Chapter 248
Chapter 248
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 247
Chapter Title: The Dragon Emperor's Purpose
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The eldest Draconian, who had lived for hundreds of thousands of years.
A cosmic powerhouse aiming beyond the Emperor Class.
The Five-Headed Dragon, Chromatic Dragon.
"My name is Khan."
The Dragon Emperor, Khan, stood there.
'Is this the first-meeting setup?'
He整理 his thoughts while gazing at her dignified, complete form. Khan's behavior was entirely natural. It was Oryong—the Five Dragons—who had met him, built a connection, and ultimately become his lovers. Not the Chromatic Dragon Khan.
"It's an honor to meet you, Dragon Emperor."
As he stood face-to-face with her, the dragons who had been kowtowing began to tremble.
"How dare you...!"
"Show proper respect before the Dragon Emperor!"
"Even as the Apostle of the Game God, that's too arrogant..."
[Enough.]
The dragons flinched at the heavy draconic command and slammed their heads back down. Khan's expression turned icy.
"Don't embarrass me further."
"F-Forgive us."
"We're sorry!"
It was fascinating to see the dragons cowering so completely.
'Aren't Draconians supposed to be a democracy?'
Many lower civilizations naturally adopted democracy, but upon reaching the third civilization stage and venturing into greater space, they typically abandoned it.
Naturally, it was due to the existence of Transcendents.
Individuals who surpassed groups, entities that transcended civilizations.
The presence of Transcendents fundamentally dismantles democracy, which legally guarantees equality for all. Unless there's a supreme god like on the 34th Earth forcibly controlling everyone, societies inevitably revert to monarchies and the like.
But what about Dragonia?
Not an ordinary race, but a transcendent species. Among them, dragons were transcendents by default. In Draconian society, where every member was a Transcendent, it was extremely difficult for any individual to dominate the collective.
'I heard that even if there are imperial or royal families, they're just ceremonial like in England or other countries. But this reaction...'
It seemed the Dragon Emperor's status in Dragonia exceeded his expectations.
"First, I sincerely apologize for the trouble we've caused. Especially... we must compensate for Chernein's recklessness."
"Y-Your Imperial Majesty..."
Chernein's face, already on the brink of death, turned ashen. He genuinely looked like he could drop dead any moment.
"By the way, your appearance is quite different from the rumors."
The Dragon Emperor was known for possessing particularly immense power even among Emperors and wasn't one to act flamboyantly, but not all activities were shrouded in secrecy. A quick search of articles or news revealed plenty of humanoid forms.
And the Khan he found that way was beautiful enough, but not in a feminine sense.
'If anything... it was an androgynous look closer to masculine.'
But now?
Thanks to his biological physique granting giant-level height, he could meet her gaze evenly, yet no one would dare call her androgynous.
A sensuous body with perfect proportions, long flowing hair blending beautiful chromatic hues, even ornate horns like a crown.
The woman before him was an unrivaled beauty no one could deny.
"Heh. Appearance is just a variable I can control at will. Strange?"
"No. You're beautiful."
Khan paused briefly at his words, then smiled.
"Once more, I apologize for the current situation. Even if you killed Chernein, it couldn't be helped..."
"No need for that. It's not some deep grudge."
Sure, the guy was annoying and his actions despicable, but after thrashing him thoroughly, little resentment remained.
More importantly, killing him now would just breed enmity without much gain.
"Thank you for your understanding. It's not exactly as a substitute, but..."
As Khan extended her hand, a long staff rolling on the ground flew into her grasp.
She spoke.
"It's the Transcendent Weapon Homunculus. Not part of the numbered series, but it has decent performance."
"...You're giving me this?"
He had indeed defeated Chernein, but claiming a Transcendent Weapon as spoils was unthinkable.
Transcendent Weapons were, literally, cosmic strategic armaments.
Even seizing Homunculus from Chernein wouldn't transfer ownership—it would remain with the Draconians, who would assert it vigorously.
And beyond that?
Homunculus likely had powerful spells binding it to return to Dragonia upon Chernein's death.
'Sure, taking it straight to Ardania might work somehow... but just handing over ownership like this is on another level.'
Because it could be [sold].
"It's merely compensation for the trouble we've caused."
"B-But, Your Majesty."
"It's also punishment for Chernein."
"......"
He glanced at Chernein, whose face looked like the sky was collapsing, then smiled.
"In that case, I gratefully accept."
Woooooong—!
Immense magical waves emanated from Homunculus in Khan's hand. The process of transferring ownership of the Transcendent Weapon.
Khan handed it to him, then turned to the dragons.
"Take Chernein and return to the ship."
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
Amid the obediently bowing dragons, the female Shadow Dragon raised her head.
"Your Majesty. Allow me to stay on the 34th Earth briefly to handle follow-up matters for Jaeyeon..."
"Eoduksini."
The warmth in Khan's voice, like a spring day, chilled with frost, paling Eoduksini's face as she lifted her head.
"Y-Yes! Your Majesty."
"Must I say it twice?"
"No! Everyone, let's go! Grab that idiot Chernein too!"
As he watched the departing dragons, he thought.
'Eoduksini? A Shadow Dragon, and blood-related to that Eodukseoni guy...'
"What are you staring at?"
