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Chapter 82 - The Price of the Dragon’s Tears

Steam drifted lazily through the cool night air, curling around Sofie and Klaus as they sank deeper into the water. The warmth seeped into their muscles, melting away the stiffness from the long walk.

Sofie leaned back against the smooth rock edge, eyes half-lidded, a blissful sigh slipping out. Klaus sat a short distance away, arms resting on the rim of the bath, gaze lifted to the full moon overhead.

For a while, there was only silence—the gentle ripple of water, the whisper of wind through the pine trees, and the distant hum of the city.

Then… a faint splash.

Sofie's eyes snapped open. She turned her head slowly… and froze.

Someone else was here.

A figure sat on the far side of the pool, partially veiled by steam. He leaned back with casual ease, his short silver hair damp and clinging slightly to his face. Moonlight caught the faint scar running along his jawline.

Sofie yelped in surprise and instinctively scooted away, sending a wave across the pool.

Klaus didn't even flinch. His gaze flicked briefly toward the stranger, then away again.

The man noticed her startled look and chuckled low in his throat. "Easy there. Didn't mean to scare you."

His voice was calm, carrying a warmth that contrasted with his sharp, almost dangerous appearance.

"I'm Ryouma Kaizen," he said with an easy smile. "Just another traveler passing through."

He lifted a hand in a lazy wave before letting it sink back beneath the water, steam swirling around his fingers.

"You two new in town?" he asked, eyes glancing between them with a mix of curiosity and amusement.

Steam curled lazily between them as Klaus straightened slightly, his eyes locking onto Ryouma with sudden focus.

"I'm Klaus," he said after a moment, nodding toward the girl beside him. "And this is Sofie."

Sofie gave a small nod in return, still a bit shy from the sudden company.

"We're… yeah, we're new here," Klaus continued, his voice even but laced with curiosity.

Ryouma smirked knowingly. "Well, I'm only here for one thing… the Dragon's Tears."

Klaus's head snapped toward him, surprise flashing across his face.Someone else was after them?

"You too, huh?" Ryouma chuckled, the sound low and almost challenging.

Klaus gave a single, firm nod.

"Ha! I knew it." Ryouma leaned back against the stones, letting the hot water lap at his shoulders. "People say it's just a myth, but we both know myths are just truths waiting to be uncovered, right?"

Klaus's voice sharpened. "Do you know more about the Dragon's Tears?"

Ryouma's smirk deepened. He tilted his head back, eyes half-closed, as if pulling a story from deep memory.

"Hmmm… From what I know… Once upon a time, the Arashi family worshipped two great serpent gods. But when the Divine Dragon came to Japonica, those serpents were forced to retreat, and the people began worshiping the dragon instead."

His tone shifted, becoming almost reverent. "With the dragon came a promise… the Dragon's Heritage. A gift of resurrection and a form of immortality. The heir of this heritage couldn't be harmed by ordinary means and could return from death without consequence though still bound to die naturally in time."

Sofie's brow furrowed slightly, listening intently.

"The heir," Ryouma continued, "could even grant this power to chosen individuals. But when they resurrect… a curse spreads. They call it dragon rot."

His gaze shifted to Klaus, eyes glinting in the moonlight. "The Dragon's Heritage comes from Divine Heirs whether or not they're directly related to the Divine Dragon. It's true immortality, yes… but unnatural."

Ryouma's voice lowered, almost like a warning. "Instead of turning the bearer into an undead, it lets them draw life from those around them… stealing vitality to heal or return from death. And everyone touched by this power… suffers."

The water rippled between them, the weight of his words hanging in the mist.

Klaus's grip on the stone edge tightened. Sofie swallowed, glancing between the two men, sensing the tension in the air.

Klaus leaned forward slightly, the steam drifting past his face."How do you know all this?" he asked, his tone calm but edged with suspicion.

Ryouma cracked one eye open, meeting Klaus's stare with an amused glint."Let's just say…" He shifted his arms along the stone rim of the bath, "…I've been closer to the Dragon's Heritage than most would dare. Closer than was safe."

Sofie tilted her head. "Closer? What do you mean by that?"

Ryouma chuckled softly. "It's not a story I share over casual conversation but…" He paused, letting the steam coil dramatically around his face. "…I've seen what happens when someone abuses that power. I've seen a man come back from death three times in one battle. I've also seen the people around him coughing blood and fading like wilted flowers."

Klaus's eyes narrowed. "And you?"

