Dragon (3)

Vanir had abruptly coughed up an inner core from deep within her belly, offering it to me to eat.

I stared at her with utterly frigid eyes.

Yet Vanir merely tilted her head in genuine bewilderment, as if wondering what on earth could possibly be wrong with that.

Do I look like a baby bird to you?

Granted, I had a reputation for eating just about anything in this forsaken wilderness, but I drew the line at scarfing down something regurgitated from another creature's maw. This was not even mere spit; it had come straight out of her internal organs. Furthermore, the identity of the thing was downright suspicious. It was not even a normal shade—it shimmered with an eerie, kaleidoscopic rainbow hue.

"……What is this? Is ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠it some sort of inner core?"

I asked with utmost caution. Setting aside the sheer disgust, I wanted to identify what the hell it actually was.

Vanir stroked her chin upon hearing my question, pondering how best to explain it, before opening her mouth.

— It is no inner core. In truth, it may be something far superior.

"Superior?"

— Given the gargantuan scale of our kind, digestive efficiency is of paramount importance. Even under the guise of polymorph, that fundamental reality hardly changes.

She had a point. Maintaining a physique larger than a multi-story building would demand an astronomical amount of calories. Humanity had similarly evolved an exceptional capacity to store energy simply to survive, even if that adaptation had backfired in modern times into an epidemic of obesity from nutritional excess. For dragons, whose sheer mass dwarfed anything on land, digestive capability had to be an absolute lifeline.

‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠

— Thus, we form such objects within our stomachs. They facilitate the breakdown of food, allowing swift and seamless assimilation of vital energy. It is not unlike birds or lizards swallowing grit and stones.

"Ah, I see what you mean."

It was essentially a gastrolith. The only difference between a dragon and ordinary beasts was that dragons crystallized and forged the stone themselves. While I had never heard of a gastrolith glowing with the radiant colors of a rainbow, I chose to take her word that it was beneficial.

"Do you routinely vomit them up like this?"

— Once their utility is spent, they are discharged from the body. Either from the front, or through the rear.

She really did not need to include that last detail. Still, I thanked the heavens it had come out of the top end.

"So what effects does it possess? If there is any danger involved, I would rather decline."

— Should swallowing prove too difficult, you need only hold it within your mouth to absorb its essence. The primary function is exceedingly straightforward.

"Does it expand internal mana reservoirs?"

Most cores functioned that way, though the Pumpkin Jack core I had consumed previously had exhibited rather peculiar properties. Since this stone was technically distinct from a standard Neidan, it seemed likely to bestow an entirely different boon.

— That goes without saying, but your physical constitution will experience a sweeping enhancement overall. Above all, your efficiency in absorbing energy will skyrocket.

"Which means……"

— Your excretions will decrease to a noticeable degree. The vast majority of whatever you consume shall be transmuted directly into raw sustenance.

It was an effect tailored purely for raw, unadulterated survival. Truly magnificent.

Though I had been steadily hoarding provisions, the number of mouths to feed at the shelter continued to multiply. As time marched on, our caloric demands would only escalate.

Furthermore, we will be embarking on regular expeditions. I have to prepare for scenarios where emergency rations run dry.

Moving forward, there would be countless nights spent camping under the open sky far beyond the shelter's perimeter. Out in the uncharted wilds, feasting with abandon like we did back home would be an impossible luxury.

I peered down at the iridescent stone. I had virtually no reason to turn it down. There was, however, one lingering apprehension.

"Are there any side effects?"

— I cannot say it is entirely devoid of peril. Strain may be placed upon your internal viscera, particularly your heart. Once your vessel acclimatizes, however, you will be fine.

"How long does that adjustment period last?"

— That depends entirely upon your own strength.

What an utterly irresponsible response. Yet, on some level, I understood. Vanir was an ancient dragon, whereas I was ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠merely a fragile mortal human. When the gap in baseline durability spanned distinct dimensions, calibrating a precise standard was nearly impossible.

— There is no need for excessive fret. A certain tiger ingested one previously and survived without issue.

"A tiger?"

— Indeed. I originally intended to devour the beast, but spared it on account of its youth. Had it fully integrated the power, it would have grown formidable indeed.

"……Did this tiger happen to have exceptionally long fangs?"

