Chapter 1032: Section 1033: Great Hall Murals
Upon receiving the dragon scale, Odeclass’s entire body uncontrollably shuddered.
Angel could vaguely see that the flames enveloping Odeclass dimmed slightly.
He was certain that the white dragon scale must have come from an Abyssal Frost Dragon. Frost Dragons are natural adversaries of Fire Dragons, so holding this scale must have caused some damage to Odeclass himself.
Yet, when it accepted the dragon scale, there wasn’t the slightest hesitation, and furthermore, it relished it as if it were a sweet treat.
While Odeclass was meticulously examining the dragon scale, Angel finally got a good look at the vivid mural on the hall’s front wall.
The entire Crystal Ice Hall was almost entirely blue and white with transparency, the only exception being that mural, which was vivid in a way that didn’t seem to come from an Abyssal creature.
The mural depicted an Abyssal Dragon white as jade.
Having seen the true form of Fafnir before, and with Odeclass now before him, whether it be a Wind Dragon or a Fire Dragon, both had a fierce and terrifying appearance, but the Abyssal Dragon in the mural, white and clear as crystal, sparkling and translucent, made even the grotesque double horns of other Abyssal Dragons seem irresistibly beautiful on its figure.
In the mural, the Abyssal Dragon’s scales were also lustrously white like jade, exactly matching the dragon scale that had been encased in ice.
Could it be that this was the Abyssal Frost Dragon called Binaqionse?
Considering Odeclass had been gazing at the mural with such affection, perhaps it truly was the case.
Angel continued to observe the mural, and from a stylistic point of view, this Abyssal Dragon’s likeness was rendered in the mainstream realistic style, possibly beautified by the subjectivity of the artist, but, at least, it looked quite lifelike.
But the background of the mural—
The Abyssal Dragon spanned both day and night; the daylight was like golden sands, the night’s fireflies were like gathering stars.
The transformation of day and night carried an expressionist’s color. Particularly the depiction of the night sky was like a vortex directly assaulting the visual senses, involuntarily immersing the viewer in a hallucinatory experience.
The combination of multiple styles didn’t clash at all. Created freely and effortlessly, it was as if the painter had ink spots in his heart, simply waiting for the brush to spread them out.
The painting wasn’t very elaborate, and the handling of colors in many areas was quite basic, but the painter’s emotions deeply condensed within the artwork. In a painting, although appearance is important, the inner thread is the soul of the piece. This painting may not have had top-tier technique, but at least it possessed a soul.
However, what Angel placed more importance on was something conveyed beyond the mural, “This mural clearly doesn’t belong to the Abyssal style. Some of the techniques seem to be those commonly used by human painters.”
—As a member of traditional nobility, Angel’s ability to appraise artworks was quite a bit higher than his skill in painting.
After discovering human techniques within the painting, Angel grew suspicious, perhaps this mural wasn’t made by an Abyssal Dragon? But that wasn’t quite right either, it would be quite difficult for a human to paint such intense emotions for an “Abyssal Dragon,” especially since the mural’s emotions were strong and complex, even containing a subtle sense of love.
It couldn’t possibly be that a human had become a Dragon Knight, could it?
Even if that were true, an Abyssal Dragon’s aesthetics would definitely vary greatly from a human’s.
Considering Odeclass’s affectionate gaze at the mural earlier, Angel thought perhaps Odeclass was the one who painted it, and maybe it had learnt some human techniques from a human tutor?
As Angel’s thoughts were whirling, Odeclass suddenly exhaled a breath of dragon fire.
The terrifying inferno fluttered in the air.
Angel was startled, thinking that he was no longer of use in Odeclass’s eyes and that it was preparing to burn him alive… but the flames did not attack Angel; instead, they slowly converged into a small flame.
Under Odeclass’s control, the flame gradually changed from fiery red, slowly fading, turning from red to purple, until it became a faint ice blue color.
The temperature around plummeted, this fire was not a burning hot flame but an ice flame capable of freezing everything.
This ice flame floated in the air for a while, seemingly absorbing the surrounding frosty breath which deepened its ghostly flame and then slowly merged into the ice block containing the previous dragon scale.
Under the erosion of the ice flame, the ice block gradually changed its form, turning to liquid and dripping onto the floor bit by bit, leaving only the jade-like dragon scale, glowing faintly in front of Odeclass.
Having absorbed the ice flame, the dragon scale’s brilliance became even more captivating.
Previously, part of the frosty breath within the dragon scale had transformed into an “Ice Dragon Shield.” This was a powerful presence from the Gargoyle of Duskgold, which had stimulated the dragon scale to emerge.
