Volume 5 Chapter 0098 The Meaning of Life - I, The Dragon Overlord

Aurora stood in the corner of the garden, her face flushed in the midst of the Dance of the Goddess of Joy and the beautiful singing of the Goddess of Song. She occasionally cast curious glances ahead, where two dragon shadows intertwined—the ethereal, diminutive form of a fey dragon blending with the Dragon God in battle. The sight set Aurora's heart racing uncontrollably. As someone with half-dragon blood, Aurora found the scene excessively bold. Raised under Andrea's guidance and primarily educated in human ways, her human values and ethics made it hard to accept the events unfolding before her. But Aurora also understood that such occurrences were nothing unusual for gods and dragons. To impose human reasoning on other races, or even on the supreme deities, was an error born of arrogance. Moreover, deep down, she harbored dreams of being embraced by her Father and cherished. Lost in these musings, Aurora was suddenly interrupted by a lively and gentle voice beside her, "…Is it strange to you, child of dragons…?" Aurora snapped back to reality and saw that, at some point, the benevolent Dragon God, Heloise, had joined her. Heloise's attention was captivated by the battle before her while engaging the young half-human, half-dragon girl beside her. "Lady Heloise." Aurora quickly bowed to Heloise, as the dragons’ roars intensified around them, making it difficult for her to stand steady. "Heh, you actually understand everything, don't you? Yet you can't overcome that hurdle in your heart. There's also your jealousy towards your sister, fueling your discontent." "Lady Heloise, I…" Eager to counter Heloise’s words, Aurora started to protest, but the Dragon God gently interrupted, "…Don't speak. I am the benevolent Dragon God. I can see into the hearts of dragons, and you, Aurora, are a kind dragon. I can see the shadows dwelling in your heart. Arguing against the vision of a god is pointless; lying to a god is foolish." "I'm sorry, Lady Heloise. I do indeed feel jealous of my sister and resent my own lineage." Aurora bowed her head and mumbled apologetically. "Facing your own heart is right, Aurora… And remember, though your sister bears a lineage enviable to any mortal, she also endures pressures others can't imagine. Perhaps in unseen places, your sister worries, frets, and works hard to live up to her status." "…For with great power comes great responsibility—though gods are exceptions." As she concluded, Heloise winked at Aurora, her warm, lively aura making her seem delightfully approachable. Despite being a dragon god, Heloise's demeanor could make one forget her divine nature. Unconsciously, Aurora smiled. Being comforted by such a kind and beautiful Dragon God lifted her spirits. Her gaze upon her sister Alexia, engaged in battle, was now filled with admiration and tranquility rather than surplus thoughts. Had she not been devoted to her Father, Aurora might have changed her allegiance by now. "Lady Heloise is right; happiness is the most important thing in this world. Without it, what is the point of living, don’t you think, Lady Miriel?" The Goddess of Joy, Leila, paused her dance and playfully spoke to the duo. With her arrival, the air seemed to brim with joy, brightening moods and dispelling all negative thoughts and darkness. Though Leila's doctrine of happiness sometimes implied hedonism, her followers undeniably lived with ease, free from burdensome thoughts. For those seeking freedom and a joyful life, Leila was the ideal god to follow. "Lady Leila is right; singing and dancing are the essence of life. Sing and dance joyfully while alive, and be celebrated even in death—that is the essence of life." The Goddess of Song, Miriel, joined the conversation, smiling. Aurora merely offered a wistful smile, refraining from interjecting, understanding the doctrines of the Goddesses of Joy and Song might seem beautiful, yet their followers often lacked a sense of responsibility. If everyone lived so carefree, civilization might collapse entirely. With her own sense of duty to family and kingdom, Aurora could never become someone who solely pursued enjoyment. Nonetheless, perhaps now she should heed the gods’ will and pursue her own happiness. Aurora bit her lip, using divine guidance as an excuse, which made her feel secretly apologetic, fearing such thoughts amounted to blasphemy. Leila, unaware of Aurora's internal battle, gave her a light shove, sending the dragon-powered girl stumbling into the battleground of the Dragon God and the fey dragon. In the heat of battle, Louie noticed Aurora's arrival. His massive dragon eyes locked onto the dragon girl, whose calm demeanor faded once more into confusion, unsure of what to do. The Goddess of Joy, Leila, cheerfully approached Louie, winking as she proposed, "…Then your lordship, Louie, how about we fill this solemn and dull palace with joy?" This suggestion made Louie roar with laughter, "…That aligns with my desires, Lady Leila." From a mist of confusion, Alexia returned to awareness, noticing Aurora's gaze. Embarrassed, she crouched and covered her eyes with her draconic claw, ostrich-like in her evasion. The palace resounded anew with the songs of the goddesses and the roaring of dragons. … In the first layer of the Abyss, the 'Plain of a Thousand Abysses,' the demon dragon Rosalind lashed at the unfortunate souls trapped or willingly descended into the Abyss, ordering them to restore the iron fortresses. These strongholds, relics of demonic wars from thirty thousand years ago, were worn but repairable, ready to serve in future Blood Wars. Perched on a solitary peak, Rosalind's malevolent dragon eyes watched over hundreds of thousands of slaves laboring under demonic whips. Her grim smile reflected the scene. Securing an advantage in the Blood War, with praise from the Abyssal will and her Father, her status in the Abyss would soar, surpassing even her mother, who'd be brought to submit beneath her! Her veins burned with the devils' insatiable lust for power and authority. "Hurry up, work faster!!" The demands of the Abyssal Lord echoed across the plain, intensified the demons’ whips.