Chapter 70
Chapter 70
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 70
Chapter Title: Worship the Dragon (2)
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Dimensional gates connect to other dimensions somewhere in the universe.
Most dimensions are teeming with monsters swirling around.
But very rarely, they link to dimensions inhabited by intelligent beings.
Just like right now.
"I never thought I'd run into elves. They actually exist."
A slender build, pointed ears, beautiful features—an elf.
Those elves had placed Choryeon in front of the World Tree and were fervently worshiping her.
"For the Dragon Lord to visit our village! I wouldn't mind dying right now, even though we've got a thousand years left!"
"Damn, it's the Dragon Lord! If we don't worship her, we'll die. I have to worship."
The elves knelt before Choryeon as if she were a god, offering prayers.
Choryeon seemed quietly pleased by their adoration.
At home, she's just a little kid who lies around drawing pictures all day.
It felt strange seeing her treated like this by elves.
"To me, she just looks like a child. The elves' idea of a dragon is pretty fascinating."
"Hmph, you have no idea how amazing dragons are! Daddy's too dumb to understand!"
"Hmm, are dragons really that big a deal? Not sure."
I gave Hwaryeon a quick flick on the forehead and approached Choryeon, who was waving at us.
The elves glanced our way and whispered among themselves.
"Look over there. There's the Red Dragon Lord and the Blue Dragon Lord too. But who's that human in the middle?"
"Hang on, aren't you only 200? Don't act like such a newbie. The energy feels human-like, but that one in the middle is a dragon too."
"R-Really? Damn, guess I have to worship them too."
Thud—
The roughly fifty elves slammed their foreheads to the ground toward us.
It wasn't just one or two times; their worship skills were impressive.
'This is seriously awkward.'
This kind of attention was too embarrassing.
Suryeon and I felt a twinge of secondhand shame.
But Hwaryeon welcomed the vibe and shouted confidently.
"Yeah, elves! I'm the dragon Hwaryeon! Hurry up and worship me!"
She waved at the elves, encouraging them.
But the elves stayed in their prostrated position.
"..."
"..."
Silence and no reaction.
Hwaryeon flew into a rage at their response.
"W-What? Why won't you say anything to me! This is discrimination! I'm pissed!"
"Hwaryeon unnie is the Red Dragon Lord, after all. Looks like the elves discriminate against Red Dragons."
Suryeon waved at the elves as an example.
The elves slammed their heads harder into the ground and cried out.
"Thank you, great Dragon Lord!"
"The Blue Dragon Lord has greeted us!! Everyone, start worshiping!!"
The complete opposite reaction from Hwaryeon.
She pouted at the blatant favoritism and turned away haughtily.
"Hmph, I hate you guys too! You've rubbed me the wrong way from the start—I wanted to burn you all!"
"Don't get mad, Hwaryeon. Let's move on. It's just a compatibility issue."
"If you make me mad, I'll turn you all into a sea of flames!"
Tremble tremble—
The elves shuddered in their prostrated state at Hwaryeon's ferocity.
Feeling sorry for them, I quickly pushed Hwaryeon's back forward.
"Let's go, Hwaryeon."
"Raaargh—!!"
After Hwaryeon vented her anger once.
We passed through the elves' worship path and arrived at the World Tree where Choryeon waited.
"Hmm, being the World Tree, the air really does feel different."
"Feels like we're at the beach. So refreshing."
Sniff—exhale—
Suryeon and I breathed in the World Tree's air, satisfied.
"Hmph, what's so great about it? It's not good at all!"
Hwaryeon disagreed.
Choryeon watched us with a pleased smile and said.
"Right? The air from the World Tree is amazing! If this World Tree were on Earth, the planet's air would be so much better! Fine dust would disappear by half!"
"Even a World Tree can only halve the fine dust, huh."
"Half is huge! It's purifying half of it!"
"...Yeah, it is."
What an incredibly positive mindset.
I'm learning something new through Choryeon.
Anyway.
Up close, Choryeon looked perfectly healthy.
In fact, being with the World Tree made her seem even healthier than before.
"Elves! Bring the special health drink, quick!"
"Yes, Master!"
Master?
The elves around Choryeon scurried off.
Soon after, they returned with coconut shells filled with drinks and handed them to us.
"Great Dragon Lord. Please enjoy."
Clear water filled the coconuts.
I asked the elf seriously.
"What's this, elf? Can't have you giving my kid anything weird. Explain quick."
"It's the World Tree's sap."
"World Tree sap?"
"Yes, a panacea that appears once every hundred years, especially beneficial for men—"
Gulp gulp gulp—
No need for more explanation.
I quickly poured the World Tree sap into my mouth.
'Tastes like regular water. But my body's feeling a bit hot and tingly.'
