Chapter 14
Every event has a beginning and an end. This world, too, had been heading toward its end since the moment of its birth. Just as humans march toward death the moment they are born. So, Ludechias believed it was unfair to blame any one person for the destruction of the world, regardless of the reason behind it.
But that thought only made him feel even more wronged. After all, people claimed the end of the world had a specific cause. And they believed that if they could eliminate that cause, they could prevent the end.
Ludechias could understand why people clung to even the faintest hope in the face of impending doom. But what drove him insane was that he was the one they claimed to be the cause of it all! As if he would gain anything by bringing about the world’s end. What possible reason would he have for doing that?
Besides, as already stated, the world had been doomed from the start. People might think optimistically, but eventually, the end would come. Whether it happened now or later, the world would fall apart on its own. There was no need for him to lend a hand in that.
So really, it was just too unfair.
Ludechias Leminna Ryu Phanidrau.
The worst Derkaid in history, the Black Wing, said to bring about the end of the world.
That kind of title had been attached to him now, but the original Ludechias had no interest in announcing the world’s end. In fact, he didn’t want to deal with anything troublesome or headache-inducing at all.
That was roughly what Aris had been thinking when he was around fifteen.
Aris looked up at Sephiros with a smile that could hardly be called friendly. He slowly opened his mouth to speak.
“I came because I heard the Emperor of the Luard Empire was up to something crazy, and I was curious…”
His tone was rather calm and mild.
“But aside from that, I honestly don’t know why you’re looking for me. If you said you wanted to capture and monitor me, I would’ve expected that.”
His words, though softly spoken, were not polite in the least. Even though no one asked for a formal greeting, his words bordered on rude. Yet Sephiros didn’t get angry—he chuckled instead.
“You’ve grown a lot, Ludechias.”
Saying that, Sephiros stood up. His silver hair shimmered elegantly under the sunlight as it brushed his shoulders. The dragon mark on his forehead glowed the same amber color as his eyes. Though 300 years old was still considered young among dragons, Sephiros had already served as the head of the Rashvalen Association for ten years.
“Has it been five years?”
“Already that long?”
Aris—or rather, Ludechias—tilted a crooked smile at the tall dragon who approached him. Sephiros had a natural aura that would intimidate most, but Ludechias didn’t shrink even when alone with him.
Sephiros remembered that this had always been the case. Though he’d grown more cynical over time due to changes in his environment, Ludechias’s upright nature remained unchanged. He never cowered before anyone.
“Truthfully, if things had gone according to plan, I would’ve brought you in more slowly. I knew where you were holed up. But the Frost Order’s movements were suspicious. We had to send out bait disguised as supplies while mixing in something for them to latch onto, so it took quite a bit of effort.”
“The ones who came to hunt me weren’t even part of the main knight order. They weren’t worth such elaborate maneuvering.”
“We had to be cautious, especially since many eyes are watching. Besides, it wasn’t a wasted effort, was it?”
Sephiros motioned to a sunlit table and gestured for Ludechias to sit. Ludechias looked at him and then turned his gaze wearily toward the offered chair.
Should I run?
He glanced toward the door behind him. No, too obvious. Then the window? The large windows stretching along the high ceiling would shatter beautifully. It would sound nice too.
Beyond the window lay a deep blue sea. He could almost hear the crashing of white waves from here. Sephiros, knowing Ludechias wasn’t simply admiring the view, smirked knowingly.
With no other choice, Ludechias reluctantly sat down. Across from him, Sephiros used magic to heat the water in the teapot. As the tea brewed, he pushed over a plate of dried fruits and cookies, gesturing for Ludechias to help himself. But Ludechias refused the unspoken offer and spoke with a sulky tone.
“No one around here to make your tea for you? You’re the head of the association and still brew your own tea?”
Sephiros chuckled at the petty rebellion. It was honestly adorable.
“Unfortunately, no one at the association knows how to make it to my taste.”
With graceful hands, Sephiros poured the tea and placed it before Ludechias.
“Hopefully it suits your taste as well.”
Curious how refined this dragon’s tastes must be, Ludechias took a sip—and nearly gagged. He reflexively clamped his mouth shut to avoid spitting it out, causing the tea to go up his nose.
