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Seikoku no Ryuu Kishi (Light Novel) - Volume 5, Chapter 4 - Lost memories, Albion Forest, Part 17-25
Volume 5, Chapter 4 - Lost memories, Albion Forest, Part 17-25
This chapter is updated by NovelFree.ml
Part 17
“Haa…Haaa… I thought I was dead meat.”
After running frantically in the forest, Ash finally stopped underneath a tree with his heart almost exploding. Luckily, he no longer had to worry about the Basilisk.
“Huff… Are you alright?”
The girl on his back didn’t reply. She was shivering in fear while tightly holding on to Ash. Only then did Ash realize that their bodies were too close to each other and he blushed in embarrassment. He could feel her body heat through the clothes on his back and smell the perfume that she used. The girls in Ash’s village never had the habit of putting on perfume. And even the ladies only use it on special occasions. Right now, his heart was on the verge of exploding for another reason. To distract himself, he tried provoking the girl.
“Tsk. Who would have expect you to be this timid. Didn't you say ‘The knight's pride is his dragon’? See, even your family motto is crying.”
“Shut up!”
After being provoked, the girl was in a rage and gave Ash a good beating.
“Ouch! I beg you, please stop!”
Ash almost dropped her to the ground.
“It is because you made fun of me!”
“Fine, I am sorry! I am really sorry! Ouch!”
-The knight's pride is his dragon.
Judging from this family motto, the girl should be from a Dragner's family. However, how is she going to ride a dragon while being timid…
Her family probably also thought this and that’s why they had prepared a cute dress for her. Of course, Ash didn't tell her what he was thinking.
“…Erm, what should we do next?”
The girl stopped hitting him after she heard him asking.
The sun was starting to set.
It was almost time for the Orphan Ceremony to end. According to the Albion Forest military order who was in charge of the Orphan Ceremony, Mother Dragon will only appear in front of a gifted child who. Even so, the girl answered firmly.
“I will never give up! I will search for Mother Dragon no matter what!”
Ash laughed after he heard the expected answer. Of course, Ash had no objection. Just moments before, he had promised the girl.
-I will give you a piggyback ride and we shall search for Mother Dragon together.
“Then… Shall we start searching?”
“Lets!”
Ash took a whole new step forward. The wet earth sunk a little because of their combined weight.
Why do I feel like I have become her 'Pal'…
Part 18
Ring…
Ash’s body almost reached its limit when he first heard the beautiful sound.
Ring…
Ash heard it once again.
No, he didn't even know if it was really a sound. It was more like a vibration that he felt on his body rather than a sound that he heard with his ears.
“Did you hear that?”
“Huh?”
Ash was speechless when the reply was a question.
“It is hard to put it in words, but it is like someone is calling out to me.”
“Really!”
The girl suddenly leaned forward which nearly caused Ash to lose his balance.
“Maybe Mother Dragon is calling out to you. Then…”
Suddenly, the girl lost all her motivation and turned silent.
“What’s wrong?”
“I hear nothing at all… Even though you are able to.”
“Well, we can't be certain that it is the voice of Mother Dragon. It could be my imagination-”
Right at that moment, in a split second, his vision was filled with bright light. The dense forest disappeared from view. Right after that, Ash was floating in an empty space.
Part 19
“This is…”
Ash was in an unknown space. At first glance, he thought he was in a dark cave, but the ceiling was too high. There were many balls of light moving around on the ceiling. By taking a closer look, he noticed that they were actually bright dragon crystals. Even the most luxurious chandeliers didn't look as magnificent as this. There was a wide lake at his feet and it was reflecting the lights in the ceiling. The lake water was clear and it only went up to about Ash’s knees. Facing the lake was an old looking building. Ash thought it looked like a shrine that was dug out from the ruins. The ground was made of square rocks and right on them stood many pillars with weird looking carvings. A huge wall painting could be seen inside the shrine through the space in between the pillars though he couldn't understand it. Suddenly, Ash noticed a sweet scent. It smelled a little like lavender and a little like rose. It should be the so called Ansal that dragons like.
