Chapter 97: The Seekers of Truth

Silence slowly returned to the Silent Stones.

After the guardian’s destruction, the place seemed empty. Smoke was still rising from the site where the battle had taken place.

The blue mana that had covered the creature’s body had almost completely dissipated, leaving only a few particles that glowed faintly before disappearing.

Noir stood on a rock for a few seconds, observing the remains. He had expected something to happen after the sphere emitted that golden particle, but nothing did.

The sphere didn’t seem to be in any hurry either.

It was simply floating beside him.

"Well... I guess that was it."

Aster, who was sitting on a nearby rock, let out a small chuckle.

"Were you expecting another monster to show up?"

Noir turned his head toward him.

"After everything that’s happened today, nothing would surprise me anymore."

Aster shook his head as he stood up. His body still bore several wounds, though some were already beginning to heal.

"Trust me. Sometimes it’s better not to ask what might show up next."

Noir watched him for a few seconds.

"That sounds exactly like something someone who knows more trouble is coming would say."

Aster smiled.

"Maybe."

"I definitely don’t like that answer."

Aster burst out laughing.

For the first time since they’d met, there was no battle between them, no creature trying to devour them, and no ancient ruins hiding secrets that could change the history of the world. They were just there, surrounded by ancient stones.

Noir took a deep breath.

It had been quite a long day.

***

Arlene, the demon princess, and Uki returned shortly afterward. They waited at a safe distance until the fight was over, and Arlene’s expression made it clear she wasn’t exactly happy to find Noir still in one piece.

The woman approached and looked him up and down.

"Are you hurt?"

Noir looked down at his own legs and then at his body.

"A little."

Arlene pointed out several marks on his scales.

"Half your body is covered in bruises."

"It’s not that bad."

"For a dragon who was almost crushed several times, you have a pretty strange definition of ’it’s not that bad.’"

Noir looked away.

"I’m fine."

Uki approached calmly, sniffed one of Noir’s legs, then sat down beside him. The little demon princess, for her part, went back to nuzzling his tail as if nothing had happened.

Noir looked at her.

"Don’t even think about it."

The girl raised both hands, an innocent expression on her face.

"I didn’t do anything."

"Not yet."

Arlene let out a little laugh.

"Come on. We’d better get ready."

Noir looked up.

"Already?"

"Yes. We’ve been here too long."

The woman pointed to the carriage, which stood untouched a short distance away.

"Our destination is still the same, remember?"

Noir thought for a few seconds.

"Oh, right."

Arlene looked at him in disbelief.

"Had you forgotten?"

"Not exactly."

"That means you had forgotten it after all."

Noir decided not to answer.

The group began preparing to continue their journey. Arlene checked the carriage and tidied up what had gotten scattered during their escape, while Uki settled in near the entrance. The little demon princess tried again to approach Noir, but this time the dragon simply swished his tail aside.

After a few minutes, everything was ready.

However, before leaving, Aster approached them.

Noir watched as the man stopped in front of them.

"I guess this is where we part ways."

Noir tilted her head.

"Are you leaving?"

"Yes."

Aster gazed toward the Silent Stones for a few seconds. His expression grew slightly more serious as he looked at the ancient monoliths.

"I have a few things to do."

Noir recalled the words Aster had spoken when they first met.

He had come looking for an answer.

And although he had found something hidden beneath the surface, it seemed he still hadn’t found what he was looking for.

"Did you find your answer?"

Aster was silent for a moment.

"No."

Noir expected some further explanation, but Aster simply shrugged.

"But I found something interesting."

Noir’s gaze drifted toward the ruins.

"That doesn’t sound much different from finding nothing."

"It depends on what you’re looking for."

Noir sighed.

"You keep talking as if you want to sound mysterious."

Aster smiled.

"Maybe I like it."

"Well, it’s not working."

"What a disappointment!"

The golden sphere floated slowly until it rested between them. Aster watched it for a few seconds, then looked back at Noir.

"It was interesting getting to know you."

Noir blinked.

"Is that all?"

"What else do you want?"

"I don’t know. Something more dramatic."

Aster thought for a few seconds.

"We’ll meet again."

Noir paused.

"...That was worse."

Aster burst out laughing. After a few seconds, he turned to leave, but then stopped.

"By the way, Noir."

