kscans

CHAPTER 7 CHALLENGE TO THE LABYRINTH – Episode 7 Beyond the Great Barrier (Part 2)

6

The 1st of April had arrived. As promised, they had come. Ten flying dragons descended in the square in front of Parzam Royal Palace. Though only ten in number, the sheer scale of their wings unfurling as they landed was equivalent to an entire knight legion. No, they likely surpassed the combat power of a legion. Each dragon had a Dragonoid rider. As soon as they landed, the Dragonoids dismounted from the dragons. The leading Dragonoid stepped forward to the waiting Bards, paying no heed to the knights surrounding them. Their bearing was majestic. (t/n: yeap, previously they were wyvern, but it was a mistake)

“That is Chichiruarchichi, the daughter of the tribal chief,” Taranka whispered to Bard.

The Queen of Manuno had called the Dragonoids “rotten lizards,” but their appearance was not necessarily similar to Nada (lizards). Rather, they evoked Kekoaru (shrimp) or Ibamu (crabs). Their helmeted heads had protrusions resembling a nose cover, and the third eye on their forehead were emanating a faint light. Their entire bodies were covered in a hard shell. It’s like they’re wearing armor. There are three vicious claws at the end of of their hand with a short, thick finger at the opposite side. Their feet also had three toes, with a short fourth toe jutting out to the side, curved as if to grip the ground. Bard imagined these fingers could easily seize and crush prey. And a long tail. This was where the resemblance to lizards became apparent. The power of these tails could likely knock even an armored knight aside, akin to the force of a battle hammer.

Chichiruarchichi was slightly shorter than the other Dragonoids, about the same height as Bard. The distinction between male and female Dragonoids was not immediately obvious, but the others seemed slightly larger, with a deeper bluish-black skin tone.

Chichiruarchichi approached Taranka directly.

“Taranka of Fyuzarion, I have come to fetch you as agreed.”

To Bard’s surprise, Chichiruarchichi seemed to recognize Taranka’s face.

Bard can somehow distinguish Chichiruarchichi from the other Dragonoids, but he cannot tell the other Dragonoids apart. They all look the same to him, with the same faces and appearances. The summoned Taranka stepped forward.

“Lord Chichiruarchichi of Isteria. I am grateful for your arrival.”

“Taranka of Fyuzarion. I have conveyed your request to Chief Popolbarpopo. I will guide you and your companions to our Isteria and have you meet the chief. After the meeting, I will escort you back here. However, the chief will decide what to answer and what not to answer regarding your questions.”

“That is satisfactory. Thank you.”

Taranka smiled with a grin that would make a human woman blush. Bard felt that Chichiruarchichi seemed a little annoyed, though it might have been his imagination.

“So how many are coming in the end?”

“The four of us here.”

“I see. It will take one day to go, one day for the meeting, and one day to return. Bring three days’ worth of food.”

Hearing this, Bard felt relieved. Each of their bags contained five days’ worth of food. They had also prepared a bag with up to twenty days’ worth of food, but honestly, it was heavy, so it would be better if they didn’t have to bring it.

“We have prepared five days’ worth of food. However, could we get some water as well?”

“Understood. We will provide the water. It seems you are ready. Then, let’s depart.”

Following Chichiruarchichi’s guidance, the four of them walked to their respective flying dragons. Taranka seemed to be riding on Chichiruarchichi’s own flying dragon. The four of them were wearing thick clothing and gloves, as Taranka had instructed, since it is cold at high altitudes. They also had carefully selected luggage on their backs. The requirement of five days’ worth of food was also Taranka’s instruction, as the flying dragons, which would be traveling a considerable distance, would be burdened by even the weight of a single human.

Fortunately, he was not asked for his name other than Chichiruarchichi’s. Bard would have preferred not to introduce himself.

Bard approached the Dragonoid assigned to him. The Dragonoid tapped the flying dragon’s feet. Then the dragon lowered its head to the ground. The dragonoid gestured for Bard to ride, so Bard climbed onto the dragon’s neck. The Dragonoid then mounted behind Bard. He wrapped a leather strap around them both to ensure they would not fall off the dragon. It seemed the other three were also secured in the same way. Perhaps this was Chichiruarchichi’s instruction, a considerate measure to prevent any accidents.

