Chapter 47Chapter 47
Noradiana was opening her jaws to unleash a terrible Dragons breath while Valenor was pushing her speed to the limit, attempting to save me.
I realized that I could no longer hear the Elders Song so I reached out to Valenor Telepathically.
Quickly, Polymorph to my favorite form!
Noradriana had interrupted her Greater Magic Nullifying Song in order to deal with Valenor.
Polymorph!
Gooooo! Puaaaak!
Teleport! Teleport! Teleport!
I was able to arrive just a fraction of a second before she was hit by the flames. Hugging Valenors human form, I teleported us out of there and onto the green Elder dragons back.
Ha ha ha ha, Noradriana, thanks for the free ride!
You!
Teleport!
She turned her body to try and flatten me on the ground, but I simply teleported to her underbelly
Ha ha ha ha, it seems like your stomach isnt green!
I stood upon her like a conqueror riding a ship. Her claws chased me but they were able to match my teleporting speed.
Noradriana,my companion is quite wild! Attacks of that level arent enough to reach him.
Valenor also joined me in taunting the Elder dragon. Although the four dragons had surrounded us, they didnt dare launch and attack on their mothers body.
Quaak, hooong
Noradiana tirelessly tried to catch us but her speed simply couldnt match up. After a long time of being unsuccessful, she finally lost patience.
Elder Dragons Authority!
Kaa Aaaakkk!
The Elder dragons eyes turned greed and Valenors hand clutched her head, screaming and twisting in terrible pain. I was momentarily distracted by wifes torment and was just slightly too slow in teleporting away. Her claws had finally reached me and tore body apart.
Luckily I had still managed to teleport, but I had lost my lower half and crashed down into the ground holding Valenor.
Make it stop!
Valenor continued to squirm in pain.
Create levitation
[You have learned Levitation Lv1]
Levitation!
Create Teleport
[You have learned Teleport Lv1]
Teleport!
Huuu Wooong
Gooooo Shoong Paaaah
The spot I had just been in erupted in flames as Noradiana has sent a breath and several spells my way. Having missed, she knew she had to seal my magic in order to catch me and began her song. However, this time I was ready for it and was able to escape its range in time.
Teleport! Teleport! Teleport!.
I escaped with a series of short jumps, expecting the Elves and dragons to be hot on my tail, but when I looked back I was surprised to see that they hadnt chased after me. The green Elder dragon was simply staring at me from afar. I quickly arrived back to my Pit, meeting the Goblin King , Chuck and the chimeras on the way. I instructed them to position themselves to maintain a 10 kilometer distance from the enemy before teleporting back to my palace.
Damn! What have you done to my wife!
So,sorry Johra,Ahaaac!
Despite our distance from Noradriana, Valenor was still clutching her head in pain, and had almost fainted. I rushed her back to our bedroom and lay her on the bed.
Alpeon, quickly bring over some nectar!
Lord. Your lower body!
Im fine, just hurry!
Yes Lord, right away!
I sprinkled what little nectar I carried with me on my lower waist before emptying the contents down Valenors th
roat.
Create Cure
[you have learned Cure Lv1]
Thump!
I had lost the power of levitation and without any legs, fell down to the floor.
Damn it all!
I was angry with myself because of my arrogance and moment of inattention that led to this result.
Create Levitation
Levitation!
Touching her forehead, I continuously cast cure until her condition appeared to have improved. Valenor who had suffered for a long time, simply passed out.
Here it is Lord.
Thank you, now return to the frontline and keep me updated on any developments.
I gave her my orders and fastened the new bottle of water securely to my back.
As you command, Lord.
After Alpeon walked out, I reached under the bed and fished out Gnoss gem.
Gnoss, what was that skill used on Valenor?
Oh, I thought you didnt need my help.
Dont misunderstand our relationship. I ask and you answer, thats all. Dont go around thinking that we are equals or something and dont forget that I could always drop you in a deserted wasteland. Ill give you one last chance, for your sake I hope you answer me correctly this time.
Oh geez, cant you even take a small joke. Despite being the Supreme Sage I was left under a bed, I mean.
Is that all you have to say?
Oh no no, Johra the skill used was [Elder Dragons Authority].Its a special skill which only senior level dragons can use. It basically a punishment towards a junior dragon which has gone against their will. Just a single hit and youll be out of it for a couple days. There are a few other side effects but they arent serious and there isnt any cause for concern.
From the explanation I understood that Noradriana wanted to stop Valenor from interfering in our fight. If I had known of the skill beforehand, I might have been more aware and able to counter it. As it stands, Valenor would be out of commission for the next few days.
Whats the effective range of the skill?
Its unclear, somewhere between 1 and 2 kilometers maybe. Its a skill where you have to lock eyes so a specific distance is hard to determine, much like your Death Stare skill.
The green Elder dragon was so large that the range might even be 3 or 4 kilometers, so it would be very hard to face her in the future.
Gnoss, Ill be taking you with me this time. Tell me if you think of any way out of this, and if you hold back any information, I will toss you aside without a second thought.
Ill do well by the way, what happened to your lower body.
I put the gem in my pouch and answered.
Noradrianas doing, a price for my arrogance.
If it were normal damage caused by a physical attack, I should have been able to heal it. However the claw strike seemed to carry some purifying properties and my decimated lower half was unable to be restored at the moment.
Paddlk
I ground my teeth in anger, I had to get revenge for what she had done to my wife and legs.
What do you think is the reason that Noradriana and her army of dragons and elves arent advancing?
I wracked my brain trying to come up with an swer but couldn;t find any. To make matters worse, since Lorina and her idiotic League were somehow involved, they were sure to strike at the most opportune moment.
