The other dragons came forward as soon as they heard Suzaki's voice. Eoranth stayed and guarded the exit. Broidrireg was too weak to move after suffering the backlash from having the seal removed from him.
"Haon…!" Jack called as his weapons appeared in his hands. Was it a complete failure? Was he wrong to think an outworlder's body was special?
Suzaki flapped her fiery wings to fly, but she suddenly stopped.
"What…?" Her face showed confusion. It then turned into consternation before changing again into an expression of fear. "No… No! You can't…! I won't be… No, not again! No! Stop! Stooppp…!!"
The flames that formed her shrank. The speed of the flames shrinking increased with each passing second until finally Leavemealone was seen again. The only flames that were still burning were the seal in his chest. Those flames were soon doused as well. The seal was still emitting bright hot light but it was no longer burning.
"What… What happened?" Jack asked Leavemealone who was standing still with his eyes closed.
Leavemealone opened his eyes. He looked around at everyone who was staring back with watchful eyes.
"Don't worry, she is caged now," Leavemealone said. "I was taken by surprise when she entered me. I was unprepared. That allowed her to come out briefly."
"Are you sure? Do you feel uncomfortable or anything? Do you feel hot?" Broidrireg asked.
"I feel slightly hotter than usual but it's not unbearable. I think I am fine. I am… Sorry, excuse me for a bit," Leavemealone said before shutting his eyes again. After several seconds, he opened them. "Sorry, she was making so much noise inside. I have to beat her up a bit to shut her up."
"You… You beat her…?" Jack asked in surprise.
"You can make contact with her essence inside yourself?" Broidrireg asked. His tone sounded even more surprised than Jack's.
"Yeah. It is a bother to hear another person's voice inside my head, but I think I can manage. I already have some experience, after all," Leavemealone replied while glancing at Carnelia. "I can fight her inside my mind, so this can be some sort of mental training."
"Really? Won't it be exhausting fighting her constantly in your mind?" Jack asked.
"You misunderstood. When I said I could fight her, I meant I could choose to. Otherwise, I can just imagine a sealed box and shut her inside. I can still hear her muffled voice when I do that but I don't think it will bother me too much."
"Fascinating," Broidrireg uttered.
"Haha! See? What did I say? Transferring the seal to an outworlder is a correct choice, isn't it? I knew it would be a success!" Jack declared.
"If you are so confident, why are you holding your weapons?" Peniel ridiculed.
"Oh…," Jack hurriedly stored his weapons.
"Hehe," Broidrieg sat down with a smile. His expression showed that a huge burden had been lifted from him. He said, "Thank you, Jack, and also, of course, Haon."
"You are welcome, mighty one," Jack replied. Leavemealone just nodded politely.
"Well, since the process has been a success, I guess my service is no longer required," Janus said. "But I do feel intrigued by this seal. What I have learned is just the transfer process. Do you mind bestowing the sealing spell onto me, Lord Broidrireg?"
"Forgive me for being blunt, Lord Janus," Broidrireg replied. "I don't know you much. I won't teach such a powerful spell to anyone I don't completely trust. Furthermore, it will take you months to learn the spell, if not years. I don't have such a time anymore if you are aware."
"Fair enough," Janus said. "In that case, I will take my leave. It has been a pleasant experience watching a master at work."
"I will excuse myself as well," Leavemealone said. He had reequipped his light armor. The seal on his chest was no longer visible.
As the two left, Broidrireg said to Jack, "Let me fly you back. Want to ride on my back again?"
"Sure!" Jack exclaimed and climbed aboard. Broidrireg flew into the tunnel. The other dragons stayed inside. As they flew out of the cave, they saw that it was already dawn. They saw the beautiful sunrise in the East.
Broidrireg didn't fly directly to the palace. He flew around Mount Thenias, enjoying the scenery. They didn't talk. They simply enjoyed the moment together. After flying for some time, Broidrireg finally descended and arrived before the palace's balcony where they enjoyed supper earlier.
"Thank you again, Jack, for helping me transfer the seal," Broidrireg said.
"It's my pleasure, mighty one," Jack returned with a smile.
"I have a parting gift for you," Broidrireg gave Jack a book.
Hearing the word, parting, reminded Jack about Broidrireg's condition. His smile froze, but he didn't let his melancholy show. He accepted the book and used Inspect. The book was a technique book containing a mega spell, Wrath of the Ancient Dragons.
"Thank you!" Jack exclaimed. "With two seven-rune mega spells, I will have more options even with their long cooldown."
"Seven-rune? This one is an eight-rune spell," Broidrireg corrected.
"Eight? Doesn't the mega spell you cast have seven runes?" Jack asked.
"That spell is Wrath of the Elder Dragons. This one is different. This one is stronger."
"Really? Then why do you never use this spell?"
"At my age, it is not easy to pull off a mega spell. Such a powerful one causes a burden on my body. Not to mention, it needs a hell of a long time to cast."
"In that case, thank you very much, mighty one!"
Broidrireg chuckled. "I guess all good things will have to end sooner or later. Thank you, Jack, for being my friend. This will be the last time we spoke."
Jack couldn't find a word to respond.
Broidrireg told him, "Today, I will leave with my family to an ancient dragon graveyard. I will spend the rest of my days there with them. I consider you my family but that place is unsuitable for humans, or for that matter, outworlders. Plus, I believe you have many things to deal with in the coming days."
"… I'm going to miss you," Jack said.
"As with me," Broidrireg replied. "Well, it's not a custom for us dragons but I believe your kind consider a hug an expression of affection? Want to have one?"
"You bet I do!" Jack said. He pressed his body to Broidrireg's cheek. The dragon had one finger pressing Jack's back.
"Thank you for all you have done," Jack said to him.
"I thank you for being my friend…," Broidrireg returned.
Jack let go of their hug.
"Goodbye," Peniel said to Broidrireg.
"You take care of him, little fairy," Broidrireg said.
"Always," Peniel replied.
Broidrireg floated above the palace while looking at Jack and Peniel.
"I will leave this world to you. I know you can protect it. I know you will beat the underworld force. I believe in you," Broidrireg said. "Take care."
With those last words, he flew up and disappeared into the sky.
Jack continued watching the sky for some time even after Broidrireg was completely out of sight. Peniel sat at Jack's shoulder and leaned her body on Jack's neck to silently tell him that he was not alone.