Chichiruarchichi raised her right hand and shouted something in Dragonoid’s language. Then she flicked the reins. The Dragonoid carrying Bard also flicked the reins. All ten dragons spread their wings at once with a great flapping sound. It was a magnificent sight. The ten dragons pushed off the ground, their wings flapping, and soared into the air.

There was a gentle impact, and then Bard felt himself floating in the air. In that moment of leaving the ground, a strange, profound feeling welled up within him. For over sixty years, the earth had always been beneath his feet, supporting him. Now he was experiencing the sensation of separating from that familiar ground.

The dragons flapped their wings powerfully, climbing higher. The spires of the palace drew level with Bard’s eyes. Looking down, Bard saw Cedermont and Chantillion gazing up with wide eyes, along with all the other knights. Even Juleland was watching from a window, his expression was one of envy.

It is normal for birds to fly, and for dragons to fly. But for a human to fly is anything but normal. Bard was now experiencing something unprecedented in history. When confronted with this sight of humans soaring through the sky, one can do nothing but be surprised. Bard and his party were experiencing something that has never been seen since the beginning of history.

As the flock of dragons climbed to twice the height of the palace spires, they turned sharply to the right. The cityscape of the capital came into view. Wow! The houses, the people, all looked like toys from up there. This was what the world looked like from the sky.

The dragons climbed even higher, until the entire capital city lay spread out below them. Unbelievable. It was as if the city rested in the palms of their hands. So this is what it means to fly high. Was this such a magnificent and moving event? Bard was filled with a profound sense of awe, and tears welled up in his eyes. The landscape below was completely unfamiliar. To look down from such a height is an exhilarating experience. Ah! The mountains. The forests. The distant town, the villages. From this high vantage point, even the vast mountain ranges have a clear, distinct form. It is now clear how the cities and villages are connected and separated.

And this speed! The dragon is steadily increasing its speed. Accordingly, the landscape below is dancing and changing. What a delightful and refreshing sensation. The wind has blown off his helmet’s visor, so he’d tucked it behind his neck. The wind hitting his face is fierce, tousling his hair and beard, but even that is enjoyable for Bard now. His eyes are barely open, but he can still admire the breathtaking scenery all around.

Soon, the great Ova comes into view. Have they already reached this point? Bard is astonished. What incredible speed! The maneuverability of this dragon truly exceeds human imagination. Following the flow of the Ova from left to right, the hazy outline of the sacred Mount Fyuza gradually appears. And there, at the edge of his vision, is Lordvan Castle! Though just a small speck, it is unmistakably Lordvan Castle. This means the dragon is flying slightly north of due east.

Before long, they reached the airspace above the Ova River. As far as the eye can see, the world below is water. The distant view is hazy, as if shrouded in mist. The Ova, shimmering like a silver shield, flows calmly below. Passing over the Ova, the ten dragons reach the eastern frontier. Mountains and valleys stretch out endlessly, with the occasional plain peeking through. Soon, a sizable town comes into view in the distance. Is that not Krausk? Yes, it is definitely the town of Krausk. He recognize the lord’s manor there., It seems that this group has come considerably north of Pakula’s territory and is now flying in a northeastern direction.

And now, the Great Barrier has come into view ahead of them. Will the ten dragons be able to cross the Great Barrier? Will the dragons fly into an unknown land that no human has yet set foot in? Viewed from the sky, the immense scale of the Great Barrier becomes even more apparent. As far as the eye can see, it stretches from north to south, the great wall of King Jean. The boundary that separates humans and demonic beasts. And now, they have flown over it.

Suddenly spread out below is a dense, primeval forest. The trees are thick, large, and densely packed. No matter how far one looks, there are no villages or towns to be seen. A land untouched by human presence, a paradise for the beasts. Bard could not suppress the warmth welling up in his eyes. The vastness of this forest, how endlessly it spreads. He was overjoyed at the sight.