— How could you possibly know that?

How could I not? I nearly lost my life slaying that wretched beast.

Vanir seemed to piece together the implications from my expression, falling silent without pressing further.

Wait, if I consume this, does that mean I will develop a Dragon Heart of my own?

A volatile biological bomb lodged inside my chest? The prospect gave me immediate pause. Yet the moment I recalled the absurd regenerative vitality the saber-toothed tiger had displayed, a surge of raw greed overtook my hesitation. The beast had stitched together grievous lacerations in the blink of an eye. In a death world like this, that caliber of recovery was an incomparable asset.

Of course, there was no guarantee I would manifest that precise healing factor. Some entirely different anomaly might emerge.

The fact that my eyes are already shooting beams of light makes me hesitate even more.

Still, I knew I would end up utilizing it eventually. Letting a mythical treasure go to waste was far too bitter a pill to swallow. Just as Vanir had advised, merely holding it beneath my tongue to draw out its latent mana would likely suffice—not that I could force a sphere the size of a baseball down my throat in the first place.

"……Wait a moment. Putting this in my mouth is physically impossible as it is."

— Ah. Quite so. One moment. It has been far too long since I assumed a humanoid form; I forgot the limitations of your jaw structure.

Vanir casually scooped the rainbow gastrolith off the dirt, popped it back into her mouth, chewed for a brief moment, and spat it back out.

The mass had drastically diminished, now roughly the size of a small glass marble.

It was also drenched in a fresh coating of thick, viscous saliva. I almost wished I had simply waited for the thing to shrink on its own. While I fully intended to scrub away the dirt and grime in fresh water, the psychological disgust remained impossible to shake.

— *Cough, cough.* I must take my leave in earnest. Have you any parting inquiries?

"Inquiries…… Ah, there is one more thing. It might actually be the question I am most curious about."

— Speak.

"The wildlife dwelling in this forest differs drastically from any creatures I have ever known. Is the Four Seasons Forest inherently designed this way?"

This was a mystery that confounded not only myself, but Ludwig and the inhabitants of the outer continent as well. Gorillas that conversed fluently in human speech, tree sloths that moved at the speed of sound, kangaroos that grappled like Olympic wrestlers…… Not only was the baseline physical scale of these animals inflated beyond reason, but their evolutionary paths had veered into realms of absolute absurdity. Even giraffes, which supposedly existed only on Earth, roamed these lands. The wilderness held far too many concealed secrets.

— I know little of the matter myself. This realm is akin to a containment pen constructed by the invaders. You will find greater peace of mind by simply accepting it as it is.

"Mm…… Understood."

— That being said, that sloth over there proved to be a rather remarkable specimen.

An ancient dragon had just given her personal stamp of approval to Fast Tree Sloth's terrifying prowess. I offered a wry, helpless smile and glanced toward Ppareumbo. The sloth remained perched in place, staring blankly ahead with his trademark unbothered, serene expression. Just how much more assistance would I end up drawing from that bizarre creature in the days ahead? He was undeniably dependable.

— Bear this in mind, however. Beings far more lethal than that sloth—and indeed, more perilous than myself—lurk in abundance throughout these woods.

"I will remain vigilant."

Fwump!

The moment the words left my lips, colossal, majestic wings erupted from Vanir's back. With a single thunderous flap, a gale whipped through the clearing, propelling her frame skyward. It was a breathtaking, awe-inspiring spectacle.

— Little one.

"Ppiik!"

— Heed your teacher's words with diligence, and cause no undue hardship. Your mother shall return before long.

"Ppiii!"

When exactly did I get appointed as a schoolteacher? I could only chuckle dryly to myself.

Having bid farewell to Tyrano, Vanir turned her golden gaze toward me and offered a solemn, respectful nod. I promptly bowed my head in kind. Maintaining courtesies with a sovereign predator never hurt anyone.

Whoosh!

With an explosive burst of wind, Vanir soared into the high stratosphere, her silhouette rapidly shrinking against the clouds. The instant she cleared the lower canopy, the polymorph spell shattered, restoring her true, majestic form. The sight of a colossal, ancient dragon beating wings wider than a fortress wall across the azure expanse was nothing short of magnificent.

