**Chapter 119 — Part 2** (continued and completed)
Azuris answered after a brief mont of reflection.
"I believe this boy has demon blood mixed in, and it’s quite possible that a new demonic dragon lineage has erged from these two bloodlines — because there were three circles: if we consider demonic dragon blood the first, then the upper shadow dragon would be the second, and demon blood the third."
Larden asked with a trace of doubt:
"How is it even possible for the blood of a supre dragon — one of the two mightiest lineages in the world — to mix with demon blood?"
"I don’t know," Azuris replied, "but I think I understand why his blood burned. If the legends are to be believed..."
"What legend?" Larden asked, tilting his head with genuine curiosity.
"In ancient tis, when the supre dragon gene first appeared, the world was pure chaos. Everyone fought everyone else, though no one truly knew why. Most people called it a mass sacrificial ritual; others referred to that era as the golden age when every being craved dominion and the ancient clans reigned supre. Back then dragons were incredibly nurous and regarded as enemies — their resources were considered imnsely valuable."
"After the ergence of that supre blood, those who carried it established great clans," Azuris continued. "The six great dragon clans that exist today all trace their origins to that period. They weren’t afraid of external enemies — they feared that their blood would mix with other races and produce beings as powerful as themselves."
Azuris paused, took a sip of tea, and went on:
"So they created a sacred covenant. According to its terms, if supre dragon blood mixes with the blood of another race, then at the mont the hybrid first manifests mana, their blood burns to ashes and every dragon ability is permanently lost."
Larden fell into thought for a mont. He rembered Zaber telling him during training that he possessed neither dragon form nor dragon powers — and now it all made perfect sense.
"Those of supre dragon lineage are born already possessing mana," Larden said, exhaling deeply. "So there is no escaping it."
"Precisely," Azuris confird. "And that boy’s future has been erased. In other words, the threads of his fate have been severed from him."
"Threads of fate?" Larden asked in surprise.
"Yes — the threads of fate are what define your future and weave cause and effect into reality. If they are cut, you beco like a solitary being adrift in infinite emptiness. Your future simply ceases to exist."
"What — are the threads so fragile that burning blood can sever them?" Larden asked, his gaze serious.
"Not inherently," Azuris replied, his expression turning grave. "But the dragon covenant was sealed using the blood of every dragon lineage in existence, and every supre type placed their mark upon it. Anyone targeted by that covenant is condemned to a wretched end — and that condemnation causes the severance of fate threads."
"So the dragons essentially surrendered their own destinies to a contract?" Larden asked, astonished.
Azuris took another slow sip of tea and answered in a gentle tone:
"No. Only those who are marked. The covenant will continue attempting to eliminate them — forever."
Larden let out a heavy sigh.
"Damn it... and just when I thought I’d finally found a worthy successor."
"Don’t worry," Azuris said, shaking his head lightly. "People like him go far. From the way you describe him, he can reach whatever destination you envision for him."
Larden scratched the back of his head and glanced backward.
"I hope you’re right," he said, then rose from his seat.
...
Zaber followed silently behind Aurora.
The forest was damp and cold inside. They walked across uneven terrain. Tree roots broke through the surface; in places the soil was soft, in others dry and fissured. Beneath the leaves, old branches snapped with faint cracks.
Aurora moved with light steps. Her gait was that of soone trained to leave no trace — weight carefully distributed, every footfall asured.
After several minutes of silence, Aurora asked:
"Why did you run?"
Zaber leaped over a fallen trunk. When his foot t the ground again, it produced almost no sound.
"I didn’t believe the girl who annihilated everyone in front of in a single mont would spare my life. Why didn’t you kill ?"
Aurora cast a full glance over him from head to toe. Her eyes were cold, yet piercingly observant.
"I decided you weren’t worth the ti it would take."
Zaber gave a faint, crooked smile — not open amusent, but half mockery, half probing.
"And then you shadowed for two full days. You even mobilized knights."
Aurora continued forward without pause, brushing a thick branch aside.
"I could have found you on my own. I rely thought the knights would help confirm your identity."
Zaber halted. His eyes narrowed, voice laced with suspicion:
"You’re far more open than you appear. One might almost think that beside walks not an elite knight — nor the killer from a few days ago — but an ordinary, sincere girl."
Aurora did not turn.
"Treasure that. I’m not like this with everyone."
A gentle breeze stirred her hair. She hid the quiet satisfaction within. Her thoughts began to fall neatly into place.
A sincere girl, is it? Even after I discover your connection to the Neon clan, can you still claim that?
n are all the sa. A touch of sincerity and they lower their guard, opening themselves to ...
Zaber resud walking. Caution now blended with a subtle, playful mood in his stride.
Heh... opening up this fast, Aurora? Or is this a performance? Either way, I should play the innocent boy as well. But I cannot afford to drop my defenses.
He silently realigned his thoughts.
The forest steadily thinned. Thick trees gave way to low shrubs. Sunlight pierced between branches, painting long stripes across the ground. The air had grown noticeably warr.
