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Chapter 891 Scales
🕑 Added 2022-08-19 13:48:28 +0000 UTCHey all. New chapter and more when ready :).
I'll edit the mistakes in the last few chapters when I get to it. Most are minor (wrong skill names / numbers/multipliers slightly too small).
Let me know what you think.
Chapter 891 Scales
Ilea appeared in her home and formed a gate to the far north, into the valley of the dragon. I’ll have to be careful not to keep any heat or spells active when I arrive here, she thought as she saw her entire home through her Domain. She still felt the connection to the pyroclastic desert, could feel the power of her auras flowing through her, and the Primordial Flame in her very soul.
Even in Erendar, she felt like the full extent of her new powers was dangerous to use, but here. Ilea suddenly didn’t feel so sure anymore about going to a populated area.
Just take some time and breathe. It’ll be fine.
She stepped through the gate and appeared in the valley, the stone ground still hot but most of the smoke in the sky had dissipated. Ilea did a double take when she saw another dragon next to the dead one she had left behind. For a moment she was ready to fight, but she quickly realized it was Garonoth, the massive being towering even above the Dragon of Calamity.
One of his clawed talons touched the head of the dead creature, the lance of ash still deep within the corpse.
“And she returns,” the being spoke, the deep growling voice neutral in her mind. He didn’t turn his head but the eye she could see moved to take her in. “Dragonslayer. Well done.”
He didn’t sound glad, she noted. “You said you couldn’t fight this one.”
Garonoth moved his eyes back to the other dragon. “And I could not. For what father could kill his own son?”
Ilea held her breath. She opened her mouth, then closed it. He didn’t attack her. He had been the one to lead her here. So his words were true? The dragon posed a danger, but he couldn’t kill him. It just wasn’t a question of power.
She didn’t speak for a while, looking for the right words.
“What was his name?” she asked finally.
“Names are for those awakened. But now that he is gone. If things had been different, his name would have been, Meran.”
“He fought well,” she said.
The dragon snorted, heat spreading out. “Indeed. The prowess of a true dragon. And you did too,” he spoke and turned his head towards her, the motion creating a wave of air that flowed aside. “You did what I could not. Thank you, human.” He watched her for a long moment. “He was a part of your path, his death, now a part of your power. I hope that his memory will lead to more than destruction.”
Ilea looked up at the dragon and smiled. “I’ll make sure of it.”
Again, he snorted, the wave of heat flowing over her, but all she felt was comfort. A strange connection, knowing the flames he could summon.
I get it now. Why he didn’t want to show off his flames. Not that I’ll be nearly as responsible. But I get it.
She sighed, then smiled. Now she felt bad for wanting to use Meran’s scales and bones for equipment. At the same time she knew it would be really useful. Elves eat their own to not waste them. And honestly, if my bones can provide armor to a bunch of Sentinels, hmm.
“I don’t know much about dragons, or you specifically,” she spoke. “But his scales were damn near indestructible. They could provide armor for hundreds of fighters. But I understand if your customs do not allow for such a thing, and I apologize if my words are offensive.”
“You are the one who slayed him. You may claim what you wish,” Garonoth spoke.
“I will only claim what you will allow,” Ilea said. “But I guess a wing would be nice.”
The dragon snorted, then breathed in. “Armor made for chosen warriors,” Garonoth spoke and moved his talons, grabbing one of the massive dragon teeth before he broke it off with a single motion. “You may take him now, if you can. I have grieved him long ago,” he spoke and touched the dragon’s head one last time. “May his body become shield and strength to those you choose, Ilea.”
“It will,” she said. “May I visit you again? And maybe bring a friend or two?”
“Do what you must, friend of the fae,” the dragon spoke and looked at the tooth. He spread his wings far and wide, slowly. “And wield that flame with care.”
She smiled at that and waved as the massive creature took flight.
Garonoth snorted one last time before he shot up into the skies, a shock wave of air slamming into the valley and mountains, dust and debris raised as if a dragon had taken flight.
Ilea stood there and watched the fast moving creature in the skies, wondering if he had moved that quickly when they had flown here.
Her gaze wandered to the large body. Now. How do I move this thing.
