“Oi, is he dead?”

“No, he’s breathing but why is he naked?”

“I dunno, personal preference maybe.”

“What the hell are you are you talking about?”

“I’ve heard that stripping away all of your clothing and embracing your natural form is quite exhilarating.”

“Who told you that?”

“You know, people from here and there.”

“Here and there–You work in a fucking mine and spend all day watching pit fights.”

“You’re just jealous that I have a large social circle. I’ve been called very agreeable and even charming.”

“No fucking way. You see this naked guy here? Look at his face. He looks like he was made by one the Dragon Gods, just look at his damn body it’s not fair at all. You on the other hand? You’re like...a regular guy. A face in the crowd that no one would pick for any particular reason.”

“Exactly, that’s why people love me. I’m a relatable and familiar person that they can be themselves around.”

“Hey!”

“What?”

“Hey! Hey! He’s moving!”

“Shit, he is.”

Ira opened his eyes and immediately climbed to his feet before surveying his surroundings. A group of young men dressed very poorly were gathered around him while he was…

“Where am I?” It was clear he didn’t know where he was.

“Just another mining town on the Dragon’s Wing Province...Are you not from around here?” A man asked as he handed Ira a set of dingy beige clothes.

Ira put the patchy clothes on and looked at those around him. They were humans with black hair which wasn’t uncommon seeing as the Parvians had dark hair. What set Ira apart were his bright yellow eyes and his hair which seemed to be a shade darker than normal.

“I’ll go get Tristan. He can tell you all about it.” One of them was about to run off but Ira shook his head.

“Nope, no thanks.” Ira looked for the exit as he brushed past them. In truth, he didn’t care about wherever he was and he didn’t owe them anything. Ira could’ve been left in a volcano and he would’ve been ok.

“...Oh. Ok.” Seeing the stranger leave was a bit disappointing but they were of no mind to stop him.

…

Ira left the shabby building and was met with the sight of hundreds of other people dressed in low-quality clothes. They were hauling carts full of minerals and stones to some place in the distance. There were cheap wooden and cloth huts filling the area, all placed in close proximity which Ira found strange. It was hard to call the place he was in a town as all they had was a dirt road and a few actual buildings. Their homes were essentially tents and it seemed that the main source of income was hard labor.

“Move! Can’t you see the symbol of the Dragon Gods? Bow your filthy heads and bring out your Overseer!” A scrawny old man riding a horse gave a shrill shout as he entered vicinity of the town. Behind him, a contingent of guards wearing armor inscribed with dragons escorted a golden carriage bearing a flag depicting even more dragons.

No matter who they were, everyone dropped what they were doing and knelt on the ground. Of course, that didn’t apply to Ira who looked around blankly.

“Overseer Tristan, reporting to the Blessed One.” A young man in his mid-twenties came walking out before kneeling in front of the crowd and kneeling.

Blessed Ones referred to the descendants of humans and dragons who were the equivalent to nobles back on Milneria. Although the strength of their bloodlines varied, they were still stronger than the average human.

The curtains to the carriage parted and a man with black hair and scarlet reptilian eyes looked down at Tristan.

“The Exalted Lares have reported of seeing visions of the rebellious heretics moving through here. It has been a week since we’ve received that message and due to unforeseen circumstances, we were delayed in arriving. Is it true?” The man asked. Although he looked as if he could cause many to fall for him, the only reactions the townspeople showed was fear.

“...Yes, Sir. we denied their request for assistance but we weren’t sure how to inform you since they could’ve left spies among us. If they were to set a trap then we would be seen as assisting them and would end up drawn into the conflict.” Tristan spoke in a humble and meek tone.

“Do you have so little faith in the soldiers who serve under the Dragon Gods?” The man asked.

“Of course not, Sir.” Tristan hurriedly backtracked.

The cold reptilian eyes of the man in the carriage were stuck to his body before he laughed, “Very well. Since you think there may be spies I will pick the most suspicious looking people out for execution.”

“Sir?!” Tristan looked horrified but the man clicked his tongue.

“If you fail to comply then I’ll treat this entire town as sympathizers to the heretics.” The man referred to as a Blessed One frowned.

“Yes, Sir.” Tristan swallowed his grievances.

