She Already Knew Everything
"J, Jermad?"
The name slipped out of my mouth without thinking. The moment those four heard it, their faces twisted in shock and terror, as if I'd uttered some magic spell.
Surprisingly, it was Saintess Lianes, who'd been keeping her cool until then, who reacted first, her voice trembling. "W-wait a second, Repairman. Did you just say... Jermad? The Rampaging Dragon Jermad who created the volcanic zone in the western continent?"
"Huh? Created a volcanic zone?"
Rampaging Dragon? Is that Big Bro Jermad's nickname? Sounds kinda... intense. Like 'violently insane dragon'? Nah... probably 'fiercely shining dragon.' Yeah, that fits my bro. Mouthy, sure, but no way he's a mad dragon. Or... is he?
I'd always been grateful to Jermad, so I forced a positive spin. But seeing these four pale and starting to panic, my optimistic guess had clearly missed the mark.
"Th-the Rampaging Dragon?! R-Repairman! How the hell do you even know her?!"
The Tower Master shot up from his seat, yelling. I scratched my chin casually. "Well... remember when the alchemist gave me that activator with the Dragon Heart melted in? I posted on the board to fix the issue. Bumped into her by chance."
At my answer, sweat poured from the old alchemist's bald head like rain. Slick and shiny.
"B-but how are you even alive?! Ah! Right! Even dragons can't cross dimensional boundaries freely! Th-that's a relief! Y-you didn't tell her the source, did you?"
"Uh, I told her right when we first met. Me and the alchemist weren't on good terms back then."
Thud— No sooner had I finished than the Royal Alchemist collapsed to his knees, legs giving out.
"Oh, my god. Ceria, forgive me... what have I done..."
I waved reassuringly at the terrified old man with a grin. "Aw, you're worried? No need. I bro-ed out with Big Bro Jermad. I'll put in a good word."
Their eyes bulged like startled cats. "Wh-what did you say? You bro-ed with Jermad?!"
"Don't lie, human! No dragon would ever call a human 'brother'!!"
The elf elder barked, but I shrugged leisurely. "It's true. Plus, I've got her weakness in a death grip. One word from me, and she's powerless. No biggie."
Still, the alchemist trembled. "B-but... a dragon's wrath could destroy the continent... especially the Rampaging Dragon..."
"Alchemist, why not man up, confess, and beg forgiveness? You've been stressing inside, right?"
"Th-that's true, but..."
"Can't hide in your room forever. I'll mediate for sure. Trust me."
"R-really?"
"Come on, live a little. And think about it—you all know how huge this is for our master-grade plan. A dragon on board? Plus, befriending one? Tempting, right?"
The Tower Master stroked his goatee, pondering seriously. "That... does make sense."
Gotcha.
Truth was, my real reason for inviting Jermad was insurance. The Tower Master had said it himself: humans get sly and selfish around power and profit. Same for me, and these otherworlders.
Maybe only Saintess Lianes was purely altruistic here. But even her saintly compassion could flip to selfishness for Ceria's will or the church's revival.
These peak-power folks on Ereinia? Forget it. Right now, they buttered me up because I held the dimensional key. But if another Earth user awakened to the market, breaking their monopoly? Betrayal incoming.
Humans strike when you least expect it.
So, I'd nip it in the bud. Old saying: true peace comes from overwhelming force. Once they saw my dragon backup, who'd dare scheme?
Solid plan, if I do say so.
"Sh-shouldn't we think this over carefully? I get your point, Repairman, but..."
The elf elder's tone was way more cautious now. See? Mention dragon, and the snobby elf suddenly minds his manners.
I grinned and drove it home. "I guarantee no harm. But rejecting her invite? She'd ask why. I'd have to say, 'Elf elder and alchemist opposed.' Then what happens on Ereinia?"
"!!!!"
Their faces froze. Perfect checkmate—no way out.
Saintess Lianes, who'd been mulling silently, spoke up. "L-let's do it. If that's your will, Repairman... I approve the invitation."
