Chapter 90: Fafnir’s Gambit and the Approaching Storm

“Tell me, human, can you truly guarantee the veracity of everything you’ve spoken?”

Fafnir was perched high upon her throne, while Brunhilde knelt submissively at her feet, intently listening to the conversation between Fafnir and Mimir.

Fafnir had permitted Brunhilde to listen only because she perceived him as utterly unthreatening, merely a frail human male who, even with a hundredfold more courage, would never dare to commit any mischief.

“Of course, just as I explained, if you would only lend a fraction of your power to Arebos, you could then reap the benefits of a fisherman.”

Mimir appeared utterly confident, knowing Fafnir’s immense power meant even a small fraction bestowed upon Arebos would unleash incalculable destruction.

At the very least, it would cause tens of thousands of casualties and throw Alastair’s order into utter chaos.

However, none of this constituted Mimir’s primary objective. Mimir had orchestrated Fafnir’s release of Arebos solely to deplete Aldoran’s strength. According to Mimir’s meticulous plan, Arebos and Fafnir would jointly assail Aldoran, and once both sides were utterly exhausted, Mimir herself would step in to conclude the affair.

The reason Fafnir was not to directly exhaust Aldoran was entirely due to Mimir’s consideration for Forseti’s presence. With Arebos as an additional factor, they could at least temporarily restrain Forseti, preventing her from interfering with Fafnir and Aldoran’s battle.

‘However, that child would likely not intervene so readily, I suppose.’

“Hmph, I trust you wouldn’t dare deceive me.”

Fafnir gazed down upon Mimir from her lofty position, her eyes brimming with disdain, convinced that such an old human woman, even if granted a hundredfold more courage, would never dare to lie to her.

“Tell me, human, did I grant you permission to meet my gaze?”

“My apologies, Lady Fafnir,” Mimir promptly lowered her head, sincerely offering her apologies to Fafnir.

Fafnir let out a cold snort, then kicked Brunhilde as if to vent her frustration. Brunhilde gritted his teeth, not uttering a sound, enduring Fafnir’s blows.

“So, when do you deem it most appropriate for me to awaken Arebos?”

“If you are amenable, you could depart at this very moment,” Mimir said with a slight smile. “Your current power is already formidable; surely, merely releasing Arebos would pose no challenge for you, would it?”

“…”

Fafnir narrowed her eyes, sinking into deep contemplation.

Logically, the swifter the action, the better. Ideally, they should catch the Knight Order off guard, releasing Arebos and imbuing it with power before the knights could even react, thereby devastating Alastair.

Yet, for some inexplicable reason, Fafnir felt an persistent internal resistance, an incessant voice whispering to her that this undertaking would be far from easy.

However, Fafnir swiftly dismissed this voice from her mind, for she could conceive of nothing that might possibly thwart her.

Could feeble, powerless humans truly impede me, a noble and mighty dragon?

Preposterous, utterly preposterous.

“Hmph, if that is the case, then immediate action is best. I would not wish for any unforeseen complications.”

Fafnir rose from her throne, and a smile unfurled at the corners of Mimir’s eyes.

She, too, wished for Fafnir to act swiftly, the sooner the better, as Mimir equally abhorred the prospect of any unforeseen changes.

“Tell me, human, go inform my subordinates to prepare a feast, awaiting my successful return.”

“Understood.”

Mimir affirmed, then turned and departed without a moment’s hesitation.

Brunhilde, still prostrate on the ground, trembled slightly. He had not anticipated Fafnir would act so swiftly; only a few hours had passed since Roalsa sent her query, and Fafnir had already resolved to proceed.

Brunhilde had no time whatsoever to relay this news to Roalsa.

Fafnir kicked Brunhilde aside, letting him tumble down the steps.

“Human, go cleanse yourself and await me. Upon my triumphant return, I shall graciously favor you, this livestock. Await me with gratitude in your heart.”

“Y-yes, Lady Fafnir,” Brunhilde hastily prostrated himself, bowing in thanks. He was desperate for Fafnir to dismiss him quickly, so he might gain time to inform Roalsa of this development.

“I shall most certainly await your return, Lady Fafnir.”

Fafnir offered no further reply to Brunhilde. She descended the steps, and with a few beats of her massive wings, her feet lifted from the ground. The air within the cavern surged rapidly, swirling around Fafnir.

In mere fractions of a second, Fafnir’s speed would shatter the sound barrier.

After only a brief preparation, before Brunhilde could even fully react, Fafnir soared skyward, tearing through the solid rock ceiling and streaking directly towards the heavens.

A powerful hurricane-force gust slashed across Brunhilde’s cheek, and the scent of fresh blood permeated the air.

****

As the fierce winds swept through, vast expanses of trees bent low under the pressure.

High above in the azure sky, the figure of the dragon maiden flashed by with incredible speed.

“Bastard, where do you think you’re going?”

Elsewhere in the forest, these violent gusts also drew the attention of Sleipnir, who had been resting. Watching Fafnir’s trajectory, she clicked her tongue in irritation.

“Damn it all, is she perhaps seeking vengeance on that white-haired hussy? I certainly won’t let her have her way.”

****

“Aldoran, when do you think Fafnir will arrive?”

Inside Arebos’s arena, Qing Yu sat beside Aldoran, sharing breakfast with her.

“I’m not certain, but I don’t believe it will be much longer.”

Aldoran shrugged, and though she spoke with such nonchalance, a persistent unease gnawed at her, as if something momentous were about to unfold.

Consequently, even as she ate, Aldoran remained utterly vigilant, her senses keenly attuned to her surroundings.

