Chapter 321
Chapter 321
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 321
Chapter Title: Legacy (1)
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That day was just like any other.
A clear, sunny sky without a single cloud in sight, a cool breeze blowing through, and the gentle sound of waves crashing along the seaside—a perfectly ordinary moment.
However—
[Horus.]
The change began with a single call of his name.
"Nyeth?"
[Come here.]
Horus, who had been holed up in his magic research lab as usual, diligently training himself, tilted his head at the solemn voice echoing in his mind. It belonged to his guardian, the Elder Dragon Shurihartgen.
'What's this about?'
Lately, the dragon had been silently watching over him without saying much.
But such questions were fleeting. After blinking a few times, Horus immediately stopped what he was doing and turned around.
'I'll find out when I get there.'
With a light surge of mana, the stocky little blond boy's body floated gently into the air.
Whoosh—
And in an instant, it shot toward the depths of the lair, slicing through the wind.
In the blink of an eye, he crossed his dwelling and arrived where the summoner awaited.
What appeared before Horus's eyes was a golden creature, its body the size of a hill—no exaggeration needed.
'...It's always so impressive, no matter how many times I see it.'
A colossal form where overwhelming pressure that made one bow in awe coexisted with beauty that stole the breath away.
Golden scales covering its dozens-of-meters-long frame scattered the surrounding light, radiating an undeniable presence in all directions.
If there was one flaw, it might be that the scales, which must have once gleamed brilliantly, were now somewhat dulled and lackluster.
Horus glanced at it sidelong as he toddled quickly toward Shurihartgen's head and spoke up.
"I'm here. What's up?"
Due to his short tongue, the ends of his words always lisped when he wasn't paying attention—it was unavoidable.
He'd tried correcting it many times, but since it persisted, he'd just have to accept it as part of his charm until his body grew...
[I will die soon.]
"Euk?"
But like that, the trivial thoughts were scattered as the massive ancient dragon before him casually dropped a bombshell.
Horus froze for a moment at the content that didn't match the dragon's calm tone, his eyes gradually widening.
"Uh..."
This wasn't a joke... right?
Of course, he'd vaguely anticipated that such a day would come eventually.
After all, hadn't the dragon said as much on the day they first met?
That his lifespan was nearly at its end.
'But still...'
Even so, he hadn't expected it to be announced so nonchalantly and abruptly.
Having spent quite a long time together without any signs, he'd assumed dragons simply had a different sense of time due to their long lifespans.
"...How 'soon' are we talking? Exactly when?"
So Horus couldn't help but ask, knowing full well it was a pathetic question.
Just in case, right?
Maybe "soon" meant years from now.
[Right now. Right here.]
But his cautious query was swept away by Shurihartgen's firm declaration.
The response was so straightforward it made him doubt if this was really about the dragon's own death—he couldn't even muster a follow-up.
[To be more precise, I've finally finished all preparations for death. I could drag it out a few more years if I just clung to life stubbornly, but that would be meaningless.]
At that point, it became clear how the ancient dragon could foretell his end so confidently.
In other words, he'd given up clinging to life and was declaring he'd end it here and now of his own volition.
As expected of a dragon who had lived for thousands of years.
"No, even so, you should at least try to live as long as possible!"
Horus scowled, instinctively rejecting the idea as he protested.
No matter how tempting the clan legacy he'd inherit after the dragon's death, how could he just stand by while someone he'd bonded with over a year chose death willingly?
[If you hadn't been here, I might have. But...]
"...Nyeth?"
Yet Shurihartgen merely gazed down at him calmly—perhaps with a hint of pride—and continued steadily.
[Forcing myself to hold on any longer would mean twisting the laws of cause and effect, burning away everything I have as fuel. Not just the mana and life force within me, but the realm I've built, my karma, and even the fate granted to me.]
His explanation was gentle, like a grandfather telling stories to his grandson.
He continued patiently, ensuring Horus understood why he'd made that choice.
[But even if I forcibly extended my life that way, nothing would remain. I'd become true nothingness. Of course, if my clan's extinction were inevitable, I'd have ignored that and held on as long as possible...]
He paused, lowering his massive golden pupils to take in the small boy standing right before him.
[But now there's another way, so I must choose the most efficient path for the current situation.]
He had to leave behind a proper gift, after all.
As he gazed down at Horus for a moment, his eyes curved softly, a smile glimmering in their depths.
"......"
Faced with such one-sided benevolence, Horus found himself speechless.
What more could he say?
That he wasn't a "real" dragon worthy of such expectations?
That he was just a transient outsider who could leave this world anytime?
...No, those weren't words for an ancient dragon who'd made up his mind and prepared for the end.
He knew it was another deception, but at this point, it was too late to matter.
'I'm a fraud by my very existence anyway...'
When he'd first heard about the legacy, he'd been purely excited. But spending more time together than expected had fostered some attachment.
Yet it wasn't as if their bond was that deep—he shouldn't feel this unsettled.
Unable to find the right words, Horus let out a deep sigh and muttered lowly, almost complaining.