“Nnn…”
All of a sudden, there was a sound coming from beside Ash. When he turned around, he saw the girl lying beside him. Ash’s heart skipped a beat when he noticed the heat of her palm. Seeing that the girl was opening her eyes, Ash immediately let go of her hand.
“This is…”
The girl who had just opened her eyes was looking around at this unknown space.
-Ring…
Ash once again felt that weird feeling.
“Did you hear that weird sound?”
The girl shook her head sadly. It seemed that only Ash could feel it. Suddenly, there was a strong gust. Ash was almost blown away while the girl kept holding on to her toy while enduring the wind. At the same time, a loud sound that could shake the earth was echoing within the cave. They were unable to keep their eyes open. Finally, the sound and the wind stopped. Ash was trembling in fear when he opened his eyes slowly. There was something on the opposite side of the lake in the middle of the shrine.
It was a dragon.
There were two ivory colored horns on its head. Its body was covered with white fur and there were many sparkling jewelries on its long neck.
“Is that… Mother Dragon?”
“Eh?”
In contrast to Ash's reaction, the girl was looking around aimlessly. It seemed like only Ash could see the dragon.
“Grrooooo!”
The dragon lifted its neck and roared. The pebbles on the ground were starting to vibrate. The dragon’s height was about a three-story building after it stretched it's neck. Though she couldn't see the dragon, the girl could still hear its roar. Since she was frightened, she was clinging to Ash. However, Ash was surprised that he was not at all afraid. Rather than that, he felt that he could understand the dragon.
-Ash Blake of Alba Village. I shall hand thee my Orphan…
This feeling was right. Mother Dragon was entrusting an Orphan to him.
“Don’t joke with me!”
Ash was in rage. To be frank, Ash never intended to have an Orphan. If it hadn't been of that girl, he would not have been searching for Mother Dragon in the first place. On the other hand, the girl had always wanted an Orphan. Ash never asked her about her reasons but he could feel that it was important. That was why he had made a decision the moment he met her.
“Mother Dragon! You are an idiot! I am not the one who needs an Orphan! It is she who needs it!”
After shouting in a loud voice that even surprised himself, he tightly grabbed both of her shoulders and made her stand in front of him.
“Hey…! What are you doing!?”
“Get a hold of yourself! Didn't you have your own reasons!?”
“B-But… I can’t even see Mother Dragon…”
“That's not a problem! Mother Dragon is right there!”
Ash was pointing towards Mother Dragon.
“Please, Mother Dragon! Entrust her with an Orphan!”
“…”
There was no reply. Instead, Mother Dragon’s fur was glowing with white light. Ash’s body was surrounded by a mysterious light.
“Urgh…!”
Ash noticed that a formless energy was entering his body. His left hand was being lifted against his will. Even though Ash tried to clench his fist, it ended up failing. He felt that his left hand was burning. A symbol like a family crest of a noble was slowly being branded on Ash’s palm.
“Y-You… Fool!”
It was clear that it was the proof of the contract, the Seikoku. Mother Dragon was forcing an Orphan on to Ash without even listening to what he was trying to say. It seemed that regardless of human or dragon, mothers will never listen to reasons.
-Stop! If this continues… I will become a breeder!
Ash grabbed onto the girl and dragged her towards him. He then shouted as loud as a dragon.
“Uooooooooooooooooooooo!”
-Don!
Ash pushed his burning palm towards the middle of the girl’s chest.
She immediately felt an electric shock from the tips of her finger to her head.
“Aah…!”
The girl groaned. Even so, Ash kept on pressing his hand on the girl’s chest. The girl’s dress started to tear and her white skin beneath was exposed. Nevertheless, Ash’s burning hand was not leaving her chest. Ash never thought that his struggle could change anything. However, that never stopped him from trying. He would never allow the girl to lose her only chance of becoming a Breeder. A person could only attend the Orphan Ceremony once in their lifetime. There was never a second chance.
“I will hand this Seikoku over to you! This Orphan… Is now yours!” Ash cried in agony.
-Buumg!
Then, something unbelievable happened in front of Ash.
His left arm exploded. The area below his elbow and his sleeve was blasted into pieces.
