Arc | Chapter. 102: Revelations (Patreon)

Chapter. 102: Revelations

The trip was rather uneventful, however the rumors of the Hero of Frost had seemed to reach a new high. Everyone in town seemed to be talking about him, the hero that had saved the city of Ranedale.

It was something that I made sure to note in case I had to do another public appearance ⁠— hopefully, however, that time wouldn’t come.

Though…

I frowned thinking about things. I had a hunch that I would need to intervene during the election of the new king. Whether it was to deal with the Hero of Spirits, or even finish the deal with the Hero of Flames… I didn’t know, but it wasn’t something I wanted to deal with. Even though I'd probably have to deal with it eventually…

A sigh left me.

“Is everything alright Arc?” Malz asked as we stood in a forest clearing.

“Yeah, I just don’t want to deal with the future.” I shook my head.

“I think I understand, but I hope I can help you then.” She smiled. “I’ll be around.”

“Thank you.”

Meanwhile Ceylon also squeezed my hand through a handkerchief, and then smiled at me. Then moments later, Faral transformed before us though⁠—

“W-What…” Meika gasped in horror.

Faral had insisted on revealing her identity to Meika, which I didn’t know how to feel about. But I had allowed it so long as mine was kept secret. The poor adventurer girl seemed to be trembling from seeing the legendary dragon.

“W-We have to run, Faral has turned into a dragon.”

“I’ve always been a dragon,” Faral replied, shaking her head. “No need to panic, Meika.”

“S-She spoke!”

Just as the adventurer was about to panic, Regis’karr placed his hand on her shoulder with a sigh.

“Meika, this is something that Faral wanted to show you; she’s the Dragon of Wind.”

The girl’s eyes grew wide as she looked ahead in awe.

“T-The Dragon of Wind…?”

* * * * *

Meika couldn’t believe her eyes.

Faral, her mentor was…

Faral, the Dragon of Wind.

A being of legend. A dragon. A being that was known for their power and command over their wind. And this same being, this same dragon, this legend had been teaching her how to fight… it was… incredibly hard to believe. But, well, it’s not like she had attained her help easily, it was actually due to the fact⁠—

“Wait doesn’t that mean that the Water Paladin is actually the Dragon of Water…?” she processed. “That is… doesn’t that…”

And she trailed off remembering the names of the others. Immediately she turned to Regis, the noble looking boy. They had had brief encounters so far through small interactions given they were related to Faral.

“Is something wrong?” he asked.

“You are… Regis’karr the Dragon of Flames…” Meika gulped and immediately turned to the black haired girl in the distance. “And you must be Malz… the Dragon of Shadows…”

She was met with a smile, while Regis’karr said nothing. But Meika just couldn’t comprehend what she was seeing. How come she had met three⁠— four of the legendary Grand Dragons? It was… impossible…

And then there was…

Arc.

Her eyes landed on the white-haired woman. Their gazes met. Arc was at least an S Tier individual from what Meika could tell, but at the same time she had never heard that name before. In the past, she was able to accept the situation, but now she couldn’t help but ask.

“Who are you…?”

It just didn’t make sense.

Arc blinked. “Just a normal person.”

Meika wanted to call bullshit, but she stopped herself. She didn’t want to pressure Arc out of all people, because after all she seemed to be the leader of everyone here. Which only left one answer.

Arc was…

The Dragon of Frost…

Meika gulped realizing that everyone but Ceylon was a dragon. Which could only mean that now she was… stuck with the dragons. She didn’t know much about them, but given she had just realized all of this information and the rather limited and secretive interactions it could only mean one thing…

Meika felt the color drain from her face.

* * * * *

Was she alright?

Meika seemed to be shaking looking everywhere in a panic. I was… worried. In fact, even Faral seemed to have worry in her eyes, but a moment later a sigh left her. One that sounded rather defeated.

“Thank you for teaching me…” She paused. “I never thought the Dragon of Wind herself would tutor me…”

It was… awkward, but Faral just nodded in acknowledgement, and shortly after we set off towards the capital of Draliz.

Vaelith, the Capital of Commerce, the heart of Draliz and the place where bartering was most common⁠— or so that’s what Ceylon told me. It was the biggest city in all of Draliz, and I was looking forward to it.

The world blurred around us as Meika looked around with amazement but also her face seemed to carry a hint of worry. Faral had used her SS Tier skill so getting to the capital wouldn’t take long. In the end, I tried to not think too much about it as hours passed.

* * * * *

Meika regretted things.

She regretted her actions and binding herself with Arc and the others. And it was all because now, she was stuck ⁠— bound with the dragons who could potentially have nefarious intentions… Meika didn’t know what to do, but she felt like she had to distance herself and free herself. And then maybe report the group to the Adventurer’s Guild in order to execute pre-emptive measures.

