◈ Chapter 242. Like a Dragon (4)
Dragon.
Born as the king of all creation, it looks down upon everything.
Yet no one blames a dragon for its arrogance.
Because dragons possess an omnipotent power that makes even arrogance seem like humility. To such dragons, defeat and humiliation were unfamiliar things.
An old dragon who had lived through eons.
Yunakseoseu was no different.
Even if his mother’s plan began with his own death.
The end of being struck down by the hands of his kin who had betrayed him was never something he welcomed.
If he were honest, he felt wronged.
But he had only desperately turned his eyes away from it.
Did one such as he dare have the right to feel wronged?
He had belittled himself endlessly.
And yet, in the moment his Dragon Heart was grinding to a halt.
The final Dragon Fear he had unleashed like a scream.
There must surely have been resentment contained in that cry.
‘How shameful…….’
Lord Claudi must have realized that resentment.
Yunakseoseu could not raise his head.
Because he understood the meaning contained in Hoyeol’s words.
‘Under the pretext of discipline and punishment…….’
Are you saying you will accompany this old dragon in his final moments?
It was truly more than he deserved.
Yunakseoseu could not easily accept.
‘……
You will surely fall into danger.’
As he had said, he had failed to persuade his kin.
Not only had they refused to follow his mother’s will, they had even ignored the “Oath” with Claudi…… Was that not clear from the state they had left him in after he informed them of Claudi’s return?
Yunakseoseu felt his heart pounding violently.
‘And though I am a being who deserves death…….’
Because it was his own heart, he could tell.
This was a dying flash.
His Dragon Heart could stop at any moment.
It would not be strange if he died at any time.
So it would not matter how someone like him died, but……
‘Claudi, that is not the case for you, is it?’
It was at that moment.
A voice reached him.
“Are you afraid, Yunakseoseu?”
“……!”
“Of the death that approaches.”
The calm words struck the mark.
Because he had lived through eons.
He had thought he was prepared to accept death at any time.
And yet, before the shadow of death that had befallen him, had he not trembled in fear?
It was the same even now.
‘I am afraid.’
Afraid of my heart, which may stop at any moment.
Afraid that perhaps, Claudi, you may be placed in danger because of me.
That was why he could not answer easily.
And that was why he could only be shocked.
“If you are afraid, I shall be with you.”
“……
What do you mean by that?”
“I shall witness the moment you close your eyes.”
What those words meant was simple.
Whether the purpose was discipline, punishment, or avenging his resentment.
He was truly saying he would go with him.
Even if it meant facing danger.
Yunakseoseu could not understand.
“Why would you go so far for me……”
Then came a reply as if it were only natural.
“So that you will not be forgotten.”
“……!”
“So that you may live and breathe forever within legend.”
Even if you die, you do not die.
You will become a legend and live forever.
Claudi, in this moment.
Was giving him a final farewell warmer than anything else.
It was truly more than he deserved.
Yunakseoseu lowered his head.
“This old dragon has understood Claudi’s will.”
But there was one thing he had to make clear.
That he did not have the right to accept that offer.
Yunakseoseu continued.
“However, in my aged state, I no longer have the ability to escort you. The path I take may drive you, Claudi, into danger.”
It was enough that he had understood his intention.
Thanks to that comfort, he truly no longer had any fear of death.
It meant there was no need for him to fly together with him into the land of death.
But soon, at the answer that returned, Yunakseoseu fell silent.
Because those were not words someone about to face dozens of dragons should utter.
“There is no need for concern.”
“……?”
“Even if tens, hundreds, or thousands of dragons were to make an enemy of me.”
“……!”
“I will not die.”
...[Last Adventurer: You do not die on the Arcana Continent. Upon death, you immediately return to reality and cannot access the Arcana Continent for a set period of time.
- Cooldown: 24 hours]
I will not die.
At least on the Arcana Continent……!
I needed to make efficient use of that ridiculous effect.
