Chronicles of Nog-Ald 16 [#FantasyNovelCategory]

Chapter 15: "Granting Light to Holy Desires"

Emerald green scales, golden claws, crimson fangs, and azure eyes. Responding to Elif, who had offered the [Dragon's Artifact], it was not Queen Aqua who appeared, but an ancient giant dragon. The giant dragon let out a roar that seemed to blow everything away, glaring at Elif with ferocious azure eyes.

"W-why... Mother... where is Mother..."

The giant dragon stepped forward toward the stunned Elif. In the nick of time, Aiol leaped in, saving Elif from being crushed.

The humans stood frozen in terror before the ancient giant dragon. Amidst them, Oard, the only one without a physical body, calmly identified the cause.

"His desire has changed."

"What do you mean?"

"He originally wished for his mother's resurrection. However, by the time he reached the altar, that feeling had faded, and his desire had shifted to 'the destruction of a world without his mother.'"

"No way..."

The giant dragon attacked the despairing humans without mercy. As it opened its massive jaws, the back of its throat glowed with a burning red light.

"It's a scorching breath! Everyone, hurry into my barrier!"

"But Aiol and the others!"

Emera pointed, half-crying. Aiol and Elif were still lying in the rubble.

"Aiol! Hurry over here!"

At Oard's voice, Aiol got up. He then hoisted Elif and rushed toward the others. However, the scorching breath was unleashed from the giant dragon's mouth before Aiol and Elif could make it into the barrier.

"Lapis!!"

As the scorching heat closed in, King Saphir leaped out of the barrier. He doused Aiol and Elif with water magic, washing them into the barrier. Aiol couldn't help but scream.

"Father-----!!"

The area outside the barrier turned completely red. King Saphir gave Aiol a gentle smile before vanishing into the flames.
Aiol tried to leave the barrier, screaming and crying. However, he was restrained by several people, preventing him from moving.

"Hey, stop! You'll die!"

"Let go! Let me go, Solm!"

"Don't let the Holy King's sacrifice go to waste!"

Ventus shouted in a voice bordering on a wail.

When the crimson scenery faded, the area around the barrier had turned into scorched earth. The group despaired at the sight. As if to add insult to injury, the giant dragon swung its front leg down. Everyone dodged at the last second, but they were scattered.

Aiol, like Elif, was stunned and listless. Even though he had no memories of them as father and son, it was only natural, as he had just watched his father die before his eyes.

The giant dragon was creeping closer. If things continued like this, everyone here—no, all life in Nog-Ald—would be extinguished. The only one who could stop it was Aiol, who held the Holy Sword Desiré. However, having just lost his father, Aiol had no strength left.

Beside Aiol was Elif, who looked like a hollow shell. As he tumbled, something slipped out of the pocket of his black robe. It was a bottle containing an amber liquid and fine tea leaves.

"Aiol-----!! Drink that-----!!"

"Eh...?"

Suddenly called by name, Aiol looked back and forth between the voice's owner and the bottle.

"Just drink it-----!! It's my recommended herbal tea-----!!"

Aiol picked up the bottle, uncorked it, and downed the herbal tea in one gulp. Immediately, Aiol's complexion brightened, and his expression became lively.

"High-potency herbal tea! When it comes to nourishment, stamina recovery, and vitality boosting, this is the one! It's also super effective for mental recovery! Do it! Aiol!!"

"Thank you, Solm!!"

Regripping the Holy Sword Desiré, Aiol dashed toward the giant dragon. The holy sword shone, emitting light as if responding to Aiol's heart. It was the same clear, lapis-lazuli light as Aiol's hair and eyes.

"I love Nog-Ald! I love Wolley, Niarg, Eld, and Yubel! I love everyone who lives there! That's why I won't let someone like you destroy it!!"

Light overflowed from the holy sword, enveloping Aiol's body. As if carried by the light, Aiol soared into the air and plunged the holy sword into the giant dragon's brow.

The giant dragon let out a roar like a death cry before dispersing into particles of white light. The particles of light flew to where the [Summit Altar] had been, returning it to its original form. The [Dragon's Artifacts] had all turned gray, as if they had lost their power, and were rolling on the altar floor.

Staring at the altar, which sat there as if nothing had happened, Aiol muttered.

"Did I... do it...?"

"Yes. Well done, Aiol."

It was Oard who answered.

"I see... I did it."

Aiol muttered, savoring the words. The Holy King Saphir, who had sacrificed himself to protect his beloved son. His final smile seemed to still be there.

"Father... I did it... I... did... it..."

Aiol's eyes, shedding tears on the summit of Mount Nog-Ald, were as beautiful as [|Ephemeral Eyes]. They were the same lapis-lazuli eyes as Saphir's.

Before he knew it, the sky had cleared to a deep blue, and gentle sunlight was shining down on Aiol.

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