Now, through this ice flame, the consumed frosty breath within the dragon scale was replenished.
Although Angel didn’t understand the purpose of Odeclass’s actions, he saw a mighty Flame Dragon so carefully controlling its breath into an ice flame completely contrary to its own element, just to replenish the spent breath within the scale.
From this, one could truly see Odeclass’s cherishing of this dragon scale, or rather, its care for Binaqionse.
Perhaps, as he had speculated earlier, Odeclass and Binaqionse were a pair of mates; otherwise, Angel could not imagine another reason for Odeclass’s such treasuring. Moreover, the profound love in the mural didn’t seem like kinship.
Angel was not curious about Odeclass’s love, he was just a little puzzled, wondering why Fafnir would have Binaqionse’s dragon scales.
His unrestrained thoughts led him to instantly conjure up a tragic love saga involving three Abyssal Dragons.
On the other hand, after Odeclass reclaimed the Frostbite aura of its scales, it started to perform some mysterious actions in the palace that baffled Angel, beckoning frost, opening the Earth Cavern, drawing forth streaks of light…, etc.
It did all this without any regard for Angel.
Or rather, it seemed to completely ignore Angel’s presence. In its eyes, Angel was no different from the bricks and tiles of the Crystal Ice Hall.
Being ignored at least suggested that his safety seemed assured, but if he continued being ignored, what would become of the problem he wanted to solve?
Angel carefully observed Odeclass’s movements, looking for an opportunity to ask about Toby.
However, Odeclass was completely immersed in its own world and left no opening for Angel to interject.
Eventually, Angel thought about foregoing an opportunity and asking directly, but before he could muster the resolve, Odeclass was enveloped in flames and vanished from the grand hall.
Angel was left alone in the silent palace hall.
Angel: “…” It completely ignored me.
When Odeclass had heard the name “Fafnir,” a flash of anger crossed its eyes, and at the time, Angel thought he might be turned into collateral damage. Yet Odeclass did nothing and didn’t communicate with him, making Angel somewhat at a loss now.
What should he do now — leave, or stay here?
After hesitating for a moment, Angel went to the side of the Crystal Ice Palace where there was an open window offering a view of the exterior.
It was only when Angel looked out the window that he realized he was situated in an Ice Valley.
The howling icy winds outside nearly obscured all views.
This palace made of crystal ice sat in the middle of a cliffside.
“Could this be… the Unmelting Ice Valley?” As Angel looked out at the shadowy scenery and the incessant biting wind, he felt a surreal sensation.
It was said that entering the Ice Valley would bring about a curse, but Angel carefully checked himself and seemed to be free of any affliction.
He tried forming the “Ice Wall” trick in his Mind Space with ease, even faster than usual due to the Frostbite aura filling the palace.
Could it be because Odeclass brought him into the Ice Valley he was immune to the curse?
As Angel pondered, suddenly a dark shadow appeared at the base of the Ice Valley. Amid the wild icy gales, Angel couldn’t discern the details of the shadow, but it seemed very large.
“Could it be Odeclass?”
Angel tentatively extended a Spirit Tentacle to get a clearer sense.
But the moment the Spirit Tentacle stretched out of the window, Angel felt a strange power infiltrating from the tip and barreling towards his Spirit Sea with relentless force.
Startled, Angel decisively severed the Spirit Tentacle.
With the breaking of the Spirit Tentacle, Angel’s head felt as if it was about to explode from the pain. Stumbling, he felt himself lean against a hard wall and fell into unconsciousness.
This blackout lasted an indeterminate amount of time for Angel.
When he came to, his brain still issued intermittent stabs of pain. His Mind Space seemed unaffected, but his Spirit Sea was in disarray.
He considered extending his Spirit Tentacle again, but that was impossible for the time being.
Despite the ongoing pain, Angel was somewhat relieved; he now realized that the strange power that had invaded his Spirit Tentacle was likely the chaotic curse that dwelled within the Ice Valley.
Angel surmised that the Crystal Ice Hall was unaffected by the curse, but stepping outside would immediately provoke the curse’s onslaught.
Although relieved he hadn’t succumbed to the curse, he still didn’t know what to do next.
Angel looked around and found himself seated at the base of a column. He was still in the palace hall, which was as silent as ever, without a soul in sight.
He sighed. Uncertain of what to do, a burst of light suddenly flickered in front of a mural not far away.
When Angel turned toward the light, a man seemingly bathed in flames stepped out from within it.