The Red Dragon's Lair
It would have been wonderful if I could have taken it all.
Christina had generously handed over quite a few mana stones.
It was only that I regretted, deep down, not being able to fit them all into my pocket without some bulging out.
As if reading my gaze, Christina let a smile cross her lips.
“While I’m away at Ferdikion’s lair, I’ll store the other mana stones in your room.”
“That would be appreciated.”
Rune opened his own pocket and said, “I’ll accept them gratefully.”
He expressed his thanks once more to her generous support.
At that, all the mana stones floating in the air were drawn into his pocket.
‘It feels a bit fuller now.’
Unfortunately, the space inside the pocket had its limits.
“By the way, it would be wise to keep the fact that you can handle every attribute secret for now.”
“Why?”
‘I hadn’t planned to reveal it, but…’
Rune, who had thought there was no need to hide it, asked in surprise.
“Because people will want to take advantage of the fact that you, still a young one, possess such power.”
“Take advantage? Who?”
“Anyone who would use their own goals to seize the power of others.”
“…”
Rune knew that too well.
Those who would use power to place others beneath their feet and rule them to their liking.
Cruel to those weaker than themselves, but bowing humbly when facing stronger foes.
Or those who believed their own weakness made the power-holders responsible for giving it up.
If listed, there would be many tedious types indeed.
“It’s not something I’d want a young you to experience when you become an adult. More importantly, you are strong enough already. You can accomplish what you desire without revealing all your power.”
Christina’s blue eyes spoke with a wisdom that felt both warm and concerned.
“Furthermore, the hidden power could become a trump card later on.”
It was likely a lesson she had learned through four thousand years of living.
“…Thank you for teaching me. I’ll keep it in mind.”
Flawless and sweet fruits attracted the most seekers.
Especially those that were rare.
Christina had brought Rune here precisely so that a young hatchling who still didn’t know this truth could be warned.
Watching Rune carefully store his pocket, Christina used teleportation magic to move them elsewhere.
Pop!
“Hey! We’re back.”
‘What kind of situation is this?’
Ferdikion stood with arms crossed, calmly looking down at Heungmi.
And both Heungmi and the white phoenix beside her had a faint soot on their faces.
Heungmi, who had rubbed the soot from Rune’s nose with his palm, broke into a bright smile, spread his arms, and ran straight to Rune.
“Lord Rune!”
“Pyeok?”
“……Why are your faces all dirty?”
Rune accepted the dashing Heungmi, who came running with such excitement.
It had been necessary to give up hugging Rune’s neck because Heungmi was so overjoyed.
“Fell. What happened? I smell smoke.”
Ferdikion relaxed his crossed arms in response to Christina’s question.
“I helped him manifest his fire power.”
Rai then looked at Rune with a puzzled expression from behind.
‘With these kids?’
Baekya, being a phoenix chick, could understand.
But that Heungmi had affinity with fire was a new fact for Rune.
“Right after you absorbed the Fire Seal, I felt a faint trace of fire mana from this servant.”
As he listened to Ferdikion’s explanation, Rune glanced at Heungmi.
At that moment, Heungmi’s ears folded back, then perked up again, pointing a finger at Ferdikion.
“Manticore!”
‘Manticore… that means a large monster that swings its scorpion tail?’
A notoriously vicious and powerful monster.
Heungmi, comparing that fierce monster to Ferdikion, snorted in disgust.
“Gross!”
“…”
‘Was that a curse?’
Ferdikion chuckled without being tickled.
“Even as an immature servant, there is no reason not to use the abilities you possess. So, I only taught your auntie a little.”
‘As expected of Ferdikion. Even a child shows no mercy.’
Rune clicked his tongue inwardly.
“I’m grateful you tried to help, but since they’re my servants, I should have been told first.”
“The agreement came directly from that kid.”
“From Heungmi?”
Wondering what he meant, Heungmi pouted his lips.
“I only said that I wanted to help Lord Rune.”
In short, Ferdikion had taught Heungmi how to handle the newly manifested fire mana, but he had used rather rough methods.
Yet he had at least sought minimal consent from both sides.
Realizing everything, Rune quickly summarized.
“Big brother, if I ever teach something to the residents of your lair, I will ask for your permission first. Especially when the target is young and has poor judgment.”
Ferdikion kept his arms crossed and his face stern, silent for a moment.
But he eventually nodded, apparently agreeing.
“Yes. Even if the intention was good, teaching a being with weak judgment without confirming their will was lacking in consideration.”
‘Ho. He’s been polished for ten years after all.’
Thanks to Ferdikion’s small amount of humility, the conversation flowed smoothly.
Rune added his thanks for the consideration.
“Yeah. Still, I’m very grateful for the extra thought.”
“Hm. That’s all I needed to hear.”
‘That settles it for Ferdikion.’
It was a simple fellow who couldn’t hide his pride.
“And Heungmi.”
