Valerian, The Legendary

297 The World Of Beastmen.

After a few moments, Valerian looked at the tree behind him and said, “We can go.”

The ladies nodded, and all stood up. Fragrantia was upset but did not let it show on her face. She was worried about the young man’s safety. It was the heart of a mother, after all. How can she not worry about him?

Valerian could sense her gloomy mood and said, “If you continue to be like this, I might start regretting the day we met. I have enough to handle. Instead of being my strength, your love has become my weakness. Please get a hold of yourself, mother.”

Fragrantia was shocked. She did not expect him to come and lay it thick on her. However, she also realized that it was necessary. Her emotions were weakening him and not supporting him. After considering it, she realized that the main reason Flos did not tell her anything about the child was this.

The weakness that follows behind emotional attachment. The more she thought, the more she realized the consequences of her action. The lady focused her thoughts and then said, “I understand. Do not worry. I will not falter this time. However, please try to maintain a connection when you are away.”

Valerian could sense the fluctuation in her demeanor and nodded. He said, “I will maintain a connection. Do not worry.”

The two people conversed, and the Empress kept exhorting Valerian to pay attention to his diet and to be careful when dealing with sensitive issues. She asked him if he was carrying enough money with him or if he had enough medicinal herbs to cure any wounds.

The young man kept nodded and listened to all her advice. He did not have any opinion. The lady was showing his care in the way of her own. The convoy reached the palace, and the people gathered together. Old man Quies and Alms specially came to see Valerian off.

Libra was out of the capital to guide the young monarchs in the aid provided to the Valkyrians. Unfortunately, he was traveling by ground, and thus Valerian did not meet him. Still, the young man took a moment to tell Fragrantia to pass his regards.

.....

This place has become his home for the last few years, and Libra, as the head of the family, had taken care of him in a low-key manner. Never making trouble for him. Gale had rested well, and the staff of the palace had taken care of feeding her with good food too.

Gale looked at Fragrantia, who was trying to hold back her tears, and said, “You need not worry, Empress Fragrantia. He will be safe.”

The Empress looked at the guardian dragon and said, “I do not worry about his safety, Your Grace. I am assured that when you are there, he will be safe. I am just upset that I will not see him for long. Traveling to another continent is not an easy thing for us humans.”

Gale understood this and nodded. Then, Valerian hugged the lady and said, “Do not cry. I do not like tears.”

Fragrantia held him tightly, and after patting his back gently, she said, “Go soon and come back sooner. Vita will watch over you.”

Valerian let out a nasal sound and then bid farewell to everyone. He exhorted Priscilla to grow stronger and protect Azula. The latter nodded and thanked him for everything he had done for her.

The young man was getting more emotional as time passed. Finally, he jumped onto Gale’s back, saying, “Your grace, we can go.”

Gale looked at a downcast blue thunder falcon and asked, “Why is your beast sad?”

Valerian replied, “I took the initiative to dissolve the bond, and now he is free. Taking him along would have been helpful, but his species is not found in the southern continent. I do not wish to attract unwanted attention. Keeping him locked inside the beast bag is even more silly.”

Gale nodded and said, “You consider the feeling of magical beasts. This is rare for a human.”

Valerian shook his head, let out a few low whistles to communicate with Linea, and told him to go and stay free or form a bond with Fragrantia. The bird agreed, but its expression said otherwise. Valerian did not force him.

Gale flapped her wings, and they flew to the skies before vanishing from their sight. They were traveling through Sapientia. It was the southern nation of the western kingdom.

...

Gale said as they flew above the clouds, “In ancient times, the continents had unique names. However, humans did not understand the meaning of those words and began to call them based on their directions.”

Valerian curiously asked, “Your Grace, can you tell me how long back the ancient times? Unfortunately, I do not have any understanding of it. Only the magical beasts can discern the timeline. Why so?”

Gale chuckled, saying, “This is because humans had yet to evolve. Vita created everyone with similar intelligence and limitations. However, since the appearance of the humans was closer to the goddess. She blessed them with growth potential. As time passed, humans began to grow and learn various things.

The day humans learned magic, the end of ancient times ended. They became refined and more intellectually aware. After the human clans discovered they could compete with the magical beasts, the bygone era ended, and then came the age of contention.

The magicals decided to go live in their magical realms for most of the time. They were leaving behind only low-level magical beasts. Finally, the humans took control of the lands, and things began to change. Then one day, a beggar discovered a treasure that the dragon god blessed. The age of dragon gifts kicked off then and is still going on.”

Valerian nodded and asked, “What were the continents’ names.”

Gale replied, “Most wood nature magicals housed the western continent. It was called Silvesteria—the land of forest.

The southern continent was Bestarium. Orientis in the east and the north is filled with cold and winter. So, it was called Hiemalia.”

The knowledge surprised Valerian, and he kept asking Gale questions on the way. The dragon also cooperated and answered him patiently. The gains were tremendous.

...

After four days of non-stop flight, Valerian spotted a vague shadow on the horizon. He immediately became alert. Gale said, “That is the southern continent, also known as the world of beasts.”

Valerian nodded and found that the landmass was similar to the other western continent. However, one thing he noticed to be different was the vegetation. All the trees he saw here differed from what he had ever seen. Gale said, “This is the wonder of Vita. It is different yet similar at the same time.”

Valerian nodded and asked, “Where are we headed?”

Gale replied, “The dragon temple.”

The young man became interested in this location. He has never been to a proper and active dragon temple. Gale said, “There are many opinions on why the dragons left the eastern and the western continent. However, let me tell you the truth. The east is under the blockade of the dragons, and a lot of them are needed to hold back that Tyrant.

The western continent was abandoned because of the former Queen, Senium. Her last command was to stop anyone from discovering the princess’s whereabouts when elder Sophos confronted her in her final moments. She said it was to prevent anyone from extracting the child’s blood and usurping the throne. If the child is worthy, they will climb the throne tower and take the throne on her own.”

Valerian nodded and said, “It is similar to my mother’s reasoning. However, why did the followers abandon the dragon temples?”

Gale said, “Humans only believe in what they see. Since they did not see any dragons, they no longer believed in the order. The purpose of the dragon temple is to manage the balance between the magical and the humans.”

Valerian nodded, understood the fundamental ideal of the dragon temple, and had to agree that it was a noble cause. Gale said, “When we land at the temple, you will not receive preferential treatment and will have to work your way up. The temple of mercy works with the temple to facilitate the balance of the society.”

“Your grace, please tell me more about this matter?” asked the young man.

Gale said, “I would have loved to tell you your task here, Master Valerian. However, the elder told me I should discover my path. No one can lead you to the destination always. You will need to venture into the unknown.”

Valerian sighed and said, “Elder seemed to have a lot of confidence in me.”

Gale nodded, and then she said, “There, that is our destination.”

Valerian looked over the shoulder of the beast and found a Redstone building standing tall in the cluster of other small buildings. The young man was stunned. This place turned out to be more magnificent than the palace of Centaur. It was mesmerizing.