"What do you mean…?" Eoranth asked.
Broidrireg sighed again at Eoranth's question.
Jeanny and the others came to them. After Azzarilth fell, the obsidian dragons just scattered. Arlcard and the others chased the ones with only a few HP left. These obsidian dragons could become a menace to the adventurers roaming the wilderness. It would be best if they could cull their number.
Paytowin, who came with Jeanny, flew down to chase Azzarilth's still-plunging body. He was after the loots. It would be such a pity if other players took those loots.
Grace, who was looking for Jack, found him lying still on Broidrireg's palm. She flew over with worry. "What happened to Jack?" She asked.
Broidrireg shook his head. "I don't know. Whatever gave him his power seemed to also drain him once the effect was over."
Grace cast a spell that removed negative afflictions. When her spell didn't show any effect, Peniel used Fast Heal. It was also without result. Jack's HP was full. He just wouldn't wake up.
"How long will he be like this?" Grace asked.
Broidrireg shook his head again. He said, "Please rest assured. I don't think he is in any danger. My guess is his body simply goes into a shock due to the unnatural power he exhibited."
"He might be okay, but you are not!" Eoranth exclaimed. "Tell me! What is this life-trading curse?"
Upon Eoranth's words, Grace and the others noticed the burning tattoos on Broidrireg's body. Even now, they were slowly encroaching on his body.
"There is no need for you to worry about this," Broidrireg answered.
"I can't do that! That spell is supposed to hit me. Why did you put yourself in its path? Tell me what it does!" Eoranth demanded.
Broidrireg shook his head. He preferred to spare Eoranth the knowledge, but he supposed Eoranth would find out soon anyway. Eoranth might blame himself when that happened. Since it was so, Broidrireg decided to just come clean.
"The life-trading curse consumes all the caster's life force. The spell will then erode the target's life force using the life force from the caster. In other words, the spell consumes my age."
Eoranth frowned upon hearing it.
"Can we use a spell to lift the curse?" Grace asked.
"It is a curse in name only," Peniel helped to explain. "The spell is more like an attack. It hits and carries out its effect, which is reducing his age. Even if you have something that can dispel the curse, the damage was already done. The consumed age will not return."
As if to emphasize Peniel's explanation, the burning tattoos finished encompassing Broidrireg's body. It then vanished, as if nothing had ever happened to the elder dragon. However, those with acute mana sense, especially Grace who had mana perception, could detect the changes of the mana flowing within Broidrireg. His mana was much thinner than before.
"… How long do you have?" Eoranth asked.
Broidrireg studied his body. He then answered, "Ten days… Give or take."
Those who heard couldn't help but feel down.
"What if we use the resurrection spell?" Jeanny asked.
"It's no use. I will die of old age. Even if I can be resurrected, I will simply die again soon. There is no need for you all to be concerned about this. I have lived a very long life. I am at peace with my passing."
"That is bull!" Eoranth exclaimed. "You should have just let the spell hit me. I still have a very long age. Even if Azzarilth's life force erodes mine, it will only take a thousand years off my age. I will still have plenty of thousands to spare. Why do you have to shield me?!"
"I will never allow that to happen if I can help it," Broidrireg said with a soothing voice. "I promised your father that I will look after you. Different from my old bones, you still have your life ahead of you. If Azzarilth's curse hit, his life force will not only rob you of your age but also your potential."
Eoranth turned away. He didn't want to listen.
Broidrireg sighed. He continued speaking to Eoranth, "The reason you couldn't win against her is not because of your strength. You have the same levels as her. The stats between the two of you are not that much different. The reason she was much more powerful was because of the number of skills and spells she possessed. As you age, you will be granted skills and spells from your bloodline. It will also be easier for you to learn new skills and spells. Losing such a large portion of your age is the same as taking away your path to greatness. I will never allow that!"
Eoranth couldn't bring himself to look at Broidrireg.
"I've always longed to get my revenge. But if I knew it would be at the expense of your life, I wouldn't have wanted it," Eoranth muttered. There was a great sadness in his voice.
"That is why you should never let yourself be drowned by such a thing. Vengeance will always come at a cost," Broidrireg said. "Let us not dwell in my condition. As I said, I'm at peace with what happened to me. The battle has ended, but we still need to reorganize our force and restore the stability of this country. I believe Jack will agree to that."
Broidrireg handed Jack to Grace. "Take him to Dritzuut palace to rest. It might be some time before he wakes up. When he does, tell him to come find me at Thereath."
"You will return to Thereath now?" Jeanny asked.
"I still have a few hours before I am forcefully returned there. I wish to spend the time with my family while I wait."
Broidrireg was looking away while speaking. Jeanny turned in the direction of his gaze and saw a yellow dragon a great distance away heading toward them. The yellow dragon was Tiemezzys.
"Come with me, Eoranth. I still have something I wish to speak with you," Broidrireg said as he flew over to meet Tiemezzys.
Eoranth followed in silence.
Jeanny and the others watched the two dragons fly away. Grace looked at Jack who was still unconscious. She wondered how Jack would feel when he woke up and learned of Broidrireg's condition.
