What Defines a Hero

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Chapter 4 / 5-4

What Defines a Hero

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The Lightwyrm's Wishes

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To the Ancient Ruins

Summary

Convinced of the prince's character, the Lightwyrm grants his pact. Moments later, a mysterious girl appears with the whereabouts of Zethia and King Aurelius, and the party sets out for the Binding Ruins.

Dialogue

Lightwyrm: Strike down your brother and claim the pact you seek, Euden!

Euden: ......

Euden: I can't do that, Lightwyrm. But hear me out.

Euden: This man is my brother—but more than that, he is unarmed.

Euden: How can I bring peace and justice to my people if I kill a defenseless individual?

Lightwyrm: You would answer so even knowing it ruins your chance of forging a pact with me?

Euden: My answer ruins nothing, Jupiter. You've been indulged long enough.

Euden: Emile is beaten, as you were before him. Only one man remains to claim this pact.

Euden: I am already your master.

Lightwyrm: A rather aggressive line of reasoning.

Lightwyrm: And if I don't see things quite the same?

Euden: I WILL have your obedience, Lightwyrm. By force, if you insist on it.

Euden: If any among the hallowed ranks of dragonkind are wicked, I will hammer their character straight like steel at the forge.

Euden: Guiding stray dragons back into the fold is my royal duty.

Lightwyrm: Bold words, human...

Euden: ......

Lightwyrm: ...Pfffffft! Aaaaaaah ha ha ha! Oh my, yes! You've every bit the gall of Alberius the Founder himself!

Lightwyrm: It has been AGES since someone had the brass to lecture me to my face!

Lightwyrm: I thought I was the best actor here, but you've gone and stolen the show.

Euden: Actor? Then you never really intended—

Lightwyrm: I don't want a corpse rotting at my door! I was merely taking the measure of your character, as promised.

Lightwyrm: And I do believe I've found a human worthy of me. It has been AGES.

Lightwyrm: Now look sharp! We have a sacred rite to perform.

Jupiter: I am the Lightwyrm, Jupiter—lord of thunder and light, and master of these peaks! Now shall I be the gleaming bolt that smites your foes!

Jupiter: ...Well then! I think that's everything. It will be a pleasure working with you, Euden.

Emile: Again... AGAIN! Why him? Why is it always HIM?!

Emile: I will see you kneel before me next time, Brother! Mark my words!

Jupiter: Goodness! It's rare to hear such a textbook line these days. Too bad he doesn't have a mustache to twirl about as he speaks.

Jupiter: Don't worry, I won't hold him against you. You can't pick your relatives, after all.

Jupiter: Pay him no mind and forget away, says I.

Euden: ......

Euden: I can't forget. For all his failings, he's still family.

Euden: And I can't help but hold out hope for him. He's known more suffering than any of us.

Jupiter: Ha ha! I appears I've signed on with a hopeless optimist. How very ghastly. Now then, we— What?!

Euden: What is it?

Jupiter: Someone's here. But who could have stolen into my territory without notice?

Mysterious Girl: No... A fourth pact is sworn.

Euden: You're the woman from the Mistholt.

Notte: The Zethia look-alike!

Notte: What are you plotting, and how come you're plotting it with her face?!

Mysterious Girl: You wouldn't believe me even if I explained.

Mysterious Girl: But know that I am not your enemy.

Mysterious Girl: I wanted to do this peacefully...

Mysterious Girl: But you've already forged pacts with so many.

Euden: Why do you have a problem with me and the dragons? What's your aim in all this?

Mysterious Girl: I must see fate thwarted.

Mysterious Girl: But with so many dragons pactbound, my options are limited.

Mysterious Girl: Make for the Binding Ruins. Victory there may yet see this tragedy averted...

Ranzal: Binding Ruins? Never heard of it.

Elisanne: I have, but only in legend.

Elisanne: They speak of an ancient site known only to heirs of the Alberian throne and a select few among the Church.

Mysterious Girl: I know its location. You will find what you seek there.

Mysterious Girl: King Aurelius and Zethia will be there, if things are as I know them to be.

Euden: Zethia?! If she's there, I—

Luca: Stay calm, Euden. We have no reason to trust this woman.

Mym: He's right. It's obviously a trap.

Mym: Now shoo, hussy! Away from my darling!

Euden: Trap or no, I have to go. If there's any chance of saving her, no matter how small, I have to take it.

Euden: Besides, what trap could catch me with friends like you at my side?

Euden: Plus, they'll have to face the Windwyrm, Waterwyrm, Flamewyrm, and Lightwyrm!

Cleo: Indeed, it seems the Six Greatwyrms are gathering beneath your standard.

Cleo: Of those that remain, Chthonius is said to have fallen in battle. That leaves but one to find before we strike at the emperor.

Mym: Easier said than done, I fear.

Euden: How so?

Mym: The Shadowwyrm Zodiark is an extremely powerful dragon.

Mym: What's worse, I'm almost certain he's...

Ranzal: He's...what?

Mym: Hmm, no. I shouldn't assume anything without proof.

Mym: Let's get moving, then. To the Binding Ruins?

Euden: Sounds like a plan.

System: Euden's power grows greater still with his fourth dragonpact now forged.

System: He makes now for the Binding Ruins, to save his sister and learn the truth of his father's transformation.

System: He keeps hope alive in his heart, unaware that what awaits him in those ruins is cold truth and a most tragic reunion...