Abyss System The Rise of the Lord-Chapter 119 Zaber blood truth

**Chapter 119 — Part 2** (continued and completed)

Azuris answered after a brief moment of reflection.

"I believe this boy has demon blood mixed in, and it’s quite possible that a new demonic dragon lineage has emerged from these two bloodlines — because there were three circles: if we consider demonic dragon blood the first, then the upper shadow dragon would be the second, and demon blood the third."

Larden asked with a trace of doubt:

"How is it even possible for the blood of a supreme dragon — one of the two mightiest lineages in the world — to mix with demon blood?"

"I don’t know," Azuris replied, "but I think I understand why his blood burned. If the legends are to be believed..."

"What legend?" Larden asked, tilting his head with genuine curiosity.

"In ancient times, when the supreme dragon gene first appeared, the world was pure chaos. Everyone fought everyone else, though no one truly knew why. Most people called it a mass sacrificial ritual; others referred to that era as the golden age when every being craved dominion and the ancient clans reigned supreme. Back then dragons were incredibly numerous and regarded as enemies — their resources were considered immensely valuable."

"After the emergence of that supreme blood, those who carried it established great clans," Azuris continued. "The six great dragon clans that exist today all trace their origins to that period. They weren’t afraid of external enemies — they feared that their blood would mix with other races and produce beings as powerful as themselves."

Azuris paused, took a sip of tea, and went on:

"So they created a sacred covenant. According to its terms, if supreme dragon blood mixes with the blood of another race, then at the moment the hybrid first manifests mana, their blood burns to ashes and every dragon ability is permanently lost."

Larden fell into thought for a moment. He remembered Zaber telling him during training that he possessed neither dragon form nor dragon powers — and now it all made perfect sense.

"Those of supreme dragon lineage are born already possessing mana," Larden said, exhaling deeply. "So there is no escaping it."

"Precisely," Azuris confirmed. "And that boy’s future has been erased. In other words, the threads of his fate have been severed from him."

"Threads of fate?" Larden asked in surprise.

"Yes — the threads of fate are what define your future and weave cause and effect into reality. If they are cut, you become like a solitary being adrift in infinite emptiness. Your future simply ceases to exist."

"What — are the threads so fragile that burning blood can sever them?" Larden asked, his gaze serious.

"Not inherently," Azuris replied, his expression turning grave. "But the dragon covenant was sealed using the blood of every dragon lineage in existence, and every supreme type placed their mark upon it. Anyone targeted by that covenant is condemned to a wretched end — and that condemnation causes the severance of fate threads."

"So the dragons essentially surrendered their own destinies to a contract?" Larden asked, astonished.

Azuris took another slow sip of tea and answered in a gentle tone:

"No. Only those who are marked. The covenant will continue attempting to eliminate them — forever."

Larden let out a heavy sigh.

"Damn it... and just when I thought I’d finally found a worthy successor."

"Don’t worry," Azuris said, shaking his head lightly. "People like him go far. From the way you describe him, he can reach whatever destination you envision for him."

Larden scratched the back of his head and glanced backward.

"I hope you’re right," he said, then rose from his seat.

...

Zaber followed silently behind Aurora.

The forest was damp and cold inside. They walked across uneven terrain. Tree roots broke through the surface; in places the soil was soft, in others dry and fissured. Beneath the leaves, old branches snapped with faint cracks.

Aurora moved with light steps. Her gait was that of someone trained to leave no trace — weight carefully distributed, every footfall measured.

After several minutes of silence, Aurora asked:

"Why did you run?"

Zaber leaped over a fallen trunk. When his foot met the ground again, it produced almost no sound.

"I didn’t believe the girl who annihilated everyone in front of me in a single moment would spare my life. Why didn’t you kill me?"

Aurora cast a full glance over him from head to toe. Her eyes were cold, yet piercingly observant.

"I decided you weren’t worth the time it would take."

Zaber gave a faint, crooked smile — not open amusement, but half mockery, half probing.

"And then you shadowed me for two full days. You even mobilized knights."

Aurora continued forward without pause, brushing a thick branch aside.

"I could have found you on my own. I merely thought the knights would help confirm your identity."

Zaber halted. His eyes narrowed, voice laced with suspicion:

"You’re far more open than you appear. One might almost think that beside me walks not an elite knight — nor the killer from a few days ago — but an ordinary, sincere girl."

Aurora did not turn.

"Treasure that. I’m not like this with everyone."

A gentle breeze stirred her hair. She hid the quiet satisfaction within. Her thoughts began to fall neatly into place.

A sincere girl, is it? Even after I discover your connection to the Neon clan, can you still claim that?

Men are all the same. A touch of sincerity and they lower their guard, opening themselves to me...

Zaber resumed walking. Caution now blended with a subtle, playful mood in his stride.

Heh... opening up this fast, Aurora? Or is this a performance? Either way, I should play the innocent boy as well. But I cannot afford to drop my defenses.

He silently realigned his thoughts.

