Pillar of Yita

”...Those are Shadows, the puppets blinded by immortality and controlled by dragons. Because you’ve never seen them, my master has only encountered similar descriptions in some ancient books, but they have indeed returned... accompanied by dragons...”

Outside the window, the moonlight shone on the swamp, a bright white expanse, as if covered with a layer of ice.

”Are those the dragon’s henchmen?” she asked tremblingly.

”Deeper than that, they are silent and soundless. Mortals once spent centuries finally winning a war, yet did not eliminate the dark believers. True Immortals have always walked among us.”

Shayek paused for a moment: ”The master sent you southward, you ought to have seen something.”

Fang Hong couldn’t help but think of that wanderer.

But was Tang De’s grandfather also considered an Immortal?

The other indeed walked this world with many identities, he even suspected that it was the other’s primary identity.

Just like no one knows what happened in the Rogsel family within that frozen world.

”Are you saying, there is more than one such existence?” Fang Hong suddenly felt a chill creeping over him.

The sight and insights from Idus still haunt him to this day, if it weren’t for Kalatu and Tang De continuously investigating this matter, perhaps the wanderer would’ve succeeded.

Shayek turned back, his face pale and gloomy in the moonlight like a ghost, pointing at this place: ”Do you remember what I told you all, back then, it was here as well.”

Beneath the shadow lies ominous signs, only those nearing death can see the dragon wings within the shadows—

These words startled Fang Hong.

He stopped and exchanged glances with the others, they had defeated Nikopolas’s phantom in the south, driven away the wanderer, fulfilled the covenant between Yoshude and Evril, thus obliterating the threat of the Dragon’s Golden Eyes effortlessly.

He hasn’t forgotten, within the Dragon’s Golden Eyes was contained the power of Dragon King Leifgard.

Though they defeated Dragon King Leifgard, Nikopolas, into whom Lady Misu transformed, still existed in this world.

That was the true beginning of it all.

Tianlan couldn’t help but ask: ”But didn’t Mazak and Mr. Lucius already set off to find Nikopolas? And with Galapea there, Nikopolas has also lost the power of the Dragon’s Golden Eyes, they should have a great chance of success, right?”

But Shayek did not answer, the prolonged silence was somewhat oppressive.

The oppressive atmosphere seemed like a rest note in this conversation.

Because they had already reached the door at the end of the corridor, behind which was the Dragon Horn Hall, one corner missing from Nikopolas once hung there, but now only a shrouding darkness remained inside the hall.

Fang Hong remembered there used to be two servants in elegant robes here, opening doors for passing travelers.

However, at this moment, the door was tightly closed, with no one around. Shayek walked to the place, pressed his hand against the door, and laboriously pushed it open. The prolonged creak of ’squeak—’ brought a cloud of dust forward, causing everyone to cough dully.

The impression of a bright, warm-toned hall, with lively flames in the fireplace, neat tables and chairs, shiny brass tubes, ringing bells, and the aroma of nutmeg and roasted cheese filled the air like an illusion that vanished without a trace.

Behind the door was a world of gray, tables and chairs piled together, covered with a white cloth, also covered in dust, webs—only one open box sat on a few tables joined together.

Approaching a bit, Fang Hong finally saw the cavity inside, perfectly fitting the shape of a sword.

It was then that Shayek stopped.

”...Master and Lucius indeed have set off north, to seek Dragon Witch Nikopolas’s whereabouts. They might succeed, but may also fail, as none of us have experienced that era.”

”So much so that for several generations before I was born, the concept of the Dark Giant Dragon remained only as an abstract symbol in the minds of each generation. It even reduced to that alarming phrase, the ancient foe shall return... and that long horn, proving they once existed...”

”What if they succeed, what then?” Tianlan asked, ”And if they fail, what then?”

”There would be no change.”

”How is that possible!?”

”...Because the shadow of the dragon wings is merely an ominous sign, while the real threat lies hidden beneath that shadow of death. Everything you have seen on this journey is but its manifestation, more importantly, it’s what’s beneath that manifestation.”

”What lies beneath the manifestation?”

Fang Hong suddenly interrupted the two and asked: ”Those things, including the dragon beasts, are they all Nikopolas’s offspring?”

Shayek shook his head.

Tianlan was a bit surprised, ”But weren’t they brought here by Nikopolas?”

”Perhaps they were, but not necessarily so. Even if not brought by Nikopolas, there would be others—the shadow of the dragon wings is merely an ominous sign, heralding the return of the ancient foe. The ancient foe isn’t necessarily the Dark Giant Dragon—the black dragon flame, merely a symbol of destruction.”

”If the Oathkeeper Clan’s enemy isn’t the Dark Giant Dragon, what could it be?”

”The Dark Giant Dragon is the fate of the Oathkeeper Clan.”

Shayek’s gaze fell on Fang Hong: ”But for those who see the shadow of the dragon wings, it may not be so...”

Fang Hong felt a slight stirring in his heart.

Shayek continued: ”Lucius does not wish outsiders to be involved, it is a grudge between him, my master, and Nikopolas. However, my master believed that you would surely return to this place, which is why I am here waiting for you.”