Chapter 1597: Considering

Erebus was shocked. The cold expression of grim determination that had dominated his face moments earlier suddenly disappeared when Erend revealed his true power. The moment he felt the immense aura, Erebus recognized what stood before him. This man was another Dragonborn.

He knew how rare Dragonborn were. Throughout his entire life Erebus had stood alone as the only one of his kind in his homeland.

He was the strongest Magic user in his land and perhaps even in his entire world, and that strength came from his identity as a Dragonborn.

Based on the stories and knowledge passed down in his world, other Dragonborn existed only as distant legends. Finding one of them was considered very unlikely, so he had never expected to encounter another in a world he intended to invade.

Yet here he stood, facing one.

But then Erebus’s expression hardened again as grim determination returned to his eyes.

He understood that his task had suddenly become far more difficult than he had anticipated. The presence of another Dragonborn was an unexpected variable that could threaten his entire plan.

Nevertheless, he refused to abandon his goal of saving his people. Whatever obstacles stood in his way, he would find a way to overcome them.

Erend watched Erebus carefully, waiting to see how he would react after discovering that another Dragonborn stood before him.

As he had expected, the revelation had initially shocked the stranger.

However, his surprise did not last long. His expression soon returned to one of grim determination and Erend realized that the man’s resolve to invade their world was deeper than he had assumed.

Whatever awaited him and whatever difficulties he had to overcome, Erebus seemed prepared to endure them all to accomplish his goal.

Erend let out a quiet sigh before speaking again. "We can discuss a solution. You must have a reason for wanting to invade my world, right?"

Erebus remained silent.

"Let us help you instead. We don’t need to do anything reckless." Erend paused briefly before continuing. "You know that I’m a Dragonborn too. If we fight here, the consequences could be unimaginable."

Billy and Adrien exchanged glances as they processed Erend’s words. It did not take them long to understand what he meant.

The stranger was another Dragonborn. That revelation made an already dangerous situation considerably more complicated.

They knew how powerful Dragonborn could be, and a battle between two of them could cause destruction on a scale far beyond anything they wanted to risk.

For the moment they decided to leave the conversation to Erend and avoid interfering.

"You can’t help me," Erebus replied at last. His voice remained firm as he met Erend’s gaze. "I’m not afraid of you. I’m ready to do anything for my people."

At last, Erend understood the reason behind the stranger’s determination. It was all for his people. In that instant, he recognized something familiar in Erebus.

Like himself and the other Dragonborn, this man carried a strong desire to protect those who depended on him.

Erebus was not seeking another world simply out of greed or a desire for power. He wanted to save his people from whatever suffering had driven him to consider such a desperate solution.

Erend understood that feeling all too well. He and his companions had faced countless dangers because they could not abandon those who needed their protection.

"All right. I understand," Erend said. "I’ll be honest with you. You already know that I’m a Dragonborn, but I’m not the only one. I have three other friends, and they’re Dragonborn too."

He decided to reveal everything rather than waste time concealing information that would inevitably come to light.

If Erebus understood the true extent of the enemies standing before him, maybe he would reconsider his decision and recognize that there might be a need for another way.

The revelation shocked Erebus once again. His face stiffened, his jaw tightened, as he struggled to process the information.

The situation suddenly became far more complicated than he had imagined. If three more Dragonborn stood in his way alongside the man before him, then the obstacles he faced were beyond his ability to overcome.

Even if he fought with everything he had and pushed himself to death, Erebus could not confidently say that he would defeat four Dragonborn.

For the first time since arriving in this world, the certainty behind his decision began to waver.

"My people..." Erebus finally said, his voice growing heavier. "They’re suffering. I need to find a new world where they can survive."

Erend nodded as he listened. He now had a clearer understanding of the desperation driving the other Dragonborn, and he saw no reason to treat him as an enemy if there was still a chance to resolve the situation peacefully.

"Then we just need to find the cause of their suffering," Erend replied with confidence.

Erebus stared at Erend as though the man had just suggested something utterly ridiculous. He struggled to understand how Erend could speak so confidently about resolving a problem that had plagued his people for so long.

After a brief pause, he finally responded. "You don’t know what we’re facing. This was caused by a curse from a being we killed. When she died, she placed a curse on our land and condemned our people to eternal darkness. This isn’t something you can resolve so easily."

Erend nodded, acknowledging the severity of the situation without showing any sign of backing down. "Yes, I understand. But we have four Dragonborn already. If you join us, there will be five of us. Surely you understand what we could accomplish by combining the power of five Dragonborn."

Erebus fell silent as he considered the possibility. He had spent so long searching for a way to save his people that he never expected to receive help from another Dragonborn, let alone discover that several more existed.

If Erend and his friends truly have the strength he claimed, then perhaps their combined power could accomplish what Erebus and the council had failed to do alone.

Five Dragonborn working together could face threats that should be impossible.

Erend noticed the change in Erebus’s expression and realized that his words were beginning to reach him. The other Dragonborn was no longer dismissing the idea outright. He was weighing the possibilities.

After a long silence, Erebus released a heavy sigh. "Then come to my world. You’ll be able to see what’s happening there for yourself."

Erend allowed himself a small smile. It seemed they had finally found a way to move forward without fighting.

"All right. We’ll come."

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