Published at 18th of July 2022 7:56 am

Volume 5, Chapter 4 - Lost memories, Albion Forest, Part 9-16

This chapter is updated by NovelFree.ml

Part 9

“I am Albion Forest Military Order’s leader, Casvazu. But I am already an old man. You can call me grandpa.”

The leader of the military order who greeted them was not what they imagined. He was a friendly man. Still, it certainly seemed like he was at an age where a heart attack could happen anytime. Regardless of his voice, even his movements were trembling. He must be ninety…. No, he could be more than a hundred. Since he had a long white beard and was wearing a black robe, he looked exactly like a magician from the fairy tales.

“By the way, Princess Silvia… You have grown into a fine woman. I still remember the day you returned from the forest with your orphan, Lancelot.”

“Thank you, grandpa.”

Silvia thanked his politeness respectfully. However, many complicated feelings emerged on her face at the same time. It was probably because she never told him that the Orphan Lancelot was given to her by Ash which made her feel guilty.

“Erm, who’s the young lad beside you?”

Ash straightened his back when they were talking about him.

“I am Ash Blake.”

The moment his name was mentioned, the old man’s eyebrows twitched.

“Hmm… So you are Ash Blake... Where have I heard this name before…”

The old man paused for a moment and then suddenly he shouted:

“T-That’s it…! Ash! On your left arm… Isn't there a weirdly shaped Seikoku!?”

“Do you mean this?”

Ash pulled up his sleeve and removed the bandages. Normally, Ash didn't want anyone to see his Seikoku. But somehow, he didn't mind this old man seeing it at all. The old man’s eyes glittered the moment he saw Ash’s Seikoku.

“That’s right…. That’s right…! Hmm… I think I'm beginning to remember…”

Ash became nervous once he heard the words that had a deep meaning to them.

“Really! Actually I… don’t have any memories regarding my Orphan Ceremony. Could you tell me anything about it, anything would be fine.”

To his disappointment, the old man shook his head.

“Sorry… The only thing that I remember is that Seikoku. Prince Julius’s Seikoku was one that was different from the rest…, Yours too was not normal.”

“Grandpa! You know about Anii-ue's Seikoku!?”

Suddenly, Silvia leaned forward which surprised Ash.

“Princess-sama? Why are you surprise…?”

Silvia immediately came back to her sense and was embarrassed about it.

“That… When I was still a child, I liked to tease Anii-ue. I once said ‘I want to look at your Seikoku’. But, Anii-ue… He remained silent and cut me off. During that time, I was deeply hurt…”

The old man looked at Silvia and said:

“Prince Julius probably had the same feelings as Ash. The prince’s Seikoku totally covered his back… I thought it was a kind of bad omen the first time I saw it. It is not unreasonable for him to dislike anyone seeing it. Who would have thought that my fear really came true…”

As if she was trying to comfort this old man, Silvia told him this:

“Please rests assured. Actually this is a secret, but Anii-ue is actually alive. He was still at Fontaine City just days before, but it is not yet the time to reveal this truth.”

“Huh…? Is that true!? So the prince had overcome his fate!”

Tears were flowing from the old man’s eyes.

“…Emotions can easily overwhelm me at my age…”

The old man took a deep breath and smiled.

“Lucky for you, we won’t be having the Orphan Ceremony tomorrow. You can search for Mother Dragon tomorrow, how about it?”

As for Ash, he wanted to search for Mother Dragon as soon as possible, however it was already dusk. Even though it may be a sacred place, the night forest was still a dangerous place.

“I understand. We will enter Albion Forest tomorrow. Also… Could you tell us of any place near here where we can spend the night?”

“You don’t have to worry about your lodging!”

Ash’s question was immediately answered by Kurae who was standing at the doorway.

“Our novitiate will provide our visitors a place to stay. Though it may be simple and crude, meals are provided.”

“Really!? Thank you. That really helped us, Kurae. Are the two of you alright with this, Princess-sama, Eco?”

Ash turned around and looked at the two.

“I am alright with it.”

