The groans and coughing of the lizardmen were audible enough that it slowly reassured me they were all okay. Looking through the vomit-saliva covered lizardmen, I couldn't detect anybody dead which was a massive relief.
As I was approaching the lizardmen, one of them jumped on their feet and screamed, “Ahhhhhhh, stay away from me! A monster, a monster!”
W-What?!
Hearing this, the other lizardmen exactly copied what he just did, screaming from the top of their lungs that I should "stay away,’ while holding their arms in front of them, slowly crawling backward.
Damn! My form!
[“Wait, everybody! It’s me, it’s me, Hestia!”] Noticing why they were panicking, I quickly activated [Humanize].
[“Everybody, see. It’s me, it’s me! I’m not here to hurt you.”] Doing my best to control the situation, I waved my hands to grab their attention, using my voice to remind them who I was.
Fuck… why did I just do that?! I’m leaving myself exposed right now!
That wyvern, Asterios, stood there and watched the scene with benign curiosity, however, I had to admit being a dragonewt in his presence was sending goosebumps throughout my body. I could only gulp down my saliva as the combined eyes from the giant snakes, Asterios, and the massive monster crocodile relaxing in the background gave me a grim reminder that transforming back into this form was the worst move I could have done.
I did it reflexively, but I seriously needed to reflect on this. Despite my intention to calm the lizardmen, letting my guard down was a terrible mistake. I should be better than that!
“Little Lady?” The first to recognize me was Caszcur, who cleaned the spit from his face.
[“Yes, yes, it’s me! Your lovable dragon girl and idol! Are you alright?”] I said, reaching my hand up to my head to pinch on Tasianna’s skirt and shake her, who was clutching my horns in fear of all the big boss monsters around. [“Tasianna, please, we need to clean them. Tasianna!”]
[“Oh, oh, Lady Hestia! I-I-I apologize. I’ll get right to it,”] with that said, my fairy companion flew through the sky and began casting [Create Greater Water] to wash away the snake spit.
[“Hmm, interesting dragonewt form, Princess Hestia Atsuko. However, aren’t you a hatchling? The humanoid form of a transformer usually reflects their mind and how they wished to look, and you look… almost like a fledgling,”] the wyvern, Asterios, commented.
Urgh… guess I don’t really look like a baby, huh? Although, not too sure what fledgling is supposed to mean.
Looking at the lizardmen, they didn’t seem to be panicking or anything, which probably meant they couldn’t hear what Asterios said. Having a voice they didn’t know appear in their head should be reason enough for them to start questioning it.
While silently thanking him for not taking advantage of my mistake and allowing me to help the lizardmen, I went over to help the beastmen with Saori, who also transformed back. While they seemed to have calmed down a bit, it still didn’t change the fact all the lizardmen had the [Terror (Moderate)] status affliction.
While the three of us third to calm down the shivering and terrified lizardmen, I took another look at our enemies. The leviathan wasn’t doing anything, nor were the wyverns. In fact, the unharmed [Drifting Snow Wyvern] was taking care of the one I injured. A quick look with [Identify] told me the poison I injected in the injured one had subsided.
Strangely, the [Boltreaver Wyvern] didn’t seem to care for his subordinate, although it really wasn’t my business. Yes, all of this happened ‘cause of my misunderstanding but I was earnestly trying to defend myself there. Apologizing was all I could do, but I still wasn’t sure if I should be friendly with them. In any case, I had to make sure that the people I actually cared about were alright.
As the three of us kept on helping the lizardmen, it quickly became clear that the lizardmen were also scared of us. Seeing Saori and me in our true form transforming into our humanized forms must have shocked them.
They knew I was a dragon, seeing as the quintuplets asked me to show them it but looking at them now, they were cowering like small children. If it had been in any other situation, I believed they would've shown some enthusiasm but they were just swallowed by a giant snake. There was a certain amount of craziness each person could take in, something I knew quite well.
[“Hey, Apsala are you al-woah!”] Walking towards Apsala, she suddenly jumped up and clutched my hand with quite a bit of force.
“Hestia… your form… it was beautiful! Your dragon form was truly brilliant,” Apsala yelled with excitement but looking at her shaking legs made me think otherwise. Was she scared of me?
[“Apsala, are you alright?”] I asked her.
“Y-Yes, yes of course! I’m alright, all fine. My scales are in tip-top shape! Nothing for you to worry about… L-Lady Hestia,” Apsala said as she glanced over at Asterios. “Praise Kargryxmor and his rulership over the skies!”
She shouted as if her life was at stake. Was she trying to appease me with this nonsense or was it for the wyverns? Whether it was or not was unimportant now ‘cause after Apsala released my hand, she sat on her knees and began praying, reciting stuff like “Marsven, I beg for your veil of shadows on these dark days” and “I beg of you, oh, Black Tyrant of the Skies. I beseech your protection.”
Dammit…
[“Now, Princess Hestia Atsuko. I believe you have done enough for these lesser beings,”] Asterios called us out after I finished cleaning the lizardmen. [“Now that is done, let us go. Our lord has requested us to escort you to safety and to speak to him.”]
‘Lesser beings?’ Really?
[“I apologize, but as I have said before, I cannot join you.”] Seeing as he saw me as a princess, I tried my best to keep up a proper appearance this time, although that might have been too late. [“I promised these lizardmen that I would aid them in their travels towards the elven kingdom up north. I cannot leave them.”]
