Chapter 31: The Spread of Divinity
The Mycroft Continent has never lacked dragons, creatures hailed by many worlds as the "most powerful race."
In a sense, this title is not wrong. Looking across the multiverse, setting aside those special species with only one or two members across a thousand worlds, dragons are undoubtedly among the most powerful beings. They possess massive, sturdy bodies, high intelligence, extremely strong magical talent, and innate flight ability. An adult dragon is the embodiment of nightmare and the spokesperson of power for ordinary races without supernatural strength.
There are many types of dragons. Wyverns, ground dragons, beast dragons, astral dragons, primordial realm dragons. The gap between the weakest and strongest is comparable to that between a fly and an immortal phoenix. But even the weakest mixed-blood wyvern or ground dragon possesses physical capabilities unmatched by ordinary beasts, while the most powerful ether dragons can freely soar through the multiverse, their very existence rivaling an entire race or civilization.
The Five-Colored Dragons are far from reaching that level. As he flew through the sky, the blue dragon Sukrash thought with some regret.
Far from it.
The Ultimate-rank Blue Dragon Sukrash flew rapidly above the clouds. Moonlight shone on the blue scales of his back, while lightning swirled around his sides. The surging wind obeyed the call of magic, accelerating the dragon's massive body. In just a single instant, he had already traveled several miles. Feeling the long vacuum trail he dragged behind him, the blue dragon felt immensely powerful at this moment. Even if a mountain stood in his path, he could easily shatter it.
But it was not enough. Or rather, far from enough.
Midair, Sukrash suddenly sighed. He didn't know what he was thinking of, but his originally focused dragon pupils instantly scattered, and his flying speed involuntarily slowed.
The century-long plan of three Legendary Dragon Kings had been directly crushed by an aged human clergy leading two temporary allies. The mad dragon army that seemed poised to sweep the entire continent was blocked by a group of soldiers shouting "Long live the kingdom" at the border mountains and jungles of the Far South. Countless mixed-blood demon dragons in the Abyss had their vitality severely damaged by inexplicable space-time storms. And the blue dragon Sukrash himself had become the captive of a human warrior.
Dragons are very powerful. With powerful bodies and universal high-level magical talent, such creatures could even be called perfect. But this does not mean they are invincible. Due to various factors, there are always races or individuals who can suppress these giant beasts and thwart their schemes. Just like the group of two-legged upright violent apes on the Mycroft Continent. Just like the man he was about to meet next.
The blue dragon could already see the blurry image of Moldavia's main city in the distance. The city center was still brightly lit due to the adventurers. Sukrash looked down at the ground, slowly spreading his wings, using magic to control the airflow and decelerate, preparing to land at the landing field beside the main city. Since airships became popular, dragons had also gotten used to landing on that open, solid ground. After all, no one liked accidentally landing in a patch of muddy ground.
But halfway through deceleration, Sukrash keenly sensed that the man he was about to meet was now in the outskirts of the city not far away. The blue dragon had to immediately change direction and land toward that area.
Thus, one could see a blue dragon, wrapped in wind, descending from high altitude. As it descended, a series of magical light radiated from its body. By the time Sukrash stood firmly on the ground, he had transformed into a slightly pale elf youth. This elf youth quickly walked toward where Joshua and Atanis were, stopped at an appropriate distance, knelt on one knee, and respectfully paid homage to the nominal master of this prisoner.
The so-called human transformation technique essentially involves shaping a humanoid body and placing it in a special subspace. The user's will can freely switch between the two bodies. When needed, one body is taken out of the subspace and the other put in. This is also why, after a dragon is injured and transforms into human form, or transforms back into dragon form from human form, adverse conditions can be greatly alleviated.
"Lord."
The blue dragon said respectfully, "After prolonged interrogation and soul search, I have obtained intelligence related to them from those two humanoid Five-Colored Dragons who were spying on the territory."
After speaking, Sukrash glanced at Atanis standing beside Joshua, then lowered his head and did not continue.