“Lady Aldoran, do not fret; Fafnir surely won’t arrive so soon,” Thrud declared with a carefree air, noticing Aldoran’s guarded posture, so oblivious that she didn’t even notice rice grains escaping her mouth.

Knights continued to move about, their activities showing no signs of impending trouble.

“Well, even if she does arrive, you could easily stop her, couldn’t you, Aldoran?” Qing Yu appeared entirely unperturbed, his face alight with a smile as he sought to alleviate Aldoran’s tension.

While he lacked Aldoran’s formidable power and could not aid her in battle, in their daily lives, Qing Yu could certainly lighten her burdens.

Aldoran, sensing Qing Yu’s genuine goodwill, nodded.

“Rest assured, I will not disappoint you.”

Just then, the knights outside began to stir, gathering together and collectively gazing at the sky, seemingly engrossed in discussion. Witnessing this scene, Aldoran and Qing Yu abandoned their meal and rushed out, eager to discern the subject of the knights’ fervent conversation.

The sky that day was remarkably clear, a boundless expanse of blue without a single cloud. Harpy youths soared and frolicked, making the heavens a lively spectacle.

However, beyond the distant horizon, a dark silhouette advanced with astonishing velocity towards their position.

This speed was utterly unattainable for any Harpy; the sonic boom generated by its rapid flight reverberated through the air, and the colossal air currents it stirred up relentlessly forced the Harpies along its path down to the ground.

“What is that?”

A chilling premonition surged within Qing Yu’s heart as he stared at the distant sky. Aldoran gently pressed a hand to his shoulder, her gaze equally wary as she watched the encroaching dark silhouette.

“Could it be some Harpy, perhaps?” Thrud cupped a hand over her brow, rising onto her tiptoes and craning her neck to observe the distant sky. “I often encountered such individuals back home—Harpy maidens darting about the sky, heedless of others’ opinions.”

“No, I can say with certainty that is absolutely no Harpy. Its speed has utterly surpassed that of any Harpy…”

Though she could not discern its form clearly, Aldoran’s heart grew steadily more anxious. A sense of foreboding also settled within her, that dark silhouette casting a pall over her spirit.

In Aldoran’s right eye, the pattern of an eagle gradually materialized, and magic surged continuously within her, manifesting itself. Relying on her innate ability, Aldoran finally managed to discern the dark silhouette’s true form.

Crimson pupils, sharp wings, and razor-like teeth—Aldoran saw it all with chilling clarity.

“Fafnir…” Aldoran whispered, and from the distance, Fafnir had likewise spotted Aldoran and her companions.

“Hmph, what an utter nuisance. Are these wretched creatures truly here to hinder me? Tsk.”

Aldoran’s breathing grew increasingly ragged. It was clear: Fafnir’s target was this very place—Arebos within the arena.

“Fafnir!”

Aldoran’s voice suddenly erupted. She shoved Qing Yu aside, and the surrounding knights all turned to look at her, clearly still bewildered. However, by the time the knights finally registered what was happening, it was already too late. The dark silhouette had, almost instantaneously, soared directly above their heads. Accompanied by a thunderous explosion, smoke billowed and debris flew.

A gaping hole was blown open in the arena’s roof. Aldoran was the first to react, shouting “Flee!” to Qing Yu before charging headlong into the arena’s interior without a backward glance.

“Cough, cough.”

Pushing aside the swirling smoke, Aldoran advanced slowly through the arena, her spear held firmly in her right hand. She remained acutely vigilant for every sound from her surroundings.

Fragments of crystal lay scattered beneath her feet, emitting faint glimmers of light.

With a sharp *crack*, a piece of crystal shattered beneath Aldoran’s foot. Almost simultaneously, a thick, massive tail lashed out fiercely towards her.

Fortunately, Aldoran reacted instantly, leaping aside to evade the strike. Seeing the wall utterly demolished, Aldoran secretly rejoiced that she had not been caught by that attack.

“Quite impressive, human.”

A sneering laugh echoed, and Aldoran steadied herself slightly. Blue energy surged across her body, and after a brief adjustment of her joints, she watched as a figure, strikingly similar to her own, slowly emerged from the swirling dust.

Fafnir halted before Aldoran, and within her crimson pupils, the pattern of a dragon gradually materialized.

“We meet again.”

“Indeed, we do,” Aldoran replied, her gaze wary as she watched Fafnir. Just then, the knights from outside surged in en masse.

“Lady Aldoran, are you unharmed?” Thrud, shield in hand, positioned herself before Aldoran, glaring warily at Fafnir. “Tell me, who are you?”

Fafnir disregarded Thrud, her crimson eyes fixed intently on Aldoran. Fafnir had no desire to expend undue effort on a mere nobody; among the present company, Aldoran was undeniably the most intriguing.

An invisible aura of dread permeated the air, and everyone present felt an inexplicable sensation of suffocation. The immense pressure caused knights of lesser magical aptitude to nearly collapse, barely able to remain upright by leaning on their weapons.

Behind Fafnir, the colossal dragon named Arebos lowered its head. Within its golden pupils, the pattern of wind gradually emerged, and a thunderous roar reverberated through the arena. Its immense, feathered wings began to beat, and currents of air slowly converged.

“While I am unaware of why you are all maintaining vigilance here, it matters not,” Fafnir declared, her body slowly rising with the currents, hovering in mid-air. The colossal dragon behind her gradually lifted its head; the mere breath exhaled from its nostrils was enough to conjure a storm. Fafnir gazed down upon the figures below, laughing with an almost manic glee.

Fafnir raised her hand, pointing towards Aldoran. Black energy erupted, a deafening roar rent the air, and Arebos soared skyward.

“Let us see, human, how long you can endure.”