Dragon Hunter Leviathan
Leviathan, the dragon hunter. A blue dragon wandering the world in human guise, strolling among people. She loved telling stories and hearing them just as much. That was why she'd lived a life of drifting across the lands. And long ago, people revered and respected dragons. Dragons shook the world with magic beyond human grasp. Sometimes merciless, sometimes merciful, they were chaotic embodiments of disorder. That was the essence of dragons, earning them the awe of countless souls.
But not anymore.
[...Why in the world? I gave you so much. Why bring this upon me?!]
"Keteasi, I'm simply following your will."
They had grown strong. Humans forged weapons and countless spells.
"You told us to share with one another, didn't you? I'm just sharing what you possess."
To them, dragons were no longer omnipotent beings. United, they were prey whose hearts could be claimed.
There was only one reason they hunted dragons: the corpses were useful. A dragon's heart was a massive nexus of mana; its horns and bones harder than any steel. Even the hide and scales had endless applications.
[—Gahk...!?]
"Rest in peace, then."
And so, humans hunted dragons and harvested their remains.
'My kin... butchered like that...!'
Leviathan, beholding the 'trophy' displayed in the city, was horrified beyond words. Dragons were no longer objects of reverence. Merely valuable game.
And even...
"What if they go after the Red Dragon next? They took down Keteasi."
"Nah, that's impossible. It's the Red Dragon, after all."
The Red Dragon passed their lips. Among dragons, among any mortals, it was deemed untouchable. Yet even now, at the very start, people discussed the possibility of slaying the Red Dragon.
That terrified Leviathan. The Red Dragon was savage, more unpredictable than any other. And yet... it was the symbol of dragons. If even it fell, there might be no world left where dragons could survive.
That was why she'd come here. To learn his true heart. And to make him a god or a king. Only then could her kin—and she herself—survive.
But he had zero interest in such thrones.
[...So you'll give me everything. In exchange, protect me.]
Leviathan set aside her original purpose and had no choice but to beg him.
'...This is insane.'
The Red Dragon, hearing her tale, grew even more annoyed by it all. Truth be told, what happened to other dragons was none of his concern. If they wanted to live, they could serve as human puppets or hole up somewhere, right? Only as the Red Dragon, the Calamity, could he afford such arrogance. It stirred no pity in him.
However.
[...Sigh, I need none of it.]
[Th-then what do you need? Intel on the political scene? Rumors of rare treasures? I can match whatever you ask.]
It was a tempting offer, in its way.
[I don't want divinity. And I hate moving myself.]
[...Then?]
[So you lead them instead. Ever heard this? 'Rule without governing.' Make that real.]
His conclusion: a knockoff constitutional monarchy. He'd hold real power but delegate all the tedious work to her.
That was the Red Dragon's ideal deal.
[....]
Leviathan hesitated at his words. Her strength was decent, but against elite dragon hunters united, she couldn't win. Her identity was already known from years of wandering. Protection from some 'powerful someone' was essential, regardless.
Yet she wavered because he was the Red Dragon. What if gaining more divinity led him to ascend?
'I... might get abandoned.'
Before she could even bask in his protection.
But she glanced at his two elven servants, the mother and daughter. She'd witnessed how he'd changed, how he differed from the rumors.
Even if he ascended to godhood, she could just stay by his side, couldn't she? Perhaps this was the pivotal choice of her life.
So she gave the answer already set in her heart.
[...I'll do it. Manage this lair, rule it, handle the outside world too.]
[Good.]
[But keep your word. Protect me.]
[Of course. Dragons never lie.]
Thus, they sealed a mutually satisfying pact.
The problem was...
—Hah, so that's how it is? He's above even them.
—I must inform my proud priestess. He was watching them.
****
Kellian, priest of Verinal. He bore a mission: slay the 'Red Dragon of the Apocalypse.' For world stability. For his chief god.
He brimmed with confidence in achieving it. But confidence alone wouldn't suffice.
"Are you the famed dragon hunters of late?"
He met masters of the hunt. Answering was the group's leader, the half-orc Stubborn as an Ox.
"Aye. Priest, what brings you here?"
True to his dim orc wits, he spoke rudely to a stranger. Yet Kellian responded calmly, unoffended.
"Obviously... a dragon that must be caught."
"Hmph."
But Stubborn as an Ox—Ox for short—showed little interest. They'd recently bagged several dragons: young, old, all varieties, shipped off for profit. He wanted rest now, not new jobs.
However.
"The Red Dragon. That's my target."
Kellian's proposal. The weight of 'Red Dragon' stoked his battle lust.
"...The Red Dragon. For real?"
"Yes, truly. Even my god desires it."
Ox eyed Kellian's robes closely, quickly spotting his Verinal faith. Creator of elves, god of life—one of the majors. He instantly grasped the grudge against the Red Dragon.
"But the Red Dragon's mighty. The price won't be cheap."
Business was business, though. True to his no-nonsense nature, Ox cut to the chase.
"Yes, I know. Countless nations' expeditions turned tail before it."
"Right. They might've been stronger than us. How do we take it down? If it's just you aiding us, forget it."
"...Haha, of course."
Kellian drew a paper from his robes and unfurled it.
"This is the list of those aiding us."
Ox, scanning it, was awestruck.
"...!"
It was sheer numbers. A massive raid from Verinal's church, top ten in the world. High priests to lay believers, hordes of them.
And this church was mobilizing it.
"The recent expedition targeting the Red Dragon 'failed.'"
"...I know."
"But the failure's cause is clear. They lacked the courage, the mission, to kill it."
Light gleamed in Kellian's eyes. Madness at a glance, but laced with unfathomable divine power.
"We are different. We gathered to slay the Red Dragon. To avenge the children our god created. To kill the living evil, chaos, calamity, and restore world order. We are prepared... for anything."
He unfurled another paper. Atop it: 'Deposit Invoice'.
Full funding for the hunt. All Red Dragon byproducts surrendered.
Irresistible for any businessman.
"So, Mr. Stubborn as an Ox. Join us."
Kellian extended a hand, brimming with certainty. An alliance, a merger.
"For the boundless glory and honor of slaying the Red Dragon. Together."
—Clasp.
"...Fine. We'll prep soon."
Ox couldn't refuse. Glory awaited. Battle called.
For the first time in ages... his orc blood boiled.