“I will be fine if you are okay with it.”

It was a surprise that Eco answered readily regardless of Silvia. The past Eco would definitely say ‘Do we get to have delicious meat?’. The Eco right now looked more mature and cuter. However it is also true that it felt weird.

-Just as I thought, Eco is best when she is full of spirit and eats a lot. What should I do to help her get rid of her problems…?

Just when Ash was deep in thought-

“…Anything wrong, Ash?” asked Silvia.

Ash immediately came back to his senses.

“N-Nothing… I am fine.”

“Are you sure? You looked like something was troubling you.”

Ash didn't know how to react when Silvia hit the bull’s eye. Luckily, Kurae spoke with an innocent smile:

“Everyone, shall we head to the hostel?”

Part 10

Ash was muttering to himself in the dark forest.

“Haa… What am I actually doing?”

His legs were heavy and the air around was humid. The air was filled with the smells of tree sap and the earth. There were insects buzzing around and even caterpillars dropping from the trees. It always frightened him when he heard the cries from weird birds. Spiders the size of a fist could be seen anywhere. When a snake appeared from the ground, everyone would run without embarrassment.

“Tsk… Where had the others gone?”

When he entered Albion Forest, Ash had been walking with a large group of children. But somehow, Ash was walking alone. It was like the huge forest had swallowed hundreds of children and had them separated.

“Haa…”

He had already lost count of how many times he sighed. Ash then raised his head and looked at the view above. The trees covered the sky like a roof. Even the tiny amount of sunlight that pierced the canopy looked like it was disappearing. Ash had traveled far from a village called Alba at the country borders to this forest. He had come to this sacred place the adults call ‘Albion Forest’. Of course, he didn't come here by his own will.

Part 11

Days ago, Ash just had his seventh birthday on a horse carriage. It was about twenty days ago that his mother, his younger sister, the village chief and his friends saw him off. It was snowing on the day he left Alba. In the end, no one was there to celebrate his birthday with him. He remembered his mother’s advice.

-In this Lautreamont Knight Country, every child must head to ‘the forest’ on their seventh birthday. If you are gifted, the dragon in the forest will give you an Orphan. That is a honorable thing to have.

Unfortunately, the young Ash did not feel the need to be honorable.

“Tsk… What an ill looking forest.”

Ash grumbled while he was wandering around. Finally he stopped.

“*Hick*…”

He thought he heard the voice of a girl crying, but it could be his imagination. He stood still and tried to listen closely.

“*Sob*…*Sob*…"

This time, he was sure of it.

“I better go have a look.”

Ash ran. Rather than being worried about the girl, it was more accurate to say that he was looking for a companion. He kept moving towards the source of that voice. Ash gasped after passing through the thick bushes. A girl was sitting under a big tree crying. There were two reasons for Ash’s gasp. One was because of the girl’s blonde hair.

Even though they were in the dark forest, her hair was like sparkling gold even when there was only a tiny amount of light. It was not something that could be found at the border in Alba. The other was because of the girl’s attire. She was wearing a dress with many jewels of different colours sewn into it. It didn't look like a dress that should be worn when entering a forest. Ash cautiously walked towards her and slowly reached out with his hand.

“Are you alright?”

The girl slowly lifted her head. Looking out from behind the tidy fringes were a pair of wet, ice blue eyes-

Part 12

“Princess-sama…!?”

After being surprised by the girl’s beauty, Ash returned from his seven year old self. And because of that, Ash woke up from his sleep. He was confused for a moment after waking up in an unfamiliar room but immediately remembered that he was in the hostel for visitors. It was just a simple room with an old single bed placed by the wall. Eco and Silvia were not with him. Guys and girls had to sleep separately in the strict novitiate. Both Eco and Silvia were sleeping in the woman’s hostel.

“It is already morning…”

Ash mumbled while looking out the window. The morning rays had brightened up the room and the scenery was just a huge swath of forest with the cries of wild birds heard from beyond. Ash took a look at his silver watch that was placed by his pillow side and saw that it was just five o’clock.

