Chapter 17: The primal dragon

The woman standing next to Jayden looked nothing like how she was 10000 years ago, yet Kibadios could never mistake her for anybody else, for the unique sinister lurking within her Haki was a dead giveaway. It made sense to Kibadios since 10000 years ago, after the incident in which her father and she betrayed the whole mortal kinds, they were accepted by the Ennead , a group of elder gods, to join their ranks. There they lived, in their own plane of reality called Modun , separated from the rest of the world. They called themselves " the Astrals" while the people of this world worshiped and called them "gods." Because Modun provided them their immortality, the godly residents there would never venture outside of its protection. To be able to influence the mortal world and their course of history, they had to resort to transfer part of their soul into the homunculi dolls to travel outside their domain. This ensured the Astrals the ability to walk among the mortals while freeing them from the fears of death since even if the homunculi whose their souls resided in were to be destroyed, they would easily find their way back to the original bodies in the Modun. Of course, this was merely because of their irrational fears after enjoying immortality since after all, there could hardly be anyone who can physically harm them. Even the lowest ranking Astrals could easily level a nation, something that Kibadios had experienced during his first reincarnation. Back then, among the mortals, the people who could match the Astral's power numbered less than 10 individuals… though to match against one of the Ennead, there were only two: Kibadios' previous reincarnation and his once best friend. Having the mortal kinds calling them "gods" was not just for show. Undeniably, the Astrals did possess the power of gods, holding and playing with the fate of the world in their hands...

「Kibadios sama!」Maia's callings to Kibadios for the fifth time finally brought him back from his unrealistic revenge fantasy. 「What's wrong, Kibadios sama?」

「... No, nothing.」Knowing that acting right now would be a mistake, the hybrid finally moved to one side of the Royal Audience Chamber, where his slaves, Kyles, and Yllaner were, though, his gaze was still fixing on the woman standing next to the Prime Minister. The homunculus in which the Astral Adela, the former princess of the Holy Kingdom Eberus , resided in shared the smooth, snow-white skin with her original body. It even had the well defined eyelashes that accentuated her piercing eyes, the trademark look that Adela possessed 3000 years ago… THE EYES! The hybrid internally screamed in his head as he realized his mistake.

「Kibadios dono, was it?」The homunculi finally spoke. 「I understand your reservation in displaying your true race, but it'd be rude to hide yourself behind that disguise in front of the Prime Minister and other heroes, dont you think? 」

「Huh? What do you mean, Adela?」Jayden turned and asked

「My unique skill can discern anyone's disguise and right now, Kibadios dono is wearing one.」the dark hair homunculus softly explained.

Damn, you fucking bitch! You're one to talk, using a homunculus to channel your presence here. Kibadios thought but soon, he was able to calm down through his rationality. Disguising as a human, just like what she just said, was understandable for a hybrid monster like him to fit in so it would not have raised any suspicions about his real identity to the Astral. Fortunate for him too, was the fact that the Kingdom of Maeg did not hold the same hatred for demihuman as those from the Theocracy. Heck, he was able to see tons of them walking the streets just in the past few days.

「Your so called can see through my disguise?」Kibadios pretended to be oblivious about the skill's ability. He then continued as he transformed himself back into his hybrid form, with a small ogre horn protruding from his head while his rounded ears turned pointy like that of an incubus.「I just don't want to reveal my race since it would attract even more attention to myself and Ryan.」

「Hoh?」amused Jayden. 「Kibadios dono here is a hybrid demihuman? That is indeed very unusual. Our kingdom does not discriminate against any race, so please rest assured in displaying your true self. In fact, I should be the one that is honored to have met a strong and rare hybrid such as you are. May I ask where did you come from?」

「I dont have any recollection of my birthplace. My earliest memory was that I was let loose down the river… I survived and grew up in a forest all by myself, and that's where I rescued Rowan and Maia here from packs of monsters. They pledged to serve me soon after that.」The hybrid lied, after all, he did not want anyone to know about his intention of travelling up the river back to his birthplace.

「I see… I'm so sorry to hear that.」The prime minister grimly nodded.

「So my hunch was correct...」Kyles looked down at Kibadios. 「I have always thought you weren't a human but I couldn't seem to tell why.」

「Sorry for deceiving you, Kyles.」

「No, no worry!」The hero shook his head. 「Demihuman or human, the importance is that you save Ryan! I couldn't care less about your race.」

「... HAHAHA…. HAHAHAHAHAHA!」Corey's laugh echoed throughout the chamber. 「What a joke is this? A hero pledging to serve a demi? Shouldn't we strip this little fucker of his title as a hero already?」

「It's not that we're discriminating against demihuman...」the middle aged hero, who has not said anything since Kibadios' group entered, finally spoke in a low voice. 「but like Corey said, a hero serving a demihuman is outrageous! After all, how can we, heroes who are actively fighting against all those self-proclaimed demihuman demon lords, accept this? 」

「I personally dont like it either but I just want to remind you that you dont have the right to strip anyone of their hero class, Thomas.」The female hero chimed in. 「What determine someone as a "hero" is the fact that person possesses a . It's not your decision… or mine.」

「What Amber sama said is true.」Jayden finally spoke, trying to calm the heroes down. 「Also, in this country, there is currently no law discriminate against demihumans so we will not interfere with Ryan sama's decision to serve Kibadios dono here. Furthermore, we are in desperate need of manpower so we welcome Kibadios dono's presence here, if he so chooses to help us. I'm sure as a hybrid, his power can be on par with any of us here.」

… Any of us here? The hybrid thought. He had not been able to gauge the Prime Minister's level but just now, he had revealed a bit of such information.