[“What? That is your reason to reject your ancestor’s calling?”] Asterios began laughing creepily before continuing to speak. [“Ehehe, ah that cannot be, Princess. Your ancestor calls for you and as his granddaughter, you must abide by it. So, now come. No more defiance, please. We have wasted too much time already."]
So, I really am Kargryxmor’s granddaughter, huh? Which means either my dragon father or mother was his child. Was it an emperor or empress? Did Tasianna ever mention that? Ark, who cares! Leaving them? Yeah, in your dreams! I made promises with these lizardmen and I plan on keeping them!
[“As I have said, I will not,”] nervously swallowing my spit, I retorted. [“I gave them my word. I promise to help them. You can’t expect me to throw that away now, right? Why can’t you give me some time, huh?”]
[“Hestia, what are you doing?”] Saori asked anxiously.
[“Saori, I can’t break my promise. I gave them my word,”] I responded. [“It doesn’t feel right, okay? What is my word worth if I go around, breaking it whenever it's convenient?. I’m sorry… but I can’t let it go.”]
[“Goodness… t-this is honestly a terrible part of your personality. You are negotiating with something that could kill us right now just because you want to keep a simple promise?”] Although her words were harsh, it didn’t last long, as she gave a sigh and scratched her head in exasperation. [“Honestly… this is giving me a terrible headache.”]
[“Hey, come on! Give me some credit here, I’m not going into this like some reckless idiot,”] I answered back. [“Kargryxmor wanted him to escort me, right? No way would he kill me, especially now that it's confirmed I’m recognized as his granddaughter and also a Dragon Princess. Trust me.”]
With a wry smile, Saori nodded, [“… You really are a good person. I can’t believe you actually questioned me back then, but… just so you know, I care more about you and Tasianna than anything else right now. If this doesn’t work, then expect me to do anything to get you us three out of here alive. Got it?”]
[“… Got it.”]
With a short answer, I transformed back into a dragon with a single goal in mind.
[“Hmm, interesting. I suggest that you do not resist, Princess Hestia Atsuko. My duty is to bring you back safely… but if you wish to invoke the law of the strong—”] Asterios mumbled.
[“I’m sorry but I won’t. As somebody who worships Kargryxmor, shouldn’t you know that I can’t break this promise?”] I stated.
As he questioned me about it, I continued, ["I have made a promise to these lizardmen to keep them safe, and as the granddaughter of Kargryxmor, the God of Dragonkins and Oaths, shouldn’t you allow me to fulfill it? Are you intending to disrespect him like this?!
One thing I remembered from Apsala’s constant religious talks was that Kargryxmor was also considered the god of oaths. A promise was exactly what an oath was, albeit, not as formal. I couldn’t win against this wyvern, not even with my whole party. We were outmatched and Saori was already feeling exhausted after her solo battle with the other [Drifting Snow Wyvern].
I understood Aurena wanted to tell me my purpose for being reincarnated into this world, but couldn’t she have allowed me some more time? Why have Kargryxmor send his minions? Was her message to me some sorta propaganda, or was all of this just a big misunderstanding?
I would not be forced to go with this wyvern. Saori and I didn’t trust him. If I wanted to stay free, then I had to persuade Asterios. He seemed to show me some amount of respect due to my [Princess] title, so I would use that against him.
[“An oath, you say? Ridiculous. That is a petty promise, not an oath, Princess. There is a stark difference between those two. For example, I have made an oath to our lord to bring you to him at all costs… I believe I have made myself clear I was fully committed to it, no?”] Asterios retorted, spreading his wings as if he was prancing about how important he was.
It was clear he thought he had me cornered. I couldn’t escape, even with Saori’s [Shadow Dash]. It was a good teleportation tool, but she couldn’t teleport to places she couldn’t visibly see, and by the time we jump back to the real world, the wyvern and leviathan would just catch up. I needed to solve this diplomatically.
[“Whether you consider a promise an oath or not, is irrelevant in this situation. In the first place, I have given my word and do you expect a ‘dragon princess’ like me, a descendant of the mighty dragon god, Kargryxmor, to so easily cast it aside just because of the situation?”] I activated [Noble Aura] in hopes of moving him.
[“Goodness… honestly? No, I do not care if you are a perfect representation of our lord or not,”] Asterios answered, dropping a huge bombshell.
[“W-What?!”] I exclaimed in surprise.
["All I care about is that I fulfil my oath to my lord by bringing you to him. Ahhhhh, the Divine Quest that he has given me demands me to do so! Oooooh, the sweet experience that I will gain will help me reach the level cap for a B rank monster! Ahhahaha, I will finally be able to evolve!”] Asterios admitted.
D-Divine Quest! Are you serious?!
The concept of a Divine Quest wasn't unknown to me. Video games or anime also depicted heroes receiving a quest from the gods, requiring them to fulfill a grand task. This would usually be the story quest or some end game stuff in those types of media. A lot of JRPGs had this sorta setting, after all, up until you beat up some religious god or symbolism.
Tasianna has already explained to me how Quests were a natural part of this world. “Requests” or commission acted exactly like how you would imagine a fetch quest would function. And above the normal stuff you gained from the guilds and random people like in an MMO, there were Divine Quests given to us directly by the Gods.
