Declaration of War (2)
To explain how this situation came about, we need to rewind the clock a bit. So... it was around the time I told Jae Ye to bring those humans from the country called North Korea, right?
Unlike my avatar, who was thrilled about discovering new content, my true body remained quite composed. For a dragon who's lived over ten thousand years, multitasking is child's play. Even an avatar forged from my dragon gold possesses a 'brain' organ, granting it a degree of autonomy.
I waited briefly as the avatar eagerly explained the circumstances to the viewers.
"I have returned, Master."
= Good.
Jae Ye arrived before me, leading a group of about ten humans.
"Eek!"
"Hiiik!"
"Huff!"
The humans collapsed to the ground the moment they saw me, trembling uncontrollably. Looking down at them, I tilted my head.
= Jae Ye.
"Yes."
= Do I look frightening?
Right now, I wasn't baring my teeth, growling, or exuding any menacing aura. If anything, I'd suppressed my presence as much as possible out of consideration for these humans. Of course, my innate aura couldn't be fully contained, but these were people who'd entered my gate directly—even if they came from a fallen nation, I figured they could handle this much.
So why were they so terrified? Was it simply because a massive dragon had appeared before them?
"Wherever and whenever, Master instills awe and majesty in all who behold you."
= ...... Right.
I'd expected Jae Ye wouldn't be much help with such an objective assessment. That's always the case with her...
I stirred a bit more within the magma, rising slowly to avoid splashing it everywhere. My usual lair is hot enough to melt steel on its own—necessary to keep the magma fluid, of course. Those with low heat resistance take precautions before entering: I might erect a barrier for them, or someone like Jae Ye casts her own protective spell.
But those measures only resist heat, not the magma itself, so I had to be careful.
= Fear not, humans. I have no intention of harming you.
As I began like that, pausing to consider my next words, the apparent leader among the humans sprang up, aiming a gun at me and shouting.
"Golden Dragon! S-surrender obediently!"
= ......?
And with that, time snaps back to the present.
= ......What did you say?
Before me, as my heavy aura began to flow, the man gripping his weapon yelled again.
"Surrender to our great Leader Comrade!"
= ......
"......"
A chill silence descended upon my chamber. The humans were tense or terrified; Jae Ye, furious. For me, it was sheer bewilderment.
'Why on earth are these children saying such things to me?'
Let's think logically. First off, I'm an incredibly powerful dragon. No boasting, but I've wiped out self-proclaimed gods and razed several human civilizations that opposed me. In contrast, they're just humans—stronger than average, perhaps, but that doesn't make them stronger than me.
Logically, it makes no sense for them to spout such nonsense before me. Which means they have some other agenda.
'Could it be they're trying to pit me against another country?'
I scanned the ten or so humans, noting their well-maintained weapons and uniform-like clothing. There, on one side, was a flag: white background with a yin-yang emblem in the center and black bars diagonally.
Yes, the flag symbolizing South Korea—the Taegeukgi.
= Are you trying to set me against South Korea?
"?!"
"!!"
The humans flinched at my words. Was it my leaking aura? Or Jae Ye's blatant killing intent? They were trying to school their expressions, but their bodies betrayed them.
= Humans from North Korea, do not attempt to deceive me.
Thanks to my Heaven Dragon Eye, I'd already discerned their origins, but they wouldn't know that. Hence the flag ploy, no doubt, to provoke a clash between me and South Korea.
'Tsk tsk tsk. Sacrificial pawns.'
The humans started to look pitiable. Think about it—they'd been sent as scapegoats by their foolish leaders and deluded group. One might ask if their words didn't anger me, but at my age, it was laughable. Imagine a ninety-year-old hearing a two-year-old call them 'idiot'—would they rage? No, just 'how cute.'
That was exactly my sentiment.
"C-Comrade! What do we do?!"
"No choice! Everyone, give it all you've got!"
"Hraaah!"
Yet before me, the humans began something peculiar. They all stood and extended their hands toward me, as if casting spells.
