◈ Chapter 253. Black Dark Dragon (2)
There was one reason Skal had roamed the Arcana Continent alone.
Because everything had been equally boring.
Shining, Unification Under Heaven, Bohemian……
The goals of those who had reached out to him.
—“If we join hands, we can surpass Shining.”
—“Don’t you think solo play will be impossible from now on?”
—“Please, give us a chance as well……!”
A world completely different from reality.
And yet, all they sought in Arcana was to reign above others.
Skal had already done plenty of that in reality.
But Hoyeol was different.
He was strong, yet he did not flaunt his strength.
He could give orders, yet he did not.
He always stepped onto the very front lines himself.
And moved others from the heart.
Up to that point, it had merely been enough to stir Skal’s curiosity.
—“Lee Hoyeol, huh.”
He had simply thought, He’s an odd one, like me.
Was that why he had spoken so arrogantly?
Back then, in front of reporters from all over the world.
—“I don’t need hangers-on. Lee Hoyeol, I want to talk to you. Great Evil Dragon Hunter.”
Thinking back on it now.
It was behavior that made him want to crawl into a mouse hole.
It could not be helped.
A dragon.
To subdue the king of all things.
And climb atop it.
The only person who had not laughed at that absurd goal.
That person had been Hoyeol.
It was no metaphor.
Skal remembered Hoyeol’s expression clearly. ‘There hadn’t been even a trace of laughter.’ As always.
An utterly solemn attitude and bearing.
Even after hearing a goal that Skal himself sometimes thought impossible, Hoyeol had nodded.
That first meeting was what led Skal to join the Holy War Alliance.
And so.
“I assure you. No matter what happens from now on, you will not be able to reach the Black Dark Dragon.”
Even at those words, like a bolt from the blue.
Skal managed not to drop his teacup.
There had to be a proper reason for Hoyeol to say such a thing.
Instead, he nodded.
“To tell the truth, I suspected as much. The Black Dark Dragon……. As it was the name all dragons cried out, it must be an exceptionally great dragon. Perhaps great enough to be called the leader of dragons.”
There was some information he had learned while carrying out the Dragon Knight class quest.
In the distant past.
Stories such as the Magic Tower and dragons having waged war.
Most of it was unconfirmed information.
But even that was enough to know what kind of beings dragons were.
“I believe you must already know, Sir Hoyeol. Among dragons, called the kings of all things, no clear hierarchy exists. And yet, if all those kings grieved and shed tears…….”
Skal gave voice to his sincere impression.
“I understand why you spoke so firmly.”
The grand goal of becoming a true Dragon Knight.
Skal had run forward looking only at that.
But before the dignity of the Black Dark Dragon, he had no choice but to take a step back.
“Thank you for imparting such precious words, Sir Hoyeol.”
The more one knew, the more one could see.
It was thanks to Hoyeol’s advice.
However, Skal was not discouraged.
After all, had he not witnessed it?
The Arcana Continent was vast, and dragons were many!
Even excluding the Black Dark Dragon, there were still plenty of dragons to set as his goal.
Soon, color returned to Skal’s face.
Skal asked Hoyeol.
“More importantly, is the Old Dragon, Yunaxus, safe?”...
Inwardly, I clicked my tongue.
Is that really Skal, the man who lived under a veil of mystery for more than ten years?
Somehow, whenever the topic of dragons comes up.
He shows no sign of stopping his mouth……?
Only after Skal left did I belatedly check the time.
“Good grief.”
Just how much had he chattered before leaving?
Enough for even Grandfell’s mouth to say “good grief.”
In that sense, consider yourself lucky, Skal. ‘I let it slide because there was give-and-take.’ Considering Grandfell’s usual tendency to hold grudges…….
Forget visiting three times to plead.
Even if you came a hundred times, he wouldn’t have met you next time.
However, at this moment.
I, Lee Hoyeol, was inwardly swallowing a sigh of relief. ‘……Somehow, we got past it, Black Dark Dragon.’ I want to ride the Black Dark Dragon!
When I heard those words, I seriously agonized over it.……
Was he asking me to give him a shoulder ride?
Naturally.
In Grandfell’s etiquette, there was no way he would put someone on his shoulders.
He recoiled even at his clothing getting disheveled.
