KrrrrrrrrrrrrrrruaaAAAAAAAAAAAH!

Then, just as Mother told me once, he turned the war around.

My father, Eltharion Kargryxmor.

He was a jet-black bipedal dragon with four wings just like Kramps, however Fathers face looked more tame and peaceful in comparison. Kramps had this strict and bossy look when I visited him in his divine realm, but Father looked almost sad.

Father wasnt a dragon who focused primarily on magic or dragon breaths, but used his scale manipulation and other racial abilities to create weapons. Swords, spears, hammers, anything he thought could change the tides of battle. This was his advantage of being a bipedal dragon. At least, that was what Mother was narrating.

he swooped through, cleaving enemies with his scale blades as if they were trees. It honestly is funny to see how there is even a dragoon cult reserved only for his fighting style. Ironic even, since Eltharion began to despise wars after all this ended.

The oldest brother had to kill all his younger siblings. I could never do that to Odlesstrus. His will was firm, and that is why he deserves to be called emperor.

To take the life of family the two eldest siblings stood before each other.

Father and his brother the second eldest of the Kargryxmor siblings. Flying in the clouds, they glared at each other. Mother could only watch as the civil war looked like it was almost about to end and the memory showed only that victory. There was no battle, just the results.

Eltharion left the battlefield for a year, heartbroken from this battle. His siblings who survived up until now didnt falter though, believing this was a grace period they needed to take advantage of. They had to get stronger and grow their might before he returned.

At the same time, I took advantage of this chaos and sneaked out with my brother. Funnily enough, the others did the same. My sisters appeared before him.

Still, hehehe, how funny it even worked afterwards. Sure made me nostalgic for my past. This thing shows your inner wants all to invoke one feeling from you

Envy, we both answered simultaneously.

Just with my other self and longing for our parents and friends. Even with me inside disrupting the influences, it still shows you what you want to see.

If that is the case, then shouldnt it be easy for you, my dear? I raised a brow, not understanding what Mother was saying. This trap was created by the demonkins to trap you, but, this is still a dimensional breach. That means, a space-time magic. Unless the demonkins had a void-touched, this is probably the works of the Edjurl gods. If the Edjurl gods are supporting them this much, then it has to be on the wish of a prince of sin. The Prince of Envy, to be exact, I think.

I looked at her with suspicion. You think? Hey, Mother, didnt you say you didnt care about this war? Why do you know this much?

Hmm? Dear, I lived through the Demon Wars. I know enough about our enemies to make an educated guess, alright? Its critical thinking. Mother raised her head up, looking proud of her ability almost to the point she wanted to be praised. Hiehie, then, if this is the work of the Prince of Envy, then shouldnt you be able to do that?

Right, I can usurp this power of his. Just like what I did unconsciously back in my illusion. I nodded. I could still feel my blessings on myself, and my ability to usurp has already showed its effect prior. Huh. but how are we supposed to get out of here, then? Mother, I didnt explore, but it honestly seemed like the depths of the abyss outside. Creepy, dark, and it looked endless. No clear exit in sight.

Ooooh, in that case, then you dont have to worry. Well just make it ourselves~ She leaned her head forward, looking at me impishly. We just have to find whoever it is who did this to us, no? Then force them to free us~ No System, you noticed? Well, I can still sense mana even without my skills, and I know where that wretch is.

I could technically see the two sources with my [Mana Eyes] as it apparently was an innate ability of my body. Still, if I were to confront them, having Mother with me would be best.

Youre willing to help me Oh wait, right, I already crossed that line, huh? I remembered how Mother had to save me from entering this place in the first place. Guess it cant be helped then.

Oh, you meant that? Well, in the end, I still failed to protect you, no? I widened my eyes in confusion. Well, I tried to help you free yourself from getting sucked into that dimension breach, but lo and behold, you jumped right back into the portal to save me. Not like I helped you out at all when all of that happened, right? So, if you ask me, I didnt manage to save you. So, the deal between us is still up if you ask me.

Really? So, does that mean you wont drag me to Miononbolax?

If you hadnt jumped into the portal and had saved me afterwards, I would have considered the deal broken. However even I am not that terrible of a mother to ignore what you did to me, Hestia Besides, didnt you call me something when you jumped in for me~ She grinned, staring at me with lovey-dovey eyes.

U-Uh, I did?

She nodded. I think you finally called me Mama, again.

I felt like my head would explode any moment now. The heat was accumulating. Haaaa

I need to get out of here. If you want, you can usurp the powers of this demonkin prince, but Ill make sure you will stay safe, but for a single price. I gulped when her eyes stared at me like an imps. I cant forgive you for calling my husband those words, Hestia~ Even if you are his daughter and have all the right to~ So

Shit, she heard me call Father that?! But, its true! The dude is a harem protagonist! See the light, Mother! See the truth of your husband! He has six wives!

You have to call me Mama, once again~

Even in this empty void of a world, Mother wouldnt stop teasing me.

Now, watch~ Watch as your puny powers get usurped by my blessed. Watch her bring down your world and experience the true terror of who the one you call Aurenas dog!

Krrrgh!

The unknown Edjurl god pulled the demonkin Prince of Envys head up, forcing his eyes open as he stared at the ball of mana in the distance. A creation he made with [Original Sin: Jaldaboath]. A brilliant ability to look into the souls of his enemies while also sucking their souls dry.

The Prince of Envy would learn how Aurora and KleaHatma, something he almost rejoiced about. The fact one of the demons of sins was still alive was joyful news for this demonkin, however, he couldnt relish it for too long. For the price of this information, for the price of staring into the soul influenced by this unknown god

the prince would pay a heavy penalty.

KRUUUUUAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!!

