Dragon Fear (2)

I woke up to the sound of fire crackling. Where… am I? Right, I almost became Bacon to the Wolves. After that, there was a more massive monster. What was it again?

"You're awake."

I jolted and immediately sat up upon hearing his voice. I looked around and saw a man in his 60s sitting before a campfire. He has light red mahogany-colored hair and wears unusual clothes, but he doesn't look anything special. He looks like an ordinary citizen, and he's grilling… fishes?

"Calm down now. You don't want to let your wounds open up, would you?" He turned his gaze towards me. "I wondered why you haven't used your magic to defend yourself from those wolves. You recently encountered the demonic forces, am I right?"

My eyebrows furrowed, and I asked, "Demonic forces? You mean those dark mages–Wait, you saw me fighting for my life against those wolves, and you didn't even bother giving me any help?"

"Correction, I never saw you, but my friend did. Anyways, what happened with your encounter with a demonic mage? I mean, 'dark mages,' as you call it."

I sighed. "It's a long story, but they threaten the empire's peace. One of the nobles started it by doing some experiment."

I saw him clenching his fist, but he immediately calmed down when he saw me looking at him. Did I just imagine that? He seemed so angry at my response.

"Let me guess, they used the monsters from this forest and used immoral methods to create weapons?" he asked with a bit of anger in his tone.

I nodded. "Yes. How did you know? From what I know, this information isn't publicized yet to avoid panic amongst the citizens."

His presence is suspicious as it is, but the way he knows everything that only the trusted vassals of the emperor know. At least I don't feel any wicked aura from him, unlike those dark mages earlier. He has this aura that gives off dominance and elegance despite his appearance, like Count Vanidestine.

"Let's just say the forest knows everything." He smiled as he said those words.

"Enough of that." He handed me one of the grilled fish. "I know you're hungry since your stomach has been rumbling since you woke up. While you eat, I'll ask questions."

I didn't accept the food and queried, "How can I trust you? This is the Witch's Forest. As far as I can remember, no one is allowed to enter because of the fog that gives hallucinations. It's enough for a person to go mad and kill himself, so how can you grill some fish here freely?"

He got sad when I rejected the food. "But you're also here?"

"After I got blasted miles away, and I almost got devoured by ferocious beasts! They seemed possessed or something because of their bloodshot eyes, and they were drooling upon seeing how delicious I was to them." I took a deep breath. "Don't you think we should build some trust between us first before you offer me some food?"

He sighed and sat in front of me. "Have your parents taught you to be more respectful towards your elders?" He handed me the food again. "Anyways, let's take turns asking questions, so just eat, okay? I don't want to starve a child just because she finds me needlessly suspicious."

I rolled my eyes at him and accepted the food.

"I have no parents, but whatever." I took a bite and asked, "How are you able to stay here?"

"I'm special," he answered calmly.

"Psh!" I said in disbelief at his response.

Yeah, and I'm Kathryn Bernardo. He could be telling the truth, but it's a vague answer!

He looked at me like he didn't say anything wrong and responded, "What? I just answered your question truthfully. It's my turn to ask now, right?"

"Tell me how you encountered those demonic forces, specifically the one who blasted you here."

"I thought you knew everything? Even I don't know much about them. From what I know, they despise the peace that the current Emperor of Tellus has been maintaining over the years. With that, they experimented on monsters and human slaves to create a weapon that could be used against us."

He didn't say a thing after my answer, so I just asked, "My turn. You said earlier that you wondered if I haven't used my powers to defend myself against those wolves. I thought no one could use their magic inside this forest's barrier. Even if I can, my mana is depleted, and this isn't the best place to gather pure mana."

He smirked. "Who's been telling you this nonsense? First, you should learn not to judge something or someone by their appearance!"

"None of that matters. I'm still asking the question, remember?"

He looked at me seriously and argued, "Well, let me clarify this to you, Missy. Despite this forest's appearance, the most purified mana lies here. Even if you don't absorb the mana, you can still feel it because of its purity. And for the record, you can't use magic because only the permitted ones to enter the forest can. If one has possessed wicked intentions upon entering, they're automatically denied. The forest is sensitive to a person's aura, which goes the same for you, right?"

