226. Late summer turns to fall (2)
#226
“Tell me how to get to Adren. If possible arrive alive.”
“What?”
Itargand frowned. It was a completely unexpected question. He asked with a doubtful tone.
“Why do you suddenly want to go to Adren?”
“Well let me explain it simply…”
Ronan’s explanation continued. He was the son of Navarre after all so it seemed okay to say it.
He had so many reasons to go to the Dragon City. First of all what Barca said in the Sea of Ghosts bothered me. It had already been several months since the cult leader brought up the story of his meeting with Adren at a meeting so it wasn’t surprising that some kind of conspiracy was already in progress.
Even from the data compiled by Barka over the past two days we were able to derive information that some of the believers had already entered Adren. I don’t know what’s going on there. However since the story came from the mouth of the religious leader he could not ignore the possibility that he himself went there and is still there.
The most urgent task given to Ronan was to somehow get the blood of cult leader Abel. His own father Cain had only a little over a year left to live.
‘At this point the world is pushing you to go.’
Also it was not a business where there was any particular loss even if one could not meet the religious leader. Because Alibrihe an early member of Nebula Clazier was there.
Unlike Elthea he said he was staying in the church so it was very likely that he knew details about the church leader’s whereabouts and the Bald Advent plan. Itargand said.
“It’s definitely not normal. “At that point wouldn’t the military have to step in?”
“i think so too. But the question is whether Adren will accept it.”
“Well that’s true too.”
In fact Ronan requested that the imperial army be dispatched to Adren as soon as the church’s conspiracy was revealed. As a secret agent he had the authority to move soldiers for any reason if it was related to Nebula Clazier.
‘It will definitely be rejected. ‘It’s lucky if the messenger doesn’t die.’
However Ronan knew that Adren would not accept the request. The city created by the world’s most powerful races and their forces paid no heed to the empire. Especially after Navardose left Adren to stop the enemy in the sky.
She said that the current Dragon King was an extremely ‘dragon-like’ dragon which simply meant that her personality was shit. Itargand said.
“Actually getting there itself is not difficult. All means of transportation to the gateway are permitted except space magic. “The only problem is the immigration screening.”
“It sounds obvious but you can’t just go in right?”
“okay. Only dragons and their servants are permitted entry. If there is even the slightest sign of something suspicious it will be reduced to ashes on the spot. “Maybe we can build a country just by gathering the people who died at the gate.”
“Fuck.”
Ronan cursed. It was so strong that it was almost ridiculous. Because this is where the Dragon King and Hatching live security was very thorough.
‘What the fuck should I do?’
I couldn’t think of any way to get through immigration. He was in the midst of thinking for a while. A thunderous idea passed through Ronan’s mind.
“wait for a sec. I can just become your servant. Temporarily for review only.”
“What?”
“You are literally engraving your imprint on me. “I don’t know why I was thinking about this.”
“It looks like you don’t know what it means to be a servant. An engraving is not just a drawing. “It’s a kind of magical binding that contracts a master-slave relationship… No way you.”
Itargand’s eyes widened as he continued speaking. I realized belatedly what Ronan meant. Ronan who was chuckling tapped the hilt of his sword.
“okay. It’s ‘magical’ restraint. I can cut magic. “Can’t we just get past the screening and remove the engraving?”
“That’s funny. “Do you think something like that is possible?”
“I think I will. “Just wait a moment.”
Suddenly Ronan came out of the training ground. When he returned he held a large crow in his hand. A crow that was kidnapped while dozing on a tree flapped violently and cried.
“Caw! “Caw!”
“Now try engraving him.”
Ronan held out a crow. Itargand’s frown narrowed sharply.
“…It’s a shame.”
“hurry.”
Itar Gand sighed and placed his hand on the crow’s wing. For a moment the bottom of his palm sparkled red. The raven that had been running wild became calm.
“Kak?”
“It’s done….”
Itar Gand removed his hand. An engraving of a geometric shape appeared. It looked like a mark made by an iron but it wasn’t hot. The confused crow spread its wings and roared.
“Aaaah!”
“Wow!”
Ronan startled hugged the crow with both arms. He almost missed. Perhaps because he shared Itargand’s power his strength became as good as that of an ostrich.
“This bird head. “You can’t be quiet!”
“Kak! “Caw!”
The crow was struggling kicking the bird droppings. Ronan unable to bear it any longer pulled at the hilt of his sword. Sgak! A sharp sword strike lightly grazed the engraved surface.
“…squeak?”
The crow whose body lost strength stopped resisting. Itargand’s brow furrowed. I felt my bond with the crow disappear.
“oh my god.”
His sword skills were almost magical and he didn’t leave even a scratch on the crow. In the place where the engraving had disappeared only black feathers remained shining. Itargand muttered as if in a trance.
“This…something so ridiculous is happening.”
“Uh…sure.”
Ronan was also clueless. He had a feeling it was going to be something but he didn’t expect it to come off so easily. He was scratching the back of his head and blurted out.
“This is it.”
****
Time passed quickly. Red ripe dragonflies began to fly around the campus where Cicada’s last performance ended.
The sky which had cooled off from the heat was shining a deeper blue. Autumn the season of abundance is approaching.
Ronan did not leave for Adren right away. Since the location was different and a religious leader was involved we had to prepare thoroughly before going. The equipment I requested from Aurora Skaar has not arrived yet.
‘This is better than rushing and getting screwed.’
He decided to do everything he could. He provided the Imperial forces with information related to Nebula Clazie and strengthened the security of the house where Iril lived. News of small branches being wiped out was often heard.
Of course I did not forget about personal training. Sparring between members of the special adventure club took place without missing a single day. Ronan who ducked her waist to avoid Marya’s horizontal slash hit her wrist with the back of her sword.