She spread her scaly wings and flew a little closer. It had taken her Primordial Shift to move the dragon last time. Her Fourth Tier Reconstruction came to life, cosmic energies flowing through her. She raised her hand and focused on the massive framework. Fabric Alteration activated as she felt the weight and size of the creature before her. Ilea raised her chin and focused, moving her hand as she watched the dragon rise from the ground. She raised her other hand and opened the largest gate she could manage, right in front of the now floating corpse.
That’s going to be a tight fit.
_______________________________
The Endless Meadow saw all in its domain. A part of it sprang to the fissure imposed within its space. A spell very much like Ilea’s, but far more powerful. It could not be sure. Several hundred messages went out to the citizens of Hallowfort and those in its domain. Alarms raised and beings moved deeper and into prepared shelters far within the stone. Agents of the Accords were moved onto gates that led to all the major allied cities, spreading knowledge of an imminent attack.
Its spells were at the ready, and the Accords were prepared for anything that came through that gate.
“Incoming!” a voice reached its many minds. A familiar one at that.
Amused, the Meadow waited, not yet releasing the state of emergency, in case Ilea had been compromised or something managed to imitate her voice and spell, somehow sending it a long range telepathic message. It would not underestimate a potential enemy, and it would not endanger those it vowed to protect.
Through the gate, out in the northern wastes, the Meadow saw the head of a dragon come into existence, its gargantuan body slowly moving through the broad gate that no longer seemed quite large enough. It was lifeless, one of its eyes gone entirely, its brain destroyed and blood no longer flowing.
Had she done it? Fought and killed Garonoth? Perhaps, though the Meadow knew Ilea had flown away with the large being, and the measurements taken by the Watcher did indicate that this was not the same being.
Her magic. She has advanced. Far.
When the massive wings and tail of the dragon had moved through the gate, its body fell, crashing into the ground where a shock wave of air and debris extended outwards.
Ilea passed through the gate herself, her wings and armor different. She glowed with power, and forces the Meadow could not comprehend.
“What the fuck, you didn’t catch it!” the being spoke. Its voice the same as that of a dear friend. Its face the same. Everything about it seemed familiar. But it could not be, could it?
[Dragonslayer – lvl 1004]
And within the being, there were the stars, the very forces that had eluded it for millennia. Proof of two hundred and eight theories, and something else.
A feeling that the Meadow had not felt since its inception. Not fear, but terror. Its minds observed the emotion with interest.
It had to look away. Avert its eyes from what it saw.
A flame, that was not meant to be.
“Who art thou?” the Endless Meadow spoke.
The creature landed near the crashed body of the dragon, her brows rising as if she were surprised. “Come on now, Meadow. Take a deep breath. It’s me. I mean who could shove the corpse of a dragon through a space gate directly to this anchor. Think.”
“Prove it, creature,” the Meadow spoke and flared its power, the very earth trembling and space itself roaring with its might. An instinct, long dormant, so basic it resented the show, and yet it could not do otherwise.
The being raised a hand to its chin, then smiled.
Another fissure formed nearby, this one familiar as well.
Out came the Baron Violence, Fae and friend to both itself and Ilea.
“You can tell it’s me, right?” the creature spoke, looking at the small being.
Oh
my
The words of the Fae were unclear. It glanced towards the Meadow, seeing through the fabric, and addressing it directly with ten voices overlapped. “Thine concerns are misplaced, tree of the north and moon beset by darkened lands. This truly is the one we know and whom we cherish. Bearing flame and heart of fire, she has slain what only she could slay, surely digging deep through flesh and shit alike. I shall haunt her dreams and bowels for not inviting me to such a feast, but wow, looketh how she gloweth! The cosmos has not seen such radiance in all the ages that we’ve known!”
The words were true, the Meadow knew, shame and embarrassment flooding through some of its minds, relief and pride prevalent in others. “It is you, truly?”
“Scared you, didn’t I? You should see my new Shift,” Ilea said and grinned.
It is her. And how I hate and love her.
“Please refrain. For once, I mean it,” the Meadow said as messengers were sent after those already gone. Nothing but trouble, that damned human.
________________________________
Ilea raised her hand for Violence to land but the little creature crossed its arms and stared at her.
“I feel like you’re mad at me,” she said.
He looked away, as if pouting.
