Dragon Raja 2; Chapter 122: The Dragonbone Cross (7)

Dragon Raja 2

It was the withered remains of a boy, bronze in color, like a work of art forged from pure copper. Crystallized eyes were embedded in the eye sockets, like a pair of golden glass beads. Although they resembled human bones, a closer look revealed enormous differences. Nearly a thousand slender bones, some fused together, formed organs unseen in any textbook. Two bony structures opened like a fan on his back—his wings. His arms were extended, holding onto the wing bones behind him, his head bowed, like Jesus nailed to the cross.

The Dragonbone Cross.

The shadow touched the skeleton. “You can’t really be dead, can you? This isn’t the death a Dragon King should have… let me release your final bindings.”

With one swift motion, she slit open all the arteries in her wrist. Thick, bloody fluid poured into the pool. The bluish-green water, for the alchemical domain, was like electrolyte for a battery. The circulation of the water provided an endless stream of energy, simulating the world’s cycle—days passing, rivers flowing. The final alchemical domain contracted around the altar, as blood and the bluish-green water fought to the death. The pool boiled, but the evaporation of the water also consumed the blood. The two forces were evenly matched.

“To resurrect you, more sacrifice is needed,” the shadow muttered.

Her heart chambers contracted with all their might. She controlled her heart in a way impossible for a human, squeezing out her blood. The blood slowly sank to the bottom of the pool, and with a deafening explosion, the entire pool’s water shot into the sky, forming a circular water wall dozens of meters high! It was an inverted rainstorm of bluish-green water. The final alchemical domain collapsed, and the immense power covering the altar suddenly dispersed. The last restraint was broken!

The grand march reached its climax, as if Beethoven’s spirit had descended, bringing the “Ode to Joy” from heaven.

“Stand up, Constantine!” the shadow shouted, clapping.

No one answered her. The Dragonbone Cross remained still, showing no signs of life. Bluish-green droplets splattered on the skeleton, like a sudden fine rain.

The shadow silently stared at the skeleton. After a long time, she stepped forward and gently held it, like a mother holding a child. “Constantine… so you really are dead.”

“Please play us a requiem.” The shadow pressed her cheek against the skeleton’s.

The grand march abruptly stopped, and mournful, chilly notes flowed from the twisted brass pipes of the music box. It sounded like Tchaikovsky’s “Pathétique,” mixed with Bach’s religious mass music. The soprano’s aria was poignantly beautiful, lamenting in a language unknown to this world that time turned like autumn leaves, that reunions were often fleeting while farewells were eternal, and that the sorrow humans could not endure was the eternal law of the universe.

“Perhaps it is because we do not know dreams, that the drifting chase illusions,” someone sang desolately, like plucking a dusty wooden xylophone.

The shadow turned. Another shadow stood in the nearby darkness, with a perfect figure, curvaceous and long-legged.

“Ah, I didn’t mean to interrupt, just trying to match the mood.” The second shadow laughed softly. It was clearly a girl, her voice clear and slightly arrogant.

The first shadow was silent for a moment, understanding her predicament. She hadn’t heard the approach, which was impossible given her superior bloodline. There was only one explanation—the other was already there, waiting for her. Her actions had been under her surveillance. “Sakatoku Mai?” She released the Dragon King’s bones and slowly rose.

“Hi! Am I that famous?” With a snap of her fingers, a beam of light shone down from above. Mai stood lazily in the light with her arms crossed, wearing a black bodysuit. Two straight swords were strapped to her thighs, and her long hair was tied in a high ponytail.

“I’m here to pay respects to a friend. What are you here for?” The shadow lowered her head. Mai was clearly a dangerous opponent, but she showed no sign of being on guard.

“To steal, of course. This Well of Oblivion hides the Dragonbone Cross—who wouldn’t want to check it out? But the barriers here are too strong; blindly barging in would get you caught. For some reason, though, part of the barriers suddenly failed. It’s like the lock on the granary gate fell off, and we mice of course rushed in. Pay respects to a friend? You’re just a thief like me—I’m the first mouse, you’re the second,” Mai suddenly turned her head, looking into the darkness to the side, “and he’s the third.”

Almost as if in response, another person’s breathing sounded in the dark.

“Interesting, we just need one more for a mahjong table,” the shadow said.

“Got it, we’ve got enough for mahjong.” Someone spoke up from behind the shadow, raising their hand high.

“Nice to meet you all.” Mai clapped her hands, and spotlights lit up the other three shadows.

This was the moment everyone revealed their true forms, killing intent like a tightly strung string, ready to snap at any moment! The three shadows all tensed, assuming attack stances… except for the last person, who had a KFC paper bag on his head. Despite his well-built figure and powerful muscles creating a strong visual impact, it looked a bit out of place.

“Can you be a bit more professional?” Mai chuckled.

“Do I have to wear formal attire?” The KFC man pointed at the third person. “Like him?”

The third person was wearing a light gray suit, a white Florentine shirt, and even a silver-gray cravat, as if he had just rushed over from a party. He swept his hair off his forehead, revealing striking dual-colored eyes—gold and sea blue.

“Allow me to introduce,” the KFC man said, “this is Mr. Parsi Gattuso, secretary of the investigation team.”

“Just call me Parsi,” Parsi said calmly.

“I must say, as a thief, you’re certainly polite. If I’d known someone like you would be here, I would have come in an evening gown.” Mai laughed.

“No, I’m the only one here who isn’t a thief. Everything in this college belongs to the School Board, including the Dragonbone Cross. I’ve been authorized by the School Board to supervise and inspect the college’s property, so of course, I don’t need to sneak around.” Parsi spoke calmly.

“Such righteous words,” Mai giggled. “But judging by the mud on your shoes, it seems you didn’t come in through the front gate. Perhaps you crossed the ‘garden’ instead?”

Parsi looked at his exquisite Italian leather shoes, now covered in organic sludge. “Yes, it was difficult.”

“Seems like you swam in? Those sharks didn’t get in your way?” Mai turned to the shadow by the Dragonbone.