Chapter 182
Chapter 182
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 182
Chapter Title: Temporary 5th Squad Leader (2)
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Theo was well aware of the legends surrounding Theo Draconian.
Unlike ordinary dragonkin who gradually awakened the physical traits of ancient dragons, the Draconians—alongside the naga—were the only ones who had uniquely awakened the intellectual traits of ancient dragons.
That was why they wielded magic and occasionally revealed themselves to the human world in mystical forms.
It was safe to say that most of the dragonkin legends remaining in the human world today belonged to them.
However, unlike the naga who lived in groups, Draconians had extremely strong individualistic tendencies.
As a result, it was rare to encounter their descendants, and they were believed to be mostly extinct in modern times.
‘But this woman.’
『Indeed. There’s no visible draconic appearance. She’s close to human.』
Lordbrok smirked as he continued.
『But that makes her all the more remarkable. It means she possesses magic powerful enough to conceal her form.』
Theo’s eyes lit up for a moment.
『Tsk tsk. The way your gaze just changed—I can tell you like her.』
Knowing Theo’s thirst for talent all too well, Lordbrok could only let out a hollow chuckle.
“Perhaps I’ve made some mistake…?”
The ‘Black and Blue Bird’ shrank back slightly as Theo fell silent for a moment.
Theo simply shook his head.
“No. I was merely…”
「…surprised to encounter a Draconian here.」
Only then did color return to the ‘Black and Blue Bird’s’ face.
At that instant.
Fwaaah!
Suddenly, the ‘Black and Blue Bird’s’ body was enveloped in a burst of light, and it began transforming into an alien shape.
Crack—
A horn in the shape of a right angle protruded from her left temple, her upper body swelled as wings sprouted forth.
“Shibara Kum!”
“Dangol! Dangol! Mir Yorna Homabem!”
“Danana!”
As the natives buzzed in confusion, the light quickly faded, revealing the ‘Black and Blue Bird’s’ transformed appearance.
Horn, wings, tail, and fangs. It was as if human and dragon forms had been exquisitely blended half and half.
The once soft atmosphere now carried an oddly sharp edge.
『She’s grasped Dragon Fear to some degree as well. No doubt about it—this girl is pureblood. Even in our time, ones like her were hard to find. Remarkable.』
Theo didn’t ask what that meant.
Lordbrok, who loved to explain anyway, would tell him everything.
『For lesser dragonkin, bloodline means ‘how close one is to ancient dragon blood.’』
‘Blood?’
『Yes. The dragonkin species itself is essentially a byproduct born while we guarded the world. The closer to us, the deeper their abilities.』
Lordbrok stroked his chin with his hand, scrutinizing the ‘Black and Blue Bird’ from head to toe.
『Yet this woman seems to possess blood deeper than any pureblood I’ve seen—top-tier, even. At this level, she could be considered first-generation. Who is she?』
First-generation—did that mean directly birthed by an ancient dragon?
If so, she’d have to be at least a thousand years old…
‘Such a person still lives?’
By now, even Theo found the ‘Black and Blue Bird’ intriguing.
The ‘Black and Blue Bird’ soothed the natives watching her with worried eyes before speaking to Theo.
“While my Draconian nature is a secret, it’s fine with them. Thank you for your consideration all the same.”
“I never imagined a Draconian—let alone one with pure blood—still remained in this land.”
The ‘Black and Blue Bird’s’ eyes widened slightly.
“Not only did you recognize me as a Draconian, but you saw that far? Impressive.”
“Ah, if it was something you were hiding, I’ll keep my mouth shut.”
“No need. It’s all ancient history. Hohoho. As expected of the one who opened the White Tower’s doors.”
“Then I’m glad.”
Theo smiled back at the ‘Black and Blue Bird.’
『Look at that brazen face.』
‘Then why not reveal yourself directly?’
『Too much hassle. Dealing with greetings from the likes of them would be a headache.』
Always so capricious.
Theo smiled wryly.
『Did you just think something disrespectful?』
‘No.’
『You’re growing as shameless as Sigurd, too.』
Theo deliberately ignored Lordbrok’s tsk.
“However, my knowledge is limited—I couldn’t discern which one blessed you. May I ask?”
The ‘Black and Blue Bird’s’ eyes curved into crescents.
“Not at all. It’s someone close to the Gatekeeper as well.”
Theo, having no guesses, simply blinked, and Lordbrok tilted his head.
“It’s Lordbrok, guardian dragon of Ragnar.”
“Pardon…?”
『Huh?』
Theo hurriedly turned toward Lordbrok’s spirit form.
Lordbrok’s pupils were trembling wildly.
‘You have a child?’
『Have you lost your mind! A virgin who never properly held a man’s hand her whole life, fighting that disgrace of a man—how dare you speak such nonsense!』
‘Then what is she?’
『How should I know!』
His face flushed red as he flailed about—it was hard to think he was lying.
Then what the hell?
The ‘Black and Blue Bird’ chuckled lightly.
“You’re surprised, as expected.”
“Yes. Well, somehow…”
“Please, just call me Dangol.”
The ‘Black and Blue Bird’ added that Dangol meant ‘priestess’ in their tongue.
“…There are no legends of Dangol passed down in my family.”
