A Chronometric Defect

Some annoying inscriptionist keeps pestering me. Well, mainly Aitos. He can already speak with me through our mental connection, but he keeps using this newfangled invention of his to pester me instead. Did I just help Aitos invent eardrum spam calls? I freakin' hope not.

The man is always outwardly stoic, if easily annoyed. He's carefully hidden this 'mad scientist' side of himself, just like how he was extremely upset by my massacre in Haitos. I didn't even know his true feelings at first.

Back then, he outright demanded that he be allowed to apologize in my stead. He staunchly refused to let me speak to the people of Haitos. He then said he would claim my disaster was caused by... Him.

He announced he would pay each family out of his own pocket, which is rather easy when you can create literally any precious material from Mana. More importantly, however, he announced he would personally visit the families of the deceased.

His rationale is that since 'he' is technically 'me,' that his apology is effectively the same as mine.

That's not how that works. That's not how that works at all, Aitos.

Yet, seeing his face when he asked— I couldn't argue.

So, how in my lineage's name did he find the time of day to develop this inscription array? How does he have yet more time to blast me with random music from a pub or announcements from the fancy coach agency? Why is he ranting about inscription in terms that I can't understand without reading his memories?

He's a mad scientist of inscription; of this I possess zero doubt. If I told him about some new inscription technique and the fact that I may legitimately be an Apocalypse Dragon in the same sentence? He would ignore the latter. Without question. Every time.

I've decided to seal my Parasitic Body and Mind. Not like last time with my roar. Not entirely, either. I simply won't use it to kill the living unless absolutely necessary. If I do use it to kill, I must try my hardest to retain my victims' sense of self as I have with Aitos. Assuming they're not evil, of course.

I fear, however, that even Aitos may eventually bore or stagnate in an immortal body. He may also lose himself to his draconic instincts. What then? Do I erase his mind, turning his every memory into a shell I merely possess?

Can I somehow eat that too, making his memories mine? My mind briefly flits to the dragon hunter's memories.

I won't concern myself too much with next year when tomorrow is ardently knocking. But unlike the first time I sealed my roar, I won't stop thinking once I'm satisfied with my reasoning. I'll keep thinking until every conundrum is solved. For however long that takes, since again: I'm immortal.

How do I know I'm immortal after only three days? Well, I asked status for my age. I learned about this because Aitos mentioned his age was unusual several times. I asked what he meant; he said 'don't you know how to ask status for your age?'

No, Aitos. I'm an idiot. I'm not nearly as smart as you all think I am. I've just got knowledge this world doesn't, plus the right mindset to apply it. Hell, I didn't even know Yenim's name because apparently I couldn't be bothered to ask.

Status, age.

Age: ∞

There's many perks to possessing a god's lineage. For some reason, this isn't one I'd considered.

Eternity. Is it scary?

Though, it's baffling my age would be infinity. I don't think age is the same thing as lifespan. That's weird.

I'd offhandedly told Aitos his lifespan was infinite back when I ate him, but I didn't actually believe my own words. Rather, I thought it imprudent to say his life was bound to mine. If I died for some reason, so would he. If he died? Well, I lose an arm. Big deal. I can grow a bazillion new ones.

...

Eurgh. Bad mental image.

In any case, Aitos didn't know what that symbol meant; they use a different glyph for infinity in this world. He said he still didn't believe that I have an infinite lifespan.

That was, until I explained what that symbol meant; how it represented time looping around indefinitely. Well, he's still doubtful, but that's fine because I was lying through my teeth anyway. I just didn't know my intentional lie was truthful. It's true that dragons have a compulsion for honesty, so it should've been a red flag when my 'lie' didn't feel wrong.

"— if I add twenty-three new sigils to the array binder, it'll drastically increase the load on its keystones, but if it explodes I'll—"

He's barraging me with questions and wild theories like he wants to burn his entire infinite lifespan over the next few hours. More power to him, I guess. I still don't see how he has the time when visiting all those distraught families.

(tshshh)

What, they're hitting me with a third attack? I'm tempted to hit back way harder than I already have.

Except that this technique is quite interesting— it's not something Aitos knows.

Which is because it's not an inscription, though it does look like one at first glance. It's a spell that mimics an inscription array, so it can maintain its power over long distances. Inscriptions can use external Mana— spells can't. The one who invented this is like the Aitos of magecraft.

I used Pathfinder earlier to locate the caster. I scan over the several red dots that had popped up in the regional capital of The Purified Heavens, Tengerii. Hrah, this means multiple people are casting a single spell. So very interesting. I again use Pathfinder to identify the spell's inventor, whom I quickly determine is a woman likewise in Tengerii. She's one of those same red dots.