Cant we just run away?
It was a situation where I couldnt see a path to victory. Once the actual battle started, it would result in an overwhelming defeat on our end. Although I had been arrogant and suffered a loss as a result of it, I didnt want to be the incompetent leader who abandoned his subordinates.
Lord, the enemies are setting up their camp and organizing their troops, they arent advancing yet.
Thanks Alpeon, you only need to notify me if there are any changes.
Escape wasnt a viable option because Noradriana had claimed her purpose in coming here wasnt the pit itself, but rather to exterminate me. She was likely to chase me down to the ends of the earth were I to escape.
Gnoss, there is something strange about the Elder dragons actions, what do you think is going on?
I am curious as well, why dont you start by explaining to me what youve experienced so far.
I proceeded to explain how the negotiations started, the ensuing battle a well as the fact that the dragons didnt pursue me.
You said Lorina had sealed you before right?
After listening to my explanation, Gnoss asked me.
Yes
Hmm the biggest issue Ive always had with Lorina was on whether we should mete out punishment based solely on race. Although its true that Liches tend to lean towards the darker side, it isnt a universal truth. I advocated to give them a chance to choose where as Lorina preferred to nip the problem in the bud.
Gnoss you are correct in your thinking.
However, with Soleste we followed my philosophy and the results were disastrous. An entire nation fell and countless lives were lost. Also.
Right, didnt they first sealed Soleste and then returned to seal you?
Yes, that was indeed what happened.
But isnt that just a single case? It doesnt prove anything.
Regardless, it was a determining factor for most people. Now youre my last living proof of my claim that race doesnt determine good or evil. Of course, this also means that the dragons over there cant allow you to live.
They are just giving me more reasons to fight them.
Thats right, but if you go on and slaughter the people that come to stop you, it only proves their point that youre a killer, further proving Lorinas point.
So its a problem even if I somehow win?
Thats right.
So Gnoss what would happen if I were to contest the words of the League of Reincarnators?
Then maybe next time around they will bring a huge army, led entirely by top Reincarnators. Maybe even the Messiah will tag along as well.
The Messiah? Like in that guy who banished you to another realm within your cave?
Right, actually Noradriana is also kind of a Messiah, although Gaia is technically only a demi-god so the distinction is unclear. Oh right, thats why!
What are you talking about Gnoss?
What you asked before. The reason Noradriana isnt advancing is probably because Gaia is restricting her actions.
I quickly asked Gnoss for a clarification.
Then for how long is that the case, do I have a chance to turn things around?
No, but listen carefully. I have a good idea!
I nodded back a proceed to hear his explanation.
Hm, then all thats left to worry about is the League of Reincarnators interference?
No, I dont think Lorina wants to show herself. As an uninvolved third party, their goal is most likely to observe and report the situation back to the celestial gods. Most likely they are hoping for you to succeed in slaughtering the elves and dragons, which would lend credence to their cause.
Is that so, then isnt the best scenario for me to get along with the dragons?
Perhaps it is, but it is unlikely for the prideful dragons to agree to it. It guess it was the League comrades who interfered after seeing you unharmed by her Doombringer strike. If that didnt kill you it meant that her cause wasnt justified, so she stirred up this war in hopes that youd engage in mass slaughter.
Hmm the golem Matilda did try to dissuade her at that time. Was it her who helped me?
For now I think we can ignore the Leagues involvement.
I wish I could, but I think its best to be prudent just in case.
Just let you subordinates be extra careful while scouting the area.
Got it.
I climbed back up to the observatory, leaving Valenor peacefully sleeping downstairs. It was already nighttime and the lights of the enemys camp located roughly 20 km away were dimming.
Alpeon!
Yes Lord.
Take all our troops and under the cover of night, retreat to the Wetheros Mountains. The weak shall be flown out while the rest march.
Will we be abandoning this place?
Yes, there isnt any reason for all of you to lose your lives here.
When will we be leaving?
Alpeon had only momentarily paused her thoughts, demonstrating her great confidence in me.
Set out immediately, bring everyone and all the resources. Set up another kingdom in Wetheros.
Okay, but wont you be leaving with us Lord?
I will join up with you guys later.
Are you thinking of fighting them off all by yourself?
How is that possible? Oh right, take Valenor as well, make sure no harm comes to her.
Yes Lord
Good, take Ian and Mallepi as well, leave as soon as possible.
It will be done.
Under Alpeons effective management, they were properly split up into different squadrons. The airborne golden Antilliens and Asmodians were in charge of transporting the weak and valuable resources. Zipping through the night soundlessly, they were closely followed by the infantry who marched on behind them, slowly trickling out through the back so as to not be noticed by the enemy.
Johra, you cant try and shoulder all the responsibility this time!
Dont worry too much about me Ian, Im just grateful to have met you, Gwyn and Mallepi.
Ian was probably feeling bad because the last time we spoke she was angry with me.
Dawn was soon rising and my last Squadron of infantry had just set out. However, Alpeon refused to leave and stayed by my side.
Leave Alpeon!
Why? I want to stay with you Lord.
Sorry but that isnt possible, what Im about to embark in can only be done alone.
Alpeon dropped her antenna and said.
Somehow I get the feeling that I wont be seeing you again Lord!
It was not the Alpeon I was accustomed to, her usual self would never show such helplessness.
Dont worry about me Alpeon, Im hard to kill. Quickly go back first, everyone is waiting for your instructions!
I stroked her antennae and she finally left with a worried expression.
When the sun finally rose, shining its rays upon my Pits palace, there was no one left but myself.
Time to begin our counterattack!
In the distance I spotted some movement amongst the Elves army.