In this case, wasn’t it more of a bounty or something? Was Kargryxmor that desperate to ask this wyvern to fetch me by motivating him with levels?
Wanted: Hestia Atsuko. Only Alive. Reward: 1 million monies, uh, experience. Something like that?
["However, if you feel like this 'promise' is holding your back, then allow me to reduce your burdens. That is my job as a lesser dragonkin, correct?"] Asterios snapped his head aside, his eyes glaring at the lizardmen as lighting started to form around his mouth. [“Allow this humble wyvern to free you from your chains!”]
This piece of—!
Pouring in as much mana as I could, the ground under Asterios and the other wyvern started to light up, eventually blowing up, stopping Asterios’ hostile actions.
O-Oh, wow! Hold on, was that Saori?!
What exploded under Asterios were the bombs I created, seeing as the explosions were my fire spells. Although I didn’t know when she did it, Saori did somehow place the bombs under the wyvern without them noticing. As she was here the whole time, it had to be from her spell [Shadow Snake].
Seeing as I couldn’t see any of my bombs on Caszcur and Tasianna was somehow not around, I suspected mid-way in this negotiation those two must have done something. Honestly, the fact that those two could be so sneaky was a bit frightening.
Though, props to them ‘cause that gave me the time to renew my buffs.
Those guys couldn't have died from that attack. I need to give it my all! All buffs activated! All parallel minds begin casting fire spells!
Send out hellfire, burn everything to ashes and ruins! Spark Inferno Blast! Spiral Hellfire x 3! Blazing Twister x 2! Inferno Beam! Lava Stream! Maximum Scorching Sun!
Abandoning any sense to stay inconspicuous, eight spells activated around me before I unleashed a powerful dragon breath at Asterios, bombarding him with everything I had. Twisters of fire, burning missiles, lasers, streams of lava, and a giant fireball crashed into the smokescreen, sending everything destruction!
The water around us evaporated from the sheer heat while any sorta vegetation turned into ashes. I protected the lizardmen from the sweltering inferno and all the smoke with an [Air Shield], but didn’t give up shooting more spells until I saw the System message confirm my kill with a level up. Even Saori, who now had Tasianna standing on her shoulders, had to move away otherwise they would be grilled up.
[“Hahaha, amazing power! I thank you, I thank you, Princess Hestia Atsuko! I have finally increased my [Fire Resistance]! Ahhhh, the pain that is coursing through my body is truly supreme, raising my stagnating resistance towards fire by two whole levels! Absolutely magnificent!”]
What?! Identify!! A-Are you kidding me, his [Fire Resistance Lv. 6] did indeed become [Fire Resistance Lv. 8]!
I knew he had [Absolute Pain Tolerance], however, I really thought he would be pissing his pants or do something else besides screaming aloud as if he was climaxing! This was insane!
Ewwww, gross! Continue shooting at this pervert! Spiral Hellfire!
Shooting at the perverted wyvern felt like shooting at a dummy but without any of the anger release. It didn’t feel good at all nor did it make me less wary. That wyvern not only had a Wisdom stat that surpassed my base Intelligence, but he also had about four times my Health.
This thing was not only a tank, but he also had the stats to absolutely murderize me! Gulping my own saliva as I watched his Health lower wasn’t an exaggeration ‘cause this was actually nerve-wracking!
[“Ahhhhhh, 80% of my Health! Urrrrgh, only a dragon like you could do this to a B rank like me. Princess Hestia Atsuko, you are a wonderful C rank… but playtime is over."]
“Grooooooooooooooooooooarrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrh!” a thunderous roar resounded throughout the air, as lighting and thunder escaped the smoke surrounding the wyverns.
Oof!
Barely able to register the attack, a sudden force sent me flying to the side as my head started to feel as if a truck or something large had just hit it. Twisting through the air, the next thing I felt was a fierce hit that struck my chest with enough force my [Draconic Barrier] was barely able to protect me from breaking all my ribs and bones.
I tried to turn my body around, recover myself before crash landing, but the agony shooting through my body made me feel light-headed. Only after my parallel minds managed to heal my body up did I use [Wind Blast] to stop my descent.
[“Amazing, I was holding back to not endanger your life, but this is unprecedented. How interesting that your [Sacred Magic] can keep up with my attacks- Huh?”]
Bedrock Blades!
[“Ahaha, that nearly caught me off-guard! But earth magic is far too slow to catch me, Princess!”]
Dammit! Spiral Hell-!
[“No, no, Lightning Bolt.”]
Obeying [Prediction], I held myself back from going on the offensive and instead decided to dodge his spell. The crackling thunder caused the mud to explode as it shot past me, righting into the swampy ground. This, unfortunately, left me open for another attack.
Can’t dodge!
I didn’t even have the time to see the wyvern’s tail moving before I realized it was an attack. It was impossible to dodge, but at the last moment, shadow tendrils erupted from the ground to grab him, dulling his attack as he hit me in the sides.
[“Hmm, oh my, do we some interference from outside participants?”] Asterios stated as he quizzically looked at Saori who was in her cadejo form. [“Ahh, that wolf from before. What is fodder interfering in a battle between dragonkin? Were you not satisfied I gave you the privilege of listening to this prestigious talk that went over your intelligence?”]
[“Tsk! Tasianna, now!”] Saori commanded with a yell.
