"W-we're flying!?" Tsubaki exclaimed while in the sky as she tried to grab anything to feel secure.
But for the Goddesses who saw her abilities and Ottar who had already recalled everything, it didn't come as a surprise. Instead, they all looked behind them and could see a small dot with flapping wings, "Why did it come here at this timing?" asked Ottar.
Loki recalled that Kisuke passed something to Riveria for Ais and she was able to guess why, "Who knows? We should ask Zeus about it since he knew it best."
It didn't take too long for them to reach Melen and they could see the Adventurers and the very few citizens still left panicking at the sound of the roar. Their anxiety was so much that most of them didn't even notice people flying over their heads.
Riveria navigated and landed between the temporary residences of the Loki and Freya Familia and although they saw many questioning looks, they couldn't fancy asking as they were far too busy with their preparations.
The first thing they noticed was Zeus and Odin, acting like mortals, standing nearby. But instead of approaching them, Ottar suddenly asked Riveria, "What should we do now?"
Tsubaki was surprised at him but after thinking about it, this was the right call, and she planned to do the same.
"Depends on how the Black Dragon will act. If it comes attacking Melen, we could repel it. But if it goes straight to the Dungeon, it'll be bad news."
Ottar wondered why she only said 'repel' when it was clear that she was fully capable of taking it on. However, what caught his attention more was the 'bad news', "...Why is that?"
Riveria turned her attention to the Black Dragon that was getting bigger and bigger as time goes and with her power of observation, its flight path slightly avoided Melen and the frontlines, "As a monster that thirsts for blood and should always choose slaughter, it going to the Dungeon would mean that there's something far more valuable in it than all of the 'food' here."
They then could see the officers of the Loki and Freya Familia coming towards the point of intersection with the Dragon from the frontlines with each one of them ready to intercept it. But after ascertaining that there was no intent from the Black Dragon to fight, Riveria hurriedly called to them, "Stop! Let it pass! It's not looking for a fight right now!"
Finn was the first one who reacted and stared at the incoming Black Dragon for a moment before stopping and shouting a command, "Stop! Do not engage!"
Everyone was confused at his sudden contrary command and became even more nervous when they saw that the Dragon was rapidly approaching. Nevertheless, those apprehensions proved to be worthless when the Dragon ignored them and headed directly toward Orario. It was only a few moments later when its last roar was heard and it disappeared within the monster-overrun city.
"Couldn't you defeat the Black Dragon yourself?" Ottar asked without turning his head.
Riveria didn't immediately reply to that question. When she first arrived after her outrageous experience from the other side, she, without a doubt, wanted to show off what she could do. However, after seeing everyone's state, she could finally understand Kisuke when he said that he didn't want to get involved as much as possible since that would be taking the opportunity from someone else to grow stronger, especially when they themselves have nothing to gain from it, "It's every Adventurer's dream to subjugate one of the three Great Quest and if I just suddenly take its head, it might just leave a bad aftertaste."
As someone who experienced being on the top, even for a few short years, Ottar could understand where Riveria was coming from. He too wouldn't easily help newbies just because they are struggling a little.
'Besides, I have a feeling that the Black Dragon is a lot more troublesome than the corrupted Spirit.' Riveria thought while saying, "Let's go inside for now and talk about what we should do from now on.
.
.
.
The officers of the Loki, Freya, Miach, and Hephaestus Familias convened with their Deities with the addition of Zeus and Odin.
As for the rest of the prominent Familias, they went to Orario as an elite group to investigate why the Black Dragon went straight that way.
But just as they were about to start, Loki noticed that Ais was having some difficulty breathing and a very thin miasma was surrounding her that wouldn't be noticed if one doesn't stare at her for some time, "Ais? What's wrong?"
Ais finally clutched her chest in pain and Lysa let out a worried roar on her lap, "...I... Don't know... I can't... Control my wind..."
Her friends finally looked at her and tried asking her what was happening. Sadly, Ais couldn't give any answer as she also doesn't know anything and it only started happening when she heard the Black Dragon's first roar.
Without answers to their questions, Loki turned to Zeus and asked, "Old Zeus, you should know what's happening. Isn't it about time you share what's in your head?"
Before she could even ask, Zeus was already having a complicated expression while looking at Ais, '...Will there be a 'Hero' that could save her?'
Zeus sighed and answered, "Alas... It really turned out this way. Let me preface it by saying that the Black Dragon isn't just a Dragon, but also a parasite."
Zeus could see everyone's confusion as he continued, "And its next host is Aria and Albert's daughter, Ais Wallenstein."
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AN: I'm sorry if I'm skipping a lot of character interactions here. As much as I want a natural flow, it would pad the sideshow too much and might become too boring. I also wanted to finish this arc within a certain timeframe so I'll be focusing on the incoming action and battle scenes before immediately moving to the aftermath.