LRHWB 10

Chapter 10

Departure

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“The influence comes from the twin world’s other side.
In this world, the destruction of nature has advanced abnormally.
Only four of us remain to barely maintain balance.
Every other spirit strong enough to be called a king has already returned their life to nature to preserve both worlds.”

The old man let out a wistful sigh.

“It kind of sounds like it’s our fault,” Ai murmured.
The group exchanged uneasy looks.

“Dragons, as spirits, can freely command the governing power of nature.
Atrana is an ancient land of spirits.
Our king is a Dragon Master, and by showing his immense power to other nations, he prevents wars for domination in this world.
Therefore, when an heir to the throne of Atrana turns thirteen, they must set out on a journey to receive a blessing from each dragon—a mark of loyalty and proof upon the jewel known as the Rana Blood.”

“Hmm…” The three turned their eyes to the old man.
“So? Old man, what’s your deal with the dragons?”

“I am one of the dragons.”

“…”

The kids’ skeptical stares spoke volumes.

“What’s with those looks?
Being a janitor is merely a disguise. I am Gwashuramdoon, the Dragon of the Earth!”

“…”

Their doubtful eyes only grew sharper.
This shabby old janitor, claiming to be a dragon or a spirit? Yeah, right.

“Then why are you even in this world? Isn’t that what’s causing all the trouble?”

“I am the Lord of the Earth, a manipulator of space. It matters not where I dwell.
The principal of this academy is an old friend of mine.
A life free from worldly bindings isn’t so bad, you know.”

“So you’re pals with the principal?! So you’ve just been hanging around for fun?
Anyway, what about this ‘oath’ thing?”

“Yeah! And give me back my jewel! Gwashuram! You’ll start with me!”
The prince puffed his chest and demanded it back.

Ai gripped the stone in her pocket.
Sure, she could return it—but handing it back to this spoiled prince? No thanks.
The prince clomped over on all fours, mistakenly heading toward Yoko, but the old man’s voice cut through sharply.

“Sorry, lad, but I cannot swear loyalty to you.
You lack the awareness of a true king. You are untrained.”

THUD!
The prince’s jaw practically hit the floor.

“What?! That’s not fair! I came here first because it was supposed to be easy!
All I had to do was meet you and get your blessing!”

He had believed it would be simple—how naive.

“Training, you say? I am studying! I’m learning swordsmanship and royal duties!”

His eyes brimmed with tears at the unexpected rejection.

“Prince, what you lack is not skill, but human understanding.
Face the harshness of nature, and come back anew.
Meet Water and Fire. If those two acknowledge you, then I shall as well.”

The dejected prince mumbled under his breath.
“It’s your fault! If you’d just taken the jewel back right away, Lilith! This is all your fault!”

He suddenly lunged at Lilith.

“Ah! Forgive me!”

“Stop!”
Zarel stepped between them, seizing the prince’s arms.

Just as the old man inhaled to scold the prince, a sharp slap echoed.

It was Yoko—her hand trembling with anger.

“You idiot! Don’t you get it?
You don’t need anyone to tell you you’re immature as a person!
And how dare you raise your hand to Lady Lilith!
I oughta beat some sense into you!”

By now, Yoko was fully devoted—Lilith had become Lady Lilith in her mind.
It was as if the words “Devoted Follower of Lilith” were glowing on her back.

“Ahhh! That woman hit me!”

“I’ll hit you again and again, you stupid prince!”

“Yoko, calm down!”
Even Ai and Yoshii were taken aback by her ferocity.

Yoko, being the eldest of four siblings, often had to discipline her younger brothers in place of their busy parents. She knew how to keep people in line.

“I can’t leave this stupid prince alone!
I’m going after Kawahara! I’m going with Lady Lilith!”

“Yoko, you can’t just—”

“Fine, I’ll go too!
I can’t face Kawahara’s mom if I don’t bring him back safely!”

“Wait, what?! Then I’m coming too!

I’m the one who took off Kawahara’s jacket, so I’ll go fetch him!”

The prince shouted in outrage.

“This is ridiculous! Why should you commoners come?!
This isn’t a game! You lowly people can’t travel with a prince!”

The old man watched the noisy scene with amusement, then turned to Lilith.
She hesitated but nodded slightly after his silent urging.

“Hmm… that’s actually a fine idea.
Lilith cannot manage the prince’s training alone.
You three are outspoken and unafraid to challenge him—yes, poison is best fought with poison.”

“Who are you calling poison! Fine! But what about our parents? They’ll never let us go!
This isn’t just a little runaway—it’s a full-on disappearance!”

“Leave that to me. Pull out a few strands of your hair.
Kawahara’s jacket will do for him.”

Puzzled, the kids obeyed. The old man took the hair and jacket, tossed them onto the dirt floor, and chanted:

“O clod of earth, bear borrowed life—become their mirror image.”

The dirt began to swell, shaping itself into human forms.
In moments, perfect duplicates of the four stood before them—alive and breathing.

“Ugh, creepy!”

“Whoa… they look just like us!”

“These will guard your absence. Travel without worry.
But before you go—Prince, change out of those ridiculous clothes.
Those aren’t fit for a journey. Wear this instead.”

He handed the prince a set of the school’s gym clothes and a tracksuit.

“What?! How dare you!
Dragons are supposed to love beauty!
And I like this outfit—it’s fit for royalty! Ah! What are you—?!”

At a glance from the old man, the duplicate figures lunged and quickly stripped the prince, forcing him into the tracksuit.

“Moderation in appearance, boy. Do not underestimate dragons.
We judge the soul, not the garments.
Still… I have long since seen your future.”

“What?!” the group gasped. “You’ve seen the future?”

The prince leaned forward nervously.

“Then… I do become king, right?”

The old man smiled darkly.

“Is that what you believe?”

The smile was enough to drain the color from the prince’s face. He dared not ask more.

“Well then, we’ll be off.”

Lilith bowed to the old man, leading the grumbling prince.
The group packed their things—he had filled their backpacks with essentials—and put on their shoes.

“Forgive me, may I open the gate from here?” Lilith asked.
“No,” said the old man. “You should conserve your power. I will open it.”

He stretched his hand toward the door.

“O twin worlds that shall never meet,
open your black eyes, and reveal the shining path of uncertainty.
In the name of Gwashuramdoon!”

The wooden door slid open silently like an automatic door—but beyond it was only darkness.

“Thank you,” said Lilith. “We’ll be going now.”

“Lilith, wait. Come here.”

“Yes? Zarel, go ahead. I’ll follow after.”

Lilith approached, and the old man gently took her hand.

“You have more burden to bear now, Lilith.
But you will also learn much from those children.
Open your heart more freely—you are free.”

Free…? she thought. But I already am.
She didn’t quite understand, but she smiled softly.

“Please don’t worry. I’ll use this power my master gave me to fulfill my duty with honor.”

“Good… go, then.”

“Yes, sir!”

Without looking back, Lilith stepped into the dark portal.
As he watched her disappear, the old man whispered sadly:

“Lilith… what you’ll learn are all the things you once cast aside.”

The door closed softly, sealing the gate.
The old man turned, picked up the prince’s discarded royal clothes, and tossed them into the trash bin one by one.