Volume 5 Chapter 15 The Purple Heaven Dragon Resting Souls
When something unexpected appears, people react differently. Some might think it's amazing, while others might say it's impossible. How they react depends on how smart they are and what they believe in.
If you keep studying and thinking, you can explain big ideas with one simple theory. Even if something surprising happens, you can still understand it if you have enough knowledge.
If you know a lot about different things, you'll realize how special or amazing what's happening is. This helps you appreciate it even more.
How smart you are directly affects how impressed you feel.
But if someone thinks their idea is always right, they'll say "impossible" when new evidence shows they're wrong.
They'll deny it and won't argue back because they can't defend their own belief.
Whether someone has a strong belief or not decides why they deny something.
However, what would someone think when they see something supernatural that goes beyond their knowledge or beliefs?
What would someone think if they saw the dungeon "Wrath of the Heavens," one of the four great dungeons in the Chaos Stone Dragonstone Kingdom, suddenly become clear and sunny?
"It's been a while since I saw that dragon form. I fought it outside the royal capital... it's bigger than before."
"I suppose so."
Astral Dragon Gai Gigant.
This dragon has purple scales and a huge body.
According to stories, it destroyed many great nations and wiped out many top adventurer groups before being defeated by the strongest dwarf sword saint.
Its wings, thick arms, and long tail all look very powerful.
Its appearance is truly legendary.
"Well then, this is my full strength. You struggled against Terra, but how about against me?"
"Well... I'll make you admit it."
"I see."
Gai Gigant breathes out from its mouth.
A laser-like beam of light shoots toward Horace, who swings his sword downward to cut through it.
"That sword. Quite impressive."
As soon as Horace sliced through the laser, Gai Gigant moved closer, pressing an open palm downward.
Horace jumped back to avoid it but was hit directly on the ground.
The impact created a crater about ten meters wide, but neither Horace nor Gai Gigant seemed to care.
"Hu..."
The many scales on Gai Gigant's wing shimmer and shine.
They fire powerful energy bullets toward Horace.
However, a water orb appears from the glass peaks of the sword he holds....
"Aquarius IV (Four)"
From that water orb, smaller orbs shoot out like a barrage.
These collide with the bullets from the scales and cancel them out.
"That power... I see, your armor is incomplete, but that flask is the finished version. Your power as Slime Master is also quite strong."
"Of course. The foundation of 'Christy Flask' was made by Eudynes. It's not fragile."
"...That guy, huh."
In the stories, 'Gai Gigant, Zeth Halcon, Terra Disas'──the Keystone Dragon of the 'Four Source Maidens'──mostly appear around 'a thousand years ago.'
So, the seal on 'Cross Palace' is likely more than a thousand years old.
Eudynes lived a hundred years ago, so even if he's in Cross Palace, there's a big age gap. But even Gai Gigant seems like a 'real troublemaker.'
"...I see. In that case... let's decide quickly. I don't like the idea of being controlled by that man's legacy."
A huge amount of energy gathers in Gai Gigant's mouth.
"...You're doing as you pleases. And about reincarnation... If you know about it and can use it, is that really fun?"
Horace prepares his sword, gathering magic power into the blade.
"It depends on the person. Just one thing... Dragons are strong from a human's view, but we are far from gods."
"...I'll remember that."
"That water orb from earlier──its final number is 'strength.' It probably means the larger the number, the stronger it is."
"You understood with just one example, huh."
"My power is close to the basics of magic. Many things can be understood at a glance."
"I see... Then, I too will show you an answer to that 'basic principle.'"
"...It's easy for you to say, with a human body."
With that, Gai Gigant takes his stance.
Horace also repositions himself, as if ready to draw his sword.
In the next moment, Gai Gigant breathes out from his mouth.
Horace thrusts his drawn sword forward in response.
"'Awoisted X (Ten)'"
Magic power is released from the sword, colliding with Gai Gigant's breath.
...There is no balance.
Gai Gigant's power, which follows the basic principles, is stronger than anything in this world's battles.
However, there is no guaranteed win.
Both humans and dragons use magic. The question is whether there is the idea of 'magic as the main force.'
It can become anything, but it is not an absolute god.
And dragons are far from gods.
Humans cannot choose magic. Magic chooses humans.
"Gah... cough..."
The burst of magic from Horace's sword pierces Gai Gigant's chest.
"Guh, damn, this quality of magic... Tch, just as I said. Gah!"
Gai Gigant's body turns into a mass of magic and disperses into mist.
His body changes into a human form, and he spits blood from his mouth.
"...It's risky to overestimate and blindly accept anything, but when fighting with magic, certainty is needed, and for that, theory is required. Though your power is stable, its content is not fully complete."
"Let this be a lesson for me. Ha... Hoo, I've calmed down."
Gai Gigant puts his hand in his pocket and takes out a fan-shaped shard.
He throws it toward Horace.
Horace catches it and immediately stores it in another space.
"'Congratulations on clearing 'Wrath of the Heavens.' If you clear one more, you can meet the 'God of Sealing Shildress.' Do your best."
"Ah. Of course."
"...Your current goal is to create a golem that surpasses Eudynes, right?"
"Yes, but what about it?"
"Let me tell you one thing: logic becomes power, but it does not become the future. A path someone created without much thought in the past can guide someone in the future."
"I could probably give an example."
"I see."
Gai stared at Horace with a deep look.
"A thousand years ago, my younger brother, Zeth Halcon, destroyed a huge empire and created the 'Great Mine of Gold World (Kinsekai)'... He was the most simple-minded among the 'Four Source Maidens' and the 'Keystone Dragon.'"
"..."
"Even you, who study history, probably didn't know this. And there are still many histories you don't know, histories too early for me to talk about. But... let's leave it at that for now."
Gai turned his back to Horace.
"Eudynes is still sneaking around making something. He was bombarding Clim, whom you fought, with questions. When I return to the Cross palace, I'll probably face the same. Can you surpass it? His hundred years of training?"
"I will surpass it."
It was an immediate answer.
Without hesitation, Horace said, 'I will surpass it.'
Seeing that, Gai let out a deep sigh.
"This is why Golem Masters... Heh, well then, I'll look forward to seeing that guy's embarrassed face."
With that, Gai walked away.
He took the 'Cross Key' out of his pocket, thrust it into the air, twisted it, and his body turned to dust and vanished.
Character Notes:
Chris - Third son from the first wife, earnest and impressed by Cain.
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