Academic gathering with a lich-Chapter 136 - 131 Dragon Priests

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There is no mistake, this is a dragon.

The moment Lyle was stared at by those yellow eyes, he felt as if his heart would explode. As the dragon breathed out hot air, it evaporated the cold sweat on Lyle’s body, bringing a touch of coldness.

The dragon lifted a front claw and fastened it in the crevices of the stone slabs, which let out a creaking wail.

Its massive head inched closer, causing Nia to wriggle out from beneath Lyle, only to retract behind him in the next moment of flailing.

The terrifying dragon’s snout was less than half a meter from the tip of Lyle’s mask, shaped like a bird’s beak.

"No threat."

Lyle felt like ham in a food processing factory that had been marked as safe, escaping the fate of being destroyed on the spot.

A light snort.

Dust blew out of the dragon’s nostrils, like a sandcastle swept away by a hurricane, and the dragon’s body disintegrated into dust and debris.

To Lyle’s astonishment, a stooped old man in a black robe appeared before him. He held a thin black long staff with a knotted top, and grasping the bottom half due to the staff’s excessive length and his own short stature. His spine was bent into a semi-circle, so malformed that one could easily see the distorted bones from the front. His head only reached Lyle’s waist; to see Lyle’s head, he had to tilt up his own and maintain a distance.

Lyle showed him ample respect, as the old man’s aura was completely identical to that of the dragon he experienced moments ago. Still kneeling, with trembling legs that harbored no desire to stand up, Lyle even bent down to make it easier for the elder before him.

Underneath his tattered black robe was a strange black mask.

"Intruder?"

A resonant voice echoed through the dark space.

Behind the masked old man, a stocky dwarf emerged. His robe was covered in soot and iron filings, and the edges of the once-pristine, now filthy garment just discernibly retained their original red hue, matching the color of the odd copper mask on his face.

"Perhaps he has simply wandered in unintentionally, after all, that ’gate’ is not so complicated."

A green light entered the scene, appearing as a moving forest. Beneath her thin dress, one could glimpse a delicate frame as fragile as her words. She waved towards Lyle with a hand that had a wand sprouting fresh flowers, resembling tender branches. If not for the green mask, Lyle might have seen her smile.

"Whoever he is, he needs to leave this place."

That was a very beautiful voice, like snowflakes scattering on pristine mountain peaks, though the coldness and indifference in the words were sharp enough to wound. The tall figure that entered with the footsteps glanced coldly at Lyle before bowing to the stooped old man in black. Even humble gestures appeared arrogant beneath her commanding presence, like that of a stepmother... or rather, an Ice Queen. Her white mask was the only one smooth and without edges. "Please expel him, Ohmhead."

"Why don’t we first hear what he has to say before deciding? Princess, you are as impulsive as ever," a calm and gentle voice sounded. The last to emerge from the shadows, also the tallest among them, wore a cobalt blue robe adorned with gold trim. Beneath an exquisite knitted hood was the aqua blue mask familiar to Lyle.

"Mr. Scholar? Teacher?" Indeed, the last person was Mr. Scholar.

"Another Andreian?"

"Brought by you, Morocoy?"

"It’s a futile gesture, you know that, Morocoy, nobody else in this world is entitled anymore."

The silent old man in a black robe tapped his staff on the floor, and under the dull thud, his companions ceased speaking. He first scrutinized Lyle with a careful glance, "Weak, and lacking the aura of a Dragon Soul." Then he turned his head to look at the tall Mr. Scholar. Judging by the angle, and ruling out other sensory methods, his line of sight was probably up to the scholar’s midsection.

"Can you keep our existence a secret, my brother?"

"Absolutely, Elder Ohmhead, I trust the Plague Doctor’s arrival has ample reason," responded the tall Mr. Scholar with conviction.

"Very well," the old man with an air of authority turned back towards Lyle.

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"Perhaps you have already heard about our identities from Morocoy. We were once the Dragon Followers, also known as the Dragon Priests. What brings you here, human whelp?"

Lyle swallowed his saliva, this old man, having confirmed his allies, didn’t seem to know how to ease up on his intimidation.

"I regret to disturb you, but I’ve come to seek your help in rescuing my friend, the mermaid Vena."

"Say that again, whom do you wish to save?" Ohmhead didn’t respond; it was the cold Princess who spoke. She stepped in front of Lyle, looking down at him from above, as the atmospheric pressure around them significantly dropped and began to crystallize into snowflakes.

"My friend, the mermaid Vena."

"What happened to Vena!"

Her interrogation seemed more like a threat, as pristine ice blades took shape around her. Lyle found he could no longer feel his legs, frozen within the ice.

The deadly chill lasted only a brief moment.

Princess was dragged away from Lyle by a blue mana force.

The red-masked priest extended his palm and helped Lyle to his feet, a rolling warmth flowing through his body, driving away the deep cold.

Lyle, standing up, now towered over him in height.

"Thank you, sir."

"Don’t mention it, Lad. I am Freheimer, please excuse Princess’s impetuosity, she’s always been like this."

Mr. Scholar left the task of controlling the volatile sister to the black-robed Elder.

"Continue your story, Plague Doctor. Tell us, what exactly happened to Vena?"

"She has been controlled by Mr. Arnold from Andrei Academy, she sought my help, hoping to return to her homeland."

"Andrei lies within your surveillance area, Morocoy. You have broken the rules you set yourself. My kin has lost her freedom because of your negligence!" Princess didn’t bother to hide her anger, and the low-pressure gales turned the area into something resembling an ice vault.

This crazy woman.

Ohmhead let out a muffled grunt, and Princess, as if struck by an unseen heavy hammer, knelt on the ground, ice crystals scattering everywhere.

He looked at the scholar.

"Morocoy, that is your area of responsibility. You owe Princess a satisfactory answer."

Mr. Scholar bowed deeply.

"I understand, Elder Brother. I won’t let you down." 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝚠𝚎𝚋𝗻𝗼𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝚘𝐦

"If there are any inconveniences due to status, let me know. I don’t mind playing the villain."

"I will not let the situation deteriorate to the point where you need to step in."

"Morocoy, take the Plague Doctor and leave. Prioritize the rescue!"

Mr. Scholar nodded. He stretched out his hands, and the blue mana lines that formed between his fingers wove into a plane, eventually becoming a teleportation gate that enveloped the two of them.