Chapter 148
Chapter 148
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 148
Chapter Title: The Sleeping Dragon
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Dragon.
The strongest life form, acknowledged by all.
A single Red Dragon once annihilated Tempern, the capital of the legendary and glorious Hairan Empire, in a single day, setting the empire on a path to ruin.
Because of this, humans have feared dragons since ancient times, even equating them with gods and frequently offering sacrifices.
This author, in order to conduct an in-depth study of dragons, has striven for an objective perspective by examining the species from multiple angles, investigating various historical records, myths passed down in different kingdoms, and actual draconic habitats.
… (Omitted) …
Dragons are classified by age.
1-500 years: Hatchling
500-2,000 years: Adult Dragon
2,000-5,000 years: Wyrm
Over 5,000 years: Ancient (Ancient Dragon)
As dragons age and pass certain milestones, their mana capacity increases dramatically. This is the basis for the classification.
While classifications may be further subdivided depending on the region, and some places attach no meaning to these tiers at all, this author's research indicates that the above classification is generally accepted.
Their strength has been roughly established through cross-verification of thousands of pages of data, as follows:
Hatchling: Requires at least 30 Aura-using knights and 5 official mages.
Adult Dragon: Requires at least 1 Master-level knight, 100 Aura-using knights, and 10 high-level mages.
Wyrm: Requires at least 1 Grandmaster-level knight, 10 Master-level knights, and 100 Aura-using knights. Also requires at least 1 archmage and 50 official mages.
Ancient: Immeasurable (In the case of Ancient Dragons, only their names appear in a few records; there is no proper information.)
… (Excerpt ends here). …
‘The information in the book was relatively accurate.’
Do-jae crossed the plains with the Titan, Harkes.
The mountain range, once distant, was drawing closer, suggesting they would reach its entrance before sunset.
‘Briareus said his strength didn't even match a dragon that had just passed the Hatchling stage. In my current state, challenging an Adult Dragon might be a bit much.’
Do-jae recalled what Briareus had said after their fight, comparing him to the dragon they were now seeking.
According to Harkes, the dragon living in the mountains was an Adult Dragon.
It was certain to be far stronger than the current Briareus.
However, a dragon's strength also varied depending on its type.
Red Dragons like Briareus were proficient in destructive fire magic, while Green or Gold Dragons were comparatively skilled in nature-based magic.
In the case of Gold Dragons, to borrow Briareus's words, they had strong 'nerdy' tendencies. Their personalities were also exceptionally individualistic, and they didn't even get along with their own kind.
‘Well, it's not like I fought at full strength either. I didn't summon them back then because it would've been a waste if a magic spell shattered their mana stones.’
Even if a fight broke out with an Adult Gold Dragon, he wouldn't fight the same way he did against Briareus.
The colossal Golem Armor had just been a trial run. Considering its various efficiencies, it was still too taxing to use in actual combat.
Do-jae had much more cost-effective golems at his disposal. If he had been willing to risk a little damage and summoned them, he could have won the fight more easily.
"Harkes. Do you have any other information? Like its personality."
"I already told you. It's ferocious."
"No, not that. Is it more lenient toward certain species, or are there any it favors?"
"I've heard nothing of the sort. Information about dragons is extremely scarce. The very fact that I know a dragon lives here is a tremendous piece of intelligence. I not only train diligently as a warrior but also strive to accumulate knowledge. That is why I know where a dragon lives; another warrior would not."
Do-jae listened silently to Harkes, then looked up at him.
"...You're not nervous, are you?"
"Of course not. Gulp."
"You're definitely nervous."
Do-jae grinned and leaped off his Giant Horse.
"What are you doing?"
"Can you fight on a Giant Horse?"
"...I can."
A transparent lie.
A Titan of his size wouldn't have fought on a docile animal like a horse, and a ferocious Giant Horse would be difficult to control as he pleased.
In short, Titans were not a race accustomed to mounted combat.
"You're a terrible liar. Get down. We'll be fighting soon."
Do-jae drew the Black Scale and began to move forward.
The creatures he sensed in the distance were at least Grade 5 monsters.
Taking the Giant Horses with them would only make them food for those creatures.
"What are you doing? Aren't you coming?"
"Wait! If I just leave this one here..."
"Even if you bring it, it'll just be a snack for the dragon."
Do-jae stopped and waited for Harkes.
Harkes watched the Giant Horse for a moment, then, as if having made a decision, he untied the reins.
Smack-!
He slapped the Giant Horse hard on its rump, sending it galloping in the opposite direction of the mountains.
Harkes walked over to Do-jae with a displeased look on his face.
"Do you know how much effort it took to tame it? Do you have any idea how much it costs to raise one?"
