Chapter 144: The Eternal Rest in The Eternal Winter
This was the world I had tried to explain to Sigren earlier. Read the translation only on itsladygrey.com.
A long time ago, these four dragons were intelligent. They could interact with humans. But that was a very long time ago. Now, the dragons had lost their intelligence, and naturally, they could no longer speak. However, this wasn’t mentioned in any current history books. It was unclear whether it had never been recorded or had been lost over time. As a result, humans in this era were unaware of this fact. And because no one remembered these dragons, their titles and names had disappeared as well.
So, when the dragon in front of me heard his long-forgotten title, he narrowed his eyes.
Good, that meant I had his attention.
[Human, how do you know my name, which only existed in a forgotten age?]
Great. Now my life was being questioned by a dragon.
“Can you speak?” I asked cautiously.
[Yes, but only I can.]
After so many years, this dragon—the one with red eyes before me, Clemente Edward—was the only one who still had his mind intact. He hadn’t yet gone mad, quite fitting for a dragon who once held the title of “The Wisest.” Of course, even his remaining intelligence was fading, and soon, he would become just another mindless beast like the other dragons. Specifically, he would completely lose his mind by the end of the story. Read the translation only on itsladygrey.com.
It was fortunate that I could still talk to him now.
[But no, there is no mercy for humans.]
“…”
[However, it’s been a thousand years since I’ve heard that name, so I will answer your question.]
“Thank you. I just wanted to know, why are you fighting?”
[To give peace to an old friend.]
There was a loud cry that shook the air. Read the translation only on itsladygrey.com.
“You mean the dragon you’ve been fighting?”
[Yes. He has been rampaging for nearly a thousand years, endlessly killing without reason, emotion, or thought. Life will not know peace as long as he continues.]
“I see,” I replied.
[One of our three friends has already died at the hands of humans. I will end the lives of the remaining two, then I will rest before my mind is lost.]
He was likely referring to his own death.
“Clemente Edward, are you really fine with that?”
[We have a beginning, but no end. That is why we have lived for so long. There is no natural death for us. As time passes, we slowly lose our minds. Once we are completely gone, all that remains is a powerful body driven by cruel instinct.]
My heart felt heavy hearing this. Their fates were never meant to have closure. Read the translation only on itsladygrey.com.
[How do you know my name? In this era, we are nothing more than nameless, hideous beasts.]
I sighed. “I just know.”
[You are a suspicious one.]
Great. Now even dragons were going to question me.
Clemente spread his massive wings.
[Go, human. You’ve been granted mercy for reminding me of old memories. Do not involve yourself in the battle of dragons—your body would be torn apart if you did.]
Was he concerned for me? I imagined living for a thousand years with no one to remember my name or call out to me. It must have been a lonely and dark existence. I felt a pang of sympathy for him. Read the translation only on itsladygrey.com.
“Would you mind if we helped? Because of you and your friend, monsters are running wild in my territory.”
I offered because, honestly, I believed we could kill both Clemente and his friend.
[Do as you please, child of mankind, full of secrets.]
Without another word, the heartless dragon flew off to continue his battle with his close friend.
Now, I had another task to handle. With a deep sigh, I turned back. Sigren and Abel, who had been standing stiffly the entire time, were now staring at me, locking eyes with mine.
“….”
A woman with knowledge of forgotten times that no one in this era should know casually conversed with one of the strongest monsters in the world. Read the translation only on itsladygrey.com.
Dangerous, suspicious, strange.
Right, Fiona, you had it coming.
But the biggest problem was that I couldn’t explain any of this at all. Would we be able to maintain our trust after this?
In the end, I reintroduced myself with a sense of desperation.
“Yes, yes, this is the most suspicious person in the world: Fiona Heilon.”
Sigren and Abel exchanged strange looks when they heard my grumbling.
I really couldn’t answer their questions!
So, I changed the subject. Read the translation only on itsladygrey.com.
“What should we do?”
Fortunately, neither of them was too lost in confusion. They still knew their priorities.
“It’s a good opportunity that won’t come twice,” Abel replied.
Sigren checked his sword, seemingly in agreement.
Both of their faces relaxed, and I couldn’t help but feel more at ease as well.
“Duke, what about your injuries?”
“It’s okay,” he replied, but I didn’t believe him.
Anyway, I quickly sent a signal into the sky. Read the translation only on itsladygrey.com.
Pop! Pew—!
Firework signals burst in the sky one after another.
After a while, the troops waiting below began to ascend. I hoped Jeron would see this signal and send additional reinforcements from Heilon.
As soon as the knights and soldiers spotted the Duke, their faces brightened. I quickly gave my orders.
“Tie up the Duke. He’s going to run wild in that condition.”
Abel looked perplexed. “What… Fiona!”
The troops, glancing between me and Abel, quickly composed themselves and obeyed my order this time. Ah, the power of worrying about the life of the person who signs their paycheck. Read the translation only on itsladygrey.com.
Abel, wounded as he was, couldn’t resist when the young men rushed at him.
I looked at my adoptive father, now captured by his own men.
“Duke, what about the other survivors?”
“They’re down there.”
So, that was why Abel had been fighting a group of monsters alone. Most of the survivors were heavily injured, so he made himself the bait.
I couldn’t help but feel shocked. Was it reckless or a display of loyalty?
“Then what will you do if something goes wrong?”
Abel shrugged. “Fiona, you’re my heir.”
“….”
So, because I was the heir of Heilon, he didn’t care if he died. Read the translation only on itsladygrey.com.
I think I finally understood why Heilon’s people followed Abel. He didn’t abandon his men, even in extreme circumstances.
I sent the troops to the location Abel had indicated.
“Sigren, command the troops.”
“Gladly.”
The soldiers now knew our intent. Their eyes gleamed with excitement, like warriors eager for battle.
I raised my hand with a grin.
“Alright, it’s time to catch the second dragon! Everyone, get ready!”
“WOAAAAAAAHHHHH—!!!!”
The soldiers shouted in unison. Read the translation only on itsladygrey.com.
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