Novel Full Chapter 500: • More Than Survival Part Four
Chapter 500: • More Than Survival Part Four
Ren flinched, caught off guard by Yuuto’s intensity.
Yuuto stepped closer. “This isn’t about what I could do. It’s about what needs to be done. I may not agree with his methods, but I understand the weight he’s carrying. Can you say the same?”
The room fell silent again, the weight of Yuuto’s words settling over them like iron.
Ren finally spoke, “I certainly wouldn’t—”
“Tell me, Ren,” Yuuto suddenly interrupted, each word deliberate, “if you were in his position… a man who commands hundreds of dragons… being targeted by some cosmic entity hellbent on wiping out your family, your people—everything you love—”
Yuuto’s eyes didn’t waver as he took a step closer, his voice low but piercing.
He paused, letting the weight of that scenario sink in.
“Let’s say you’ve seen this massacre before. Let’s even say…” his voice dropped, tinged with pain, “you’ve experienced it. Watched it happen. Felt it happen.”
Yuuto’s gaze hardened, his tone like iron.
“Would you really just… stand by and let the people you care about die? Just because some other cities decided they wanted to be stubborn? Illogical? Selfish?”
He shook his head slowly.
“Don’t confuse idealism for righteousness, Ren. Because in war—especially this kind—waiting for permission can be the same as pulling the trigger yourself. Mercy to the unwise is cruelty to the innocent.”
Yuuto’s voice softened, but the weight behind it only grew heavier.
“So no, Ren… I won’t be stopping him,” he said firmly, yet with a trace of sorrow.
“All I can really do is offer guidance—and hope that none of the blood that gets spilled will belong to the ones he calls family.”
. . .
Alister’s boots echoed through the marble corridor of the guild hall, his dragon generals following behind him. The tension from the talks earlier still clung to his shoulders like a second cloak.
Without turning his head, he spoke lowly, “Mar’Garet… place eyes on Ren. Discreetly.”
Mar’Garet, attuned to the undercurrent in his tone, tilted her head slightly, a mischievous smile tugging at her lips. “Oh? Don’t trust him, my lord?”
Alister’s pace didn’t slow, but his eyes narrowed slightly.
“It’s not about trust,” he said. “It’s about unpredictability.”
Mar’Garet’s eyes gleamed. “You think he’ll betray you?”
Alister finally glanced at her, his expression unreadable but firm. “I think he’s a man at war with himself. Those are the most dangerous kinds. Being suddenly faced with a decision that counters your pre-existing nature and beliefs will make you second-guess everything, even if it’s the right decision. That uncertainty makes people make mistakes, and I can’t accommodate those right now.”
Mar’Garet’s smile deepened, a flash of excitement in her eyes. “Understood. I’ll have Shadow Wings on him by nightfall.”
He gave a curt nod. “Good. And Mar’Garet…”
She perked up.
“If he ever crosses the line… I want to know before he realizes he has.”
A chilling silence passed between them before she responded, voice low and reverent, “As you command, my lord.”
’So… are we going with world conquest now? What exactly are we waiting for?’
Alameck’s playful voice suddenly echoed in Alister’s head.
Alister’s brow twitched, his footsteps never faltering.
’It’s not conquest, Alameck.’
’Oh?’ Alameck drawled, clearly entertained. ’You’re issuing demands to the Union, mustering dragon generals, preparing an army to “intervene” in other sectors under the guise of protecting the innocent… Sounds awfully familiar to something history books usually file under “invasion.”’
Alister clenched his jaw but said nothing.
’You’re acting out of necessity, yes. Morally justified in your eyes, absolutely. But let’s not kid ourselves, Brother. One step at a time, you’re marching toward building an empire. Dominion. Rule. The only thing separating saviors and conquerors is who writes the record.’
Silence fell again—until Alameck’s voice turned more curious, even amused.
’You remember what I told you… back when you met me in your soul sea?’
Alister’s eyes darkened.
’…That binding me would come at a cost,’ Alameck continued. ’That if you kept me sealed long enough, our essences would start to bleed into one another. I’d start becoming more like you… and you…’ he chuckled softly, ’you’d start becoming more like me.’
Alister didn’t respond. He didn’t need to.
Alameck’s voice rippled with sly amusement as he pressed further,
’You used to be really saint-like, brother.’
’In case you forgot, you even created the Abyss-Voids so you wouldn’t have to get your hands dirty. You didn’t want to be involved directly in “such matters” — that’s how far up your own sanctimonious ass you were.’
Alister’s eye twitched, his steps momentarily heavier.
’That was how much of a pretentious bastard you were.’ Alameck’s voice was now laced with laughter, dark and serpentine.
’And now look at you…’ the spirit mused, voice softening into something almost reverent, almost proud, ’barking orders, moving pieces on the board, sending spies after potential threats — just like I would.’
A pause. Then Alameck’s voice dipped lower, like a whisper crawling up Alister’s spine.
’Tell me, how many more justifications until you stop needing them?’
Alister didn’t answer.
But his silence screamed louder than any words.
Just then, a new voice echoed within Alister’s mind.
’My lord… I’ve encountered a rather delicate situation during my patrol of the megacity. I’m unsure whether to intervene or… simply leave it be.’
Alister’s steps slowed, his thoughts momentarily shifting from Alameck’s taunts.
’What is it?’
The voice belonged to one of his Dragon Knights — a captain stationed in Sector Three.
’There’s a commotion in Sector Three,’ the knight began, ’but it doesn’t involve the creatures you’ve marked for extermination.’ A pause.
’Rather, it’s between humans.’
Alister’s brow furrowed. ’Go on.’
’A great deal of destruction has already occurred,’ the knight said carefully. ’Buildings toppled. Streets torn open. Civilians injured. I’ve taken the liberty of evacuating the surrounding area to prevent further casualties, but…’
Another pause.
’…the ones fighting are exceptionally powerful. One seemed to be wearing guild colors, while the others aren’t. Their mana signatures are unstable — chaotic. Whoever they are, they’re not normal.’