Chapter 95
Chapter 95. Proud Dragon
“—But I refuse!”
Leila was taken aback by her father’s response.
Why…? Zilbagias was going out of his way to ensure that Leila could be by her father’s side…
“…Faravgi, I fully understand that you are a proud dragon.”
Zilbagias quickly recovered and spoke in a soothing tone.
“Becoming undead and serving me would be humiliating for you… I get that feeling, but for the sake of your daughter, please hold back—”
‘That’s not all!’
Faravgi interrupted Zilbagias’ words.
‘That’s not all, Hero.’
—With a surprisingly serene expression.
‘You wouldn’t understand. Even now, in this very moment, I can feel myself peeling away bit by bit. The unbearable sense of loss continues endlessly… There’s a feeling that it will soon be compensated, but it is no longer I.’
Leila and the others gasped. The soul of Faravgi, who produced light magic, was utterly incompatible with the necromancy that was the essence of dark magic…
‘The more time passes, the more I will transform into something unrecognizable. And if you think about what I will lose…’
After closing his eyes for a moment, Faravgi abruptly—
—Strengthened the light magic.
“Wait, what are you planning to do?”
‘…Leila.’
Ignoring the panicking Zilbagias, Faravgi turned to face Leila.
‘The regret your father carried at the moment of death was—he couldn’t teach you anything. Because of your youth, he couldn’t teach you the magic passed down through our bloodline, how to read the sun and stars to know directions, or even how to swim—nothing at all.’
Faravgi smiled gently at the bewildered Leila.
‘You know, we dragons can swim in the sea. But you… probably haven’t even seen the ocean.’
With a distant look.
‘In his youth, my father often went out to play with his wife. They would sunbathe on the beach, swim leisurely… He thought that one day when you grew up, we could all go out and play together…’
“…Father?”
A sense of unease bubbled up within Leila.
Why is father so tranquil in this moment?
It was as if—this was as if—
‘So, Leila.’
Faravgi’s words resounded strongly.
‘I will pass on my magic, my knowledge, to you.’
—The excitation of light magic.
With a searing sound,
Faravgi’s soul began to burn with its own light—
“Hey! You can’t possibly—”
Zilbagias’ face contorted.
“—Using light magic will cause the soul to dissipate!!”
“Stop, Dad!”
Leila instinctively clung to Faravgi, trying to stop him, but was blocked by the barrier Zilbagias had set up.
‘Hahaha! If I can leave everything I have to my child, that would be my greatest wish! And it would also be beneficial for you!’
Burning ever more fiercely, he gazed down at Zilbagias with a refreshing face.
‘If I dissipate, the secrets won’t leak because of that accursed necromancy!’
Zilbagias choked on his words, his eyes wide open—
‘And I am the proud White Dragon! While I appreciate your spirit, Hero—being confined by necromancy is not an option!!’
Faravgi laughed heartily,
‘I am the embodiment of light!’
A dazzling light, seemingly beyond that of a spirit,
‘Burn it into your eyes!’
Like a midday sun,
“Father—”
—The torrent of light flowed towards Leila.
…Ah.
It was flowing in.
The knowledge, the skills, the magic of her father,
The feelings—all were vividly reflected in her heart through the light.
Leila learned how to read the stars. Just as her father had learned from the old dragon. She listened to the stories of constellations recited in a hoarse voice as she sat on a rocky mountain watching the night sky with her young father—
She learned of how her parents met in their youth. Under the guise of hunting, they secretly arranged a meeting and went to play at the seaside together. Feeling the tide for the first time, Leila also felt both the pleasantness and saltiness of the water—
She compared who could jump the highest towards the sun with her friends. Learning that you couldn’t fly at high altitudes, she was amazed by the thin air and icy coldness. In the end, no one reached the sun, but as they glided while laughing, they learned that the earth is, in fact, round—
Various memories, knowledge, poured into Leila like a whirlwind. Along with the magic of her clan that had been passed down through generations.
—Leila was born. So cute that it was irresistible. Just watching her daughter’s every move filled her with joy.
Even as a baby, she tried to fly and even breathed fire.
She would surely become an admirable dragon who surpassed herself, and her heart swelled with love and pride. It felt like she could fly to the ends of the world—
‘Leila. My cute Leila.’
Sparkling—
A warm memory shining bright.
Someday, Leila found herself snuggled up, looking up at it within her heart.
Gently, her father rubbed his nose against hers.
As she stroked his rough scales, Leila hugged him tightly.
‘…I’m glad I could give you everything I have.’
In a voice that sounded peaceful, as if a burden had been lifted, her father said.
‘Before it’s lost, before I transform beyond recognition, I’ll give it all—’
“Father…”
He had cared for her deeply until the very end.
Her father had not abandoned her.
Everything resonated, but it came at the cost of her father’s soul—
With an overwhelming sense of futility, tears began to overflow.
‘It’s alright. I understand, Leila.’
It all resonated within her.
“…!!”
Leila cried as she clung desperately to her father.
But—no matter how strong his presence had been,
It was gradually fading…
“Ah…”
‘This time, it’s farewell.’
Fading away.
Her father—was fading away.
“…No!”
Desperately attempting to pull her fading father close.
“No! I don’t want this!!”
Leila screamed.
“Why! Why did we finally meet again…!!”
Don’t go.
It could have been later.
She felt all of her father’s thoughts, but still, she wanted—
“I wanted to talk more…!”
One after another, words she wanted to say came to her mind and vanished.
Unable to form the words, Leila could only cry like a child throwing a tantrum.
‘I too truly wanted that.’
Her father’s voice became increasingly distant.
‘But if I did that— the farewell would become even more painful. I am a proud dragon; I told myself so—and at last, I’ve come to a decision.’
I’m sorry for being such a pathetic father.
That father who smiled wryly—
Ah, it was already out of reach—
“Father! Don’t go…! Father…!!”
He truly was going far away.
‘Leila… you are…’
The faint presence of her father brushed against Leila’s forehead like a kiss.
‘You don’t have to think about revenge… or pride… just…’
So…
‘Just be happy—’
You just have to live happily.
Then, with a faint laugh…
The presence of her father, Faravgi—
Disappeared.
“…Father…”
She whispered.
Of course, there was no response.
—Ah, she realized she would never return.
“U…uh, aaaaaaa—!!”
Warmth overflowed endlessly from her eyes.
—You don’t have to think about pride
—Just, live happily.
The gentle words resurfaced.
What her father left behind was, indeed, alive within Leila’s heart.
“…Thank you, Father… but,”
Sniffling, Leila forced a smile.
“…I’m a bad girl, so I won’t listen to what you say…!”
Wiping her tears, she looked up.
“I… I will definitely one day…!”
I’ll become a dignified dragon that surpasses you.
“A proud White Dragon…!”
—I’ll make it happen.