Now that I think about it, I'm pretty sensitive to other people's auras. When I saw Viscount Usoro, I quickly smelled blood from him, and the atmosphere around him gave me the chills.

"Does that mean I was permitted to use magic? Not that I know how to. I… I got into an accident and lost most of my memories."

"Yes. You accidentally ended up here anyway, but the forest knows your intentions. The monsters here were never aggressive compared to the ones you've encountered before. Those wolves were artificially bred or experimented on, so there's no way they'll be docile toward you."

My eyebrows furrowed. Even if they're not part of the Viscount's experiments, monsters are still monsters. They are being subjugated yearly, so how can he say they're not aggressive?

"The natives of this forest cared for them, but they're gone now."

I was about to ask him about the natives, but I jumped as I heard the same loud growl when I was about to get devoured by the wolves.

"W-What was that?"

Wait, now I remember. Before fainting, I saw a pair of giant wings of a… Dragon!

"You were curious about how you were saved, right? Say your respectful greetings to Meleys, the Queen of all beasts in this forest," he proudly introduced.

After that, the dragon let out a loud growl and slowly landed behind the old man. Its scales were black, but they were glistening in the moonlight. The dragon's eyes were yellow as butter—It was intimidating and petrifying like she wanted me to show her authority.

I was in awe of her sheer grace upon landing. So this… is what a dragon looks like. The dragons in movies don't do them justice! Dragons are frightening but magnificent beings.

"How are you, Meleys?" the older man asked. "Are you done with checking the entire forest?"

The dragon came closer and rubbed its head on him. "Kyuu…."

"Oh really? That's good to hear." He looked at me. "Meleys was the one who saved you from those wolves. Since she's the queen of beasts, she used her dragon fear against them."

"T-Thank you, Meleys," I thanked her awkwardly, not knowing how to act in front of a dragon.

She just nodded and whispered something to the old man. How can he understand her? He is an odd and unique old man.

"Really? I see." He stood up and walked towards me. "It was nice talking to you, child. But unfortunately, we need to part ways now."

My jaw dropped in disbelief, and I protested, "W-Wait, you're just going to leave me here? I can't even walk!"

He chuckled. "Oh, I forgot to tell you that you're all healed now. The fish you just ate was one of a kind and can only be found in this forest. Try standing up."

I didn't question him, and he helped me stand up. I was perplexed when I could move my body freely. I can't feel any pain, especially in my ankle! The wound in my thigh, which the wolves caused, is also gone!

Even Averon wasn't this fast in curing me. What fish did I eat for my body to feel so light?

"One last thing, can you absorb purified mana?"

I closed my eyes and focused on feeling my surroundings until I could feel little bits of particles slowly surrounding my body. I carefully let it enter my system.

"Ah!" I screamed in pain when the mana particles went to my chest.

Wha-what happened? It's like thousands of needles were striking my chest!

"I guess even the Ryba can't purify curses." He tapped my shoulder. "Turn around. I will do something about it."

My eyebrows furrowed, confused by his sudden instruction. I asked, "Wait, what will you do?"

He flicked my forehead. "Just do as I ask."

I grunted and turned around. As he touched my back, I could feel something coming out of my body.

"You can absorb mana particles now. The curse of the demonic mage blocked your mana veins which are the passageways for the pure mana to enter your core," he explained.

"Thank you for helping me. May I know your name? I'll pay you back."

He shook his head and said, "No need to pay me back; there's no need for you to know this old man's name. It would be best if you went back now, child. Your companions are waiting for you on the other side, so I'll transport you to their location."

I respectfully bowed to him. "I apologize for disrespecting you earlier. I can't describe how thankful I'm for your help—" I looked at the dragon. "—and Meleys' help, of course."

He smiled warmly. "A mysterious adventure awaits you, Chesah. Your grandfather is one lucky man for having such a spirited child."

My eyes widened when he called my name and mentioned my grandfather.

"Wait, how do you–"

He snapped his fingers, and I was being dragged away. Before I left the forest, I heard him say,

"Soul breaking..huh?"

After that, I was transported outside the forest. I have many questions about his knowledge of my true identity, but the fact that he also knows my grandfather is appalling.

"Who's there?!"

I turned around and saw a bunch of knights surrounding me with swords and torches in their hands. Where am I?

I looked at my surroundings, and I saw an enormous fortress.