The 9th Class Swordmaster: Blade of Truth-Chapter 324: The Platinum Dragon’s Lair (5)

[Divine Power?]

The blue serpent coiled around Karyl’s arm, flicking its tongue as it spoke.

[Are you implying the Platinum Dragon wielded the power of a god?]

“Who knows? That’s why I’m asking you to check. What do you think, Mael?”

The serpent hesitated, narrowing its eyes.

[What are you getting at?]

“Nothing specific, really. I just thought, as fellow reptiles, you might think alike,” Karyl quipped.

[You’re insane... Only you would dare compare a Master Key of the Mythical Era to a dragon in such a way.]

“Exactly. That’s why I’m asking,” Karyl responded, completely unfazed.

At that, Mael fell silent, momentarily lost for words.

“If all the research the Platinum Dragon has conducted wasn’t just for amusement, then ultimately, it seems he’s seeking godly power, doesn’t it? But why would he experiment on humans and other species?”

[...]

“Because, no matter how great a dragon is, even they can’t reach the realm of gods. However, the possibility of such power may lie within us—within humanity, despite our perceived insignificance. Ironically, we are beings of potential exceptions.”

[Hmmm...]

“The Platinum Dragon took every treasure he had from this lair—no, perhaps he moved his lair altogether. Yet, he left behind corpses, an experiment chamber, that Chimera, and even Rael to deliver his message. Why would he go through the trouble of doing all that?”

Everyone’s attention focused on Karyl as he went on, “If he wanted to keep his research a secret, he could’ve concealed everything entirely, just as he has up to now.”

Mael flicked his tongue again, replying with a hint of frustration, [Who knows? Maybe the dragon’s reptilian mind is up to something unsavory.]

“What if his real intent wasn’t actually to hide something?”

[You speak as if you understand the Platinum Dragon better than we do. You seem to know something we don’t.]

“What if, instead, he wanted someone to find something?”

[...]

Karyl pondered this.

Then why would he choose such a troublesome method? Ultimately, you hide something if you don’t want anyone to find it.

The others also kept silent for a moment, contemplating Karyl’s idea.

[Wait... Are you suggesting that the Platinum Dragon wasn’t trying to hide from humans or other beings, but from... gods?]

Karyl nodded. It felt as though the Platinum Dragon was trying to avoid detection from an entity watching from above—perhaps the gods themselves. Everyone fell quiet, considering the weight of his words.

There’s a trail here. I’m sure of it, Karyl thought.

He didn’t know the past Platinum Dragon as the others did. However, Karyl had experienced something they hadn’t—the future.

The past doesn’t see the changes of the future. But if you know the future, you can get an idea as to how things will reach a certain conclusion. I’ve come to know Narh Di Maug’s tendencies, and I’ve witnessed his actions.

The seemingly noble Platinum Dragon who fought for all was, in truth, a creature of deep and inscrutable intentions.

Yet, despite that, he sent me to Pharel. He allowed me to kill the emperor, Olivurn, and alter the past. Why? Did he think I would fail, even with my knowledge of the future?

Karyl shook his head. If he wanted to maintain his goals and trust, it would’ve been far easier to help Olivurn kill me rather than send me back in time. There’s something else... something deeper.

He frowned, realizing that the Platinum Dragon’s actions were more complex than he had originally thought.

And yet, he chose me. That means, whether he cares for humanity or not, he also desires to change the future. But... it feels like he doesn’t care what happens to us in that process, Karyl thought, piecing together the truth before him.

The evidence lay in the experimentation done on humans, the discarded coffins, and the mangled bodies scattered throughout the lab. Why had he not realized this sooner? In his previous life, Karyl had considered Narh Di Maug a dragon who fought for humanity, an ally.

But even if their goals had seemed aligned, their desired outcomes had never been the same. Karyl had sought a future for humans, while the dragon had probably only desired someone aligned with the interests of his own race.

From Narh Di Maug’s perspective, the humans of the Wooden Cloud or the empire were all the same—just different factions of the same species.

He only used us as pieces to steer the future he desired, Karyl mused, though he didn’t hold it against the dragon. After all, only those who survive have the power to shape the world.

Instead of bitterness, Karyl felt something close to gratitude. The dragon had shown him the Tower of Phrael and given him the chance to go back in time—one last chance to change everything.

Narh Di Maug, your mind is as twisted as ever. You might still see us humans as mere tools, but in this life, you shall be my tool.

Karyl’s unwavering suspicion, even when everyone else had declared the lair barren, was rooted in this realization. The Platinum Dragon had never revealed his true intentions, and that hadn’t changed in this life either.

He’s still hiding something, just as he always has.

Running his hand along the seemingly empty wall, Karyl said, “You all might be right. Maybe there really is nothing left. But Narh Di Maug has been conducting secret research for over a millennium—from the Wooden Cloud and the empire to the Assembly of Seven Elders of the Magical Era and even Alteman. What’s the connection between all of these?”

