The Oracles can't help themselves from being mesmerized by the enchanted cave. They can see through the enchantments weave into the place like they've never seen before.
'It's an Ancient Spell!'
'No, it's probably much older. This magic...'
The Silver Dragon looks pleased as he watches their evident amazed expressions. He rarely meets anyone who appreciates this kind of enchantment.
He can't help himself of being proud. He rarely impresses anyone these days.
Eu waves her hand as she ignores his smug, proud expression. Indeed, the Ancient Dragon has unique concealing and magic skills.
She bring them into the concealment spell with a wave of her hand. The Ancient Dragon narrowed his eyes as he wonders. How did she manage to break in so easily?
Everyone is simply astounded, but they are more concerned by the beautiful glowing Limestone Cave.
The luminous limestone emits a warm glow. They never saw anything like that before. It's like an entirely new world in general.
The Silver Dragon is hovering beside the Eu, Grand Elder Enoch, and Elder Levi. Everyone else is following in a safe distance with the High Council.
"Silver Dragon, This is Grand Elder Enoch, and this is Elder Teacher Levi… " Eu started to introduce everyone.
"It's a pleasure to meet you all… I never met so many people in ages." The Dragon chuckled lightheartedly.
Elder Enoch is finding him rather strange and familiar, but he shrugged at the thought. Still, he can't help suspecting this Ancient Dragon. He is not the same entity as he portrays.
He shoves the thought at the back of his head. Everyone has a secret, after all. The Silver Dragon is an Ancient, and he probably has a collection of secrets on his sleeves.
"How did you two meet?" the Grand Elder curiously asked. "Do you, by chance, have a name?"
"Addressing me Silver Dragon will suffice." he chuckles as he continues, "Oh, our meeting... That is a very embarrassing story…"
"He said awful things to me, and I beat him down…" Eu nonchalantly responded, cutting him short.
Grand Elder Enoch turned to Eu in disbelief, lips slightly ajar, and unable to find the right words to say.
The Dragon is a huge and powerful being. How can she be so bold and take on such a feat?
"Don't be angry, Grand Elder. I am totally at fault. She came on behalf of the Holy Guardian Lord Azure Dragon years ago, and yet there I was acting so arrogant. I simply refuse to listen. I just got what I deserve." The Dragon turned to the old man.
He seems to have a frozen, disbelief expression. The Silver Dragon is trying his best to comfort and put him at ease.
Meanwhile, the High Council is having a discussion on their own. Unlike the others, they are communicating telepathically with one another.
'The Silver Dragon's magic is truly extraordinary… His magic…'
'It's a forgotten spell. Our enchantment is somewhat derived from this knowledge.'
'Are you sure? Then, who is this Dragon? Are you saying he is not really a Mystic Beast? Is that even possible...?'
'There is nothing impossible in this world... Only undisclosed facts...'
Everyone nods in agreement. Astra holds so many secrets and the Oracles is no exception.
Back to Grand Elder Enoch, he can only sigh in resignation to the entire revelation. He doesn't have the strength to pose any more questions regarding these two.
The Silver Dragon, on the other hand, ignored his concerns and remained carefree. He continues to tell them random stories as they walked along the long passage. He entertains their inquiries occasionally.
Not long after, everyone started to be comfortable with him. Naturally, his presence is intimidating and imposing. Still, he can be very accommodating at the same time.
"Are you going to live with us, Mr. Dragon?" a little girl runs up to him.
"Technically, yes. This is my cave and abode after all, but I stay in a different annex. We may barely see each other." the Silver Dragon responded as he lowers his head and face the little girl.
She is simply adorable and didn't show any fear as she looks into his blazing red eyes. In fact, she seems very fond of this creature.
"Awww… I want to play with you… Visit often…" the little girl hugged the Silver Dragon's head.
He swings his head and throws the little girl to his neck. Everyone was taken aback by his sudden gesture.
"Come, little one. I'll carry you." he chuckles nonchalantly.
The Silver Dragon has bewildered everyone. Rumors have it that this Ancient Dragon is fierce and relentless.
How can he be so good with children?
That is before the little girl Eu beat him for being intolerably arrogant. In fact, he can't help seeing himself in her. He simply adores that child.
Other children also came rushing in and wanted to climb unto him. He indulges all the children as he lowers himself and lets them all climb as he laughs lightheartedly.
