The Arrogant Ones
Viyorn's first thought upon hearing those words was simple.
...Is she insane?
Was this emissary standing before him truly mad? It was a fairly reasonable deduction. She'd shown up out of nowhere declaring they'd formed a nation, and now they wanted Kohmir to become their vassal state? What kind of country operated like that? Was there anywhere in the world like this, or had there ever been?
Viyorn, Duke of Kohmir, felt his brain melting at this unprecedented diplomatic approach.
But he clung to his wits and recalled one crucial fact. The elf before him had been sent by the Red Dragon. And judging by her appearance, that seemed highly likely.
If the Red Dragon had indeed formed a nation, and her words were true, this was no trivial matter.
'Protectorate... a protectorate.'
Honestly, the term "vassal" had a bit of a sour ring to it, but the conditions themselves weren't bad. What kind of being was the Red Dragon? A living calamity, a walking tyrant. If such a creature genuinely protected them, it would be a tremendous boon.
But the problem was...
'...that he's the Red Dragon.'
That was the issue. The Red Dragon was like chaos made manifest in reality. What if he changed his mind midway? What if he suddenly decided to devour Kohmir in one greedy gulp? Kohmir would be dismantled and destroyed by the Red Dragon on the spot.
That's why Viyorn had to deliberate even more carefully.
"What exactly do you mean by 'protection'?"
And so, he decided to extract more information from her. What ruler would nod eagerly to a sudden offer of protection in exchange for vassalage? If the Red Dragon heard this, he might think there was someone named Yi Wan-yong who would, but that wasn't Viyorn's concern.
"The Red Dragon Himself declared: complete, physical protection that no one can challenge. He will provide that to you."
Elenoa opened her mouth confidently the moment Viyorn asked. She had no choice but to—she knew the "Red Dragon's protection" was utterly perfect. How had she survived? How did her kin still breathe? It was all thanks to the Red Dragon's grace and blessing.
She assumed these squat tunnel-dwellers were no different.
And Viyorn noticed it precisely.
'...The elves were arrogant enough already, but now they've absorbed the Red Dragon's aura too.'
Elenoa's eyes held a subtle disdain, as if asking what other options they had besides becoming the Red Dragon's vassal.
The tragic part? She was right—there were no real alternatives.
'Aidon's at our backs, ready to strike anytime, and the Red Dragon's right in front... Our ancestors sure picked a great spot to settle.'
Especially allying with Aidon, that dank second-place contender for most oppressive realm—it was unthinkable no matter how he sliced it.
"...Elenoa, was it?"
"Yes, that's right."
"I don't know what my subjects will think, but I... I want to accept your—er, the Red Dragon's—proposal."
"I believed you would."
"But regrettably, your nation is newly founded, with nothing to trust but the Red Dragon's name alone?"
"...? With the Red Dragon there, of course it's trustworthy."
"..."
"Why? Did I say something wrong?"
She's a fanatic if I've ever seen one. Viyorn inwardly ground his teeth at her but pressed on.
"...In any case, we need conditions that build a bit more trust. If the Red Dragon changes His mind and it turns to 'plunder' instead of protection... I might even rush at Him, risking death on the spot."
"...Hmm. Well, for those of relatively low intelligence, I suppose that's possible."
Elenoa nodded roughly in understanding. Thinking back, hadn't Yggdrasil's grand chieftain ignored the Red Dragon's words and handed them the seeds of their own destruction? Wanting firm assurances made sense.
In that light, it was something even they, building a new nation, should learn.
"Very well, then, Duke Viyorn. Shall we go together?"
"...Hm? Go where?"
"You wanted confirmation straight from the Red Dragon, didn't you?"
"Th-that's true, but where exactly...?"
"His lair, naturally."
"Wh-what?!"
"His benevolent self won't turn away guests who come with proper etiquette. Especially not you, whom He's already declared He would protect—He might even be a bit more lenient."
"N-no, that's not it—don't you have documents or something—"
"—You know full well that the Red Dragon's Dragon Tongue is far more reliable than any paper, right?"
