Chapter 101
Chapter 101
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 101
Chapter Title: Mad Wizard (1)
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-BOOM!!!
A massive explosion rocked the air. The green flames that burst out from beyond the door packed a serious punch. If I'd dodged even a moment later, not just my hair but my eyebrows would've gone up in smoke entirely.
I brushed the singed hem of my cloak and cautiously peered inside the door. The room was crammed with tangled magic tools, half-assembled golems, and all sorts of experimental specimens, giving off an eerie vibe. And standing right in the middle was a man shrouded in a black hood...
"...Khalid?"
I called his name carefully. Despite taking the green flames straight on, the mage didn't have a single scorch mark. He ignored me completely, muttering to himself as he fiddled with a glass vial full of bubbling liquid. I cleared my throat and tried his name again.
"Khalid."
"..."
"Long time no see."
"Is that what you came here to say, wasting my time?"
No how've you been? His sharp retort made me pout, but I stepped inside anyway. Thankfully, no green flames came flying at me this time.
"I've come about the Black Opium harvest coming up."
"You're later than I expected."
"But way faster than waiting for Black Opium imports from Niram to start up again."
-Clack.
Finally, Khalid set down the tool he was holding, turned to face me, and pulled off his hood. His face came into view, and I couldn't hide my shock. Just a few months ago, he'd had a beard so overgrown it made him look like some old geezer, with hair all over the place. Now his face was clean-shaven, his hair neatly combed. Even his eyes—hidden before by hair hanging down to his cheeks—were visible, a vivid green. No wonder the rumors called them the 'devil's eyes.'
"Planning to harvest the Black Opium in two days. I'm here today just to check if you're still up for the deal."
I forced myself to stay calm and spoke evenly, like nothing was off. Khalid let out a mocking sneer and eyed me.
"You don't remember who gave you those seeds?"
"I do. But I grew the Black Opium."
"First Druid I've met who's this brazen."
"First mage like you I've met."
Clearly annoyed that I wasn't backing down, he furrowed one eyebrow and yanked off his glove roughly. But what could he do? I was the one holding the Black Opium—the upper hand.
"First, let's talk price..."
"...Hold on."
Khalid raised a hand to cut me off. In an instant, his face twisted in disbelief as he stared at me. What? The vibe turned ugly fast, and I froze mid-sentence, thrown off. This killing intent just from mentioning price—what the hell?
"Druid, you."
"...Yes?"
"What in the world are you carrying around?"
"W-what do you mean..."
In a flash, Khalid clamped down on my wrist with insane grip strength. What?! I'd always figured mages were all scrawny weaklings, but this power! Before I could even yank free, Lloyd's hand went to his sword hilt. Khalid snorted and shot at Lloyd.
"Knight, you'd be drawing your sword long after I've turned this fool's arm to ash."
"..."
"...I'm fine, Lloyd. Stand down."
I reassured Lloyd, then turned back to Khalid with a steady voice.
"...No idea what you're on about. Khalid, care to explain so I can understand?"
"You're talking like you have zero clue. Stupid or shameless?"
His pale, ghostly hand seized my finger with brute force from who-knows-where—more precisely, he was crushing my subspace ring like he meant to rip it off.
"What... This isn't stolen. You gave it to me yourself!"
I yelled in a panic, and he replied in a weary, pitiful tone.
"Stupid it is, then."
Explain it properly! This is why I hate dealing with mages! I activated [Beast's Might] and shook his hand off. He curled his lip in disdain.
"Foolish Druid. You have no idea what you've dared bring into this place."
"..."
"Don't care if you die alone, but dragging me down with you? That's a problem."
"What are you even..."
"Dragon."
He growled the word low, like a snarl.
'Dragon!'
That's when it hit me what he meant. The dragon egg from the Swamp of Death! I'd stashed it in the subspace ring. Completely slipped my mind lately... But how the hell did he know? Already cast some detection spell?
"I was gonna mention it anyway."
It was true—I'd planned to ask him about dragons. I muddled through with a fake cough. Meanwhile, the ring in his grip started heating up, hot enough to burn my finger.
"You idiot Druid. Can't even imagine storing a dragon egg in a subspace ring. If the mana-tainted egg hatched—what then?"
"...It didn't hatch, so we're good, right?"
"Gonna chalk it up to luck? Even unhatched, nothing but hardship awaits you. Fun for a madman, maybe?"
"You're being too harsh. I swear, no ill intent..."
"Think the dragons will buy that?"
"..."
Once as mighty as gods, ruling the world with raw power, dragons were slowly marching toward extinction. Unlike eternal gods, their lives were finite, so they needed to breed to survive as a race. But dragons hated other dragons. Too superior to accept each other? Whatever the reason, they were vanishing—slowly, but surely.
That's why a dragon 'offspring' was priceless. Maybe one born every few decades, or centuries.
'That's why I figured handing it back would score me big points...'
Khalid's reaction made me question if that was too naive.
"If I return it safely, they'll trust me."
"To who?"
"..."
His question cut deep. Yeah, to who? The presumed parent dragon was already dead in the swamp. So who do I give this egg to?
'No dragon orphanage exists.'
What a mess. Caught off guard, I couldn't answer easily.
"...That's why I came here."
But hey, I'd talked my way out of worse. I switched gears quick.
"I need your help, Khalid."
There was a reason he was called the mad wizard. He did insane things. Like handing me Black Opium to grow. No way a guy like him didn't know any dragons—masters of magic?
He knew dragons. That's how he sensed the egg on me, and why he was dead sure it spelled trouble.
So, getting his help was perfect for fixing this.
Might even call it lucky.
"Why should I help you?"
I shot back fast.
"Because it'll benefit you too."
"Meeting dragons?"
Ha ha ha! Khalid couldn't hold it in anymore and burst out laughing.
"Knew you were an idiot, but not a lunatic. This is rich."
"I'll explain exactly why meeting dragons benefits you."
"Can't wait to hear what pathetic drivel comes next!"
He grinned wide and plopped down on the desk—surrounded by those dangerous reagents—like it was nothing. Yet he'd ripped into me for carrying a dragon egg in a subspace ring. What a nutjob...
"Play it right, and you could be this dragon's 'godfather.'"
"...What?"
He gawked at me like I'd said something absurd.
"Last time I touched the egg, I sensed it—the 'dragon.' It's grown plenty already. Just waiting for the shell to crack now."
"How could you possibly..."
"I communed with it. Don't tell me you've forgotten I'm a Druid?"
"..."
"It's only holding back from hatching by choice."
All sorts of reasons possible. Maybe it finished growing but sensed danger outside. Or no other dragons around. Or scared to break out. Who knows.
"You know dragons need a non-dragon 'godfather' or 'godmother,' right?"
"..."
Exactly. Dragons had this custom of assigning one to their hatchlings. Usually elves, but dwarves or humans sometimes too. Normally the parents pick, but this egg's parents were gone.
Meaning the non-dragons around it had a shot at the role.
"You know a godfather shares in the dragon's mana, yeah?"
Irresistible for a mage like Khalid. Sure enough, greed flickered in those green eyes.
"Isn't that benefit enough?"
I flashed a grin and stuck out my hand toward him.