Page 359
Story: The Dragon of Dreams
Late Morning - Late Winter : The Nest
-----
"~M..Making.. use of her?~" Grace spoke hesitantly as she finally looked me in the eyes.
"Don't act dumb," I spoke bluntly as I straightened my posture. "I know you're already using her to try and lay a landmine at Odin's feet... But I think she's more useful than that." Crossing my legs, I looked at Elizabeth with a somewhat predatory gaze.
"~You mean...~"
"I want to make her one of my apostles." As someone from Earth, even if she didn't realize it herself, she possessed a wealth of knowledge not known to this world.
-If she received any kind of education on Earth, she'll be more than a little helpful.
..- Plus, since she was a nun in her past life, she was the perfect candidate to manage, spread, and deepen people's faith toward me.
But while Grace didn't seem too against it, she didn't seem too interested either. "~What if she refuses?~"
"She won't." My voice oozed with confidence. "I don't plan to force her to be my apostle, but I could tell when I asked about her reincarnation.. she would do anything to have her questions answered."
There was a short pause before Grace floated behind me, falling into thought, before continuing with a muffled tone. "~So you want to tell her about the reality of her reincarnation...~"
"No. I want her to figure it out herself.
All she needs is a guide." Feeling Grace turn to look at me as she realized what I was getting at, I spoke firmly.
"I can tell that you still feel guilty about what you did to her, so I'm giving you an opportunity to redeem yourself, not to her, but to yourself. .."
There was a long silence before an incredibly muffled voice came from behind me. "~O..Okay... But only if she agrees...~" *Vwoom*
As she disappeared from behind me, instantaneously moving a few hundred meters away, I relaxed my divinity, and with it, time resumed, allowing Elizabeth to continue as if nothing happened.
"Maybe.. I should go back and ask- huh?" But she quickly noticed that something changed. "What just..."
-She really has some insanely sharp instincts...- Besides my posture changing slightly, the only thing to change was the atmosphere around me.
But she noticed that instantly, without even looking at me. "D-Did I miss something?"
I stayed quiet for a moment as she finally looked me in the eyes before leaning onto the table. "Elizabeth." The air around her shifted in an instant. "If you were given the opportunity to learn about the state of your reincarnation and have your questions answered, what would you give up for it?"
Her whole body tensed, and her eyes went wide as she spoke without a hint of hesitation. "I would give up everything."
It was a far quicker and firmer response than I expected. "Is that so? What if the reality of your reincarnation isn't what you want to hear? What if it makes you want to spiral into despair?"
"It won't." She looked straight into my eyes with an uncharacteristically firm, unwavering gaze.
"Despair is just your mind telling itself something is impossible and denying reality.
.. However, after everything that's happened, I've come to believe that impossibility is a myth, and denying something because you don't understand it is a sin to yourself. "
-Wow...- I had expected a much shakier response, but it just made me want her more. "Alright." A smile came to my face as the tip of my tail began to sway back and forth. "Then, I will provide you with that opportunity."
Her eyes instantly stiffened with determination, no longer carrying the somewhat childish innocence from earlier. "What is it you want from me for it?"
-It's good she understands...- "Your faith.
" Seeing her tilt her head in confusion, I quickly rephrased.
"I want you to become one of my apostles, Elizabeth.
.. However, not right now." Using my aura, I poured her a glass of alcohol and moved it in front of her.
"If you wish to accept, you will be guided to some places containing more information on things you have forgotten.
Once you have found everything, only then will I accept your answer. "
She paused as she looked down at the drink. "And if I refuse after learning about it?"
*Clink* Quickly throwing back my glass, I drank the last bit of Orange Death I had before standing up.
"Then I won't break the cycle." *puff* Disintegrating my chair, I quickly straightened my clothes before looking at her one more time.
"You will understand what I mean when the time comes.
" *puff* Disintegrating the glass as well, I finally turned away before undoing the countless barriers around us. *Vwoom*
This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.