After roughly a day and a half of travel, they finally erged from the woods.
A vast open adow stretched before them. Low hills rose in the distance. The wind moved freely.
Aurora paused for a mont and looked back.
Movent could still be heard within the forest. The knights were tracking Zaber’s trail and growing confused.
High overhead the sun stood at its zenith, warming the day. The vivid green adow they stepped onto after leaving the forest possessed a special allure. It not only touched Zaber and Aurora walking that path, but subtly lifted their mood in so indefinable way. The wind swept freely across the open field, swaying the grass tips; far off, the city walls glead pale and bright beneath the sunlight.
Aurora remained silent until they reached the city gates. Zaber simply watched her. There was no haste in his steps — only constant alertness.
The guards did not stop them at the gates, but astonishnt was plain on their faces. They rembered Zaber — the boy who had previously arrived wounded and fleeing attack was now trailing behind an elite knight. So guards chuckled quietly; others paid little mind, yet every pair of eyes brimd with unspoken questions.
As they walked the city streets, Zaber asked with curiosity:
"Where are we going?"
"To my house," Aurora answered shortly.
Zaber looked mildly surprised.
"What will we do there?"
"You’ll find out when we arrive," Aurora replied in a cold tone.
Several hours of walking later, they reached a residence in the western district — palace-like in appearance yet sowhat smaller. The walls were new, the gate wrought iron, the path bordered by neatly trimd lawn. Two knights stood at the entrance. Seeing Aurora approach, they imdiately opened the gate.
Zaber was not surprised. During his brief ti as a prince — until the age of one — he had received far greater reverence. He had even been promised his own personal palace upon coming of age, though he had chosen a different road.
Inside, the house proved far more elegant than its exterior suggested. Crimson curtains, a massive chandelier suspended from the ceiling, twin staircases rising to the second floor, and a rich red carpet spread across the floor imdiately drew the eye. A faint perfu hung in the air.
Two maids greeted Aurora and Zaber, bowing slightly at the waist:
"Welco, my lady," they said in unison.
Aurora ignored them and ascended directly to the second floor. There another staircase led to higher levels, and many rooms opened off the corridor.
Without hesitation Aurora entered one of the chambers. Zaber’s thoughts grew tangled.
What exactly is this girl planning? She’s seventeen, isn’t she? Twelve years older than ... Walking with dangerous older sisters never leads to anything good — that’s what my brother always said...
He followed her inside.
The room held a work desk covered with stacks of papers, ink bottles, and various implents. Aurora sat in the chair and indicated the seat opposite with a gesture.
Zaber sat and waited for her to speak. Aurora interlaced her fingers, rested her elbows on the desk, and maintained silence for a long mont. Then she separated her fingers, drew a plain gold ring from her hand, and placed an artifact on the table. She pressed several of the raised studs protruding from its surface.
Instantly invisible energy radiated from the device, spreading throughout the room and vanishing between the walls. For a brief second the air pressure seed to shift.
Zaber surveyed the chamber.
"What kind of artifact is that?"
"It temporarily isolates a designated area from the rest of the world. Its na is Nuami."
"So no one can know what happens inside this room?"
"Correct."
Aurora rose, stepped close to Zaber’s chair, and said:
"I expect short, precise answers to the questions I’m about to ask. Otherwise you will be saying farewell to your bones."
Zaber turned his gaze toward the window.
"Fine."
"What is your connection to the Neon clan?"
Zaber paused to think.
Neon clan? What clan is that? She kept alive because she believes I’m connected to it... Then I should play the role of soone connected...
"I don’t know what connection I have to the Neon clan. I grew up in a village. I have no relatives."
"Who told you the clan exists?"
"When they abandoned in the village they left a letter. My na was written on it. Gyojiro Neon. But I renounced both that given na and surna."
Aurora stared into his eyes for a mont. No light shone there — only abyssal darkness. No matter how much simplicity his face and posture attempted to project, his eyes spoke of sothing entirely different.
So you are of the Neon clan... aren’t you? My only remaining clansman... Even though I know very little about this clan, one day I will restore it. I too will have a family...
"Very well. From this mont you are under my protection. I will send you to the academy. You will beco a knight and walk at my side."
Zaber replied calmly:
"Knight? Academy? I’m not going anywhere. And you are not my master."
The corner of Aurora’s lip lifted in a faint, cold smile.
"Oh, such bold words. Do you wish your bones broken?"
"You cannot rule through fear. I have my own path."
"Path? And what path would that be?"
"The path of truth."
Aurora gave a short, icy laugh.
"Truth is a profoundly foolish thing."
"Yes — extrely foolish... unless it is mine."
The air in the room grew thick and heavy.
Aurora took one step closer.
"Listen well, Zaber. My decisions are neither negotiable nor reversible. Submit. Or try — if you dare — to resist the consequences."
Silence descended.
The Nuami artifact stood motionless between the walls like an invisible barrier.
And this conversation was far from finished.
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