“Hm, I had hoped I might finally meet someone who shared my tastes this time…”
Sephiros spoke casually as Ludechias sniffled in pain.
“Doesn’t suit you either, huh? I’ve never met anyone besides myself who liked it, but that reaction is still a bit much. I do have feelings, you know.”
Then he calmly sipped his own tea. Ludechias wanted to argue that anyone who could drink that willingly must have something wrong with their tongue. Maybe dragon taste buds were just incomprehensible to humans. But judging by Sephiros’s own words, even other dragons avoided this tea.
Ludechias used magic to cool the boiling water left behind and drank that instead. Once he’d calmed down a bit, he was once again tempted to escape through the window.
“Young humans really do like sweets, huh?”
Sephiros fiddled with another canister of tea leaves, about to brew something new, when Ludechias cut him off.
“I’m not going to eat or drink anything you offer, so don’t bother. And I’m not that young.”
“How old are you again?”
“Twenty-two… damn it.”
The 300-year-old dragon smiled like someone looking fondly at a baby hatchling.
“Yes, young one. It’s good to hear that you’re still young while you can. And twenty-two is still young by human standards—no matter your mental maturity.”
Sephiros once again pushed the plate of snacks toward Ludechias.
“The young humans I know—those around your age—tend to like sweets. Not that my sample group is huge. Still, I don’t think liking sweets is anything to be ashamed of. I don’t get why people think it’s embarrassing.”
Ludechias nearly blurted out that it was because Sephiros’s definition of good taste was absurdly broad.
“You didn’t bring me here to ask about my favorite foods, did you? Can we get to the point? My patience is wearing thin.”
“Ludechias.”
“….”
He deliberately didn’t respond.
“I didn’t sit back for five years because I couldn’t find you.”
“I know.”
“So it’s better for your mental health not to even think about running away.”
Ludechias clicked his tongue softly but didn’t take his eyes off the window.
“…I wasn’t thinking that.”
He mumbled absently, watching the sun sparkle across the sea’s surface. The sky was a perfect blue with not a cloud in sight, and the sea glimmered in vivid emerald hues. No photo or painting could ever fully capture this view.
“After spending years staring at decaying wastelands, seeing something like this feels surreal. I guess returning to the Loamena continent has one upside. When I left Myren, winter was coming, but now that I’ve crossed the equator, it’s spring again. I’d forgotten how beautiful the spring sea could be.”
At those words, Sephiros also glanced out the window and took a sip of his tea.
“You’re right. The sea of Roxan is the most beautiful I’ve ever seen. I love it here.”
“Looks like it wasn’t hit badly five years ago.”
Sephiros smiled gently at Ludechias’s observation.
“Fortunately, yes. But even this place was in danger back then. This region took a direct hit from the beasts’ attacks.”
He gestured with his chin toward a small mountain outside, now missing its entire right side.
“We got lucky.”
“….”
“I’m not trying to make you feel guilty. Just stating the facts.”
“That’s not what I felt either.”
Sephiros chuckled softly.
“Well then, if you’ve had your fill of the ocean, shall we move on to what you wanted?”
“I’m not doing anything.”
Ludechias leaned back into the sofa with a dull tone.
“How do you know what I was going to say?”
“It’s obvious. You’re going to tell me to stop the emperor. Or stop being the emperor.”
“Neither, actually.”
“Really? Well, whatever it is—I’m not doing it. Everything’s just too bothersome right now.”
“Oh, is that so?”
Sephiros set down his teacup.
“By the way, Ryu Eunhyun said to give you her regards.”
That instantly changed Ludechias’s tone.
“What?! My mother?!”
“Yes.”
“You met her?!”
“Rather than meeting, she’s currently staying with the dragonfolk.”
“How did that happen? Why is she with you?!”
“She’s not a hostage, if that’s what you’re thinking. While you were hiding away in that remote part of Myren for half a year, the land of House Ryu was rapidly decaying. They had to abandon it. So I provided them with a new home.”
Ludechias raised a skeptical eyebrow.
“Then where exactly is she?”
“I’m not telling you that easily.”
