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Volume 4

Chapter 32: Dragona's Rulers

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"Hah!"

"Sha!"

"Fuuu..."

Echoing from the distance, the sounds of yells and cries rattles the lingering low class monsters.

That even those big ones that ranked to C would think twice before approaching the barred cemented walls of the so called [School].

Famous in the warmer regions of Tiara as the training grounds of the Yaolins, the Pagoda that became a symbolizing feat of every city of The North, stood high on its 30 floors. There were three of them with which stands around a central tower like a child. And to that tall skyscraper, taller than the three by 20 more floors, is the tower of Yaolin, to where their great Teacher lives.

While he watched the students over from his favourite spot in the veranda, a smile drew an arc on his face.

There was no denying that for all the Gonn Race's mightiest heroes and conquerors, one could never overlook a Gonn when their distinctive tall and bulky features join the crowd.

And most especially when this particular person joins in on that group or in any other group at that, his deep dyed eyes and gentle expressions can be confused of a good person whose nature is to help.

"YAAAH!"

At the top of the tall tower, looking down at them, a man's figure could be seen cross armed dressed on his red velvet shirt with his muscles screaming to escape from the tight size of the dress.

For as far as he could see, every punch, kick, shove of feet, sigh of breath... on every artful fists landing on every sparring partner's body, the sweat that flew by the air were signs of his great effort to build himself a strong army of able men.

Around a thousand men, practicing the art of his school —a feat that was the norm 600 years ago— he smiles at the satisfaction of seeing the fruits of his labour, a wide smile failing the kindness of his impression. Just then, as Hagrid stood at the porch, staring down at the legions of his students, a [Teleport Light] came from behind him and a Knight appeared with his armour's make showing the story of its design.

Like the bright morning sunshine, a distinctive mark can be seen embedded on the Knight's shoulder, reflecting a ray of light as he slowly walked closer.

An emblem of a dragon chasing its tail could be seen on the left shoulder of the knight's armour, his cape that flutters in the wind also had the same golden symbol of the dragon design. His sword of gold and adorned silver clings on his left side and makes noises every time he took a step. The whiteness and chromed silver lustre of his suit hides the monster material at which it was made.

The Knight, with his armor folding in weird places, bowed down to Hagrid in acknowledgement, as even one of his stature respects the might and ability of one of the leaders that controls a region of Tiara. Upon reaching him, the Knight did not say a word and just joined his company, and looked upon their grand accomplishments practicing down below.

He did not look at him.

Instead, he continued to look down below with a cold and indifferent face while resting a hand on his sword.

As his armour clanged as it hit the metal railings, Hagrid turned slightly and spoke.

"I heard what happened in Loire was the fault of a single man."

Shortly streaming up to the back ranks of the students, the Knight continued on with his indifferent reply.

"Our spies said that he was a strong player. They saw him got kicked by our Grade-B student but the guy still managed to land a counter attack."

Hearing the word strong made Hagrid's brow twitch a little. But then he smiled and chuckled, seeming to hear something funny and worthy to be ridiculed.

"Strong you say? I find it hard that his name hasn't been spoken to in the Blue Card Legion."

The mention of the Blue Card Legion was something of a matter on the grunts of the level of the Knight for they are the ones, although part of it, who is somewhat still not allowed to speak of them lightly as Hagrid did.

Still, his hand remained calmly rested on his sword. He was a double agent, a double crossed man, serving only the one with the most power and influence. Talking light of the Blue Card Legion like this is a sign of Hagrid's real might and power, the 4th seat in the 10 Rulers that controlled the lands of Tiara.

In the south, this man is one of the three elders that took control of Dragona not too long ago.

With Hagrid's infatuation with security and power, he rebuilt Dragona as a land of Iron and Fist, the city of the old where unique swords were made now made his own playground to develop a strong army.

"Again, Hubert, I find this visit very disturbing. I do not want to underestimate Fuma but if only his pure heart can be swayed by a little glory and fame, we could use of his talents to further hasten our plans."

Hubert's hand on the hilt slightly tightened but it was so miniscule and controlled that it can even be easily seen as the result of him turning to face Hagrid slightly.

"All of you know of his abilities. Thorn's grasp on him is tighter than your fist could punch its way to his mind."

Hagrid chuckled again.

"That's why I like you, Hubert, your sharp tongue really makes me mad and your indifference towards everything also multiplies that irritation to multiple folds."

With the threat becoming a shadow upon him, Hubert's shoulders softened as he let go of a sigh, forcing the talk back to their original topic.

"The guy... he is a rising star as of late."

Hearing this made Hagrid stop his turn. The moments he used up until Hubert changed the subject only lasted for a few moments of a second, but it seemed too long and too heavy, befitting the true nature of his kind smile.

With a slight chuckle, Hagrid crossed his arms again and turned back to watching his students.

"Rising star or whatever, if he's still not in the list of the Card's Listers, then he ain't worthy of my time."

Hubert still did not look at him. Not a change in his cold expression could be seen while he stared on their disciples down below.

But with the gentle touch of wind fluttering his golden silver forelocks, all the more his graceful looks became sinister with his grey icy gaze.

Not wanting to prolong the conversation, Hubert gave Hagrid a small glance as he threw out the bomb that could make a difference at this moment.