The attention of everyone was instantly dragged toward us, where they saw Elizabeth still sitting, deep in thought.
But it didn't take her long to pick up the glass and drink it down in one gulp. *Clunk* "Hooh..." From before we spoke, the air around her had already changed immensely, and while her apostle friend ran over in a rush, I was more than satisfied with it.
Wearing a pleased expression as I walked toward the door, I saw the tall axe-wielding man sitting up, having regained consciousness, with Michael tending to him while the other man who didn't attack me and the rune mage woman tended to the elf. -She's still unconscious, huh?-
As everyone turned to look at me, I lifted up her body with my aura before rebuilding her pulverized ankles, knees, and vertebrae by weaving metal thread through the countless fragments before promptly dropping her back to the ground. *Thump* "She'll be better in a few days if she heals fast."
But while I walked past them expecting to have to smack another chicken in the street, as I walked out, I found nothing but eyes on me and the one grey thunderbird bowing next to me.
"Did I miss anything while I was talking to that girl?"
Chamrosh quickly shook his head as he straightened up. "No, although the central guard was notified."
"Central guard?"
"They are individually known as Floor Guardians and are the strongest thunderbirds beneath Acanthis."
-Ah.- "Well, that's good. That'll speed things up." Looking into the cavern, where I felt a heavy approaching aura, I moved my hands behind my back. "If I were to gather all the thunderbirds in one place, would I go through one of them?"
Chamrosh paused for a moment before looking in the direction I was.
"The floor guardians don't exactly have that kind of authority.
They are more than guards and do have some ability to manage floors within the cavern, but Lord Acanthis has what humans would call a secretary for organizing such things. "
"Is that so?" -I could probably gather them with a more heavy-handed method.. but that might have some unsavory long-term effects...- "Alright. Is there any way you can lead me to that person?"
He quickly turned to me with a nervous look. "I-I can.. however, he resides on the upper floors, which I, as a non-noble, cannot access."
But it just made me raise my eyebrow at him. "Why would something like that matter when I'm here?"
"A-Ah... That's true..."
Hearing him quickly go silent, I looked deep into the cavern once more and watched as a huge, singular thunderbird entered the edge of my aura.
"Well, I guess it would be impolite to not meet him in the middle.
.." Turning to look at the group of adventurers, my gaze turned heavy.
"You all can leave when you're ready." -Although.
..- Looking at Michael, several thoughts ran through my mind before I used magic to speak solely to him.
"If you wish to expand your knowledge on the world and the realm of magic, there is a nation called Siratha across the Banaevan Desert.
.. Going there will do more than open your mind; however, if you need help, use the name of Nott to contact a woman named Leif Vilulf, and tell her I sent you.
. she'll be able to organize whatever you need. "
He froze, and his eyes went wide as he looked around to see if anyone else heard me before looking back at me.
But all I did was nod. -Although, he's still pretty lousy, with how much he's grown in the last few years, he could be useful for establishing a place of magic research in Siratha.
..- The issue was I also wanted to implement science into that, but had no one to do it for me.
-I could maybe reach out to Vlastári Palaiós at the academy. . but...-
I needed someone more adept with the realm of science, but that reduced my possible candidates to.. Krystallo...
But the thought of her doing research made me want to burst out laughing, so I just shrugged it off for the time being. -I'm sure I'll find someone eventually...-
For now, I just needed to focus on baby steps.
At least, that was the case for something like cultivating Siratha.
-Since I've said what I need to, should I hit the road?
- *flash* Changing back to my fenririan form, no longer caring about the peering eyes of the adventurers, I looked down the road with a wag in my tail.
"Chamrosh, try and follow me, I'm gonna go take care of that guard. "
"A..Alr-" *CRACK* A deafening crack echoed through the cavern instantaneously as I disappeared, moving dozens of kilometers in the blink of an eye, before reappearing in front of the Floor Guardian.
His feathers were a clean mix of vibrant brown and deep black, and he donned heavy white armor all around his body. Only being about 20 meters shorter than Acanthis, he seemed like quite an interesting specimen.