Even more so now that I could travel back and forth from the Arcana Continent.
In that sense.
‘This death, too, must never be considered meaningless.’
Needless to say, I was already prepared for death.
Wasn’t it only natural to be prepared?
I was going to lecture about decorum in front of dragons, and not just one or two, but dozens of them. I have a conscience too. I didn’t expect my life to remain intact in the slightest.
By the way.
‘Thank goodness I really do have [Last Adventurer].’
You really are stubborn beyond belief, Granfell.
You can’t let your old-fashioned tendencies slide, so you’re going to discipline dragons through punishment?
If something like this had happened in the Zero Mountains of reality.
‘……
It’s horrifying just to imagine.’
So for now, let’s consider it fortunate.
That this situation is happening on the Arcana Continent, I mean.
Of course, that didn’t mean I could just be happy about it either.
Because as I exchanged words with Yunakseoseu, I was gradually realizing it.
The presence of Claudi was closing in around me more and more……!
I truly thought, no way, no way.
Even though I had guessed that the “great family” was “Claudi.”
I had denied it until the very end.
Because no matter how I thought about it, it made no sense.
The fact that Granfell’s setting had become reality was already absurd enough. But for the Claudi family to be realized as well was a matter on an entirely different scale.
‘……
I genuinely want to deny reality, to deny my dark history.’
Granfell had clearly said it.
—“I will not believe it until I confirm it with my own eyes.”
Making a conclusion based only on another person’s words?
Even if those were Yunakseoseu’s words.
With Granfell’s lofty temperament, such a thing was impossible.
Thanks to that, unless we discovered the Claudi family mansion or something.
Granfell would not recklessly acknowledge.
Any story concerning Claudi.
However.
‘My situation is a little different…….’
Damn it, my thoughts are getting complicated in all sorts of ways.
But the more times are like this, the more I need to think simply.
First, resolve the problems right in front of you one by one, Hoyeol.
I looked at the message.
[World Quest: The Old Dragon’s Final Flight]
The dying old dragon has made his decision.
To burn his end for the sake of his kin’s future.
The continent shall tremble at the old dragon’s rebuke.
─Witness the old dragon’s end. (In Progress)
─Help the old dragon reach the [Dragon Temple]. (In Progress)
There were two quest objectives that had appeared.
The first was probably the basic objective, and the second was likely an additional quest objective brought about by my own loose tongue. In any case, the [Dragon Temple], huh. At a glance, I could feel that it was no ordinary place.
“The all-dragon convocation was held at the [Dragon Temple].”
According to Yunakseoseu.
The [Dragon Temple] was.
A special space that could be entered through the highest layer of the Zero Mountains.
If I thought of that in terms of the Arcana system……
‘It means it’s final content that opens only after clearing the Zero Mountains.’
It was literally one mountain after another.
But it was understandable enough.
The elves had Sisley, the homeland of the elves.
So it wouldn’t be strange for the dragons to have their own space.
For there to be a Dragon Temple.
It was just that I was worried.
‘Before I even try to strike a rock with an egg…….’
Would the egg that was me break first?
I mean, think about the information on the Zero Mountains that appeared on Earth.
Its appropriate level was none other than [Not Recommended for Anyone].
And yet, this was a place that went one step further than the Zero Mountains.
If I had truly been alone, I wouldn’t have even dared to enter.
No, even if I had dared, I wouldn’t have been able to enter.
‘Because the Zero Mountains no longer exist on the Arcana Continent.’
But now that I was with Yunakseoseu, it wasn’t a big problem.
Why, didn’t I say it?
Dragons tear dimensions apart.
Soon, Yunakseoseu asked for my understanding.
“Even if it is noisy, I ask that you generously understand.”
Then he roared.
Kwajijijik—!
Then the empty air was torn apart.
I watched the scene in silence.
It would not show on the arrogant iron mask I wore from beginning to end.
