I Can Use Him, Can't I
I didn't want to say my retinue had a problem, but...
Perdikion swept his hair back in a way that surprised everyone.
Actually, the little guy did something during his trial in the dwarf village...
...he brought a bunch of female dwarves back with him.
As a group?
I knew what you were thinking.
Perdikion nodded, understanding my puzzlement.
Even if I gave permission, my father would never have welcomed the dwarves' movement, right?
Under the contract, the dwarves had to work for the Red Dragon clan to settle in the Red Dragon territory. And because their descendants were included...
...it was a powerful and terrifying agreement.
Yes. The reformist dwarves were also brought along as support because Jed had become my retinue.
Perdikion nodded at my answer.
Actually, we quarreled quite a bit with my father after that. Relations are a bit tense even now.
Simple words, but Rune knew the fiery tempers of the two of them all too well.
A big fight had clearly happened.
No doubt that little rascal had gotten a thorough beating...
...because he was openly defiant. It wasn't the usual switch beatings either.
To think that even as an adult, the little guy endured so much while I slept...
my heart softened just a little.
Big brother, are you okay?
I managed to hold on. Without warning, lava erupted from the ground and a few volcanoes erupted.
That was an incredible story.
'Was he really fighting at that level? If a dragon fight involved a volcano erupting, his back would have blown up.'
I remembered the Pasiyas from Perdikion's dream.
Ugh.
A single tail slap and his skin would have peeled off completely.
Thinking that way, my breath came out a little longer.
'Was he really on the verge of death?'
Anyway, Pasiyas was still far stronger.
He didn't tell me, but obviously he had been beaten mercilessly, with blood spurting and teeth flying.
Big brother, you must have suffered a lot.
It's fine. What's most important is that we won.
Perdikion's face showed a self-deprecating smile as he recalled the moment, then it vanished.
But that doesn't count as a complete victory.
You won, but it wasn't a victory?
Perdikion nodded with a surprisingly composed expression.
Yes. The Adulthood Trial. My father set it. If I don't pass, I have to return this lair of mine.
Rune frowned.
I had wondered why Amelia seemed so stubborn about following the trial guidelines.
'From his perspective, this lair and his future were at stake. Of course the criteria would be high.'
I hadn't expected to learn all this.
But now I understood why I had used the Word of Power to test Amelia.
Rune opened his mouth.
Then it's an incredibly important and big matter. Do you have a plan?
Suddenly, Perdikion's gaze fixed on me.
With you here, it's fine.
...
What kind of plan was that?
Rune wanted to say something, but swallowed it inside.
'Amelia wasn't originally planning to join us. Then it was me, Blackmi, Dullahan, and Baekya.'
Blackmi and Dullahan being strong was true, but they were children and my retinue.
In the end, Rune was the one I trusted.
But thinking it through logically...
Rune was now over a hundred years old, a Hatchling.
Bringing along a clever young dragon hatchling for the coming-of-age test was like nothing more than that.
That meant he wasn't really helpful at all.
It was probably no better than borrowing a cat's paw.
But he wasn't a normal Hatchling.
'Does that mean he has full confidence in breaking through on his own?'
That was too much confidence.
Boldness had a limit, after all.
Exceeding that limit could turn into arrogance.
Yet the flame dragon boy's face looked utterly unconcerned.
'Too reckless, even for him. Let's hear the reason.'
Rune spoke up.
Big brother, I'm still just a Hatchling. I was born not long ago. Why include me in something so important?
Perdikion's gaze sharpened on me.
A young Hatchling, that's right.
A faint red aura swirled in his ruby-red eyes that didn't even blink.
As the illusion of volcanic heat brushed his skin, Perdikion continued.
I am also your older sister who carries the Seal of Fire. I have proclaimed myself the master of darkness and reclaimed my power. And I hold the Seals of Water and Forest as well.
The meaning behind that clear gaze was unmistakable.
Such a Hatchling has never existed before.
The gaze fixed on me alone carried absolute certainty.
I know. Your talent is clearly superior to mine in some ways.
On the surface it sounded like a masterpiece, but it was true.
'He really brought me because he thought I could be helpful.'
In the end, he was relying on me.
But Perdikion's words didn't stop there.
That's why I suggested it. That you would show me how to break the trial task.
You got permission?
Of course. My father welcomed it with open arms.
Rune instinctively understood why he had been allowed to join.
He thought I, being young, would be no help at all. Anyone would think that.
Yes, that's exactly what he thought.
At least on the surface, I was more likely to be an obstacle than a help.
No doubt Pasiyas had suppressed his laughter when he heard Perdikion's proposal.
