That Time I Got Reincarnated As... (Book 1)

Ch16.5

Emerald's POV:

Mai and I have just crossed into the Great Jura Forest. My instincts scream at me to turn away but I keep pressing on. I can't afford to look weak in front of Mai. I must prove I'm better, stronger! Still, as I watch her darting from tree to tree ahead, I can't help but feel as though I am the only one concerned that this forest is under the protection of Veldora. 

Just thinking about his name causes me to shiver. It's said that he has vanished and perhaps died but having witnessed his power up close, I know better than to believe such rumours. The thought that mere confinement would be enough to kill such a being is simply unfathomable. No, he's very much alive and preparing for a grand return. That's the only explanation. 

Still, it's understandable why the others aren't as concerned as I am. They weren't here when he terrorized both humans and monsters alike. Then again, from what I can tell, they are all pretty powerful in their own right. Even though we were all dragons ourselves, they easily outmatched us and even now, after Morganna evolved, she's still weaker than some of our newfound family. We watched Rosetta topple a city as nothing more than collateral damage. To think she did that without even trying to damage the city itself. Then we saw the Queen level, not just a city but an entire mountain range and that too was with her not trying to do near as much damage. Looking at our team, especially after how easily we defeated Demon Lord Clayman, it's no wonder no one takes the threat of one dragon seriously. After all, the Queen only sent Lady Cecilia and 10,000 troops to defeat Demon Lord Milim, arguably one of the strongest beings in the world. 

Mai: [Focus. We're close by.]

Refocusing on the mission at hand, I quickly notice we are actually still some ways off. Before I can point this out to Mai, however, she stops. It's so sudden that I stumble and almost fall in my attempt to match her rather abrupt stop. 

Me: What happ-

Before I can finish my sentence, a loud boom draws my attention skyward where I spot a pink ball of fire hurtling towards the forest. After calculating its trajectory and determining it poses no immediate threat, I stand by and watch as it disappears behind the trees up ahead. 

BOOOOOM!!!

The resulting explosion causes me to lose my footing on the branch I was standing on. I'm not allowed the grace of catching myself, however, as Mai quickly snatches me up and moves us away from that tree mere moments before it's engulfed by dust. 

Mai: [Stay alert. That was a powerful being.]

Me: [Do you think it's Demon Lord Milim?]

Mai: [It's possible, but I'd find it hard for her fight to have extended this far away from the border and I am not detecting Cecilia close by.] 

We maintain our position for some time, before finally setting off once more once the dust had settled. We're speeding towards the crater I'm sure just formed when Mai warns me that we are approaching a group of Majin and that I should hide my presence. Less than a minute after I eliminate my presence, we come face to face with our targets but the vast majority seemingly can't see us. Looking down, I notice that I'm relatively invisible. This must be one of Mai's skills.

????: Show yourselves. You can't hide from me.

A short pink-haired girl steps forward and I'm immediately hit with a sense that this is a trap. 

Me: [That's Milim.]

Mai: [Then it seems Cacilia's fight wasn't as long as we'd hoped.]

Me: [Is she-]