I glance over the map.

The one all by itself. For some reason.

I haven't hurt them, but... Seeing as this is the only large city in the area other than Haitos and Achiton? I am tempted to subjugate Tengerii. Bringing the region under my wing would be a fair step in the right direction, but, honestly? I mostly want to get my claws on that mage.

A dragon never gives up its loot.

Ragh— is that mage my loot?

No, I can't assume she is. I've made the mistake of falling into my draconic tendencies more than once. I haven't paid the price... Actually, I'd say I've gained a lot because of those very tendencies.

Yet, it isn't right.

If I don't want to live up to my name, I must constantly remind myself that it isn't right. Too many times I've reaped benefits from the dead bodies of those who've paid the ultimate price in my stead. They've paid the same price I may someday pay if I don't keep myself in line.

That doesn't mean I'll easily give up treasure. Every time they attack me— I'm tallying their debts. I'm closely watching what kind of knowledge they're trying to glean, what knowledge they've gathered, and how much power they've gained over me via what they learn. Meager though it may be relative to my immense draconic might.

Still, I'll definitely strike at the same moment they cross my bottom line.

I don't know if I'm completely stopping them from learning, even if I can halt the bulk of their attack. Which is why I'm gathering information as well. Their capabilities, their flexibility, their stubbornness.

Hrgh. I should check the casters with Pathfinder again. So, I do. Which is good, because I see now that this third attack is different.

The first two prods were done by a group of mages. They're presumably a military or hunter unit under The Purified Heavens' leadership. I didn't check with Pathfinder because I don't care.

It was cast by one person.

I check the spell inventor's location again.

Indeed, it was done by the female mage who invented this unique probing spell. Just her. Just the one who's all alone.

It's obvious she participated in the first two attacks, even without Pathfinder to confirm for me. Her version of the spell is far more elegant and far less brute force than the spell cast by those other mages. They may be casting the same spell, but their spellcasting ability simply isn't on the same level as hers.

Sadly for her, rather than her competence giving her more data? That very elegance allowed me to understand her spell at almost the same moment the first one hit me. Maybe I really am an intelligent dragon. Hraw.

I cast the spell back at her.

Which is how I just shot back. I only sent random Mana static, though, as I'm still trying to decipher what she's sending.

This third one is not nearly as clear-cut as what the mage team barraged me with. They were trying to test my capabilities. She isn't. Well, at least, her third spell won't send back any data— its return payload is silent, oddly enough. There's only an incoming payload. Before, that incoming payload contained instructions of which information to gather, but this time the payload is very erratic... Rah, no? It's a repeating pattern. Then I don't want to outright attack her for no reason. She's not being openly aggressive.

Hrah. A pattern. What kind of data could have a repeating pattern? I could just check Aitos' memories, but I think I'll build my own deciphering spell. That sounds like what a genius dragon would do, right? I can't rely on other people's ideas all the time. I must take pride in my own intellectual prowess! Hraw hrah!

As for why she's here.

I believe she was sent specifically to do what she's currently doing. Gathering better data on her own, perhaps? Maybe she doesn't need information returned to learn something. Maybe... She's getting the data in another way I can't detect.

She is a specialist, after all.

...

Hrr.

Show me this woman's land possessions.

My mental map zooms out to show the entire continent. A huge number of red dots pop up all along the empire's eastern border, with just one red dot on the west. It's in Tengerii. She appears to be at the same location as the dot in Tengerii. So, is she at home right now, or did they give her that property?

Her properties and holdings are mostly located clear across the continent, hrem? That likely means she got here in less than a day. Incredible!

I destroyed that town early this morning. Either she happened to be nearby, or they use transport methods which surpass what I'm familiar with. I'll need to look into how humans travel. I'll review dragon hunter's memories again later.

But for now, maybe she knows transference magic? That seems unlikely. From what I know, the best a human can do is move themselves a few meters. They call it 'Trarp,' because of the sound it makes when casted by a Mage whose low Int makes the spell unstable. Which is pretty common, considering the high requirements of the spell.

Trarp...

That is some horrid naming sense. I liked my past life's take on the spell: 'Blink.'

Regardless, one attack was nothing. Two was annoying. Three? She's pushing my patience. I'll allow three— but if she keeps going? If she's willing to become a part of me, I'll allow her to live on like Aitos. Otherwise, I may capture her and force her to work off her debt.

If she refuses?

She dies.

This is, after all, the same situation I faced in that town. I put up with insult after insult until I was left with no choice but to commit a massacre. Heck, I could've done a better job of talking with that man before he tried to stab me.