“I was worried you’d be in danger,” she said.
The Baron didn’t look at her.
“I got some new stuff, and I went to Erendar. There are Daughters of Sephilon there, and I can fight them.”
The Fae turned its head slightly.
“You can tell I have the flame, right? I can show you,” she said, smoke, ash, and volcanic glass flowing into existence around her hand.
The Fae turned fully now and sat down, arms however, still crossed.
Ilea laughed, and patted the little creature. “There’s still a dragon I can introduce you to. He’s pretty friendly.”
Missed
Battle
“There will be more, don’t you worry,” she said and raised him up to her shoulder. “I have to wait with the fire though, I feel like the Meadow is a bit spooked.”
Reasonable
Fear
“Are you saying you weren’t sure about me either?” she asked, feigning outrage.
Soul
Marked
But
Different
What
Is
Flame?
Ilea addressed both the Fae and the Meadow. “It’s called the Primordial Flame. Apparently I’m the first wielder,” she said and gave them both a run down of her new Classes and abilities. “Make sure Aki knows as well.”
“I will. Dragonslayer,” the Meadow spoke.
“Don’t do that,” Ilea said.
“What do you mean? Dragonslayer?”
“You don’t need to compensate now because I freaked you out.”
“Whatever you say, Dragonslayer.”
“You’re a piece of shit,” she sent.
“And you are… an incomprehensible enigma to every rule in the universe. You can’t just… punch yourself to this level of space magic mastery, let alone that… weird, power, you now wield. Cosmic energies and the Primordial Flame, let alone uncapped harmony at all times. Your mana is ludicrous as well for something at your level. I suppose there are benefits to slaying a dragon, but this? I will need some time to process this. A few minutes at least!”
“Entire minutes?” Ilea asked before she turned to the Fae. “I must’ve really shaken it.”
Very
Scary, the Fae nodded vigorously.
A Pursuer appeared nearby, the green eyes taking her in.
“Congratulations, Ilea. I suppose I lack the perception of the Meadow, but your feats are noted,” Aki said and turned to look at the dragon. “And you moved this thing here. What should be done with it?”
“Armor and weapons, I guess. And anything else that would be useful,” she said.
“It will attract predators and scavengers here, nor are most craftsmen and women capable of working near the northern storms. I suggest another relocation, if that’s possible,” the silver machine said.
“Sure,” Ilea said, then grinned.
“You have something in mind?” Aki asked.
“Well. I don’t suppose you’ve informed my team yet, of this development?”
“No. I see. Hmm. It would be out of reach for most high level predators. The Meadow could keep it safe in the Descent, but I can see the political value. I’m afraid it should be discussed with the Accords before you make that move,” Aki spoke.
“Maybe keep it vague at least. A surprise would be funny,” she said.
The green eyes flared up. “I will do my best. Perhaps an event too. There are a few invitations I would like to extend, if you wouldn’t mind?”
Ilea smiled. “Sure.”
“We’ll keep the vote to the highest ranked members, and the information strictly confidential for the time being. Your team will know.”
“They will know, but they won’t really see it until it’s there,” Ilea said.
“I can see your point,” Aki said. “The vote is underway. The Accords are still dealing with the sudden emergency measures imposed by the Meadow.”
“I’ll go set up a gate, a suitable distance away,” Ilea said.
“I’ll let you know when to come,” Aki said and walked over, a silver hand forming before he touched her non occupied shoulder. “Well done. I mean it. Welcome to the Four Marks.”
She gave him a nod and turned towards the massive dragon.
_______________________________
Verena stayed atop the roof of the adventurer’s guild. Bells resounded as she heard shouting from below. Dozens of winged healers, mages, and warriors were still flying above the city, the large dome like barrier brimming with power, massive cannons moving atop the three walls of Ravenhall to seek a target, all of it connected to allow their beams to pass through.
“A false alarm,” came the voice of a dear friend. Pierce landed on the roof and sighed, summoning a hair tie before she bound her hair. “Can you believe it? My heart was pumping. All these green ass machines, cannons, and enchantments, and it’s a false alarm.”
“It’s good training,” Verena said.
Pierce’s eyes went wide. “Think they made it up? Just for this? An exercise?”