Eu snorts as she rolled her eyes at his unbelievable behavior. Years ago, he won't even listen to her request, and now he is indulging every child's desire.
He even lowers his head and satisfies himself to give them rides. He seems like a different Silver Dragon from her memory.
"I can't believe you. How can you be like this?" Eu stared at him, almost glaring.
"What else can I say? You changed me." the Silver Dragon responded lightheartedly.
He let out a burst of resounding hearty laughter, as he started flying ahead of everyone. He reminds the children to hold on tighter to his sparkling silver mane.
"I'll see you at the end of this tunnel. I'm sure you remember the way, little one." the Silver Dragon's voice echoes the passageway.
Eu can't help but sigh as she watches them disappear ahead of them. He truly has changed since that day she beats him down.
She even told the Holy Guardian Azure Dragon, and he can't believe they are talking about the same creature. He just laughs at her as well and in disbelief.
Meanwhile, in the Central Palace, the Divine Lord's aides received the reports about the disturbance at Inner Courts that involves the Oracle Clan Village. They gather themselves in a corner, wondering if they should inform the Lord at that very moment.
The Divine Lord's schedule is jammed packed. If they informed him that second, he would abandon everything, and they will suffer taking over his duties.
They decided to hold the information a while longer and carry through the day ignorant to the situation. They decided to draw lots later and know the unfortunate person to inform him.
They all nodded together and dispersed.
Meanwhile, the Tanuki twins are listening to the entire conversation in the shadow. They wanted to go directly to the Divine Lord Foeni and report.
Then again, they decided to watch in the sidelines and see how things unfold. After all, it will surely be interesting.
At the same time, in the luxurious room at the Golden Inn, the four Holy Guardian Lords has secretly gathered. They frequent this place to meet with Eu since their secret agreement.
They started exchanging information regarding last night's incident. Eu has barely disclosed her plans. Though they knew she would pull it through with no problem.
Still, they are worried about the entire situation. They can't help being concerned. How are these entities slip through everyone's radar?
"What happened? Why aren't you saying anything?! What do you know?" Freya bursts out.
Jin is casually drinking his tea as if he has never cared. He looked at his cup, indifferently watching the liquid produce steam.
"Probably the same as you do. Inner Courts is withholding information regarding the matter." he cooly responded.
"They said there are dead Shadow spies all over Inner Courts. It happened in one fell swoop last night. He is very efficient and moves like the wind. I'm genuinely impressed." Gaust chimes in.
Gaust looks like a young general dressed in black robes with red and gold accents. His Jet Black hair is neatly half-tied on his back as layered bangs is covering half of his face.
His eyes resemble rare green Malachite stones, beautiful and captivating. He has fully recovered and looks charming.
"So many spies are lurking around in Mystic Spirit. Freya, you shouldn't have provoked that monster." Rean rested her head on her hand as she helps herself with the pastry.
"So, it's all my fault now? I shouldn't have saved you and just thought of throwing you to the blast and save ourselves." Freya said unamused as she rolled her eyes.
Freya can't help rolling her eyes as she sneers. Rean can sometimes drop the most absurd comments.
"What could she have been doing now? Where is she? She should stop making her friends worry." Jin just sighed and murmured worriedly.
Though, he knew the girl is capable of handling herself at any given situation. He still can't help himself with being concerned.
Last night's incident brings chills to everyone, and they are no exceptions. The events two hundred years ago and seven years ago are both still fresh in their memory.
They can't mistake the ominous aura he is emitting. They can tell they are one and the same. He has returned to exact his vengeance for whatever reason they cannot explain.
Peace is indeed fleeting.
They experience a few months of peace ever since Gaust's extraction from Themis. It might have some mishaps, but they manage to pull through.
Then again, if it wasn't for Eu and Freya's magic spells, they highly doubt to prevail against that hostility.
Since that day, the Mysterious Man, who attacked them, has never shown himself again. It seems his plans were pushed further back. His shadows, on the other hand, is another story.
Back the Ancient Silver Dragon's layer, the Oracle Clan members have finally reached the ending of the tunnel. The Dragon is waiting patiently with their children. They are happily playing with him.
Some even started braiding his mane. His long body is coil around in the corner as some climbs up and down on him.
Everyone feels somewhat a mix of amusement and restlessness as they watch them. Children are indeed innocent. They are unconcern about anything else as they heartily enjoy themselves.