Re: Tales of the Rune-Tech Sage-Chapter 572: The Vow

CH572 The Vow

***

In the Elder Dragon’s senses, Alex now appeared to be a dragon...

—or at least the descendant of one.

Suddenly, the scene seemed to freeze.

A phantom manifestation of Will appeared high in the heavens before descending into the Elder Dragon’s body.

Soon, the dragon’s eyes gained clarity and intent.

"[Who are you? How can you speak our tongue?]" the Elder Dragon demanded.

"I am a descendant (a disciple) of one of the elders of the True Dragon race," Alex replied. "The Ancient Dragon, Uthvaazgol."

Because of the length of the statement, Alex did not dare draw upon Senu’s mana to speak in Dragon tongue and instead spoke normally.

"[You, a human, dare claim descent from such an exalted being? Do your human treacheries know no limits?]" the Elder Dragon bellowed.

"Scan me and see for yourself!" Alex replied.

Immediately, as though enraged by the claim, the Elder Dragon’s overwhelming senses swept across Alex’s body.

A drop of sweat rolled down Alex’s brow and slid along his temple.

This was a huge gamble.

He was betting that his master’s imprint still remained within him— and that the Elder Dragon would be able to detect it.

"[What?!]" the Elder Dragon suddenly exclaimed.

Its massive eyes stared at Alex in unmistakable shock.

"[Why would—?]"

It could not comprehend why such an exalted being would leave their imprint upon such a weak, seemingly insignificant human.

And not only had the Exalted One left his imprint upon the human...

He had also used an Elder Dragon’s essence blood and heart to remould the human’s body.

Within the Dragon Clan across the universe, such a matter would be treated with the utmost seriousness.

If the Exalted One had truly done this, then the human before him must hold great value.

Since that was the case, there was only one proper response.

"[For the descendant of an Exalted One to grace our plane and submit himself to become its Legatee is an honour for this world.]" the Elder Dragon said solemnly.

"[Please proceed, heir of the Exalted One.]"

The dragon stepped aside, revealing the flame behind it.

Alex quietly released the breath he had been holding.

’Sorry, Master. I didn’t have a choice but to drop your name,’ Alex thought inwardly.

His agreement with Uthvaazgol —Merlin— was that he would not reveal their connection until he had grown stronger.

’Desperate times call for desperate measures. I’m sure Master will understand,’ Alex told himself.

Fortunately, the gamble paid off.

The imprint of a dragon above Class 8 was not something a mere Class 6 dragon would dare to ignore.

Alex gently patted Senu while simultaneously reassuring his other beast companions through their respective bonds.

The group moved forward —the countless beasts and corrupted humanoids of the horde frozen in time by the Elder Dragon’s will— toward the distant flame.

Although Alex tried to reassure them that the Elder Dragon would not attack them, his beast companions remained vigilant, keeping their guard up against the dragon.

Alex almost rolled his eyes.

’Now that its Will has descended into its body, that’s no longer just a phantom of an Elder Dragon— it’s practically the real thing. If it wanted to harm us, there’s nothing you lot could do about it anyway,’ he thought to himself.

That said, he was still pleased by their vigilance.

Eventually, the group reached the flame.

Despite the far-reaching light it cast across the collapsing world, the flame itself was surprisingly small.

Once they approached, the flame rose gently into the air and drifted toward Alex before settling into his palm.

Alex felt its heat.

’It’s hot... but also warm,’ he thought.

"[That is our plane’s Flame of Hope]," the Elder Dragon said.

"[Even in the darkest of times, so long as the smallest ember of hope remains within the hearts of this plane’s denizens, that hope will illuminate the path toward the plane’s survival... and victory.]"

Alex’s eyes flashed with understanding.

’So that’s the symbolism of this trial,’ he mused.

’Even in the darkest times, when everything seems lost... when no path to survival or victory can be seen...’

’As long as we keep hope alive in our hearts, a path toward that unseen victory will eventually appear.’

’And through cooperation among all who remain, we can advance along the path illuminated by that hope and resilience...’

"[Descendant of the Exalted One, though our plane is but one among the myriad worlds scattered across the vast void —tiny and inconsequential— to us who were born from it, it is the most important of all.

"[Your Fate and Fortune have brought you to us, and now you hold our plane’s Flame of Hope in your hands. I hope that you will respect and honour our commitment and conviction with the same sincerity you have shown today.]"

Suddenly, the Elder Dragon lowered its head.

"[Please... lead this plane and its people sincerely through this tribulation.]"

Alex was stunned.

To the best of his knowledge, Elder Dragons were incredibly proud beings.

To see one —a Legendary existence, and likely a powerful one at that— bow its head to him...

There was no doubt in his mind that the dragon genuinely cared about this plane.

Alex’s expression grew solemn, almost grave.

"I understand your conviction, Your Excellency," he said with all the seriousness he could muster.

"However, I am merely a weak Class 2 being. I do not know what tribulation has befallen this plane, but if Your Excellency and others at your level could not —or cannot— stop it, then I cannot logically promise that I can."

"If the tribulation proves to be beyond my capacity, and beyond the capacity of those I am responsible for, then I will do everything I can to leave this plane without looking back."

Alex’s blunt honesty clearly caught the dragon off guard.

The Elder Dragon released a soft, mirthless sigh filled with melancholy.

But Alex continued.

"That said, I am someone who hates living with regrets," he said calmly.

"So I will do my best to pass all the trials and become this ’Legatee’ that these trials keep referring to."

"And if I succeed... then I will do everything within my power —limited though it may be— to play my part."

"[That, I promise.]"

Alex spoke the final words in Dragon Tongue.

The Elder Dragon’s eyes widened slightly.

From Alex’s words —which carried no deceit— the dragon could already tell what kind of man he was.

He appeared to be one of the rare humans who honoured their words and took their oaths seriously.

But going further and declaring that promise in Dragon Tongue...

That was not merely a statement.

It was a binding vow.

Even the Exalted One behind him would not be able to break such a vow without severe consequences.

"[Thank you.]"

The Elder Dragon bowed its head once more.

***