Chapter 274: Crossroads (15)
“…Hm?”
Professor Windymay blinked as she suddenly felt as though someone had lightly tapped her on the head.
However, she did not feel surprised or annoyed at all.
That sensation was something she recognized well—the feeling that occurred when contact came from another version of herself.
‘Did something troublesome happen?’
Although their power had been split and they could now think and reason independently, the two of them were still undeniably the same being—Windymay Maddown.
Which meant that both of them possessed a quiet but strong pride and disliked losing to anyone.
Even if that “anyone” was another version of herself.
Because they subconsciously felt that contacting the other first meant losing, it was quite surprising for Windymay to receive a message first this time.
How many years had it been since the other side contacted her first?
‘Let’s see….’
Windymay cautiously began tracing through the memories sent by her other self.
Soon after, she let out a dry laugh at the story that the other Windymay had conveyed.
“Ha….”
The Room of Memories, completely destroyed.
Urkubar, already murdered by someone and with his heart ripped out.
Then the arrival of the final Eight Demon Lord, Berenistella.
Lian, who had been attacked by a Cardinal and an Agent, yet counterattacked and killed them all.
And finally, when she went to clean up the scene, it was so perfectly tidy as if nothing had ever happened…
‘It’s fortunate I came here instead of there.’
Windymay thought quietly to herself.
She had previously considered whether she should share her situation with the other side of herself.
But compared to what the other Windymay had faced, that thought now seemed ridiculous.
At the very least, she could grasp the general flow of what was happening here.
“….”
Yes.
Even if she was currently surrounded without a single gap by dragons.
“Looking away during a conversation.”
“Ah.”
At the displeased voice, Windymay obediently acknowledged her mistake and apologized.
“I’m sorry. I received a very important message.”
“….”
“So… hmm. Your name was…?”
“Ninarouelka.”
The androgynous-looking man said the name calmly.
Among the dragons that filled the surroundings, he was the only one who had taken human form and stepped forward as their representative.
“Nice to meet you, Mr. Ninarouelka. As you probably know, my name is Windymay Maddown.”
“I already know,” he replied. “Windymay Maddown. You are the Dragon Slayer who personally defeated two of our kin. There is no dragon who does not know your name.”
Even though his words carried sharp edges, Windymay merely shrugged.
“Even so, it’s impolite not to give your name when the other person has already introduced themselves.”
“….”
Ninarouelka fell silent for a moment before nodding.
“…Indeed. Forgive my earlier rudeness.”
“Mm. I forgive you.”
While nodding, Windymay calmly observed him.
‘A typical dragon. Values etiquette and reputation. Since he apologized immediately after realizing his own rudeness… as long as the line isn’t crossed, he’ll likely tolerate most things.’
Then she glanced at the group behind her and the dragons surrounding them.
‘The other dragons are waiting calmly… and even after witnessing what just happened, none of them show the slightest disturbance. That means Ninarouelka must have a very solid standing among them.’
And more importantly…
When he had briefly bowed earlier to apologize, she had caught sight of a single faintly glowing scale on the back of his neck.
‘That reverse scale just now. It definitely matches the shape of the Five Peaks Lineage. The martial lineage responsible for maintaining order among dragons.’
In other words, he was one of the strongest dragons present here.
And he also belonged to a completely different lineage from the three dragons standing behind her.
‘…Better be careful.’
Having reached that conclusion, Windymay spoke again with slightly more courtesy than before.
“So then, what would you like to discuss with me?”
“The questions will come from this side, Dragon Slayer.”
Ninarouelka spoke in a voice that was soft and polite, yet utterly dry.
“And when you answer, I would appreciate it if you considered your words more carefully than usual. We came here for official business, but there are many here who harbor personal grudges against you. Please keep that in mind.”
“Is that a threat?”
“It is a concern.”
He shook his head.
“If a fight breaks out due to a sudden attack from this side, I will intervene as mediator and representative and assist you in stopping the conflict. However, surely you do not expect me to face many alone. It would be pointless for either side to shed meaningless blood.”
“…I agree.”
“Good. I hope our conversation continues with such mutual understanding.”
Windymay nodded.
Ninarouelka blinked slowly.
“Before we proceed further, I ask that you first grant this side’s request. And I would also like answers to some questions.”
He spoke naturally.
“What happened to Urkubar?”
“He’s dead.”
From behind her came the sound of someone inhaling sharply.
It was probably Menoruka and Junongren.
Even though they had opposed him moments earlier, to one he had been a grandfather, and to the other a respected superior and elder.
Hearing of his death so suddenly would naturally be shocking.
“I see.”
