1031 - Childhood Friend of the Zenith

I was taken aback by the Heavenly Demon's confident response. Seeing no wounds on her body suggested the battle wasn't particularly taxing for her. ‘I was too occupied myself to get a proper look.’ It seemed the only explanation for missing it was her incredible speed. ‘...There's nothing else to be done.’ If she missed it, then so be it. Initially, I only asked for protection, not for it to be captured. Though it was a pity we couldn't eliminate the threat, I was grateful for the Heavenly Demon's assistance and had no reason to blame her. As I shifted my gaze back to the leader, I noticed him glaring keenly at the Heavenly Demon. "...I see." The leader's stare was laced with intense hatred and murderous intent. "You wretched creatures... It was you." Drops of blood dripped from his melting upper body. I squinted my eyes at his words. How did he know? ‘He must have seen it then.’ When we first encountered the leader, he had crossed paths with me and the Heavenly Demon. His glare was now fixed on her. Furthermore, ‘By saying 'it was you,' he seems to have suspected it all along.’ He must have known that I was behind these events. ‘But how did he know?’ The hatred in his eyes... Was it because I am a dragon? That seemed the only plausible explanation for now. I surveyed the surroundings. Kyaaaaaa---!!! Grrrr---!!! ‘It seems they're wrapping up over there as well.’ The massive battle was nearing its conclusion. The beasts had slaughtered all the monsters. Seeing this, I raised my hand. Clack-. I removed my mask. "...Grrrrrr." The leader growled as I revealed my face. "You...!" "For someone of your size, you're pretty perceptive, aren't you?" There was no need to keep the mask if he already knew. "...Dare you! A dragon trying to invade the Master of Myriad Worlds!" Though he looked ready to collapse at any moment, the leader still had some strength left. Watching this, I whispered, “Stop.” “...!!” The leader's body froze upon hearing my command. There was barely any reaction. Given his physical limitations, it seemed the disruption from my command was minimal. “...How is it you can... give such an order...?” “Don’t bother yourself with questions. I have no intention of explaining.” I had no interest in providing detailed explanations. Nor was I in a condition to do so. ‘...I’m also reaching my limits.’ Thanks to using multiple techniques to check various things, my internal energy was nearly depleted. Although I managed to get a sense of how to use it, everything wasn't entirely favorable. “And from now on, I ask the questions.” “...Hmph.” The leader scoffed, dismissing my statement. “No matter the question, I have no intention of answering you. I will never bow to a contemptible dragon!” “That’s what I expected.” Just from his attitude, he was clearly a stubborn fool. But regardless, “It’s not like your preferences make any difference.” There were countless ways to make him speak, whether he liked it or not. Using the commands was one method available. "My curiosity is simple," I tilted my head, inquiring, "I heard you’re not a native of the Master of Myriad Worlds. Why do you serve its master?" “...What?” The unexpected question seemed to catch the leader off guard. He hadn’t anticipated such a query. “That’s a foolish question.” With a dismissive tone, the leader responded, “What doubt is there in serving the benefactor who saved my life?” “...” I narrowed my eyes at his words. Was he lying, or genuine? As I pondered this, I felt a surge of certainty. ‘He's sincere.’ The leader’s demeanor and gaze confirmed he spoke from the heart. The Master of Myriad Worlds saved him. Thus, he vowed allegiance. There was a gritty resolve beneath his simple words. Crack. Simultaneously, the leader tried to move. "Though it pains me greatly that I could not prevent a dragon from disturbing the Myriad Worlds... Do not be mistaken.” Creaking. As he attempted to force himself to move despite the command, I heard something within his body breaking. “You will gain nothing from me-” “Oh, for crying out loud, just stay put. I’ve got a lot to think about, and your antics are getting on my nerves.” Wooong---!! His body stiffened again. This time, the command was much stronger. I felt a significant depletion of my remaining energy, but it was necessary to freeze him in place. It was clear that if I didn’t intervene, he intended to bring about his own end. ‘Tsk.’ I was torn. ‘What to do about this.’ It was the right move to deal with him now. Leaving him like this made no sense, and... ‘It's absurd to let him live.’ Reviving him would require lifting the command and re-establishing his immortality. In that scenario, ‘...I couldn’t engage him again.’ Without the Heavenly Demon’s assistance, it would be impossible. If, ‘He escapes if I release him?’ Although his personality didn't imply he'd flee, it could not be certain. If the leader escaped and spread word, what then? ‘Who knows.’ Speculation eluded me. If the current ruler isn’t the mother I know, would she intervene if she found out? And if that happens, ‘Could I win?’ Moreover, ‘...It could pose a problem for the Martial Alliance.’ At a time when Shin Noya was indisposed, the Martial Alliance itself could be faced with a crisis. Considering the circumstances, sparing the leader wasn't an option. 'Damn.' The fact that I was even contemplating this possibility baffled me. The reason wasn't complex. It was simply because, 'A subordinate who swore allegiance to my mother.' Unlike Yusa, the leader was wholly devoted to his current master. 'Is it right to kill him?' As ludicrous as it seemed, the thought of me, her son, dealing with this matter stirred in me. If he had harbored even the slightest rebellious thought like Yusa, it would have been easier to dispose of him. But he didn't, and that made the decision harder. Crackle-!!! His frozen body trembled more and more. The leader was trying desperately to break free from the imposed constraint. His strength was formidable. It was evident he was on the verge of breaking loose. It meant that time for deliberation was running short. In this scenario, killing him was the logical course. There wasn't room for hesitation. He needed to be killed without delay. With that thought, I reached out. "......" My energy-infused hand touched the leader's head. "Damn it." I cursed briefly and funneled my energy into the heart. After brief contemplation, energy surged forth. Whoosh-!! However. What was released wasn't mere flames but something else. * * * Before dawn broke, as the moon still lingered in the sky, I returned to Myeongdong. While my body wasn't particularly fatigued, my energy was nearly depleted. Perhaps because the battle was over, I hid my labored breathing and arrived at Myeongdong’s entrance. The gatekeepers there looked startled upon seeing me. They seemed surprised to see both me and the Heavenly Demon suddenly appear. Fortunately, they didn't block our path. They must have already heard the news from the spirits. Entering Myeongdong, the night here wasn't much different from the outside. With a slight leap, my body flew through the air. Within a moment, I traversed the distance to the place I saw last time. To the lake where the Divine Tree resided. Splash. As I landed on the lake, water splashed gently. Moving my gaze around, I looked for those guarding the lake. They were present but still imperceptible. Having confirmed this, I rolled my eyes a few times. ‘There you are.’ At the center of the lake. The hill crested by a small Divine Tree. And beneath the tree, a woman sat quietly. "You stay here." I said to the Heavenly Demon before crossing the lake. The energy in my feet allowed me to walk upon the water. Causing a faint ripple, I ascended the hill to stand before Young Spirit. “Hey.” Young Spirit responded to my call. “I have something to say-” She hesitated. Mid-sentence, her eyes grew wider. Something seemed off about Young Spirit that made me pause. Looking through her veil, Young Spirit gazed at me quietly. Observing her, I raised my head. To glimpse the sky, and there... ‘Full moons.’ Two perfectly round, large moons symbolic of a full moon hung in the sky. “......” After acknowledging the full moon, I looked back at Young Spirit. She was still watching me. Her expression obscured by the veil. And remaining silent. Looking at Young Spirit, I spoke. "Mother...?" At my softly whispered words, her head tilted slightly. "Oh my." With her hand covering her mouth, Young Spirit... No. "I've been found out?" My mother said.