With her lead, the Tower Master wiped sweat and nodded. "M-me too. Befriending a dragon would aid our continent greatly."
"See? Rare chance to bond with a great dragon. Alchemist, who knows? Confess clean, make friends, maybe score rare experiment mats—like real dragon scales or blood?"
"Dr-dragon scales...?!"
"Yup. I'll sweet-talk her."
Tempted, the shaking alchemist swallowed hard and nodded. "R-Repairman! I'll trust you once! And for the record, I only used the materials! Never hunted a dragon myself! Tell her that!"
"Got it. Sending the invite now?"
Permission granted, I sent the chat invite without hesitation.
'Jermad' has entered the room.
Creeeak—!
With the system alert, the massive door of the medieval conference room ground open on its own.
And stepping through the gap was...
Flaming red hair like hellfire, and...
"Bro! Come on i—huh?"
Jermad's appearance was nothing like I'd pictured. Context screamed it was her, but...
A redheaded bombshell strode in!
A... woman? Why a woman?
I blinked dumbly. She was tall—over 170cm— with long, sleek legs and a glamorous, toned figure. Jaw-droppingly fatal beauty.
"Yooo!!! Mutt bro!!!"
"J-Jermad bro...?"
"That's me, punk!! Hahaha!! All talk in text, now face-to-face!!"
Her voice was crystalline and alluring, like jade on silver. But the thuggy tone? Straight outta back-alley punk.
Cognitive dissonance—brain freeze.
"Bro? Why... girl body?"
She cackled at my dumb question. "Huh? Oh, this? Polymorph, duh. Dragon form's awkward for human chat."
"No, I mean... the gender..."
"Gender? Dragons don't have that. Just my taste."
"Ah, gotcha."
Classic fantasy trope: dragons are hermaphroditic or genderless, can self-reproduce.
"Uh... so, 'sis' from now on?"
"Pfft! Call me whatever. Bro, sis—whatever floats your boat."
After our hearty greeting, the stunning Jermad turned to the tense four at the round table.
Step. Step— Each footfall made their shoulders twitch.
"Hoh. You lot his collaborators? Lemme see."
Arms crossed, she peered at Saintess Lianes first. "This one's obvious. Ceria's little lamb."
Lianes, unflinching, rose gracefully, hands clasped in deep bow. "An honor to meet you, great ancient dragon."
"Yeah. Ceria well?"
"Hehe... How dare a lowly lamb speak of the goddess's health. But thank you for asking. She'd rejoice at your concern."
"Good. You'll keep my bro safe. Next..."
Her slit pupils scanned; they bowed, holding breath.
"Hoh, Tower Master's here."
"Honored you recognize me, great red sovereign."
He bowed 90 degrees. Jermad smirked, slapping his shoulder. "Heard you're knocking on 9th circle. Impressive for a human."
"How could I compare to dragons, magic's origin?"
"Heh, lucky day. Show me your magic sometime."
His eyes bugged out. "R-really?!"
I wondered if dragon critique was that huge, but to him, it was everything.
"Sure. But push my bro to master hard. No slacking—or I visit for other reasons."
"N-never!"
I smirked. Dragon backup's OP.
Next, elf elder. "Hey, tree-hugger."
"Y-yes, Red Majesty!"
Snobby elf now boot-camp fresh meat.
She tapped his shoulder. "World Tree fruit my bro ate—you gave it?"
"...Yes."
"Tch, must've been pushback. Nice snag."
"T-talked 'em into it..."
"Whatever. Good job. Bro's tougher thanks to you. I owe ya."
"Th-thank you."
Saintess, Tower Master, elf—all praised, relieved.
And finally... the corner. The main event.
Shiver shiver—
Jermad grinned, approaching the quaking Royal Alchemist.
"So, you're the one?"
He bowed low. "A-an honor! Red Guardian of Ereinia!"
But her lips didn't twitch. "You dared make that freak activator from my kin's heart?"
"Hiiiieeeek!!!"
She already knew everything.