Chapter 337
Chapter 337
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: penny
Chapter: 337
Chapter Title: Chapter 8-1. The Nation of Dragonkin, Reillysa.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Judah realized that the old dragonkin Lumiren had tattled everything Cellyon had said, word for word. The sharp glare as if staring down an enemy, the heavy voice laced with anger—it was obvious.
Otherwise, there was no way he would show such hostility toward his daughter's benefactor. It didn't make sense to think he simply hated humans on principle, since there was no animosity toward Iris, Lime, or Arhil.
'I knew this would happen.'
He had anticipated some hassle. It was the kind of statement ripe for misunderstanding. But still, he hadn't expected the old dragonkin to run straight off and snitch like that. Judah inwardly cursed the elder while properly greeting Esther Seo, who was watching him with a smile.
"Hoh?"
Esther Seo's eyes sparkled with interest. It looked a bit awkward, but that was because it came from a human without a tail or horns—it matched dragonkin etiquette perfectly. On the way here, he'd seen dragonkin bowing to Cellyon and mimicked them exactly, and it had apparently been the right call.
"For a mere human like myself to meet the Dragonkin King unscathed like this is a great honor, Your Majesty Esther Seo."
"...Indeed. It's been ages since I've seen a human standing whole and hale before me."
It was safe to say almost no humans who had set foot in the dragonkin kingdom of Reillysa and crossed paths with its inhabitants had lived to tell the tale. Occasionally, there were spies bold enough to sneak in for intelligence, but they too were either torn to shreds when caught by the kingdom's dragonkin or toyed with like playthings before dying.
With no dealings between humans and dragonkin—and still outright hostility—it was only natural. Esther Seo looked down at Judah, who had shown proper respect.
Lime and Arhil had followed Judah's lead, but their postures were awkward and sloppy. Iris was a step behind but managed something similar to Judah's form. Esther Seo smiled thinly. Then his eyes met his daughter's.
Cellyon was frowning at him, as if to say, *What are you doing?* catching his eye with a meaningful glance. At that look, Esther Seo let out a wry "Ahem."
"Raise your head. There's no need for my daughter's benefactor to bow to me like this. If anything, I should be the one bowing in gratitude."
Judah slowly lifted his head. Seeing this, Esther Seo looked exasperated, as if wondering when she'd given him that signal. There she stood, hands demurely clasped, her expression composed. She'd always been lacking in affection, but to think she wouldn't spare such a look for her long-lost father while sending warm, moist gazes to this mysterious human male.
*Hah, if I had my way, benefactor or not, I'd have slain him on the spot.*
He couldn't help suspecting whether the old dragonkin had been right—that this human had done something to his daughter. Esther Seo snorted through his nose and narrowed his eyes. It grated on him terribly to see his child, whom he hadn't met in a century, directing eyes full of love and boundless trust toward a stranger rather than her father. His displeasure manifested as heavy mana that pressed down on the surroundings.
"Urk!"
Beside him, Arhil let out a small groan. Lime grunted uncomfortably, furrowing his brow. Iris and Cellyon seemed unaffected. Judah sighed softly.
He hadn't activated any skills, nor was he holding any fragments, so the crushing mana wasn't a true burden—but he certainly felt the pressure. Normally, he'd brush off such an intimidation tactic without a second thought, but since Arhil was struggling, Judah stirred his own mana.
The invisible forces clashed silently, canceling each other out. Esther Seo's gaze turned to Judah.
"My apologies. My companion was having a hard time."
At Judah's curt words, Esther Seo's eyes flicked briefly to Arhil and Lime before he withdrew his mana.
*Quite the gutsy human.*
No flinching at all. It wasn't just because he knew himself to be Cellyon's benefactor. Beyond that, Judah showed no wariness toward dragonkin. Immense confidence. Esther Seo chuckled "Hohoho" as he regarded Judah, then turned to Cellyon.
"Cellyon. May I hold you once more?"
"...Of course."
Cellyon approached Seo and embraced him tightly. Esther Seo hugged her back as carefully as if cradling a baby, closing his eyes. The warmth of their bodies, the feel in his arms—it was no illusion, but a living being.