“Ugh!”
“It has definitely increased. “It’s still a little slow though.”
“I knew we would lose this time too! “Everyone rush out!”
With her cries members rushed in from all directions. Asher’s ice Erzebet’s flame and Ophelia’s blood magic poured out in conjunction. Braum rushed to the right position and raised his shield.
“oh.”
Ronan exclaimed as he cupped her mouth. Looking at the flowing connection it seemed like everyone had a great summer vacation.
All the friends I saw in just two months had grown significantly. Marya has now reached a point where she has a reputation among noble families not only as a merchant but also as a swordsman and Asher and Erzebet have received love calls from all the magic towers for the first time as students.
Braum a senior has already decided on his career path but he said he is taking his first steps in the Imperial Knights which are difficult to achieve. Ophelia succeeded in interpreting an ancient blood magic and Schlieffen had nothing to say. Ronan who was watching her onslaught grinned.
“I’m glad to meet you guys.”
I meant it. The colleagues in front of her were one of the driving forces that inspired her desire to save the world. Ronan tugged at the hilt of her sword.
“So try harder.”
The sword forged in Aurora Skal was much lighter than before. Ronan gave her all and she returned their efforts. Sigh! Scattered sword strikes tore through the magic coming from all directions. Before long the shattered members were lying on the floor.
“Ahhhh! decomposition! “Why doesn’t the knife fit?”
“What are you doing every day…heeeee….”
Whining sounds echoed from all directions. Except for Schlieffen the winning rate of the team members converged to 0%. It was true that they were growing at a rapid rate but in a way it was natural because Ronan was the same.
No matter how many times I did it the result didn’t change but that didn’t mean it was a meaningless action. Ronan who was looking at the exhausted members in turn nodded his head.
“good. “I decided.”
“What do you mean by decision?”
“I decided on someone to go to the next club activity with. Asher follow me.”
“Are you talking about me?! wait for a sec…!”
Asher’s eyes grew so big that they seemed about to pop out. Instead of answering Ronan lifted him by his shoulders and carried him. Asher who had completely exhausted his mana for the first time in a while could not even resist.
“Please save me!”
“Ah Asher…damn.”
Only mournful screams rang out. Braum who was about to say something fainted. Although the exhausted members felt sorry for him he felt relieved that he had not been selected.
****
“What do you mean? “What do you mean Adren?”
“Literally. “I don’t know about you but I thought about who I would take for a fucking long time.”
It was about three hours after putting Asher in the room that Ronan told him about his plan. This was to prevent him from fainting by giving him time to recover his exhausted mana and mind and body. Asher who was breathing heavily spoke.
“Adren is the city of dragons. “Why do you want to go to such a scary place?”
“Well there are many reasons. “The genius wizard is scared of something like this.”
“You’re such a genius… I’m not like that…”
“Don’t say no in good conscience. Unless you’re a genius most wizards would commit suicide. And I heard it all from Marya man. “They said the North just killed them.”
Ronan patted Asher on the back as if he was grateful. In fact his performance which I heard from Marya a while ago was so heroic that it was not enough.
He virtually guarded the top of Caravel alone. Violent natives and Jager’s men attacked day and night but Asher’s telekinetic powers did not allow them to make even a single claw mark on the top.
In fact he could tell after sparring for a few days. Asher would seriously be helpful in Adren. Ronan continued.
“And think about it it’s a city of the world’s most magic-savvy race. Wouldn’t you be inspired by it too? “There will be a wealth of information that is much more valuable than what the old men of the Magic Tower can teach you.”
“New new spell?”
For a moment Asher’s eyes wavered. Even though they were so frightened seeing how they reacted to the story of the new spell made it seem like all wizards were similar. Ronan nodded his head.
“okay. I’m growing rapidly with this short visit. “I’m sure Marya will like it too right?”
“Why is that story suddenly coming out?”
“It seems like the old girl developed a romantic interest in you after going to the North. “It’s real.”
Moreover Marya’s thoughts about Asher seemed to have changed. Ronan remembered her mysterious expression as she talked about Asher’s activities.
She said ‘I’m not even noticing this little thing.’
In the past it was just like treating a same-sex friend or a cute stuffed toy but now it’s definitely the opposite sex. At the very least it seemed like he was perceived as a colleague who could be trusted and had his back. Asher’s eyes widened.
“Ma Marya…? really?”
“I don’t lie about things like that. If you don’t feel like it you can refuse. Still if I were to be honest and add one thing….”
Ronan’s voice suddenly became heavier. Asher sucked in a breath as her mood was completely different from usual. Ronan who had been pausing opened her mouth.
“I need your strength. Asher.”
“Ro Ronan…?”
“It feels a little different from the travel I’ve done so far. Should I say it’s cheap? “I have a gut feeling that I need to have a colleague.”
Ronan chewed her lower lip. It wasn’t for no reason that I thought about it for a long time. It may be that she just happened to get caught up in the incident but dragging her friend into a predicted threat was by no means an easy thing to do.
“But you really can refuse. This is a trip that has the potential to become more dangerous than any other trip. “This is not a compulsion it’s just a request on my part.”
“I am…”
Asher was about to answer something. dripping. Maid Lucy came in with a sudden knock. There was a box in her hand that looked as solid as a stone.
“Hello Ronan. “A package arrived.”
“Oh leave it there. “Where did it come from?”
“It’s a place called Aurora Scal…? “A person named Catan sent me.”
“Aha you’re finally here. Thank you always Lucy.”
Lucy responded with a friendly smile. An awkward silence fell as she left and closed the door.
The once serious atmosphere turned ambiguous. Ronan who was scratching her chin pointed to the package.
“Well let’s start with this and then we’ll talk about it.”
