Academic gathering with a lich-Chapter 604 - 557: Got it (3/6)

"Lord Koranac, how do you feel about this place?"

"What do you think?"

"It feels like it’s on the sharp end, how about over here, my lord?"

"What do you think?"

"It’s a bit too much, I’ll try a different spot."

"Good, that’s right, over there, a bit higher, a little higher."

"Alright then."

Kolosis was adjusting the Spiritual Array that masqueraded as the dragon, following the Giant Gemstone Dragon’s instructions in Lyle’s form. Lyle continually fine-tuned his voice based on Kolosis’s feedback, until the voice of the Giant Gemstone Dragon became a robust and deep tone.

"Finally, it’s done," Lyle sighed with relief. The minute adjustments to flesh were truly bothersome.

"That’s correct, I succeeded. Lord Koranac’s voice has returned to its original sound, identical to what I remember. You are indeed Lord Koranac." Lyle looked at the excited, foolish Dragon Priest, who had failed to notice the circles Lyle had made him draw in the Spirit Summoning Array, and now had an air of full participation and accomplishment.

The dire warning that had become a pendulum swinging back and forth in his mind gave way to a smile of satisfaction on Lyle’s face, as he conveyed his commendation to the Dragon Priest.

"Your skill is outstanding, Kolosis." Lyle felt his own acting was getting better and better—the fact that he could utter such lies must be due to spending too much time with the flashy ones, the genteel ones, the miraculous ones.

Having resolved the Dragon Priest’s skepticism with sophistry and the blind spots in his knowledge, now only the issue of the Dragon Crown remained.

"Kolosis, do you still doubt my identity?"

The utterly beguiled Dragon Priest maintained his humility, "You are the noble Firstborn of the Dragon, the light of hope for us all. Your existence, like the sun ascendant at the zenith, allows no other gem to compete with your radiance."

Lyle’s scalp tingled, but he endured it.

"Kolosis, my friend, then present the Dragon Crown, offer up the sun you have forged."

The Dragon Priest bowed respectfully but did not unlock the seal of the Gem Sun.

"Noble Giant Dragon, your vision remains sharp. Indeed, the sun that hangs high is the Dragon Crown that I forged, the only artifact I deemed worthy of your majesty. Only you can pick that crown, only you can... The seal I placed on the surface of the Dragon Crown is the most basic of the Dragon Priest’s seals, a Seven Locks grade. Lord Koranac, you only need to spread your wings and lightly shatter that seal, and the Dragon Crown will fall into your hands. Please begin."

As expected, there was a seal, and it’s on the level of the Seven Locks.

Lyle nodded, speaking with a hint of reproach.

"Kolosis, if it is only the most basic seal, then your defenses are too lax. It could give the despicable an opportunity to take advantage. Are you certain you haven’t overlooked any flaws that lesser spellcasters could exploit?" The eyes of the Giant Gemstone Dragon held anticipation.

The Dragon Priest let out a confident chuckle. "Rest assured, Lord Koranac. Although my seal is merely at the lowest Dragon Priest level, it is flawless—not a single gap! Any spellcaster below the level of the Seven Locks who dares to touch my Gem Sun in any manner... will crystallize completely, becoming part of the deep red crystal."

"...You really, you please me greatly, Kolosis," Lyle said through clenched teeth, forcing out the praise. Flawless—he couldn’t believe this incompetently performed Spirit Summoning Skill by the Dragon Priest was so meticulous. It was utterly troublesome. After receiving the Giant Dragon’s praise, the Dragon Priest Kolosis let out a delighted laugh, and Lyle felt mocked.

The Dragon Priest’s laughter faded as he gazed at the still-grounded dragon, somewhat puzzled.

"Lord Koranac, why do you not take your crown?"

Lyle fell into thought, and the dragon did not respond.

["Lyle, the usurpation ritual! The details of the usurpation ritual." Mr. Firmrock reminded Lyle, and before the mad Dragon Priest’s doubts could resurface, Lyle responded.]

