Golden Dragon: Six Thousand Years of Empire-Chapter 685 - 390: Noah’s Dragon Offspring Corrupted? Power of Ashes (Part 2)
"That is not a fall from grace, but an awakening."
The ruined palace on the Orphis Mountain Range, Noah did not have it cleared, nor did he rebuild upon it. He intentionally preserved it, clearing a path through the clouds and mist, so that every visitor to Elisium could look up and see the ruins atop the mountains.
The residence he lives in now is only a temporary nature, far less grand than in the past, thus, everything happening within this palace, Noah has firmly in his grasp.
When Cezer encountered issues, Noah was aware, but upon discovering the problem was merely the awakening of his eldest grandson’s essential power, Noah chose not to intervene, and the minor turbulence now stirred within was well within his expectations.
"Ah, cowardly without resolve, luckily I did not make such an assessment!"
After sending away a group of fairies, Noah looked up at the empty grand hall below, sighed deeply, and then vanished from sight.
When he reappeared, he found himself stepping into a courtyard covered all over with ashes, which was the residence of his grandson Cezer.
Once a place of beautiful flowers, lush greenery, and vibrant blossoms competing in splendor, not only was it an environment adored by Plant Elves, but it was also a favorite habitat of Golden Dragons.
It could be said that this courtyard was Noah’s attempt to recreate the environment of his childhood lair, but alas, the magnificent scene he painstakingly built had turned into a field of ashes, and amidst these ashes lay a fledgling dragon, its eyes filled with panic, appearing somewhat bewildered and helpless.
"Grandfather, what, what happened to me?"
Upon seeing Noah appear, the fledgling dragon, who had been gradually cheering up with the company of little fairies, couldn’t help but take a step back.
Yet it was this small step backward that happened to touch a charred stump, a residue of some vine that had been burned to its end, instantly shattered, turning into scattered charcoal. 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝐰𝚎𝕓𝐧𝚘𝘃𝗲𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝕞
"They say I have fallen? Have I truly become an Evil Dragon?"
Speaking these words, Cezer instinctively curled his limbs slightly, attempting to enter a self-protective posture.
"Of course not, those are just ignorant little creatures, what do they understand? Your spiritual power has fully awakened, there’s no need to panic."
Noah first reprimanded those babbling fairies, then proceeded to soothe his grandson.
He had managed to improve the temperament of his little grandson somewhat, only for the awakening of spiritual power to revert the youngster back, even worse than before.
"But my powers..."
"Isn’t this normal? Considering you are my descendant. Do you know what title I bear? Many dragon-men call me the Golden Sun, under the Sun, all would turn to ashes, you have inherited my bloodline, possessing such power, isn’t it quite natural?"
Noah enlightened his grandson, untangling the knots in his heart.
The sudden eruption of power from him, withering all, reducing everything to ashes where it passed, a scene too horrifying, which frightened the little fairies, as well as stunned Cezer himself
He had never thought he could be so terrifying, so much so that when the fairies clamored that he had fallen, he nearly believed it, suspecting something had gone wrong with himself.
"But I have not released any flames."
Even though his grandfather was present to reassure him with his words, the young one, despite his age, does not blindly trust whatever is said, he has his own thoughts and understanding.
And this is why the True Dragon Species are almost impossible to tame, some dragons might temporarily submit for survival, but once their power accumulates to a sufficient level, they would seize any opportunity to retaliate.
"This has nothing to do with flames, it’s a part of your power, some of which comes from me. Do I seem like a fallen dragon to you?"
Noah pointed to himself, and his grandson already accepted his true form, though naturally, he couldn’t maintain such a form, he needed to shrink somewhat.
"Certainly not."
Cezer shook his head forcefully, he definitely wouldn’t imagine his grandfather as a fallen dragon.
He had come to know many things about his grandfather, including one achievement being to single-handedly suppress a looming Hell disaster and save the world, though not in the current plane he inhabited, it made no difference, grandfather was indeed a Savior. Why would a Savior become a fallen one?
"So, being my grandson, how could you possibly fall? Do not panic, all accusations of your fall are slandering me, ensure you remember their faces and names and inform me when the time comes."
Noah earnestly advised his grandson, prompting Cezer to nod vigorously upon hearing this, unbeknownst to him, feeling much more relaxed.
"Alright, I will remember them."
Once Noah’s words were spread, certainly, there were no further discussions about the Holy Dragon’s grandson, Bing Xinna being the Holy Dragon of the lands, who could bear such a charge here? Even without any punishment, the mere accusation would be enough to send one’s soul to the Nether River.
However, Cezer did not subsequently turn very happy, having just awakened his spiritual powers, he could no longer casually touch any living plant or animal.
Power of Ashes
This dragon species of extremely prestigious lineage was akin to an embodiment of the ominous, representing decay and destruction by its mere existence.
Anything with life unfortunately touched by him, would resemble remnants after being burned by fire, leaving behind objects akin to charred remains, or perhaps only reduced to some ashes.
This led to the little fairies fearing approaching him, and he was only able to reside within specific palace chambers, everything he interacted with needed special customization.
"Grandfather!"
Nonetheless, although such a dramatic change occurred in his childhood life, with the emergence of Power of Ashes intolerable even to his own personality, causing extreme aversion, Cezer did not fall into despair.
For Noah would daily carve out time to accompany this eldest grandson, discussing books or spells, guiding in matters of his interest.
Mostly, the territory matters had already gotten on track, Noah had resolved most of them, leaving only the finishing works to his subordinate Lords and Vassals.
The first Cross-border Gate, overseen by his eldest son, had already stable and precisely anchored to the Luo’er Plane, and importantly, Noah had established the reputation of the Holy Dragon in that plane.
Everything the Fiery Sun Kingdom once possessed, had been annexed by Noah, whether it be land, cities, people or its vassals, everything had been incorporated into the Order Noah established.
All because, during the final battle, Noah suppressed the Gate of Hell, and in this battle, Noah’s formidable combat prowess had delivered a profound shock to the native powers of the Luo’er Plane.
To the extent when Noah declared his intentions to occupy the Fiery Sun Kingdom and accept its vassals, there was virtually no opposition, and the vassals decisively chose loyalty.
"Hey, Little Cezer, did you make progress today?"
Seeing the fledgling dragon voluntarily approaching him, Noah’s already good mood only got better.
"I managed to pick a small flower!"
Upon hearing Noah’s inquiry, the fledgling dragon proudly picked a branch containing magic power from the vase before him, then displayed it before Noah like a treasure.
"Well done, my grandson is really impressive!"
Regrettably, as Noah intended to receive it, the branch that initially held abundant life, decayed visibly as if burned by intense fire, became ashes, life entirely extinguished.