The dragon raised his head.

"What?"

Aster looked at him over his shoulder.

"If you ever want to stop traveling with them and do something more interesting, you can come with me."

Noir blinked.

"With you?"

"With my group."

Noir tilted his head.

"What group?"

Aster smiled.

"The Seekers of Truth."

Silence fell over the group.

Noir didn’t seem particularly impressed.

"Ah."

Aster raised an eyebrow.

"Is that all?"

"I don’t know who they are."

"So I guess that’s normal."

Aster looked back down at the road.

"If you ever change your mind, ask about us."

Noir nodded slowly.

"I’ll keep that in mind."

"Good."

Aster began to walk away.

Noir watched him for a few seconds before raising a paw.

"Hey, Aster!"

The man stopped.

"Yes?"

"Next time, don’t throw me at a monster!"

Aster smiled.

"I can’t promise that."

"I knew it!"

Aster raised a hand in farewell and continued walking among the rocks until he gradually disappeared from view.

Noir stood there, staring at the spot where she had disappeared.

"What a strange guy."

Noir turned toward Arlene.

The woman stood completely still.

Noir blinked, puzzled by his strange reaction. Why is she reacting like this?

"Arlene?"

She didn’t answer.

"Are you okay?"

Arlene kept staring at the path Aster had taken. The color had completely drained from her face.

Noir tilted his head.

"Arlene."

Finally, she snapped out of it.

"What?"

"Why do you look like that?"

Arlene looked at him slowly, unable to believe what she had just heard, as if to say, "How can this stupid dragon not realize how serious this is?"

"Do you know who the Seekers of Truth are?"

"No."

Noir’s response was so calm that Arlene stared at him for several seconds.

"Did Aster just invite you to join them?"

"Yes."

Arlene’s eyes widened.

"And you said you’d think about it?"

"Yes. What’s wrong with that?"

The woman put a hand to her forehead.

"Noir..."

"What?"

"You’ve just received an invitation from one of the most dangerous criminal groups in the world."

Noir blinked in surprise; Aster didn’t seem like the type to be in a criminal group.

"...Ah."

Arlene pointed the way with a completely serious expression.

"The Seekers of Truth aren’t just any group. They’re known in practically every kingdom. They’ve stolen relics, entered forbidden places, attacked entire organizations, and provoked conflicts with governments and churches."

Noir listened in silence; he was becoming increasingly interested in her group.

Arlene continued speaking.

"And that’s not even the worst part."

"What could be worse?"

"Its members."

Noir tilted his head slightly.

Arlene took a deep breath.

"Each one of them is considered a walking disaster."

Noir remained silent.

The golden sphere floated slowly around his head.

"Disasters?"

"Yes."

Noir looked down the road once more. Then he remembered how Aster had destroyed the guardian. He remembered how easily he had survived its attacks. And he remembered that the man had said he had things to do before walking away calmly.

Noir looked back at Arlene.

"So..."

He paused briefly.

"Is Aster one of them?"

Arlene nodded slowly.

"Yes."

Noir fell deep in thought.

"That explains a few things."

Arlene looked at him in disbelief.

"Is that all you’re going to say?"

Noir shrugged.

"Now I understand why he was so strong. Although it wouldn’t be a bad idea for a dragon like me to join your group."

Arlene opened her mouth, but no words came out.

Noir walked toward the carriage, wagging his tail calmly.

"Let’s go. We have a destination to reach."

Arlene stood motionless for a few seconds, then sighed.

"This dragon is going to give me a heart attack."

She let out a long sigh and settled into her seat as Noir drove away from the Silent Stones.

The little demon princess gazed at the ancient monoliths one last time from inside. None of them mentioned the guardian again. After everything that had happened, everyone seemed to agree that the best course of action was simply to continue their journey.

As they moved forward, the enormous stones began to recede further and further into the trees.

Some could still be seen in the distance, covered in moss and vegetation, but little by little they disappeared from view.

The young dragon looked back one last time.

The Silent Stones stood there, motionless and ancient, as if nothing had ever happened within them.

Noir didn’t know what secrets the monoliths truly held, nor what connection they had to the four gods or the dragons. He didn’t know what Aster had been searching for there for so long.

But sooner or later, he would find out.

"I suppose I’ll have to go back someday."