How could something like that be possible? ‘It might be different if it were my one and only niece, Arang.’ So a cold statement had no choice but to come out.
That there would never be such a thing, no matter what happened!
But only after saying it did I realize.
The fact that Skal didn’t know I was the Black Dark Dragon.
This is why they say a guilty conscience gives no peace.
It’s not for nothing, you know?
I got startled all by myself and overreacted.
So I had no choice but to watch his reaction as well.
Grandfell’s tone had been so firm.
I wondered if Skal might be disheartened.
Of course. ‘Who knew being obsessed with nothing but dragons would be helpful like this?’ Skal immediately shifted his interest to other dragons, though. ‘In any case, you’re wise, Skal.’ There are many dragons to ride besides the Black Dark Dragon.
Of course, the achievement for being the first to ride a dragon was something I.
Ended up acquiring without even realizing it, but…….
“To possess that ability, you too will have to strive.”
Endure at least that much trial, Skal……!
Though it goes without saying that climbing onto a dragon without an achievement effect would hardly be easy.
I learned this from experience too. Skipping the intermediate process isn’t necessarily all good. ‘In my case, I’ve got too many things spread out, so it can’t be helped.’ That’s right.
Am I not someone with so many escape routes dug, so many wells prepared?
Whenever I need a missing intermediate process.
Supplementing it then and there is an unavoidable circumstance for me.
So don’t simply envy my achievements. ‘……Though I doubt anyone would envy me if they saw this state.’ Sssk—What I picked up without tiring was, of course, a quill pen.
Considering the time stolen by my chatter with Skal, I wouldn’t even have a moment to tilt my teacup.
This wasn’t the end. There should also be work remaining at the Magic Tower for me as chief. ‘……Even if the cat handled the applications to leave the tower.’ Hadn’t a heavy task I brought upon myself been added?
Reviewing applications for permission to use access devices.
The targets were not limited to the mages of the Magic Tower.
Compared to the applications to leave the tower.
Far more applications must be piled on the desk in my office.
Would it really be over once I dealt with those?
As if that could be.
The newly updated class quest.
There, too, without fail.
Was that tiresome quest objective.─Train your weakened body. (Repeat) ‘My vision is already going dark.’ On the Arcana Continent, I nearly froze to death.
In reality, as soon as I returned, I looked likely to die of overwork.
My fate is this wretched…….
*
The Arcana Continent.
An emergency had fallen upon the Iron Castle.
Leader, Chainwalker.
Blacksmith, Walsweil.
Pilot, Gunner.
Leaving aside each of their assigned duties.
Every dwarf was absorbed in hammering.
The sound of metal rang from every corner of the Iron Castle.
Clang, clang!
Until their thick fingers went numb.
There was no time to rest.
Gunner barely wiped away the sweat gathered on him and shouted.
“If I’d known this would happen, I wouldn’t have even looked at being a pilot!”
As a pilot risked his life with every flight, the position had its advantages.
The privilege of being exempted from miscellaneous duties aboard the Iron Castle.
It was just that this situation was not miscellaneous.
Gunner continued, still sounding dumbfounded.
“Dragons suddenly appearing, and in a whole swarm at that! What is this, a situation where a dwarf’s leg length doubles or something?”
The Iron Castle’s sole weakness.
Bad weather.
Even the Iron Castle, armed with highly advanced technology.
Before nature, its efficiency dropped to the extreme.
“Be grateful we didn’t crash, Gunner.”
“Of course, that’s fortunate, but……”
“How about you hammer in even one more nail in the time you spend saying that?”
“Ehew.”
And so, when the dragons appeared.
And cried out.
That time had been like a nightmare to the dwarves.
Clang, clang!
Chainwalker muttered as he hammered.
“What was so sad that they spilled such rain……?”
It had been an unprecedented downpour.
It had fallen so fiercely.
That water had even leaked into the Iron Castle.
Even if they were not as long-lived as dragons or elves.
They themselves had lived quite a long time in their own way.
Even so, the present situation was incomprehensible.
Walsweil opened his mouth bluntly.
“Didn’t I tell you? It must be because of the Black Dark Dragon.”
“The Black Dark Dragon, you say…….”
“I don’t know what that is, but it gives me the chills.”
“Why is that?”
“Because it is something without precedent, Chainwalker.”
