Alan's black robe danced and fluttered gracefully in the soft wind as he stood in silence, observing the struggling red dragon as its large body reflected in his bright green, emerald pupils.
Even while being encased in thick red clacking chains, the red dragon continued to struggle relentlessly as it did everything in its power to break free.
However, no matter how much it struggled and moved, it couldn't break free. In fact, the more it struggled the more the chains coiled and clung around its body tighter.
The chains seem to have a mind of their own, as it continued to cling with more force as it enclosed the body of the red dragon.
Alan who stood before the red dragon couldn't help but frown as he saw the deep hatred inside the reptilian like eyes of the dragon. "... So much hatred. Did something happened for it to harbor so much hate?" Alan wondered. Usually, dragons are known to be indifferent towards humans and tend to ignore them.
Just as how humans subconsciously ignore ants, dragons lived far in the mountainous territories and never go out of their way to get close to humans, unless—
"Could it be... Did someone provoke the dragons somehow?"
[It's possible. Older dragons especially, this one is very intelligent. They wouldn't go out of their way to attack human territories when the chance of getting annihilated is very high. Though it would be different if it was actually a true dragon.] Akane explained.
Alan nodded his head and slowly approached the red dragons' body with calm, and composed steps. "Let's talk. Can you tell me why you are so angry?" Alan inquired.
Grrrr!
The red dragon narrowed its eyes dangerously while trying to open its maw, but all that came out was a low growl as the chains clung around its snout tightly.
Seeing that Alan gently waved his slender right hand in a graceful manner and, following that gesture the glistening blood chains around the red dragon's snout dispersed dramatically into tiny droplets of blood!
"Human! Come over here, I'll rip you to pieces!" The red dragon roared in fury. However, Alan merely observed the red dragon indifferently before asking.
"Why don't you take a small breather? I am not your enemy. At least, I don't remember doing anything that warrant such enmity."
Alan's face was hidden behind his mask however, he was wearing an extremely serious expression as he observed the red dragon.
"We have no enmity, you humans were the one who killed my son, not to mention all of our kins were taken away and killed by you humans. And you ask why I'm so angry!" The red dragon roared.
Alan's nonchalant attitude was annoying it even more. However, upon hearing that Alan furrowed his brow. "Your kins were killed by humans, you say?"
'Did I misunderstand something? Were the humans the one who were at fault here?' Alan wondered. "What do you think, Akane. Is he telling the truth?" Alan inquired. The other still on the battlefield wore confused expression as they saw him talking to himself. Similarly, the red dragon also gazed at Alan with a strange expression. But Alan ignored their gazes.
[... Yes, I can't feel any deceit or falsehood in its statement at all... Which means someone really provoked them.] Akane explained.
"... I-I see. So, the ones who were at fault were the humans." Alan mumbled. His hand clenched into a fist as he turned his attention towards those on the battlefield.
"... You!" Alan pointed toward Cole dragon and tried his best to change his usual childish voice as he spoke. "Did you guys do anything to upset the dragons, for example did you guys go to the mountains to kill their kins. Thus, provoking them?" He inquired.
Cole stared fixedly at Alan's face, and even though he could not see his face due to his mask, he could instinctively tell he was making a rather stern expression.
Cole sighed as he shook his head. "No... I don't recall our nation ever initiating any kind of harmful acts against the dragon race until recently when they suddenly attacked us unexpectedly." He explained in a rather eloquent tone.
Hearing that Alan nodded his head in understanding. Had it been anyone else he definitely would have been suspicious; however, Alan knew his grandfather wouldn't lie. Akane also seem to believe his words as she didn't make any comment.
'I see. Then this was all just a big misunderstanding then. Probably someone from the outside has been attacking the dragon and killing their kins. If I remember correctly this nation should be closest to the forest, no?' So, it would make sense if the dragons ended up thinking that they're the ones at fault.
"... I believe this whole thing is nothing but a misunderstanding on both sides." He suddenly said. "What!" The red dragon narrowed its eyes dangerously as it glared at Alan as though it wanted nothing more than to tear him to pieces.
"So many of my kins were killed and you have the nerves to call that a misunderstanding!" Its eyes glowed viciously.
"We also lost a lot of humans due to the dragon race too, did we not?" Alan tilted his head as he said that. It would be a lie if he said he didn't feel bad for the dragons, but with the culprit currently unknown there wasn't really anything he could do.
'... I wonder does this has anything to do with that man. Even though so many years has passed since my death that old man should still be alive right?'
[You think the dragon emperor has something to do with it?] Akane asked.
'I'm not sure, but when I remember how ambitious he was for wanting to conquer the seven great lands I can't help but worry, my presence was the only thing keeping him away from stepping out of line but now that Ellard is considered dead there is no longer anyone capable of stopping him unless the twin goddesses decide to make a move personally.'
He thought but, such an outcome seems unlikely. Udea never leaves her castle as she didn't want to meet her sister and end up going to battle with her. While Eva had no interest or desire to help humans.
The dragon emperor was a powerful being who Ellard had fought many times in the past. He had defeated him so many times that he had lost count. Despite that he was never able to kill him as his defense was really formidable. Alan wasn't confident he could win against him in his current condition.