In fact, Pasiyas had looked down on his son with the words, "My mother was weak to sentiment and made such an foolish proposal."
Perdikion raised a hand to his waist as he recalled that situation.
But most of all, it seems my father thought I had been led astray by you, Rune.
That's...
I had no choice but to agree.
It was true that Perdikion had changed because of me.
But that was growth and development, not a wrong path.
Above all, Perdikion had accepted it.
There were no words to convince anyone who couldn't understand.
Perdikion added.
Therefore, my father wants to teach me and you that your thinking was wrong through this trial.
Hearing that, Rune almost laughed.
'Is that my fault or his fault?'
If Perdikion had stayed the same, his stomach would have rotted.
If he remained weak, he would burn his heart and body with anger until nothing was left.
Even if he grew into a dragon of calamity, it wouldn't be strange.
'Right, that was the kind of person who saw weakness as useless.'
Perdikion gave Rune a faint smile as he noticed his thoughts.
But I know. That I have become stronger through you.
Rune nodded with the heart of a teacher.
'That rascal has a good mindset.'
Perdikion continued.
Also, I know that you, Rune, will become my trump card. The secret of my clan is that I have completely gained the power of darkness. My father hasn't been told because of you.
! What does that mean...?
Rune thought Perdikion's expression held a strange playful glint.
Yes. My father only knows that you received the Seal of Water from the Water clan. Let me explain.
With a mischievous look ready to deliver a blow, Perdikion curled one corner of his mouth up.
My father believes the Water clan received the Seal of Water regardless of whether you handle it well or not.
Just like how he let you give me the Seal of Fire, right?
The Seal of Fire that had been given to me by Perdikion was given without permission, but it was essentially approved by Pasiyas.
It would serve as a shackle to ensure I never betrayed the Fire clan.
The Water clan had the same thought, he said.
Perdikion nodded at Rune's words.
Yes. He was furious. Those shameless fools who dared to imitate my father's methods.
Perdikion looked unusually happy.
The red-haired boy spoke again.
He exploded, calling it a cheap trick to win the favor of the only successor of the Darkness clan. Just watching that was enough to make my mouth itch with laughter.
You held it in well.
Dragons were a species that rarely communicated with one another.
Combined with their high pride, it had been a misunderstanding.
It was only natural, after all.
If I had told the truth, would there even be a dragon who would believe it?
A normal Hatchling had obtained the Seals of Water, Forest, and Darkness on his own, and even controlled all that power?
It was absurd.
'Come to think of it, Christina once said that hiding power could also become a trump card.'
Her words were correct.
Rune admired her insight anew.
Because the young and powerless Hatchling image had caused Pasiyas to become careless and misunderstand.
Rune gave a small smile.
I can use him from now on as well.
Especially now, it was the perfect time for a gamble.
But Perdikion's face looked like he had taken bitter medicine.
Rune. I feel sorry for using you. But I believed you would understand.
Rune nodded at his answer.
Of course. I like it even more. You really did well, big brother.
'It was the optimal timing to use him.'
Rune found Perdikion's cunning very pleasing.
He looked at him with a satisfied gaze for a moment.
'That rascal. He's grown even better the more I see him.'
If he completed the trial task with this opportunity...
...he would become a splendid Adult and become a very useful family member to me.
'Fufu.'
Rune let out an evil laugh inside.
Perdikion, who didn't know his younger sister's thoughts, spoke with an inner good feeling at the praise for his little sister.
I have declared that I will solve the trial task with honor. In exchange, I have also received a definite answer that I won't care about anything until I fail the Adulthood Trial.
Rune naturally responded.
So the dwarves can freely come and go to the human world?
Yes.
Perdikion could have said that with his chest puffed out.
But there was a downside to this.
'I understand why Pasiyas did it. If he fails the trial, he'll never get up again.'
The bigger the achievements Perdikion made, the more he planned to turn them to nothing in one go.
The greater the hope, the greater the despair when it shattered.
'How cruel. That man, his father.'
Sorrow welled up.
The only saving grace was that it didn't seem to affect Perdikion much.
To be more precise, he hadn't even considered the possibility of failure.
Perdikion, who couldn't hide his good mood, warned.
I told you this because it concerns you. Keep it a secret from the others.
Got it.
'It would have been fine to tell them enough and ask for cooperation.'
Amelia and Blackmi were the types who would get angry and cheer him on, but...
...it seemed Perdikion needed more time.
There wasn't time to trust them and tell the truth.
'But that's good.'
Rune returned to his senses and recalled the problem.
The dwarves can move freely, got it. Then what exactly did that Jed guy do?