"...Ah."
"So, please prepare quickly. The Red Dragon doesn't care much for wasted time."
With that, Elenoa left the room, her expression and gait filled with a strangely buoyant joy. No matter how you looked at it, she was convinced of her success.
Meanwhile, Duke Viyorn of Kohmir thought:
'...We're screwed.'
Something had gone terribly wrong.
****
"...So that was your idea of a 'friendly explanation'?"
"Yes, Leviathan. As you advised, I clearly explained our situation and theirs. And what we could offer them."
"..."
[...]
Leviathan seemed at a loss for words for a moment before turning to me. But I had nothing to say either.
Elenoa's report was spot-on.
What could those dwarves do, really? The human kingdom of Aidon seemed highly suspect. Were they going to shove their heads under our wings and beg for death? A small nation with no say in anything—that's why we were offering "protection."
Plus, I was the unique soul in this world who knew the pains of colonialism. No intentions of exploitation or unequal treaties—just pure "protection." What was wrong with offering that?
"...Has becoming the Red Dragon's kin affected your brain too? You're acting really off."
"Wh-what...? Am I strange, Leviathan? I don't feel sick anywhere..."
"This isn't normal. You're crazy—crazy, I say! The Elenoa I first met wasn't like this...!"
I ignored Leviathan clutching her head and ranting, and replied to Elenoa right away.
[No problem, Elenoa. Do the same next time.]
"...! Thank you! My lord Red Dragon!!"
[Bring that duke here, then. I'll give him My confirmation personally.]
"Yes, understood! I'll fetch him immediately!!"
Right. That was key.
I could smash things myself easily enough, but the fallout would be no joke. Gods kept meddling already—if I ascended to true godhood? No way I'd live peacefully, mark my words.
So, we needed proxies—a sort of "cold war" where divine interference stayed minimal. In that context, the dwarves' unified nation was mighty appealing. They could forge any gear we wanted, and their national power wasn't weak. Unlike the elves, they weren't arrogant.
Especially if Aidon housed most of our enemies. Kohmir as a buffer between us? Perfect logic.
As I mulled these calculations...
"Red Dragon, sire. I've brought him."
Finally.
I could meet the dwarven king.
****
Viyorn and his entourage arrived here, and their immediate impression was that nothing—from one to ten—was normal.
'...What the hell happened to these elves? Why's their skin like that, their hair that color?'
First, the elves in this cave looked utterly alien. He'd figured the ones who'd come to Kohmir were the Red Dragon's inner circle, so whatever. But here? Every elf was like that.
And shockingly, they lacked the grassy stench dwarves despised in elves. Instead, they smelled of soot like burn victims and thick sulfur.
That was the elves here.
Even...
"Y-your grace. The buildings..."
"...Quiet. I'm still figuring it out."
The structures where the elves lived looked melted and reforged by fire. Every one bore the Red Dragon's breath, it seemed.
Viyorn and his group couldn't help but shrink back in fear.
They'd been "invited" for diplomacy, sure. But ultimately, they were heading straight to the "Apocalyptic Red Dragon" Himself.
One misstep, one touch of His reverse scale... Not just them, but all of Kohmir could burn to ash.
So they advanced slowly, cautiously, every nerve on edge like dungeon delving.
After a long trek like that, Elenoa was there waving them over as if to greet them.
"Ah, here. Duke Viyorn."
"...Right. Let's go."
Even from afar, a golden light stole their gaze.
They drew nearer.
And.
[Are you the dwarven nobles? Thick iron... and fire's scent. Not bad.]
They faced Him.
"It-t's an honor to meet You, Red Dragon, Your Majes—"
An overwhelming presence gazing down from a mountain of gold.
[You doubted the 'protection.' I called you here to explain kindly.]
The being who'd told them to become His vassal.
[I will cleave Aidon in half.]
The Red Dragon.
[And give half to you. Would that convince you to accept protection?]
"...!"
The "Apocalyptic Red Dragon" made him an offer.