A Dragon's Mercy
Honestly, who wouldn't show a little mercy? But I don't particularly enjoy killing. Slaughtering people doesn't net me experience points, and I'm no psychopath. There was zero reason for someone like me to prefer ending human lives. Unfortunately, though, ever since crossing into this world, humans haven't felt quite human to me. If I had to compare, they're more like stray dogs or feral cats—fine enough from a distance, but the last things you'd want skulking around your home. And these aren't even the kind that whine cutely for scraps; they're jackals scheming to steal whatever they can from inside. So there was no way I could view humans favorably.
Now, how do you ensure pests like that never come sniffing around again? The answer's surprisingly simple: torch every forest where those stray dogs and cats have set up dens. Eradicate their roots entirely, so they never dare lift their heads. Force submission through overwhelming terror and power—no, total erasure of their existence. I had the strength to make it happen.
But here's the rub: it was a massive pain in the ass. I'd have to venture out myself, scout the forests worth burning, and make damn sure I razed them without a single gap. No professional exterminators in this world to handle it for a handful of coins. And even if there were, they'd be way less efficient than the Red Dragon. Plus, inhuman or not, they're still living things. Sure, squashing house ants is par for the course. But I didn't have the spite to go poking sticks into field anthills just because bugs piss me off. Burn it all down just to nap in peace and cut down on the meddling? No matter how I crunched the numbers, it didn't add up.
In that light, the elf right in front of me...
"S-sorry... hic, I'm so sorryyy..."
[Are you afraid? Where's that courage that surged when you first stepped into the cave?]
Her outfit screamed value—top-grade fabric, top-grade durability. Not some bottom-feeder elf scraping the gutters. And she was terrified. Pissing herself, eyes wide with the certainty of death. Strangely, though, those eyes held genuine remorse. Maybe imagining her own forest ablaze from her actions. Tears mixed with deep regret and self-loathing.
And that made her... useful to me.
She's witnessed my power firsthand. Laid eyes on me directly.
If I could sweet-talk—or rather, threaten—her here, hype up the rumors so no one dared approach again? Especially if a highborn-looking elf like her preached the Red Dragon's dangers herself? I was dead certain it'd buy me decades of peace.
[Elves... Long ago, I beheld your homeland with my own eyes.]
Drawing from "my" memories, I recalled their forest.
[It was radiant. Yet fragile.]
Thick magical mists confounded intruders. Useless against sky-dominating, wandering dragons, though.
[A place that vanishes like mist before flame. That was your home.]
I told her straight. Despair settled over her. Knowing nothing could take from me, not even a scratch. Cursing her own powerlessness.
"Sorry, I'm so sorryyy...! I-I'll never set foot here again...! Please, just spare my life...!"
I smiled, satisfied, and pressed further.
[What are you sorry for? What drove you here?]
Questions with no easy answers, to make her shrink smaller. To break her more.
She hesitated, then mumbled apologies.
"...Sorry—"
I cut in like I'd been waiting, tongue flicking solemnly.
[—If 'sorry' is all you have to say, no more words are needed. Just pay for your sins.]
"Hic."
She couldn't hold back the tears anymore. Truth be told, she never had. Just terror overwhelming her, tear ducts beyond control.
I didn't enjoy this. But what could I do? She wasn't innocent. A clear disturber of my precious sleep. Though she'd only peeked from afar, not delved deep.
No need to take her life. But paying this price? Only natural.
[Confess your sins. Declare them. Without knowing sin, you'll repeat it. And that leads to ruin.]
So I continued slowly.
[I am merciful. You entered with no malice. No paltry greed either. Mercy is still possible.]
Emphasizing I had forgiveness in me. Hope remained.
[So confess your sins.]
I let the words hang.
*
Elenoa was a fallen noble elf. Father gone early; only her mother remained. But her mother wasn't well either.
—Live... for both of us, Elenoa.
Mother wasted away from an incurable disease, visibly fading day by day. No one helped them.
Fallen noble. Her reformist father died in an "accident." His faction and many nobles flipped sides or crumbled. No one left to aid her.
Despite noble blood, she left their lands, every moment spent earning coin.
But I can do it. I have to.
She had grit. For her sacrificing mother.
Elf among humans, living as an adventurer. Pierced monsters and foes with arrows. Conquered countless dungeons with bow and shaft. Deserved the title divine archer.
But...
—Not much time left. Without Moonlight Flower...
—Mother will...
Her efforts fell short. Or rather, doomed to. Adventurer pay had limits.
Mother's cure? Moonlight Flower—400 imperial gold coins' worth.
No matter her fame or hustle, earnings capped.
Then it caught her eye.
—Red Dragon Expedition.
—Reward: Everything within.
One shot at riches. Survive, slay the dragon, claim treasures. Moonlight Flowers? Pocket change.
...This is it. My only shot.
She volunteered, risking death. Followed the deserters secretly when the party disbanded.
That was all. Her sin.
All to save mother. Reclaim her peace.
That's why she entered this ruined temple.
"...That's why I sinned."
She said it plainly. Tears dried. Despair overpowered sorrow.
That was Elenoa now.
"So kill me, O Red Dragon."
Despairing, yet she smiled.
"Dying first... is filial failure to Mother."
Relief, though.
"But escaping this life's yoke... makes you my savior."
She amazed herself. Frozen moments ago, now light as air after baring all.
The Red Dragon's breath... painless end.
Despair bred resignation. Wish unfulfilled. Greatest joy? Painless death.
She bowed slowly.
"...Please, make it quick."
No shame. But regret. Failing mother.
That lingered.
[I heard well.]
The Red Dragon read her intent. Craving death as atonement.
—Whoosh...
Flames gathered. Sulfur stench filled the air. Scorching heat spread—
[You died here.]
"...Huh?"
Elenoa realized her body was fine.
"Wh-what do you mean...?"
[And I grant you new life.]
With its tail, it dragged a treasure chest before her.
[Open it.]
"Uh, uh... Y-yes, sirrr..."
Eyeing it warily, she flung open the chest.
"...Gasp!!"
Impossible sights: Bunches of Moonlight Flowers. Coins from a kingdom extinct 200 years ago.
She couldn't grasp it.
[You showed no hostility, not once. Confessed every sin without a lie. This is my mercy.]
"...Ahh."
She looked up at the Red Dragon. No fear now.
Gods forsook her. No one helped. Yet the world's calamity did.
Awe, reverence... gratitude welled from deep within.
[And a warning. Proof too.]
Not done yet.
[I dislike unknowns entering uninvited. Warn the masses. Show my gold, declare the dragon welcomes none. Nothing may come here.]
The Red Dragon withdrew into the temple. Coiled atop its empty, silent golden hoard.
Elenoa watched, lost in thought.
...The Red Dragon is merciful.
...The Red Dragon welcomes no humans.
A faith born. First to affirm her, betrayed by the world.
Elenoa truly... revered the Red Dragon.
...Understood, O Red Dragon. If that's your will.
She departed the cave slowly. Dragging the chest. Savoring the space.