But right now, I was more than a little dumbfounded.
‘Some people have to use all their strength to tear it open……!’
Even with his body on the verge of collapse, Yunakseoseu easily opened a rift between dimensions. So this was the difference in bloodline. Not just a gold spoon, but a diamond lineage—that was what that was.
As I swallowed my sigh without showing it.
Yunakseoseu bowed his head to me.
“Lord Claudi, please enter first.”
……
No, me first?
Wait, wait a second.
Is there really a reason we have to do that?
I mean, from what I heard.
The dragons in the [Dragon Temple] didn’t seem likely to be friendly toward me. No matter what, wouldn’t it be better for you, Yunakseoseu, who at least knows them, to show your face first……?
It was at that moment that Yunakseoseu continued.
While looking at his shoulder blades.
“I am ashamed of my state.”
Ah, was that the reason, not anything else?
Yunakseoseu had had both wings torn off by his kin.
That must mean he could not go ahead and open the path.
But if that’s the case, there’s no need to worry, Yunakseoseu.
It’s only natural that a perfect being like you wouldn’t know.
But there are countless ways to compensate for a defect in this world.
‘Ahem. I’m not sure I should brag about this, but I, too.’
As a demon hunter.
Had struggled all the way here with this defective class, hadn’t I?
There probably wasn’t anyone more versed in tricks than me.
“Raise your head, Yunakseoseu.”
I continued to Hiel.
“Hiel, drape these wings over Yunakseoseu.”
If you ask what wings I suddenly meant.
What other wings would they be?
Naturally.
One of the twelve magic tools I had borrowed from the Magic Tower.
Something more familiar to me than anything else, radiating a hundred kinds of light.
The [Outer Wings of White (Hundred Colors)].
Yunakseoseu, I don’t know if you know this.
But most magic tools don’t have restrictions other than level.
Meaning they can be worn regardless of race.
“Hiel shall obey my lord’s command.”
Lightly—
Hiel placed the outer wings on Yunakseoseu’s vast back.
Paaaaat—!
Then light burst out from the outer wings.
In place of Yunakseoseu’s severed wings.
No, even more brilliantly and splendidly than those.
They transformed into wings suited to Yunakseoseu’s size.
Watching the scene, I thought to myself.
‘……
Senior Kiko, I appreciate the thought.’
I was the only one in the Magic Tower who borrowed the Outer Wings of White.
According to Marcelo, other mages found it difficult to use even ten percent of the outer wings’ performance, or so he said.
For my sake.
And for the sake of research in enchantment studies. Kiko, the senior of enchantment studies, had informed me that she had succeeded in bestowing a new effect on the Outer Wings of White. That new effect was the [Flight] effect.
‘I really should be grateful…….’
But imagining myself wearing that was honestly horrifying.
As if my jacket fluttering wasn’t enough.
The thought of even the outer wings flapping like real wings.
My face already felt like it was burning.
I quickly opened my mouth.
“Do the new wings please you?”
So please, don’t even think about refusing, Yunakseoseu.
“…….”
Yunakseoseu flapped the wings once or twice as he pleased.
Then he opened his mouth.
His voice was utterly subdued.
“I shall open the way.”
Had he become less talkative because he didn’t like the flashy design……?
That concern crossed my mind, but it couldn’t be helped, Yunakseoseu.
We’re not in a situation where we have the leisure to take your tastes into consideration too.
‘Now, then, me too.’
Manifest magic.
I should follow behind Yunakseoseu as he glides ahead.
Let’s see.
How much mana has regenerated?
It was the moment I was about to check how much mana I had left.
Kugung!
Not only did Yunakseoseu bow his head.
He prostrated himself before me……?
Then he spoke.
“Lord Claudi, please grant this lowly old dragon Yunakseoseu the honor of soaring together with you, upon the wings you have bestowed upon me.”
Those were words that would make the Dragon Knight, Skal, faint if he heard them……!