“Hic…!”
The girl lost consciousness from the shock of being bathed in blood. She then fell on the spot. Ash too, who had witnessed the unbelievable things happening, was on the verge of losing consciousness and managed to barely hold his ground only after putting all his effort in it. Although it didn't hurt, blood was still flowing from that terrible wound. Ash turned to look at the girl while trying his hardest to stay conscious. In the middle of her white chest was the Seikoku that was once branded on Ash’s palm. Regardless of what happened, the Seikoku had been successfully transferred to the girl.
“Haha… I did it… I really did it…!”
While Ash was laughing joyfully, he fell to the ground dead.
Part 20
“Uwaaaa!”
Ash woke up in shock from his left arm exploding.
“Huh?”
He hurriedly take a look at his left arm. He breathed a sigh of relief when he noticed that it was still wrapped in bandages as usual.
“It seems that you are now awake.”
Suddenly, there was a clear voice coming from above.
“Huh… Uwaa!”
There was a woman he had never seen before looking at him. He immediately leaped away when he noticed that he was lying in her lap. The woman who gave Ash a lap pillow had long green hair that reached her waist and an unworldly beauty. Her eyes were also green which made them look like large jades. There were two horns on her head and they had many tines on them. She was the third woman Ash knew to have horns. She looked to be around twenty five years old. Even though she looked young, she seemed like a lady from a noble's family. Even the dress she wore was of high quality. She was just like a dame that appeared in the opera.
“Excuse me…. You are?”
“I am Mother Dragon.”
“Eeeh!?”
Ash almost had the shock of his life. Looking around, the scene certainly looked like the scene in his dream. It was the spot where the seven year old Ash met Mother Dragon. Ash was now inside the shrine he hadn't entered in his dreams. On the other side of the pillars was the huge lake glittering under the lights. It was presumable that it was a space built by the dragon’s magic. Because it somehow felt like the dragon workshop. There was even the smell of Ansal. Even so, was the lady standing in front of him Mother Dragon?
The Mother Dragon that appeared in his dream was in the form of a sacred dragon, but now she looked like a young woman. Although it was certain this woman was a dragon judging by her horns. Ash suddenly remembered something important.
“Are Eco and Princess-sama alright!? I remember that they were lost in the forest!”
“Both of them are here.”
Mother Dragon answered calmly and pointed at the area behind Ash.
“Who do you think… I am… I am gonna crush… Aaah!”
“Stop… I am the princess of this country…! Who allowed you to touch that spot…!”
Eco and Silvia were both lying on the ground. They seemed to be having a nightmare. Sweat was beading on their foreheads. Even their distress looked alluring and made Ash’s heart skipped a beat.
What in the world are they dreaming about?
“Erm… Are the two of them alright?”
Mother Dragon answered indifferently -
“These are just elementary level illusions. Both of them lack training. But, worry not, it won’t affect their bodies.”
“I see…”
After he breathed a sigh of relief, he remembered something important about Eco and Mother Dragon.
“That right! Eco was wondering about something related to you. She was wondering if you are her ‘mother’. I will wake her up immediately."
“Please do hold on.”
He couldn't believe that the Mother Dragon who was always thought to be kind would snap at him.
“Sorry to say this, but even though I may be the mother of all dragons, I am not Eco’s mother.”
“Eh…?”
“In other words, I am responsible for the reproduction system of the dragons. I am the core of the wise dragon Albion’s magic. Even when she is Avalon’s Imperial Princess, I bear no personal feelings for her.”
Ash felt sad for Eco after hearing what Mother Dragon had said.
“Don’t you think that Eco is pitiful… After what you said? What’s more, it is you who summoned Eco here. Didn't you ask for her because you miss her?”
After Ash said this, Mother dragon closed her eyes and the shadows of her long eyelashes showed on her white skin.
“…That’s right. I was, at the beginning. But I changed my mind in the end. I decided that it is better not to meet with Eco. I shall tell you everything you need to know and please allow Eco to sleep where she is.”
“But!”
