Chapter 131
Chapter 131
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 131
Chapter Title: Dragon's Godfather (1)
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Chapter 131
Part 131: Dragon's Godfather (1)
That its own godfather would be chosen by the hatchling itself?
“……”
Dragons had a custom of assigning godfathers or godmothers from other races to their young. Normally, the egg's parents would select them personally...
But this egg had no 'parents.'
As a result, it was only natural that the other races accompanying it had a high chance of becoming its godparents. That was the bait I'd used to drag Khalid into this adventure.
Becoming a dragon's godfather was an immense honor and a source of great power. It wasn't just about receiving a share of the dragon's mana—it came with the prestigious position of 'godfather' to a dragon, along with the respect and influence that entailed.
Of course, it was tempting. But I'd never coveted it, figuring it would only burden me without helping my goals.
The dragon race was fiercely attached to those they brought into their fold. They cherished and loved their godparents as much as they obsessed over them. The ancient dragon <Valeri>, guardian of the now-extinct Angsar royal line, had directly defied the gods' wrath to protect the family it adored—and paid the ultimate price...
'...It died for it.'
Dragons were profoundly wise and rational beings, but that same wisdom made them incredibly stubborn. That's why it had challenged the gods, even foreseeing its own death. All to safeguard the humans it loved.
Right now, my top priority was resolving the Origin God quest and unraveling this world's secrets. And that naturally involved 'danger.'
If I became this dragon's godfather...
'The dragon would do anything to keep me safe.'
Which meant it might interfere with my work for the sake of my safety.
'...This is an unwelcome variable.'
On top of that, the one that had died protecting the egg in the Swamp of Death was...
'A black dragon.'
Among dragons, the ones infamous for their wickedness, cruelty, and ferocity.
'That's why I'd planned to foist it off on Khalid...'
And now it wanted to choose its own godfather?
A chill ran down my spine at the ominous premonition.
'No way. No way it'd pick me. Khalid looks like a total lunatic over there... Perfect match for a black dragon.'
I alternated tense glances between the egg and Tundra.
"Um, Tundra, sir. Don't godparents usually get chosen by the parent dragons? This one's parents are gone, so as the adult here, couldn't you...?"
「I have no objections.」
"Pardon?"
「As kin, I will respect his decision.」
“……”
Damn it.
It hadn't hatched yet, but this thing already had a firm sense of self—it was a full-fledged dragon. Tundra clearly didn't want to clash with a new kin over it.
Maybe it was being lenient because this was the first new dragon in ages. Like grandparents doting on a grandchild...
'Things aren't going my way.'
So the current candidates for dragon godfather were...
Me, Ell, Lloyd, Khalid, Didier, Aquila, and even Isla. Isla was unlikely, but you never know.
One in seven chance it'd be me.
Good or bad, I couldn't tell.
「Legion, will you choose your 'guardian' from among these beings?」
-Tok.
At Tundra's words, the egg shifted slightly.
...Wait, hold on.
"L-Le-Legion?"
I blurted out in shock at Tundra, who slowly nodded while gazing at the egg.
「Legion. That is his name.」
Right.
Dragons named 'themselves.'
It wasn't surprising that an unhatched dragon already had a name.
What shocked me wasn't that dragons named themselves, or that this presumptuous brat had named itself before even hatching.
It was the name itself.
Legion.
The flying death. The black flame of vengeance. The Desert Slaughterer. <Legion>!
The infamous black dragon Legion, who razed the Rosan desert region and toppled the western mage tower...
'...The boss of Rosan's main storyline.'
Just as Ell was fated to one day rule the Cursed Lands as the [Silver Lion] Reinhardt, Legion was destined to dominate Rosan's desert as the [Black Dragon Emperor].
The event where Legion's black flames scorched the desert sands, turning half of Rosan's desert into the 'Black Desert,' was a pivotal story beat.
'Had I not found it in the Swamp of Death, it would've hatched due to some incident and eventually become the evil dragon <Legion> that destroys Rosan...'
So was picking up this egg a good thing?
Or...
-Gulp.
I swallowed dryly and snuck a glance at the egg. For some reason, it felt like the uncracked shell was staring right back at me.
'N-No. Don't worry. A crazy dragon like that would obviously pick the mad mage Khalid as godfather.'
