Dragon Maken War - Chapter 186

Chapter 186

Chapter 186 - Two Persons (4)

6

A silence descended between the two of them .

“…… . ”

Azell’s face hardened for a brief moment, but he patiently waited for Carlos to continue his story .

Carlos read trust from Azell’s demeanor .  No matter what, Azell’s trust in him didn’t waver .  Even if they were to become adversaries, Azell would assume he had a good reason for his actions .  Azell had absolute trust in him .

‘Ah ah…… . ’

The fact that he could enjoy the confidence of someone was moving .

He had made the right choices .  He had pursued this even at the expense of his body, and he hadn’t been wrong .

Carlos regretted the fact that he could no longer shed tears .

It had been a long time for him .

The time exceeded the lifespan of a human .  He armored himself with a firm conviction as he fought for the future .

However, even if one possessed a strong conviction, humans were endlessly wavering creatures .

Even a object from nature like the boulder became weathered over time .  Humans were continuously changing creatures .  How hard would it have been for a human to remain unchanging?

It was the same for Carlos .

Carlos hadn’t had anyone to support him through the fight he waged on his own .  He felt endless regret, doubt and despair .

<Azell . >

Carlos regretted the fact that he could no longer put on a bright smile .

<The fact that I was able to meet you again… .   I’ve been compensated for the pain I’ve felt up until now . >

He had hope .

Even if his soul wore down from the despair, he felt… .

He believed there would come a day when someone would tell him that he had been right .

However, those words couldn’t come from just anyone .

It had to be spoken by one person, and he had used every method in his arsenal to give this person a life and a future .  Carlos had waited for him .  He wanted the reliable and strong person from his memories to show up one day .  He had wanted to see this person laugh again .

He had persevered in the darkness of despair, and at this moment, he had received his reward .

Azell smirked .

“Stop talking nonsense .  It is the same problem now as in the old times .  You pretend as if something is of great import to test the reaction of others .  We’ve already exhausted every test we can pose each other . ”

<It has been over 200 years, but it seems old habits die hard . >

Carlos cheerfully gave an explanation .

<As you probably know, I created the Guardian Shadows .  However, it wasn’t created solely through my power . >

The Guardian Shadows were an amazing piece of magic .  However, it was something that transcended magic .

It used every person on this world as a surveillance net for the Dragon Demon king worshippers .  Moreover, the Guardian Shadows were made up of members that died with an eternal enmity against the Dragon Demon king worshippers .

<At its foundation, the structure of the Guardian Shadows is similar to the Great Darkness .  It’s because I made them using the Great Darkness . . >

The Great Darkness used transcendent beings like Belrun as ‘pillars’ .

However, they weren’t the only ones that were present within the Great Darkness .  There were other doomed souls that wished for eternal life .  There was a large cluster of souls that made up the Great Darkness .

<Amongst these souls, some are able to manifest in this world as supernatural beings .  Reygus and Almarick is an example . >

Their essence remained within the Great Darkness .  That was why they were revived every time they were killed .

If the body remains intact, they were revived back to their living state .  If the body was destroyed, they were brought back as an Undead .

<The power of Belrun is the main engine that powers the revival .  Aside from this ability, the power of many other beings were added to Atein’s technique .  I became part of the Great Darkness, and I stole part of his power .  I was able to create a technique that was independent from Atein . >

It was similar to Great Darkness within the Plain of Darkness .  Both Aincera and Almarick had access to the Great Darkness .

Carlos had gone through a different process, so he wasn’t beholden to Atein .  He was able to create the Guardian Shadows .

<Aside from the Keepers of Prophecy, the Guardian Shadows are immortals .  They can’t be easily killed, and even if one is able to kill them, they are revived after time passes . >

“Is that why their numbers continue to grow even after fighting the Demon King worshippers over the years?”

<Yes .  For example, there are over 3,000 Guardian Shadows gathered outside of this mountain .  There are many more Guardian Shadows that are spread across the continent, and they are thwarting the plans of the Dragon Demon king worshippers .  >

“If there are 3,000, that is almost the amount that assembled last time .  Are you saying you can bring more of them here?”

<It means that there are that many beings, who hold a grudge against the Demon King worshippers .  I’ve gathered such numbers even though I started the Guardian Shadow technique less than a hundred years ago . >

Carlos let out a bleak laughter .  The number of Guardian Shadows was directly correlated to the number of wicked deeds carried out by the Dragon Demon king worshippers .

<Why do you think the Keepers of the Prophecy weren’t immortals like the Guardian Shadows?>

“It’s because you wanted to deliver the Dragon weapons and Dragon Demon magic to me .  Why did you use that particular method?”

Azell had given all his Dragon weapons to Carlos before he went to sleep .  Why had he chosen to use the Keepers of the Prophecy to bring the weapons into this era?

<They were needed .  I was able to preserve the Sky Splitter by connecting it to you .  I couldn’t do that with the other Dragon weapons . >

“Why didn’t you give it to others…… . ”

<It was my selfishness .  I wanted to give it all back to you when you returned .  If you look at the result, I think I made the right choice . >

He was right .  If Carlos had given Azell’s Dragon weapons to other people, the Dragon Demon king worshippers would have made sure to destroy them .

<Also, it isn’t as if I tried to preserve all of them .  I passed on two Dragon weapons . >

He had given one to Azell’s adopted child, who took over the County of Karzark after Azell .  The other one was given to the country’s most promising hero .

