Ashen Dragon

"But the good times didn't last long, the Five-Colored Dragon Queen and her evil Retainers still set their sights on me, but I was unaware that a greater disaster was waiting for me..."

"That day, the sky was shrouded by the chaotic wings of the color dragons, blood dyed the earth red, my allies, my wife, my children fell one by one before me, the evil dragons wanted to slaughter the city, and all I could do was to watch, desperately, watch it all."

Just then, a voice appeared beside my ear, black sludge surged from the ground, chaotic and unorderly, yet overwhelmingly powerful, it surrounded me. The voice told me—to accept this power, and I could take revenge on them, stop the rampage of the five-colored dragons."

Beatrice looked at her kin, whose face involuntarily showed indignation and sadness, and asked solemnly, "So... you chose to accept?"

Titus's face showed bitterness, without giving a direct answer, he continued his story. "That Abyssal Fire from the depths incinerated my enemies, but I knew, I was already encumbered by sin, and it wouldn't be long before there was little difference between myself and the very things I once loathed.

I know, now I no longer have the right to meet with my family and friends, have no right to enter Heavenly Mountain, nor the right to face His Majesty Bahamut — my body seems normal, but within me churns the most evil, chaotic Abyssal Fire."

"Swish—"

At that moment, another stream of black flames burst from behind the Gold Dragon, Titus groaned in pain, yet still forcefully suppressed it, and spoke with difficulty.

"So, I exiled myself to the star realm and sealed my body in a place where Time Stop was in effect, not knowing how much time had passed.

Until one day, the long years made the seal gradually fail, and I did not choose to return to my original world, but came to Erezer, this strange Material Plane, in search of a new path."

At this point, Beatrice's face was filled with regret and sadness; she now fully believed Titus's words.

That spreading sense of despair moved her, and the apocalyptic scene described by Titus emerged in her mind, replaying over and over.

According to conventional thinking, why would a noble, Good Dragon like a Gold Dragon actively seek the Abyssal Power?

And Titus's story is a reasonable explanation.

—He had no choice, but to sacrifice himself to save the lives of his family and companions, even though he wielded the Abyssal Power, his actions were not evil.

Titus, or rather Cassius, looked up, gazing at Beatrice with a sighing tone, "Your Excellency Beatrice, I have poured out everything to you, if you worry about the safety of the Eternal Order Realm, feel free to banish me at any time; I will leave on my own accord.

I wanted to join the Carving Skin Organization simply to find a way to suppress the Abyssal Power. If these symptoms continue to worsen, don't worry, I'll end myself." His tone was determined and deep, and a faint light shimmered in his golden pupils.

Beatrice could hear—that when the time came, this kin might truly kill himself without hesitation, to eradicate evil from the world.

This is the dignity of a Gold Dragon, the offspring of Bahamut, neither to be desecrated nor compromised, even in death, as pure as a gemstone.

But she could never have imagined that the "Gold Dragon" before her was actually a Red Dragon that she most detested and loathed, disguised as such.

Hesitating for a moment, Beatrice started then stopped, finally blurting out, "Wait, Titus, perhaps... I can help you. Your character and deeds are enough to become a Carver, and the runes of the Eternal Order Realm might suppress your condition.

But... the Abyssal Power within you still poses a certain threat to the Eternal Order Realm, protecting the Landis Scale is my duty, I can't let you approach the Monastery, you can only practice in the Valley of Unforgiveness."

"Thank you, Your Excellency Beatrice, to be accepted like this with such a sinful body, I am already very content."

"Titus" slowly got up, his beard swaying by his mouth, his imposing dragon face showing gratitude, and his voice sincere and solemn.

Finally fooled this Ancient Gold Dragon, it seems I will soon be able to steal the legacy of the Carved Skin Dragon, Cassius thought to himself with glee.

Although Cassius already possesses a powerful Trait like Demon Slayer, Karex's mad, chaotic Will still lay hidden in his essence, still a significant risk.

And the "Carved Skin Dragon," like a monk-like, Order-pursuing dragon Occupation, would enable the Red Dragon to gain even greater Will, resistance, and fill in his own weaknesses.

He was actually quite eager, but he didn't show it, just nonchalantly observing the exquisite Carvings on the wall.

Suddenly, "Titus" let out a light groan again as if he was forcefully suppressing that pain and desire, striving to maintain his sanity.

"Your Excellency Beatrice, if I lose my mind completely... kill me, don't hesitate." His voice was broken and hoarse, his whole body's veins bulging.

Beatrice stood there stupefied, not knowing what to do for a moment, was she really going to kill this respectable and lamentable kin by her own hand?

It was only after the power was suppressed again did the Gold Dragon catch his breath, weakly and helplessly smiling, "Sorry, Your Excellency Beatrice, for making a fool before you."