"Kolosis, you go take down the Dragon Crown, take it down for me," the dragon ordered the Dragon Priest word by word, undeterred by Kolosis’s gentle refusals.

Very soon, the somewhat crazed Kolosis understood the intent of the Firstborn of the Dragon.

This command was a gift. The Dragon Crown, crafted by the clan of the Dragon Priest, was most powerful when the strongest Dragon Priest placed it upon the Firstborn’s head. He would be recognized by the future Dragon King, becoming one of the rulers of the era. Koranac saw his dedication and decided to share this glory with him! He, himself, would pick the crown for the future king!!!

The Dragon Priest’s heart swelled with boundless grandeur, feeling at this moment as if he was omnipotent! Magic converged around him, and a magical storm lifted Kolosis into the air; he flew toward the Gem Sun he had created with his own hands. I am the mightiest Dragon Priest! I am the future era! Kolosis now felt so inflated that he believed he could rival the giants dragons, even the Firstborn of the Dragon.

With a brief glance, the Dragon Priest saw the Firstborn seemingly shivering in the magical storm he had conjured, as if indeed he was more powerful than the Giant Gemstone Dragon!

Suddenly, Kolosis realized something!!!

He had sinfully harbored an overreaching heart!!! Unforgivable, how could he defy the giant dragon!! Discarding the stray thoughts in his mind, Kolosis removed the seals and took the Dragon Crown. As for the fragile image of the Firstborn he had just seen, Kolosis attributed it to a distorted delusion caused by his overreaching heart.

Holding the sparkling crown, Kolosis knelt in homage.

"Lord Koranac, this is your crown," he said.

Lyle nodded and lowered his lofty head. The head of the Giant Gemstone Dragon came to rest beside the Dragon Priest, its gemstone eye fixed intently on Kolosis and the glowing Dragon Crown in his hands. The Dragon Crown had three spires adorned with countless gems, two of the spires emitting a silver-blue and deep red magical glow, while the last one was dim. The Dragon Crown was indeed a magical artifact, its aura similar to Andrei’s Crown of the Lich, and even stronger, radiant and fiercely blinding like a blazing light.

"Place it upon me, Kolosis."

The body of Dragon Priest trembled, suppressing the tremors, he, like the most devout pilgrim, set the Dragon Crown upon the head of the Giant Gemstone Dragon. Light bathed the entire body of the dragon; Koranac’s form was changing!

"Close your eyes, Kolosis!"

The devout Kolosis closed his eyes.

Lyle indeed was changing, but not the transformation of the Firstborn ascending to Dragon King status, but an actual melting. His scalp had already been melted by the light of the Dragon Crown! The Dragon Crown, an artifact of the Dragon Priest and dragons, would not cooperate with the Evil God, and as an enemy of the Evil God, the light from Dragon View revealed Lyle’s true form. Black sludge flowed within the gemstone carcass, the ominously deformed figure obstructed by the intense light, temporarily concealed.

"Block your senses, Kolosis!"

"Why, esteemed giant dragon?"

"I want to give you a surprise."

"I understand," the Dragon Priest said, feeling a small sense of anticipation.

"Count to a hundred in your mind, Kolosis."

"Alright."

On the third second, as soon as he sensed that Kolosis had truly blocked his senses, Lyle grabbed the Dragon Crown and ran for it, not forgetting to put on Mr. Holding-the-Rocks in the process, with the Omen Giant crawling on all fours on the ground. Now was the time to flee, faster!! Even faster!!!

Lyle’s heart surged with excitement. The Dragon Crown! Hahaha!! I’ve tricked the Seven Locks Dragon Priest and stolen it!!

After a hundred seconds, Kolosis opened his eyes.

He indeed saw a surprise.

The gemstone dragon bones, filled with the Evil God’s mire, were now devoid of support, scattered all around. The dragon’s skull opened and closed before him, its split jawbone seeming to emit a piercing, mocking laugh.

Your dragon is gone, and so is your Dragon Crown.

"No!!!!!!!!!!!!"

Kolosis’ scream echoed in Ashpurin, like the roar of a dragon.