Dragon Maken War - Chapter 226

Chapter 226: 226

Chapter 226 - Old Revenants (4)

<I planned on making the decision after Kayalia comes back .  I want to see what she’s able to achieve .  I just know that I plan on fighting Atein .  I plan on going against his will .  Aside from that, I have no concrete plan . >

“…… . ”

<Are you feeling conflicted about fighting your father?>

“In truth, I am feeling conflicted .  Why . . . ”

Saibein hesitated for a brief moment before he asked his question .

“Why are you opposing my father?”

<His plan doesn’t suit my style . >

“I know your personality too well to question that answer . ”

<I’ve always been like this . >

“However, my father has the same goal as before .  Only his method of achieving his goal has changed . ”

<It isn’t the same . >

Reygus was firm in denying Saibein’s words .

<Every being born into this world has the right to choose their fate .  I don’t care about the details of his plan .  I just know that he is trying to steal that right from others . >

Reygus was a being that didn’t believe in the idea of good and evil .  Most in nature lived according to their instinct .  The concept of good and evil wasn’t something that could be applied to them .  For example, carnivores weren’t evil for eating herbivores .

However, free will was innate .  It was a given right that allowed one to defy fate .  It didn’t matter what species one was born to .

This was Reygus’ belief .

During the Dragon Demon war, he had served Atein as his king .  Reygus had observed the tragedies and turbulence caused by humanity .  He had reasonably assumed that this was a byproduct of human nature .

Atein had wanted to break this hellish death spiral caused by humans .  He wanted to create a utopia .  Reygus willingly gave his life to the cause .  He thought it was something worth attempting .

<Atein might be right .  At some level, I sympathize with the despair he feels .   I have lived a really simple life, and you get to see a lot of people .  At some point, everyone starts to look like they are in the wrong to me . >

One had to believe in the concept of evil rather than good if one wanted people to be respectful towards each other .  Atein thought a system where everyone feared an outsider would make people respect each other .  He thought it would make the humans act more virtuous and moral .

Atein’s answer for the world had a foundation based on this concept .

<I don’t think the ideal world should be like a farm where the god feeds you for eternity .  There are times when one needs to traverse a path even if it leads to bloodshed and resentment .   If we take away the freedom to commit evil, will good really grow in its absence?>

“…… . ”

Saibein was at a loss for words for a brief moment .  He just stared at Reygus .  He was impressed by the content of Reygus’ words, but it wasn’t the sole reason for his reaction .

“…somehow, you don’t sound like yourself, sir Reygus . ”

<Koohk!  You probably thought I was an empty headed brute .  Are you surprised by the fact that I’m able to speak coherent and logical thoughts?>

“No, I didn’t mean it like that… . . ”

<Of course, you did .  I know I don’t sound like myself .  In truth, this is a conversation I had with Atein a long time ago . >

“You spoke about it with my father?”

<Yes .  He always liked to speak about boring specious arguments .  I could write several dozen books about it .  It is time for me to make him eat crow . >

Reygus asked a question as he stroked his Soul Hammer .

<What are you going to do, Saibein?>

“I made a compact with Albatan-nim .  I cannot interfere .  It doesn’t matter what happens in the outside world . ”

<Even if your daughter decides to fight Atein?>

“…… . ”

Saibein’s expression crumpled .  He looked tormented .

The fact that he was able to reunite with his daughter was a miracle in itself .  His heart ached when he found out about the life his daughter had led .  He felt guilty for abandoning his daughter, but… .

He was just happy that she was alive, and he was able to reunite with her .

Niberis didn’t blame him .  However, complex emotions had developed between the two .  It was creating difficulties between the father and daughter .  A good amount of time had passed after she arrived here .  However, there was an awkwardness between the two of them every time they crossed path .

Reygus scratched at his cheek .

<It seems I asked a churlish question . >

“No .  It is a problem that I have to own up to . ”

Saibien let out a sigh as he looked up at the sky .  However, the feeling of gloominess didn’t abate at all .

5

Kayalia didn’t hide anything when she told her story .

She talked about how she died during the Dragon Demon war .  She talked about what kind of existence she was right now… .

Her true nature was very surprising .  Her true self was placed within the Great Darkness, and she was able to project herself to any point in the world .