“Level three [Ice magic] spell! Water in my palms, freeze with my will. Oh, winds of the gods, cry forward! Frost Ray!” Tasianna chanted out loud, activating her new spell to send a hail of ice at Asterios.
Blocking it with his wings, the wyvern couldn’t help but resume his scumbag personality. [“Uhhh, ice? Weak compared to my two subordi—”]
[“Fuck you!”] I insulted him, as I spewed out a poisonous cloud out of my mouth, catching him off-guard as I crashed onto the ground from his tail swipe.
[“Wha- kuck, ahhhh, Princess… now this is making me a bit angry…”] he coughed with loud growls, shaking his body from the numbing experience.
Before he could do anything, I activated [Earthen Shackles] to shackle him even further. While Saori’s [Shadow Tendrils] were flexible, they were still fragile. My [Earthen Shackles] were unwieldy and slow but once they caught somebody, they would instantly harden, making it hard for anybody to break out of it while Tasianna bombarded him with ice.
This is a risk but I need to try! I know the words, I just need to bring them up! I’ve seen your power so please appear again! Please!
To me, gather my embers, to me
From shadows to embers
From embers to flame
From flame to inferno
Cast away the darkness, burn brightly, oh, dear flames
Arise inferno hellfire, engulf the world in a sea of flames
For that is my Decree!
With my incantations readied, a massive red magical circle appeared above the imprisoned [Boltreaver Wyvern].
Tasianna translated my incantation into Common tongue while also helping me with the pronunciation. It took a considerable amount of time for us to do this together, as I not only needed the chant but also how to write the spell runes for the magic circle. Since I could write it in Common, my language lessons became even more important to my goal to become a proper mage.
I did all of that for this very moment. All I could do now was to go through the magic theory Tasianna taught me. The basics! The foundation! I had them all! This would be the debut of my first ever custom spell!
My first step into becoming a fully-fledged mage!
[“Ahhh, I can feel the power coming from this spell! Princess, bask me in your inferno grasp and I shall embrace it! I challenge you to lower my Health below 75% with this spell! Lower it and I shall grant you your request, ahahhaha!”] Asterios shouted out in a mad laugh.
My mana surged through my body as it escaped my body to be used as a resource to fuel the giant magic circle. The red brightened as if it was telling me it was ready. Ready to turn this wyvern into cinders.
Shine red my custom spell, send this guy into the light! Imperial Hellfire!
…
…
…
…N-N-N-N-N-
[“Hmm, Princess? Why is your magic not activating, actually, the magic circle is disappearing even… what is this?] Asterios glared at me with disappointment.
N-No-No-No! D-Did I fail… again? At this moment? When it all counted on this singular attack?!
My eyes widened at the sudden realization. I didn’t know if my [Imperial Hellfire] could do enough damage to harm him but I knew my other spells wouldn’t be able to. Just from my display before, none of those spells could chunk him from 80% to 75% with a single cast. I was only able to chunk at him ‘cause I was free firing spells like a bloody machine gun!
[“No, no, no, no… I was so excited. Reaching level nine with my [Fire Resistance] would be grandiose. Ha, three levels in a single day would be glorious… but, alas, you failed, Princess Hestia Atsuko.,”] he said with a sigh. [“You did well but… I need to fulfill my quest now. Boltreaver!”]
Lighting surrounded his horn as he called out his attack, growing in size until it turned into a crackling thunder blade longer than his body. Swiping it down, not only did he break out of his bondage, but he also caused a rupture in the ground, cleaving through like a knife.
With most things pulverized to atoms, only mud exploded into the air and began raining down on me. Saori, Tasianna, and I were completely unharmed as Asterios never had a reason to seriously harm me… luckily, as I was only able to see a flash.
Once the mud rain stopped, the wyvern pranced proudly with his still energized thunder blade, flying in the sky as he looked down on us, [“Well, enough play. Let me rid you of what bonded you here, Princess. That is my thanks for an impressive first round… but a disastrous second round…”]
Turning away from me, Asterios directed his eyes back to the lizardmen as he swiped down his blade
Huh?! Nooooooooo! Wind Blast!
[“Hestia, no, don’t!”]
Boosting my body with my spell, I sent it flying towards the lizardmen intending to protect them by casting [Sanctuary] around them… but it wasn’t enough.
Nooooooooooooo!
…
…
…Huh?
[“Wyvern… this is enough. Do not continue.”]
Huh? Where did this voice come from?
[“Tch… Yes, honored leviathan. I am a simple wyvern compared to an ocean dragon like you, so I shall obey,”] Asterios responded with dissent.
Leviathan?
Looking up, I could see that one of the white snakes moved and blocked the attack from the wyvern, leaving only a scorched mark on its pristine scales.
Why did it do that? Wasn't it on their side? What was going on? Why was I asking so many questions today?
AbyssRaven Boss monster fight… failed. End-game super boss support. But, let this be a lesson to everybody, don't use your ultra-strong spell you hadn't prepare enough in time in an important match like this. Always prepare it.
If you guys want to support me, Hestia and "A Dragon Idol's Reincarnation Tale" (or just read up to 20 advance chapters + any Patreon-only chapters) please check out my Patreon: Rawr
For two dollars, for the cost of a coffee, you can read up to four chapters for the whole month! You will have my eternal gratitude for any support you can give me! Please.
Thank you for reading this chapter.