“Even if we were to meet, I won’t be able to treat her like a daughter. That’s why, it is better for us that we do not meet. Also, even without a mother, Eco will still have you as her knight and Princess Silvia as a friend who would help her at any cost. And of course, the dragons in the Knight Country are on Eco’s side. She doesn't need anything else as far as I can see.”
“… I understand.”
Though he would still like to reason with her, Mother Dragon seemed to have made up her mind and nothing could change it.
“Then, lets proceed to our main topic.”
Ash became nervous once this was said.
“I know about Eco’s awakening in Fontaine City that happened days ago.”
“I beg your pardon for not being able to protect Eco properly…”
“We can’t do anything about the past, and I am not here to lecture you. However, the power of the Avalon Holy Dragon Emperor is enormous. It could even destroy this planet if misused. The Eco right now isn't mentally mature enough and can't control her powers properly. Just days before, didn't that child try transforming because of some trivial matter?”
“I-I am really sorry about that.”
Ash was surprised. It seemed that Mother Dragon knew everything. But that indeed was some trivial matter. Eco was going to transform into a dragon because of a quarrel with Silvia over a stuffed toy… Although Ash managed to stop Eco from transforming by hugging her, that was just because he was lucky.
“The action that Nehalennia's dark dragons’ king Mordred and the Empire’s army is taking is indeed worrisome. Also, Chevron Kingdom, Holy Espada Agency and Labrock Trade Union are taking notice of the incident of the huge dragon that appeared in Fontaine City.”
After she finished speaking, Mother Dragon took out something. It was a silver bracelet. The exquisite carving on the bracelet was somewhat similar to Ash’s Seikoku.
“This is…”
“This is Avalon’s Bracelet. As long as Eco wears this, she will not transform into a dragon no matter what kind of a situation she is in. Apart from that, she could even learn to control her powers with it. Once she has gotten used to it, she will be able to transform when she takes the bracelet off.”
“Really!?”
Ash leaned forward. At the moment Eco wasn't able to consciously control her transformation. That’s why she almost transformed due to some trivial matter. However, with this Avalon’s Bracelet, she could control her transformation, is what Mother Dragon had said.
“…Because of some selfish people, the mighty being of the descendant of the Avalon’s holy dragons' emperor family was exposed in front of everyone. This is a serious problem for both humans and dragons. From today onward, there will be people appearing before her with the intention of making use of her powers. Please never forget that it is both hers and your responsibility as her knight to make use of the power of Avalon.”
“I will keep that in my heart.”
Ash who was moved by Mother Dragon’s words answered sincerely. He could feel the weight of the bracelet in his palm after receiving it from Mother Dragon.
“Then, I shall end our meeting here. I shall now send you back to the entrance-”
As soon as she had done her job, Mother Dragon once again spoke in an official tone for sending them off. But Ash had become nervous.
“Hold on! Actually… I have something that I need to ask you no matter what.”
“May I know what that is?”
“I… I had lost all my memories about the time of my Orphan Ceremony. But since I had returned to this sacred place, I began to remember parts of them. About how I met Princess-sama in the forest… And later being called out by you. And also the things that I did against your will for Princess-sama's sake.”
Mother Dragon sighed.
“That's right. I was indeed surprised. At the beginning, I intended to entrust Lancelot to you. Although it is not a direct descendant, Lancelot is still a high status dragon whose bloodline is related to the Avalon’s holy dragons' emperor family.”
“Really! Lancelot is Eco’s relative…!? But why did you not entrust an Orphan to Princess-sama?”
“Unfortunately, Silvia Lautreamont doesn't have the quality to become a Dragner.”
Ash was getting angry even though the person speaking was Mother Dragon.
“That can’t be! Princess-sama was always top in her results in the academy!”
“That’s because of her personal efforts.”
“Doesn't that mean she is gifted?”
“Both of them are not related. She was just replacing her lack of talent with her hard work.”
“Isn't that the same?”
“It is not that her hard work was all for naught… If she continues to polish herself, she will definitely become a great Paladin who will be able to lead this Lautreamont Knight Country. However, no matter how much effort she puts forth, it is a cruel truth but she will never be able to surpass Ash Blake.”
