Chapter 247: The True Dragon Assembly - Black Dark Dragon

That remark was undoubtedly directed at me. A satisfied voice leaked from Yunak Seus's mouth.

"The breath of Kud Hanas."

Kud Hanas? Who the hell is that?

Calling a total stranger like me by the horrific name Black Dark Dragon!

If I could, I'd grab him by the collar and demand to know if he had some grudge against me.

But I couldn't.

Through the rift in dimensions, the temple's landscape came into view. Fitting for a temple of dragons, it was scaled to match their massive size. The towering pillars alone made my chest swell with grandeur.

But true to the "Piece" descriptor, not just anyone could enter.

A condition stated in place of a level requirement. A place for dragons only. It meant non-dragons couldn't even step inside.

And that was precisely why I couldn't rebel against the horrific moniker Black Dark Dragon…!

Yunak Seus continued.

"Black Dark Dragon. No other title could suit Claudy more fittingly."

Indeed. Thanks to that damned Black Dark Dragon moniker, I had gained the qualification to access Piece: Temple of Dragons.

It wasn't just words—a message had appeared.

…A positive mindset is always important.

'Well, thanks to it, I can enter.'

We had pierced the Ice Dragon's snow peaks and reached our destination. If I couldn't enter due to unmet conditions, I might have collapsed—not from shame, but sheer exhaustion, maybe even died.

And it didn't end there.

'Good thing I unsummoned Diend, Hoyeol.'

If Diend had witnessed this, with that personality? He'd blab everywhere. That I was known among dragons as the Black Dark Dragon.

'The world finding out is just a matter of time.'

And among those people were my enemies. Even now, in No. 3—Lee Yerim's contacts, I was saved as 'Infinitely Deep Darkness'…

Black Dark Dragon on top of that?! Even a man like Lee Hoyeol couldn't endure such humiliation.

Finally.

'…At least it's not Black Flame Dragon?'

If it were that, there'd be no excuse. Fine, positive thinking. With my mind settled, I spoke.

"A moniker befitting Claudy."

A casual remark, but Yunak Seus didn't let it slide. He added an elaborate explanation.

"Kud Hanas, who lived in the same era as this old dragon, must have surmised it. The unfathomable truth of Claudy… Thus, he could not easily trust my words. But now that he realizes, this old dragon sheds one lingering regret."

Please, could the gold-plating of the Claudy family stop there? It was painful in every sense…

But since I'd resolved to make use of it, I had to grit my teeth and endure. Especially now, no time for agitation.

'Dozens of dragons await me.'

Most openly hostile. Without recalling the pact, entering would've meant instant annihilation by a barrage of breaths.

But regardless of the details, I had unearthed the pact.

What entered my view: all dragons bowing their heads toward me and Yunak Seus in unison.

As mentioned, most weren't friendly. Their forced bows due to the pact were obvious—their displeasure radiated clearly.

Grind—!

Even the grinding of teeth echoed loudly. Vast mana poured from their enormous bodies.

They weren't just bowing.

'That's a blatant threat.'

But no matter how intimidating, it wouldn't bend Grandfell's pride. I dismounted Yunak Seus and stepped forward.

Casually adjusted my attire.

Of course, even I, Lee Hoyeol, wasn't scared.

'As long as the pact exists.'

Dragons couldn't show hostility without risking their lives too.

In that sense, I had nothing to lose. My life was already forfeit anyway.

In the Arcana Continent, death wasn't truly death.

'Behold, I am the Last Adventurer.'

So.

Shall we hear the full story?

What transpired at the True Dragon Assembly to drive Yunak Seus—who followed the World Tree's will—to death, even ignoring Claudy's ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠pact?

Spit out your excuses.

Clack—

I halted at the temple's center. Hostile glares poured down, but I was used to it.

Like the first time I stood at the Mage Tower's Crystal Hall podium via parachute.

I spoke nonchalantly.

"Begin, Yunak Seus."

Shamelessly continued.

"With me, the last, now that all dragons are gathered."

Embracing the moniker Black Dark Dragon…!

"The true All Dragons Assembly."

Temple of Dragons.

A human had set foot in a place only dragons could enter.

The implication was simple.

As Kud Hanas said, that man was a 'dragon' in his own right.

Only they possessed such qualifications despite being human.

