Valerian, The Legendary

The young man replied, “I would have come to you after the trial ended, Elder. But, unfortunately, Fortuna stopped me in the name of rest. She said that you have not been out of your cavern for a long time, and thus you had a lot of things to look after.”

Sophos nodded and said, “Yes, it is true that I have not been able to leave my cave ever since my son passed away. The grief in my heart was so intense that I could not get myself to come out and look at the world.

I am blessed with the magic to heal and purify. Yet, when my son passed away, I could not do anything about it. Then my daughter-in-law also followed in his footsteps. The feeling of helplessness is the toughest shackle in the world.”

Valerian was surprised to hear this. He looked at the old dragon before him and asked, “Elder, you mean to say that you are Fortuna’s grandfather?”

Sophos nodded and said, “Yes, the new queen is my grandchild. However, we beasts do not have ties as humans do. The dragon eggs must be laid within the kingdom to have strong relations, and the kin will take care of them until they hatch.

Once an egg is laid outside, it must face everything independently. Dragons may be powerful, but the eggs are very fragile and delicate. They can break if they face a strong wind.

I heard from Fortuna that her egg was cracked when you found her?”

Valerian nodded and replied, “It had some shallow cracks on the surface and was being held together by a few vines. It was a magic spell my mother cast. When her majesty Senium laid the egg, she faced conflict with the driads...”

.....

Sophos heard everything and said, “This is why her magical core was weakened when she was born. Therefore, I must thank you on behalf of the dragonkin and her departed parents.”

Valerian shook his head and said, “I just did what I was supposed to do. The egg was hidden beside my mother’s resting place. I thought it must be something that my mother cared for deeply. So, I decided to take it. Fortuna came out in a fragile state, and somehow, her name was imprinted in my mind. I do not know how.”

Sophos replied calmly, “The dragons are named by Vita when they are born. The Goddess only bestows people with their names when they strongly connect with the dragon.”

Valerian nodded and got lost in thoughts. Sophos looked at the horizon and said, “You came today to talk about Misericordia, right?”

The silver-haired boy nodded, and Sophos replied, “Misericordia before she became a priest, and then when on to take up the duties of a saintess, she was just an ordinary resident of the eastern continent.

She was benevolent and kind. Her husband was a soldier in the imperial army of the Gladius. The kingdom went to war, and the soldiers led the charge. Misericordia served as a volunteer nurse. She left her son with her relatives in the village and came to the front.

Circumstances led her to witness the cruel nature of war. Her husband, your grandfather Magnus, was killed in front of her. She was broken, but after a few days, the person who killed her husband was found by her on the battlefield with a few breaths left in him.

The lady was enraged and hateful but controlled her emotions and rescued the person. Then she left everything behind to go back to her son. She loved Divinus and instilled him with the virtue of mercy.

Divinus grew up to be an intelligent young man. Everyone respected him because he was merciful, even his enemies when Divinus was old enough to look after himself. MIsericordia decided to go to the Temple Of Mercy.”

Valerian raised his eyebrow and asked, “I heard that one could not be a priest if they have a family. Temple of mercy does not allow the people to leave their families behind to fend off for themselves because they see it as cruel.”

Sophos nodded and said, “The temple helps those in need. But unfortunately, the temple is not very active in the western continent because they dislike discrimination.

However, thanks to you, that situation might be cured now.”

Valerian shook his head, and the old dragon continued, “Well, Misericordia worked her way from being an acolyte to the saintess. She was in tatters when Divinus and Flos passed away.

She does not know about your existence but will happily meet you.”

Valerian nodded and asked, “I will meet her. I have no idea what to do.”

Sophos replied, “Do not worry, you will meet her when opportune. The first thing you need to do is to head to the southern continent and experience the world of beastmen.”

The young man was confused and asked, “Why is that, elder?”

Sophos said, “You are still not old enough to face Immortuous. The strength you will need to meet him is far too much from what you can muster up now. So use all your skills and grow stronger. In the meantime, Fortuna will be residing in the kingdom. She needs to get stronger too.”

Valerian was even more surprised and asked, “Elder, is she not strong enough just yet?”

The old man shook his head and said, “She cannot yet use her innate magic with complete mastery. Only when she can do that will be allowed to leave the island.”

Valerian understood the situation and asked, “Elder, please tell me how to reach the southern continent.”

Sophos said, “Gale is about to return, she will take you along. Also, young Divinus, do not forget to pay a visit to your family on the western continent. We all need someone to love and care for. Those who care for us, we should cherish them.”

Valerian nodded and bowed his head as he said, “Thank you for your guidance, Elder.”