Chapter 209
Translator: uly
Chapter: 209
Chapter Title: Dragon
Dragon.
Hundreds of years ago, it was a being that plunged the continent into terror.
An ancient creature that inflicted damage not only on the Empire but also on various kingdoms, much like the Demon King.
Its shimmering scales couldn't be pierced by ordinary swords, and even mana-infused blades could only leave scratches at best.
True to its epithet as the creator of ancient magic, it possessed the power to nullify nearly all human magic.
And that was not all.
The breath it spewed in dragon form had the power to annihilate all life in the area.
It was a living biological weapon.
While its might might be less than that of the Demon King, who threatened the entire continent, the fact that it could appear anywhere at any time made it just as threatening.
"Normally, they make lairs in deep mountains or the ocean depths, or sometimes underground in vast plains, so encounters are rare."
But if one accidentally provoked it, the surrounding area would be reduced to ashes.
Of course, for reasons unknown, most dragons vanished hundreds of years ago, and there hadn't been a single dragon-related incident since.
The hero's organized campaign to subjugate only the Demon King was possible because the landmine known as dragons had disappeared.
"Dragons still remain?"
It was unexpected.
According to research up to now, no traces of dragons remained—not even their mana signatures. That was the established theory.
The most likely explanation for their disappearance was migration to another dimension or ascension, so it was believed that dragons would no longer threaten the Empire or humanity.
"A dragon has truly appeared?"
"Yes. You'll hear the details on-site. My authority only goes this far."
He fell silent for a moment.
If a dragon had truly appeared, it would overturn all existing theories—a massive event.
It could even mean that rather than migrating to another dimension, dragons had simply hidden far deeper than current technology could detect.
"The exploration team is awaiting Max-nim."
"Exploration... team?"
The messenger nodded.
"Centered around Hero-nim, the Empire's strongest have all volunteered for this expedition!"
"May I know the roster, by any chance?"
"Haha, you seem very curious."
Some likely suspects had just come to mind.
A few names immediately popped up at the mention of the Empire's strongest.
"First, Yuris-nim, the 1st Knight Order Captain and Goddess of Victory, is joining."
As expected.
He had figured she would definitely be there.
"Hero Niki-nim and the Saintess-nim have also agreed to participate in this expedition."
The obvious lineup.
Yuris, Niki, and Eirin were the trio who had personally subjugated the Demon King a few years ago.
"And I hear the Head of the Life Magic School is coming along too."
Ah.
Aurora was here as well.
Ever since he had thoroughly broken her once, she had undergone a complete mindset shift.
She had become utterly obedient to him, like a different person.
Though he couldn't receive direct aid from the Life Magic School, she provided various personal assistance.
Financial support, of course, and considerable help with her political standing within the magic faction.
-I'd do anything for Max-nim.
It seemed the illusions he inflicted on her had left a trauma-like imprint.
Crushed by the tsunami of pleasure, she craved it daily, deepening her dependence on him.
-So please do it to me once more, Max-nim.
Seeing her self-destructive desire to be ravaged by him, it was hard to believe this was Aurora, the Life Magic School Head and once Meiko's rival from the same class.
-Thanks to Max-nim's teachings, we've pioneered a new paradigm for recovery magic in the Life Magic School.
-By showing illusions during healing spells, we've drastically reduced pain and improved recovery rates.
Her innovation—using illusion magic to boost healing efficiency during Life Magic treatments—proved she wasn't Head for nothing.
Her personality had changed, but her abilities remained intact.
"So that's four people?"
"There's one more."
"Who is it?"
"I hear High Elf Reina-nim, who came as an elven delegation, is participating as the elven representative."
"Ah."
That woman.
-Inferior species scum dares to ravage me. Consider yourself lucky. Hnngh!!
The Reina from the illusion, who called him an inferior species while desperately shaking her hips, came to mind.
She was joining too?
"That's five."
"For now."
Two melee knights, a ranged dealer capable of spirit magic for long-distance attacks, a saintess-level buffer, and a healing mage with some ranged attack capabilities.
It was an incredibly balanced party composition.
Though Aurora was a Life Magic mage, her magical insight was sharp enough to claim the Head position.
She could fulfill the sub-dealer role adequately.
However.
"I'm not."
Illusion magic had a different structure from other magics, making it hard for him to serve as a sub-dealer.
"It'll work out somehow."
But the real problem wasn't his abilities.
