Dragon Maken War - Chapter 266

Chapter 266: 266

Chapter 266 - Epilogue (5)

13

Leticia looked at the distant city, and she unconsciously murmured her words .

“It is a beautiful place . ”

“Isn’t it?”

The one, who had answered immediately, was Kairen .  At his words, Leticia became startled .  Soon, she nodded her head .

“Unlike you, your parents had great artistic taste .  It really is quite apparent . ”

“Ha ha ha .  You’re not wrong . ”

Kairen laughed .

The two of them were looking at the Tarantos castle, which was at the heart of the Dukedom of Tarantos .

Kairen looked deeply moved as he spoke .

“It has been a long time since I’ve returned to this place .  My people will nag me to no end .  I can imagine it . ”

It had been over a year since he had left his land to follow Azell .

He had sent regular updates on his whereabouts, but he was a lord, who had vacated his land for over a year .  He could easily imagine how much stress his absence had caused Havanz .  When he returned to the castle, he’ll be assaulted by a storm of words .  He’ll have to put up with Havanz’s scolding .

“I’ll have to endure it since it is karma for my actions . ”

“At the very least, you are aware that you’ve done wrong by him . ”

“It couldn’t be helped .  If I hadn’t left at that time… . ”

“What would have happened if you hadn’t left?”

“Azell would have floundered without my sublime abilities as a commander . ”

“…if only you couldn’t talk . ”

Leticia gave him the side-eye . Kairen laughed .

“I don’t regret leaving at that time .  Our fight won’t be written down in history like the Dragon Demon war, but I was able to fight with the legendary hero .  We fought for the fate of the world, and I was able to meet you . ”

The Great Darkness was gone now .  When Kayalia and the Guardian Shadows gained their true rest, the party’s journey had come to an end .

They toasted their victory then they broke up the party .  They set up a future reunion date .

Azell said he’ll go to the Bijes kingdom, and he’ll rebuild the County of Karzark .  Laura revealed her intent of accompanying him .

Arrieta had to return to the Rulain Kingdom since she had to return to work as the Dragon Demon princess .

The only one left was Leticia .  She had finished a fight that had consumed her whole life .  There was a weird sense of despondency within her .  When he saw this, Kairen invited Leticia to his land .  Since she had nowhere else to go, she accepted Kairen’s offer .

“It is a bit late to ask you this, but…… . ”

Suddenly, Leticia asked a question .

“Did you talk to Azell?”

“Mmm . ”

“Please tell me the truth . ”

“…I did . ”

Kairen avoided her gaze as he gave his answer .  Leticia clicked her tongue when she saw this .

It was quite curious .  Azell hadn’t asked Leticia to help rebuild the County of Karzark .  She was the only one he hadn’t asked .  It seemed Kairen had talked to Azell beforehand .

‘When the fight ends, I want to ask Leticia if she wants to come with me .  If she turns me down, you can ask her to participate in the reconstruction of your lands . ’

Leticia looked sullen as she spoke .

“Let’s hear it . ”

“What do you mean?”

“Why did you do that?”

“Mmmm…… . ”

“I didn’t have any future plans .  I accepted the offer of being a guest in your lands, because the idea intrigued me .  So why did you invite me to your lands?  Is it because I’m your comrade in arms?”

“Uh .  Mmm .  That is . . . ”

Kairen was flustered .  When she saw him become embarrassed, Leticia let out a sigh .

“…I’ve lived for a long time, and I’ve never been posed a question quite like this before . ”

“You already know that I’m unlike any woman you’ve ever met .  I heard you’ve dated a lot of women, yet you are heirless .  What gives, your lordship?”

“I’m sorry .  I was wrong . ”

Kairen admitted defeated .  He cleared his throat then he spoke .

“Leticia, I like you . ”

“I like you too . ”

“…… . ”

At Leticia’s forthright answer, Kairen’s eyes widened .  However, Leticia didn’t sound like she was admitting her dying love for him .  

