Chapter 237
Chapter 237
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 237
Chapter Title: In Tar拉克 (2)
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⚔ ENTITY INFO ⚔ 📛 Name: Howard 🧙 Race: Dwarf 🔗 Common Traits: 「Mind Hub」, 「Persona」, 「Super Recovery」, 「Clear Mirror Still Water」, 「Herculean Strength」, 「Acute Sensitivity」, 「Discernment」, 「Xenoglossy」 🛠️ Entity Traits: 「Artisan's Spirit」, 「Dwarven Creation Logic」, 「Song of Fire and Metal」, 「Craftsman's Soul」, 「Metallurgy」, 「Precision Craftsmanship」 📝 Notes: Has surpassed apprenticeship to become a full-fledged dwarf artisan. Possesses strong resistance to fire and metal attributes. Under the influence of the 'Growth Potion,' all actions receive additional growth corrections. From Jaonik, Howard had learned the dwarven secret art, 「Craftsman's Soul」.
In simple terms, it was the ability to go beyond ordinary crafting and produce something more special... in other words, magic tools.
The power to infuse mana into objects and engrave mysteries upon them purely through the crafting process, without relying on magic circuits or ritual diagrams.
Of course, this was only possible with the best materials and utmost effort, so he couldn't churn out magic tools willy-nilly.
At the very least, though, he could wield it far more easily and under better conditions than most.
'As expected of the World Tree branch. Its performance is top-notch.'
As fuel for kindling a fire, it was truly the king of kings.
Metals that touched those flames gained special properties, forming the perfect foundation for using 「Craftsman's Soul」.
It wasn't for nothing that master artisans went mad over World Tree branches.
"A universal combat full-body suit? Eh, isn't that just full plate armor?"
No!
It's completely different!
'But just saying that won't convince him properly.'
Showing results was the best way.
Howard nodded firmly as he examined the internal components of the completed arm part, meticulously crafted with 「Precision Craftsmanship」.
Incorporating Earth's knowledge that he'd continuously studied even while engraving Jaonik's teachings into his body—the parts meshed together in linked assembly.
Naturally, every single one of those parts was infused with 「Craftsman's Soul」, harboring special potential.
'The materials used are still low-grade, and I can't replicate that many techniques yet.'
It was merely a prototype, so there was plenty of room for further development.
What he needed to do was localize the designs—compilations of engineering knowledge and techniques from various worlds—so they could be realized here.
As he steeled his resolve, Jaonik's words continued.
"Well, once it's complete and reinforced with strengthening enchants, it'll make for an outstanding suit of armor. Not particularly novel, though. I hear the Imperial Guard Knights are all equipped with similar ones."
Howard knew that too.
Heinrich's armor under repair at the Roselia Grand Temple, Guardian of Glory, had been made in a similar fashion.
In truth, all top-tier armor in this world followed such processes.
"Hmph, just you wait! I'll show you something that'll drop your jaw!"
"Oh ho? Quite confident, aren't you."
"Of course!"
Grumbling, Howard carefully packed away the finished part with a proud air.
For now, just one arm.
There was still much to do—crafting the rest, additional magical processes, energy source connections, and more—but...
'Step by step. I never expected to finish it overnight anyway.'
Thanks to the time difference, he had plenty of leeway, so there was no need to rush and botch things.
In this blend of ideals and reality.
In one of Tar拉克's workshops, his modest dream was steadily taking shape.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ In the center of a spacious bedroom filled with ornate decorations.
"Hoo— ha—."
On the large bed, a child who looked no older than five or six repeatedly flailed his limbs while doing deep breaths.
'Impressive indeed.'
It had already been two days since the little one, Horus, arrived in this world.
All he'd done in that time was hole up in Hubert's mansion, rolling around on the bed and repeatedly using 「Polymorph」 to adapt to his two bodies...
'Is this just how dragons are, or is the potion's effect that potent?'
Probably both.
This time, he could truly feel what it meant to grow stronger just by breathing.
Influenced by 「Lord of All Things」, the mana drawn in with each breath swirled through his body before being absorbed into the Dragon Heart in his heart.
The more energy accumulated in his heart, the stronger the physical enhancements from 「Gold Dragon」 became.
'That's why adapting was even harder.'
The dragon body was already on another level from the other races he'd experienced, and with his senses shifting just as he started getting used to it, it took longer than expected.
"Ucha—!"
But that was only until just moments ago.
Horus lightly sprang up from lying down, checking his body's condition once more.
His appearance was still that of the initial hatchling state, but with his body now under perfect control, its efficiency was on another level.
'Not fully accustomed to the dragon form yet, but I'll mostly stay in human shape anyway, so it doesn't matter.'
A hatchling from an extinct dragon race—especially a gold one—suddenly appearing would stir up quite the storm on the continent.
Sure, it wasn't a bad way to earn karma, but stepping out before having solid power would invite needless hassle.
'I'll reveal myself only after gaining real strength. Ideally, after finding a way to age my appearance.'
Just the second day since entering Outerica.
There was still much to consider.
When he first thought of the dragon avatar, he'd imagined an epic scene: Heinrich riding on his back as he clashed with the Immortal King atop his own dragon...
At this rate, who knew when he could stage that glorious moment.