"...Then what? What am I supposed to do from now on? Honestly, I have no clue."
[Nothing. At this stage, it's no longer something a single hatchling can resolve. Just live as you wish until the time comes. Even if our clan ends with you, Horus, that's unavoidable.]
It was an incredibly irresponsible statement compared to the expectations he'd placed on him until now.
Though it was realistic, certainly.
[You've at least succeeded in carrying on the bloodline to buy time, so the rest is up to Lord Dracarion's will. You're a clever child—you'll seize the opportunity when it arrives.]
With that nonchalant remark, Shurihartgen slowly closed his eyes.
As if that was all he had to say.
"W-Wait...!"
As Horus hesitated and opened his mouth again—
As if he could wait no longer, the transformation finally began.
Fwaaah—
A massive magic circle filled every surface of the vast cavern, and a dazzling golden light illuminated the chamber in response.
At its center lay the ancient dragon, his enormous body sprawled on the floor.
The dull golden scales covering his massive frame began to glow one by one, and soon his entire body was enveloped in light, radiating tremendous energy.
[It was fun while it lasted, Horus. I'll give you a parting gift. You'll like it. It'll help you more than anything right now.]
Right on cue, Shurihartgen's voice resounded in his mind once more.
And in that instant, Horus intuitively realized that this "gift" was the primary reason for the dragon's decision.
'What could make him go this far!'
He braced himself against the raging storm of energy but could already tell events were spiraling out of control.
It didn't take long for Shurihartgen's body—resonating with the lair's magic circle—to transcend the bounds of flesh, transforming into a mass of mana shaped like light.
[Aaah— Lord Dracarion.]
The hill-sized energy aggregate slowly lost its form.
As it oxidized into the air amid radiant light, a portion condensed into a single point and began compressing.
From filling the entire space to the size of a small hill, then a large boulder—the light mass finally...
[Horus, then this...]
"Shurihartgen!"
With those unfinished words scattering away—
A golden crystal the size of a child's head materialized in the empty center of the cavern.
Against the backdrop of the magic circle still faintly glowing, it asserted its presence. Far larger and more beautiful than the hatchling Dragon Heart that had served as his vessel.
...No, it wasn't merely a dragon heart. It was the crystallized power of an Elder Dragon who had lived for ages, refined from his very soul and body.
Though significant losses occurred in the process.
'That thing...'
Horus stared blankly at its seductively glowing form, unconsciously swallowing.
He knew he shouldn't, but he couldn't tear his eyes away.
Thump!
Suddenly, the floating object pulsed violently amid a massive flow of energy.
And then—
"Whoa? W-Wait...!"
In an instant, the crystal flew toward Horus and burrowed into his chest, absorbing seamlessly.
Still pulsing with immense energy.
'Ugh! This...!'
Horus staggered and collapsed to the ground, clutching his chest.
Despite the head-sized crystal entering his body, there was no external sign—but physical changes were irrelevant now.
Gripping his chest, he instinctively realized he was far from ready to wield its full power.
His body, bolstered by all sorts of enhancements, had long surpassed hatchling limits. Yet even so, drawing out a fraction of its power drained tremendous mental effort.
'...Absorbing it all at once is impossible. I need to suppress it somehow...'
As if responding to his panic—
The thing, which had been rampant inside him, spewing energy everywhere, gradually calmed. It reined in its leaking power and began submitting to his control obediently.
As expected of a carefully prepared gift—it even accounted for this much consideration.
'Whew, that scared me. If you're giving something like this, at least warn me ahead of time.'
He grumbled briefly, but it was just a momentary pout.
Perhaps Shurihartgen had rushed to avoid growing too attached.
Recalling how the dragon had always treated him sternly, Horus felt a pang of wistfulness. He gently stroked his chest, now heavy with power, several times.
'I didn't expect things to progress this suddenly.'
Was this what it meant to live together eternally in his heart?
Though the dragon's soul had departed with his consciousness, leaving no separate ego behind, it felt reassuring. Horus patted his chest firmly, grinned, and sprang up from where he'd fallen.
And at that moment—
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ The entity's potential is forcibly awakened. Limits expand, and growth accelerates. ⚔ STATUS ⚔ The entity has met the conditions and grows. Acquired Special Skill 「Elder Dragon's Heart」. ⚡ SKILL ACTIVATED ⚡ Authority granted as the Last Gold Dragon. Acquired Special Skill 「Golden Repository」. 🏆 ACHIEVEMENT UNLOCKED 🏆 Achievement Accomplished! You have become the last remaining 'Last Gold Dragon' in this world.
📜 REWARD GRANTED 📜 You have become the sole Gold Dragon in the Outerica Dimension. Granted special privilege 「Dragon Lair」 as reward.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ Accomplished an achievement with great influence on the world. Karma additionally increases. Messages began scrolling up before his eyes.
Changes from Shurihartgen's final gift, and the authority to claim the clan's legacy as planned.
He'd anticipated this much, at least...
But the subsequent messages were things even he hadn't foreseen.