Chapter 190: Where the Sky Thins (1)

Chapter 190: Where the Sky Thins (1)

Chapter 190: Where the Sky Thins (1)

As Navardose flicked her fingers, flames engulfed the two. With the darkness swallowing their vision, Ronan was overcome by the nauseating sensation unique to spatial magic.

I just cant get used to this.

It felt like his insides were being twisted and turned in a sack. Before long, the darkness dissipated, and the scene before them brightened once again. Billowing cumulus clouds flowed vividly before their eyes. Ronans eyes widened.

Huh?

There was nothing beneath their feet where the ground should have been. It didnt take Ronan long to realize that his body was floating in mid-air.

What the?!

He gasped, uttering a curse. His body began to plummet straight downward. Frantically scanning his surroundings, he noticed Navardose falling alongside him. She looked at Ronan and spoke.

Oh, I forgot to explain. Its quite far to arrive in one trip, you see. This is the range of spatial teleportation.

Alright, could you at least do something?! Honestly, Im scared to death right now.

Ronan said, trying desperately to maintain his composure. Navardoses face remained remarkably calm, as if she were unaffected by the heat. If she werent the dragon he needed to impress, he might have erupted in curses or screamed at the top of his lungs. Suddenly, Navardose reached out her arm and grabbed Ronans wrist, pulling him toward her.

Lady Navardose?

Do not be so scared, child. Who do you think youre with?

She smiled with her eyes as she gently embraced Ronan. He was left speechless, feeling like he was being held by a giant despite being much taller.

Unbelievable.

Not even a crude joke came to mind. If he were to write a brief review of being embraced by the Mother of Fire, it would simply state that a dragons body temperature is much higher than that of a human, and that Itargand indeed needed to have his ass beaten.

Well, long-distance teleportation isnt so bad after all. He was thinking such a thing when suddenly. Whoosh! The flames surged once again, enveloping the two.

.

.

.

Unfortunately, their journey didnt last long. They arrived at their destination after a total of seven teleportations. Ronan furrowed his brows at the sight of the majestic castle before them.

A castle?

Yes. Drimore Fortress. Its our outpost.

Where exactly are we?

Ronan asked with a bewildered voice. Having seen all sorts of magnificent landscapes in his two lifetimes, he couldnt hide his astonishment this time. He felt he understood why she called this place where the sky thins.

The fortress was situated in the midst of the sky. Similar to the floating prison, Rodolan, but incomparably grander in scale and everything else.

The sky itself wasnt what people generally imagined. Above the high heavens one could see from the ground lay another sky, which had only been heard of before.

Are there so many stars?

It was different from what he had seen from the ground. Even though it wasnt night, countless stars adorned the sky, forming an uncountable galaxy.

Ronan glanced down at the cliff below. Far beneath him lay the continent where he was born and raised. It was hard to believe that everything he had experienced so far fit within that distant speck of land.

Raising his head slightly, he could see a gentle arc forming the horizon. Ronan could vaguely deduce that the arc was the edge of the planet he had lived on.

As they walked towards the fortress along the path, Ronan looked around like a child on his first stroll. Navardose chuckled.

Fascinating, isnt it?

Yes. Honestly, it feels like Im dreaming. This fortress doesnt seem ordinary either.

The material that made up the outer wall was unusual. In Drimore Fortress, which overall had a bluish tint, mithril was the most common construction material. Orichalcum, Damas Stone, and even precious metals beyond that were not uncommonly found. They were all materials specialized in both physical and magical damage resistance.

Damn, did those materials became rare because they scraped up everything to build this?

It seemed that if they were to fortify it intentionally, even if all the imperial soldiers gathered, they wouldnt be able to conquer it. Ronan, examining the fortress, spoke up.

It wasnt built to fight against humans.

Thats right. Youre quick to catch on.

What exactly are they fighting that they need a fortress like this?

Youll soon find out. We came here to drive them out.

Navardose, arriving at the fortress gate, gestured lightly. Two doors made to withstand meteor strikes swung open smoothly. Ronan raised an eyebrow at the scene inside the fortress that unfolded before him.

Its narrower than I thought?

Its a building built solely for durability. We will have to discuss the matters concerning your father after were done, is that okay?

Yes. I dont mind as long as we can talk about it today.

The interior seemed narrower than expected, perhaps because the walls and ceilings were so thick. Of course, compared to what he saw from the outside, it was narrow, but it was spacious enough for Itargand to move around freely without having to polymorph.

There was hardly any decoration, giving a somewhat dull feeling. Of course, it didnt matter much since it was built for fighting.

As the two walked side by side down the corridor, they turned a corner. Suddenly, a man an head taller than Ronan popped out. He was a rather handsome man with a mustache that extended to his sideburns. When he encountered Navardose, he stopped in place.

Welcome, Navardose. Youre a bit late.