So, let's say I allow them to keep prodding and never demand 'hands off!' They'll think I'm a dopey overgrown dragon who can be forced to pay his imaginary debts. I won't pay the price they've put upon my head because of their religion. That's not even slightly reasonable.

Hruh.

Debt is a funny thing. It forms whenever we take something of value that isn't ours.

However, it only accrues interest when the creditor has power. If I were weaker than this mage, could I claim her debts? No. Why would she negotiate with a dragon? Then, could I claim she owed me? Sure, but who would care? Who would enforce the debts of a dra—

(tshshh)

Really?

I warned you. I sent back those warning shots using your own spell. Did you think I screwed up, because I didn't attack you directly? Did you think it was a lazy copy or an imitation? You have no idea what you just did, lady.

Still, I'll try to negotiate first.

I return another blast of Mana static.

Then, I send a connection to her using Aitos' sending inscription. It's quickly blocked.

Unfortunately, his array shows the sender's name and an 'accept/reject' menu in the receiver's mind, so the reciever can block a connection even if they don't have an array themselves. I say 'unfortunately' because nobody I've tried to connect with so far picks up, for...

Well, let's say understandable reasons.

It's only unfortunate for myself.

So, I'll contact the Emperor: Thaddeus Heavens.

Yep. I'm doing it right this time. Perhaps it's risky, but they're already attacking me.

I enter his name and send him a connection.

Surprisingly, he answers.

"Ah, hello? Who is this?"

Such a normal greeting for an emperor. But— what do you mean 'who?'

"I'm sure you know, Emperor."

"I do not. I saw, but cannot fathom who would possess such a name. I allowed this connection mostly out of curiosity."

Good to know. Information is slow to leave Achiton due to the revolt, and the same is true in Haitos due to Aitos.

Perfect.

"My grand self is nearby your local capital, Tengerii. If you want it to exist tomorrow, immediately instruct them to not bother me like that nameless town did."

I have no intention of razing Tengerii. But he doesn't know that. Negotiation 101.

"You are... The dragon? Using the communication array? But it was... It was produced yesterday?"

Incredible. The leader of the most powerful Empire in the world is baffled. Let's throw some more fuel onto this fire.

"Who do you think instructed Aitos, human? You are welcome to contact him to ask my role in its development. I shall tell him you are allowed to hear this information."

"Threats can only get one so far, dragon. You can threaten Aitos because of his love for his city, but I will not cower."

Ah, hell. That backfired.

"Then I shall give you some advice, human. Do not assume you are the only one with power, nor that all the threats you've faced before today can measure up to myself. All I ask is to be left alone. You must weigh your empire on one side and your female mage, who is likely disobeying orders by repeatedly attacking me, on the other. Do choose wisely."

A pause. Does he not realize she's attacking? Or is it because I said 'female mage?'

"I am the Emperor because I choose wisely. I will NOT forsake one of my mages whenever a dragon claims they're bothered."

Hreh, the 'I don't know what you mean' tactic.

"Ainthia, correct? I know who's doing it. This is your last warning. All I expect right now is punishment. Next time, I will exact death. As a dragon does."

This time, a long pause. He seems stunned that I know this mage's name. I asked Aitos. You probably have no idea how, reh, close, our relationship has become.

Finally, he responds.

"The Purified Heavens will not back down from one so appallingly named 'Pure Evil.' I might've considered your offer otherwise, as I don't want to fight you. Yet, your horrid name mocks my Purified Heavens and everything it stands for."

Of course. It's gotta be my own damned name.

"I am a dragon; you are a man. I do not mock you because I cannot be bothered with your species' trifles. Should you choose to find offense regardless— know that I made the same peace offering to that town. Said town is your proof that my threats are no mere bluff."

A rapid-fire response.

"I likewise cannot be bothered with the trifles of a slightly smarter dragon! The Purified Heavens will never cower under the threat of Pure Evil!"

I'm not sure if he's using my name or if he means metaphorical pure evil. It's clever how it works either way. He must do many speeches.

"This is your decision, human. Remember it, so you may recall the root of your many regrets."

He sounds cool and so do I. Nailed it.

"I only regret that your revolting head is not suitable for display at parades, dragon."

He disconnects.

Psh, lame threat. I know I terrify people; that's half the fun. You'd be missing out not putting my head on display. Assuming you could get it.

Oh, but you won't!

I might argue that the town was an eye for an eye. I didn't need to kill them, but neither did they need to kill me. Fear or religion is not an excuse to kill any more than is pride.

This is different. This is the first time I've been attacked completely without provocation. Condemned, now, for having an offensive name. I knew that would come back—

(tshshh)

Really? Really. Fine! Have it your way, then.

I won't be passive. Not this time.

As of now, I, Pure Evil—

Declare war.