Chapter 179 The foreplay to a grand battle?

Chapter 179 The foreplay to a grand battle?

Imperial Dragons Arc

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(POV: Akashic Records)

Lumiere approached Serena's limp form.

His heart pounded in his chest.

Anger and concern coursed through his veins.

He carefully lifted her body, cradling her in his arms as his stormy amethyst eyes scanned her for any visible injuries. His jet-black hair cascaded over his eyes, casting a shadow that seemed to darken his face.

With a monotonous voice, Lumiere spoke, his tone both calm and unsettling. "So, your name's Eunaria," he uttered, not bothering to look up at her. "Right?"

Eunaria's lips curled into a cheeky smile, her eyes gleamed with amusement. "Yes, that's right," she replied, mockery evident in her voice.

Lumiere's gaze didn't waver, his anger simmering beneath the surface.

"How dare you harm my woman," he said.

"Huh?"

She burst into laughter, unable to contain herself any longer.

Her hand covered her mouth, failing to stifle the mirth that shook her body.

Eunaria's laughter subsided, her expression turning serious.

She looked down at Lumiere, her eyes narrowing with a mixture of curiosity and disdain.

"Aren't you ashamed?" she questioned in a condescending manner.

Still refusing to meet her gaze, Lumiere exhaled a sigh.

"Ashamed? No." he declared. "But I'm rather... angry."

"Hm?" Eunaria raised an eyebrow.

Lumiere made his way back to his small group.

"I've never seen Lord Lumiere like this before," Skarz muttered, his eyes locked on his leader's retreating figure.

"...he's angry..." said Lirien, plainly.

"Eh... yeah, we know that..." Mojito spoke awkwardly.

Fasit, her gaze fixed on Lumiere, nodded in agreement.

"His anger isn't overpowering like a raging inferno that devours everything," she observed. "It's more like a silent predator, patiently waiting to consume its enemies."

Lirien nodded, "...he's very angry..." plainly speaking.

"Eh... we kn—"

Mimosa shoved Mojito before he could complete his sentence.

Lumiere carefully handed Serena over to Fasit.

The concerned gryganri immediately asked him, "Great Lumiere, what happened to Serena? Is she alright?"

( T/N: Gryganri = Female Grygan | Gryganard = Male Grygan )

Her voice was filled with worry, reflecting the deep concern etched across her face.

Lumiere, however, remained silent, his eyes fixed on Serena's now motionless form.

He was lost in his own thoughts, his mind consumed by a whirlwind of emotions.

Ignoring Fasit's question, "Stellaria..." he called out.

Stellaria, always calm and composed, floated gently next to Lumiere, her ethereal form seemingly weightless. "What seems to be the issue, Lumiere?" she inquired, her voice soft and soothing.

Her eyes held a glimmer of curiosity, but her demeanor remained unwaveringly serene.

Lumiere took a deep breath, his gaze still fixated on Serena.

"I need you and the others to give me and that Dragon some room," he finally murmured.

Stellaria smiled as she nodded in understanding.

"Of course, honey. But you do know if I helped you it'd make this a billion times easier," she offered.

Without another word, Lumiere turned his back on Stellaria and began to walk away, his bat-like wings once again sprouting from his back.

As he stretched his right hand to the side, a brilliant golden sphere materialized, gradually transforming into a magnificent magic staff. At its tip, a large golden manastone— a magic crux, pulsed with raw power.

<<The Grygan King's Staff, Gryphan>>, a symbol of Lumiere's authority and strength.

With his newly acquired staff in hand, Lumiere gracefully took to the skies, his eyes locked on Eunaria, who stood confidently with her hands on her waist, awaiting his arrival.

Stellaria, acknowledging the tension with a yawn.

She turned to the rest of the group.

"Let us proceed, my friends," she suggested, her voice gentle yet resolute. "We shall honor Lumiere's request for solitude and grant him the space he needs to confront Eunaria."

They all turned to depart.

Isadora remained rooted in place, her gaze fixed on Lumiere and Eunaria, who hovered far above them. n0VeLusb.c0m

Fasit, holding Serena gently in her arms, approached Isadora.

"We need to leave... we can't disobey Great Lumiere's orders," Fasit softly suggested.

Isadora reluctantly tore her eyes away from the scene above and turned to face Fasit.

"I understand," she replied with a heavy sigh. "But seeing Master like this... it reminds me of Zarbon City."

She recalled the devastating events that unfolded there. However, she couldn't help but recognize the difference between then and now. Lumiere's anger back then was fueled by the near-death experience he endured, but now, this righteous rage seemed self-induced, his own inner turmoil driving him forward.

With a lingering silence, Stellaria let out a bored yawn, causing Isadora to shoot her a reproachful look. "We don't have all day," Stellaria said nonchalantly. "We mustn't keep the others waiting."

Isadora's gaze faltered for a moment before she nodded. "Right," she stammered, half-minded.

She turned to run beside Fasit.

Stellaria gracefully assumed a horizontal hovering position, her back parallel to the ground.

As they moved away, Isadora stole one last glance at Lumiere and Eunaria, who now had some space between them.

Eunaria took the opportunity to speak up.

"My interest lies with the girl, not you," she declared, a twisted smile on her countenance. "I'll be taking the vessel back with me."

Lumiere remained silent, his head bowed as he focused his attention on Eunaria.

But then, to her surprise, he slowly lifted his head, revealing a smile so gentle that it sent a shiver down her spine.

He extended his left palm towards her and spoke in a calm but firm tone.

"I envy you," Lumiere confessed.

"Huh?"

Eunaria raised an eyebrow, clearly bewildered by his words.

Lumiere continued, his smile unwavering. "I wish I could be so blissfully ignorant as to not notice when danger stands before me."

---Status---

Name: Eunaria Galadiatrix

Race: Highest tier Divine Dragon (Imperial Dragon)

Age:? 10,000+

Threat level: Grade 0

Physical Strength: 13,000/13,000

MP: 300,000/300,000

Magic Arts: 「Imperial Dragon Magic」 (S+), 「Water Magic」 (SSS+), 「Ice Magic」 (SS)

Magic Skills:

Integral Skill:

「Transformation」, 「Mana Regeneration」, 「Imperial Dragon?s Ambience」, 「Imperial Dragon Physiology」

Additional Skill:

「Boundless Regeneration」 (SSS+), 「Infirmity Nullification」 (SSS+), 「Magic Attack Resistance」 (SS), 「Physical Attack Resistance」 (SS),

Unique Skills:

『Monarch's Will』

Apex Skill:

『Sea King Poseidon』

Summons: Medium tier Dragon Spirits, Water Dragon Spirit.

Equipments: Core of Demolition (Unawakened)