Chapter 69
‘How did… things end up like this…’
With heavy footsteps, Ar left the room.
She felt intense distress at Aten’s wrath, which was far worse than she had anticipated.
She had expected that this incident would irritate her older half-sister to some degree.
However, for Ar, doing something for the sake of the country was more important than upsetting her sister.
After all, even though she was only a half-blood, it was her duty as one of the Elder Dragons and the daughter of Dragon King Zaus.
However, her sister’s reaction to the results of her efforts was excessively harsh.
Even now, she still felt the lingering stinging pain.
Moreover, even though she was a concubine-born daughter, she was still the king’s child—technically a princess.
Yet, to be ordered to serve as an attendant to a seraphim’s servant…
And even more, the order included instructions to give herself if necessary.
From Ar’s perspective, this was not just simple neglect but a deep humiliation.
‘It’s okay… I… didn’t do this to be praised… It’s for the country… I just did what I had to do as an Elder Dragon…’
Ar scolded herself.
However,
No matter how much she tried to compose herself, the wound left on her heart at this moment was not easily fading, even compared to her usual pain.
#…
Aten, whose temper had become sharp due to the loss of family.
However, she was merely trying not to show it, but Ar’s pain was certainly not small either.
She, too, had lost the only one who had stood by her—her father—and had also seen many acquaintances and friends perish.
Nevertheless, the reason she could not express these feelings was purely because she was a concubine-born daughter.
Even if she showed her pain, no one would accept it.
What came back instead was oppression.
She had learned through experience that showing weakness only gave others a reason to attack.
So, until now, she had held back her pain, swallowing it down inside…
But this time, the grief that had built up in her heart…
It brought her pain so unbearable at this moment.
# Sniff…
In the end, overcome by sadness, Ar shed tears without even realizing it.
In a place where she believed no one would see,
Where she thought no one would know of her wounds.
She sobbed quietly in her overwhelming pain, all alone.
Despite giving her best efforts, she only ended up with more scars.
She felt a deep despair, wondering how long she would have to live such a life.
At that moment…
[Are you alright?]
# Gasp!
A sudden voice broke the silence.
Ar quickly wiped her tears, startled.
Turning her head, she saw the figure standing there.
Seraphim.
Its many red eyes were staring at her,
And Ar, worried that her current state might have displeased him, quickly bowed her head.
# I… I’m sorry, Seraphim. Th-this is… this is… well…
Ar, consumed by fear, struggled to think of an excuse, her voice trembling.
However, once emotions burst out, they do not easily subside, and the sorrow swirling inside dulled her thoughts.
She trembled, unable to decide what to say.
Then,
Looking at Ar, Seraphim spoke in a calm voice.
[Do not be afraid.]
# Ah…
His voice, carrying not a hint of displeasure but instead a gentle comfort,
Made Ar, who had been worried that she might have worsened the situation with her mistake, felt a sense of calm.
And then,
Looking at Ar, Seraphim continued speaking in an even tone.
[Your appearance just now was quite impressive. Thanks to you, the negotiation that might have gone astray concluded well.]
# I merely… did what had to be done. I don’t think it’s something to be praised.
Though it was a retrospective thought, it was an undeniable fact that the negotiation had caused some losses for the Elven Kingdom.
Of course, everyone knew it was a loss they had to bear, but that didn’t mean it was something to boast about, and she understood that well.
However.
[There are many who cannot do what is deemed obvious in this world. To give what should be given and to ensure receiving what should be received—there are many who fail because they cannot practice this simple principle. In that regard, your courage to step up for the country is commendable.]
# …!
Praise from an unexpected figure.
Although, considering who said those words, she couldn’t fully take them at face value…
In this moment, Seraphim’s words felt like a bandage wrapping around the deep wound in Ar’s heart.
# Th…thank you, Seraphim.
Ar expressed her gratitude with a trembling voice.
For a moment, she felt overwhelmed with emotion, almost bringing her to tears again, though for a different reason than before. But she held it in and asked politely,
# S…so, Seraphim, what brings you here? Do you have something to say to Lady Aten?
[Yes, to be precise, I came to hear about the plan moving forward. Given the nature of our opponent, I’ll join the battle directly, but beyond that, we cannot mobilize many troops from our side. As you may have seen, our situation here is not ideal either.]
# Yes, I understand what you mean.
Even in the building they were currently staying in, traces of damage could be seen, with parts still unrepaired.
It wasn’t that they had neglected them intentionally—rather, in the old Temple of All Gods, there were hardly any intact buildings left.
In this situation, expecting the dispatch of a large army was, in many ways, unrealistic.
[As such, the support personnel, including myself, will be small in number. Naturally, we will have to operate alongside your forces, so as someone who will be accompanying you, I wanted to have an outline of the plan in advance.]
# Understood. In fact, I was ordered to serve Seraphim, so I will try my best to provide a general overview.
[Got it. I will listen carefully.]
Thus, Ar briefly explained the plan for the future.
With Olympus fallen, they were now using a city called Spartan, located to the northwest, as their base.
Dragons like Poseidra and the elves were facing off against the forces of the Dark Races there.
The immediate task for Aten’s group was to attack the Dark Races’ forces from the flanks or the rear, liberating Spartan and using it as a starting point for a counteroffensive.
# For that, we absolutely need Seraphim’s strength. Although the exact location of the powerful demon remains unknown… it will surely reveal itself when the battle begins.
Despite Hadas’s betrayal, this demon had enough power to defeat Dragon King Zaus.
Since the opposition between demons and angels was common knowledge, Ar believed that Seraphim, with power comparable to Zaus, could defeat this demon.
[I understand. However, regarding this, I have one question. Why did the dragon Hadas betray Zaus? Even though they are kin, was it merely because he is a ruler of the underground and thus close to demons?]
# That is…
Ar hesitated to respond to Seraphim’s question.
She couldn’t help but feel conflicted about whether she should reveal what was essentially her father’s shame… but eventually, she gave an answer.
The truth was that even to his daughter, Dragon King Zaus’s unrestrained lust seemed irredeemable.
He had flaunted his power and authority, pursuing any woman regardless of race or status.
Not only mortal beings like elves and human women but also his own blood relatives, including younger sisters, older sisters, and even his aunt.
At some point, he went so far as to violate Fer, the wife of his younger brother, Hadas, who was also his niece.
Because of this, Hadas had harboured a deep grudge against him.
On the surface, Hadas seemed submissive due to the difference in power, and Zaus himself might have thought an apology would suffice.
However, a mere formal apology could not heal the wounds inflicted on Hadas’s wife.
As a result, Hadas sought revenge by aligning with the demons.
Thus, Zaus met his downfall at a critical moment due to the consequences of his own actions.
And…
After hearing this story, Seraphim spoke in a serious tone.
[It was inevitable…]
# … I really don’t have much to say on that matter.
Ar sighed softly, frowning at the unpleasant family history.
***
A figure walking out of the darkness.
With silver hair, red eyes,
Gigantic wings on its back, and a pair of horns on its forehead, resembling a voluptuous woman.
She embodied the form of a Great Demon of Hell,
And she possessed a power fitting her status.
As she looked at her,
The Great Demon Mephistos asked calmly.
= How is your condition?
// I am in excellent condition. So far, no issues have been detected.
= That’s good to hear. But you must still avoid overexertion. Your body is not yet fully adapted to that power.
// I will keep that in mind, Master.
With those words, the female demon bowed politely, her expression vacant.
A deep smile spread across Mephistos’s lips as he observed her.
‘Impressive… Though it is not yet stable… with this, Agaros will…’
—
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