The forest steadily thinned. Thick trees gave way to low shrubs. Sunlight pierced between branches, painting long stripes across the ground. The air had grown noticeably warmer.

After roughly a day and a half of travel, they finally emerged from the woods.

A vast open meadow stretched before them. Low hills rose in the distance. The wind moved freely.

Aurora paused for a moment and looked back.

Movement could still be heard within the forest. The knights were tracking Zaber’s trail and growing confused.

High overhead the sun stood at its zenith, warming the day. The vivid green meadow they stepped onto after leaving the forest possessed a special allure. It not only touched Zaber and Aurora walking that path, but subtly lifted their mood in some indefinable way. The wind swept freely across the open field, swaying the grass tips; far off, the city walls gleamed pale and bright beneath the sunlight.

Aurora remained silent until they reached the city gates. Zaber simply watched her. There was no haste in his steps — only constant alertness.

The guards did not stop them at the gates, but astonishment was plain on their faces. They remembered Zaber — the boy who had previously arrived wounded and fleeing attack was now trailing behind an elite knight. Some guards chuckled quietly; others paid little mind, yet every pair of eyes brimmed with unspoken questions.

As they walked the city streets, Zaber asked with curiosity:

"Where are we going?"

"To my house," Aurora answered shortly.

Zaber looked mildly surprised.

"What will we do there?"

"You’ll find out when we arrive," Aurora replied in a cold tone.

Several hours of walking later, they reached a residence in the western district — palace-like in appearance yet somewhat smaller. The walls were new, the gate wrought iron, the path bordered by neatly trimmed lawn. Two knights stood at the entrance. Seeing Aurora approach, they immediately opened the gate.

Zaber was not surprised. During his brief time as a prince — until the age of one — he had received far greater reverence. He had even been promised his own personal palace upon coming of age, though he had chosen a different road.

Inside, the house proved far more elegant than its exterior suggested. Crimson curtains, a massive chandelier suspended from the ceiling, twin staircases rising to the second floor, and a rich red carpet spread across the floor immediately drew the eye. A faint perfume hung in the air.

Two maids greeted Aurora and Zaber, bowing slightly at the waist:

"Welcome, my lady," they said in unison.

Aurora ignored them and ascended directly to the second floor. There another staircase led to higher levels, and many rooms opened off the corridor.

Without hesitation Aurora entered one of the chambers. Zaber’s thoughts grew tangled.

What exactly is this girl planning? She’s seventeen, isn’t she? Twelve years older than me... Walking with dangerous older sisters never leads to anything good — that’s what my brother always said...

He followed her inside.

The room held a work desk covered with stacks of papers, ink bottles, and various implements. Aurora sat in the chair and indicated the seat opposite with a gesture.

Zaber sat and waited for her to speak. Aurora interlaced her fingers, rested her elbows on the desk, and maintained silence for a long moment. Then she separated her fingers, drew a plain gold ring from her hand, and placed an artifact on the table. She pressed several of the raised studs protruding from its surface.

Instantly invisible energy radiated from the device, spreading throughout the room and vanishing between the walls. For a brief second the air pressure seemed to shift.

Zaber surveyed the chamber.

"What kind of artifact is that?"

"It temporarily isolates a designated area from the rest of the world. Its name is Nuami."

"So no one can know what happens inside this room?"

"Correct."

Aurora rose, stepped close to Zaber’s chair, and said:

"I expect short, precise answers to the questions I’m about to ask. Otherwise you will be saying farewell to your bones."

Zaber turned his gaze toward the window.

"Fine."

"What is your connection to the Neon clan?"

Zaber paused to think.

Neon clan? What clan is that? She kept me alive because she believes I’m connected to it... Then I should play the role of someone connected...

"I don’t know what connection I have to the Neon clan. I grew up in a village. I have no relatives."

"Who told you the clan exists?"

"When they abandoned me in the village they left a letter. My name was written on it. Gyojiro Neon. But I renounced both that given name and surname."

Aurora stared into his eyes for a moment. No light shone there — only abyssal darkness. No matter how much simplicity his face and posture attempted to project, his eyes spoke of something entirely different.

So you are of the Neon clan... aren’t you? My only remaining clansman... Even though I know very little about this clan, one day I will restore it. I too will have a family...

"Very well. From this moment you are under my protection. I will send you to the academy. You will become a knight and walk at my side."

Zaber replied calmly:

"Knight? Academy? I’m not going anywhere. And you are not my master."

The corner of Aurora’s lip lifted in a faint, cold smile.

"Oh, such bold words. Do you wish your bones broken?"

"You cannot rule me through fear. I have my own path."

"Path? And what path would that be?"

"The path of truth."

Aurora gave a short, icy laugh.

"Truth is a profoundly foolish thing."

"Yes — extremely foolish... unless it is mine."

The air in the room grew thick and heavy.

Aurora took one step closer.

"Listen well, Zaber. My decisions are neither negotiable nor reversible. Submit. Or try — if you dare — to resist the consequences."

Silence descended.

The Nuami artifact stood motionless between the walls like an invisible barrier.

And this conversation was far from finished.