the Northlands was the farthest region from her own country, and Vera did not pay it much attention. She found it strange that he would ask whether such a polar region was still covered in snow. As for major events, she had heard a little.
"It's still the same. There was just a small Monster Uprising incident a few decades ago, and nothing else after that." Safas's expression eased a little, as if he had let out a breath, and he patted his chest. He said that it was good that it still existed.
"Alright, then the last question." He asked whether she had heard of a Witch known by the name Crystal, called Lilith. Vera visibly froze, because this name was even more familiar. Her second brother often talked about this person, and she realized this was that very figure.
Even her own Crystal had been a small gift from that person, so the shock was unavoidable. She wondered whether these two knew each other, or if powerful figures all crossed paths sooner or later. She said she had heard of her, that this Witch had once held a part-time professor position at the Academy, and that she should have been somewhat acquainted with her second brother. As for her current whereabouts, she was not sure whether she was in Rohn Empire or Faris Empire.
"…?!" Safas frowned and straightened up slightly from his rocking chair. His gaze seemed different from before as he stared at Vera. He asked if this meant that Lilith had been active in the outside world for a long time.
Vera hesitated, then said that it should be the case, and that she heard about her from time to time. Safas stood up and walked over to her, examining her face closely. He said to forget it, calling her a young girl from the Paraten Empire Royal Family and confirming her family name.
He said she knew more than he had expected and told her not to worry, as he would not make things difficult for her. He asked her to tell him in detail everything she knew about Lilith. Vera's expression grew strange, since it was obvious that this senior and Lilith likely knew each other and might even have a deeper connection.
Thinking that this was not a bad thing, and that she was indirectly connected as well, she decided to speak freely. She told him about the Crystals and all the messy events that had happened. As she spoke, she saw the old man's face change more sharply than before, with frowns, confusion, and disbelief all passing across it.
By the end, the old man turned away and walked to the side, muttering faintly about Shard Shard. He wondered how that condition had been solved and when that girl had become so outrageous, even forcing a Rift back into place. He also muttered about Black Dragon and whether it could be related.
He then lay back down in the rocking chair and let out a long breath. His expression looked drained, and his whole body seemed to slacken visibly. Turning his head, he looked at the two of them, lingering especially on Ham.
"Alright, now it's your turn." He told them to ask whatever they wanted. He said many things could not be spoken of, but since this door had apparently been opened by them, he could answer almost everything except for a very small part.
Vera first pressed down on Ham's head, stopping her eagerness, and then looked around. All around them was a gray fog. In the distance, faint lights dotted the darkness, with many crescent-like traces, and countless bookshelves of all sizes grew straight up from the ground.
"Where is this place?" He replied that, as he had said before, this was a library, built upon the grave of a dead dragon. He added that the little Black Dragon beside her should have heard of the four special dragons among the Dragonkin, including the Bronze Dragon. He explained that the knowledge within their Dragon Soul originated here and was constantly renewed.
He calmly revealed this shocking information. Ham's eyes lit up, and she rushed forward excitedly, saying she was a dragon and that her Dragon Soul seemed to have some problems. She asked whether she could complete her inheritance here.
Facing her bright gaze, Safas looked her over briefly and sighed. He explained that Dragon Soul inheritance contained knowledge from both parents, which flowed into the next generation. He said her case was special, and that it was not that her Dragon Soul had a problem.
He explained that her Dragon Soul, meaning the previous generation, had no knowledge to pass on at all. It was completely blank, and that was her original state. He told her that she herself was the origin of the Dragon Soul.
"…Huh?" Ham froze and lowered her head. If that was the case, and her inheritance was not damaged, then it meant she was originally like this. She muttered that this meant all her effort had been for nothing.
She stood there breathing fast, then took a few deep breaths and raised her head again. After wiping her eyes, she shook her head and said it did not matter. She said she could learn, that Sylvia could teach her, and that she could also use Empathic Communion, with better conditions than most, so she did not care.
She was very disappointed, but she also knew that her other conditions were already quite good. Because of that, her feelings stopped at disappointment. Then she asked whether he could check who her parents were and why their heads were so empty.
She explained that she only knew she had been picked up from a cave by Sylvia. She had never met her biological parents, and with the lifespan of the Dragonkin, they should still have been alive. Safas agreed to check, though he said he could not guarantee results.
He hooked his finger lightly, and several books flew over from the shelves. A strange light surged from them and flowed directly through his mind. He frowned, paused, and spoke with hesitation.
He said that both of her parents were already dead, and that he could no longer find their names. Ham was startled for a moment, but did not feel much beyond surprise. She said that was fine.
He then added that she still had a blood-related younger brother. He found it strange, saying that without Dragon Soul records, that should have been a mindless dragon beast. He then corrected himself, saying she should not have had a brother at all, and questioned what was going on.
Safas's expression grew odd as he tried to trace the bloodline source. Because there was no Dragon Soul to follow, he searched for a long time and found nothing. In the end, he gave up, feeling that he should not continue.
"I have a younger brother?" Ham hurriedly asked if he was still alive. Even if he was a dragon beast, she could not believe she had a brother. She wondered if Sylvia had missed picking one up back then.
Safas muttered that it was not right, that it should have been one whole being, and only a complete one could open this place. He questioned why there would be a brother at all. Suddenly, his expression changed, and he grabbed Ham's shoulder with unprecedented seriousness, asking how they had found this place.
She said it was because of her Empathic Communion ability. He interrupted, saying that was not what he meant, and asked why they knew of this place's existence at all. He said that, in theory, only the Silver Dragon knew, except for one other possibility.
Vera added that they had followed a map. Safas snatched the map from her hand, but in an instant, it burst into flames and vanished into nothing. At the same time, a voice spoke, saying that he also knew, and that it had been a long time.
"Safas!" With a distorted,Maniacal Laughter-like laughter, the surroundings shook violently. Countless bookshelves collapsed, and a ray of light appeared in the gray space. The light came from above, where space itself was torn open, countless claws writhing at the edge as they ripped it apart Shard by Shard.
A huge, grotesque dragon head hung down, covered in tumors and sparse golden scales. Its blood-red eyes showed arrogance and greed without restraint. From its mouth, more roaring Great Dragon flew out, sharing the same blood-red gaze.
It began chanting the primal Dragon Tongue, and countless Great Dragon flew above the space. The red light they emitted formed a massive ritual Magic Array. Seeing this, Safas's face twisted with fury, and his presence changed completely as he pulled forth a strange Magic Staff that looked like it was made of pure starlight.
He told them to leave first, saying he would send them out. He instructed them to tell Sylvia to never come out again and to hide the location well. In response, a mocking voice asked if he thought that was enough, boasting about how long he had walked the crimson path and the power of the rusted dragons and the Silver Dragon's Authority.