Though now she had to gauge what was happening. Maybe she was overreacting, maybe knowing this information would change nothing in her relationship with Arc and the others. But now knowing, she had finally realized how out of depth she was. She was completely out of place.

But she tried to not think too hard about things, instead she just had to follow her preservation instincts and that’s what she planned to do.

A sigh left her, and before she knew it, Faral was already making a landing.

They were riding on the Dragon of Wind⁠— it was said that one couldn’t ride a dragon unless the dragon deemed them to be superior. Which could only mean that Arc was so above Faral that anything she said was a command.

It once more made Meika wonder what she had gotten herself into.

She shakily landed on the forest ground, and soon after they set off to the capital.

Meika had never been to Vaelith before, but instead of admiring she decided that she would focus on the issue at hand. She’d stay alert, all to determine her future⁠—

And Meika paused as so did everyone as they made it up a hill.

She had heard the rumors but seeing it in person was something else…

A circular moat surrounded the city, it expanded like a grand lake all around. White porcelain like bridges connected to the city in the center. Tall pale walls that commanded respect; towers intertwined them for max protection and then past the town laid a grand citadel along with a grand castle.

It was a spectacular sight that was only enhanced by the great sunny weather, the sparkling water and the surrounding lush forests. This was Vaelith. A place that wasn’t often visited by adventurers due to the fact that there were no monster requests. The surrounding lands had long been culled of their sickening plague, and now all there was left was peace.

Only the strongest of adventurers came to this city, and now she was here.

Meika swallowed, and then everyone descended down the hill, but she still took the time to admire it before catching up.

Everything else was uneventful, from crossing the gate to finding an inn, that was until.

“Well, I want to explore around and see some restaurants, so…” Arc tilted her head. “I guess everyone should do what they want.”

“Sure,” Regis’karr readily agreed. “Then I’ll see what I find.”

Faral nodded and turned to Meika. “Let us continue your training.”

Meika swallowed and had no choice but to nod. However, her heart felt heavy. She didn’t know what to expect from now on. Faral was the Dragon of Wind, and she herself had chosen to reveal that identity.

Shortly after, they all left the inn going their separate ways.

Meika didn’t know what Faral’s intentions were, but she still went along with it. She didn’t even know where they would be sparring, but suddenly the forest didn’t seem like a good choice, so she decided to voice it out.

“Actually, we can just go to the Adventurer’s Guild… I heard there is an arena in Vaelith’s guild.”

Faral paused. “That sounds more convenient.”

With that, they set off to the guild, asking questions along the way to find it. It didn’t take long before they found themselves before an incredibly large building. It was the largest Adventurer’s Guild Meika had seen. She couldn’t help but gulp before walking inside along with Faral, and they were met with…

An almost empty guild. There was only a small group of adventurer’s present that were dressed in shining armor; probably A Tiers, or so Meika assumed. But she ignored them, simply returning the nods they gave as greeting and immediately headed to the first receptionist she saw.

Faral followed close behind given she herself wasn’t an adventurer.

“How can I help you?” the nice lady behind the counter asked. She was rather pretty if Meika said so herself, but she didn’t stare for too long as she coughed.

“We’re looking to use the arena…?”

It was in a whisper-like tone.

“Oh, are you from outside Vaelith?” the receptionist asked with surprise. Meika nodded, and the woman continued. “Well, it’s not quite an arena but more like a large field⁠— however you can certainly use it, so long as you are at least B Tier.”

Meika blinked and immediately nodded, handing the adventurer badge to the receptionist.

The woman examined it and with a smile she made her way out of the counter.

“Follow me please.”

Meika listened to her command and Faral just trailed behind. They entered a hallway that was filled with doors and paintings, and soon after they found themselves before a pair of grand doors.

The receptionist opened them with a card of some kind and swung them open before handing Meika her adventurer tag back. And then, they stepped into the open field. Stones lined its entrance in a circular radius showing exquisite patterns, and the rest was a grassy plain that was fit for fighting.

“This is adequate,” Faral commented. “Let’s go, Meika.”

Meika watched as Faral stepped far into the field and she couldn’t help but just watch. It was… the same as all her previous training, nothing was different. It was odd…

Had Meika just been imagining things?

She looked at her mentor who raised her brow with mild concern, and that’s when Meika finally realized⁠ that new information she had learnt didn’t really change anything.

A small sigh left her.

“I really am dumb⁠—”

And the door swung open as a man in black and red armor stepped into the field, a gigantic greatsword resting on his shoulder as he grabbed it by the handle.

Meika’s eyes grew wide seeing the man.

He stepped forward and looked at Faral.

“Hey you, you look strong.”

This man was.

Lars, the Red Blade, an S Tier adventurer.

“Submit to me or die.”