The Villain's Story

Chapter 658: [658] The soul.

"Do you know what is so special about this place?"

Manifesting a flower made of ice and snow in his hand, Azmakul raised it up to the sky and watched the light of the river in the sky through its petals, Sabrina didn't know why he was doing it, neither did she know why he asked that question.

She gulped, finding it hard to even think in his presence. The cold of this savage planet was completely overpowered by the oppressive pressure, of the dragon taking the form of a tall elf. She wasn't even feeling cold anymore, her body was refusing to do so.

Whether it was the dragon's doing, or something she was doing out of subconscious reflex, she didn't know. What she did know, was she had to answer.

Anything would be fine, she was unable to lie if she wasn't aware of the 'specialty' about this place, the Jade Palace, but then again, she also had to put some thought in her answer.

What was so special about this place? That it was Alan's domain, one he acquired in the tower of trials through unknown means? The vast number of diamonds embedded in its walls, and in the eyes of its soldiers? Or the defensive armaments situated on top of its walls. Inactive, or perhaps broken, but still worth a pretty fortune.

Or the mysterious altar in the main garden, one that Alan stood in front of pondering most of the time? Which Alan had said was the reason this domain was unique?

That could be the most likely answer... Sabrina took a deep breath and went with that one.

'If it is wrong... it's not a lie at the very least.'

Though she only had experience with Alan's dragon eyes, she knew what the skill could do, even used by Alan. She knew what the skill could do. Alan could barely use it for a short while without straining himself, whilst Kazikato didn't suffer much even if he used for prolonged periods... but this dragon always had them active, since the start.

When he 'ambushed' them, reducing their transport to shreds, or even when he made them all submit to him with his gaze. Dragon eyes were always active... She could feel it.

Maybe less prominent at times, but always active.

"The altar in the garden."

She tried to make sure her voice was filled with confidence, that she couldn't be wrong, showcasing her belief in herself, but it failed.

"Hmm."

Azmakul stopped looking at the river in the sky, turning away from its awe-inspiring visage, his gaze rested on the altar in the main garden, but he shook his head.

"No. Close, but no."

The flower in his hand shattered into many pieces, hitting the floor and disappearing without a trace, without a sound. Azmakul turned around, staring right at her.

'God...why is that mask so creepy.'

She didn't voice out those thoughts, and prayed that the dragon couldn't read her mind... "The altar is important, it's a converter of sorts. Converting anything in this world to a form of energy that can be used by the domain to create or repair."

He explained.

"But it is merely significant, not special. Not entirely. Look at the soldiers beneath, and the serpents coiled around the spires, look at the entire domain, with a new perspective."

She was free to move, Azmakul stepped aside, making space for her to look down, at the city below. Anxious, and confused, she moved forward, observing everything he mentioned.

The soldiers playing in the snow, the knights guarding special locations, patrolling the area, the beasts sleeping peacefully, the entire city. Turning around, she looked at the serpents coiled around the spires. The one of crystal, and the one of mirror.

When one looked at them from afar, the difference in material could barely be seen, but up close, it was something that could be discerned when one paid attention to it. But, the difference would still only amount to one, insignificant thing. The serpent made of mirrors appeared to be slightly 'duller' than the one made of crystals.

She contemplated for a while, but still couldn't figure out what he was talking about.

Sensing her confusion, Azmakul sighed and started to speak, the serpent made of crystals moved, adjusting its size to something small, but still large enough to completely crush her. It moved down towards Azmakul, who placed his hand on it's head.

"Every soldier, every brick in the city and the palace, every flower in the gardens, every construct, and even this serpent seeking comfort underneath my hand. Each of these have something in common. Something, that is the very essence of their beings. The... main component."

She listened to him attentively, though she still had no idea where this conversation was headed. She was simply glad the oppressive pressure had disappeared.

"What do you think that is?"

He asked, and she answered.

"Mana?" "Wrong."

"..."

She wasn't expecting much...but was she really wrong? The entire domain used explosive amounts of mana every second it was manifested, a dragon was perhaps the only being that could keep it manifested for so long.

Mana was used to make everything here, she thought, and had confirmed it too previously, but if an ancient dragon said she was wrong, she wrong.

Simple as that.

"The soul."

He said, walking closer to her, each step causing a tremor to arise in her body.

"Each of these constructs, organic or inorganic, living or inanimate, share pieces of the prince's soul. His soul is the main component for their existences. The main component is not mana, but the soul."

'The soul?'

"It's why they resemble him so much, they imitate his style of combat, and even the childish immaturity and curiosity, even if they aren't meant for it. Among dragons, the prince is still a baby, so it is understandable, but I believe among your species, he is considered an adult. The behavior the soldiers show in this environment is just a response to what he feels like, in his home, Lanekia."

"The prince, of course, would never outwardly display it all, but his soldiers, or rather pieces of his soul, don't share the same restraint. I can feel his soul everywhere, but what shocks me

the most is..."

And then, she finally had an idea where the conversation was headed.

'... Soul?'

"Why do I feel it most in you? An independent existence?"

He was suddenly in front of her, the creepy mask right in her face, one that wouldn't tolerate

any excuse.