"Whew……"

Her arrival had swept through our shelter like a sudden hurricane. The moment her shadow melted into the horizon, I stooped down and retrieved the rainbow-colored bead from the soil.

I should store this safely for the time being.

Blindly consuming an unknown organ stone was an invitation to disaster. This was a gastrolith capable of fundamentally restructuring the internal organs. If my heart or viscera suffered severe trauma, there was no guarantee an Elixir could reverse the damage.

I suffered quite enough when that Earth Guardian struck my chest.

Slipping the gastrolith deep into my pocket, I turned to inspect my companions. Ludwig and the rest of the crew were staring blankly in my direction, their eyes practically screaming, 'So…… what do we do now?'

I was in the exact same boat. Vanir's sudden descent had utterly wrecked our morning schedule.

"Let us eat breakfast first."

Late though it was, our bellies took priority. Fortunately, the tempest whipped up by Vanir's departure had thoroughly swept away the choking Pollen Storm. Upon receiving my directive, the camp sprang into action like clockwork to prepare the morning feast. Though no one had voiced it aloud, everyone had been running on empty.

"Mwoo."

"Ah. You were still here, were you?"

Now that the bitter winter frost had receded, the Golden Apple Deer appeared ready to depart, letting out a gentle grunt of farewell. I offered to feed him breakfast before he set off, but he adamantly shook his crowned head. A remarkably dignified, mannerly guest. I accompanied him to the clearing's edge.

"Take care out there. You are always welcome back whenever you wish."

"Mwoo."

Swish!

Before the sound had even faded, he vanished into thin air. Ppareumbo at least left behind faint afterimages when breaking the sound barrier, but this stag produced nothing of the sort. He had simply ceased to exist in that coordinate, as if executing an instantaneous spatial jump without leaving a trace of wind or dust.

……Could his innate ability actually be teleportation?

No wonder he appeared and vanished across the deep forest like a phantom. Ever since he had traded that radiant Golden Apple, I had suspected his abilities were unnatural. Did any ordinary biological creature possess the ability to blink through space? I would bet my life against it. Teleportation belonged strictly to the domain of high magic; the stag was essentially casting supreme spells by pure instinct.

Whatever. It is the Four Seasons Forest; nothing should surprise me anymore.

Right now, filling our stomachs was what mattered. Today's breakfast consisted of generous cuts of preserved smoked meat paired with assorted foraged greens. A lavish spread, to be sure, though our reserves would inevitably dwindle once tomorrow's wilderness reconnaissance began.

"Kkyuuu……"

"Are you finally awake, Wonmo?"

I dished out a hearty portion for Wonmo, who had just groggily emerged from his prolonged winter slumber. His round, feathery face remained half-dazed with sleep, yet the primal urge to gorge himself was fully awake.

Once our hearty meal concluded, I retreated into the depths of the cave.

[Lo! A colossal owlbear stands upon yonder ground! Come, let us wage glorious combat together!]

"Ppiiiik!"

"Kkyu, kkyuu?"

Outside, Cain was diligently entertaining the young ones, marching around like an armored toy general. Seizing the quiet lull, I brought up the interface and connected to the Gallery. I had a mountain of things to share. While I had omitted the detail to Vanir, I had managed to snap a clear photograph of her humanoid form before her departure.

And I need to notify 'Let's Grow Trees' about the unfortunate fate of her World Tree sapling.

I could already picture her reaction. A fanatical dendrophile like her would undoubtedly fly into a towering rage. Most forum users would likely cheer and gloat at her misery, considering the mountain of animosity she had accumulated through her unhinged posts.

The responses poured in exactly as expected, a tidal wave of stunned disbelief.

Yet among the sea of comments, one particular focal point commanded universal attention: the charred remains of the World Tree sapling. The revelation that an ancient dragon had personally incinerated it with dragon breath sparked wild debates across the board.

Contrary to all reasonable expectations, Let's Grow Trees took the revelation in an utterly baffling direction.

"Wow……"

I sat in front of the screen, utterly dumbfounded. Her thought process operated on an entirely different plane of reality.

If someone like that holds a position of high leadership, the world is in grave danger.

Pure, unadulterated madness radiated through the digital text alone. I shuddered to imagine what experiencing her convictions in person would be like.