“What was that dream about…?”

Ash sat up and pushed his sweaty fringes to the side. Even though the weather was not hot, Ash’s entire body was drenched in sweat. It actually felt like he had been running in the forest. Ash tried to recall his dream. He was sure that it was about what happened when he was seven. He was also sure that it was of the time when he was in Albion Forest. Ash was having his Orphan Ceremony in his dream.

“Is that what actually happened in my past?”

Once he considered this possibility, Ash’s heart was beating rapidly non-stop. Since he became Eco’s host, the past that he could never remember - suddenly appeared in his dream.

What does this mean?

“Could it be that because this is a sacred place…? Did it affect me…?”

Suddenly at that moment, Ash remembered something important.

“That’s right, princess-sama…”

The girl who appeared at the end of the dream-

“Although she was still a child, I am certain that she is princess-sama! Did I… meet princess-sama during my Orphan Ceremony!?”

Ash wanted to rush into the woman’s hostel to question Silvia about it, but he managed to stop himself. That was a place where men were not allowed to take a step, no matter what. Also, this was not the academy but the novitiate. If he ever broke the rules, he won’t be getting away easily. In the end, it was just a dream. It is better not to act rashly before he had any evidence.

“Haa… I will go wash my face first.”

Ash sighed while he was crawling out of his bed. By the way, didn't I keep sighing in my dream… Ash smiled when he thought about this.

Part 13

After taking his breakfast in the hostel, Ash met up with Silvia and Eco at the cathedral. Then, the trio immediately headed towards Albion Forest. Lancelot wouldn't be able to travel with them since the forest was thick and the dragons were too large. Since they never intended to ride on a dragon, they wore their school uniforms instead of the dragsuits. Similar to yesterday, Eco was wearing her uniform. She was carrying the stuffed toy in front of her chest. She seemed to like it very much, given that she took the trouble to bring it with her. The temperature in the forest was cool, which made them doubt that it was in mid-summer. This forest bore a different kind of feeling compared to a normal forest. To put it in words, it actually felt sacred. The reason they called Albion Forest a sacred place may not solely be due to it being the home of Mother Dragon. Or it could be that this place became sacred because it was the home of Mother Dragon. Ash felt nostalgic when he breathed in the surrounding air.

No, it was definitely not weird. Ash definitely had visited this place before. The view in front of him definitely matched the image of the forest in his dream.

“The problem is, where is Mother Dragon? Did Navi tell you anything about it?”

Silvia who was leading the group turned around and looked at Ash.

“No… Navi didn't tell me anything.”

“I see. If that’s the case, we will enter the forest like we did during the Orphan ceremony.”

Silvia declared and continued marching in.

-Kshaaaaaa!

Suddenly there was the cry of a weird bird.

“Eek!”

Silvia covered her head with her arms. Ash was shocked because from behind, she looked exactly like the girl in his dreams.

“Are you alright, Princess-sama? I think you better not wander too far away from us.”

“I am fine! I-I am not scared at all!”

Although Silvia boasted this, in the end, she was walking side by side with Ash. Ash smiled bitterly in his heart to avoid being noticed.

“Hey… Ash.”

Eco, who had remained silent since entering the forest, gave Ash a gentle pull on his sleeve.

“Yes?”

“About Mother Dragon… Is she my ‘mother’?”

Ash was dumbfounded when he heard this. Since he had been focused on searching for Mother Dragon the entire time, he had never thought about it.

“She is indeed called a mother. I am sure that she is definitely a mother to you. What do you think about it, Princess-sama?”

Silvia crossed her arms and said:

“It is probably different compared to us humans. Mother Dragon is like a queen bee. She probably won’t care about every newborn she has…”

Half way through speaking, Silvia noticed a change in expression on Eco’s face and hurriedly corrected herself.

“Of course this is just my assumption. I don’t know the actual truth.”

“So, we will only know the truth after we meet her.”

Ash assured her by petting her head.

