The Queen's Trust and the Sword Saint's Challenge
Elf Queen BountifulHarvest… in other words, Elf Queen Silvaria, guided us to the reception room alongside Narsil. It felt a bit off that the queen herself was showing us around the castle.
Screeech—
"This is the place."
The reception room we arrived at wasn't the imposing space I'd imagined; it was surprisingly neat and tidy. The castle's exterior was so grand and ornate, but the interior was filled not with symbols of authority, but with clean, elegant furnishings. It was quite impressive.
"It's the result of following our ancestors' teachings. Grand, but not extravagant."
As if reading my mind, Silvaria gestured to our seats and spoke.
…This was definitely different from the elves I knew. They were the type to flaunt luxury just to gain any edge they could.
"Thank you for the invitation."
I placed a hand over my chest and gave a slight bow in response. Ha-eun's eyes went wide as she watched me.
What? Did she think I had zero manners or something? Hey, I'm a Gold Dragon, you know. As a named dragon, I'd been to formal occasions like this a few times. If the other side shows respect, it's only natural to return it.
Of course, dragons don't casually look up at anyone. This greeting meant that you, the queen, and I are equals—or I'm higher—but I'll show respect anyway.
Silvaria smiled as if understanding the implication.
"Please, sit. We have much to discuss."
She glanced briefly at Narsil before continuing.
"I heard there was an unfortunate incident on your way here. On behalf of the elves, I apologize."
"Oh, yeah, I've been wondering about that too. The painting we saw earlier, and the general vibe—it seems like dragons aren't viewed favorably here?"
A split-second silence. In that moment, she must have been pondering how to explain it. With the subject right in front of her, it had to be a sensitive topic.
"In the past, there was an incident where our mother, the World Tree, was nearly completely burned."
Oh, they call the World Tree 'mother' here too? All elves are the same in that regard.
"The one who committed that atrocity was a dragon. That's how I can put it."
"Is that the dragon from the painting earlier?"
A red dragon. Red dragons typically symbolize fire and rage, just as I, a Gold Dragon, symbolize gold and greed.
And with power enough to burn the World Tree, its rank must have been far higher than Terra's. What on earth had the elves done to enrage such a dragon?
"Not to pry or anything, just curious—what happened?"
"It's over ten thousand years old… Records were lost in various incidents, so the exact reason isn't clear."
She handed me a book from beside her.
"According to legend, the dragon didn't just burn our mother—it tried to incinerate her roots as well."
Incinerate the roots…? If I were seriously at war with the elves, I doubt I'd bother removing the roots. It'd be a hassle to dig up roots stretching across the world, and they'd put up fierce resistance anyway. Just torching the upper parts would cripple them for centuries.
…Or maybe there was some other reason to eradicate the roots entirely?
"But I'm a dragon too. So why invite me here specifically? Not everyone inside must see me in a good light."
I asked sincerely. After an incident that nearly cost them their World Tree, it had to leave massive trauma. I half-expected the answer that since some elves watched my streams, the aversion was less—but that was limited to individuals like Silvaria.
"There are several reasons. First, we can't stay trapped in the past. We've shunned dragons for ages… but the situation is different now."
She went on at length. The first point was that this was a whole other world, and non-human races needed to build relations. Earth was human-dominated, so we had to band together to have a voice. Not really my concern.
"And… we judged that we need your help."
This must be the main point.
"Mother World Tree is steadily losing her power and withering."
She emphasized her words while glancing at the World Tree's Leaf around my neck.
"The moment you took that leaf, Mother whispered that you could help us."
"Is that so?"
"So…"
"But here's the thing—helping is fine and all, but something's bothering me."
I tapped the horns on my head.
"To reiterate, I'm a dragon. One that embodies greed, no less."
Silvaria nodded faintly, as if not denying it.
"How do you know I won't suddenly get greedy and rip off the World Tree? Or burn it like that other dragon? How can you be sure?"
No hostility in my tone—just my usual speech. Pure curiosity. I was aware of my instincts and risks, which made me want to know even more: how could she trust me?
"Did the World Tree just call me, and you invited me without any thought or calculation?"
Whether it was the World Tree's will or Silvaria's decision didn't matter much. I'd get treasure out of this anyway. But this answer would determine how fun the process was.
"…Narsil. Could you cover your ears for a moment?"
"I can't allow that, Your Majesty. How could the Knight Captain—"
"It's fine. I have some private matters to discuss with them."
Narsil nodded reluctantly at Silvaria's firm expression. With a snap of her fingers, a soundproofing spell activated.
"Goldie… is it okay to call you that?"
"Whatever's comfortable. BountifulHarvest?"
"Hehe… You asked why I called you here?"
Her tone lightened noticeably as she fiddled with her watch, projecting a small screen. Clips of me begging viewers for donations. Me geeking out over forest gem fragments. Me freaking out at polymorphed Terra.
"It started as curiosity, but watching you, I felt you were definitely different from the dragons in our books."
"How so?"
"Emotions. To be honest, I thought dragons were emotionless beasts."
Terra's face scrunched up at that—not very threatening, though.