"Here."
Do-jae took a pouch from his subspace and pressed it into Harkes's hand.
Harkes managed to untie the string with his thick fingers and was startled by the contents of the pouch.
"So... many gold coins..."
Do-jae had given Harkes all the gold coins he had left over from his last visit.
Judging by his reaction, this amount seemed to be more than enough to raise a Giant Horse.
"Satisfied? Now, let's put that behind us and go."
"Ahem. Can I really trust you?"
"If you want to make your village safe even a day sooner?"
"Let's say, for the sake of argument, we somehow make it to the dragon. What then?"
"We'll ask. Ask it to use a teleport spell for us."
Do-jae said it as if it were no big deal.
In truth, he had no plan.
He had never planned to meet a dragon in the first place.
If they met and the conversation went well, he could get help with teleportation, meet Elatra quickly, and then head north to meet Eurabia.
If not, he would have to flee, and if that wasn't an option, he would have to fight.
‘If worst comes to worst, I'll make a golem with the Dragon Heart. It'll create a formidable one.’
Filled with confidence, Do-jae entered the dense forest.
All the while listening to Harkes's useless worries.
"I don't know about this! If the dragon refuses our request, I'm running away immediately. I don't care what happens to you! I have a village and a child to protect! I can't die here!"
"Alright, alright."
***
Grrrr-.
Grrrrr-.
Inside a massive cave.
Within the dark cavern, only the sound of heavy, rhythmic breathing could be heard.
Twitch-.
Occasionally, the tip of its coiled tail would twitch, lightly tapping the floor.
Was it dreaming?
Beneath its peacefully closed eyelids, eyeballs darted back and forth.
Some time passed like this.
Its body began to twitch slightly.
"Krrrr..."
A loud cry escaped its slightly parted lips, echoing through the cavern.
The twitching muscles stilled as it slowly raised its body.
Thud-!
"Kruk..."
It bumped its head on the ceiling, causing the cavern to shake violently as dust and rocks rained down.
Startled, it folded its long neck and tucked its awkwardly spread wings tightly back in.
Whoosh-.
A bright light filled the cavern.
The massive body began to shrink, and the thick, long tail receded completely. Short arms lengthened, reaching down to its waist.
Soon, the draconic form was completely transformed into that of a human.
"Haaam..."
The dragon, polymorphed into a human, Herteias.
He stretched his arms and legs, then muttered in the common continental language as he crossed the vast cavern and opened a door set into the wall.
Inside was a space perfectly sized for a normal human.
Of course, judging by the luxurious furniture and decorations made of gold and jewels, it looked more like the home of a wealthy merchant or noble than an ordinary person.
"Hmm... It's just as I left it..."
Herteias, having brewed some tea, took in the gentle aroma with a satisfied expression.
The tea leaves were nearly 500 years old, but having been preserved with magic, they still retained their rich flavor and scent.
"I should find a new lair... but it's such a hassle..."
Herteias gazed out at the cavern through the open door.
As soon as he awoke, torches placed throughout the cavern had lit up, brightly illuminating the interior.
But given its immense size, most of it was still shrouded in shadow.
"Still, if I just curl up a bit, it's still usable, right? And it's hard to find a lair this good. If I bring a few of those guys over and have them do a little expansion work, I could probably stay here for another two thousand years."
Herteias nodded and raised his teacup again.
It wasn't like he'd be building the lair himself. He could just bring in some dwarves and have them work for a few years, and they'd whip up an even bigger lair in no time.
However, finding a suitable space for a lair was a chore in itself, and he liked the climate here, so he had no strong desire to move.
"Anyway, who's causing a ruckus in my territory?"
Savoring his tea, Herteias read the mana outside his lair.
Before entering hibernation, he had released monsters around his lair to keep troublesome pests away. Now, some audacious fool was hunting his familiars.
"One of them is nothing special, but the other... a Hatchling? There's something familiar about it, too..."
Two foreign auras, felt amidst his familiars.
One possessed mana so faint it wouldn't even register on his claws, while the other had the mana of a Hatchling.
If it was born while he was asleep, it might not know who the master of this mountain range was.
Still, a Hatchling should be under its parents' tutelage, not sent out of the lair alone. Wandering around by itself like this?
Herteias decided he needed to see for himself what kind of child this was.
"Who's its father, to not even educate it properly? Such an ill-mannered brat! I'll have to teach it a sharp lesson for disturbing its senior's sweet slumber."
Herteias drained half his tea, then rose from his seat, his voice tinged with annoyance.
It was almost time for him to wake from hibernation, but he was still short by a year or two.
Being woken up right before you were supposed to was the most irritating and infuriating thing.
Herteias used teleportation to head toward his uninvited guests.