Episode 107. Difel (9)

The white flames that moved from Dana’s fingertips to the mist spread in all directions, producing clean smoke like an incense burner for the dead.

The blades of grass weighed down by the heavy rain lifted their heads, and the petals that had been washed away by the stream of water sprouted anew.

And… . As new flesh sprouts and rotten flesh festers and falls off, the Dipelns rubbed against rocks and rolled over mud to cool off in the fiery mist.

The mist made from the blood of those who were sacrificed became the goddess’s punishment.

It is no exaggeration to say that it creates currents now, in the middle of the brilliant rays of light that the pouring rain can’t reach… .

Dana took out her sunglasses.

“… My eyes hurt from doing this all the time. Honey, watch your eyes too.”

Dana asked Rane, who stood alone in front of her while holding on to her tanned left arm.

“Continue?”

“yet… . left… !”

“… Uh.”

Rane, who was staggering with her slender body, approached Diepellen, who had fallen unable to withstand the high fever, and stabbed her in the neck without hesitation.

The blood he poured out as he groaned turned into a hound and spread rapidly towards Dana.

“Asane.”

White ice poured out from the words of the Bible that responded to Dana’s chant and pierced the hounds.

“Ugh… .”

Rane continued to attack, but in the end, she fell forward helplessly.

Dana stuck her tongue out as she looked down at Rane, who, even in her completely incapacitated state, raised her head and glared at her.

‘Poisonous, poisonous. What kind of relationship do you have with Kegar?’

Even the blood flowing in her body was burned, so Rane was pushed to her limits to the extent that even standing on her own two legs seemed like a miracle.

“Hey, let me ask you one last question.”

Dana asked, squatting by Rane’s bedside.

“Did Kegar at least save you from being tortured by vampires?”

“… .”

“Ugh… . Hey. It’s not because I feel sorry for you, because I want to help you. I took it out because I thought you needed it to achieve my goal. If you attack like this because you think you’re a life saver-“

“I… . I’m not bound by that kind of affection.”

Rane slowly stood up in front of her and continued talking in a low tone.

“Dad knows that too. That’s why I was loved more than the other kids.”

“… If not, why would that mad dragon follow you?”

“Can you understand a life where you were cursed and abused from birth?”

“… .”

“I was trapped on the lowest floor of Esca Castle, and I… . I made a promise every moment. If one day this castle collapses and the day comes when I am released to the ground… . I will kill all the hypocrites above me, even if I risk my remaining lifespan!”

“So you helped Kegar to destroy the vampire society?”

“… .”

“Well, from your point of view, you must be a stronger helper than anyone else.”

Dana sighed.

“If you’ve been through that, you might want to burn the whole world down. Yes, it’s definitely the vampires’ fault… . But there is.”

“… ?”

“You think right now, if anyone were put in the same situation as you, they would act like you?”

Dana flicked her finger on Rane’s forehead as she barely stood up, causing her to fall back.

To Rane, who looked up at the dark clouds, Dana continued.

“Not everyone is like you. Even with a past similar to yours, some people try to make the world a better place, not wanting others to suffer like they did.”

“Everybody treats me like a monster, how can I-”

“Yes, it is very difficult. But, at least… . In the process, you shouldn’t have attacked anyone who had nothing to do with your revenge.”

“… Do not be ridiculous! If only you hadn’t interrupted Dad’s research-“

“You know very well that the subjects of that research aren’t just vampires in Esca Castle.”

“… .”

“Anyway, I’ll make it easy for you. I think that’s the best comfort I can give you… . Too many innocent people died because of you.”

A flame that burned gently like a candle began to slowly gather around Rane, who was lying in the rain.

“Dad… .”

As the raindrops began to thin, Rahne closed her eyes tightly in the echo of thunder… .

bang-!!

A bolt of lightning fell around her, turning everything around her upside down.

* * *

Even after being slammed to the ground, the roaring electric current raged and sparked like prisoners released without warning.

The plants in the forest revived by Elma’s light were charred black in an instant.

“… While negotiating with Caldera, I almost lost the most important test subject.”

“… Eh? Caldera?”

Dana, who managed to block the sudden attack, looked up at the sky with a surprised expression, even in front of the huge man who fell with the thunder.

“Come to think of it, where did his family go? Were you in the sky until now?”

“Your face is thick. After pretending to be a human for over a hundred years, I must have learned their hateful side.”

“What are you talking about… . Hey, wait.”

Dana, who was about to fight back in a fit of rage, warned as soon as she saw the lightning beginning to settle in his hand.

“Kegar, if you don’t stop now, I’ll take out the true body too. Rather than die at your hands, I should at least try my best. is not it?”