“Don’t worry, I will be right here. I will be there for you no matter how Mother Dragon treats you. That is one thing that will never change.”

“Ash…!”

Eco lifted her head after Ash's encouragement. Her long eyelashes, her eyes were wet together with her blushing transparent white skin.

-C-Cute…!

Even though he was just looking at Eco, his heart already started to beat rapidly. The two of them just stared at each other silently…

“Ahem!”

A cough that could shake a earth gave Ash and Eco the fright of their life.

“Hey… Have you both forgotten about me.”

Ash hurriedly turned around and saw Silvia looking at them displeased.

Part 14

The trio were just wandering around the forest aimlessly. Ash suddenly stopped after passing through some bushes. An image of a young girl appeared in front of him. The girl had hair as dazzling as the rays of light that pierced the forest canopy and a pair of clear blue eyes. She was carrying a dragon shaped stuffed toy. She was crying because of her injured leg.

“This is…!”

Ash even forgot to blink when he looked at his surroundings. There was an empty space below the dense canopy, near the roots of a huge tree. It was definitely the same. It was the exact same place as his dream.

“Ash?”

Silvia who was five steps in front of him turned around.

“Is there anything wrong?”

Eco was looking at him worriedly.

“…Nothing. Sorry.”

Ash came back to his senses and continued his journey.

-Has Princess-sama forgotten about this place…?

Ash wondered while he was looking at Silvia from behind. No, it is quite normal not to remember the scene in the forest.

Just that, since the place in the dream actually existed, the dream might be real.

-Is what happened in my dream my past experience?

“Hmm? Huh… Eco? Princess-sama?”

Ash was shocked when he lifted his head again. Eco and Silvia who should have been walking in front of him had disappeared. Everything around him was either bushes or trees.

“Damn! Eco! Princess-sama!”

Ash was shouting their name while he ran around. Suddenly, a white fog appeared from nowhere. Ever since this he couldn't really rely on his vision, Ash was just searching for the two blindly.

“Ecoooooooo! Princess-samaaaaaaaaaaaaa!”

However, the further he walked the thicker the fog became. In the end, everything he saw was blank white. He even began to lose consciousness.

“Tsk… What in the world is this fog…”

After he finished this sentence, Ash’s consciousness was completely devoured by the fog.

Part 15

“Huff… We have been walking for some time and Mother Dragon has yet to appear. She should at least tell us where to look for her.”

Silvia grumbled and at the same time, she stopped.

“Urgh!”

Eco immediately knocked into Silvia.

“Why did you suddenly stop!?”

Eco scolded with her swollen nose. Silvia turned around and glared at Eco.

“And why did you walk without looking where you're going!?”

Silvia was trying to provoke her. Eco then also noticed that Silvia was staring at her stuffed toy. Eco just couldn't understand why Silvia was interested in how Ash acquired the stuffed toy. She was pissed about it. No matter what happened, this toy will always be an important thing to Eco. She had thought it looked cute at first sight and she just felt drawn to it. Most important of all, it was given to her by Ash. Eco hugged it tightly.

“Why do you have to enter the forest? Mother Dragon only asked for Ash and me. Why could you not stay in the novitiate’s garden and search for Rex Albioni!?”

“W-What did you say!”

Silvia’s expression changed. This was the first time Eco saw a human’s face turn pale as if drained of blood.

“I came with you because I am worried! Are you saying that… Do you not like that I am being nice to you?”

“Hah! Being nice! Maybe it is because of an uninvited guest that Mother Dragon has not appeared!”

Although this was said at the spur of the moment, it was still a logical reason. That’s right. Mother Dragon hasn't appeared before them because Silvia accompanied them. The one she asked for were Ash and Eco. But, Eco knew that she was being mean to Silvia, who usually took care of her. Her heart was conflicted, wondering whether she had over reacted.

“Eco… Do you really mean it?”

Silvia who was seldom scolded was looking down. However, the more she thought about the connection between the toy and Silvia, the more uneasy she felt.

If this stuffed toy really belongs to Silvia… What does that signify?

