Mane, Lam and Lily sat silently and listened to City Lord Sutton speak of the Legend of the Black Dragon Of The East. Although they knew the legend, they didn't interrupt. Rather they chose to listen silently. They knew that City Lord Sutton needed to use the story of the Black Dragon's legend to build up to what they really wanted to know. Soon, what they were waiting for came up, and their ears perked up just a bit more – an instinctive reaction – when they realised that the information they were waiting for was coming up.
"Many believed that the Black Dragon roamed the world in his last days, and that he died somewhere unknown – a place where nobody knew his name or who he was. But the history archives of the most well-grounded First Class Cities say otherwise."
City Lord Sutton paused here to take a sip of some wine. Mane and the twins couldn't help but smile bitterly. Intentionally or unintentionally, City Lord Sutton had chosen the worst time to take this sip of wine. He had chosen to do so just when it was getting to the part that was of interest to them. Luckily for them, City Lord Sutton didn't indulge in the wine for too long. Sensing the impatient looks he was getting, the older man smiled and got back on track.
"This man really knows how to drive people by the nose," Hildegarde commented from the side, and Mane was very much inclined to agree. This man really knew how to use the emotions of others to control them.
"As I was saying, the archives that deep grounded First Class Cities have are different from what the majority of the world knows. It is said that he was so gravely injured that his strength took a severe nosedive. Our archives say otherwise. It says in our archives that he was indeed injured by the Winged Serpent, just like many of the Mystic Path Warriors. But unlike them, he attained a huge breakthrough in strength. And that was the reason he was able to kill the Winged Serpent in the first place. It is also said that the Black Dragon Of The East didn't spend his time only roaming the world."
"First and foremost, he roamed the world chasing rumors of a miracle plant that could heal him of his injuries. And from what our records suggest, he did find this cure. So in the end, he didn't even explore the world for long. He did that only for a short time. And after his injuries healed, his strength skyrocketed, making him several times stronger than he was in the past. In a bid to find one who could push him to the limits of his power, he toured the world again. But he grew bored quickly. Every creature he came across was weaker than him by a huge margin, and there was no warrior of his caliber in sight. Those who were once his peers were either too injured to fight anymore, or had declined with age. Remember, he was very young when he faced the Winged Serpent; so he didn't have to worry about a decline in strength. Added to the fact that his strength was nothing like it was before – but several times greater – he couldn't find anyone who could challenge him. He grew desperate; powerless; forlorn."
"Did you by any chance take this test as the Black Dragon Of The East some years ago?" Hildegarde looked at Mane doubtfully and said. Mane didn't say anything. He couldn't, even if he wanted to. But he understood why Hildegarde made such a silly comment. This person was a bit like Mane. He was someone seeking a worthy rival; a person they could call a foe. Yet he was left disappointed after having searched the world. Mane couldn't help but feel a sense of comradery with the Black Dragon Of The East. But he also felt that the Black Dragon Of The East was several times more pitiful. Mane felt lonely because none of his age mates or people of his generation could rival him. But there were several other strong characters who could keep him company. But this Black Dragon Of The East had no one. He was the strongest person in the world, and there was none who could rival him.
"This feeling of being the most overpowered person in the world would have pleased the average man – but not the Black Dragon. He grew mad with rage and the fear of being alone in death. And caused havoc in many cities. Several landscapes were shaped by his power, and the walking disaster known as the Black Dragon Of The East became a bedtime nightmare story parents used to coerce their kids into doing what was right."
Mane felt his blood run cold at City Lord Sutton's words. And the twins were just as horrified by what they were hearing. This was someone whose power could determine the landscape of the world! How much power would one have to have to be capable of destroying the world itself! Their eyes were opened, and they suspected that there was a realm above even the Nightmare Realm!
"If the records of talks of are true, then this person was definitely at least a Noble," Hildegarde's expression was stern as she spoke. When one reached a level where their actions could make or unmake a planet, one would be known as a Noble. It was a level of power that only lost out to the realm known as the Ascension Realm. Basically, only an Ascender or a God could stop a Noble!