'To gain power quickly, I should start with learning magic. It'll synergize well with 「Dragon Word Magic」 too. As I build strength that way, somehow...'
And so.
As Horus sank into brief contemplation—
"Indeed, a true hatchling."
A stranger's voice suddenly echoed in the room, where he was clearly alone.
"Eek?!"
Startled for real, Horus leaped back.
He hurriedly retreated a few steps from the direction of the voice, lowering his stance warily.
'When?'
This was Hubert's residence.
Naturally, its security was even tighter than his own, laden with all sorts of magic tools.
Layers of barriers and devices—even a grandmaster couldn't infiltrate easily.
Yet this intruder had slipped past everything unnoticed and instantly seen through Horus's perfect human child disguise.
Tense, he glared at the man before him: a thirties fellow with dull blond hair and yellow eyes.
Horus's sharply narrowed round eyes locked with the man's weary, hazy gaze.
But only for a moment.
'Huh?'
Feeling an odd tickle since facing him, Horus examined the man more closely.
And instinctively realized the intruder's identity.
'A dragon!'
A dragon, hidden from the continent's history for ages, now deemed extinct.
A gold dragon—his own kin—stood before him.
"I thought you were trapped inside the barrier, but that wasn't it. Good thing I entered quietly."
The mysterious dragon glanced around lightly before slowly nodding.
Turning his gaze back to Horus, he quirked his lips in what seemed a forced attempt at warmth, speaking awkwardly.
"I am Shurihartgen, Elder Dragon of the Gold Clan. Young hatchling, what is your name?"
An Elder Dragon ranked above ordinary true dragons but below the eldest Ancients.
Living witnesses to thousands of years of history, beings of calamity wielding commensurate might.
"...Horus."
"Horus?"
Suppressing his childish urge to bristle, Horus poutingly spat out his name.
He knew the other hadn't come with ill intent, but facing such an opponent, he couldn't fully relax.
And thanks to that tension.
"...A strange name."
He barely swallowed the reflexive retort as Shurihartgen tilted his head and muttered.
'Your name's weirder!'
He couldn't help the surge of indignation inside.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ As expected, Shurihartgen had come purely out of goodwill.
More precisely, to protect what he believed was the last hatchling of a clan whose line had ended.
"...To think I could fulfill my duty unexpectedly. This must be Dracarion's grace as well. After those fiends took even Hurayone, I thought the Gold Clan was finished."
Thus, he recounted the clan's secrets in a voice laden with sorrow.
The moment after the war's end, when even the youngest remaining hatchling was sacrificed.
'Hureione?'
Hearing the familiar name, Horus cocked his head—then recalled where he'd seen it.
『Gold Dragon Hatchling Hureione's Dragon Heart (910,000)』
'Ah, that...'
The Dragon Heart that became his medium.
The name of its previous owner, which he'd paid no mind to.
Feeling oddly embarrassed, he averted his gaze.
"...She wasn't my child, but the entire clan doted on her. Such a playful, charming little thing—she'd get scolded, but before I knew it... Ah, sorry."
Deep in reminiscence, Shurihartgen caught Horus's reaction and paused, soon wearing an apologetic look as if misunderstanding.
"My apologies. Seeing you reminded me of her somehow. Clinging to such regrets is rude to both of you."
The old dragon bowed lightly with his apology.
Before Horus could respond to his sincerity, Shurihartgen continued.
"Truth be told, it doesn't matter where you came from or what you truly are anymore."
...He had his doubts about Horus's existence, it seemed.
Naturally so—he'd just finished speaking of the last hatchling's death.
Yet here was another appearing out of nowhere.
Silence briefly passed between the two dragons eyeing each other.
With Horus having nothing to say, Shurihartgen spoke first again.
"But you are undoubtedly the Gold Clan's last remaining hatchling..."
Meeting the gaze of the quietly watching Horus—
"And above all, since Dracarion Himself has acknowledged it."
He continued slowly, as if proclaiming a decree.
"...I, Shurihartgen." "Recognize you, Horus." "As the final successor of the Gold Clan." ⟨ Dragon Word: Last Heir ⟩
Whoooong—
The moment the words ended, their meaning burrowed into Horus's heart.
At the same time, his Dragon Heart began to resonate as if harmonizing with the world—
Staggering as if drunk, he realized he'd connected to something in this world.
'...Is this true Dragon Word?'
His 「Dragon Word Magic」 proficiency was still low, so he couldn't grasp exactly what happened, but he knew something monumental had occurred.
"Fate, perhaps. To send a successor when my life has so little left. At least now I can pass on my duty... Truly, the divine are mischievous."
Shurihartgen gave a hearty chuckle and faint smile at Horus, still reeling from the unknown ritual's aftereffects.
"I am the Gold Clan's last survivor and interim steward of its legacy. Had you not appeared, it all would have passed to other surviving clans upon my death."
Then Horus realized the weariness on his face wasn't fatigue, but death.
As he'd said, the Gold Dragon clan would soon vanish from the world.
Leaving him utterly alone.
'...Wait. Does that mean...?'
Finally piecing together his words, Horus blinked in shock at the sudden turn.
Shurihartgen smiled faintly at his expression and finished.
"...It's all yours now."
And so, along with that 'duty'.
Horus unexpectedly became the sole heir to an illustrious lineage spanning tens of thousands of years.