Ten people were picked out and they didn’t take it kindly. They cried and screamed while begging the stoic soldiers for their lives.

“Wait! Wait! What about him?!” A man who couldn’t stand to watch his wife be brought up to die pointed at Ira.

“Y-Yes, he appeared in front of the town this morning. Right before you arrived, Sir.” Someone added.

Even one of the young men who helped Ira immediately threw him away, “He was also in a quick rush to leave.” It appeared that there was someone he knew set to be executed so he chose Ira to be a bargaining chip.

“Look at his eyes, isn’t that from the abilities of the Heretics?”

“It appears this day isn’t favorable to you.” The reptilian eyes of Blessed One narrowed in delight.

Ira looked around at everyone who sent him out to die but they avoided his gaze while telling themselves it was necessary. He laughed to himself and then walked toward the carriage while shaking his head. Inwardly, he was more focused on the mention of the Lares. He wanted to find Gicae’s kin as soon as possible. It was like an itch he couldn’t quite scratch that would continue to plague him if he didn’t get rid of it.

“Maybe not.” Ira shrugged as stopped in front of the soldiers.

“You won’t beg for mercy, Heretic? I may just spare you if you tell me where the rest of your group is.” The Blessed One asked.

Ira didn’t say anything as he sighed to himself before slightly flicking his hand. The group of soldiers surrounding him exploded into a cloud of blood. After that, he grabbed the old man who announced the arrival and twisted his neck. Then, he moved toward the carriage and ripped the reigns off the horses before he pulled it down causing the Blessed One to tumble out.

“W-What are you…?” The Blessed One shouted flusteredly.

Ira gripped his head and lifted him as he spoke, “Where are the Lares?”

“T-They are in the Dragon’s Heart Province with the rest of the Gods.” The Blessed One answered.

“Where the fuck is...Nevermind. I’ll find it.” Ira crushed his head and tossed his corpse to the side. He chose to follow the dirt road to wherever the Blessed One appeared from.

Tristan called out behind him, “Wait!”

Ira turned to look at him with a thin smile and a pair of amused yellow eyes.

“...I know you don’t have any reason to, but if you have that much strength can you help some of the people here to escape? With the death of a Blessed One, it doesn’t matter if we were involved or not, we’ll end up dying all the same.” Tristan explained with an apologetic expression.

“Hmmm...Ok.” Ira shrugged as if it wasn’t a big deal.

“R-Really?” Tristan asked with clear shock.

“Yup. Just kill everyone who pointed me out, It’s only fair, right? Go on, I’ll wait.”

There was a complete silence and fear drifting throughout the crowd as some earnestly considered Ira’s offer.

“There’s no way we could!”

“Oh? Then leave me the fuck alone.” Ira turned to leave but Tristan rushed up and tried to grab his shoulder in order to plead with him.

Ira spun around and grabbed him by his throat before lifting him into the air causing everyone to gasp.

“Can you hear?” Ira asked.

“P...lease…” Tristan begged.

“I’m thinking I just kill you right here.” Ira tightened his grip slowly as Tristan struggled to breathe. His eyes turned bloodshot as he felt his airway being constricted.

“Or not. I don’t hold grudges for small things, those guys wouldn’t even have been able to hurt me.” Ira dropped him onto the ground and watched as he coughed.

“Besides, all of you are gonna die anyway, right?” Ira chuckled to himself before leaving. He didn’t blame them for trying to get him killed but he wouldn’t help them in the slightest.

No one could do anything as the only hope they had for safety walked off into the distance without the tiniest amount of guilt.

...

“The Great Storm has begun to dissipate?” A man on a golden throne asked. He was covered in expensive gold jewelry and had a strange beauty about him. He held deep purple colored reptilian eyes with pure white hair.

“Yes, Father.” A man of similar looks knelt in front of him. He was obviously younger and his bloodline wasn’t as powerful but he still seemed to hold a decent amount of strength.

“Good! Quell the movements of the heretics and prepare an exploratory fleet. Whatever world is out there, we’ll conquer it.” The White-haired man said with a dignified tone.

“By your will.” His son bowed once more before leaving.

Of course, with Ira’s arrival, the entire continent was inevitably going to be flipped around so the plans being created quickly became inconsequential. That became more apparent when one considered how fast he wanted to return home to Avery and Raveria.