Verena didn’t know. She could see the value in it, but somehow she doubted the Accords would act so aggressively. They would at least announce a date. But what could’ve spooked the Meadow to this extent? A level five threat warning. Evacuation of all non combat personnel and a complete activation of all defensive measures.
“The Meadow apologizes for the undue warning,” a voice resounded, coming from a floating circular machine with a single green eye. A Watcher, as Verena had learned.
“I was having lunch,” Pierce complained.
“Apologies for lunch,” the Watcher said. “The vote just passed. An explanation will soon arrive. Please join me.”
“Join you?” Verena asked.
“If you wish to see the reason for this state of emergency,” the machine said.
“It better be fucking good,” Pierce said and crossed her arms.
They followed the machine until they arrived on the roof of a restaurant, the view of the surrounding mountain ranges exquisite.
Quite a few people were already present. Verena saw some of the higher ranking Shadows, Sulivhaan among them. There were Sentinels there too, more arriving as she landed. Claire, Trian, and Kyrian joined as well soon after, as snacks and drinks started to be served, a single Executioner present and standing next to the roof, green eyes sparkling, with what felt like mischievous intent.
“… couldn’t help but join as well,” said Helwart, champion of the Pit, piloting his war machine that took up a sizable chunk of the roof.
Some of the mages added more platforms, a few annoyed murmurs going around at the additional war machines that joined in.
He seems to know what’s going on, Verena thought before she locked eyes with Trian, the man smirking as he sipped from a thin glass of sparkled wine. And he does too. So this is about her.
Verena gave him a slight nod and now smiled herself. Enough of a spectacle to gather all of these people. And to send out a full emergency alarm. This will be good.
More beings appeared when Aki spoke up.
“Once more, the Meadow extends its apologies for the sudden invocation of such a high level threat response. I do believe it was warranted,” he spoke and turned in the air. “Please turn your attention southwards.”
Verena raised her brows when she saw the flying shadow crest a distant mountain peak. She took in a deep breath and smiled, shaking her head before she walked over to a frozen waitress, grabbing a tall glass herself and taking a sip. She couldn’t help but join her friend, moving an arm around her shoulder. She didn’t say a word. She didn’t have to.
Pierce was shaking, her words quiet. “It’s unfair…” She sniffled. “Are you seeing this?” She turned to look at Verena, tears in her eyes.
“It’s okay,” Verena answered and brushed away the tears.
The Dragonkiller shook her head, disbelief painted on her face. “I can’t.”
Verena held her close and brushed her hair. “She’s going to make fun of you aaaaall day.”
“She will, won’t she?” Pierce whispered. “Look at the size of that thing.”
“Massive,” Verena said.
“And she’s carrying it.”
“She sure is,” Verena said, watching the sight as most everyone else either remained entirely paralyzed and quiet, or hollering with joy.
Some of the dwarves were outright laughing at the sight.
“That’s a dragon, isn’t it?” Sulivhaan asked, taking in a sharp breath.
“She did it,” said Kyrian, a smile on his face.
“Let’s keep those barriers up,” Claire said as she walked over to the Executioner. “Don’t want a bunch of rockslides to destroy half the city.”
Aki turned towards the Administrator, green eyes glowing bright. “We’re setting up models for placement. She encourages everyone who wants to lend a hand to join her.”
Comments
G. Harthane
I think that was only for objects and non awakened beings
Fair, just this time it's mountain sized
PickledTink
She already did that in chapter 537. Got four core skill points for it too: ---- ‘ding’ ‘You have secured the continued survival of the Pale Ones – One Core skill point awarded’ ‘ding’ ‘You have secured the continued survival of the Awakened Willows – One Core skill point awarded’ ‘ding’ ‘You have secured the continued survival of the Wildflower Ants – One Core skill point awarded’ ‘ding’ ‘You have secured the continued survival of the Rock Beetles – One Core skill point awarded’ ----
Thomas Payne
Thanks!
hill44
I took it to mean models of the area to help with figuring out where to place the dragon, or its skeleton, for display or incorporation into the architecture.
So I can help myself to imagine Ilea bringing her friends a new curious bug she found to show off...
Alex L
So good! Thanks for the chapter!!
David Brims
Personally I liked: 'You can’t just… punch yourself to this level of space magic mastery'!!!