I had some business to attend to. Hows the situation?

Its settled for now, but theyll be back soon. Well need you to lead the defense.

Youve arrived just in time.

Navardose smiled wryly. A chill, like pouring ice water into ones veins, engulfed Ronan for a moment. He had felt a similar sensation only once before.

This is!

The four of them turned their heads in the same direction at once. Unlike the relatively calm three, Ronan froze in place. Navardose, pointing beyond the barrier, said,

Take a good look, child. Those are the true enemies your father taught us to face.

True enemies.

Ronan murmured as if he were entranced by something. Hundreds of foul masses were rushing toward the barrier. Crawling, running, flying, swimmingthe grotesque creatures appearances were something Ronan had never seen on the surface.

If you put tentacles and mouths on swollen lumps of flesh, they would look something like that. The elf named Irainiel frowned.

Ugh, these creatures are tough. We should have called Lady Navardose anyway.

It seems so. Ill help. Mother.

Enough. Ill be here soon, so just focus on protecting this child.

Navardose waved her hand and took a step forward. As she gestured, the barrier blocking the passage disappeared in an instant. Then, Bnihardo, who had finally seen Ronan, spoke up.

By the way, what are you, human? Whats your relationship with Mother?

Im curious too. You dont seem to be a mage like Lorehon.

Ronan didnt respond. His gaze remained fixed on Navardoses back as the barrier behind her was ominously restored.

Is that really okay?

Navardose knew better than anyone how powerful she was, but seeing it firsthand still made him anxious. Amidst the approaching horde of monsters, her polymorphic figure looked as precarious as a candle flame in the wind.

An impolite human, arent you? Are you scared?

Its quite a sight to be scared of.

Well, as long as you stick with us, well protect you, so dont do anything foolish. Mortals like you cant even scratch those things.

Bnihardo spoke arrogantly. Ronan, who reacted belatedly, glanced at him.

Mortals cant even scratch them?

Huh, you could speak after all.

Yes. Thats the common trait among those creatures. To be precise, among mortals, there are hardly any strong enough to harm them. They naturally possess a barrier different from mana.

Irainiel answered instead. The phrase a barrier different from mana lingered in Ronans mind. Was it like the Protection of the Stars that the baldies used? Lost in various thoughts, Ronan finally witnessed Navardose taking action.

You keep coming without getting tired. Arent you afraid of dying?

-Kiieeek!

Her majestic voice reverberated. Simultaneously, the approaching monsters all roared in unison. Ronans brow furrowed. He had expected them to be silent due to their quiet approach, but their voices were so loud, it felt like the sky might shake.

Now, the gap between the monsters and Navardose was less than two hundred paces. She quietly raised her right arm. Ronan could feel the flow of mana gathering around her palm. Irainiel spoke.

Youd better cover your eyes.

Huh?

She was already covering her eyes with both hands. Ronan was about to say something when, in an instant, a red flash erupted, followed by flames pouring out from Navardoses palm. Kwaah! The crimson torrent engulfed the monsters.

-Kaaaaargh!

-Kieeek! Kieeeeek!

Eerie screams echoed. Most of the creatures turned into ashes on the spot, but a few larger ones writhed and twisted slowly as they burned, like fish thrown out of water.

Ronan realized why the elf had told him to cover his eyes. The heat and glare beyond the barrier were so intense that he couldnt possibly keep his eyes open.

Navardose turned slowly, incinerating the monsters. Her flames, pouring out in a radial pattern, formed a red wall covering the same area as the barrier. Brihardo burst into hearty laughter.

Ahahaha! Mother is truly exceptional, even with a human disguise!

Today, the fire seems weaker than usual. It must be the fatigue from the morning battles.

Ronan chuckled at Irainiels remark. It was staggering to think that this was considered weak. As the flame-made barrier gradually faded, a faint cracking sound came from one corner of the barrier.

Huh?

Ronan turned his head. Except for him, it seemed like no one else had heard it. He narrowed his eyes and looked in the direction of the sound. A needle-like, elongated creature was charging towards them.

What the!

Ronan gasped. He was fast, but it was even faster. The creature, burning in Navardoses flames, looked like a red meteor. The creature let out a belated scream of agony.

-Kieeeeeek!

What?!

Only then did the other two turn their heads. However, the creature was already upon Brihardo. Ronan immediately leapt, kicking her off the ground. It didnt matter what he would do if the attack failed, that was not a concern at the moment.

Oh no!

It was too late. Brihardo, sensing the danger, snapped his jaws shut. The coiled body of the spiraling creature was aiming to pierce his neck. Ronan, who barely reached in time, swung his sword. Swoosh! A white line was drawn across the burning mass of flesh.

Wha?

Brihardos eyes widened. Ronan, landing on the ground, splattered blood on his sword. The wriggling body of the creature fell to the ground.