The groans and coughing of the lizardmen were audible enough that it slowly reassured me they were all okay. Looking through the vomit-saliva covered lizardmen, I couldn't detect anybody dead which was a massive relief.
As I was approaching the lizardmen, one of them jumped on their feet and screamed, “Ahhhhhhh, stay away from me! A monster, a monster!”
W-What?!
Hearing this, the other lizardmen exactly copied what he just did, screaming from the top of their lungs that I should "stay away,’ while holding their arms in front of them, slowly crawling backward.
Damn! My form!
[“Wait, everybody! It’s me, it’s me, Hestia!”] Noticing why they were panicking, I quickly activated [Humanize].
[“Everybody, see. It’s me, it’s me! I’m not here to hurt you.”] Doing my best to control the situation, I waved my hands to grab their attention, using my voice to remind them who I was.
Fuck… why did I just do that?! I’m leaving myself exposed right now!
That wyvern, Asterios, stood there and watched the scene with benign curiosity, however, I had to admit being a dragonewt in his presence was sending goosebumps throughout my body. I could only gulp down my saliva as the combined eyes from the giant snakes, Asterios, and the massive monster crocodile relaxing in the background gave me a grim reminder that transforming back into this form was the worst move I could have done.
I did it reflexively, but I seriously needed to reflect on this. Despite my intention to calm the lizardmen, letting my guard down was a terrible mistake. I should be better than that!
“Little Lady?” The first to recognize me was Caszcur, who cleaned the spit from his face.
[“Yes, yes, it’s me! Your lovable dragon girl and idol! Are you alright?”] I said, reaching my hand up to my head to pinch on Tasianna’s skirt and shake her, who was clutching my horns in fear of all the big boss monsters around. [“Tasianna, please, we need to clean them. Tasianna!”]
[“Oh, oh, Lady Hestia! I-I-I apologize. I’ll get right to it,”] with that said, my fairy companion flew through the sky and began casting [Create Greater Water] to wash away the snake spit.
[“Hmm, interesting dragonewt form, Princess Hestia Atsuko. However, aren’t you a hatchling? The humanoid form of a transformer usually reflects their mind and how they wished to look, and you look… almost like a fledgling,”] the wyvern, Asterios, commented.
Urgh… guess I don’t really look like a baby, huh? Although, not too sure what fledgling is supposed to mean.
Looking at the lizardmen, they didn’t seem to be panicking or anything, which probably meant they couldn’t hear what Asterios said. Having a voice they didn’t know appear in their head should be reason enough for them to start questioning it.
While silently thanking him for not taking advantage of my mistake and allowing me to help the lizardmen, I went over to help the beastmen with Saori, who also transformed back. While they seemed to have calmed down a bit, it still didn’t change the fact all the lizardmen had the [Terror (Moderate)] status affliction.
While the three of us third to calm down the shivering and terrified lizardmen, I took another look at our enemies. The leviathan wasn’t doing anything, nor were the wyverns. In fact, the unharmed [Drifting Snow Wyvern] was taking care of the one I injured. A quick look with [Identify] told me the poison I injected in the injured one had subsided.
Strangely, the [Boltreaver Wyvern] didn’t seem to care for his subordinate, although it really wasn’t my business. Yes, all of this happened ‘cause of my misunderstanding but I was earnestly trying to defend myself there. Apologizing was all I could do, but I still wasn’t sure if I should be friendly with them. In any case, I had to make sure that the people I actually cared about were alright.
As the three of us kept on helping the lizardmen, it quickly became clear that the lizardmen were also scared of us. Seeing Saori and me in our true form transforming into our humanized forms must have shocked them.
They knew I was a dragon, seeing as the quintuplets asked me to show them it but looking at them now, they were cowering like small children. If it had been in any other situation, I believed they would've shown some enthusiasm but they were just swallowed by a giant snake. There was a certain amount of craziness each person could take in, something I knew quite well.
[“Hey, Apsala are you al-woah!”] Walking towards Apsala, she suddenly jumped up and clutched my hand with quite a bit of force.
“Hestia… your form… it was beautiful! Your dragon form was truly brilliant,” Apsala yelled with excitement but looking at her shaking legs made me think otherwise. Was she scared of me?
[“Apsala, are you alright?”] I asked her.
“Y-Yes, yes of course! I’m alright, all fine. My scales are in tip-top shape! Nothing for you to worry about… L-Lady Hestia,” Apsala said as she glanced over at Asterios. “Praise Kargryxmor and his rulership over the skies!”
She shouted as if her life was at stake. Was she trying to appease me with this nonsense or was it for the wyverns? Whether it was or not was unimportant now ‘cause after Apsala released my hand, she sat on her knees and began praying, reciting stuff like “Marsven, I beg for your veil of shadows on these dark days” and “I beg of you, oh, Black Tyrant of the Skies. I beseech your protection.”
Dammit…
[“Now, Princess Hestia Atsuko. I believe you have done enough for these lesser beings,”] Asterios called us out after I finished cleaning the lizardmen. [“Now that is done, let us go. Our lord has requested us to escort you to safety and to speak to him.”]
‘Lesser beings?’ Really?
[“I apologize, but as I have said before, I cannot join you.”] Seeing as he saw me as a princess, I tried my best to keep up a proper appearance this time, although that might have been too late. [“I promised these lizardmen that I would aid them in their travels towards the elven kingdom up north. I cannot leave them.”]
