Chapter 126
Mom returned shortly afterward, holding a small diary in her hand.
It looked to be several decades old, yet it was in pristine condition.
“This is a keepsake your dad told me to give you.”
I slowly reached out and accepted the diary.
“I wanted you to grow up ordinary. But maybe because your dad’s a dragon, you can use a dragon’s power too, huh? Guess blood really can’t be denied.”
Dad’s belongings… With a trembling heart, I carefully opened the diary.
“I tried opening it myself, but I couldn’t understand a thing. They said you’d be able to. So take your time reading it, okay? I’ll go collect a few clams and be back.”
It seemed Mom thought I needed time alone to read the diary and gather my emotions.
After she left for the sea, I remained alone in the house and began reading Dad’s diary feverishly.
[XX Month XX Day
My name is Valamir. I am the king who rules the great kingdom of Arcanis.
As a dragon, I bear the responsibility of making this kingdom prosperous and peaceful.
All the citizens of the kingdom are ordinary humans. I love them deeply, and whenever I look upon them, I feel both compassion and a strong sense of duty.]
My dad… was an amazing person.
I turned the pages of the diary with silent admiration.
[XX Month XX Day
The Kingdom of Arcanis is peaceful, as always.
If there is one problem, it is my only younger brother, Elarion.]
As if reading a fairy tale, I gradually became absorbed in my father’s diary.
“Are you saying that brat caused another incident again?”
“……Yes, Your Majesty. The man assaulted by Prince Elarion suffered severe injuries—broken ribs and a fractured leg. According to the investigator’s report, he did not stop beating the man until he was crawling on the ground, begging for his life……”
“……Ha.”
Valamir pressed his temple as a sharp headache began to throb.
No matter how much of a delinquent his younger brother was, wasn’t this going too far?
“……Do you intend to continue leaving Prince Elarion as he is?”
The subordinate asked cautiously, watching his expression.
“With all due respect, Prince Elarion’s behavior is increasingly crossing the line. Frankly, what does His Highness lack? Your Majesty bears all the heavy responsibilities of the king, while Prince Elarion enjoys only the privileges of royalty. He needs to grow up.”
“……I know that well. But what can I do? It has been quite some time since he listened to anything I say.”
Was it simply that he wouldn’t listen?
Valamir could sense the strange killing intent Elarion directed toward him.
He probably believed that if his older brother were gone, he himself could become king.
“……Ruling my younger brother is ten times harder than ruling the kingdom.”
Moreover, his brother was filled with the desire to dominate humans.
Born a powerful dragon, he seemed to believe it was only natural to rule over humans.
But that was not the duty dragons were meant to bear. Troubled, Valamir could only sigh.
“Y-Your Majesty.”
“Is there still more to say?”
“Did you know that Prince Elarion held another secret meeting with Melino?”
“……Melino? That old wizard who always wears black horn-rimmed glasses?”
“Not only that. Recently, he also met with Zhang Wonsing. You know him, don’t you? The black-haired foreigner known for his expertise in dark magic.”
As if determined, the subordinate began pouring out Elarion’s misdeeds.
“Both of them are dangerous individuals who use dark magic. With Prince Elarion associating with such people… something unimaginable may happen.”
“I will summon him once more and try to reason with him.”
“Prince Elarion has already passed the point where he will listen to mere admonishment. You should consider stronger measures—”
“……Enough. That’s sufficient. My head aches.”
“……Yes. I shall take my leave.”
After dismissing his subordinate with a gesture, Valamir buried his head in his hands and let out a deep, anguished sigh.
“……Elarion. I truly hope you come to your senses and turn back, soon.”
May all the doubts he harbored be nothing more than needless worry.
May his brother not commit such foolish acts.
However, it did not take long for Valamir’s hopes to be utterly shattered.
That night, as usual, Valamir was working on state affairs late into the night.
Then, sensing a sudden chill, he set down the document he was reading.
“What is this… this feeling, as if the world itself is shaking……?”
He quickly closed his eyes, focusing his mind to peer into the future.
But he saw nothing. Only blackness, darkness, something close to absolute nothingness.
Crack!
The sound of something enormous splitting apart rang out.
Rushing outside, he was confronted with a shocking sight: the sky itself was tearing apart on both sides, like a gigantic curtain.
“Th-This is……!”
Through the裂 in the sky, he could see a massive, alien world rapidly approaching. It seemed as though the two worlds would collide at any moment.
He instinctively realized that this world was a creation wrought by powerful creation magic.
From the slowly approaching foreign world, he felt a strong presence—his younger brother, Elarion.
Trembling in disbelief, he muttered to himself.
“You fool… just what have you done……?”
“Calling me a fool, brother? That hurts, coming from someone as smart as you.”
When Valamir turned his head, Elarion was already close by, long hair flowing, smiling brightly.
“The real fool is you, brother. Using such tremendous power for the sake of mere humans.”
“Do you not understand that this is the mission entrusted to our dragonkind?!”
“Tsk. That’s exactly why you’re going to die here. The times have changed, yet you still refuse to accept it.”
Behind Elarion, Melino and Zhang Wonsing appeared, standing as though guarding him.
Though the figure of Melino—whom he had known as a man—had now transformed into the form of an old woman, Valamir had no time to concern himself with such details.
When Elarion flicked his finger, the massive world began approaching even faster.
“Now your kingdom will disappear. I’ve created a new world to replace it. Ah, and we only plan to take the three of us along, so don’t even dream of hitching a ride.”
“You idiot! If you cast creation magic on such a scale, you won’t survive either!”
“How generous of you to worry about me, brother. But you can rest assured.”
Elarion waved the object in his hand and smiled viciously.
In his grasp was an hourglass, seemingly stolen from the royal treasury’s vault.
“Sure, I might lose my strength for a while and suffer a bit… but with this, recovery won’t take long, will it?”
Valamir opened his mouth to say more, but the massive world collided with theirs before he could.
The impact shattered the world into fragments, scattering debris everywhere. At the same time, an excruciating pain swept through his entire body, as though he were being crushed from within.
Even amid the chaos, Elarion and the other two remained calm, smiling as if nothing were wrong.
“It’s time for our final farewell. Well then, goodbye.”
As he watched Elarion slowly walk into the massive world, waving his hand, Valamir gathered the last of his strength.
He forced his own existence into the fissure of that world.
Soon, total annihilation arrived, and his vision flashed white.
[XX Month XX Day
My head hurts. I feel dizzy.
There is no strength left in my body.]
[XX Month XX Day
I met a woman. She took me to her home and cared for me devotedly.
She is my savior.
Her face, as she wiped mine with a cold, wet cloth, was truly beautiful.]
[XX Month XX Day
It seems there are still about twenty years left before the story of the world within the novel truly begins.
But I no longer have any power. I am dizzy, suffocating.
……What can someone like me in this condition possibly do?]
[XX Month XX Day
She proposed to me.
I will not live long… yet she says that doesn’t matter.]
[XX Month XX Day
She is with child. I can tell it is a very beautiful daughter who resembles her.
My daughter will likely inherit all of my power. Though I will soon die.]
[XX Month XX Day
Next month is already the due date. But my life ends here.
I wanted to see my daughter’s face at least once before I died……
My daughter, whose face and name I will never know. You are the hope of this world.
Please stop my inadequate younger brother, Elarion. Please stop his futile dream.
……I love you.]