"Oh, nothing. But won't there be repercussions?"
"On my name, I swear there won't."
He nodded at Khan's confident demeanor. The other dragons' reactions showed she commanded immense prestige among them.
'Or dragon-mane, maybe?'
As idle thoughts crossed his mind, Khan spoke.
"I'm sorry."
"No, you've already done more than enough..."
"Not that. It's about the reason I came."
"......?"
He turned to her, puzzled by the unexpected words.
'She came to prevent conflict between Dragonia and me. What other business could there be?'
Seeing his confusion, Khan said.
"I wish to take my daughters with me."
* * *
Flash!
Space rippled, and Jaeyeon returned to Paradise Ark. The luxurious cruise ship was as serene as if nothing had happened.
"What the hell is going on..."
Muttering in confusion, Jaeyeon headed below deck to meet the F·D members.
And at that moment.
Hum!
Time stopped.
Thud.
In the middle of space, the Chromatic Dragon Khan appeared and stepped onto the deck.
He—no, now clearly she—gazed at Jaeyeon frozen in stopped time.
"...A man of deadly charm, aren't you."
She was utterly exhausted. Even in her drained state, she had forced herself to move.
It was unavoidable.
'Now it's certain. Any female dragon who saw Jaeyeon, perhaps even other transcendent species... would feel something similar to what I did.'
Of course, it wasn't hypnosis or anything that would drive them mad, but lethal charm was dangerous in itself.
Did the kingdom-toppling beauties bring down nations with mental powers?
No.
"Haa..."
A sigh escaped naturally. Despite her transcendent realm and body, fatigue weighed on her eyelids.
The reason was obvious: the 14 nights and 15 days of relentless activity.
Whoosh!
The sudden memory flushed Khan's cheeks. Her breathing quickened, her dragon heart throbbing.
'Really.'
It had been intensely passionate for 15 days. Even she had depleted her stamina so completely that by the end, she passed out, oblivious to the outside world.
Her condition was so dire she hadn't even noticed that fool Chernein activating the Transcendent Gear to abduct Jaeyeon.
Swish.
Khan approached Jaeyeon and met his eyes. His crystalline gaze, overflowing with light beyond jewels, was more enchanting than any gem.
Smack.
She leaned in and kissed him. Time's stasis dulled sensation, but it filled her heart nonetheless.
"To think I'd feel emotions like this..."
It had been hundreds of thousands of years since she opened her eyes to the world. An absurdly long time for any intelligent being. Only those granted special [roles] by the Creator or the gods had lived longer.
A truly immense span, yet she'd never imagined [joy] like this.
"Hehe."
Currently, she was torn into five beings by the Three-Legged Crow and Black Banner.
Reunification was possible anytime, but maintaining it lasted mere hours at best.
Yet during their union, she had realized something.
For the [first time], she could heal her state using his essence.
'Impossible...'
Something even the treasures of greater space couldn't achieve, he had done. But the truly absurd part was that she hadn't chosen healing.
She had accepted his seed instead.
"My child..."
Khan placed her palm on her abdomen. Rather than healing herself, she had taken his genes, meaning the Dragon Emperor was pregnant with a lesser species' child.
The past her, devoted to dragonkind with immense pride in her lineage, wouldn't comprehend this choice— she'd despise it.
But not now.
Flash!
Light flared, and Khan split into five. No longer Khan, but the cosmic idols, Five Dragons. They exchanged light glances before heading below deck.
Hum!
Time flowed again. The F·D members emerged from their rooms and came up to the deck.
Then they explained.
"Sorry. Mom's will was just too stubborn..."
"But the time we spent together was truly happy."
"Oh! Just in case, this isn't a forever goodbye! We'll be back soon!"
They explained the situation to Jaeyeon. Fortunately, he understood well.
"Um, before you go, this..."
Ruby, representing F·D, handed Jaeyeon a ring.
"What's this?"
"A wondrous item that adjusts others' perceptions. Cognitive Dissonance. No one below Emperor Class will see through it."
"Ah, sure, it's good, but."
"Wear it always, forever. No exceptions. Got it?"
"But—"
"Say you got it."
"...Okay."
The F·D members' faces bloomed like flowers as they slipped the ring onto Jaeyeon's ring finger while he tilted his head.
"We'll transfer Dragon Star to your name. Have Eodukseoni oppa handle it before he returns."
"Dragon Star Entertainment goes to you too, Jaeyeon. It was just us anyway."
"Don't train too hard. Your growth rate is already excessively fast, so take it slow... Got it?"
They bid farewell one by one. Kisses, hugs, embraces, caresses.
"Goodbye..."
"See you later! Promise!"
"Take care."
"I love you..."
"I... me too..."
With bodies still weary, they exchanged final goodbyes before returning to her battleship, Chromatic. Even Ruby, whose gentle heart brought tears, didn't oppose [her] decision.
"......"
Greed urged her to take Jaeyeon to Dragonia.
'But I can't.'
As a dragon among dragons, her gestation could last a decade at shortest, centuries at longest. Staying with him now might selfishly cage him for eons.
"Someday... again..."
Vowing that, she turned from his receding figure.
Hum!
Unbeknownst to her, at that exact moment, the final piece she had abandoned for failing to fill over ages completed.
For the first time since birth.
Not out of need, but want.