"Heh… Isn't that even?"
"…Even?"
"You called us 'pointy-ears' on stream?"
"Ah… haha… that was…"
She hit right where it hurt. What kind of queen picks words like that? …Or is this her true self?
"I don't want to see you as something to fear or hate, Goldie. Maybe your emotions are like ours."
She paused to catch her breath, then chuckled and continued.
"But of course, I still need to learn more. To confirm my judgment isn't wrong."
A bit embarrassing, sure. But not bad. People usually reacted to me with awe or fear—those were the two options. Someone treating me not as a beast, but as an equal person. First after Ha-eun.
"So when Mother first mentioned you, I was secretly excited. I wanted to meet you myself."
"Pfft… Alright, that's a good enough answer."
I laughed and extended my hand.
"Then let's hear the request."
Earth's elves… might be surprisingly decent.
Here's the gist of it. The World Tree was withering, likely due to the anomalous green gates popping up around. Too dangerous for elves alone, so they wanted my help clearing them.
In exchange:
"We considered various options, but you already have Mother's leaf."
"True."
"A branch wouldn't help much either, so we prepared something else."
Narsil placed a thick capsule in front of me and Silvaria, slowly opening it to reveal a fragment inside.
"From the dragon invasion. A piece of claw broken off in battle, preserved since. What do you think?"
"Oh… Mind if I take a look?"
Mystical energy rippled from it as I took the capsule. Even after ten millennia, the hot mana and rage were palpable—a thrilling sensation unlike any Earth monster. And if processed right… I might absorb the remaining power?
Jackpot. I thought it'd be World Tree bits since it's treasure, but this was unexpected.
"Perfect. We'll go with this."
Ancient Red Dragon's Claw, I suppose? Its value and rarity made it treasure, obviously. Processed further, it could be even more magnificent. Restoring its past glory would be a sight, and easier to extract power from.
"So, I just clear the gates around?"
"Yes. But the sun's already set, so rest tonight. We'll assign someone to join you in the gates."
"Huh? Personnel? Not necessary."
Ha-eun and Terra are enough. What more do I need?
"Think of them as an elf overseer."
"Overseer?"
"They're on their way here, so meet them. We'll prepare a banquet. Narsil?"
"Yes. This way."
Oh… banquet? Ahem. Can't refuse if they're offering. Best manners are to eat heartily.
"One thing to note: the person you'll meet is a bit clumsy with emotions."
Clumsy with emotions? I tilted my head, and Silvaria smiled softly, rising first.
Following Narsil to the banquet hall with its long table, I saw neatly set tableware. Elves brought wine as I sat.
"Haven't had booze in ages. Red wine for me."
"Understood."
"Uwaaa…"
Meanwhile, Ha-eun fidgeted awkwardly.
"I-I'm not great with alcohol…"
"Ah."
I almost said she didn't look like a drinker, but held back.
"Just sit. You don't have to drink."
"O-okay…"
"Goldie-nim? Why no glass for me?"
"Drink juice. Kids don't booze."
"I'm not a kid…"
That's what all kids say. The servers wisely brought only orange juice in a cup.
Now for the food.
"Appetizers first."
First up: mushroom bite-sized snacks. Just this? Not even enough to whet the appetite…
As I cautiously tasted the surprisingly refined dish, Ha-eun whispered.
"Unnie… bad memories."
"Huh?"
"What I said earlier about elves loving mushrooms. It's… worse than I thought."
I was about to ask what she meant when a server approached with a plate.
But.
"Soup."
Mushroom soup? Mushrooms as appetizer, and soup is mushrooms too…?
I glanced at Ha-eun; she nodded gravely.
…No way all dishes are mushrooms, right?
As I reached for the spoon—
Thud—
"Elf Sword Saint Bern has arrived."
"Bern…?"
Narsil, behind Silvaria, turned sharply to attention. Elves flung open the grand doors.
"…"
A middle-aged male elf strode in, two swords at his waist.
An actual male elf? First time seeing one. Mutant or what?
"…"
He met my eyes briefly, grimaced, and took his seat. He waved off food from a server, just sipping his wine contemplatively.
"Ooh…"
Ha-eun's eyes sparkled, like a girl seeing her crush in person.
"Ha-eun, into that type?"
I whispered. She burst out.
"W-what?! I don't know him!! And it's not my type!…"
Whoa, overreaction.
"Who is he? Someone I should know?"
"S-rank hunter Bern!"
S-rank? Oh, right.
"The Elf Sword Saint? That's him?"
"Yes!…"
I pictured a more refined image for a Sword Saint, but this guy looked a bit unkempt. Kinda disappointing…?
"…You the dragon the queen's been yapping about?"
"Hm?"
He downed his wine and fixed his deadpan eyes on me.
"…Spar?"
"…"
"Wanna see if the queen's telling the truth myself."
Suddenly? Is this what she meant by clumsy with emotions…?
Normally too abrupt to accept, but.
"Sure?"
This looked fun. Sparring a Sword Saint isn't everyday. And viewers—er, money source—would love it. Oh, look, our BountifulHarvest queen's eyes are sparkling too.