Ash was not at all happy after being praised. But, there will be clashes in opinion between Ash who grew up in a human community and Mother Dragon who was responsible for the existence of the dragons. There was no point in continuing to argue, Ash still had something else he wanted to ask.
“I… I want to know what happened during my Orphan Ceremony. I could only recall my memories until the moment I went against your will and lost my left arm… I couldn't remember anything beyond that.”
“Fine. Since you have taken a long journey to Albion Forest, I will show it to you as a gift.”
Mother Dragon stretched out her arms and placed them on Ash’s face. Ash’s heart skipped a beat after noticing the sweet scent.
“Mother…?”
“Please close your eyes. I will send you the necessary information.”
After that, Mother Dragon pressed her forehead on Ash’s. Ash noticed that her forehead was cold. In a split second, a vast amount of information flowed into Ash’s mind and his memories started appearing.
Part 21
“Kyaaaaaaaaa!”
The girl shrieked and then she lost consciousness. Together with her stuffed dragon toy, both of them fell to the ground. Ash’s foolish action had successfully transferred the Seikoku onto the girl’s chest. That Seikoku on her chest was indeed the one that was previously on Ash’s hand.
“Haha… I did it… I really did it…!”
His left arm that was blasted apart was still dripping with blood. He then dropped dead on the ground with a smile on his face.Mother Dragon who was still in the form of a dragon transformed into a woman and landed beside Ash. Seeing Ash’s pale face, Mother Dragon spoke indifferently -
“What a foolish boy… But, Ash Blake, it is a pity if I do not save a rare talent like you. Although this may deviate from the original plan, I will place my bets on you.”
Mother Dragon held her hands in front of her chest. There was a strong light forming in both her palms. The light intensity kept on increasing till the entire shrine was filled with light. But then, his memories immediately moved to a second scene.
Part 22
“Uwaaa!”
Ash woke up in the forest from the shock. At the same time, he remembered the events in the shrine. He hurriedly took a look at his left arm and found that it was still in one piece. Even his sleeve that had been blasted apart together with his arm seemed fine.
“What happened?”
Ash tried clenching his fist and releasing it. There didn't seem to be any problem. It just felt like his arm didn't be belong to him. It felt more like a borrowed arm. But before he even rolled up his sleeve, he remembered the girl.
“That girl…”
He spotted the girl immediately was lying in a place not far from Ash. Though she still hadn't regained consciousness, she was breathing normally while cuddling her toy.
“I’m glad nothing bad happened.”
Ash breathed a sigh of relief. At the same time, he felt that something was off. He was certain that her cloth was torn while he was transferring his Seikoku to her… But it now looked the same it did the fist time he meet her. Did someone mend her cloth just as they did Ash’s?
“That’s right, I have to make sure…”
Ash gulped when he stretched his hand towards the girl. He must first untie the ribbon at her collar…
“I am not doing anything bad…”
When he was mumbling to himself while untying the ribbon…
“Nnn…”
The girl moaned.
“Uwaa!”
Ash had the shock of his life and retreated from the girl.
“Huh? Why… Why am I in the forest?”
The girl sat up slowly. She was sleepily looking around at her surroundings.
“Right! My body is…”
The girl placed her toy by her knee and started untying her ribbon.
“Hey! What are you doing!?”
The girl ignored Ash while she continued to unbutton herself. In a few moments, she was showing her white chest. Ash tried to avert his eyes but he was stopped by the girl.
“Look properly! I want you to look properly!”
Her serious expression didn't make her look like a seven year old.
“Eh…?”
Ash took a peek at the girl’s chest timidly. Her skin was like snow. There was a symbol carved on her flat chest. Ash couldn't be wrong. It was the Seikoku that was once on his left hand.
“So… It was not a dream.”
Ash mumbled. After allowing Ash to see her Seikoku, she buttoned her dress.
“Basically, I don’t remember any of the details. But what I know is… Originally, this Seikoku belonged to you… It was entrusted to you by Mother Dragon. Am I right?”
“No, that is…”
Ash was at lost for words.
