Chapter 51
Chapter 51
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 51
Chapter Title: The Gold Dragon Deal
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“Uh… could you explain that in a bit more detail?”
[Right, I got ahead of myself. For a human who only lives about a hundred years, just seeing a dragon is a rare event. But oh my, nice armor design sense. Gold, huh? You’ve got good taste.]
“Th-that’s…”
[Enough chit-chat. Let’s get to the consultation. Is this the down payment? Oh wow, I love it! Even artwork included? I need to appraise these—mind waiting a sec?]
What’s with this dragon? She dumps out the treasure chest I offered as a sacrifice and medium, then starts appraising everything from the gold coins to the tiara-like artwork inside, one by one.
I shot a bewildered look at my knights, as if to ask, ‘Is this how dragons normally are?’ But they all shook their heads in denial.
‘Right? This dragon’s the weird one, yeah?’
[Oho~ The sincerity’s there, at least. Good. So, how far are you thinking for the contract? Companion? Or do you want to be a dragon knight? Riding on my back, soaring through the skies, right?]
“Yeah, something like that, but…”
[Got it. So you just want me as a mount for summoning? No companion package? What options are you eyeing? Magic’s standard, but breath is an add-on. And there’s a discount based on your riding skill rank—what’s the skill?]
Am I mounting a dragon right now? Or am I at a dealership closing a new vehicle deal?
Breath as an extra option? What’s that even mean?
Anyway, amid this baffling negotiation, I decide to show her my skill first.
“(Legendary) Riding (S+). Um, Dragon-nim? Why go about it this way?”
[What else? I want treasure too. I’ve tried wandering around a few times, but just making contracts that way wasn’t efficient~]
“…Pardon?”
[Following someone with hero potential is comfy, but they’re too frugal. Tail someone who hoards wealth, and they get blinded by greed, slacking on training—end result, bad efficiency. So yeah, I’m doing sales to build my hoard.]
So this dragon lady’s personally freelancing as a mercenary… for money and treasure?
Talk about dragons of all kinds in this world.
Well, no power struggles or complications—just pay up with gold and goods, and she flies straight. Not a bad deal.
[Anyway, I’ve said my piece… Shall we proceed with the contract?]
“Ah, sure.”
[Let’s see… Confirmed you’ve got the riding skill. You’re a knight class, so what’s your ‘oath’?]
“Haven’t made one.”
What’s with all the emphasis on this oath thing?
The question nags at me, but I make a mental note to ask what kind of ‘oaths’ they’ve sworn someday. For now, I answer honestly.
“Then do you have a liege knight you serve?”
“Nope. I’ve only been an awakener for three months. Does that disqualify me?”
[Nah, perfect. Oaths and such are a hassle—gotta add special clauses. I’ve seen free knights before, so no issue. Contract term? I recommend ten-year blocks. Pay yearly, add-ons as needed?]
“Uh… could you quote the exact price first? Oh, and add the breath option.”
Dragons mean breath. Breath means dragons.
That’s gospel.
That kwaaaaaaah! blast of draconic mana making your heart go thud! Pure truth!
No idea how pricey, but I had to have it.
[Ten-year term. Yearly payments. Mount use, plus magic and breath options. I’ll follow combat orders by default and give advice. Penalty fee for early termination unless you die. Sound good?]
“Yeah. But what’s the cost?”
[That chest is your summoning down payment, so for one year’s fee…]
‘Gulp.’
[One more chest like that covers a year.]
What? That cheap? Wait, no. If it’s loot from an S-rank monster… Still cheap!
I got 40,000 points from that!
My head’s spinning.
[Oh? Too much? I can add a small fee for installments…]
“One year upfront!”
Chaos aside, snagging a gold dragon mount with this clean cash deal was huge value. I pulled a spare dragon-bait treasure set from my inventory and paid on the spot.
She blinked in surprise for a second, then checked the new chest’s contents and started drafting the contract.
[Whoa, jackpot. And looking at your knights… they’re loaded too. Any interest in add-ons or upgrades?]
“Huh? Nah, not really…”
[I’ll hook you up nice. Yeah?]
Technically, she’s hundreds or thousands of years older than me—more grandma than big sis.