In contrast, Ninarouelka appeared completely calm, as if he had expected it.
“Did you kill him?”
“You might not believe it, but someone else killed him. His heart was torn out.”
“I see….”
At his indifferent reaction, Windymay shrugged.
“Do you have his body? If so, we would like it returned. We must conduct proper funeral rites.”
“Of course. But it isn’t here right now, so I can’t hand it over immediately.”
“That is enough. Thank you.”
He nodded lightly.
“I have one more question. According to the Vow, there should have been a dragon named Airos residing here at the Academy for a long time, fulfilling the duty of Gatekeeper.”
“That’s right.”
“I looked from the sky earlier but could not find him. What happened to him?”
“He’s dead too. A few days ago.”
Windymay added,
“And just in case—you should know it wasn’t done by our side.”
“…I am not accusing you. May we receive his body as well?”
Windymay pursed her lips slightly.
“I already handed it over to Urkubar… but judging from the circumstances, he probably used it in the recent chaos. If we can recover it, we’ll send it as well.”
“Very well. Then one of the reasons we came here has been resolved peacefully.”
He nodded with satisfaction.
“Now for the second reason. Are our children unharmed?”
“You can check for yourselves.”
Windymay stepped slightly aside.
Ninarouelka, who had asked the question formally, stared silently at Menoruka and Junongren—both of them battered and barely standing.
Then he muttered quietly,
“One half of the heart is missing.”
After a short pause, he added,
“I do not believe most would describe that as ‘unharmed.’”
“W-Wait! That’s—!”
At that moment—
As Menoruka tried to speak, Ninarouelka shot her a sharp glare and barked,
“How dare you interrupt this conversation without permission!”
“Ugh!”
“…Once all matters are concluded, you will answer for this as well. Restrain yourself.”
His voice was icy.
Then he turned slightly toward Windymay and bowed his head.
“I have shown an unsightly scene. My apologies.”
“No, it’s fine… I have no intention of interfering in another family’s discipline.”
She waved her hand, then gestured toward Behad, Menoruka, and Junongren.
“If it’s alright, I’d like to speak in defense of those children.”
“…I will listen.”
Windymay briefly summarized the events.
In short, Behad had nearly died while trying to save Menoruka, and to save him, Menoruka had no choice but to give half of her heart.
Ninarouelka listened silently to the entire explanation.
“…Then may I ask a question now?”
Windymay quickly added after finishing.
“You’ve already brought up two matters. This is supposed to be a conversation, not an interrogation.”
“That is fair.”
Ninarouelka nodded.
“Ask.”
“Why have so many of you gathered here?”
Windymay looked at him calmly.
“Let me be more specific. How did you know something like this would happen—and why did so many dragons come?”
“….”
Ninarouelka fell silent.
It didn’t seem like he was avoiding an answer.
Rather, it looked like he was waiting for her to finish what she was about to say.
“You didn’t come here to actually do anything either. Just silently circling the sky in what looks like a wordless demonstration… It’s hard not to think there’s some kind of objective behind it.”
“An objective.”
“Perhaps that wording wasn’t smooth enough? Then…”
Windymay deliberately dragged out her words before nodding.
“Should I say instead that you came to fulfill a Vow?”
“…Impressive.”
Ninarouelka murmured.
“So you noticed that much.”
“If you think about it, too many things didn’t add up.”
“That does not mean everyone could discover the truth.”
He nodded openly.
“If you have already realized that much, there is no need for either side to awkwardly dance around the topic.”
“Then…?”
“As you predicted, we came here for three reasons.”
After a moment, he added in a low voice.
“…And the fact that such an incident would occur was already known by my lineage—the Five Peaks Lineage. For three hundred years.”
“….”
Ninarouelka slowly spread his fingers as he spoke.
“First, to recover the bodies of our fallen kin.
Second, to rescue the young and any dragons in danger.
And lastly, the third reason…”
To fulfill the Vow.
He murmured quietly while looking at Windymay.
“We came here to honor the Vow made three hundred years ago.”
“Three hundred years… If it was that long ago…”
“It was a vow made with the Saintess.”
Windymay closed her eyes briefly.
Three hundred years.
A vow with dragons.
Even before hearing the name, she had already guessed who it must be.
“She sacrificed her own fate to defeat the Evil Dragon, and in doing so granted our kind a great grace. When we sought to repay that grace, she asked one thing of us.”
Three hundred years later.
If the event she spoke of were to occur…
“She asked us to become witnesses to the ritual that would take place—and to preside over it.”
“…What ritual are you referring to?”
“To ask when you already know.”
Ninarouelka muttered quietly.
“The ritual of a Human Sacrifice.”