“Yes!”
No detailed explanation was needed for the bold Heungmi.
“From now on, if you encounter any situation for the first time, ask me without fail.”
“I will!”
“That’s all. The rest is fine.”
Naturally, it was the right time to wonder what was good and what was bad.
Feeling praised for “doing well,” Heungmi rubbed his cheeks with a hehe grin.
Meanwhile, the white Baekya with not a single hair singed remained oblivious, pecking at Rai nearby with no thought.
“Well, it’s about time we leave.”
Christina, who had not joined earlier, suddenly gathered everyone’s attention.
Naturally, Ferdikion, now in charge of escort, checked Heungmi, Baekya, and Rune.
Christina took a communication mana stone from her pocket and handed it to Rune.
“Use it anytime you feel you need it.”
Normally only communication was possible, but in emergencies it could instantly teleport to Christina’s lair.
Familiar yet precious, carrying her worry.
“Yeah. I’ll be back.”
Rune clutched the mana stone tightly, then soon tucked it away.
It was time to leave this golden, warm lair.
“May the blessing of light be upon those who depart.”
Christina’s blessing fell like starlight above their heads.
“Then we’ll go.”
Ferdikion raised his hand lightly and began his chant.
Flame!
The flames wrapped their bodies and vanished instantly.
Burning land.
The stench of sulfur.
A mountain where lava flowed like a stream.
In that scorching sky, the group appeared.
“Here it is?”
Rune looked down at the view spread before them with a puzzled expression.
In the air, flames would ignite, burn, and vanish repeatedly.
‘Not even a village, not a single living creature in sight?’
The good news was that no one complained of pain in this boiling air.
Ordinary beings without fire blessing would have had their bones melted the moment they appeared here.
“We really came to the right place.”
Not only Rune but also Baekya and Heungmi exchanged doubtful looks.
In response, Ferdikion pointed at a bubbling magma vent.
As Ferdikion’s flight magic activated, the group was pulled toward the magma vent without resistance.
“Entering. Those who are timid, cover your noses.”
Squelch!
Rune, who had been forced into the thick magma, frowned at the heat and glare.
‘Like people jumping into summer stream water?’
But he didn’t need to open his mouth and gulp down lava, so he stayed silent.
Soon, a huge magic circle appeared beneath their feet.
‘That must be the entrance to the lair.’
The thick patterns on the circle were both letters and a formula where mana was intricately woven.
Whoosh!
Gorgeous flames wrapped their bodies, and the world beyond the circle unfolded.
It was a vast hall built of polished granite, emitting a clean and luxurious atmosphere.
Perhaps because of the heat from moments ago, the air brushing their cheeks felt strangely cool.
‘This is Ferdikion’s lair, called the holy land of fire.’
A faint burning scent mingled with the dry air.
And a powerful fire mana was felt.
Through the window-like opening, a gray sky with clouds was visible, scattered with hazy smoke.
“This is my private space. But before I call the others.”
As if revealing a secret he had hidden, Ferdikion gave a subtle smile.
“There’s a place I want to take you.”
“Where?”
Since he wasn’t tired enough to refuse, Rune answered lightly.
“The great artisan’s forge.”
“The great artisan’s forge?”
From the name alone it wasn’t ordinary. Sure enough, Ferdikion nodded confidently.
“Yes. It’s the forge of a blacksmith who holds the title of ‘great artisan,’ the most outstanding in my lair. There’s no need to think hard. Think of it as going to see the best weapon maker.”
‘So he meant master craftsman.’
Nodding, a young Red Dragon boy coughed hah and added with a sly look.
“Only the winner of ‘the artisan contest’ I personally select is called a ‘great artisan’.”
“Ho.”
Talent was precious.
Even Rune had the ultimate materials for crafting the weapons dragons could use.
Right now his dimensional pocket was full of mana stones Christina had told him to bring.
“Rune, war turns even mighty dragons into pitiable creatures.”
Slight seriousness appeared on Ferdikion’s face.
“You’re still young, so you won’t feel it, but before I was born, there was a time when many dragons died in the war against the demon race.”
A time when the demons ruthlessly slaughtered to dominate this world.
If Ferdikion were his age, that would have been when the war’s aftermath swept through.
His expression darkened as he imagined it.
“It was the result of the dragons’ complacency, who had only trusted in their own strength.”
Rune nodded.
He knew it well too.
It was also why his past life as an Imugi had ended.
Rune recalled his own past he had tried to forget.
‘It was arrogance. I hadn’t even considered dying at a human’s hand for a moment.’
Whether wielding a weapon or using underhanded tricks, what did it matter?
The end was losing one’s life.
“But if I can save your life and that of your servants with a superb weapon, it changes everything. One day you will protect and guard the Dark Clan.”
While Rune was lost in thought, Ferdikion continued.
“Protecting one’s own clan and oneself. Equipping weapons for that is the most important duty for a clan elder.”