“You don’t have to hide it. Because of you, I am able to become a Breeder. Right now, there is an Orphan inside my body. It is hard for me to explain… But I can feel it.”
“Really. Isn't that great?”
As Ash started smiling, the girl became angry.
“There’s nothing great about it! I… I am in debt to you. It is a debt that… I can never repay! Please tell me what should I do!”
Ash panicked as soon as he saw the girl becoming mad.
“No, aren't you exaggerating?”
“Nothing of the sort! From the beginning, I never had the qualification to become a Breeder. I couldn't even see Mother Dragon…”
At that point, tears started falling from her eyes. Ash gave her a wry smile and placed his hand on her head.
“…Tsk, what a crybaby. How are you to become a great Dragner?”
“Even if you say that…”
“If you really want to repay me, please don’t cry anymore. It is a promise.”
The girl then lifted her head and wiped the tears with her sleeve. A new expression appeared on her face, as if the tears moments ago were lies.
“You… No, I swear to thee. I will never cry again. And I promise that I will become a great Dragner!”
The way she spoke looked magnificent and looked as if she was surrounded by golden winds.
“That’s the spirit.”
Both of them smiled. Unnoticed by them, they were holding each other’s hand.
“Please do become a great Dragner for my sake.”
“I will.”
At that moment, the horn that signified the end of the ceremony was blown.
“So it has ended.”
With this, Ash lost his only chance to become a Breeder. It was fate that he had to return to his village empty handed but he was not going to regret it.
“…Erm, if you don’t mind, would you like to have this child?”
The girl somehow thought of something and handed him her dragon toy. As usual, it still looked clumsily made but right now, he thought that it was cute.
“For me?”
“Thanks to you, I have received an Orphan. I no longer need this child.”
“Thank you very much.”
The girl smiled as Ash took the toy. That was the first time the girl smiled in front of Ash.
Part 23
After that, both of them were separated under the protection of the Albion Forest Military Order. After Ash returned to the novitiate, he had a body checkup and found out that he had an abnormal Seikoku on his left arm. Since he was busy chit chatting with that beautiful girl, he never noticed anything before the checkup. Ash lost consciousness from the shock and was struck with a high fever for seven days. After the fever had passed, Ash forgot everything about his Orphan Ceremony. What was left after Ash had lost his memories was a left hand filled with Seikoku and a stuffed dragon toy.
Part 24
Mother Dragon let go of Ash’s body and said:
“The reason your memories were lost was because of the side effect of receiving the Orphan of the Avalon’s holy dragons' emperor family. It was actually caused by the huge amount of energy that entered your body that caused the confusion."
“I see…”
“When you defied me, there were only two choices that I could make. I could either let you die or entrust you with Avalon’s holy dragons' emperor family’s descendant to allow your arm to grow back.”
“So it won’t happen without Eco?”
“The normal Dragon Orphan doesn't have the rejuvenating ability. Only the Avalon’s holy dragons' emperor family is an exception.”
After hearing what she had said, Ash looked at his left arm once again.
“This left arm is not your previous arm.”
“Eh!? What do you mean?”
“Hmm… The Seikoku replaced the function of your lost arm by changing into the shape of one. Do you now understand?”
“Is that… true?”
Ash was staring at his left arm.
“Your Seikoku is different from all the normal Seikoku. It is a special family crest only for the knight of Avalon’s holy dragons' emperor family.”
Mother Dragon closed her eyes while telling him the shocking truth.
“Actually, I should still be keeping Eco for a few more years.”
Ash took a few moments to digest what she had said and was shocked by it.
“What you mean is… If I did not defy you and accept Lancelot… Eco would have become someone else’s Pal?”
“That’s right. The person had been selected. Like you, that person bears the chalice[5].”
“Chalice…?”
Ash was surprised but Mother Dragon immediately kept her mouth shut and sighed.
“…I have said too much. You will understand one day.”
Ash could not help but wonder why she wouldn't say anything about it.
“Then, I have one last question. Why is Eco born in the form of a human? Is everyone in Avalon’s holy dragons' emperor family born similar to her?”
Mother Dragon lifted her head slowly. Ash wasn't able to move while holding her gaze.
