Chapter 225
Jibru awoke about a week after the cataclysmic collapse of the continent.
『…Where am I?』
A sharp pain shoots through her head.
『You’re awake, sis?』
Says Ouronus, who sits beside her.
Not only Ouronus, but Mýrus and Alto Parto were also waiting for her to open her eyes.
『I’m so glad. We were worried because you were asleep for so long.』
Says Ouronus, squeezing Jibru’s hand in relief.
Seeing her younger brother with tears in his eyes, rubbing his tail against her, Jibru gives a wry smile.
『…I’m sorry for worrying all of you』
She says, looking around at her companions.
Mýrus steps forward from among them.
『Quite right. Do you have any idea how much trouble your reckless actions put us through? And sleeping for so long without waking…』
Remembering, Jibru realizes:
Yes, she had unleashed her “power” and descended upon the surface.
To exact vengeance on the humans who had stolen something precious from her.
『……?』
Vengeance…?
For what? What was stolen…?
『―――』
Another sharp pain shoots through Jibru’s head.
Why can’t she remember?
Why did she leave her duty of guarding the Stellar Veins and come to the surface?
She feels like she’s forgetting something “important…”
『Sister, what’s wrong? Does it still hurt somewhere?』
Asks Ouronus, looking worried.
『No… I’m fine』
She stands before everyone.
『Everyone, I’m sorry for worrying you and for causing trouble.』
She bows her head.
「Ha! You caused a damn lot of trouble! Do you know how much crap I had to deal with cleaning up after you?!」
「Silence, Yamu! How dare a vulgar Celestial Dragon speak that way before our lord?!」
「Bastard…! I’ll crush you, shitty Holy Dragon!」
「I merely disciplined an ill-mannered idiot. Though it seems to have had little effect.」
Harsha laughs mockingly.
「Oh yeah? I’ll buy that fight off ya for a good price!」
「Bring it on. I shall teach you the difference in our status―――」
『Enough, both of you.』
Interjects Mýrus as Yamu prepares his Heavens and Harsha readies his Purifying Flames.
『No fighting in front of Jibru.』
「B-But Mýrus! This stupid Holy Dragon―――」
『I trust there will be no further problems?』menacing aura
「「…No」」
Yamu and Harsha murmur, rendered speechless by her power.
It seems everyone has someone they can’t win against.
「Well then, allow me to brief you on our current situation.」
Says Alto, seizing the chance after tensions die down.
「Jibru… Let me report on the state of the Stellar Veins.」
Alto continues explaining the situation to Jibru:
He describes how her rampage severely damaged the Stellar Vein Dungeon, how many followers (mostly Mýrus’s antlings) were lost, and how currently the dungeons’ functionality is greatly impaired.
As she listens to the report, feelings of self-loathing well up within Jibru.
Oh what a fool she had been, to let her emotions get the better of her and cause such massive destruction.
「My Lady…I regret to propose this, but we believe it is necessary to invite new followers to the Stellar Veins」
Says Alto solemnly. Murmurs rise among the retainers at this suggestion.
『More followers? But Lord Zepar is deep within the Stellar Veins overseeing repairs, no?』
「No, My Lady. What I suggest is recruiting monsters from the Surface as new guardians for the Stellar Veins.」
「Preposterous! Allow those mongrels into our domain?! I won’t stand for it!」
Roars Harsha immediately.
Raging magical energy crackles around him.
Yet Alto remains composed against the pressure.
「My Lady’s rampage has greatly reduced our military strength. Most of Mýrus’s antlingss were lost, and Lord Zepar will likely remain secluded for some time.
We existing followers have also sustained damage.
And there is no guarantee another human of such power won’t appear. We must utilize anything available, especially if they have interest in joining our cause.」
『Interest…? What do you mean?』
「There was a slime observing when My Lady raged upon the Surface.
Well, I hesitate to call it a mere slime…
Mýrus’ antlingss investigated – this being is greatly intrigued by you. With combat abilities to match, I believe recruiting it and its forces beneath our banner would prove most beneficial, if My Lady permits.」
「Ooh, that sounds fun! I’m in favor!」
Declares Ouronus eagerly, always keen on Surface affairs.
「I object. Allowing such vulgar monsters would only degrade the Stellar Veins’ dignity」
Asserts Harsha, holding the Stellar Vein beings supreme.
「Ha! Then I’m in favor!」
「Why you little…!」
In the end, the vast majority approves, and Jibru’s consent is the deciding factor.
As the one responsible, she wishes to avoid further crisis for the Stellar Veins.
Begrudgingly, even Harsha acquiesces.
「Very well, by majority vote we shall extend invitation to Emperor Beast Agil and their faction. Ouronus, we leave negotiations to you, but please handle this prudently.」
「Leave it to me, Alto! Alright, let’s go Rias, Joker!」
「Ah, Ouronus, wait, don’t pull so fast…!」
「You two, please wait for me too!」
Ouronus departs eagerly, drawing wry smiles from Jibru and the other followers.
Perhaps, in their hearts, everyone secretly yearned for it – a change to the stagnant existence within the Stellar Veins.
Ironically, Jibru’s rampage helped push things along.
And so, Emperor Beast Agil was welcomed to the Stellar Veins.
Amidst the excited reception, Agil’s words shocked even the dissenters like Holy Dragon Harsha:
「―――I wouldn’t mind becoming a Stellar Veins follower. But I have one condition.」
『What is it, monster of the surface?』
「I wish to duel the Divine Catastrophe Dragon King Jibru.」
『To duel… me?』
The followers bristle at this brazen demand.
「How insolent! The nerve of a mere surface monster!」「That’s right, know your place!」「ahaha, you’re really something, Agil!」「Hey, Lord Ouronus!? Why are you pinching my cheeks while laughing! Sto—mmmph!!」「My, you’re quite bold…」
Naturally, they resent this arrogant upstart.
Yet Jibru readily accepts.
『―――Very well.』
She silences her followers’ protests and agrees to Agil’s challenge.
『Let us begin, monster of the surface―――』
Though weakened from using her Awakening previously, Jibru’s power remains overwhelming.
She defeats Agil in two mere seconds.
「Guh…it’s…my lost…」
Jibru smiles wryly, holding a glimmer of expectation for his growth.
An interesting one. His potential seems on par with Ouronus.
Surely he will become even stronger. She feels strangely certain of this.
Yet why, during their brief two-second clash, did fierce ringing pound inside her head?
It intensified when he moved to strike her belly.
Why? She had to protect her stomach…?
But she would just lose it again… Lose what?
She can’t remember.
What has she forgotten?
What had she…’eaten’…?
No one can answer her questions.
Recruiting Agil brought many positive changes.
The surface dwellers’ unique perspectives delighted Jibru’s group, and competing together fueled tremendous growth and enjoyment.
All was going smoothly, which blinded everyone to the precarious balance upholding their happy days – one push could bring it all crashing down.
And then one day, that sudden blow struck:
「―――Lord Zepar…has passed away.」
Alto Parto relays the abrupt news.
Zepar – the eldest Earth Dragon who had secluded himself within the Stellar Veins’ depths, dedicating himself to repairs.
The progenitor of all followers, Jibru’s most cherished guardian.
He was dead.
This triggered the worst tragedy ever to befall the Stellar Veins.
TL Note:
First, thank you. I’ve loved sharing this novel with you over the past few years. Your excitement and support have meant everything.
Unfortunately, as many of you already know, the novel has been on hiatus since 2017. With no new chapter to translate, I’m unable to continue the translation.
I still hope the author resumes this novel someday. If that happens, I would be more than glad to pickup where I left off with the translation.
Again, thank you and happy reading.
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