They held each other for a long while, but no one, Cellyon included, spoke a word. They simply waited.
"Thank you for returning alive."
"Thank you for waiting for me."
Esther Seo knew he was repeating himself. But he had no choice—he had to say it again. Gazing fondly down at Cellyon, he gently pushed her away and pulled back a chair from the table.
All six chairs were large, but his was exceptionally so. With the chair pulled out, he gestured with his hand.
"Sit. This isn't a formal occasion—standing on ceremony would only make things stiff. Let's just chat casually. I have many questions. You don't mind a simple talk, do you?"
"Of course not."
No mention of mana. As they pulled out chairs and sat, the six upside-down empty glasses on the table righted themselves. Ice filled them, emanating chill from a tin cooler, and a wine bottle rose on its own.
Hovering in midair, it popped its cork as if pulled by an invisible hand, then poured wine clockwise around the table, starting from Esther Seo.
*Glug glug glug.*
The deep purple wine flowed beautifully, accompanied by the sound. As they watched, Esther Seo spoke.
"You lot don't need to eye me so warily, huddled up like that. Even if I don't particularly like humans, would I harm my daughter's benefactor? I'd even forgive you if you tried to exploit me for all you're worth."
So straighten your shoulders and lift your heads. Esther Seo continued. But easier said than done—especially for Arhil, the weakest of the group, and Lime right behind him.
"Fine. I won't suggest toasting or anything, so drink if you want. Now then. Allow me to properly introduce myself. I am Esther Seo, current king of Reillysa and father to Esther Cellyon. As you can see, of the dragonkin race. And who might you all be?"
"You may not know, but I'm Judah Arsher, an adventurer wandering various lands from the Serenia region, traveling the world."
"I'm Arhil, a priest serving Saint King Yophiel... and, um, Saint King Gabriel."
"I'm Lime de Tritan, a magic engineer of the Frostplain Tower in northern Calypso. It's an honor to meet you."
Iris had pulled out her notepad and scribbled something briefly while Arhil gave his short introduction, but she soon let out a small breath and set the pencil aside. Fixing her black eyes straight on Esther Seo, she opened her mouth.
"Moonlit Iris."
Her voice was so beautiful as she stated only her name. In the chaos of battlefields, she'd only spoken when necessary, so hearing it now in this quiet moment—where even the wind's whisper could be heard—revealed just how lovely it truly was.
Arhil, Lime, and Cellyon widened their eyes in shock at the voice. It was stunningly beautiful, leaving a lingering echo despite the brevity.
"What a gorgeous voice. In my long years, this is the first time I've heard one so exquisite."
"You're too kind."
"I noticed you writing in your notepad earlier. Do you usually communicate that way? I'd love to hear that voice like a musical instrument again, but if it's uncomfortable, feel free to write. It doesn't seem too inconvenient."
"Thank you for your consideration. Then I'll do that."
Iris didn't refuse. She placed her notepad and pencil on the table. It meant from now on, she'd converse via writing if spoken to. Watching this, he gripped his oversized glass—unsuited to his large hand—and took a sip of wine.
"Good. Introductions are done. Judah Arsher, Arhil, Lime de Tritan, Moonlit Iris... I've got all your names. Thank you. My greetings are belated, but thank you for saving my daughter. That said, I'm curious. The daughter I remember was a spirit sword wielder even a century ago. No human could match her, and among dragonkin, only a handful—high priests and close aides serving Lord Cyan—could best her. And you saved such a daughter... Care to tell me what happened? The situation, the events, someone please fill me in?"
"Father. I'll explain."
Cellyon, who had been sitting demurely beside Esther Seo until now, spoke up. He'd glanced at Judah, perhaps hoping he'd take the lead, but Judah just nodded as if it didn't matter.
"Very well. Tell me. What happened, how you met these people, and why it took you a hundred years to return."
========== Author's Note ==========
1) Now that I think about it, it feels like I've seen that Nice Boat anecdote somewhere lol.
2) I ended up buying the keyboard after all.
3) Maybe because the first woman to appear was Tia, a lot of you remember Tia.