"They're all my shop customers."
The hero had proposed he join, and the party was filled with his shop's customers—VVIP regulars, no less.
Interpret the meaning of this. (4 points)
The dragon didn't even register.
He figured even the Dragon King-slayer hero could handle a dragon.
The real danger was himself.
It looked like peaceful nights were off the table.
He couldn't refuse outright either.
"I'll just have to appeal well."
Emphasize that he had zero combat power, so it would be tough.
"Let's go first."
"I'll guide you!"
This was bad.
Following the messenger, he spotted the dragon subjugation team in the distance.
"Max!"
"Come on over."
"Inferior species, you're later than expected?"
"Max-nim, we've been waiting."
"Brother-nim, you've arrived."
The dragon expedition team approached him.
Grrr.
Why did their eyes look like a pack of lionesses eyeing a male?
"Everyone, I think there's a misunderstanding, so let me clarify."
Standing before them, he slowly opened his mouth.
"I'm here to say I can't join today's expedition. Unlike what you all think, I'm just an ordinary..."
The moment he finished.
Ssssh-.
The atmosphere chilled.
The five women's gazes toward him turned icy.
"Max."
"Brother-nim."
"Are you thinking of defying His Majesty the Emperor's decree?"
"Even for you, Max-nim, that's not acceptable."
"Inferior species as expected. Such short-sighted thinking?"
Attacks poured from all five directions.
They ganged up on him like a coordinated team.
Hm.
This was a battle he couldn't win.
"...person, but even someone like me is honored to join such a glorious endeavor. Haha!"
Feeling like he'd die faster than to a dragon, he hastily changed his words.
Only then did laughter bloom here and there.
"We're departing tomorrow. So get ready, Max."
"...Understood."
They wouldn't ask for illusions during the trip, right?
No way...
Ice Mountains.
The towering, treacherous range was too harsh for human habitation, and the snow falling all day via magic kept nearby creatures at bay with its biting cold.
The Ice Mountains, blanketed year-round in eternal snow, were said to be cursed by the ice spirits.
As if refusing entry to all.
But humans were adaptable creatures.
Even in the harshest mountains, people lived—few, but some had made it their home.
No matter the freezing winds or blizzards, the residents never stopped hunting.
To survive.
Pffft-!
Kek!
Richard succeeded in his hunt today as well.
He was the head of a native family that had lived here for three generations.
Having hunted since childhood, he roamed the woods today too for daily sustenance.
He had successfully bagged a small rabbit.
Most prey around here were small animals like this.
The rugged, barren land didn't support many large beasts.
Mountain goats on cliffs or cold-resistant deer were the biggest game nearby.
"Monsters roam, but if I don't hunt, we starve."
Dodging monsters was routine for Richard.
Securing the rabbit, he slung his bow over his back for an early return.
That's when it happened.
Rustle.
"Hm?"
Sensing movement, he turned.
But nothing was there.
What?
He had definitely heard something.
A monster? But it felt smaller.
Not a small animal either.
"What was that just now?"
Tilting his head, he peered inside.
...
He cautiously stepped through the quiet woods between the trees.
Slowly.
Taking one step at a time, he parted the nearest snow-covered bush with his hand.
Sssrp.
Pushing aside the dry branches.
"Wha?"
There was an unnaturally artificial darkness.
A perfect blackness, as if someone had deliberately created it to conceal their body.
It made no sense.
Parting the branches should have dispelled any shadow.
Yet denser than shadow, the darkness lingered.
"Wh-what is this...?"
Intrigued, Richard took another step closer.
"Ugh!"
He saw it.
Between snowflake-laden branches, red eyes gleamed.
In the darkness, vertically slit pupils in crimson irises glared at him.
The instant their gazes met, Richard shuddered.
-Get lost.
The eyes commanded.
"S-sorry!"
He fled the spot in panic.
Definitely dragon eyes.
In the unreal, contrived darkness, those vertically glowing red orbs were unmistakably reptilian.
The dragon from legends!
'A d-dragon has appeared!'
Returning home, he spread the word of the dragon sighting to the villagers.
"It might have awakened again. Evacuate!"
For survival, he boldly abandoned his lifelong home.
He had to live somehow—for himself and his family.
Thus, word reached the Empress that a dragon had been sighted.
Red eyes in the darkness.
To investigate, the hero's party was dispatched.
Illusion mage Max included.
"I have a bad feeling about going."