「... What do you mean?」Kyles, tired of the pointless arguments from his fellow heroes, asked in hopes of changing the conversation.「For what purpose have we been summoned here?」

「... To fight!」The Prime Minister answered without any hesitation.

「Against whom? Last time I checked, there arent many notable demon lords around this region. The one threat that I can think of is the Great Demon Lord Gilga of Uruk , one of the Yonko … but isnt this kingdom on friendly relationship with her city state? Dont tell me your trading relationship broke down? If so, I did warn you and His Majesty, did I not? Never trust a Demon Lord, especially a Yonko! 」Corey continued on. 「If Great Demon Lord Gilga finally shows her true nature, then that's a Celestial level threat . With just us here, there is no way we can stop her. You better call for help from the Six instead.」

「Lucky for us, the threat we're talking about is not the Great Demon Lord Gilga.」answered Jayden. 「In fact, the threat has not been materialized yet… But if we wait for too long, he will finally break free of his seal… and once he does, he can easily be considered to be Catastrophe level … or maybe even Celestial. If such a time comes, I will make sure to ask for aid from the Six. As of now, though, your timely aid would most likely suffice.」

「Who is "he"?」asked Amber.

「The Primal Dragon that defied the gods a thousand years ago, Ryujin . After the battle against the Six Heroes of that generation, Ryujin was sealed by them in the North Eastern part of our kingdom but now the seal has been greatly weakened.」explained Jayden.

「Ryujin?」Taken aback by the familiar name, Kibadios instinctively asked.

「So the legend about the primal dragon Ryujin is true?」asked Amber, inadvertently diverted the attention from the hybrid, much to his relief.

「Yes. Though not many people know the truth. Within the kingdom, only the Royals and generations of Prime Ministers like myself know about it. After all, there would be endless unrest had the citizens know they are living close to where a Catastrophe Level Disaster sleeps.」

「「I see...」」Both Amber and Thomas nodded.

「So what do you want us to do with the seal?」The visibly annoyed Corey asked.「You better not expect us to deal with the dragon all by ourselves.」

「Of course not! Like I said, the seal is still intact.」The Prime Minister shrugged at the inattentive hero.「First and foremost, we are asking for your assistance in eradicating the monsters that are gathering to the region. With the seal being weakened, the miasma emitting from the Primal Dragon are attracting large amounts of monsters. Currently, many towns and cities in the North Eastern parts of our kingdom are practically under siege by them. Secondly and most importantly, we are hoping that you can lend us your strength to restore the weakened seal.」

「What do you mean?」Corey was suspicious at the task since heroes, despite standing above others in the general population, were never good at sealing techniques. Such task required a special kind of mages, not heroes.

「We have sent out our royal mages to check out the seal. Apparently, the barrier created by the seal requires the essence of the that each of the four of you are possessing for it to be fully functional. After all, it was created by the Six after their battle against Ryujin a thousand years ago. We are hoping that you can lend us the power that are unique to only you… That's why you, as heroes, were summoned here.」

「Hmm...」Corey thought a while, then asked.「So if we accept this job, how will we be compensated?」

「10000 gold coins. Along with large batch of fertile lands in the North Eastern territory. Of course, if you guys accept the mission, we will prepay you with 500 gold coins right now.」answered Adela in her homunculus disguise as she signaled another servant to bring out a tray carrying four pouches of gold.

「Hahaha!」Corey laughed greedily, then hurriedly stepped up and took one of the pouches without waiting for permission from either Adela or Jayden「I accept! When do you want us to go there?」

「As soon as possible. We are racing against time here. I will have a messenger sending you detailed instructions later today.」answered the Prime Minister, then he turned to the undecided heroes. 「What about... ?」

「I accept.」Kyles agreed to the mission without any hesitation since he knew the threat of a Primal Dragon was too much to ignore.

「That's great!」Jayden exclaimed.

「I'll just take 100 gold coins. You can distribute my remaining rewards to the people who were affected by the Primal Dragon's miasma.」

「Ho!」Thomas laughed. 「I expect no less from the great hero Kyles. Same here! I accept but I'll only take the 500 gold coins for me and my party. Please use the rest to help those in need, Prime Minister Stringer.」

「Me too!」Amber gave Kyles a smile.「100 gold coins should be enough for me and Natalie. After all, I cant lose to Kyles and his generosity, right?」

「Hey, I'll still need my full 10000 gold coins and the lands you promise!」sneered Corey at his fellow heroes. 「I'll take what I deserve.」

「What about you, Ryan sama?」asked Jayden.