Clady. Claudy had truly returned.

Young dragons from around Proznax's era didn't grasp the gravity. Their rapidly growing bodies made them forget the past.

But dragons past the hatchling stage—adults, essentially—knew.

What fate Claudy, reappearing on the Arcana Continent, would decree for them.

Yunak Seus spoke.

"The old dragon's death realizes Mother's will. It is to sprout the seed of Mother, the World Tree, within my body. For that seed to sprout, this old dragon's lowly flesh must serve as nourishment."

Yes. He'd invoke the pact and command them to fulfill Mother's—World Tree's—will.

Grind!

But they couldn't accept it. Knowing it was an inescapable will.

Like Yunak Seus, they too bore the World Tree's seed.

Yet they refused.

"…Why us?!"

Born kings of all creation, so they must bear the burden?

Ridiculous, Yunak Seus.

"What does it mean to be king?"

They had lived eons.

But those eons? Mostly spent in bored slumber.

Too powerful. Despite wings, they couldn't fly freely over Arcana lest they terrify it; they couldn't even roar.

Yet.

"You bequeath us the hollow title of kings of creation, then demand we pay the price? Sacrifice our lives? We cannot accept it. Even if it's Mother's will…!"

Yunak Seus didn't reply.

'Their words ring true.'

Elder dragon. The ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠longest-lived among kin.

Having seen all, he understood their feelings.

Thus…

'Perhaps I didn't resist for that reason.'

He too sensed contradictions in Mother's will.

In that sense.

'I… committed grave sin against Mother and kin alike.'

Thus, he accepted death.

But now, irreversible.

Yunak Seus looked to Hoyeol.

'With Claudy stepping in.'

Having invoked the pact, they had no choice.

And finally, Hoyeol broke the silence.

"As expected."

Observing all, as anticipated.

"Such a will is not worth following."

Yes. Such a will is not worth…?!

Yunak Seus flinched. Unexpected words from Hoyeol.

"…?"

Had his time come? Ears failing? He glanced around…

Kud Hanas and kin wore similar shock.

All stunned. Even hostility faded momentarily.

Faces full of doubt.

But doubt didn't linger. Hoyeol continued.

"The World Tree lives and breathes even now."

"…!!!"

From the Mage Tower's roundtable, Yusra Kingdom's imperial council, to AAU branch chiefs' meetings.

If anyone was seasoned in assemblies, it was me.

Thus, I listened intently to the All Dragons Assembly's agenda.

Nodding repeatedly.

'…At least this is a relief.'

Unlike elves with zero redemption, dragons had valid reasons.

Why dragons, born kings, weren't free.

I knew.

'The system's fault.'

Pre-cataclysm. When Arcana was just a game.

Balance was paramount.

'For example.'

Players at levels 100-200. ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Imagine thousands-level dragons flying about.

Arcana wouldn't have developed like this. One dragon's presence would knock out all life.

'Rebellion with reason, unlike elves.'

Put myself in their shoes? I'd feel wronged too.

Born king, but can't use the power?

In that light, the Dragon-Demon War was pure fun for them. No playmates forever, then mages blasting fun spells.

'Must've been a blast.'

Not just my thought. Grandfell despised sacrifices of the small for the great.

Even if World Tree's will? No way.

Besides.

"The World Tree lives and breathes even now."

As I said. A new World Tree ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠succeeded the first on Arcana.

Incredulous faces. Want the exact location?

Former [Predator's Swamp]. Now [World Tree's Secret Garden].

Still doubt? Here's the quest window.

That was my ongoing world quest's goal.

So, not baseless.

"Did I not tell you, Yunak Seus?"

"…What?"

"No mother wishes her child's death."

"!"

Yes. If the World Tree truly needed dead dragon corpses to sprout its seed, then I—who sprouted it via High El's blessing—was an unwelcome intruder.

No reason for the World Tree to bless such a guest.

Thus.

I asked Yunak Seus and all dragons.

"All dragons, did you truly swallow the World Tree's seed?"

"…?"

"I ask if the World Tree you witnessed was the true one."

"…!!!"

Then it clicked.

Only one race would scheme so basely between World Tree and dragons.

Demons.

Demon hunter's instinct flared. Vision flickered.

Ah, back to the main job after ages.