"Go ahead. Archbishop Atanis should also know about this. He is also a member of my territory and deserves to know." Joshua noticed the hesitation of the humanoid blue dragon and waved his hand to indicate. "But Sukrash, this happened over half a year ago. Why did it take until now to get the information?"
The warrior's tone was relaxed, but the blue dragon could not take it lightly. He immediately tried to explain but was interrupted by the warrior. "Forget it. It's not a big deal. Go on."
—Truly unexpected leniency. Sukrash, kneeling on one knee, smiled bitterly in his heart.
The origin of this matter goes back to half a year ago, when Joshua led his knight order and a large group of students from Winterfell Academy to the Divine Calamity Mist for a trial.
The specific details need not be elaborated. In summary, while Sukrash was patrolling around the Divine Calamity Mist to ensure the safety of the knights and students undergoing the trial, he discovered two humanoid Five-Colored Dragons secretly watching.
At that time, Joshua had already delved deep into the Divine Calamity Mist. To avoid accidents, the blue dragon simply captured those two humanoid dragons and brought them back to Winterfell, guarded by a group of mentors. After the warrior returned, he learned of this and ordered that he wanted to know how these two dragons had traveled all the way from the Five-Colored Dragon gathering to the Northern Lands, and also wanted to know the current situation of the Five-Colored Dragons.
Among the mages of Winterfell Academy, there were no experts in interrogation, nor were there many proficient in Dragon Language. The one proficient in Dragon Language was currently busy taking care of over a dozen white dragon whelps. So, it had to be done by the blue dragon, who was also a prisoner. Out of fear and some inexplicable emotion, Sukrash readily agreed to this request.
And now, he had obtained the information he wanted. So the blue dragon hurried over, wanting to inform the warrior of these important pieces of intelligence as quickly as possible.
"The Five-Colored Dragons have collectively entered the Abyss... I just learned this from that demon over there." Listening silently to Sukrash's report, the warrior nodded. "But I didn't know they were on the 162nd layer of the Abyss. Continue."
Sukrash used the corner of his eye to glance at the flame demon beside him, which had completely extinguished and now lay on the ground like a pile of mud. He carefully swallowed a mouthful of saliva and then continued to narrate everything he knew seriously.
Archbishop Atanis remained silent throughout. Compared to the various intelligence the blue dragon was reporting, he seemed more concerned about the warrior's current mood.
"Just as I thought. Trying to seize the Divine Calamity Mist? They won't succeed. Unless it's a Dragon God, no deity would choose an Astral Dragon as their successor."
A few minutes later, as the blue dragon's summary ended, Joshua nodded slightly. His pupils showed no emotion. "Same as I thought. The Abyss Lord who traded with the Five-Colored Dragons is that Demon King of the 6th layer, the Molten Sea Fire Prison... Demanding that a portion of demon-blooded dragons must join his army, helping the Five-Colored Dragons stir up chaos on the Mycroft Continent, and also providing them with a masterless Abyss layer as a habitat. Layer 162, an unheard-of remote place."
"The other two Five-Colored Dragon Kings still haven't returned. It seems my guess with Igor was wrong. They should be genuinely missing, not staying in the Abyss or some corner of the world as backup. You can inform the Church of the Seven Gods to slightly reduce their vigilance."
"But what surprises me most is this list. How did you get them to reveal the information about the other dragons who have transformed into human form? This kind of encrypted information, even soul search shouldn't be able to extract it. At most, it would turn them into idiots."
At this point, Joshua's voice finally carried a hint of confusion.
"Because of your power, Lord. They told these things themselves."
Sukrash said respectfully, "Actually, aside from using a bit of soul magic the first time to confirm if they were lying, I didn't use it at other times. After invoking your name, threatening them to think carefully about their future, and taking them for a walk around the main city gate (the dragon head remains), those two dragons confessed everything cleanly. Over the past half year, aside from removing their soul encryption, I have been using their connection with the Five-Colored Dragon Clan to obtain more information."
"Very well done, Sukrash. I almost don't understand why you are so diligent."