Urk!

Shie shie shie shie! Its happening! Yes, Hestia! Usurp his powers! Use the power of Envy against this maggot! Sow chaos, sow disaster! Sow the seeds of change and entertain my master! Bring him joy! The god pulled the prince up and restricted his movement with his mana. Now unable to move or talk, the god smiled deviously before vanishing into thin air. Embrace it well, demonkin~ May you enjoy my blessing. You soul and your sight!

His seed was already inside the princes soul. All that was needed now was a trigger.

Kuhhhhhhhaaaa!

With the sound of water exploding, the ball of mana meant to trap Melloxtressa exploded. From the remnants of the rain, a dragon rose out. Her scales were black like the deepest ridges of this place. Her form twisted from the mana her body had absorbed, using it to create what was needed for her to free herself.

This was what the demonkin saw.

There. A womans voice resounded from the distance, commanding the dragon as it crawled forward along with eight legs. The woman herself, thought, also started to have her form distorted, turning into a giant of a woman.

The fear of spiders came into full display here as the weird, eldritch dragon lunged its long legs forward, roaring out with its slime-like maw wide open. The Prince of Envy saw this and jerked back at its freakish pace.

If this had happened on Peolynca while the Prince was fully alert, he would have seen through the illusion and engaged Hestia in a normal fashion. However, in this place, where the Edjurls control was the highest, it was just unlucky for the demonkin to meet one favoring Hestia. The unknown gods mana and influence had already infected his soul.

The seed of madness had met its trigger. The usurper had arrived, and the illusion was created.

KuuuAAAAAHHHHH!

GaaaaaaaaAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!

Unconsciously, the Princes arms transformed with [Original Sin: Demiurge] into those of a [Ridge Climbing Clawreaver]. A monster only found in the precarious mountains of BoleTaria, this beast had long claws made to extend and swipe at unexpected mountaineers and prey. In other words, the demonkin Prince of Envy was a so-called blue mage with this demonic ability.

Take on the powers of others by transforming themselves into them, that was the power of this ability. For example, if the Prince were to transform into Hestia, he could possibly use her abilities if it were possible in the first place due to Hestias uncontrollable usurpation powers.

Out of fear, the prince fought back through instincts alone, using more and more of his various forms to prevent Hestia from coming closer. However, as a result, his visage of the pope of the Church of Aurena vanished as a consequence. He returned to his proper appearance that of a ghoulish man with mismatched features and limbs, all assorted in a way without rhyme or reason.

A consequence of overusing [Original Sin: Demiurge] was the fact that eventually over the years, even a Prince of Envy would forget what he actually looked like. Just like the demonkin of envy Hestia fought in Griffonpeak, this new form was nothing more than a collection of all the beings and people he had copied.

But even then

Are you trying to harm my daughter even further?

Melloxtressa was fully immersed in the situation, finding the demonkins screams of terror quite amusing. Although not a sadist, she was instead fueled by anger for endangering her daughter. This anger just turned into schadenfreude.

KuuuuuAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!

[oPeN THe poRTal!!!] Even her telepathic messages were discombobulating to read. All to heighten up the fear factor to the extreme as Melloxtressa explained to Hestia.

Tormentthat was all. Since Hestia couldnt use System spells here to open up a door nor did Melloxtressa have her subspace runes, this was the only way. Find the perpetrator and make him open the way out.

Torture him not with pain, but with fear unimaginable. After Hestia had usurped the power, Hestia was acting overly aggressive while Melloxtressa would threaten the Prince of Sin. To the dragons, all they could see was a frightened man, but to the demonkin, all he could see was an illusion.

An illusion of the greatest fear in his heartbeing rejected by the Edjurl gods and plunged into the hellscape of this world. The beasts he saw in Hestia and Melloxtressa were his accumulated nightmares becoming real from the Edjurl gods ruinous powers.

A tricksters deceit was the truth to the gullible and weak.

This is too easy?! Why is he only flailing around while T-Posing?!

She did not know her secret benefactor had already assured everything would work out.

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhh! Free ME!!! Upon command, the bindings were loosened and the prince could finally move again. Without even retaliating, the demonkin threw an item on the ground, causing the air to rupture apart. AAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!

In it he jumped.

Hestia!

[Got it!] With her Mother, the two followed right behind their enemy.

Pushed forward by a strange watery sensation, the pair traversed through this dusk without an idea of where they would land. They waited as long as it lasted, and the moment the light at the end of the tunnel appeared, they were spit out of it into the sight of a medieval room made from fairnite.

Unfortunately, due to the force of it, they were ejected right out of the window, into the skies of Peolynca once again. The Divine System returned to Hestia. The girl wanted to celebrate, but Melloxtressa instantly grabbed her daughter and beat her wings, zooming out of the area without a second delay.

Mother?! Hestia shook her head in confusion, wondering what her Mother was doing, only to see what was behind them.

A large church city as white as the wings of Aurena. The largest religious city belonging to the Church of Aurena Aureolis. Through the portal, they ended up right in the room of the pope.

Melloxtressa, having sensed something was up the moment they returned to Peolynca, flew right away, hoping none of the people there saw them. Without breaking a sweat, she then used wind magic to protect her daughter before flying forward at mach speed after casting a grey magic circle.

Wait, are you Thats [Haste]!

Correct, because of this accident, Melloxtressa had become what was known as a void-touched. Just like Hestia, she had met the requirement to cast [Space-Time Magic].

With this new-found skill, Melloxtressa blasted away, knowing exactly where her daughter wanted to be at this moment. However, the moment they appeared in Elyonda, they were introduced not to the city they had gotten to know for over two weeks now, but a battlefield.

Two days had passed since they were taken.