Chapter 510: At Lindel (1) |
“You…! Just… just how big of a scum can you be?!” Dialugia yelled.
We greeted each other happily, but our joy lasted only for a moment. Dialugia roared at me when she finally discovered what was going on. I got a bit scared when I saw her solemn expression, but I knew that I had to be confident and firm. After all, the balance of the continent was on my shoulders.
“You already know what’s going on, so you should know my answer. All these started because of me, but it’s undeniable that I’m doing all this for the continent,” I said.
“But you’ve gone too far by releasing demons onto the continent. In addition to that, you even stood on their side and helped them. Are you out of your mind?!” she questioned.
“You don’t have to be angry, Miss Dialugia. What could I have done? I didn’t summon the demons, and they had never asked me to stay here. Are you actually saying that to me while knowing where the demons had come from in the first place?” I asked.
“Don’t try to rationalize your actions. It disgusts me,” she replied.
“No, I’m not trying to rationalize anything here. If Benigoa, Elune, and the other gods of the continent were in their right minds, do you really think that I would be here doing all this? Those demons emerged because of those incompetent gods, so why are you mad at me? You should be mad at them, not at me,” I asked.
“...”
“Have you already forgotten that I am ultimately helping Benigoa here? I’m sure the prayers of her devotees have earned her enough holy power to pay off at least a third of her debt. In addition, who do you think is responsible for reining those demons in? Seriously, why are you trying to antagonize me here?”
“The continent would perish if things were to go out of control, and Belial is the one holding back the hard-liners from truly invading the continent by finding a loophole in the god’s management. It’s also because of Belial that the hard-liners of hell lost their influence,” I said.
“That’s…”
“How dare you condemn me for being a huge scum when I had been suppressing the hard-liners by supporting the soft-liners? I have also been providing holy power to the incompetent gods of this continent, and I gave the people of the continent a path to becoming even stronger through hardships and Rift Land…”
“You should be completely aware… you should be completely aware of the fact that everything I have been doing is ultimately for the continent, Miss Dialugia,” I added.”
“S-Still, what you’ve done this time is unforgivable. This isn’t… this isn’t right,” she stuttered.
“So what should I have done? Do you really believe that I should have resisted those demons with mankind? Do you really believe that I shouldn’t have worked with them? In that case, then let’s go. Let’s go and fight them right now,” I said.
“No, that’s not what I meant… she said.
“Geez… I’m the one who has been working hard to maintain the balance of the continent. You could say that I’m doing the work that you and the other dragons are supposed to be doing. I’m not sure what you’ve been doing since this incident broke out. To be honest, I think this is the most reasonable way. If you have a better idea, then feel free to let me know. If I like it, I’ll carry it out right away,” I complained.
“I’m not saying this because I have an idea. I’m just telling you my opinion based on the bigger picture that I’m seeing… I-I’ll definitely thank you for all the things you’ve done, but no matter how much I think about it, I just can’t understand…” she muttered.
“Do you really think that it’s possible to remain righteous while trying to maintain the balance of the world? Such an endeavor will inevitably violate ethics and morality, but tell me, do you really think that being righteous is more important than the continent’s balance?”
“The process isn’t all that ethical, sure, but it is the most reasonable way to achieve results. Is it not? The continent will be peaceful once more, but the people of the continent will never forget the terror of the demons, so they will work hard to prepare for another invasion from the demons…”
“In other words, it will be a righteous and balanced world. Think about it, our Smartie will be living in that world. Ahem, basically, if we nitpick the details, then the atmosphere of the set will be ruined.”
“...”
“Just think of it as fighting yourself, okay?” I said.
“But, still… a plague dragon is a bit… a bit…” Dialugia stuttered.
“Are you saying that your personal image is more important than the continent? Have you always been that kind of dragon?” I questioned.
“No. That’s… not it,” she answered.
“All right, then get ready. Our Smartie is currently hibernating, so we don’t have to worry about her,” I told her.
“But it’s all going to be recorded…” she pointed out.
“Ah…” I frowned.
“F-Fine. I-I’ll do my best,” she said.
“Remember to look sad—I want you to look really sad,” I emphasized.
“O-okay…” Dialugia said blankly. She looked like she had lost everything important to her. I wasn’t really sure if I could use her, but she agreed a lot faster than I thought.
She definitely couldn’t think of anything to say against me.
Dialugia had to have finally realized that even though it wasn’t the most righteous method out there, it was the most reasonable and most efficient method to ensure that the continent would return to its original state before the advent of Benigoa.
‘It’s going to be fine...’
I was controlling the demons and making the continent even stronger while providing holy power to Benigoa. In other words, it was a perfectly balanced situation, and it had to be maintained at all costs.
We could have turned the tables against the demons, but it was already too late. I was sure that Dialugia was aware of that as well, but right now, she couldn’t do anything about it.
Dialugia trembled in agony. She was stuttering, but her overall acting was decent. Her acting skills were good enough to be aired for the entire continent to see.
- I-I’m… going to resist. I-It won’t go the way you want… no matter what…!