"They may sound exaggerated – the records – but I believe them," City Lord Sutton wasn't afraid to express his opinions, caring little for what Mane, Lam and Lily would think of him for believing such a bizarre story.
"Why?" Lily couldn't help but ask.
"Intuition," City Lord Sutton smiled and said, and Mane could feel that the man was being honest.
"I'm starting to really like this man," Hildegarde said.
"Back to the story," City Lord Sutton said and took another sip of his wine. Next to him, Madam Anna and Mira took sips out of their cups as well. But unlike City Lord Sutton, they only drank tea. Mane wasn't interested in anything else other than the fruits. And since those were done, he wasn't paying any attention to the snacks or drinks on the table. Lam was too engrossed in the story and Lily wasn't a big eater. She only took a cupcake before feeling that she had hit her limits.
"The rampage of the Black Dragon lasted a couple of years, and then it suddenly ceased. It was almost as if he had disappeared. However, he wasn't truly gone. He returned a year later, moody but not deranged. No one knew why his attitude and lust for blood had suddenly changed, but he didn't bother with that anymore. People were still terrified of him though, fearing that he would go back to his deranged state once again. But their worries were just that – worries. They never materialized. Instead, it was said that the Black Dragon concentrated his efforts elsewhere. Do you know what it is he did?"
City Lord Sutton paused his monologue and asked. Of course Mane and the twins had no idea what happened. If they knew, they wouldn't have come to City Lord Sutton for information.
"Stop playing with their emotions. If you aren't going to say it, then I will." Madam Anna chided lovingly from the side, and City Lord Sutton smiled bitterly and resumed his story.
"He created a city," he finally revealed. And Mane and the twins were stunned. That was surely one way to get your mind off your depressing thoughts. However, quickly their eyes grew wider as they linked a few of the missing pieces of the grand puzzle they had been trying to solve all this time.
"Is that city…" Lily started.
"The Citadel?" Lam finished. Although Mane didn't say anything, his expression showed that he was thinking the exact same thing.
"Good guess," City Lord Sutton smiled and said. "Unfortunately, that is something my ancestors never managed to figure out," he continued.
"But we are of the belief that The Citadel is this city," Madam Anna interjected, and City Lord Sutton nodded his head.
"Their City Lord's family is referred to as the Family of Dragons. Although one can't read too much into that title, Black Hand's demonstration today has made us think a lot into it. That man may be from the Family of Dragons. As for why he was allowed to participate in the Grand Tourney, I'm sure you are aware." Madam Anna stated, and the three youngsters opposite her nodded their heads.
"He came for you," Lam spoke with a sigh. "It seems that they are really wary of you if they were willing to take such a risk for your head," Mane added. For The Citadel to risk revealing such an important secret showed just how much they were fearful of City Lord Sutton.
"It isn't my husband they fear," Madam Anna shook her head with a small smile on her face. Mane and the twins were a bit surprised by the information. If they didn't fear City Lord Sutton, then whom did they fear. Who was it that could cause such a powerful city to have such great unease? It must surely have to do with City Lord Sutton's backing. But who could be the backing of a First Class City's Lord? Was it…? Mane and the twins reached a decision at the same time, and their eyes were firmly glued on Madam Anna's enchanting figure.
"It isn't me," Madam Anna shook her head and said. "This person's identity is so unique that we cannot give it out. I am sorry." Madam Anna apologized.
"It's unfortunate. I really wanted to know who this person was," Mane smiled wryly and said. Lily nodded her head and added, "If it isn't you or your family, then this person must be really amazing."
"He is," City Lord Sutton replied. At least his words told them this person's gender, but that was all.
"I wish we knew his name at least," Lam smiled bitterly and said.
"That's easy"
A voice that didn't belong to any of those here was heard. Mane and the twins knew that voice. And when they turned to look at the person, they were stunned. Standing at the entrance to the hall was a tall man with a rounded figure. He had a genial smile on his face, and his expression was that of a harmless middle aged man. But Mane knew better than to think that he was. This person was…
"Ivor?!"