“… .”

“Then even if I die at your hands, everyone here will know who you are. Because only dragons can kill dragons.”

“Do you think I wasn’t prepared for such an obvious move?”

The moment she was pierced, the tip of a thunderbolt spear with magic power so strong that the entire research center collapsed was directed at her.

Kegar glared at the nervous woman without moving.

“but… . It was definitely unexpected that you moved the caldera. Forbid dragons from fighting within their territory. under… . Is this the line you taught me?”

“… ?”

“I don’t know how you managed to get him on your side… . Well, he must have been submissive to humans and goddesses and increased his tongue-twisting skills.”

‘… Is it because he’s crazy? I think you’re misunderstanding something strange. still… . I need to stay still.’

Even though Dana explained the current situation, Caldera, who insisted on objectivity, was frustrated, so she only kidnapped his familiar.

‘… Looking at that, do you think I convinced Caldera? No, that bastard wouldn’t be that short-sighted… . Since you said you had negotiated directly with Caldera earlier, you should have finished checking the facts a long time ago.’

This situation came about because Caldera really intervened in Dana and Kegar’s fight.

Looking at the tip of the spear that was slowly going down, she caught her breath and quickly shook her head.

‘What if Caldera realized the seriousness of the situation after coming out of the nest?’

If that’s the case, I’d be more than happy… . Dana could not nod her head satisfactorily to the hypothesis.

‘Even if the world perishes, the old man who immediately replied that he shouldn’t intervene in the world can’t change his mind so easily. Well then… . How are things going?’

Kegar left Dana, who was silent, and lifted Rane, who was lying on the floor, on his shoulders.

“… Today, Laplace named you and Ian as the number one targets for elimination. Currently, you are the only unpredictable variable that interferes with our plans.”

“What? what plas? Hey, where are you going!”

“I’ll wait and see how long I can continue that pitiful life.”

He disappeared with Rane in an instant, leaving three Dipeln corpses behind.

“What, really… .”

Dana looked at the ruins he left behind with a puzzled expression.

* * *

‘Protium! On the condition of not interfering with Laplace’s research, we agreed not to harm you. Are you going to break the agreement of 30 years ago?’

‘I never helped Ferrum. I just sent a familiar to figure out the cause of the storm that’s destroying my nest.’

smart.

On the night when the rain stopped, Caldera sent up the Familiar once again in the nest where the sound of raindrops resounded.

‘The battle between you and Ferrum is out of my interest. However, if two dragons collide, my nest will not be safe. It must be a duty as a seeker of the truth to protect the unfinished research journal piled up inside.’

‘that’s-‘

‘Say it briefly. go out and fight If you attack Ferum within sight of my nest, I will use force against you.’

‘… .’

‘The reverse is also true. If Ferrum attacks you, I will also use force against Ferrum.’

The stars in the clear night sky twinkled in the hole that the enraged Kegar had struck through the top of the nest with lightning strikes.

The scenery shown by the Familiar descending under the starlight made Caldera’s head complicated.

“I never thought Ferrum would really show a friendly attitude toward humans.”

Immediately returning to what she had seen, she ran first to a human named Ian and was checking on his condition.

Caldera has always given Dana’s reports of human observations, which did not hide her hatred of humans, the lowest objectivity score.

But after only one year, Dana trusts and follows a certain human.

It was shocking to Caldera, who was only in the nest.

‘Did the author really change Ferum, who had been wandering for over a hundred years?’

Looking down at Professor Ian, who is busy trying to figure out the survivors.

Caldera recalled the reason why the first tower had to be opened 30 years ago.

‘Really, Protium. Among the clan, individuals who want to destroy the world have arisen.’

‘So, are you asking me to help you? If there is a mirror, I want to reflect you right now.’

The clan with long swords, expelled from the Tower of Truth for neglecting their studies… . He was covered in red blood all over his body, as much as his long hair.

Could there be a clan that does not feel hostility to that disgusting figure?

Caldera shouted at her to let her eyes fall, like the moon shrouded in clouds.

‘Have you gone mad trying to put a bloated mind in a weak body!’

‘Protium, do I look dangerous in your eyes? then… . Are you going to stop me?’

‘Do you think I will bring personal feelings to the Dragon’s Discipline? I only record the fact that there was an entity that even killed its own people while researching humans, and I do not exclude or support you.’

‘So, what if I try to kill you here and now?’

‘I’d rather you do that. In the name of protecting my research materials, I will be able to wash away the blood you shed.’

‘… great. It seems to have come well.’

‘What?’

‘There is something I want to entrust to you.’