Joshua frowned. It was unclear whether he was puzzled that 'his reputation actually had such great power?' or if he had unconsciously become serious because the information about the Five-Colored Dragons was very important. The warrior said calmly, "After all, you are still my prisoner. The Five-Colored Dragon Clan is also your kin. Why are you so eager to help me deal with your own kin?"
For many reasons. The Five-Colored Dragon Clan has already branded me a traitor. And now the whole world is on guard against dragons. I have nowhere else to go except here... Before Sukrash could finish formulating the words in his stomach, Joshua waved his hand indifferently and said, "Think about it carefully. You really haven't killed anyone. So, Sukrash, because of your efforts, from now on you are no longer my prisoner. You are free."
"If you still want to continue working for me, report to Winterfell Academy tomorrow morning. You will receive a salary commensurate with your status. If you don't want to, you can leave now."
After speaking, he turned to Archbishop Atanis beside him and said, "Tomorrow morning, I will go to Lord Nostradamus to inquire about space-time coordinates. If one is confirmed to match, then the territory will have to be left in your and Number 3's care again."
"It should be done." The old bishop nodded solemnly. "My Lord."
Then, without paying any attention to the shocked blue dragon, the warrior directly rose into the sky and flew toward Moldavia's main city.
The humanoid blue dragon remained kneeling. The elf youth with blue hair stood still for a long time. The sudden good news filled his heart with the thrill of regained freedom and a strange sense of absurdity.
Why did he do this?
Why?
The blue dragon Sukrash found it hard to understand.
There are always some figures in this world whose power surpasses that of naturally transcendent dragons, and whose thoughts are even more unfathomable than those of unpredictable dragons.
His nominal master—no, not anymore—this lord of his had many rumors in the outside world, even dragons had heard of them. Everyone said that this warrior from the Northern Lands was so fearless of life and death, and his combat process was filled with terrifying ferocity and brutality.
For this newly promoted Legendary warrior, everyone's impression was roughly the same. He was stern, silent, cruel, cold-blooded, and unforgiving.
He was almost not like a human, but like a humanoid combat machine.
But in reality, it was not so. During the year of working alongside this warrior, who outside rumors said was about to become a humanoid Abyss Demon King, the blue dragon was shocked to discover that his lord was not brutal, not cold, not heartless, and could also forgive. Unlike what everyone outside thought, Joshua van Radcliffe was only obsessed with battle.
Yes, he really wasn't like a human.
The blue dragon slowly stood up. He silently brushed the dirt off his knees, looked up in the direction Joshua had left, and recalled the calm, almost indifferent tone and gaze in the warrior's eyes when he said 'you are free.'
When there was no battle, no enemy, when he was not with his friends or his weapons, that man's eyes were always like this. Calm, indifferent, with no emotion in them. As if containing everything, yet as if a void.
Such a gaze... it was almost like those beings who stand above the clouds in the high heavens, casting their gaze down from the Boundless Heaven, overlooking the earth, mountains, and all living beings.
Just now, he had Atanis, a familiar person, by his side.
Sukrash thought this, and couldn't help but think further—if Joshua had no one by his side, if he had no friends, no family, no one worth caring about in this world, what would his eyes be like?
The blue dragon did not continue thinking. After taking his leave from the archbishop beside him, he also rose, transformed into his dragon form, and flew toward Winterfell Academy.
And after both Joshua and the blue dragon had left, the old bishop, standing alone in the plains outside the city, pondered for a long time. When the starlight began to dissipate and the light of dawn rose on the horizon, Atanis, who had been standing still like a statue, trembled slightly and then sighed.
The old bishop turned around, looking south, toward the direction of Moldavia's main city. He looked toward the direction of the Far Sea Holy Mountain, where the Church of the Seven Gods was located. A trace of silver holy light flickered in his eyes.
"Your Holiness the Pope, you were right."
He murmured softly to himself, in a tone tinged with worry. "Apart from exploration and combat, he has begun to be somewhat indifferent to other matters... Although this is his innate personality, there is no doubt."
"Divinity has already begun to affect him, imperceptibly."