Zarik0
"surely digging deep through flesh and shit alike. I shall haunt her dreams and bowels for not inviting me to such a feast" Best Line of the chapter xD Violence :))))
Morgan
I'm hoping they're statue's of Lilith as some form of practical joke
Gian
Ahh so satisfying! TYFC😂
Mark
*Squints at dragon* "It's only a model." I think they're going to magic-up scale models of options to place the body.
deus vult
I think the models are executioner models and the like, so aki is pretty much moving his bodies to prepare alongside some platforms. or he just meant plantforms. idk, I didn't think twice about it.
Novel Addict
Same
Mark
Remember everyone in-story is speaking Elos Standard most of the time and we get English. So I think Old English works well if the characters are speaking a more formal Elos Standard.
Nate
Lololol she cried~ Tho am I the only one who doesn't understand the last line? "We’re setting up models for placement." ... ?
Nate
"But she could, and she did."
Arexio R.
ahhhh im dead 💀
Han Pol
well she has some of her actives spell passively active all the time. and then there are the real passive skills.
Arcanum
Could be actually, yeah
Jessy
I think Ruler is from the same local cluster as Violence. Twins though would be interesting
Carlo Aquino
This is my theory but I think Meadow spoke in old english because that is the formal language between ancient creatures. Meadow was not sure if it is speaking to Ilea or to a creature that took her form. ???? Ilea might look the same from the outside but she is much different from the inside, to the point that Meadow felt threatened from her Primordial Flame and by her presence alone without actively using her magic.
Zebrababies
The meadow talked like that to ilea for a sentence, as if it reverted to that in surprise. Which could explain the language shift
C D
Meadow and the fae talk differently between themselves. The dragonslayer still only gets short clips of language from the fae.... Maybe it's that single brain of hers holding her back.
C D
Yayyyyyy yayyyyyy yayyyyyy !!!!!!
Rae
Loved the chapter!! Excited for more reactions from her friends
Han Pol
it does that from time to time, and I think it's mostly a From Software game reference. ((forefathers one and all bear witness))
Arcanum
Hope she can soon meet twin's and ruler's fae clusters. Perhaps with the meeting of the four clusters she can gain a new skill to train or general skill which merges with star touched to produce something entirely new and op
Zebrababies
Loved the chapter. The only slight issue I have is with the change in diction from the meadow. The old English thing is strange to me.
Tequila Worm
Tyfc
Monika Djomi
This chapter almost killed me. I was just laughing 🤣.
so good
Doodlyboy15
Thanks Tarodan, I couldn't remember and that fits with how Illea was messing with people way before lvl 1000
Doodlyboy15
Yep, that's how I took it Ayrawei
Teatime42
hahaha punch go brrrrrrr
Teatime42
Even better, based off what Violence said vs what she heard, she probably just heard the Meadow say "Who're you?" instead XD
Ayrawei
I understood Meadow was first careful due to sheer unfamiliarity of her new classes and it was more standard procedure and caution. After she came through, Meadow was not afraid of her power but rather of the primordial forces it could feel inside her, both the cosmic magic and Primordial Flame. Like the Primordial Curse, they have power beyond sheer oomph. Something instinctively terrifying about their very nature.
MrGravelord
same
RuRo
"You Can’t Just Shoot a Hole Into the Surface of Mars"
riichidesu
Well, the dragon did also have over 1500 levels over Ilea and was killed the same by an non 4 mark Ilea, so we can give a pass to the Meadow for being a little afraid
Narf
5th is Barrier
Shin
Archaic english Ancient beings in books always speak like that
Tarodan
Hence the “She’s going to make fun of you aaaaall day.” line.
Ayrawei
@Vega Meadow has five classes. Space, Wood, Life, Earth and something else, I don't remember..
Tarodan
It's not digit based, it's class evolution based. The level 500 class evolution gives you your 3rd ???.
Deegles
"you can't just... punch yourself into mastery" killed me
Philipp Schmalz
That's a great chapter! :D I read it three times :D
Vega
Did we ever find out if the meadow only has one class?