-There are a lot of restrictions .  This became especially true once I decided to go against Atein… .

The Great Darkness was too big of a system for one being to monopolize .

Of course, Atein possessed the highest administrator privilege even if he couldn’t do as he wished with the entirety of the Great Darkness .  

For example, Atein could only watch as Reygus defected from his side .  Atein had given Reygus the Soul hammer, the ability to transform and other powers .  He couldn’t take those gifts back from Reygus .

It was the same for Kayalia .  If Atein wanted to eliminate the two of them, he would have to physically fight them .

-However, he could restrict my actions to a certain degree .  Reygus oppa was given his body, so he was unaffected .  However, I’m still within the Great Darkness, and I have to project myself into the world . That is why I’ve run into various problems .

Until Kayalia decided to oppose Atein, she was able to use the magical energy of the Great Darkness .  There had been no restriction .  Currently, there was a constraint on how much magical energy could be used by Kaylia .

-Also, I was restricted from viewing the information that were being sent into the Great Darkness .  The only information I’m privy to is the one I gather by projecting my image .   That is why my movement has been restricted too .

She could immediately project herself to any place on this continent, so spatial restriction had been meaningless to her .  She had almost limitless power to do anything she wanted .  The where and when hadn’t mattered .  She had been an absolute being .

This was true until Atein revoked her access to those powers .

Currently, Kayalia needed reference points to project herself .  It was akin to humans having to swivel their head to see where they were .  Moreover, she had to gather all her magical energy in order to project her image .  If she were to be attacked, her image would be destroyed .

“However…… . ”

After hearing her out, Azell queried her .

“Why are you revealing your weak point to us?”

-I think it is necessary .

“Do you think I’ll accept you, because you told us about your weak point?  Everything you told me might be a lie .  Even if you did tell me the truth, it isn’t grounds for me to accept you . ”

-I guess that’s true .

“…… . ”

When Kayalia just accepted his words, it somehow drained the energy out of Azell .  He had put in great efforts for his arguments, yet she just accepted everything he said .  What was she trying to pull?

Kayalia spoke .

-Then I have only one card left .  If this doesn’t work, I’ll go back to Reygus oppa .

“What is it?”

-Azell oppa .

“…… . ”

Azell’s expression turned cold .  Did she think he’ll gloss over everything, because she called him oppa?  It was a ridiculous notion .

-You told me not to call you by ahjussi .

“When did I say that?”

-People treated me with contempt for being cursed, but I was told that I had a unique constitution that would allow me to become a good magician .  I was told not to care about the opinions of other people, and that I should live .

“What……?”

Kayalia ignored Azell’s reply .  His expression was full of surprise .

He had spoken those words to someone before .  He had met countless people over the years .  He had saved some, and he had watched others die .  However, there was one memory that had left a deep impression in him .

-Even if it wasn’t me, I’m sure there were others willing to wipe your face when it became dirty, right?  Azell oppa has always been popular .

“…are you playing with me?”

He had been looking at her with a stupefied expression on his face .  In a flash, Azell revealed his anger .  It felt as if she had dirtied a precious memory of his .  How did she know about that incident?  How can she speak as if it was a firsthand experience?

Kayalia had a sad smile on her face as she spoke .

-It happened a very long time ago .  There was a tribe of Dragon Demon that had been revered as gods by the humans .

6

It was a story of a magician that wanted to exist forever .

She hadn’t been satisfied with her long life .  She had been afraid of her life coming to an end .  It was a story about her trying to transcend life and death .  

At the same time, it was a story about a girl .

It was about a girl that believed in hope when she was saved by one person .  However, she had died in the end as she felt despair towards humanity .

Kayalia spoke about the story she had told Reygus .  She told Azell about her life .  In the distant past, she had created a reincarnation technique .  She also told him about how a first generation Dragon Demon became the Dragon Demon King’s third wife .  She told him about the very long process in between .

She told him about the last link leading up to everything . . .

“Then…… . ”

Azell asked his question as if he was in disbelief .

“…you were that child?”

Kayalia nodded her head .

-A knight named Azell saved me, and that is why I was able to live on .

She was the girl that had been save by Azell .  She was able to enter into an institution that trained magicians for the human alliance .  It was done through Azell’s backing .