Hower, they weren’t able to pass on their weapon .

<Then there’s the one… . .  I blew it . >

“What?”

<I’ll tell you about it a little bit later . >

Azell was taken aback, but Carlos waved his hand to calm him .

Carlos’ explanation left much to be desired .  However, Azell had seen the exception to what he was describing .

“Weren’t the Dragon weapons of the Dragon Demon generals preserved in the Great Darkness?”

<I tried to do the same thing .  However, I wasn’t able to perfect it like Atein .  I couldn’t find a solution that dealt with the wear and tear that accumulated over time .  In the end, I needed living vessels, so I created the Keepers of Prophecy out of need . >

“I see…… . ”

<I am part of the Great Darkness, but that doesn’t mean I’m capable of doing everything Atein is capable of doing .  The other side can’t create the Guardian Shadows like me .  I’m able to copy certain things created by Atein, but there are also things I cannot copy .  Did you see Reygus?  He’s only an Undead, yet he was able to use his Dragon weapon .  On top of that, he’s able to temporarily use his Dragon Demon magic . >

“Ah .  That was jaw dropping . ”

<It is possible, because Reygus and the Soul Hammer resides within the Great Darkness .  I decided to impart the Dragon weapons and Dragon Demon magic to the Keepers of Prophecy, and I kept them from aging . >

“It seems I owe a lot to my descendants . ”

Azell let out a bitter laughter .

It didn’t matter what an amazing feat of magic the Keepers of Prophecy were .  He could only express his respects towards the Keepers of Prophecy, and he would continue their will .

Carlos looked into the empty air as he spoke .

<I did them wrong, but there was no other choice .  There was no choice left for them and me… . . . >

“I didn’t say those words, because I blame you . ”

<I know . >

Carlos sneered at himself as he continued to speak .

<I was able to take over part of the Great Darkness, and it was the foothold needed for me to create the Guardian Shadows .  Instead of giving the Keepers of Prophecy immortality, I imbued them with special powers . >

Alpha was able to suppress Undead power using his gaze .  This was possible, because he had imbued part of Belrun’s power to Alpha .

Omega was able to peek into the Great Darkness that was under the control of Aincera .  This was possible, because their essence were within the Great Darkness .

<…if Atein was alive, this would have been impossible .  He would have recognized my presence, and he would have acted accordingly to counter my actions .  However, Aincera and Almarick received only a limited power over the Great Darkness .  They are merely custodians . >

Aincera was limited to keeping the system created by Atein rolling .  Just doing this had caused her sense of self to erode .

“You were the one that stopped Aunsaurus and Baldazark from being revived?”

<That’s right .  As I’ve explained to you before… .   This was one of the advantages I gained from joining the Great Darkness . >

The four Dragon Demon generals had become part of the Great Darkness .

However, only Reygus and Almarick had been revived .  Aunsaurus and Baldazark had met their true death .  This was a feat accomplished by Carlos from within the Great Darkness .

<So the fact that they were killed instead Reygus and Almarick wasn’t a coincidence?>

“I chose that outcome .  As always, I aim for the optimal result . . ”

<Yes .  In truth, I could have buried either Almarick and Reygus if I had chosen to do so .  I could have theoretically eliminated three Dragon Demon generals, but I chose not to . >

He could bury two for certain .  Carlos chose certainty in his fight .  He picked Aunsaurus and Baldazark .

They were magicians .  In terms of battle capabilities, they were Archmages that rivaled Atein .

“If they were revived, they would have been able to manage the Great Darkness better .  Is that the reason why they were chosen?”

<That’s correct . >

If Aunsaurus and Baldazark were present, Carlos might not have been able to make the Guardian Shadows .

Carlos changed the topic .

<Azell .  You talked to my thought construct before, right?  After you went to sleep, the world faced two threats . >

“I did . ”

Carlos’ thought construct had told him this .  Absolute calamities that threatened the entire humanity had appeared, and the death of Atein had released them onto this world .

“In the context of our previous conversation, this being had been sealed within the Great Darkness?”

<Yes . >

“You became like this in the process of blocking them . ”

<Correct . >

Carlos shrugged his shoulders as he gave an explanation .

<You might not be too interested in this, but it is important for me to explain what kind of being she was . >

“The second calamity… . .   I think I know what it is even if you don’t tell me . ”

<Let’s talk about the first one for now .  Our comrades that survived the Dragon Demon war fought against the first being that was unsealed……   We joined forces with the younger generation to stop her .  This incident spurred me to research the dangers of the Great Darkness . >

“Which being was it?”

<She was the first to create the Dragon weapon .  Her name was Iksseru . >

Azell’s eyes widened in surprise .

<I heard from Albatan at a later date that she was from the era of the Five Star Kingdom .  I believe she was a descendant of Atein . >

“I heard about her .  She’s a female Dragon Demon?”

<It seems the old man have already told you that story . >

“It was in passing .  He didn’t put much importance on the story . ”

Azell grumbled .  

It would have been better if Albatan had told him this story earlier .

Carlos cackled as he spoke .

<She was… That’s right .  She wasn’t a magician .  She was a Dragon Arts practitioner .  She created the first Dragon weapon, and it allowed her to realize a desire she shouldn’t have had . >

“What kind of desire?”