*Vwoof* As he finally reacted to my appearance, he instantly slowed to a halt a few kilometers off the ground, looking closely at me with a mix of apprehension and caution. "You.. really are Nott..."
I immediately smiled, showing my teeth slightly.
"You... Are you here to kill the rest of us?" His voice shook with fear ever so subtly.
"No, rather, it's the opposite." My long tail hanging beneath me wagged as I hovered. "I came with a proposition for your race."
"Now, if you will excuse us." Chamrosh, finally catching up, quickly mediated. "Lord Nott here needs to meet with 'the Secretary'."
He instantly tensed up before folding his wings and falling to the ground.
-Hm...- Unlike his lord, he actually knew when he was in over his head. -He.. might be worth keeping instead of handing him to Hera...-
But at that moment, all I planned to do was observe him. -Although.. I should be keeping my eyes out for promising birds...-
Read up to 5 chapters ahead of schedule, and get early access to artwork on My Patreon!
(In case Embedded Link doesn't work: /TDOD )
-------------
Also, please feel free to check out our discord for all updates related to TDOD releases! https://discord.gg/Dv7G5bQD4v
All are welcome!
Table of Contents
- Page 1
- Page 2
- Page 3
- Page 4
- Page 5
- Page 6
- Page 7
- Page 8
- Page 9
- Page 10
- Page 11
- Page 12
- Page 13
- Page 14
- Page 15
- Page 16
- Page 17
- Page 18
- Page 19
- Page 20
- Page 21
- Page 22
- Page 23
- Page 24
- Page 25
- Page 26
- Page 27
- Page 28
- Page 29
- Page 30
- Page 31
- Page 32
- Page 33
- Page 34
- Page 35
- Page 36
- Page 37
- Page 38
- Page 39
- Page 40
- Page 41
- Page 42
- Page 43
- Page 44
- Page 45
- Page 46
- Page 47
- Page 48
- Page 49
- Page 50
- Page 51
- Page 52
- Page 53
- Page 54
- Page 55
- Page 56
- Page 57
- Page 58
- Page 59
- Page 60
- Page 61
- Page 62
- Page 63
- Page 64
- Page 65
- Page 66
- Page 67
- Page 68
- Page 69
- Page 70
- Page 71
- Page 72
- Page 73
- Page 74
- Page 75
- Page 76
- Page 77
- Page 78
- Page 79
- Page 80
- Page 81
- Page 82
- Page 83
- Page 84
- Page 85
- Page 86
- Page 87
- Page 88
- Page 89
- Page 90
- Page 91
- Page 92
- Page 93
- Page 94
- Page 95
- Page 96
- Page 97
- Page 98
- Page 99
- Page 100
- Page 101
- Page 102
- Page 103
- Page 104
- Page 105
- Page 106
- Page 107
- Page 108
- Page 109
- Page 110
- Page 111
- Page 112
- Page 113
- Page 114
- Page 115
- Page 116
- Page 117
- Page 118
- Page 119
- Page 120
- Page 121
- Page 122
- Page 123
- Page 124
- Page 125
- Page 126
- Page 127
- Page 128
- Page 129
- Page 130
- Page 131
- Page 132
- Page 133
- Page 134
- Page 135
- Page 136
- Page 137
- Page 138
- Page 139
- Page 140
- Page 141
- Page 142
- Page 143
- Page 144
- Page 145
- Page 146
- Page 147
- Page 148
- Page 149
- Page 150
- Page 151
- Page 152
- Page 153
- Page 154
- Page 155
- Page 156
- Page 157
- Page 158
- Page 159
- Page 160
- Page 161
- Page 162
- Page 163
- Page 164
- Page 165
- Page 166
- Page 167
- Page 168
- Page 169
- Page 170
- Page 171