After flying a while longer, a towering mountain came into view, and the group descended there.

7

Near the peak of the towering mountain, there was a clearing, and in it a beautiful lake. The ten dragons landed at its shore. Chichiruarchichi said something, but Bard could not make it out. He saw the Dragonoids and humans dismounting the dragons. They must be taking a rest here. The Dragonoid carrying Bard also unbuckled his harness, allowing Bard to dismount. But his body would not cooperate, and he nearly fell headfirst to the ground. Someone caught him. It was Karz. Trying to express his gratitude, Bard found his voice would not work.

Karz and Carla tended to Bard. Taranka quickly gathered dry wood and started a fire. He even boiled some soup. Carla removed Bard’s gloves and massaged his hands. It was only then that Bard realized he was shivering. Soon, his stiffened fingers and mouth began to regain mobility, and his mind cleared. Drinking the warm soup, he felt restored.

Sitting by the fire, sipping the soup, Bard was captivated by the scene before him. The pristine blue lake. And beyond it, a mountain peak still capped with snow, despite it being spring. The mountain peak is clearly reflected in the lake. Several pure white clouds are crossing the blue, transparent sky. The clouds seem so close that you could reach out and touch them. And in the lake in front of us, those drifting clouds are reflected without a trace missing. When the flying dragons dip their mouths into the lake to drink water, ripples arise. Those ripples make the reflected white mountain peak tremble.

“So beautiful,” thought Bard.

“Are you alright?”

Chichiruarchichi approached and said to Bard. Bard replied, “I’m fine.”

Then he added,

“The flying dragons we always see fly at a very high altitude, but today they are not flying that high. They are flying at a lower altitude for our sake.”

“The higher they fly, the thinner the air becomes and the colder the wind. Even if they fly low, the wind is colder the faster they fly. We will fly a long distance in the afternoon. Make sure to keep your body warm.”

Bard’s appetite had fully recovered, so he followed Chichiruarchichi’s advice and had a hearty meal to warm his body.

After the meal, the ten flying dragons became guests in the sky again. Bard and the others had to switch to different flying dragons. They rode than the ones that was no carrying humans before. However, Taranka continued to ride with Chichiruarchichi.

Bard readjusted his hat and fastened it securely. He also wrapped some heated stones in a cloth and tied them around his abdomen. The flying dragon that took off flew even lower than in the morning. Probably to reduce the burden on Bard and the others.

After flying for a while, an opening in the dense forest came into view. But what lies beyond that? Something that is sparkling and shining. Could that be…? At this moment, Bard recalled what Zariya had told him before.

“Bard Rowen. Do you know what lies beyond the Great Barrier? Fufufu. Yes, yes. A forest where demonic beasts dwell. Then, what do you think lies beyond that? You don’t know, do you? That’s right. It’s beyond common sense. It’s water. Saltwater. The land where people live is surrounded by the Great Barrier, and beyond that is the forest where the demonic beasts dwell, and further beyond that is the salty water. You could say that this land is floating on the water.”

Impossible! Unbelievable. But is that true? That vast, foolish blue sparkle. Is that all water?

But it was true. Passing through the gap in the forest, there was an endless shoreline, and beyond that was a world of water. It was unbelievable that there could be such a vast amount of water. But this is the true form of the world. They simply didn’t know about it before. This is a world without demonic beasts or humans. The world is this vast.

Bard was overwhelmed with indescribable emotion. He even thought that he could die right then and there, and it would have been worth it just to see this magnificent view. Bard was able to sense the magnitude of what he was witnessing.

No matter how far they flew, the world of water never ended. In every direction, the scenery stay the same. He no longer thought the water as water, it was like it was the land itself. Unobstructed, with no mountains or rivers, an infinite, homogeneous expanse. It was a sight out of this world. Bard strained his neck to look back. Corama (sun god) was setting low over the water in the west. The western sky and the water were dyed red, beckoning Patarapoza (God of Darkness). They are heading in the direction where Patarapoza will appear, Bard thought. This poetic imagination was, in fact, terrifyingly accurate, though Bard had no way of knowing that at the time.