Phew. Calm down.
A black dragon and a druid?
No one would think they match!
「Very well. If that's what you wish, I will bear witness.」
Whether I was on the verge of madness or not, Tundra nodded warmly down at the egg.
「I see. But...」
-Tok, to-dok.
「...If that's your choice, so be it.」
What was that ominous exchange?
「The godfather chosen by Legion is...」
Everyone held their breath, eyes on Tundra. Tundra smiled faintly and...
「...Theodor.」
Called my name.
* * *
"That's not what we agreed!"
"Did I do it on purpose? I didn't know either."
"Theodor, I will never forget this."
"Calm down. There's still a chance."
After Tundra announced Legion's choice, Khalid nearly lost his mind. And who could blame him? For a mage, a dragon's godfather position was the ultimate prize. I soothed the raging Khalid, who looked ready to spew green flames, and gently tapped the egg like a knock.
"Um, Legion."
-....
"What about Khalid? You haven't been born yet, so you might not know, but this guy's an amazing mage."
「'What's the use of a great mage? No mage can be greater than me,' he says.」
...Wow, listen to this unborn brat talking smack. Khalid's face twisted in fury beside me. Fair enough.
But I kept my cool smile and pressed on.
"Legion, think it over. I'm just an ordinary druid. Not fit to be a godfather. You've seen what I'm like this whole time."
「'What I want isn't a mad mage buried in his hole. I want a free spirit who can show me the whole world.'」
“……”
「'That's you. You are my godfather.'」
"Legion..."
「'If you refuse to be my godfather, I'll choose death.' Fascinating, isn't it?」
"W-What?"
「'Then every dragon in the world will hunt you down.' Oh, unfortunately, that's true. Theodor, every dragon would swear vengeance on the druid who drove a new generation to 'death.'」
"Pardon? That's not a threat, what the hell..."
「'You have no choice but to be my godfather.'」
-Tok, to-dok.
The egg spun happily. What a nightmare. Raise this lunatic dragon, or get chased by every dragon in the world? Pick one?
'Sly little bastard...'
Using its brains before even hatching! I glared at the spinning egg, then sighed deeply. Of all things, another freeloader...
"...Fine. Fine. I'll do as you say."
I heard Khalid fuming beside me. What could I do? Refuse and die? I ignored him.
「Theodor. Legion demands a 'soul-bound oath.'」
"...Got it."
No helping it now.
Reluctantly, I drew out the mana pooled in my heart and floated it into the air. The shimmering golden mana orbs drifted down onto the egg.
「It is an honor to witness your birth, Legion.」
"...An honor, Legion."
Once the oath was sealed...
-Tok!
-To-dok!
Cracks spiderwebbed across the smooth eggshell. Under everyone's gaze, the egg shattered, revealing sleek black scales. Crack, craaaack... The shell that had endured every rough handling without a scratch now splintered easily at its movement.
-Prurrrrk!
The newborn dragon was cat-sized. A body wrapped in elegant black scales with graceful curves. It opened its mouth wide and breathed black flames over itself, incinerating the clinging shell fragments and residue. Then, like stretching, it extended its whole body and let out a long yawn. Pff—black flames burst from its mouth and faded. Smoke wafted gently.
「Theodor.」
Legion stared straight at me and called my name. I flinched involuntarily and met its eyes. Legion's eyes were still covered in a thin membrane, hazy. Normally, parent dragons would lick it off with mana-infused tongues, but now...
"...Legion."
No choice but me. I gently peeled away the membrane with mana-charged fingers. Blood-red crimson irises emerged.
「Teo!」
「Legion doesn't yet know how to control Dragon Tongue, so proper conversation will take time.」
I nodded at Tundra's explanation. Calling my name was the best it could do for now. I carefully scooped up the kitten-sized Legion. Lighter-looking than expected, but heavy—like carrying a sack of rice. This thing had serious weight. You're a hefty one, Legion.
「Legion is still small and fragile. Even as a dragon, neglect in this stage could lead to disaster.」
"...I'm worried."
「You have my permission to stay in my lair for now. As kin.」
"You're generous, Tundra. Thank you."
At least Tundra was here. I gazed down at the now-snoozing Legion's steady breaths and swallowed a sigh.
'...Is this really for the best?'