Mori returned to his post to meet Harion before returning for the day. Since Harion was his childhood friend from when his sister was still healthy, Mori knew of Harion's habits. He would be waiting for Mori at the guard post to hear what happened today and keep waiting until Mori goes there.
'Interface.' Mori checked his status while returning.
Upon his arrival, he didn't find Harion. Mori searched for him and even called out his name. At last, he asked a person from the slum if they had seen Harion.
"The guard? He left the post a few minutes after you."
"Why would he do that?'
The Harion he knew was a frivolous yet diligent person. He wouldn't have left the guard post unattended.
Suddenly, Harion's 'sorry' came to Mori's mind and an ominous premonition gripped his heart. But Mori shook those thoughts away, believing that Harion never said sorry.
"Something important must've come for him to leave. I will ask him tomorrow."
Mori returned home. On his way, the ominous premonition only increased. Without noticing Mori started walking at a faster pace. A few minutes later he was running back to his house at full speed.
His speed had far surpassed what a 3rd Mortal Awakening human could achieve. He was leaping over houses to arrive home even a minute early.
'Please, don't be true.'
Bam—!
Mori crashed at the doorstep of his house and kicked it open. The situation inside made his heart sink.
"M-mori, I'm s…sorry"
Harion was on his knees. On the ground, empty mana stones were lying. Hairon continued to weep. "I-I couldn't. Even though I promised…"
Mori saw his sister sitting naked on the bed. Bright blonde hair cascaded down her back and her golden eyes were staring absentmindedly at the air.
Unknowingly, Mori bit his lips. He picked the empty mana crystals and said. "You made her go through 1st Mortal Awakening, didn't you?"
The answer didn't come. But the silence said plenty.
Wiping Harion's tears, Mori asked him to stand. "It's not your fault. Both of us knew that this was the only way to heal her."
"B-but…"
Suddenly, his sister spoke.
"Human, this place is filthy."
A heavenly presence spread from her and she levitated. A white cloth appeared out of thin air and covered her loosely.
The girl pointed her finger at Mori. Her finger shone dangerously and a ray of light shot out. Mori shifted his head at the last second and dodged the attack narrowly.
"It's cleaner now," said the heavenly figure.
Mori was about to attack but suddenly he noticed that he couldn't hear the noises from the market outside.
He spread his range of perception and covered the entire capital with it, allowing him to sense everything that was happening in the city.
"You killed every human…?"
The last attack of the heavenly figure, the light bullet, had traveled through the capital city and shot open a hole in everyone's head.
In 3 seconds, over 500,000 people died.
"There is trash left inside at the center of the city," said the girl.
Wings made of light appeared over her back, and she flew off. But Mori appeared in her path before she could leave the house.
"Human, this body's original soul's last wish was to let you live. Nevertheless, that does not mean I will let you go if you keep interfering."
"Who are you?" He asked gravely.
"Dragon King of Light, Baxtiel."
Baxtiel became a ray of light and appeared over the palace. Its appearance, however, wasn't that of a weak, little girl anymore, but a humongous dragon.
The dragon's size dwarfed the palace, its six horns were proof of its mythical lineage, and the white and golden scales were reminiscent of the armors of Gods. Two pairs of wings made of light adorned its back, shining brighter than the sun in the sky.
"A D-dragon?"
The eldest princess of Caliburn Kingdom, Ferien, was on the rooftop of the palace, praying to the dragon to calm its wrath.
The last attack of Baxtiel was blocked by the mana shield protecting the palace. However, the shield shattered immediately thereafter.
"O Dragon of Light, what hast we wrought to incur thy wrath?"
Upon hearing the voice, Baxtiel lowered his gaze. He answered serenely.
"Thou hast lived, that's what thou hast done."
The wings of Baxtiel exploded and attacked the palace like pellets flying in thunderstorms.
Ferien continued to watch. She didn't move, partially due to fear and partially because of the conversation with the dragon.
They have lived and that was their fault? Hundreds of thousands of humans died because they lived?
"You always do whatever you want, my Lady. In times like these, you should hide inside."
Suddenly, a familiar voice entered her ears. Ferien recognized it easily.
Mori was standing in front of her. His back appeared to be tall and broad as he faced the rain of ravaging light that fell from the heavens.
But something was wrong. Ferien realized that Mori wasn't smiling like he always did.
A single word left Mori's lips like a fleeting whisper.
"Transform"
Booooomm!!!!
His left wrist shined, and simultaneously the ground surrounding the palace exploded. Dust and gravel flew into the air. The large pieces of debris blocked the shower of light falling from the sky.
When the dust settled, the appearance of Mori had changed. He was wearing a red one-piece body suit that fit snugly. The suit featured intricate textures, highlighting his muscle-like contours. A red helmet with a visor was covering his head.
On the front of the suit was an emblem of dragon roaring and there was a futuristic gun resting on the holster at the belt.
"Dragon Roar Red, reporting on duty."
Watching the bizarre appearance, abilities and strength that far surpassed what a human should be able to achieve, Baxtiel couldn't satiate his curiosity.
"Ho, you are not a human from this world, are you?"
Ignoring Baxtiel, Mori passed the unconscious Harion to Ferien. "Please evacuate everybody. I will hold the dragon until then."
Countless emotions swirled in Ferien's eyes. However, she resolved herself and nodded.
"Please return safely, Sir Knight."
"But I haven't accepted the job yet. Haven't I explained that I'm weak?" muttered Mori.
Ferien smiled in response and retreated. "I've heard so from Sir Knight."
Then…
Shaaaah—!
"We can now fight without holding back. Entertain me human!"
"Dragon Seismic Roar!"
….The Dragon King of Light, Baxtiel, and the Red Ranger of Dragon Roar, Mori clashed.
…
..
.
Four days later,
A report reached the Imperial Capital of the Swordsmith Empire.
"The Five Dragon Kings have been awakened and they've declared war on mankind."
According to the report, the dragon kings have given a week of relaxation period to every kingdom.
After every week, they will attack another kingdom. The Caliburn Kingdom, Kingmaker Kingdom, and Hatlozai Kingdom have already fallen.
The capital of Caliburn Kingdom was wiped out from the map. What remained of it was only a charred land and a massive sinkhole with infinite depth.
The Kingmaker Kingdom was covered in a mist that reaped everyone inside it of their sanity and turned them into slaves.
The Haltozai Kingdom disappeared. A land that spanned several thousand kilometers vanished overnight without any trace.
With the three kingdoms as examples, the Dragon Kings ordered those who surrendered to take their own life if they wanted to escape a painful death.
And finally, they declared that they would attack the Empire after 13 weeks.
