Chapter 122 – Water of Life
“…Human child, brother, my apologies. I am Caprichio, the divine beast who prowls this dungeon. Allow me to thank you for overcoming the trials.”
The semi-transparent, mascot-like creature put its hands together and bowed its head.
“I am sure that you have heard some things about this place already. As soon as I heard of the coming of the god of chaos, Apep, I made this dungeon a place for trials.”
“Apep?”
“Sety, I’ll explain it to you later.”
Caprichio nodded with what seemed like a mystical expression. But it was difficult to read.
“I have long waited for the arrival of my brother. I am water. The water of life. Life itself. Connected to all life. But when Apep was born, there was a danger of being usurped, and so I changed this dungeon. …Believing he would one day come.”
“But why was it necessary to have trials?”
“Apep is chaos. As water, I cannot take a shape. …If I were to meet Apep directly, I might end up being brain-washed.”
So it was a way to avoid direct contact with Apep.
“In other words…you were waiting here…to be drawn by me…and submit?”
“That is it.”
Menew crossed his arms and thought about it.
“Then… Can I draw you now?”
Menew said, but for some reason, he struggled.
Something was bothering him. While facing Caprichio there had been a strange feeling in his heart the whole time.
(Is it because I was tested… But I was able to overcome the trial. So I should be able to draw him boldly…)
Caprichio remained silent.
Menew desperately searched for an answer. This was another trial, perhaps.
Suddenly, Mr. Wal came into view.
“I see…! Caprichio. What happened to the water dragon!?”
They had met Capricio, the water divine beast, but he had not sensed the presence of the water dragon at all.
Dragons were phenomena, and easily influenced by Apep.
“That is right, brother. It is good that you noticed. Now you should be able to sense the water.”
Caprichio said in a quiet voice.
“However, as I said before. Water connects to all things. And is easily influenced by Apep.”
He felt as if he could hear his heart thumping. And to that beat, the room started to grow larger.
As if to accommodate what was inside.
“I, Capricio, hid the water dragon inside of my body. However, it was too late. Everything was too late. And so… Yes, brother…”
Caprichio’s back glowed as it cracked open. Blue light poured out from it, and then something with antennas slithered out.
“Please. Tame the water dragon and save it from Apep’s curse.”
The creature was so large that it was difficult to understand how it had been inside of Capricio. It had numerous legs as it came out.
The room continued to throb as it expanded. And the creature, which resembled a sea-slug, now filled half of the room as it squirmed.
It had wings on its back. Thin, webbed wings of membrane. It had no neck or eyes, and was shaped like a sea slug with octopus tentacles and wings.
It had forgotten how to speak, and so it just opened its mouth wide and roared.
“Gyaaaaaarghhh!!”
Menew held up his staff.
Caprichio fell to the ground, just like the shedded skin of a snake.
It seemed that a battle with the sea slug was unavoidable now. And they could not run away.
“Well, things are easier to understand now!”
Menew did not know what Caprichio was thinking.
He didn’t know how much the water dragon had been affected, and he didn’t know how bad it was.
Still, he knew what had to be done, and he would do it.
Mofusen protected Totto and Sety with a barrier. He would focus on defense.
And then Ralph unsheathed his sword.
With bright eyes, Menew faced the giant sea slug and pulled out the hidden blade from his staff.
If this was a request from a brother, then he had to obey his wishes.
Thanks for the chapter!