Even if a single dragon had shown itself on the continent.
It would have been shocking.
Yet their number seemed to be roughly ten.
Not a dragon.
But dragons.
A being capable of exerting that much influence over them……
“Surely, in some form, change will come to the continent.”
He could be certain.
The dragons that had vanished as if it were a lie.
The meaning of the cleared sky was simple.
“It seems they found that thing called the Black Dark Dragon.”
“……I am honestly afraid.”
“Who wouldn’t be?”
Clang!
Walsweil took his hand off the hammer and gazed out at the continent.
Thanks to the fierce rain having washed away even the dust, the view was wide open, clearly visible beyond the horizon.
Even so, no notable movement could be seen.
“It seems not only the Empire, but even the demons are trembling in fear.”
The kings of all things had cried out, so that sound must have reached all things.
Chainwalker and Walsweil.
The two dwarves were worried about that point.
“At this rate, a new legend will inevitably be written.”
Its name would be.
The Legend of the Black Dark Dragon.
Chainwalker subtly asked Walsweil.
“Are you not disappointed, our legendary blacksmith?”
Legends contained power.
Having written a legend himself.
Walsweil knew what that meant.
“Disappointed, you say.”
Even if it was the vast Arcana Continent.
There were not many things that could be called legends.
That must have been why he asked if Walsweil was not disappointed.
The birth of Gwicheol, which would be spoken of for a long time.
Had been overshadowed by the legend of the Black Dark Dragon.
However, Walsweil shook his head.
“You still do not understand, Chainwalker.”
“What do you mean?”
“I mean that there are ranks even among legends.”
The legend of Gwicheol’s birth.
Depending on the exploits of its owner, Hoyeol.
In the future, it might be spoken of by far more people, but…….
How was it compared to the current legend of the Black Dark Dragon?
That legend, quite literally.
Could be said to have resounded throughout all of Arcana.
Furthermore.
“Not by revealing itself, but by mere mention, it made the world tremble.”
Its true form, the Black Dark Dragon, had not even appeared on the continent yet.
Therefore, there was no reason to feel disappointed.
From the beginning, it could not even be a subject of comparison.
He was merely still worried.
“We can only hope that the new legend does not run rampant.”
In that sense, Chainwalker and Walsweil closed their mouths.
Though they remained silent and exchanged no conversation.
Coincidentally, the two dwarves harbored the same thought. ‘……Does Sir know of this situation?’ However, the thought did not last long.
All of a sudden.
Something was detected in the sky.
The splitting air.
A massive form revealing itself there.
It was a dragon.
“!!!”
They were in the middle of repairs.
Because of that, the Iron Castle could neither advance.
Nor retreat.
A situation in which they had no choice but to face the dragon.
Chainwalker opened his mouth in a low voice.
“Damn it, are the kings of all things sharp-eared too?”
“How would I know?”
“Damn it, I’d rather refuse an end like this.”
The dragon’s body completely filled the windows of the Iron Castle, blocking their view.
And yet, why was that appearance……?
Not unfamiliar.
“Hm?”
Walsweil’s eyes twitched.
Though the rainstorm had made it hard to see properly.
He wondered if it felt familiar because it was a dragon he had witnessed once before.
But that was not it.
The only thing that looked familiar.
Was the brilliantly shining “wings.”
Even if their size was different.
“……Th-that is?”
Walsweil.
The greatest blacksmith on the continent’s eye for detail soon realized it.
The afterimage overlapping and rising over the wings.
There was no doubt. Those dragon wings shining brilliantly were…….
The same as the magic tool Hoyeol had been wearing!
“……H-how is that?”
Countless possibilities rose in his head.
However.
Those idle thoughts did not last long either.
Rustle—The Iron Castle.
The spirit who had been holding her place with an aloof bearing.
Hiel began to move from her spot.
Because she advanced toward the dragon and spoke calmly.
“At last, you have understood my lord’s will, Yunaxus.”
Because the dragon answered those words.
“To have doubted the Black Dark Dragon was my clear mistake.”
What that short conversation meant was simple.
Chainwalker, Walsweil, Gunner…….
No, astonishment rose on the faces of all the dwarves.
“D-don’t tell me the Black Dark Dragon was Sir Hoyeol……?”