“I think I like you in a different way than you like me .  I want there to be no misunderstanding .   I cannot answer your feeling .  What I’m trying to say is… .  I like you, but I don’t know if it is the same feeling that occurs between a man and a woman . ”

“Hmm . So what you are saying is… . . ”

Kairen was careful in how he posed his question .  

“…you aren’t turning me down?  I have a chance?”

“For now . ”

“That is enough . ”

“Really?”

“We can take our time in figuring everything out .  As long as you stay as a guest in my house, I’ll try to seduce you .  Please keep your heart open and wait for me . ”

“You really are . . . ”

Leticia smirked .

“You are a shameless man . ”

“Can’t you just say I’m being bold?”

Kairen let out a playful laughter as he replied to her .

The two of them were getting closer to the Tarantos castle as they conversed with each other .

14

The Bijes kingdom had fallen for the scheme set up by the Dragon Demon King worshippers .  This was why they were at war with the Iellos Kingdom .  However, the blueprint had been set in the war between the Rulain kingdom and the Rios kingdom .  The members of the Guardian Shadows brought about an end to the war .

The war had been very fierce, so the domestic situation within the Bijes kingdom was a mess .  The Bijes kingdom was in a state of turmoil, yet in this turmoil, a man started to make a name for himself .  He started creating ripples .

Azell Karzark .

He was a man with the same name as the legendary hero Azell Karzark, who had defeated the Dragon Demon King Atein .  He had the same name as the man who had ended the Dragon Demon war .

His outer appearance was also identical to the hero’s portrait, which had been passed down through the years .  This man claimed to be the descendant of Marquis Kazark .  It really did sound like a plan hatched by a swindler trying to use the clout of the legendary hero for his benefit .  However, something surprising happened .  Count Chieha, who was the king’s maternal uncle, came forward to vouch for Azell .  Even Duke Renas, who was the great lord of the east, stepped forward to back the newly found heir of Marquis Karzark .

It created a big splash within the Bijes kingdom .

Afterwards, Azell traveled around the Bijes Kingdom, and he performed great feats .

Thanks to the war, there weren’t enough soldiers to protect the population .  The monsters didn’t miss this opportunity to take advantage of the situation .  They caused great damage to the human population .

Azell went around the whole country in order to defeat these monsters .  He didn’t ask for any recompense, and it allowed him to be accepted by the people .

He killed the orc horde in the south .  Then he killed a Frost Dragon that was rampaging in the Berdan region with his companion mage .  At that point, everyone accepted that he was the descendant of the hero .

Azell was bold as he told everyone his goal .

‘I’ll take back the County of Karzark, which was taken over by monsters . ’

Azell wanted the throne of the Bijes Kingdom to give him dominion over his land .

The people praised him as a hero .  It allowed Count Chieha, Duke Renas and other nobles to support his activities .  

It had been eight months since Azell had started his plan .  At that point, he was officially accepted as the heir to the County of Karzark by the throne of Bijes .  He acquired the rights to take over his lands .

The throne didn’t send any troops .  However, people from all over the continent started to gather when he made his desire known that he wanted to restore the County of Kazark .

15

“We are finally here . ”

Azell sat inside the barracks as he mumbled to himself .

The sun was slowly coming up .

It was getting loud outside as people started to move around the camp .  The people outside were equipped with an assortment of weapons .  They were from all over the continent .  They had come because they admired Azell .  They wanted to help Azell take back his lands .

There were several thousand fighters gathered outside .  Even if one considered Azell’s reputation, his title as the Marquis was in name only .  He didn’t have any resources, so they asked for no recompense from Azell .  It was almost a miracle that so many people had shown up .

“It took us a long time . ”

Laura had spoken .

In any rumors pertaining to Azell, there was always a beautiful blonde Dragon Demon girl by his side .  Everyone assumed they were an item .

Azell tilted his head in puzzlement .

