The Blue Mage Raised by Dragons

Chapter 45

Aran grimaced as he downed the purple liquid in his flask. He sat with the other members of the Red Blade Adventurers in a tavern. They sat around a circular stone table with a steaming crab in front of them on a metal plate.

Im sick of crab, Zeke muttered as he hacked off a leg off with his dagger. What did we have for breakfast? Crab. What did we have for lunch? Crab. Wh-

We get it, Zeke, Sophie said as she drank the purple liquid in her glass. Were all sick of it.

Im never eating seafood again once we go back, Claire said as she sighed. Her brown bangs covered her eyes as she lowered her head.

If we ever get back, Zeke said as he stabbed the crab leg and peeled the shell off. Two years. Weve been here for almost two years now and we only finished two missions. And that was with the demons help. Bits and pieces of crab shell flew across the table as Zeke wielded his dagger.

Calm down, Ross said. His hair had turned grey and his black vest was tattered. Burn scars decorated his arms and fingers. He grabbed the steaming crab with his bare hands and snapped two legs off. Weve grown a lot despite the low number of missions.

Zul nodded. His blue robe was frayed at the edges and the color had faded into a light blue. Arans upgraded his armor and Ross got a new shield. Claires proficiency in white magic nearly doubled and weve all gained much more levels than we wouldve if we stayed in Zuerst. The longer we stay here, the stronger well get.

Hes just bitter the demons showed him up, Sophie said.

Showed all of us up, Zeke said and rolled his eyes. You werent exactly that great compared to them either.

Aran nodded. We shouldnt need to rely on them as much now that I have better equipment. Ive also heard rumors that theyre getting recalled to Zuerst. Both Tina and Chads parties. Something seems to have come up.

Sophie asked and raised her eyebrow. Something that the adventurers over there cant handle? What? Did the dragons invade?

Zul shook his head. If that happened, then we wouldve been called back too.

Lucky dogs, Zeke grumbled.

It gives us a chance to pass them, Aran said as he refilled his flask. You want to surpass them, right?

I still feel cheated, Zeke said. The adventurers guild made Fuselage seem like a paradise. What part of this is paradise?

I mean, Sophie said, if you liked crab

Well, I dont, Zeke said and made a face.

Cheer up, Claire said. Three more years and we can go back. I cant wait to see my family again. She sighed. I wonder how theyre doing.

Im sure theyre doing fine, Zul said and pat her shoulder. Our families get special treatment even if we die here.

Claire frowned. Dont say that. Im rather addicted to living, she said and poked her crab leg with a fork, although, these things will probably be the death of me.

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Mina and Tafel stood outside Dustins room.

Whats going on, Mina? Dustin asked as he rubbed his eyes. He sat up in bed and looked towards the hallway. Mina clasped her hands as she stood next to Tafel. Vur was still passed out and the fairies were watching over him. You assaulted Zollstock in Konigreich and then you appear naked in my house a month later.

Its Zollstock. Hes dangerous, Mina said and bit her lip.

Dustin nodded. Of course. Hes the demon lord, he said.

Mina shook her head. You dont understand, she said. Hes dangerous to us.

Dustins forehead wrinkled. Elaborate.

Mina took in a deep breath. I think he killed the previous demon lord.

Tafel stared at her mother with wide eyes. Dustin frowned.

Mina continued. He seemed normal when we first met him that day. He even seemed normal after we had been married for a year. He was nice to me, gave me gifts, said sweet things to me, and supported my family with wealth. He tried to make me like him.

Are you going somewhere with this? Dustin asked. He stared into Minas eyes with his hands clenching his blanket.

Mina bit her lip. He changed after we had kids and he became the demon lord. He stopped paying attention to me and spent more time alone. He would disappear for hours at a time, leaving me to watch over the children. I looked through his room one day while he was gone, she said and hesitated. And I found a golden horn. A demon horn.

Tafels face paled.

Dustins eyes widened. Are you sure? It was a demons horn?

Mina nodded.

You didnt tell anyone? Dustin asked.

Mina shook her head. Would you? Who could I have told?

Dustin turned his head towards the trembling Tafel. Should she be here for this?

She deserves to hear it, Mina said and sighed. Tafel yanked her hand out of Minas grip and hugged her elbows while looking down.

Tafel Mina said and moved her hands towards her daughter.

Stop it, Tafel said, her voice shaking. Why..? She looked up at Mina with glistening eyes.

I-

The house shook and Dustin fell out of bed. Mina and Tafel dropped to their knees. Dust sprinkled from the ceiling and a low rumble echoed through the building. The house continued to shake.

Ten seconds passed and the trembling stopped. Dustin and Mina glanced at each other. Dustin rifled through his closet and pulled out three staves, two of which he gave to Mina and Tafel. Tafel stared at the staff in her hands, but remained sitting on the floor.

Cmon, Dustin said and held out his hand towards Tafel.

Tafel reached for his outstretched hand, but her hand stopped midway and fell to her lap. She shook her head and tears dripped down her face. Mina frowned.

Watch over her, Mina said and proceeded to walk towards the stairs. Her horns were glowing red and the staff pulsed with a blue light. Dustin stood next to Tafel and ruffled her hair as Mina stepped down the stairs. Tafels hands were white from gripping the staff.

Mina reappeared a few seconds later. Her face was pale. Vurs gone.

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Lindyss was meditating on her bed, surrounded by a ring of blue mana crystals. A breeze whipped her hair behind her ears and she opened her eyes. A man with a pointed blue conical hat and pink robes stood in the middle of her room.

Charon, Lindyss said and nodded her head. I dont have any water from the fountain of youth with me, if youre wondering.

The man smiled, revealing yellow and black teeth. I didnt come here for that, he said. Cant a lonely old man drop by just to say hi to his favorite elf?

No, Lindyss said as she swept the mana crystals up into a box. What are you here for?

I thought Id come here to give you a warning, he said and tapped his chin, since one of my descendants has taken a liking to this place.

Exzenter?

Charon nodded.

You two are similar, Lindyss said and tied her hair up into a bun.

Charon smiled. Its good to hear that my greatness runs through the family.

Lindyss chuckled. So, whats the warning?

Charon stopped smiling. The demon lord recalled the two strongest demon parties from Fuselage.

Lindyss forehead wrinkled as her brow creased together.

This was shortly after he returned from your kingdom, Charon continued. Im not sure what hes planning on doing with them, but its definitely not to attack the humans. The sacred spirits wont allow it. Your kingdom, however Charon stopped speaking.

Thank you, Lindyss said and lowered her head.

Charon nodded. Take care of yourself.

Lindyss raised her head. The room was empty.