[... Personally, I doubt that man would make a move right now, if he does wouldn't the Phoenix empress try to stop him?] Akane asked, curiously.
Honestly, Akane didn't really like the Phoenix empress because of her arrogance but she had to admit the woman was extremely strong.
How many territories were destroyed due to the clash between the dragon emperor and the Phoenix empress. Alan hummed to himself as a beautiful woman with flaming red-haired pops into his mind.
'... Indeed. You are right, if he does make a move right now then she would definitely intervene. After all the sacred mountain was right in the middle of the seven territories. No matter what, her own territory would get drag into the mix. We probably won't have to worry about him for now.'
"... I have decided to overlook all the damage you and your kins has caused. If you leave now, then I won't kill you." Alan said, bluntly. The surroundings became silent as everyone stared at him dumbfoundedly.
"Wh-What did you say, are you crazy?! Why are you letting them go after all the deaths and destructions they have caused!" Cassidy bellowed as she glared at Alan's small back.
Alan slowly turned his head and glanced at the woman who had just spoke. "... Y-You?" Cassidy's body froze as her face paled as though she had lost a lot of her vitality.
From behind his mask Alan gaze at her deeply as a chilling light flash through his eyes. Those two emerald pupils showed nothing but coldness to the point that it seems to have taken a physical form, as a dense aura of coldness surrounded his figure. And with a voice that left no room for negotiations he said.
"Is that a problem? After thinking about the current situation deeply I decided that the dragons are not completely at fault here, humans has also killed their kind as well... Is there a problem with that?" Cassidy and the others on the battlefield subconsciously gulp their saliva as they felt the air became tinge with coldness.
[Careful your murderous intent is leaking.] Akane warned sternly.
Ellared had taken hundreds, thousands and billions even trillions of lives before so his killing intent was very strong and well developed even now.
Seeing that no one else was complaining Alan turned his attention back to the red dragon and asked in a tone that showed nothing but indifference. "Do you also have a problem with that? If you decide not to leave here quietly then I will definitely massacre the remainder of your kind here."
The red dragons massive body flinched when it heard what Alan had just said. After thinking carefully, it nodded its head in understanding. Despite its anger it was a dragon that had lived for a very long time, so it naturally knew its own limits and was smart enough to know when to accept its own defeat.
It had already lost to this unknown person that appeared out of nowhere, so how was it supposed to win now?
'It's best to just leave that and wait for an opening to launch another attack when they least expect it.' The red dragon thought, however. "Abandon that thought." Alan's eyes flash with a vicious gleam as he spoke. The dragon subconsciously nodded its head up and down as a look of fear appeared in its eyes for a second before disappearing as quickly as it came.
'Th-This guy... Can he read mind?!' The red dragon broke out into cold sweats. However, of course Alan could not read the thoughts of his enemies. Such an ability would be too convenient.
After living for so long he naturally had good observation eyes and saw the glint in the eyes of the red dragon.
With a snap of his fingers, the cackling crimson chains dispersed into tiny droplets of blood and splattered against the ground.
With its body now freed it roughly flapped its wings and ascended into the sky.
ROOOAAAR!
The red dragon roared as it left along with the rest of the dragons who were flying in the sky. Seeing that the others on the battlefield breathe a sigh of relief as the strength left their bodies.
"Fuck... This elder is getting too old for this."
"... I never want to see another damn dragon for the remainder of my miserable years."
"Same here man. I swore I almost wet my pants when I saw that breath attack."
As they laid down their weapons, they started mumbling amongst themselves. Cole was about to say something to Alan, however—
Whoosh!
A massive amount of blood suddenly appeared and moved as though it was alive. The blood twists and turned as it created a barrier around Alan's body before the blood spun around his body in a spiral motion until his entire figure was completely hidden behind a tornado of blood!
Bang!...
Once the blood dispersed and scattered his figure and presence was completely gone from the battlefield. "Hm, he left?" Cole glanced around. Cassidy gritted her teeth annoyance apparent on her face. "Damn that bastard!" She growls beneath her breath.
...
In another location...
In the distant the figure of a young boy with slightly long silver colored hair could be seen moving around with light and fluid movement. The young boy of course was Alan, he had taken off his mask as he kept leaping from building to building as he steadily made his way back to the dragon clan. The time for Akane's imitate to run out was approaching.
No matter what he had to make it back there before the time runs out.
[Fufufu... Someone wants to be the mysterious hero.] Akane teased.
"Hmph, hero... I'm not interested. I just want to see my goddess again." Alan replied.
[Right, right. Though I'm curious why someone wanted to kill the dragons living in the mountain, aren't you interested as well?]
"... I am... But we currently have no lead to such information right now. Instead of poking my nose into something so troublesome, its best to get as strong as possible, right?" Alan replied.
[... I understand what you mean but. After thinking about it calmly I think there is something at play here we don't understand... Something big.]
...
Inside another world...
Two people with powerful aura were currently standing before an ancient looking door that looked as though it hadn't opened in a very long time.
The door had strange looking symbols carve on the side. More importantly, the symbols seem to carry an otherworldly power that could easily rewrite the laws of the universe.
And disclosed its many mysteries and uncovered secrets.