"Iyaaah!!"
"Grrrrr!!"
"Haaap!"
= ......
I sensed mana flowing, so they were trying something, but sadly, it had no effect on me. Dragons have innate resistances, plus my evolved defenses, the dragon gold coating my body, and the vast gap in our power levels. Ten of them channeling at once? I simply let their mana slide off harmlessly without lifting a claw.
"Our beast tamers can do it!"
"Glory to our great Leader Comrade!"
= ......
From their words, they all seemed to possess mental abilities for controlling beasts. Probably planned to turn that on me if things got dire. Of course, my mental defenses were long since fortified—and even without, the power gap made it futile.
Shaking my head at the struggling humans, pity welled up. It wasn't amusing anymore; it was just sad. Like watching a one-year-old flail after falling over.
= Jae Ye.
"Yes."
Whish!
"Gah?!"
"Kyaa!"
At my command, Jae Ye's spells ensnared them. Bound tight in an instant, they huddled together as her flames hovered above...
= Stop.
"But Master, these vermin dared to insult you—how can we..."
No, why are you angry when I'm not? I'd seen this from her before, and while I appreciated her protectiveness, a little restraint would be nice.
= Jae Ye.
I know well your ill feelings toward humans. However, my intent is to communicate with them, so please refrain from rash actions.
"......If that is Master's will, I shall obey."
Poof!
The fireball above their heads vanished. I brought my maw close to the tear-streaked, trembling humans and bared my teeth.
"Eek!"
"Mommy!"
Startled by my sharp fangs? Well, they are rather impressive. My late husband once said he fell for my canines. But that's beside the point now.
= So, have you done all you came to do?
"Hiiiik!"
"P-Please spare us..."
As my aura intensified, they shook harder. I declared to them:
= I know you didn't come of your own volition. Thus, I won't hold you fully accountable.
Having glimpsed their pasts via Heaven Dragon Eye, I knew. Though I could only 'see,' not hear, visuals revealed plenty. They hadn't volunteered; no reason for them to bear the full blame.
= Go. Tell your leader: the group's sins fall on its head. That's the law of all packs. Those who defy it crumble. Thus, a leader must be strong.
= By this world's time, I grant seven days. Come kneel and atone in person.
"......If you do, all will be well. If not, you shall face my wrath."
Will their leader prove strong enough to protect the pack, I wonder?
"Indeed. This is the declaration of war from I, the Heaven-Exterminating Dragon Grand Ragnar, upon the nation of North Korea."
My declaration sent the viewers into a frenzy. But this time, I ignored them. This wasn't the streamer Heaven-Exterminating Dragon Grand Ragnar speaking—it was the elder dragon.
"Henisia. Stand by."
"But Mother..."
"Arna's hungry too; we can't overdo it."
Henisia wasn't a frontline fighter anyway, and I had no intention of mobilizing an egg-hungry child. This was my affair, start to finish.
No need—or desire—to involve my daughter.
"So withdraw."
"Understood."
Confirming Henisia had calmed, I turned back to the monitor.
The viewers buzzed at my declaration. Seeking their understanding, I said,
"With that said, today's broadcast must end here."
"The booze..."
Glancing aside, I saw the final winner being drawn.
"Worry not. I'll send it to the winners."
Hm? Right, delivering booze could be content too. Pondering briefly: Using the North Korean hunters as content was off the table now, and viewers hated it anyway. But leveraging the booze delivery for something new...
'Might work, with some thought.'
First, resolve the North Korea issue, then decide. Booze delivery on hold for now.
"I'll send the booze after the North Korea matter concludes."
Aigoo. Some had prepped for drinking already? To console the sad viewers, I spoke up.
"I can send to anyone who wants it now. But I'm planning new content around it later. Those who take it now can't join that—still want it?"
The chat flipped instantly. Such lively children. Smiling faintly, I ended the stream.
"That's it for today, then. See you next time."
"And the next stream will be after North Korea's leader atones—or once war breaks out."
[Broadcast has ended]