< 137. Come, Spring (2) >
#137
There were at least three overlapping engravings. I’ve only seen it a few times but I’ve never forgotten it. It was the swordsmanship of the savior the founder of Nebula Clage.
‘Why is this here?’
Ronan’s eyes widened. It was impossible. He still remembered the sight of his savior falling into the fiery pit mortally wounded.
This doesn’t make sense. Rin Ronan muttered and began to examine his sword marks more closely. Before long his frown narrowed slightly.
‘…rough.’
The sword blade itself matched that of the savior but the impression it gave was clearly different. Should we say that only the appearance is the same but the underlying intention is different? I couldn’t believe it was done by the same person.
‘It’s not easy to wield it with such murderous intent.’
There are various types of knife wielders. The savior he saw was clearly a man who wielded a sword with good intentions. A person who wields a sword only to save or protect something.
There is no sense of murderous intent in the knife marks made by those guys. I wouldn’t mind if I felt sorry for the act of cutting. Because it was such a rare case it remained in my memory clearly.
However the sword marks on the ice were the complete opposite. The murderous intent to kill the opponent without fail was blooming in every line. Jaipa’s sword was the closest but still not this good.
The suspects were quickly narrowed down. In the first place there were only two people who knew how to reproduce this sword technique. Ronan twisted his lips. White hair and sunset-colored eyes that looked exactly like hers flickered before my eyes like an afterimage.
‘…That bastard.’
The robber’s sword that betrayed the savior was exactly like this. Ronan lifted his hand and touched his neck. The feeling of the cool blade cutting through his neck was still vivid.
I had no idea what was what. The blatantly copied swordsmanship almost seemed like a provocation against the savior. I didn’t know what the intention behind these sword marks was but one thing was certain.
‘I didn’t cut it on purpose.’
The sword scar was only narrow but went very deep. If she had wanted to she could have shattered the ice pillar and taken out the witch.
‘What do you want?’
Additional questions were raising their heads one after another. But that wasn’t what mattered right now. It was the moment when Ronan was about to raise his sword again. An energy so strong that it made his body tingle came from behind.
“…what?”
It felt like the hair on his neck was being pulled out all at once. Ronan slowly turned his head. There was only black darkness lurking in the empty hallway.
However it seemed that he was not the only one who felt that energy. The noise of people was getting louder.
“What was that just now?”
“Damn isn’t that a vicious beast on the loose?”
Some people even dropped the items they were holding. Asher and Erzebet were looking towards the gate their faces turning pale. Black-purple mana was flowing on Erzsebet’s right hand. She was so nervous that she lowered her voice.
“…Aser. “I felt it.”
“Uh huh.”
Asher answered with a trembling voice. His gaze also remained on the other side of the hallway. At that time the sound of a gate opening rang out from afar. Kugu-gung… An interrogator wearing a bird-beak mask hurriedly rushed over.
“Huh…Kakaraka! “You’re here… hey it’s Itargand!”
The interrogator who quickly reached the front of the group gasped and spoke. Karaka nodded her head in interest.
“Oh you came sooner than expected. “Do you have a companion?”
“You came alone… ugh you said you didn’t need any help…”
“That’s a good thing.”
Karaka nodded her head. After clearing her throat he looked back at the people and said.
“Everyone I think you need to prepare to be polite. “It is said that Flowing Fire Itargand has come.”
“Itargand? “Was that today?”
Erzsebet’s eyes widened. The crowd’s faces hardened for an instant. Ronan tilted his head.
“Who is Itargand and is causing all this trouble?”
“We are Navardose’s clan. You were dispatched from Adren to put an end to this situation. “This is surprising. I thought you came today to see Itargand.”
“I hibernated for a long time. By the way it is said that Navardose’s clan is a dragon…”
Suddenly the huge ship she saw at the dock flashed through her mind. I wondered what kind of person had the guts to ride a ship as good as the Emperor’s flagship but it seemed like that dragon of some sort was on board.
‘It’s a dragon I’ve never heard of in my previous life.’
Ronan touched his chin at the unfamiliar name. Now that I think about it it seemed like Schlieffen was saying that there was some kind of deal between the emperor and Navarre. It was about the time when people’s noise was getting louder again. A loud noise erupted from the other side of the hallway where the front door was.
-Quaaaaaang!
Everyone present turned their heads at the same time. Ronan bit his tongue while yawning and swore.
“What the fuck?”
A bright light was seeping in. The heavy door was wide open and creaking. The interrogator who came in first shouted in astonishment.
“Hey Itargand!”
A young man was looking this way with his hands in his pockets. He was a handsome man with an androgynous vibe. The platinum feet that reached his shoulders were clattering.
His physique was ordinary but his clothes were very flashy. Over the uniform with epaulettes was a coat made entirely of lion skin. The cold wind blowing from the ice pillar was fluttering the coat that wasn’t on my arms.
Even in the cold that would make ice spirits curse the young man remained calm. Ronan instinctively realized that it was Itargandra. The power to overwhelm the crowd with just your presence was not something you could learn anywhere else.