[Hmmm... If what you’re saying is true, it must be related to Divine Power or perhaps a force opposing the gods. After all, everything is somehow tied to the gods.]

“Exactly. So where would be the perfect place to hide such a long-term experiment?”

[His own domain, obviously. This forbidden land, where no human would ever dare set foot.]

Karyl nodded. “Right. This lair wasn’t just his home; it was his laboratory. He left us these clues because he wanted someone to notice. Just because it seems empty doesn’t mean it truly is.”

As Mael wrapped himself around Karyl’s arm and sank into the wall, Karyl’s voice dropped to a whisper.

“There must be a hidden message in this wall.”

Soon, the lair shook violently as though an earthquake had struck.

Whoooosh!!

Karyl’s power seeped into the cracks, and from within, thin beams of light seeped out, forming a web-like pattern across the wall.

[What... is this?] Ramine murmured in disbelief as he watched the spectacle. His face twisted in confusion as tiny particles of light started floating through the air.

“It’s...warm...” Miliana whispered as she gazed at the glowing wall. This wasn’t the heat of a fire or a warm breeze—it was something deeper, something she couldn’t quite describe. Her brow furrowed in frustration as she struggled to find the right words.

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The light itself emanated an aura that was beyond explanation.

[This is incredible...] Duaat sighed, watching the particles of light drift through the air.

“What is it?” Miliana asked, noticing the tense expressions of Karyl and the Spirit Kings.

Unlike her, Karyl could feel the distinct power in the air.

“Rasis...” he murmured softly.

The Spirit King of Light.

[Of course, it’s one of the Twin Powers...]

[But this is different from my time. Unlike the Ein Trigger, which had sealed my power, this is merely a fragment of Rasis. No, calling it a fragment might be too generous—it’s more like a tiny speck.]

[Yet it’s undeniable that it’s his power,] Ramine confirmed.

[Could it be related to why the Chimera possessed the powers of both?] Ethereal chimed in.

“This confirms it.” Karyl bit his lip. “There’s no way mortal beings like us could truly possess Divine Power. The Platinum Dragon must have chosen the Spirit King of Light as a substitute for reaching that godly realm.”

[Why...?]

The Spirit Kings seemed puzzled. To them, dragons were loyal servants of the gods, never challengers.

[Could it be that the dragon intends to rebel against the gods?]

[Or perhaps he's planning to offer Rasis as a sacrifice to the gods. Rasis is the only being with powers similar to Yula’s light.]

Karyl gazed at the glowing, delicate white particles floating in the air, like dandelion seeds drifting on a breeze.

“Whatever the reason, one thing is clear.”

The fact that remnants of the Spirit King of Light were sealed in the Platinum Dragon’s lair meant...

“His seal has already been broken.”

[What...?!]

[Impossible...!!]

The Spirit Kings’ shock was palpable, their auras rippling with disbelief.

[...I suppose it’s plausible.]

[No way. Not even a dragon could break a seal placed by Yula herself.]

The opinions were divided, but it wasn’t just about the seal anymore. A figure surfaced in Karyl’s mind—a man from the Thousand-Year Ice Cave. A man who had been with the first Blader, the Sword Demon, and the power he wielded.

That blonde-haired man from the Thousand-Year Ice Cave was said to be connected to Rasis.

In his previous life, that man hadn’t existed.

If Narh Di Maug really could break Rasis’ seal, could he have been the one to awaken that man? What else is he hiding?

[Relax, Karyl. If the Platinum Dragon really is after the Divine Power or the power of the Spirit King of Light, then it means dragons might not always be on the gods’ side.]

“But they’re certainly not on the side of humans either.”

[Exactly.]

Allen had struck at the core of what Karyl had felt ever since his return to the past, prompting him to chuckle bitterly.

[We aren’t trying to fight alongside the dragons against the gods. Dragons themselves represent a challenge we need to overcome, but fighting them isn’t as simple as fighting humans. Hunting dragons is a feat of its own, a challenge that requires us to think ahead, anticipate, and outwit. This is a game of strategy.]

Karyl nodded at Allen’s insight.

[If this remnant wasn’t hidden but left for you to find, then just as you seek him, he’ll be seeking you too.]

[So you’re both aware of each other’s existence.]

[The place where you’ll meet... will be the battlefield.]

The Spirit Kings spoke in low, resonant voices.

“Exactly,” Karyl agreed.

The time had come. This was no longer about unraveling the threads of fate—now, it was time to cut them. With a wave of his hand, Karyl scattered the delicate particles of light and turned to leave the lair.

“But first, I need to tie up the loose ends with the humans.”

Miliana followed close behind, echoing his thoughts, “Exactly.”

Karyl nodded in agreement.

“The imperial war begins.”