[“What? That is your reason to reject your ancestor’s calling?”] Asterios began laughing creepily before continuing to speak. [“Ehehe, ah that cannot be, Princess. Your ancestor calls for you and as his granddaughter, you must abide by it. So, now come. No more defiance, please. We have wasted too much time already."]
So, I really am Kargryxmor’s granddaughter, huh? Which means either my dragon father or mother was his child. Was it an emperor or empress? Did Tasianna ever mention that? Ark, who cares! Leaving them? Yeah, in your dreams! I made promises with these lizardmen and I plan on keeping them!
[“As I have said, I will not,”] nervously swallowing my spit, I retorted. [“I gave them my word. I promise to help them. You can’t expect me to throw that away now, right? Why can’t you give me some time, huh?”]
[“Hestia, what are you doing?”] Saori asked anxiously.
[“Saori, I can’t break my promise. I gave them my word,”] I responded. [“It doesn’t feel right, okay? What is my word worth if I go around, breaking it whenever it's convenient?. I’m sorry… but I can’t let it go.”]
[“Goodness… t-this is honestly a terrible part of your personality. You are negotiating with something that could kill us right now just because you want to keep a simple promise?”] Although her words were harsh, it didn’t last long, as she gave a sigh and scratched her head in exasperation. [“Honestly… this is giving me a terrible headache.”]
[“Hey, come on! Give me some credit here, I’m not going into this like some reckless idiot,”] I answered back. [“Kargryxmor wanted him to escort me, right? No way would he kill me, especially now that it's confirmed I’m recognized as his granddaughter and also a Dragon Princess. Trust me.”]
With a wry smile, Saori nodded, [“… You really are a good person. I can’t believe you actually questioned me back then, but… just so you know, I care more about you and Tasianna than anything else right now. If this doesn’t work, then expect me to do anything to get you us three out of here alive. Got it?”]
[“… Got it.”]
With a short answer, I transformed back into a dragon with a single goal in mind.
[“Hmm, interesting. I suggest that you do not resist, Princess Hestia Atsuko. My duty is to bring you back safely… but if you wish to invoke the law of the strong—”] Asterios mumbled.
[“I’m sorry but I won’t. As somebody who worships Kargryxmor, shouldn’t you know that I can’t break this promise?”] I stated.
As he questioned me about it, I continued, ["I have made a promise to these lizardmen to keep them safe, and as the granddaughter of Kargryxmor, the God of Dragonkins and Oaths, shouldn’t you allow me to fulfill it? Are you intending to disrespect him like this?!
One thing I remembered from Apsala’s constant religious talks was that Kargryxmor was also considered the god of oaths. A promise was exactly what an oath was, albeit, not as formal. I couldn’t win against this wyvern, not even with my whole party. We were outmatched and Saori was already feeling exhausted after her solo battle with the other [Drifting Snow Wyvern].
I understood Aurena wanted to tell me my purpose for being reincarnated into this world, but couldn’t she have allowed me some more time? Why have Kargryxmor send his minions? Was her message to me some sorta propaganda, or was all of this just a big misunderstanding?
I would not be forced to go with this wyvern. Saori and I didn’t trust him. If I wanted to stay free, then I had to persuade Asterios. He seemed to show me some amount of respect due to my [Princess] title, so I would use that against him.
[“An oath, you say? Ridiculous. That is a petty promise, not an oath, Princess. There is a stark difference between those two. For example, I have made an oath to our lord to bring you to him at all costs… I believe I have made myself clear I was fully committed to it, no?”] Asterios retorted, spreading his wings as if he was prancing about how important he was.
It was clear he thought he had me cornered. I couldn’t escape, even with Saori’s [Shadow Dash]. It was a good teleportation tool, but she couldn’t teleport to places she couldn’t visibly see, and by the time we jump back to the real world, the wyvern and leviathan would just catch up. I needed to solve this diplomatically.
[“Whether you consider a promise an oath or not, is irrelevant in this situation. In the first place, I have given my word and do you expect a ‘dragon princess’ like me, a descendant of the mighty dragon god, Kargryxmor, to so easily cast it aside just because of the situation?”] I activated [Noble Aura] in hopes of moving him.
[“Goodness… honestly? No, I do not care if you are a perfect representation of our lord or not,”] Asterios answered, dropping a huge bombshell.
[“W-What?!”] I exclaimed in surprise.
["All I care about is that I fulfil my oath to my lord by bringing you to him. Ahhhhh, the Divine Quest that he has given me demands me to do so! Oooooh, the sweet experience that I will gain will help me reach the level cap for a B rank monster! Ahhahaha, I will finally be able to evolve!”] Asterios admitted.
D-Divine Quest! Are you serious?!
The concept of a Divine Quest wasn't unknown to me. Video games or anime also depicted heroes receiving a quest from the gods, requiring them to fulfill a grand task. This would usually be the story quest or some end game stuff in those types of media. A lot of JRPGs had this sorta setting, after all, up until you beat up some religious god or symbolism.
Tasianna has already explained to me how Quests were a natural part of this world. “Requests” or commission acted exactly like how you would imagine a fetch quest would function. And above the normal stuff you gained from the guilds and random people like in an MMO, there were Divine Quests given to us directly by the Gods.