“No, that’s not it. Eco is actually a special being. In other words, she bears the hope and despair of all dragons.”
“You mean…?”
“In the near future, all dragons will go extinct. I can produce fewer and fewer Orphans. At most, dragons can only live for another century.”
“…!”
“Wise dragon Albion’s magic that ties humans and dragons together is just a method to extend the lifespan of the dragons.”
“Is it because of the lack of Astral?”
“That’s right. Astral is a formless energy that provides life to all living beings on this planet. A living being that can't supply it's own Astral is the same as being given up by the planet. They can only face extinction.”
“…I learned that from school.”
“Whatever the case, this planet considered anyone with a vast amount of magic as a threat and started removing them. Or you could say that the planet is cleaning itself up. On the other hand, humans who possess no magic are full of Astral.”
After speaking for some time, Mother Dragon changed the subject.
“By the way, do you know about the Elves?”
“They are an imaginary race. They have the same pointy ears as the Eckbalds…”
“That’s not true. Elves certainly once roamed the ancient world. They were a race with magic as strong as us dragons. In the end, they perished because of the lack of Astral… Actually, their mighty bloodline is continued by the Eckbalds.”
“You are saying that Eckbalds are the descendants of the Elves!?”
Ash mumbled while trying to recall Lucca's face.
“That’s right. Only the descendants of the Elves could perform the Dragon Riding Dance that the Eckbalds are proud of.”
“Is that so? I knew nothing of it.”
“Now, the dragons have come up with the same conclusion.”
“Could it be that…?!”
Ash felt that a thunder had struck him.
“Exactly, Eco was born as a human with dragon’s blood. After some time, she should be able to mate with a human and give birth.”
“-Really!”
Ash felt that his cheeks were on fire. He remembered the time when Eco was drunk with Ansal and wanted to have Ash’s child.
“That’s the truth. This body of mine is an illusion created by magic… But Eco’s is different. Her body is made to be the same as a human girl.”
“So… Eco will be able to become pregnant with a child…”
Ash kept on mumbling the same phrase. Then, Mother Dragon was again determined to send him off.
“That’s all for now. I shall speak to you no more. It is time for us to part.”
At the same time Mother Dragon sang the spell, his vision was filled with white light.
Part 25
“Urgh…”
Ash was once again in the forest after he woke up. Both Eco and Silvia were lying on the ground. Both of them had yet to wake up but it seemed that they no longer had their nightmare. Both of them were holding each other’s hands like great friends. The stuffed toy was almost squashed between both of them. Ash then stared at the old tree right in front of him.
How long has this tree existed? It looked like a sacred tree on first glance. He then placed his hand on the tree trunk and tried to feel it.
At that moment, Ash heard a soft voice.
-Please take good care of Eco.
“That sound…!”
Ash was surprised but he couldn't be wrong. It was certainly the voice of a kind mother, the voice of Mother Dragon.
“Could it be that… This tree… Is Mother Dragon’s true form!?”
He tried touching the trunk one more time but he could no longer hear the voice. But the tree in front of him gave the same feeling as Mother Dragon.
“That being said…”
Ash had forgotten one question. How does Mother Dragon continue living without a Pal. If this tree is really Mother Dragon… Mother Dragon definitely absorbed the Astral directly from the earth through her roots. Just like how plants absorb Astral. It was probably an idea thought of by the dragons. But, the problem was, a part of the tree was rotting. Mother Dragon was probably dying. That was why the extinction of the dragons was nearing.
Mother Dragon probably knew that her days are limited and didn't want to meet with Eco. Ash secretly thought.
There was a cold wind in the summer forest and it made Ash feel lonely.
“…No, I must not keep on being sad.”
Ash lifted his head. What Mother Dragon hoped to see is not him being sad. Ash collected himself and turned around with his back facing the tree.
“Right! We shall now head back to the novitiate!”
But he should first wake both Eco and Silvia. Ash gave them a wry smile and ran to their side.
"The Forest of Albion~A.S.B.1365.8~" is closed.
Notes:
5. 聖杯. Seihai. Also means holy grail.