Ryan turned to look at the hybrid, who slightly gave him the "go ahead" signal. 「I accept. Though Kibadios sama has just procured our funding through trading some weapons so I'm also just going to take 100.」

「What? For sure we don't need this newbie… this a failure of a hero, right?」Corey mockingly asked.

「On the contrary. Ryan sama still possesses the . We are desperately in need of his help.」said Jayden as he personally gave the 100 gold coins to Ryan. 「And I'm sure Kibadios dono will also help us to deal with the monsters?」

「... Of course...」

「I'm not approving of Ryan pledging to serve this hybrid here, but from what the Prime Minister said, we indeed do need his help. I'll try my best to cooperate with his party for now. 」Thomas commented, then turned around to his party and walked out of the chamber. 「I'll be back to the Royal Inn. Once we get the instruction, we will set out. Is that okay with you, Prime Minister Stringer?」

「I have no complain.」

「We'll be going too. And Ryan-kun, I know you're new to the life of a hero but please reconsider being Kibadios' servant. I dont have anything against him, but serving a demihuman would not be appropriate for a hero.」Amber waved goodbye to the group.

Inappropriate for a hero? Ha! He's already serving me as an obedient sex slave, Amber. Kibadios smirked at the female hero's advice for Ryan.

「I'll also take my leave.」Corey signaled his group before turning around to give the hybrid a cryptic warning. 「And be careful, Kibadios. Dont try too hard keeping up with us veteran heroes. There are a lot of monsters that might prove too much for you and your pathetic newbie hero to handle… Though maybe it's better for you demihuman to lay dead somewhere on the field, being devoured by monsters. That way, your adorable servant girl can seek me out to have me as her new master! 」

「Dont listen to them. Do whatever you like. If you want to serve under Kibadios, then do it. Living your life how you see fit, don't be bothered by others' opinions.」Kyles patted Ryan's head and ruffled his crimson hair, then turned back to hybrid. 「I'm so sorry about how you were treated. Just ignore them… and please take care of this little brother of mine, Kibadios!」

「Will do!」The hybrid gave Kyles a genuine smile. Among everyone that he has met in this reincarnation, asides from his slaves, Kyles would probably the most decent human being who treated the hybrid with respect, not that Kibadios thought he deserved it. Still, the hybrid rest easy knowing that in this reincarnation, Sylvia has chosen a perfect life partner.

「Please send me the information as soon as possible at my current guest house address. If possible, I want to get going today.」said Kyles to the Prime Minister.

「Are you going to take Yllaner sama back to Vernys Forest first?」asked Ryan.

「No, I'll go straight to where the seal is. Yllaner will stay with me for some time.」

「Dont worry, Ryan. I'll be safe travelling with Kyles.」Smiled the elven princess.

「I'll get going soon, within a few days at most.」said Ryan, but then he turned to his master to make sure if he was fine with the schedule. After seeing his master gave him a slight nod, he continued. 「Yeah, for sure within a few days. I'll see you two soon! Be safe!」

「Same to you!」the elven princess replied.

As Yllaner walked out of the chamber besides the hero, Kibadios could easily noticed the discretely disdain look that Adela was giving her. Seeing a person who died by your hand reincarnated into someone with identical look was a bit too much for you to enjoy, Princess Adela ? He thought to himself. Luckily for him, he was reborn into a hybrid individual that had no resemblance to his first reincarnation so for now, he rest assured knowing that the Adela that resided within that homunculus maid vessel would never suspect him to be her mortal enemy.

「Should we be going back to the Inn, Kibadios sama?」asked Maia.

「Of course, we have to prepare for the journey.」The hybrid respectfully turned to the Prime Minister 「Please excuse us.」

「If you need anything, please let us know!」said Jayden. 「Normally I would be glad to escort your group and others… But seeing how there are much frictions between you, I think it's better for you guys to go there in your separate ways.」

「I think so too...」nodded Kibadios before he and his group walked out. After all, travelling separately like this will allow me some time to think more about this mission… Why Adela is here? Is the threat they call Primal Dragon Ryujin my little Ryujin ? And I still have a hunch that there are other details they are hiding from us… I need to piece together all the available information before I can make my next move. Just wait there, Bitch… You and your Astrals friends. I'll be coming for you! Though I guess I have to deal with that Corey first… When I'm done with him, he will wish he was never alive in the first place!

「... You're happy about something, Master?」asked Rowan as he noticed a devious smile on Kibadios' face.

「... Nothing!」replied the hybrid. 「Ryan, once we get back to our room, tell me everything you know about that Corey guy...」

「... Of course, Master!」