In this case, wasn’t it more of a bounty or something? Was Kargryxmor that desperate to ask this wyvern to fetch me by motivating him with levels?
Wanted: Hestia Atsuko. Only Alive. Reward: 1 million monies, uh, experience. Something like that?
["However, if you feel like this 'promise' is holding your back, then allow me to reduce your burdens. That is my job as a lesser dragonkin, correct?"] Asterios snapped his head aside, his eyes glaring at the lizardmen as lighting started to form around his mouth. [“Allow this humble wyvern to free you from your chains!”]
This piece of—!
Pouring in as much mana as I could, the ground under Asterios and the other wyvern started to light up, eventually blowing up, stopping Asterios’ hostile actions.
O-Oh, wow! Hold on, was that Saori?!
What exploded under Asterios were the bombs I created, seeing as the explosions were my fire spells. Although I didn’t know when she did it, Saori did somehow place the bombs under the wyvern without them noticing. As she was here the whole time, it had to be from her spell [Shadow Snake].
Seeing as I couldn’t see any of my bombs on Caszcur and Tasianna was somehow not around, I suspected mid-way in this negotiation those two must have done something. Honestly, the fact that those two could be so sneaky was a bit frightening.
Though, props to them ‘cause that gave me the time to renew my buffs.
Those guys couldn't have died from that attack. I need to give it my all! All buffs activated! All parallel minds begin casting fire spells!
Send out hellfire, burn everything to ashes and ruins! Spark Inferno Blast! Spiral Hellfire x 3! Blazing Twister x 2! Inferno Beam! Lava Stream! Maximum Scorching Sun!
Abandoning any sense to stay inconspicuous, eight spells activated around me before I unleashed a powerful dragon breath at Asterios, bombarding him with everything I had. Twisters of fire, burning missiles, lasers, streams of lava, and a giant fireball crashed into the smokescreen, sending everything destruction!
The water around us evaporated from the sheer heat while any sorta vegetation turned into ashes. I protected the lizardmen from the sweltering inferno and all the smoke with an [Air Shield], but didn’t give up shooting more spells until I saw the System message confirm my kill with a level up. Even Saori, who now had Tasianna standing on her shoulders, had to move away otherwise they would be grilled up.
[“Hahaha, amazing power! I thank you, I thank you, Princess Hestia Atsuko! I have finally increased my [Fire Resistance]! Ahhhh, the pain that is coursing through my body is truly supreme, raising my stagnating resistance towards fire by two whole levels! Absolutely magnificent!”]
What?! Identify!! A-Are you kidding me, his [Fire Resistance Lv. 6] did indeed become [Fire Resistance Lv. 8]!
I knew he had [Absolute Pain Tolerance], however, I really thought he would be pissing his pants or do something else besides screaming aloud as if he was climaxing! This was insane!
Ewwww, gross! Continue shooting at this pervert! Spiral Hellfire!
Shooting at the perverted wyvern felt like shooting at a dummy but without any of the anger release. It didn’t feel good at all nor did it make me less wary. That wyvern not only had a Wisdom stat that surpassed my base Intelligence, but he also had about four times my Health.
This thing was not only a tank, but he also had the stats to absolutely murderize me! Gulping my own saliva as I watched his Health lower wasn’t an exaggeration ‘cause this was actually nerve-wracking!
[“Ahhhhhh, 80% of my Health! Urrrrgh, only a dragon like you could do this to a B rank like me. Princess Hestia Atsuko, you are a wonderful C rank… but playtime is over."]
“Grooooooooooooooooooooarrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrh!” a thunderous roar resounded throughout the air, as lighting and thunder escaped the smoke surrounding the wyverns.
Oof!
Barely able to register the attack, a sudden force sent me flying to the side as my head started to feel as if a truck or something large had just hit it. Twisting through the air, the next thing I felt was a fierce hit that struck my chest with enough force my [Draconic Barrier] was barely able to protect me from breaking all my ribs and bones.
I tried to turn my body around, recover myself before crash landing, but the agony shooting through my body made me feel light-headed. Only after my parallel minds managed to heal my body up did I use [Wind Blast] to stop my descent.
[“Amazing, I was holding back to not endanger your life, but this is unprecedented. How interesting that your [Sacred Magic] can keep up with my attacks- Huh?”]
Bedrock Blades!
[“Ahaha, that nearly caught me off-guard! But earth magic is far too slow to catch me, Princess!”]
Dammit! Spiral Hell-!
[“No, no, Lightning Bolt.”]
Obeying [Prediction], I held myself back from going on the offensive and instead decided to dodge his spell. The crackling thunder caused the mud to explode as it shot past me, righting into the swampy ground. This, unfortunately, left me open for another attack.
Can’t dodge!
I didn’t even have the time to see the wyvern’s tail moving before I realized it was an attack. It was impossible to dodge, but at the last moment, shadow tendrils erupted from the ground to grab him, dulling his attack as he hit me in the sides.
[“Hmm, oh my, do we some interference from outside participants?”] Asterios stated as he quizzically looked at Saori who was in her cadejo form. [“Ahh, that wolf from before. What is fodder interfering in a battle between dragonkin? Were you not satisfied I gave you the privilege of listening to this prestigious talk that went over your intelligence?”]
[“Tsk! Tasianna, now!”] Saori commanded with a yell.