In that place, she was no longer persecuted .  She was no longer called the cursed child .  It was as Azell had said .  Everything had occurred, because she had the potential to become a magician .

She had worked hard .  She was an orphan, so there was no one she could lean on .  Each day was arduous, yet she worked to become an excellent magician .

‘I want to help him someday . ’

If it was Azell, he would be able to survive the brutal battlefields .  It was a baseless belief, yet she had armored herself with it .  She wanted to become a respectable magician .  It would allow her to help Azell .  It was a simple dream .  

However, her dream was broken into pieces by her cruel fate .

When surrounded by the Dragon Demon King’s army, the despairing humans had turned on each other .  They showed their ugly nature, and the girl had been pushed towards her death .

“…… . ”

Azell was at a loss for words .  The girl he had saved suffered such a horrible death?

Azell became aghast, but Kayalia spoke to him .

-Don’t be sad .

“How?  Why… . ”

-My story was all too common during that era .  The world was overflowing with tragedies, and mine was just one of many .

It was an era overflowing with tragedy .  At times, humans were pushed into an extreme situation, and their mettle was tested .  Most of these tests ended in tragedies .  This was the norm .

-The fact that I suffered such a death, and the fact that I became the enemy of humanity as the third queen of the Dragon Demon King… .  It isn’t your fault .

Azell swayed in place .

He felt faint .  After awaking in this era, this was the first time he felt such a powerful wave of doubt .

He knew it .  It was as she said .  It wasn’t his fault .

Azell wasn’t a god .  The only thing he could do was give hope to a despairing girl .

Her life had ended with a tragedy, but that was the territory of fate .  It couldn’t be helped .

Despite knowing this, he felt part of his heart break .  He had treasured this memory, and it felt as if his belief towards the world was trampled .  The proof was standing in front of him .

-At such times as this, I really hate that I am dead .

Kayalia extended her hand towards Azell’s face .  However, he couldn’t feel her touch .  Her hand would  pass through him even if she tried .

-At the very least, I wanted to hug you .

“Kayalia, you… . ”

-I know nothing has changed .

Kayalia let out a shy laughter .  Then she spoke with a bright voice .

-It doesn’t matter what past we shared .  I was the third queen to the Dragon Demon King .  I killed countless people with my hands .  I am Kayalia of the Dragon Demon King’s army, who fought against you .

“…… . ”

-I’m not asking for forgiveness, and I won’t say I’ll atone for my actions .  I won’t purposefully say something that I do not believe in to make myself feel better .  I won’t do something so revolting .

At the end of her life, she felt doubt .  However, she didn't feel doubt, because she felt the ideals of the Dragon Demon King’s army was wrong .

She had become tired of the continuous war and slaughter .  Above all else, she hated the fact that she had to fight Azell, who had saved her before .  At the time, she had been tormented .  She couldn’t stand that they had to try to hurt and kill each other .

-You can hate me .  You can denounce and insult me .  I don’t mind .

Kayalia spoke the exact opposite of what she was feeling .  She spoke as if it didn’t bother her, but the girl from the distant past was part of her .  The girl, who was saved by Azell, was crying within her .

‘Please don’t hate me .  I don’t want to be hated by you .  I can no longer stand being  hated by you . ’

- I just wanted to talk to you about the situation we find ourselves in .

She had a lot she wanted to talk with him .  She wanted to talk about her life after she parted ways with Azell .  They could stay up all night, and it wouldn’t be enough .

-I oppose what Atein is trying to achieve in this era .  Please believe me when I say I want to fight on your side .  

She had a dream .  She had a dream of walking by his side .

If she worked hard, would she be able to change her fate? What would have happened if she had been able to become a respectable mage?  Would that have prevented her from dying by his hands?

She knew it was fruitless to have these idle thoughts .

Despite her knowing this, she kept imagining it .  What if that incident never happened?  Would it have prevented her from developing hatred for humans?

She was constantly having these thought .  She couldn’t stand humans, but at times, she wondered if she could see aspects of herself with the humans .  Whenever she had this thought, his face came into mind .

She really hated them, but in the end, she couldn’t hate them .  She couldn’t stand this contradiction .

-Will you accept me?

Kayalia buried her true feeling as she asked the question .   Azell looked tormented .  He answered her with a hoarse voice .

“I…… . ”