“Hey Eco! If you want to apologize, this will be your only chance.”

Silvia was glaring at Eco sharply. She was obviously cross because of Eco’s words.

“Hmph! I will let Ash decide who is at fault!”

“Fine with me! Hey, Ash!”

“Ash! Tell us immediately!”

But Ash never answered.

“…Ash? Huh?”

Eco was looking at her surroundings. Ash who had been walking with them just moments before had disappeared.

“Ash!? Where is he?”

Eco lost her cool. Ash was lost. Ash who was always by her side has gotten lost. Eco had become separated from Ash in the past, which led to a horrible experience with the Empire. Because of that, she felt uneasy whenever Ash was not by her side.

“Hey, Ash!? Where are you!?”

Silvia was looking around searching for him. Unnoticed by them, the white fog had started to appear and it became difficult for them to see things even an inch away.

“Grrrrrrrr…”

At that moment, they certainly heard a beast's growl.

“Please tell me that I am dreaming…!”

Eco who turned around immediately froze.

“Wha…! A Necromancia!? This is ridiculous! This should be a sacred place…!”

Just as Silvia had said, standing right in front of her was a Necromancia. Similar to Willingham Mausoleum, it was a young dragon sized Necromancia. But it was still as intimidating as ever. Though it looked small, its black fur and rotten teeth were still too much to bear.

“Stay behind!”

Silvia, as if trying to protect Eco, took out a huge Bright Dragon Crystal.

“Lancelot! I summon you in my name, Silvia Lautreamont- urgh!"

Many whip like tentacles appeared from the Necromancia's stomach and the spell was interrupted. Silvia’s wrist was grabbed and she dropped the Bright Dragon Crystal. Apart from that, more of the deep red coloured tentacles appeared and grabbed her arms and legs. The next thing she knew, her entire body was surrounded by tentacles and she was hanging in mid air. The more she struggled the tighter the tentacles gripped.

“Urgh… Stooooop!”

Silvia was red with anger and tears flowed from her eyes. Eco was shocked to see that the usually cool and brave Silvia could do nothing against them.

“Grrrrrrrrrrroooooooo!”

The Necromancia roared and it's slimy tentacles wrapped themselves around Silvia’s cleavage and hips. The tentacles left slimy residue wherever they touched.

“Tsk… For me, the fourth princess of the Knights… To be suffering from this… Do you know what will happen to you!?”

Of course her intimidation would never work. In the end, a tentacle found a way into her cloths and tore them. The rags from her clothes dropped like snowflakes. Her feminine shoulders, her breast, and her waist were all exposed.

“Aah! W-Where are you touching…! You better…! Aaa…!”

The tentacles were crawling on her snow white body. The slime that came from the tips had caused her entire body to become slimy.

Even so, Silvia shouted to Eco:

“What are you doing!? Run! Don’t worry about me!”

“I-I… I can’t do that!”

Eco clenched her fist. Just moments ago, Eco had said terrible things to Silvia. But now, Silvia had risked her life to allow Eco to escape. Running away on her own was something her pride would never allow. If Ash were with them, she could have at least given him his Ark to allow him to fight. But in this case, he had disappeared. If that’s the case, Eco would do it on her own way.

-If I turn into a dragon… They are just small fries. But how do I control my transformation?

Eco was trying to figure it out while sweat was running down her forehead. No matter how hard she tried to recall that feeling… she still couldn't get a clear image of it.

“Eco! Watch out! Behind you!” warned Silvia.

“Eh….?”

Eco turned around, and stood frozen. Like a beast who spotted its prey, a second Necromancia had its eyes on Eco.

“Eek…!”

Her face turned pale. Though she wanted to run away, her body wouldn't budge.

“Grrrrrrrrrrroooooooo!”

While it roared, numerous tentacles burst from it. In just a split second, they had captured Eco’s arms and legs. Eco felt herself being lifted from the ground and the next thing she knew, she was hanging upside down. She felt embarrassed the moment she noticed that she was being hung upside down. This was because her skirt was now at her chest and her panties were exposed.