“Level three [Ice magic] spell! Water in my palms, freeze with my will. Oh, winds of the gods, cry forward! Frost Ray!” Tasianna chanted out loud, activating her new spell to send a hail of ice at Asterios.
Blocking it with his wings, the wyvern couldn’t help but resume his scumbag personality. [“Uhhh, ice? Weak compared to my two subordi—”]
[“Fuck you!”] I insulted him, as I spewed out a poisonous cloud out of my mouth, catching him off-guard as I crashed onto the ground from his tail swipe.
[“Wha- kuck, ahhhh, Princess… now this is making me a bit angry…”] he coughed with loud growls, shaking his body from the numbing experience.
Before he could do anything, I activated [Earthen Shackles] to shackle him even further. While Saori’s [Shadow Tendrils] were flexible, they were still fragile. My [Earthen Shackles] were unwieldy and slow but once they caught somebody, they would instantly harden, making it hard for anybody to break out of it while Tasianna bombarded him with ice.
This is a risk but I need to try! I know the words, I just need to bring them up! I’ve seen your power so please appear again! Please!
To me, gather my embers, to me
From shadows to embers
From embers to flame
From flame to inferno
Cast away the darkness, burn brightly, oh, dear flames
Arise inferno hellfire, engulf the world in a sea of flames
For that is my Decree!
With my incantations readied, a massive red magical circle appeared above the imprisoned [Boltreaver Wyvern].
Tasianna translated my incantation into Common tongue while also helping me with the pronunciation. It took a considerable amount of time for us to do this together, as I not only needed the chant but also how to write the spell runes for the magic circle. Since I could write it in Common, my language lessons became even more important to my goal to become a proper mage.
I did all of that for this very moment. All I could do now was to go through the magic theory Tasianna taught me. The basics! The foundation! I had them all! This would be the debut of my first ever custom spell!
My first step into becoming a fully-fledged mage!
[“Ahhh, I can feel the power coming from this spell! Princess, bask me in your inferno grasp and I shall embrace it! I challenge you to lower my Health below 75% with this spell! Lower it and I shall grant you your request, ahahhaha!”] Asterios shouted out in a mad laugh.
My mana surged through my body as it escaped my body to be used as a resource to fuel the giant magic circle. The red brightened as if it was telling me it was ready. Ready to turn this wyvern into cinders.
Shine red my custom spell, send this guy into the light! Imperial Hellfire!
…
…
…
…N-N-N-N-N-
[“Hmm, Princess? Why is your magic not activating, actually, the magic circle is disappearing even… what is this?] Asterios glared at me with disappointment.
N-No-No-No! D-Did I fail… again? At this moment? When it all counted on this singular attack?!
My eyes widened at the sudden realization. I didn’t know if my [Imperial Hellfire] could do enough damage to harm him but I knew my other spells wouldn’t be able to. Just from my display before, none of those spells could chunk him from 80% to 75% with a single cast. I was only able to chunk at him ‘cause I was free firing spells like a bloody machine gun!
[“No, no, no, no… I was so excited. Reaching level nine with my [Fire Resistance] would be grandiose. Ha, three levels in a single day would be glorious… but, alas, you failed, Princess Hestia Atsuko.,”] he said with a sigh. [“You did well but… I need to fulfill my quest now. Boltreaver!”]
Lighting surrounded his horn as he called out his attack, growing in size until it turned into a crackling thunder blade longer than his body. Swiping it down, not only did he break out of his bondage, but he also caused a rupture in the ground, cleaving through like a knife.
With most things pulverized to atoms, only mud exploded into the air and began raining down on me. Saori, Tasianna, and I were completely unharmed as Asterios never had a reason to seriously harm me… luckily, as I was only able to see a flash.
Once the mud rain stopped, the wyvern pranced proudly with his still energized thunder blade, flying in the sky as he looked down on us, [“Well, enough play. Let me rid you of what bonded you here, Princess. That is my thanks for an impressive first round… but a disastrous second round…”]
Turning away from me, Asterios directed his eyes back to the lizardmen as he swiped down his blade
Huh?! Nooooooooo! Wind Blast!
[“Hestia, no, don’t!”]
Boosting my body with my spell, I sent it flying towards the lizardmen intending to protect them by casting [Sanctuary] around them… but it wasn’t enough.
Nooooooooooooo!
…
…
…Huh?
[“Wyvern… this is enough. Do not continue.”]
Huh? Where did this voice come from?
[“Tch… Yes, honored leviathan. I am a simple wyvern compared to an ocean dragon like you, so I shall obey,”] Asterios responded with dissent.
Leviathan?
Looking up, I could see that one of the white snakes moved and blocked the attack from the wyvern, leaving only a scorched mark on its pristine scales.
Why did it do that? Wasn't it on their side? What was going on? Why was I asking so many questions today?
AbyssRaven Boss monster fight… failed. End-game super boss support. But, let this be a lesson to everybody, don't use your ultra-strong spell you hadn't prepare enough in time in an important match like this. Always prepare it.
If you guys want to support me, Hestia and "A Dragon Idol's Reincarnation Tale" (or just read up to 20 advance chapters + any Patreon-only chapters) please check out my Patreon: Rawr
For two dollars, for the cost of a coffee, you can read up to four chapters for the whole month! You will have my eternal gratitude for any support you can give me! Please.
Thank you for reading this chapter.