GuyMagoo
“Who art thou?” the Endless Meadow spoke. lolwat
Doodlyboy15
Ah she was just messing with people making her third question mark appear for a second. Hope she continues the trend. Edit: wait but I remember people doing double takes when she made a hidden question mark appear then disappear. If it's only digit based that shouldn't make sense right? Since 100 would get you 3 marks.
Teatime42
Feel bad for the tree, it probably forgot that it could even be afraid of fire, and here comes a new terrifying type of fire literally no one has ever seen before and it's "I'm still a tree" instincts booted it's "I'm not a god but I kinda am" self away from the controls.
Shin
No 4 Mark is for level 1000 and above till 999 she was 3 Mark
Teatime42
It's digit based, 750 is three digits, and shows up as three question marks if you're too low level to see the actual level (hence three mark as slang). Hitting 1000 gives her four digits, making her a four mark. So no, this is new.
Chazzagear
Absolutely Fantastic!
Mercury313
I love the multi-perspective switching in this chapter.
MrGravelord
yeah it shows now, thanks
Chad Hagner
Awesome chapter! So stoked for more!!!
Chad Hagner
Pierce nickname is dragon killer i believe?
Augustus
I have reread this multiple times and am repeatedly giggling each time.
David Newey
Hope you enjoyed your break! Thanks for the chapter! Pierce's reaction was priceless!
9Ira
"The Dragonkiller shook her head, disbelief painted on her face. 'I can’t.'" Isn't that Pierce, not Ilea?
Doodlyboy15
That'll be fun too, hasn't she been 4 mark since 750? Just tier 4 now
Carlo Aquino
The wait was so worth it and this chap was as amazing as the ones before. Ilea freaking out Meadow was funny but the her new classes are so broken it propelled her to the same level as Garonoth which justifice his concern.
Alsia
Thanks for the chapter :) Poor Pierce xD
Mark
Does it see a status as well? Like hungry or smug.
AgentFransis
Maybe this will motivate her enough to get off her lazy hedonistic ass.
jd8ish
Yay! More! More! Haha. Thank you
vanar
Was excited for this chapter and now I'm more excited for the next. Hope it's just a few days this time. Good shit.
Narf
Nice to see you're back, hope your had some nice downtime. I feel sorry for Pierce. She's looking so pitiful. Also it's insane how spooked the Meadow got by something more than 1500 levels below itself, but I guess that speaks to how broken op Ilea is.
StarWolf
Thanks for the chapter!
Etez
Thanks for the chapter ^^ I hope the kind of short vacation was good and reinforcing!
fennek
Yeeeas
Dec
Yea. This is the friends version. Let’s see how the enemies react. Other shoe still has to drop though. They don’t know she is a four mark yet
Dec
Jeez. Illea spooked meadow so bad meadow regressed to basic instinct . If meadow had pants , it would surely be wetting them. How the power dynamic has changed from when they first met!
deus vult
YES! I waited so long for this...
Straven
Now that was a delightful meal! Now for there reactions to HER!
yannick schwende
Loved it. Pierce is so gonna get teased XD. I'm looking forward to the banter. Thanks for the chapter and I hope you managed to get some well deserved rest :-)
AgentFransis
Violence sure can be eloquent. It's nice and humbling to know that no matter how absurd her new power, Ilea's monkey brain remains limited to single word Faen sentences.
Rainer
🤣🤣🤣
AgentFransis
Epub works for me.
Doodlyboy15
Yes! So glad we got to see pierce's reaction.
Brent Heustess
Welcome back. I hope you break was good. Thanks for the wonderful chapter. Wait till Pierce sees her title and level.
Mad Max
Looks like she broke Pierce. And everybody knows she spooked Meadow enough, so they'll still be waiting for the other shoe to drop.
foldedcorners
I thought she was going to teleport, but seeing a giant, dead dragon being hauled over the crest of a hill was probably more funny
FrostyNips
Banger
MrGravelord
thank you mr author! the pdf and epub versions seem to be broken though.
Joshua Little
Thanks for the chapter.
G. Harthane
oh right. I'll edit that.
Thanks for the chapter!
Fantastic chapter, as usual :)
Julien Fellegara
Badass
Vegetables
I would have thought that the meadow would be able to see her actual level not ???? Thanks for the chap tho!
brunoid
Great chapter, thanks.
Veronica
Hope you had a relaxing break, thanks for the chapter