- Page 172
- Page 173
- Page 174
- Page 175
- Page 176
- Page 177
- Page 178
- Page 179
- Page 180
- Page 181
- Page 182
- Page 183
- Page 184
- Page 185
- Page 186
- Page 187
- Page 188
- Page 189
- Page 190
- Page 191
- Page 192
- Page 193
- Page 194
- Page 195
- Page 196
- Page 197
- Page 198
- Page 199
- Page 200
- Page 201
- Page 202
- Page 203
- Page 204
- Page 205
- Page 206
- Page 207
- Page 208
- Page 209
- Page 210
- Page 211
- Page 212
- Page 213
- Page 214
- Page 215
- Page 216
- Page 217
- Page 218
- Page 219
- Page 220
- Page 221
- Page 222
- Page 223
- Page 224
- Page 225
- Page 226
- Page 227
- Page 228
- Page 229
- Page 230
- Page 231
- Page 232
- Page 233
- Page 234
- Page 235
- Page 236
- Page 237
- Page 238
- Page 239
- Page 240
- Page 241
- Page 242
- Page 243
- Page 244
- Page 245
- Page 246
- Page 247
- Page 248
- Page 249
- Page 250
- Page 251
- Page 252
- Page 253
- Page 254
- Page 255
- Page 256
- Page 257
- Page 258
- Page 259
- Page 260
- Page 261
- Page 262
- Page 263
- Page 264
- Page 265
- Page 266
- Page 267
- Page 268
- Page 269
- Page 270
- Page 271
- Page 272
- Page 273
- Page 274
- Page 275
- Page 276
- Page 277
- Page 278
- Page 279
- Page 280
- Page 281
- Page 282
- Page 283
- Page 284
- Page 285
- Page 286
- Page 287
- Page 288
- Page 289
- Page 290
- Page 291
- Page 292
- Page 293
- Page 294
- Page 295
- Page 296
- Page 297
- Page 298
- Page 299
- Page 300
- Page 301
- Page 302
- Page 303
- Page 304
- Page 305
- Page 306
- Page 307
- Page 308
- Page 309
- Page 310
- Page 311
- Page 312
- Page 313
- Page 314
- Page 315
- Page 316
- Page 317
- Page 318
- Page 319
- Page 320
- Page 321
- Page 322
- Page 323
- Page 324
- Page 325
- Page 326
- Page 327
- Page 328
- Page 329
- Page 330
- Page 331
- Page 332
- Page 333
- Page 334
- Page 335
- Page 336
- Page 337
- Page 338
- Page 339
- Page 340
- Page 341
- Page 342
- Page 343
- Page 344
- Page 345
- Page 346
- Page 347
- Page 348
- Page 349
- Page 350
- Page 351
- Page 352
- Page 353
- Page 354
- Page 355
- Page 356
- Page 357
- Page 358
- Page 359 (Reading here)
- Page 360
- Page 361
- Page 362
- Page 363
- Page 364
- Page 365
- Page 366
- Page 367
- Page 368
- Page 369
- Page 370
- Page 371
- Page 372
- Page 373
- Page 374
- Page 375
- Page 376
- Page 377
- Page 378
- Page 379
- Page 380
- Page 381
- Page 382
- Page 383
- Page 384
- Page 385
- Page 386
- Page 387
- Page 388
- Page 389
- Page 390
- Page 391
- Page 392
- Page 393
- Page 394
- Page 395
- Page 396
- Page 397
- Page 398
- Page 399
- Page 400
- Page 401
- Page 402
- Page 403
- Page 404
- Page 405
- Page 406
- Page 407
- Page 408
- Page 409
- Page 410
- Page 411
- Page 412
- Page 413
- Page 414
- Page 415
- Page 416
- Page 417
- Page 418
- Page 419
- Page 420
- Page 421
- Page 422
- Page 423
- Page 424
- Page 425
- Page 426
- Page 427
- Page 428
- Page 429
- Page 430
- Page 431
- Page 432
- Page 433
- Page 434
- Page 435
- Page 436
- Page 437
- Page 438
- Page 439
- Page 440
- Page 441
- Page 442
- Page 443
- Page 444