But I could feel her pushing because I seemed like a walking wallet. It was getting overwhelming.
Whoa, those emerald eyes dyed with greed, that elegant voice now sounding so sleazy.
Like a snake eyeing prey.
“Anyway, I’ll call if needed. Should I provide the saddle?”
[Nope, got my own. You’d be surprised how many heroes have ridden this back… Ahem! Sign the contract and add a blood thumbprint. For summons, infuse mana into this bracelet and call my name.]
“Got it. So…”
[Eldraen. C’mon, sign it quick, then test whatever you need.]
With the contract exchanged, payment made, and bracelet in hand, the deal was done.
She vanished right after.
I unarmored with a face ten years older, slipped on the bracelet, and slumped down.
“Dragons are exhausting creatures. Sigh~ Should’ve settled for a drake or wyvern? Kids, did I mess up? Hmm?”
“It’s already signed and sealed, Master. Regretting it already?”
[Contractor, didn’t I warn you?]
[Advice already given in abundance.]
[It’s fine… Still… gained… experience.]
Yeah, like Krokbane said—satisfied with the novel experience.
She was tricky, but no scam, and becoming a dragon knight with superior combat power was pure profit.
“Alright, let’s head back.”
[Contractor, since we’re going, why not ride?]
“Wanna tango with the ROK Air Force?”
A golden knight on a massive gold dragon cruising Seoul skies? Radar and satellites would spot us instantly—photos everywhere, then jets and guild air forces scrambling to take me down.
[Then what’s the contract for?]
“For when I actually need a ride! You guys don’t have mounts either, right?”
[Hm? Contractor, I do have one, though?]
What? Gaulf’s words made my eyes widen as I stared at my knights.
I shot them a ‘for real?’ look. Gaulf nodded, and turning, Seom-myeol and Krokbane nodded too.
Even tin-can Akaron (KMG-002), who I trusted most, was nodding.
Everyone but me had a mount? Massive shock.
“What? Why didn’t you say?”
[It’s basic knightly duty.]
“Because we’re knights.”
[Isn’t it obvious for knights?]
[Krokbane… is… undoubtedly… a knight.]
Makes sense, yet doesn’t.
If you had them, why not mention sooner? Keeping quiet all this time?
“You never asked, and our battles so far were in tight spaces or short-range—no need for long hauls.”
[Dungeon full of small fry—no occasion to use them.]
“…Then show me! Summon your mounts!”
Pissed at the secret, I yelled for them to show off.
They summoned right away.
Gaulf first. True to an abyss knight, a sturdy black steed burst from dark mist.
[This is the Abyss Nightmare. Recommended it to you before. Hup!]
Pruuuh!
‘Badass!’
Glowing red eyes, black mist snorted from nostrils on a head toss—nothing like a normal horse. Cool as hell.
Next, Seom-myeol. A pillar of light, then a massive raptor-like bird in silver-white armor emerged.
“It’s a Sacred Heavenly Bird. Legs and sky comrade of the Sacred Heaven Knights. That’s our Captain.”
Piiiik!
‘No clue how it flies armored like that, but damn, it’s cool.’
Raptor sharpness plus plate armor? Killer.
What? They’re all awesome?
Seeing them live, each one’s a winner.
Meanwhile, Krokbane approached riding something.
Grrr! Shaaa!
[Calm… Master’s… here.]
“Krokbane, what’s that?”
[Basilisk… Tough… Petrifying… breath… But slow.]
A huge flat lizard stuck to the ground, sluggish but heavily armored—like a walking tank.
At this point, forcing the dragon pick makes me look like an idiot!
[Compared to a true dragon rider like Master, my humble support mech, the Georgius, is modest. Acrasium mana stone engine, output…]
“…”
Vrooom! Shuuu!
What? This sci-fi hoverbike?
Counts as a knight mount? With weapon racks galore—insanely cool.
You show-offs! Everyone but me with epic rides! Tell me sooner! Now I’m seriously regretting.
‘Sigh~ My fate.’
Plus, splurging on an expensive ride (dragon) and not using it would suck more. Envy aside, I resigned to riding that gold-hoarding dragon sis.