The Villain's Story

Chapter 819: Supreme Dragon of Darkness, Valus.

Although Shi Lam was confused as to why the prince was performing such strange things, he remained silent, waiting for the esteemed existence to finish gathering his mana.

To Shi Lam, it appeared as if Alan was gathering mana for a skill, but he had no idea as to what skill it would be. The prince was using a lot of mana, so it must not be meager.

However, unlike his expectations, nothing had happened. The prince merely got angry and sighed in despair as he turned to Shi Lam and questioned.

”Why are you here? I believe I have passed your trial.”

A frown appeared on Shi Lam’s face as he spat back.

”You didn’t pass my trial, prince. His majesty merely ordered me to do it, so your meeting with Lord Valus can be accelerated.”

Before Alan could offer a retort or anything of the kind, Shi Lam continued.

”Passing my trial isn’t as easy as you think, my prince. Please do not fall into such delusions of superiority merely because you got a free pass. Your friends are still struggling.”

”What?”

”I was supposed to teach you all the ways of a shadow; you may have grasped it almost instantaneously, but the others... not so much. The young prince has just finished, but the others are lagging.”

Alan remained silent; he wasn’t really thinking of the others at this moment, aware they were doing their own part of this dragon’s trials... but what did he mean by him grasping the ways of a shadow?

Yes, he could feel a different kind of sense, and could also see his shadow act more alive, but was that all there was to the power of shadows?

”Questioning yourself? Very well, observe.”

Shi Lam raised his hands and clapped, and immediately after, Alan felt an extreme change flow through his body.

There were voices, many voices, and figures rising from the sand.

”The function of our realm had been halted, a courtesy for you, my prince, just like how Lanekia had gotten warmer for your friends.”

Shadows of so many beings rose from the black sand and began to wander, performing various activities, reminiscing about their lives. From the tall and towering orcs to the short and stumpy dwarves, the beautiful elves, human beings, and monsters of various kinds. Demons, and even Celestials.

Demi-humans and the higher chain of their existence, God Beasts, and even some dragons. The shadows of so many dead beings wander the Realm of Shadows, enjoying their existence even after death.

”... Ugh...”

Alan knew their names, their lives, whether he wanted to or not. All the information about them flowed into his mind, through the [Mantle of Shadows]; however, when it was getting too much, a moment of respite came.

Silence, the voices and the memories vanished, as his own Shadow shrugged his shoulders. His shadow had blocked them all, and Alan finally knew what Shadow Walker did.

It wasn’t movement through the shadows, like Kazikato was able to do. It was understanding the remnants of life left behind by other beings and being able to use them to his own advantage.

He could see through the eyes of his own shadow, being introduced into an entirely new world. He could connect his own shadow to others and expand this vision. Not only that, but he could absorb them into the [Mantle of Shadows] and do so many things with them.

He was a monarch to them, a Lord. Like how Kulak, Shi Lam, and other shadow dragons were. In fact, his authority was greater than any Shadow Dragon other than Kulak himself; it was on par with Shi Lam’s.

[Skill: Dragon Eye’s has been used.]

[Item name: Mantle of Shadows (Unique).]

Description: A relic woven from shadows saved from the tyranny of the first flame, a cloak spun from the lingering shades of the first age, a realm of itself where a shadow can rest and obey the ruler. The shadows contained within expand it, and obey you like loyal hounds.

It devours stray fears from all within to maintain form, and from the user as well. Unruly shadows feed on uncertainty and doubt; the more resolute the wearer, the more powerful the mantle becomes against ancient shadows under no control. However, a single doubt can turn the tides, from within and out. If hesitation takes root, the shadows grow ferocious, for none follow those with a weak will.

One must pass through the realm of the mantle to reach the user’s soul, and one must face the captured shadows to touch your mind. It is the greatest defense against ethereal attacks.

=====

The mantle could be anything; Alan could make it take any shape he wanted. The information about it was simple, but there was more to it than what met the eye. The mantle was a growth-type artifact, and it was hungry for something to enter the realm it held within.

The countless shadows in the vicinity turned to him, a thousand, maybe ten thousand sets of eyes looked at him, at the black lines on his body, and Alan could sense their curiosity, their hunger, desire, and contempt.

Shi Lam smiled and waved his finger, and with a deep and powerful tone, said a single word.

”Go.”

The beings transformed into a black sea, a tide unlike any other that rushed towards him, only to be devoured by the mantle, making it their new home. Some hesitated for a second, and some turned away. Some that didn’t even listen to Shi Lam, and remained in their original positions.

Dragons, God Beasts, and other unique individuals merely looked at him, at the mantle with hungry eyes, but none dared approach. It was clear who was stopping them, Shi Lam. Alan wasn’t at a level to do it yet.

”How does it feel?”

A cloak formed around him; the realm within the Mantle of Shadows had increased in size to deal with its new inhabitants, and Alan was itching to try out so many new things.

Shi Lam drew the black blade at his waist and pointed it at Alan. Alan smirked.

”Yeah, guess this was due.”