- Interesting. I can’t believe you can still speak that way even though you have already fallen. You’re supposed to protect the balance of the continent, but now, you’ll be an enemy of the continent, you dumb dragon.
- You must wake up. You’re the human that I… c-chose. Don’t fall for his temptation. Your friends, the people you cherish, and the people who cherish you are still waiting for you. Dialuria is waiting for you. Don’t give in to them. I know better than anyone that you’re still fighting inside. Please…!
- You’re still talking nonsense. The human you chose has perished. He’s not here anymore. You chose him arbitrarily, so this time, It’ll be my turn. Dialugia, you’ll be reborn as a member of my party.
- I believe in you…
- …
- I believe that… a handful of purity still remains in your soul.
- Interesting…
- I can see it in your eyes. I can tell when I look into those… pure eyes… of yours. They are still the same eyes I saw when I first met you. You’re still fighting… I’m sure of it.
- Stop it. I don’t want to hear any more nonsense from you.
I raised my hand, and darkness devoured Dialugia. Of course, the visual effects were staged, but it was pretty effective and convincing. Her shiny black scales turned dull, and her eyes glazed over.
Dialugia’s signature pair of horns turned into two iron lumps that contained an extremely disgusting energy that made the horns look like they were rotting, and a dark green liquid started flowing out of her mouth.
A glance was enough for anyone to deduce that she had become a plague dragon.
Overall, she looked visually shocking and striking.
I was so happy to see her new look that I wanted to clap my hands.
- Rooooooooooar!!!
“Cut! Wow, Miss Dialugia. It looks like you have an unexpected talent. Hahaha. I didn’t expect that you’ll be so good at it,” I complimented her.
- Was that… good enough?
“Yes. If you’d like to do more, we can film more. I’m honestly really satisfied, but who knows? Perhaps the next scene will be even better,” I replied.
- No. I-If you’re satisfied, then I think… it’s best if we end here.
When she returned to her human form, Dialugia looked like she had lost everything precious to her once again. She looked like she wasn’t exactly dissatisfied with what was going on. Rather, she looked ashamed of herself.
Of course, I understood why she thought that way. After all, Dialugia had never been the type of person to do something like this. In addition, she was also worried that other dragons might see her form as a plague dragon.
I couldn’t help but feel nervous while looking at her because she truly looked heartbroken.
‘I can’t use you with that look on your face…’
She did look like a plague dragon, but the look of sadness on her face wouldn’t fit the upcoming battle between her and Kim Hyun-Sung. After all, the vanguard had to be determined and strong so that the rearguard would be able to focus on supporting her.
“Anyway, tell them to disperse Belial’s energy in Everia. If it gets any closer to the World Tree, then I’m afraid that the World Tree will be in danger once again. As you mentioned, I’m supposed to maintain the balance of the continent, so I can’t just stand by and watch anymore,” said Dialugia.
“Ah… Well, that’s…” I mumbled.
“Is there some great reason behind it?” she asked.
“No, it’s nothing like that. Don’t you think it’ll be more natural for us to thrash around? Mankind is moving forward with a beacon of hope by their side, but they still recently lost eighteen of their bases. In other words, they’re currently trying to recover. In that case, we have to focus on them so that there won’t be any doubts,” I answered.
“Are you saying that…” Dialugia trailed off.
“Yes, the demons are targeting Everia, which will weaken the quality of the Federation’s troops. We have to add that part to the script. That way, the humans will end up losing their bases just to force the demons away. In other words, the demons will be able to retreat without losing face,” I explained.
“Is that really the only reason?” she questioned.
“Yes, the stakes have to remain high. Who would be afraid of the demons if they keep on losing? Don’t you think we should leave a huge scar on the continent before we wrap things up?” I asked.
“Wait, are you really going to harm the World Tree?” she asked in shock.
“I’m a scum, yes, but that’s too—what kind of demonic thoughts are you having? You sure know how to come up with horrifying ideas, seriously,” I said.
“...” Dialugia didn’t know what to say.
“I’m talking about Lindel. Lindel has to suffer,” I explained.
“Lindel…” she repeated.
“Yes. I’m sure Lee Ji-Hye is expecting it. Of course, she’s not sure because she lacks information. However, take a look at the bases where the 27th Legion’s demons are present…” I paused.
“I’m not sure what’s going on,” she said.
“Take a closer look, and pay more attention to the bases that are under the Continental Union’s supervision. Under the assumption that the 27th Legion takes the 19th, 21st, and the 32nd bases again…”
“A path to Lindel will open…” she muttered.
“The humans will definitely find it hard to maintain all those bases right now because they are thinking that the 27th Legion is heading toward Everia. In other words, they have no choice but to withdraw their troops from the aforementioned bases, so…”
“You’re thinking about capturing those bases and then invading Lindel right afterward,” said Dialugia.
“That’s right. That’s the plot of the final chapter,” I told her.
“In other words…” Dialugia trailed off.
“Yes. Aside from a small number of troops to serve as a distraction, the 27th Legion will be heading toward Lindel,” I informed her.
Hikari’s Thoughts
Illustration of Kim Hyun-Sung