“That’s inevitable. I was created out of necessity for the Pantheon.”
“……?”
“Before Lordbrok returned to the Winter Mountains. I am a form crafted by the Pantheon from one of the ‘traces’ he left in the world—to guard the White Tower leading to the Pantheon.”
Theo finally grasped it.
‘The Pantheon’s exterior is guarded by Dangol, the interior by Kertotsukus. The entrance to the Pantheon.’
『……The more I learn, the less I like those Pantheon bastards.』
Was it because they’d created offspring without his knowledge? Or their unilateral actions?
Somehow, since meeting Sigurd, Lordbrok harbored a deep ‘hatred’ for the Pantheon.
“But guarding the White Tower alone was too much for me, so I enlisted their help.”
In essence, Dangol had created the White Tower natives.
“Then the reason you sought me out.”
“After long years of waiting, the true Gatekeeper has arrived. My long mission is complete, so I have one request.”
Dangol bowed gracefully.
“If you grant it, as long as the Gatekeeper permits, I will lend an arm to the dragon legion you lead.”
One of the natives stepped forward and presented something to Theo.
It was wrapped in red silk.
Dangol pulled the silk aside.
Instantly, Theo’s eyes widened.
“I offer this as well.”
Beneath the silk was a ring.
A small ring with no distinctive features.
But blue light leaked from it.
Paaah—
A relic of an ancient dragon.
* * *
Before long, it was 4 a.m., the mission start time.
Theo arrived at the assembly point, escorted by Squad 5.
Over a hundred white dragons formed formations, filling the sky in a spectacular sight.
“…….”
“…….”
“…….”
On the ground, the Black Iron Cavalry stood arrayed in armor as dark as the night sky.
Though smaller in scale without the many wounded, their momentum was sharper for it.
No sound emerged from the hundred black helmets gazing upward.
As if they’d forgotten how to speak.
But the White Dragon Knights were no different—silent.
To them, only the mission mattered now.
No other words were needed.
“Let’s go.”
At Torquel’s command,
Thud thud thud—!
Kreeeak!
The advance began.
* * *
Kreeeeak!
Umbra let out a long screech, beating its wings powerfully.
Squad 5 was positioned at the very rear of the formation.
Thanks to that, Theo could take in the movements of the other White Dragon Knights squads—and even the Black Iron Cavalry—at a glance.
‘Never imagined another relic would be here.’
Theo fiddled with the ring on his left ring finger, lost in thought.
-This relic won’t unseal itself right away.
-Yes. Its guardian is me.
-Then?
-Yes. My request is the trial to obtain that relic.
-What’s the request?
-It’s……
Dangol’s trial condition was simple.
+
[Scenario Quest #8]
Present a new future to the Rakunakum tribe that guarded the White Tower.
· Difficulty: A+
· Reward: Ancient Dragon Relic
· Failure: Death
+
Dangol’s explanation was straightforward.
The White Tower tribe was now thrilled with pride, having fulfilled their long-sought tribal wish.
But some of the elder generation worried about the faint unease the young would feel ahead.
‘It’s fine now, but later they’ll feel empty. Dangol wants to give them new hope and purpose.’
It might seem daunting at first glance.
Present a new vision to the tribe and instill a sense of mission.
It could feel like an unexpected burden.
‘But it worked out perfectly.’
Theo felt no particular worry.
He already had the Krimhilt Knights, after all.
People who would come at his call, forming a solid foundation.
Now, new talents who could expand that foundation effortlessly had been added.
So Theo proposed to Dangol that they go to the floating islands.
-Go to the Krimhilt Knights. Tell them I sent you—they’ll prepare a place immediately. Some may refuse to abandon their home, but it’s still better than here.
The Black Iron Cavalry, who looked down on the natives, would soon face trouble.
No one knew what mischief they’d cause in retaliation afterward.
-And from the tribe, gather volunteers to train with the knights. I’ll call for you again soon.
Theo planned to introduce a new system to the Krimhilt Knights long-term.
‘Dragon knights don’t have to be just wyvern riders.’
If there was an air force, why not an army or navy?
Drake riders on land, serpent riders at sea to defend the floating islands?
That wasn’t all.
A magic unit was feasible too.
Fairy dragons and Draconians. With knights to protect and support them, it would vastly boost their forces.
And if Theo later gained the White Dragon Knights and merged them with the Krimhilt Knights.
Then an unprecedented dragon knight order—no, legion of dragon knights—could be born.
Of course, openly building such a force was impossible.
In that sense, the hard-to-surveil floating islands made an ideal hideout.
-The future of Ragnar you envision differs greatly from Ragnar’s thus far. Very well.
Thanks to that, Theo earned the Draconian’s recognition and secured ownership of the relic.
[Congratulations! You successfully instilled new purpose in the Rakunakum tribe and completed Scenario Quest #8.]
[Rating: AAA+]
[As reward, you have obtained ownership of the ancient dragon relic ‘Draconian’s Tear.’ Details from the guardian.]
[Additional reward for rating: Magical talent increased.]
-The Draconian’s Tear is best thought of as a consumable artifact.
-Consumable meaning limited uses?
-Yes. Only three uses. But I guarantee—no one, not even a Pantheon god, can kill Theo Ragnar during those three.
-……!