‘He’s still young.’
However Itargand exuded a youthful appearance. I can’t be sure because I haven’t seen his true appearance but it looks like he hasn’t even fully grown his horns yet.
Of course since it is a red dragon there is no need to talk about its strength but it seems clear that Navardose looks down on either the Witch Crisis or the Emperor this winter. Itargand who glanced at Zuteka spat out a word as if he was displeased.
“I would have asked you to leave your seat.”
Ronan narrowed her eyes at the voice that echoed through her space. The dry voice had an excessive amount of dragon’s characteristic arrogant and overbearing attitude. The interrogator answered in a trembling voice.
“Well it arrived sooner than expected… just give me a little time and I will sort it out quickly!”
“It’s done. “Get out of the way.”
Itar Gand took his hands out of his pockets. He focused his gaze on the crowd and slightly bent his index finger upward. Ugh! The bodies of those who hesitated rose into the air.
“My body…!”
“What kind of bullshit is this?”
Ronan frowned at her. His invisible hand was holding him.
However she was not as kind as Asher’s Invisible Hand. Her strength control was careless like a child excitedly grabbing a frog. Those captured complained of pain.
“Ugh!”
“Oh it hurts…!”
Among them were Asher and Erzebet. Ronan’s face suddenly crumpled.
“Such a tiny little lizard.”
Ronan swung his sword around and cut his bonds. At the same time he shot sword energy towards the two people.
Suddenly! Two small sword blades cut off the telekinesis binding them. Ronan jumped high. He wrapped his arms around the waist of Asher and Erzebet and caught them as they fell.
“Huh?!”
“Ronan…!”
The two people’s eyes widened. It was the moment Ronan landed lightly on the floor. Itar Gand slid his index finger to the side as if turning the pages of his book. Craddangtang! The helpless people were left scattered in a corner of the hallway.
“Kwaaaak!”
“Get out of my way!”
People stacked on top of each other like a compost heap struggled crushing each other. People whose skin was unluckily stuck to the floor let out desperate screams.
“Ugh! “Get rid of them!”
Either way there was no change in Itargand’s expression. After confirming that the witch’s surroundings were clean he took a step forward. It was a car that took exactly five steps.
“hey.”
Something blocked his path. Itar Gand slowly raised his head. Ronan who made eye contact with him growled lowly.
“Do you think it’s okay to behave like a dragon if you’re a dragon?”
“…What are you?”
“I don’t know anything. Apologize to those kids right now.”
Ronan raised his thumb and pointed at Asher and Erzebet. Asher was so shocked that his legs lost strength and he stumbled. Ergé Bet who was lifting fallen people with her telekinesis covered her mouth with both hands.
“Lord Ronan…!”
“her.”
Karaka laughed. People who were struggling to get up also froze. Ittar Gand who was quietly looking at Ronan opened his mouth.
“Do you know who you are talking to?”
“Well that’s fine. A Hechling who only cares about appearances?”
“I can turn someone like you into ashes just by breathing.”
It was a threat that had a high possibility of coming true. Ronan spat on the floor as if responding. Hehe! Very light wrinkles appeared between Itargand’s eyebrows which had always been dry.
“You…”
Death began to bloom on Itargand’s shoulders. Ronan did not back down. Strangely he didn’t think he would lose. The atmosphere among the left was updating the concept of the worst in real time.
“Hehe both of you please calm down.”
It was not unusual for one of the two to spit fire or pull the hilt of the sword. At that time Karaka stood between them. He smiled kindly.
“This is Interrogator Karaka. Itargand I will apologize on your behalf…”
“Do you want to die?”
Itargand frowned. Kwasik! At the same time Karaka sank down to one knee. An invisible force was weighing him down. Ronan reflexively tried to draw his sword but Karaka held up his hand and stopped him.
“Karaca.”
“…please let go of your anger.”
Karaka spoke intermittently. A strained voice came out from between his parted lips.
“Mother of Fire…Shouldn’t we keep Navardose’s command…”
“…joy.”
After flinching for a moment Itar Gand clicked his tongue. The oppressive force disappeared. Karaka sat down and coughed violently.
“Huh…! “Gagging!”
“Damn are you okay?”
Ronan came running. Itargand who returned to his expressionless expression passed by the two people. Ronan supporting Karaka twisted his lips.
“sorry. Because of me.”
“Don’t say that. “It was very cool.”
Karaka let out a low laugh. Fortunately there seemed to be no major injuries. He adjusted his mask which had fallen off and continued speaking while looking at Ronan.
“I’m serious. “I never thought I would see a human urging an apology to a dragon…”
Ronan responded by smiling awkwardly. He didn’t bother to say that it was worth a try. If that immature dragon even heard it he would be in trouble.
The most urgent thing now was to get the witch out of her ice. Itar Gand stopped in front of the ice pillar and opened his mouth.
“Just pick up the body yourself.”
