Academy's Genius Swordsman

Chapter 264

Chapter 264

“Navarodze.”

Ronan spoke. His eyes met Navarodze’s as she lowered her gaze. Her voice, soft and majestic, echoed again.

【It’s good to see you, child.】

“Likewise. Very much so.”

Ronan laughed in disbelief. She said she was late, but her timing was impeccable. Just a little later, and they might have lost Asel. Navarodze looked around and continued.

【Where did that monster go? Did it leave to cause more destruction?】

“Oh. I killed it.”

【What?】

“Literally. I cut it with my sword and severed its head.”

Ronan made a slicing gesture across his neck. Navarodze’s face hardened. Whoosh! For a moment, her body was engulfed in flames, then it dispersed like smoke.

The sky, hidden by her massive form, spread out before them. Navarodze, having polymorphed into a human, stood up. Still the captivating dragon matron, she wore a different battle uniform than the one seen in Phileon. She stepped closer to Ronan and spoke.

“Tell me everything in detail.”

“Whoa... Calm down.”

Ronan instinctively stepped back. The aura of flames approaching with her felt more threatening than any beast. He was sure he’d get burned if he touched it. Cornered, he started speaking.

“So... where do I begin?”

Since the situation had been resolved, he thought it safe to explain in detail. The earth, pinned like a nail in the sky, showed no signs of falling again.

I should probably start with why we came to Adren, he thought. Just as Ronan began to gather his thoughts, a thunderous voice interrupted.

【Na-varodze!!】

“Hmm?”

Suddenly, a booming voice echoed from the side. A burst of murderous intent exploded outward like needles piercing the skin.

“Oh, damn.”

Ronan cursed under his breath. The familiar black mana he’d seen countless times on this journey was spilling over Orse’s shoulders.

He’d almost forgotten why Orse came to Adren. Now, Orse was brandishing a spiral spear. He twirled it in his hands, pointing it at Navarodze, and shouted.

【You don’t know how long I’ve waited for this moment! I will kill you here and destroy Valon!】

“You are... that dark dragon. You’re younger than I expected.”

Despite Orse’s fierce declaration, Navarodze’s face showed no tension. Her kin, circling above, bristled.

【Mother! It’s dangerous!】

“Stay calm, children.”

Her children cried out urgently, but Navarodze remained unfazed. She kept her hands behind her back, doing nothing. Suddenly, Orse vanished from sight. Swish! He appeared right in front of her, thrusting his spear.

【Die!!】

The momentum was incredible. Orse’s spiral spear, imbued with his mana and murderous intent, looked like a bolt of lightning. Thunk! The spear lodged in Navarodze’s chest. She smiled.

【What the...!】

“Your greeting is rather rough, child.”

Orse’s eyes bulged. The spear had pierced her chest but hadn’t gone through. Despite being an instrument of death for countless lives, Orse’s spear couldn’t even tear Navarodze’s clothing; it merely ‘entered’ deeply.

“My god.”

“Wow...”

Ronan and Asel covered their mouths in awe. Their amazement was twofold: how could her skin be so tough, and how could a spear enter so deeply without piercing?

As they had these unseemly thoughts, Navarodze looked down and tapped the spear. She snorted with interest.

“Hmph... This is quite usable. Did you make it from your bones?”

【This can’t be! What trickery is this?!】

“I’ll make an exception for your rudeness and appoint you to the vanguard. Now, take a rest.”

【You... damn...】

Orse tried to speak. Navarodze shook her upper body, using her waist. Thwack! An invisible force struck Orse.

【Argh!】

He had no time to react. Orse was flung back as if hit by a giant rhinoceros. His body crashed into the debris of the Sky Tower. Bang! Dust exploded into the air with a loud noise.

“It’s been a long time, Ajidhahaka.”

【...Indeed it has.】

“Don’t you have something to say to me?”

【I have many things... very many...】

Thud! Ajidhahaka, staggering, collapsed again, his chin hitting the ground in front of Navarodze. He spoke regretfully.

【Forgive my rudeness... Mother of Flames.】

“It’s alright. I know most of what happened. It was quite a conspiracy.”

【...I won’t deny it. Jealousy blinded my eyes, and envy clogged my ears. The magnificent dragon city ended up like this because of me.】

“Yes. Admitting it is a good start. Do you know why I came?”

【A failed revolutionary is nothing but a traitor. I accept my fate.】

Ajidhahaka admitted his faults without resistance. Navarodze gently raised her hand. Seeing this, his attendants froze. Though her gesture was light, its meaning was not.

【Your Majesty!】

Everyone there knew what she

could do with a mere wave of her hand. It wouldn’t take much for her to incinerate an incapacitated dragon. Ajidhahaka, still breathing heavily, spoke.

【Do not intervene, Naransonia... This is my responsibility.】

【But...!】

Naransonia, about to rush forward, halted. Blood trickled from her clenched fist. The other subordinates couldn’t step forward either, clearly distressed. Navarodze glanced at them and raised an eyebrow.

“You have good subordinates.”

【I never deserved them.】

Ajidhahaka smiled faintly. Navarodze’s hand rested on his forehead. Naransonia and the other attendants silently screamed. With his eyes closed, Ajidhahaka pleaded.

【Mother of Flames... my followers... they are innocent. Please end this with my death alone.】

“Sorry, but that’s difficult.”

【No way... is there no other option?】

“No.”

Navarodze nodded coldly. Despair washed over Ajidhahaka’s face. It seemed she intended to hold his followers accountable as well.

Her hand on his forehead began to glow. The primordial flame would soon turn his body to ashes. As Ajidhahaka tried to speak, Navarodze suddenly smiled.

“You have two heads, don’t you?”

The light from Navarodze’s hand intensified. But it wasn’t a flame to incinerate. Ajidhahaka’s eyes flew open.

【What...】

His body was enveloped in a warm light. His cold blood grew hot again. The wounds on his side and severed leg began to heal rapidly.

“Th-the wounds are...!”

The surrounding dragons expressed their astonishment. Ronan and his party watched his recovery in awe. After some time, the previously limp right head slowly lifted.

【Mother of Flames... Why are you-】

【Why are you saving me?】

【I have committed an unforgivable sin...】

Once again, male and female voices echoed together. The dull scales now shone with a brilliant gold, more vibrant than when they first met him. Navarodze nodded.

“Death is not the only way to take responsibility. Besides, I still have tasks for you. Think of it as atonement, and it won’t be so unfair.”

【Tasks?】

【What are they?】

Ajidhahaka tilted his head in confusion. Navarodze raised her hand, pointing to the sky.

“You’ve read my letter. There is a fortress in the high heavens called Drimour. Most of Adren’s dragons, including you, will have to go there. It’s the only way to manage in my absence.”

“What?!”

Ronan’s eyes widened at Navarodze’s words. The idea of Navarodze leaving Drimour was unthinkable. She turned to Ronan and nodded solemnly.

“Yes. We’re launching a full-scale offensive.”