"I walked away," Ryouma said simply, his smirk returning. "Barely. But I learned something important that there's always a cost. And if you're chasing the Dragon's Tears…" His gaze locked on Klaus, sharp and unflinching. "…you better be ready to pay it."

The words lingered, heavy and unshaken by the quiet splash of water around them.

Sofie wrapped her arms around herself not from the cold, but from the strange chill his story left behind.

Ryouma leaned back again, closing both eyes as if the conversation was already over. "But that's just a friendly warning. Whether you take it or not… that's on you."

Klaus didn't answer, but his jaw was set.

Steam still clung faintly to Klaus's skin as they stepped out of the onsen, the cool night air brushing past them.

Inside, his mind churned.

"Lord Isshin… the Divine Heir… he has the Dragon's Heritage. If that's true, then why send me to hunt for the Dragon's Tears? Why not just give me his own blood?"

His jaw tightened. The answer struck him like a hammer to the chest.

"…Dragonrot. He has the rot."

That pale, withered look of those afflicted flashed through his mind. A slow, burning anger flickered behind his eyes.

Ryouma's voice cut through the thoughts. "Hey! Why not go there together?" He leaned lazily against the doorframe, water still dripping from his hair. "I know the easiest route to Mount Yorei."

Klaus studied him, his gaze weighing the risk. Ryouma had given more information but trust was a dangerous thing. Still, the road ahead was long and perilous.

"…Fine," Klaus said at last. "Tomorrow. 5 a.m."

Ryouma gave a mock salute, a smirk tugging at his lips. "Sounds good."

Klaus turned to Sofie. "I'm done here."

"Same," she said, cheeks still warm from the bath.

They made their way through the quiet inn halls. Klaus's steps were slow, his

expression distant. Sofie noticed, her brows knitting. "Is everything alright?"

He gave her a small smile and patted her head gently. "Everything's good."

Soon they reached their room. The old woman was already there, laying out a tray of steaming dishes grilled fish, miso soup, rice, and pickled vegetables.

Both bowed deeply. "Thank you," they said in unison.

After changing into the light robes provided by the inn, they sat cross-legged at the low table.

Sofie wasted no time, attacking the fish with eager bites. "Mmm! This is so good!" she mumbled through a mouthful.

Klaus ate slowly, savoring each bite, his mind still half on tomorrow.

When they finished, the futons were ready. Sofie collapsed into hers almost instantly, her soft snores filling the quiet room.

Klaus lay back, staring at the wooden ceiling. Sleep didn't come. His thoughts stayed fixed on the mountain, the Dragon's Tears… and now, Ryouma.

Tomorrow would change everything.

---

The first light of dawn barely crept through the paper sliding doors when Klaus sat up, already dressed and ready. The faint chill of the early morning bit at the air.

He turned toward Sofie, who was still sprawled across her futon, hair a mess, hugging the blanket like it was her last lifeline.

"Sofie. Wake up," Klaus said flatly.

"Mmmm… five more minutes…" she grunted, burying her face deeper into the pillow.

Klaus sighed. "We don't have five minutes." Without another word, he stepped over, grabbed her by the blanket-wrapped middle, and hoisted her up.

Before Sofie could even mumble a protest—whoosh!—he tossed her straight into the air.

Her eyes snapped open mid-flight. "Wha—?!" She looked down, the sight of Klaus with his arms crossed waiting below making everything click.

Her cheeks puffed, and she landed with a thump in front of him. She placed a hand behind her head, gave an exaggerated wink, and said, "Teehee~"

Klaus's eyebrow twitched. "Don't 'Teehee' me!" he barked, but she only grinned wider.

By the time they made it to the inn's

entrance, the old couple was already sweeping the front.

Ryouma was there too, leaning casually against a wooden post, his sword strapped to his back. He was dressed for travel, a smirk tugging at his lips as soon as he saw them.

"You're late," Ryouma said with a mock sigh, glancing at Sofie. "Let me guess she didn't want to get up?"

Sofie stuck her tongue out at him. "Mind your business."

Klaus ignored the banter and adjusted the strap on his pack. "You said you knew the easiest route to Mount Yorei?"

Ryouma pushed off the post, his smirk turning into something sharper. "Easiest… and safest. Well, mostly safe. Depends on how you define 'safe.'"

"That's reassuring," Klaus replied flatly.

Sofie tilted her head. "Safe meaning no monsters?"

Ryouma chuckled. "Oh, there will be monsters. But if you stick with me, you might live long enough to see the mountain."

With that, the three of them stepped onto the misty trail leading out of the village, the rising sun barely peeking over the horizon.

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