“Did it take a long time? It has been less than a year… . . ”

“If we didn’t unnecessarily hide our power, it would have been much faster . ”

Azell had hidden his true powers as he accomplished his tasks .  In this era, he was now known as someone that possessed legendary prowess .  However, he had revealed only a portion of his true power .  They were only seeing the peel to the fruit .

Azell shook his head from side to side .

“I don’t believe that is true . ”

“Do you think people would have become afraid of you?”

“In the standard of this era, I have enough power to threaten a nation . ”

This fact had been fine during the Dragon Demon war .

The army led by the Dragon Demon King army had been such a powerful force that they were considered to be a calamity .  The Nadick empire had conquered most of the continent, and most countries were under the banner of empire .  There were many powerful beings on both sides, so these powerful beings usually moved in concert to take down anyone that went rogue .  A being with transcendent power could be stopped .

However, it was different in this era .  If Azell revealed his true strength, the common folk might greet him with fan fare .  However, the rulers of each nation would feel extreme fear towards him .

“Anyways, we have to live as a member of this era .  We cannot make enemies of the people .  I am very thankful to the members of Guardian Shadows for making this possible . ”

He was accepted as the descendant of Azell Kazark thanks to Count Chieha and Duke Renas .  Both of them were members of the Guardian Shadow .  Azell had let them realize their long-cherished wish of taking revenge against the Dragon Demon King worshippers .  Moreover, there were practical benefits to having Azell join Bijes Kingdom .  This was why they had given their full support to Azell .

Laura queried him .

“Still, I think it would have been ok if you were a bit more greedy . ”

“What do you mean by greedy?”

“It could have been more than the County of Karzark .  You could have made it the Karzark kingdom . ”

During the days of the Nadick empire, he had held the position of Marquis .

Currently, seven kings ruled over this continent, but their families had merely been high ranking lords before the Nadick empire fell .  

If so, wouldn’t it have been ok if Azell created the Karzark kingdom?

Azell grinned as he asked her a question .

“Why? You want to be queen?”

“No . ”

“Then why?”

“It is just an idle thought .  In the stories, the hero always becomes the king . ”

“My dream is to make the County of Karzark inhabitable .  I want to make it a good place to live .  Anything else…  Yes, I’ll leave that possibility open, but I’ll push such plans to a later date . ”

“You want to put it off like the plan for us to have children?”

“Kool-ruhk!”

Laura had ambushed him with her words .  His saliva went down the wrong pipe, so he started coughing .  Azell’s face turned red as he turned to look at her .

“…y . . . yes .  That’s right . ”

“I’m not saying we should rush into it .  It is something we should do after we build our nest . ”

Laura had an expressionless face, yet she had stuck her tongue out .  Azell let out a sigh when he saw this .

“Your personality has changed a lot . ”

“It is bound to happen since I have to live with a rascal like you . ”

“Jeez . ”

Azell hugged her, and he gave her a light kiss .

In the past year, they had become lovers .  Azell had been freed from the ghosts of his past, and he was able to become honest with his feelings .  Moreover, Laura had accepted his feelings .

Soon, Azell exited the barracks as he spoke .

“Shall we go?”

Laura nodded her head .  The change in her expression was so minute that others couldn’t see it .  However, Azell knew she was smiling right now .

When the two of them exited the barracks, the people caught sight of them .  It stirred the audience .  As numerous eyes were focused on him, Azell extended his hand towards the sky .

Suddenly, lightning erupted from the sky .  The lightning bolt shattered the darkness of the early morning as it shot towards Azell’s hand .  Azell’s cape fluttered as he appeared from within the explosive light with a blue sword in his hand .  Everyone let out an ardent shout .

Wahhhhhhhhhhhhh!

As their shout rang out, Azell and Laura advanced towards the demonic land called the County of Karzark .  

Azell looked at the forest as he spoke .

“This is just the beginning . ”

He was finally able to escape from the shadow of his past, and he embarked on his new life .