"His name is The Destroyer."

True enough, the moment he heard the name, Hagrid's expression including his merry moment vanished behind the clouds of an imminent event.

A vision of a grand fight appeared in his eyes.

Facing the students, he shut his lips wearing a blank expression. After that, the wind around the two suddenly became cold, enough to make the Knight close his eyes and utter another sigh.

As cold as the top of the highest mountain, creeping like the legs of a cockroach onto one's skin, Hagrid's pure and unstoppable lust for battle can be said on par or even higher than Cramer's, excitement bearing on his grin, his teeth, his jaw, unable to hold the laugh anymore.

"By accident or by chance, he destroyed part of our plans in that city so I think I don't have to emphasize how important the mission I have entrusted to you is."

"I know."

"Then where is he?"

"He is coming to Dragona."

With the stolid face showing a sign of interest, Hagrid's smile grew wider as he tightened his cross armed stance with a blood-lusted gaze.

Turning his back completely, Hubert walked out of the roof and behind the doors to the flat, heading towards the edge of the balcony, and jumping off with a device in hand. It only lasted for a moment, but before he could actually disappear, he spent the last moments there to look at Hagrid who was already on the verge of laughing out loud in happiness and excitement.

After the Knight left, Hagrid wasn't able to stop his laugh and his shoulder shook as he freed the boisterous guffaw. With the students below all looking at each other, asking their colleagues using their eyes, even though they could only hear a faint sound of his briskly gagging, the pressure they felt on the man's hearty act was enough to send them bowing.

It is because they knew him well when he is happy.

For the reason the terror 4th master of Tiara, one of the rulers of Dragona, would be happy, can only be traced from two things:

First, he'd found another worthy prey to test his fist arts, and second is that his vengeful nature managed to take over his wits and that someone would be found dead by the coming morn.

"News! News! Master Wade, this is a very bad news!"

The door on the conference room banged open with the NPC messenger trying his best not to lose consciousness as he chased his breath.

"It better be important for you to barge in on our meeting like this."

"I must disagree; there is no good or bad news. There's just news to be told. Speak then, good lad."

With a gulp timed as he knelt down, the messenger's eyes averted from the two towering presences of the two of the three elders of Dragona.

The rough mouthed and exorbitantly dressed Sorcerer named Cedric, and the passionate pirate of the southern cold seas, Donna, looked at him, with all their subjects' eyes staring at him coldly as if to roast him alive.

So, not wasting any more moment to chase his breath, he gulped a lungful of air into his lungs and spoke of this dreaded message he was ordered to deliver.

"Elder Hagrid departed from Yaolin temple!"

"Departed?" yelled Cedric in surprise. "Departed to where exactly?"

On the other hand, Donna slumped back to her seat. She put a hand on her face and then uttered a loud sigh and massaging her own temples.

"Oh..... don't tell me..."

"E-Elder Hagrid said he's going out on a hunt."

"Sigh... I knew it."

"That foolish fool! He's going out on whims again when he knows that we are on a tight end of our schedule!"

Donna, with her own subjects, or crew, looking at each other in confusion, fixed her upper dress made of the highest black fabric from a rare monster's neck, and leaned closer to the table to look at the Sorcerer.

"Don't say a word. I'll go and get him."

"If you have to cut his leg, do it. I just want him back in this room as soon as possible."

"I know, I know. Just don't forget who you're talking to, I might just cut your leg before leaving."

With the last words becoming the reason for Cedric to slump back to his chair, he balled his fists hard as he watched the pirate leave with her men. Anger and humiliation in his face, he hid his sour face as he gritted his teeth and bowed down.

And while he did so, he lifted his hand and waved a finger on a corner.

From the darkness of the room, a red haired woman with shackles on her legs and neck, with a face that could only be said as the goddess of beauty's, Terra's, gift to NPCs, cried as she begged for Cedric to release her.

"Master please... I can't do it anym-..."

But Cedric did not listen. Instead, he pulled the chain on her neck and forced her to kneel down in front of him with a slap.

"YOU DO NOT TALK BACK TO ME! THIS IS WHAT YOU WOMEN ARE FOR!"

Cedric grabbed the woman's neck harshly as the woman with the chain on her neck was forced to look at him eye to eye.

"I am not a bad person, you see. I only do this because your beauty is something that cannot be seen in my world. I know you understand."

After the sweet words, Cedric's hand became gentle, caressing the crying woman's face like it was of a newborn's skin. His hand then followed down along with his eyes, the NPC woman can't do a single thing to protest.

"Good." Cedric murmured and smiled as he put his legs apart and led the woman's face closer.

With tears on her eyes, the woman NPC was forced to do his bidding, with the rest of Cedric's troops also having their own share of talking goods.

And around them, serving food and drinks, were the children from other remote villages, beaten and wounded, just to instill the fear of what would happen to those who will not follow the slaver's will. and on their left shoulders is a mark... burnt using a heated iron's end, designed to be both a clear and visible sign of their fate, as well as the seal that binds them to their masters.

The two blades' ends combined together to form an intertwining like an eye.

These are the seals. You could only imagine that they were branded to them while they were wide awake and with those with still red and bleeding marks, the pain they had to endure could only be seen from their blank and soulless eyes.