I glanced at the kids who hadn't drunk yet.
"Kids, if you're not drinking, give it to Daddy? They said it's good for men."
"...No way. I'm drinking mine."
"Me too! But why does mine feel like less than Suryeon's? Is it just me? Or discrimination?"
A world of elves rife with Red Dragon bias.
I told the elf standing next to me.
"Refill Hwaryeon's drink."
"...Yes."
The elf went to refill the coconut with a sour look.
After some time, I had a rough sense of the atmosphere.
'These guys are basically Choryeon's slaves.'
Green Dragon.
The nature-loving Green Dragon must be the true king of the elves.
That's why the outwardly pretty, youthful elves obeyed Choryeon's every word.
I felt a twinge of envy.
But watching Choryeon being fanned with giant leaves by the elves, I said.
"Choryeon."
"Yes, Daddy!"
"You seem to really like it here?"
"Yes, Niflheim is paradise! So many trees, so much air, and tons of friends!"
"Glad you like it."
"Yes!"
This dimension was called Niflheim, apparently.
Choryeon had explained it excitedly to me.
But regardless of whether she liked the place.
"Choryeon."
"Yesss, Daddy!"
"It's about time we head home. Time to go."
We couldn't stay in this dimension forever.
Before we got tied to it, we had to return to Earth.
Choryeon, reluctant to leave, asked in a small voice.
"W-Why...? Do we have to go already...? I want to stay longer..."
"We can't stay long. Trap-type dimensional gates deactivate after three days, and the core vanishes. Then the gate back to Earth closes for good."
"T-Then we just stay two days...?"
Choryeon really loved this dimension.
Understandable—it was perfect for her.
'Lots of friends, great for environmental protection activism.'
Choryeon pointed at an elf fanning her with a giant leaf.
"L-Look at this, Daddy! No air conditioners causing global warming here! No smog-spewing cars! No reckless buildings ruining nature!"
"No TV, no chicken, no crayons either."
Sure, the environment was great.
But compared to Earth, this place was way too inconvenient.
Hwaryeon and Suryeon agreed with me.
"Daddy's right! I hate it here! No meat! If I breathe fire, everything burns! I'd have to be careful all the time!"
"Choryeon's idea is stupid. No smartphones, no TV—it's boring. Fun now, but staying longer is just wasting time. If you love it so much, stay here alone? We'll head home."
You stay here, Choryeon.
We'll go.
'...Suryeon said it kinda harsh. Though it's what I wanted to say.'
Suryeon had said it bluntly for me.
Choryeon pondered the question, glancing between me and the World Tree.
"T-The World Tree is nice... and Daddy's nice too... U-Um... B-But..."
She lowered her head and removed the flower crown from her head.
Then, reaching out to me with regret in her voice.
"But... I want to go home... The World Tree is great, but... I want to go with Daddy... I can raise it on Earth..."
"Good thinking, Choryeon."
"Y-Yes..."
Choryeon took my hand, full of reluctance.
"Tch."
For some reason, Suryeon clicked her tongue at the sight.
Anyway.
Dragon worship was over.
"We're heading home. Take care, everyone."
"Take care... I'm going home with Daddy..."
Now it was really time to go home.
I resolved to set out with the kids to find the dimensional core and return.
However.
"P-Please wait a moment...!! Great Dragon Lord...!! Please hear me out...! Then take my head...!!"
Thud—!
Suddenly, a white-haired elderly elf prostrated himself, blocking our path.
'Tch, I'm weak to old folks.'
It was a delay, annoying as it was.
But I decided to hear him out first.
"What now?"
"Please... even if you leave our dimension... could you hear us out...? This elder's life ends after you hear us... Please..."
"No, old timer. No need to die. Talk first. What's up?"
"Before destroying the core... could you save us elves...?"
The talk turned into a request.
"Old timer, how old are you anyway?"
"I forgot to count exactly... but around 600..."
"Impressive age."
Anyway.
What could be going on?
The elf elder pleaded desperately with a grave expression.
"Our elf village—no, our world. The World Tree is in danger."
"T-The World Tree in danger?! That's unacceptable!"
Choryeon resonated with the elder's words.
The elder continued, kneeling.
"Please, great Dragon Lord!! Protect the World Tree with us and save us!! We'll serve you elves devotedly!!"
With the elder's words, beautiful elves approached and knelt beside him.
"P-Please!"
"Save us elves! Handsome Dragon Lord!"
After much deliberation, I replied.
"Hmm, let's hear the story first?"
Seemed worth considering positively.
"Hmph, Daddy! Horny male!"
"...Daddy?"
"Father... I can't say anything nice... Sorry..."
My daughters didn't approve.
For some reason, their glares felt terrifying.