“Nooooooooooo!”

Eco shouted in despair but her vision was now obscured by the deep red coloured tentacles.

Part 16

“Are you… Hurt?”

Just as Ash asked this, the blond girl suddenly stood up.

“W-Who is hu-!?”

However, before she could even finish speaking, the girl showed an expression of pain and fell to the ground again.

“Urgh…”

Judging her reaction, it seemed be her ankle that was injured. Suddenly, something fell.

“Huh…?”

Ash picked it up and noticed that it was a stuffed dragon toy. It didn't look good even judging at the lowest possible standard. In general, it was carelessly done and its body was designed to be round. He even doubted whether this was a dragon.

“Don’t you think that's pitiful to leave it on the ground?”

Ash handed her the stuffed toy and spoke to her in a tone similar to how he usually talked to his sister. It seemed like the toy was indeed important to the girl since she took it back with full force. Ash gave the girl a wry smile, turned around and knelt down.

“W-What are you doing!?”

The girl continued to put on an act, but it was obvious that she was at her limit.

“Isn't it obvious? I am bringing you back to the entrance.”

“What! You mean… We are going back!? Are you going to give up on the Orphan Ceremony?”

Ash nodded and spoke as if it was as clear as the blue sky.

“That should be the most sensible thing to do. You can’t expect to search with that leg of yours right?”

“Don’t joke with me!”

Ash didn't expect to be shouted at.

“I need a Pal! It is impossible for me to turn back now!”

“The Pal that you speak of… What is that?”

Ash asked.

“What! How can you not know that, as a citizen of the Knights Country!” replied the girl in a rage.

“Remember this! It is the bond between a Breeder and a dragon! It is a very sacred word!”

“I see…”

But the girl was not letting him off easily. Leaning forward, she continued on.

“What about you? If you have the time to worry about me, why not search for Mother Dragon? Or do you not want to become a Breeder?”

“W-What?”

Because the distance between their faces was too small, Ash was much too embarrassed and tried not to look straight at the girl.

“So you are pretending to search for Mother Dragon with the intention of returning home empty handed? So the recent talk in town about most children lacking motivation these days is true.”

Ash flustered when the girl pointed out his plan. Truthfully, Ash was never interested in dragons. Maybe those children without motivation the girl speaks of are children like me. Even so, Ash could never admit this while the girl was seriously talking to him.

“If it is possible… I would like to meet with Mother Dragon… I think?”

“Then, lets go! I will teach you about my family’s motto! Listen carefully!”

Shhh… There was a gentle breeze blowing, followed by the cry of birds.

“The knight's pride is his dragon.”

After being motivated by the girl, Ash was going to turn to his right, but…

“Hold on! If I were to leave, what about you? Wouldn't you be lonely?”

“B-But I will never withdraw because of a mere injury! I-I will never give up!”

Ash sighed. He even laughed when he thought about the mess she was in. Once again, he looked straight into the girl’s eyes. What an unpredictable girl. Where had the girl who was crying because of an injured leg gone? When she was talking about dragons, her eyes sparkled. Ash thought that he was meddlesome but still came up with a decision.

“I see. You want to become a Breeder no matter what, am I right?”

“That goes without saying.”

“And you are sure you don’t want to head back?”

“That too goes without saying!”

“That is why there is only one choice left. I will give you a piggyback ride and we shall search for Mother Dragon together. How about that?”

“Eh?”

The girl was surprised. Unfortunately, the girl was not listening to Ash. Her blue eyes were staring at the space behind Ash.

“W-What’s wrong?”

Finally, Ash noticed that something was off and he turned around.

“Guuooooo!”

To his horror, a huge animal was glaring at him from the middle of the bushes.

It's wet body was shiny from the sunlight piercing through the thick canopy.

“A Basilisk…!”

Though it may have been a lowly animal, it was still a kin to the Asias. It lifted its webbed front leg and took a step towards Ash.

“Run!”

Ash forcibly placed the girl onto his back and dashed off.

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