130
Chapter 130
As a result of using the Vaccine.
A Virus was detected within the Naga.
The name of the Virus was Guardian.
It was a curse that bound a creature to a specific area... No, rather than a curse, it was destiny.
And because of this destiny, the Naga hadn't been able to leave the Lake and the nearby Swamp Area all this time.
Unfortunately, a cure was impossible.
It was because my Magic Doll Engineering level was still too low.
However, I could cure it if I raised the skill level by just one more tier.
I told the Naga the results of the examination.
The destiny of the Guardian, whether it could be removed, when it could be removed, and so on.
Every single detail without leaving anything out.
"Hoho... A destiny bestowed by the world, not a curse... I never dreamed that this one had such a destiny......."
The Naga muttered to himself, looking deep in thought for a moment.
"But Sir Teddy Bear, are you saying that you can truly twist the destiny of the world?"
"Gom-gom, gom-gom-gom."
It's difficult right now.
But it will be possible someday.
Raising a skill level isn't easy, but I only need to raise it by one more tier.
─That was what I said, repeating my earlier explanation.
The Naga's face brightened noticeably.
He seemed overjoyed just by the fact that his destiny could be removed.
"By the way, is it really alright to remove that destiny? I wonder if something terrible will happen if we remove a destiny granted by the world...."
"Gom-gom-gom, gom-gom."
Don't worry about that.
Because your destiny doesn't hold any heavy responsibilities, Naga.
I've already confirmed it.
I asked the Helper if it would be okay to remove the Guardian Virus.
I was worried that removing the Guardian destiny might make him weaker or cause great Misfortune.
Fortunately, I was told that such a thing wouldn't happen.
According to what the Helper said.
The Guardian Virus is said to be a Virus contracted by those whose innate talents are so outstanding that they are predicted to grow at an abnormally rapid pace—specifically, the unlucky few among them who happen to catch the eye of the world.
So.
There is no mission dictating that he must protect a specific area.
It was simply a matter of restricting an exceptionally promising creature to a certain location under the pretext of Protection, all for the sake of the world's balance.
As a side note, there are some among those infected with the Guardian Virus who truly possess a destiny to protect something. In those cases, the Helper said, the word 'Guardian' is attached to their race name.
"Are you saying there won't be any side effects even if you remove it?"
"Gom-gom, gom-gom-gom."
There are no side effects.
However, there is one thing you must know.
The fact that twisting the destiny of the world is no different from turning your back on the world itself.
In other words, we have to risk turning God into an enemy.
The same goes for the one removing the destiny.
But I didn't particularly care.
Because I'm already at odds with this world anyway.
It wasn't because I wanted to be, but because I had been since birth.
The world threw the first punch, after all.
Anyway.
I naturally told him this as well.
Because he might not want to turn his back on the world.
"I do not care if I make an enemy out of a world that forced such a destiny upon me."
The Naga made his decision immediately.
No, think it over carefully.
We still have plenty of time, anyway.
"In any case, until you raise your skill level, Sir Teddy Bear, I should focus on helping the Second Child grow. If I am to leave my post in the future, the temporary duty of assisting Mother will fall to the Second Child."
He doesn't seem to want to think it over at all.
It looks like he has firmly made up his mind.
But temporary assistance?
Does he not plan to leave the Lake entirely?
I asked him.
"Gom-gom, gom-gom-gom?"
"I have no intention of irresponsibly abandoning everything to travel for the rest of my life. Even if I am freed from my restraints, I plan to balance my duties, such as managing the Lake and assisting you, Sir Teddy Bear, while occasionally taking vacations for short trips."
I see.
He had it all planned out.
...No, wait a minute.
Did I just hear something strange in the middle of that?
Why is he suddenly talking about assisting me?
The moment I had that question.
I remembered what the Naga had said earlier.
Ah, come to think of it, he did say he would serve the one who freed him as his Lord.
I guess he didn't just say that for the sake of it.
"Once the festival ends today, I will have to conduct Special Training for the Second Child."
The Second Child was referring to the Blue Titanoboa.
"Gom-gom-gom?"
You aren't going to train the Third Child?
When I asked that, the Naga glanced at the Giant Fist Lesser Panda, who was binge-eating in the distance, and replied.
"The Third Child cannot keep up with my training, and he ends up severely injured every time we try, so I eventually gave up. Becoming stronger is important, but safety is even more so."
"Gom-gom-gom, gom-gom-gom-gom."
Then give the Red Panda to us.
We will take him and raise him well.
I said it jokingly.
The Naga seemed to know it was a joke, as he just chuckled heartily without answering.
After that.
I pushed aside the Naga, who had taken up a lot of my time.
Because I couldn't delay any longer.
There was an overflowing line of monsters waiting for their Vaccine checkups.
***
The festival continued late into the night.
The Chefs were still steadily bringing out food.
They were cooking everything without holding back, from the stored prey to the carcasses kept inside the Giant Centipede's body.
The Imugi was still a creature of few words.
He was just quietly staring at the Little Yellow Dragon with a blunt expression.
Every now and then.
The Little Yellow Dragon would initiate the conversation.
"Yong-yong! Master Dragon! I have a question! How can I grow as big as you?"
"You just need to eat a lot."
"Yooong! I'm going to eat a lot from now on!"
"Yes, eat as much as you can."
"But I'm the only one asking questions. Don't you have anything to ask me?"
"......."
"You don't?"
"...Hmm."
"If you don't, just say so."
"It's not that I don't... Let me think about it for a moment."
From what I overheard from the monster doing the Vaccine checkups.
He supposedly wasn't this shy normally.
I also heard he wasn't usually this quiet, either.
He was just acting strange today.
This is just my guess, but
I figured he was acting like that because he didn't know how to treat the Little Yellow Dragon. To obtain the Dragon's Orb, he needed to win the Little Yellow Dragon's favor. In other words, he had to maintain a good relationship somehow, and it seemed he was being overly cautious, anxious that a single slip of the tongue might ruin all his efforts.
Such an Action was understandable.
We were meeting for the first time today.
Since we weren't close yet, it made sense to worry that saying something weird might sour the relationship.
"Hmm... Little Yellow Dragon child. I've thought of a question, may I ask?"
"You sure think for a long time. Go ahead."
"What does it feel like to be born a Dragon?"
"Yooong? That's a strange question. It just feels like being a Dragon."
"I see...."
"Is that the end of your questions?"
"I'll think about it a little more."
"You sure are the overthinking type."
"I'm sorry for being so frustrating."
"There's no need to be sorry. It's not frustrating."
The Imugi silently fixed his gaze on the Little Yellow Dragon again.
Then, he muttered in a very soft voice.
"A natural-born Dragon... I'm jealous."
At first glance.
His eyes seemed to hold affection and admiration.
***
The day after the festival ended.
We prepared to head back starting from early at dawn.
It was because Tosun's Mom said she would be worried if she left the Rabbit Dungeon empty for too long.
"Thank you for accepting my invitation this time. And I'm sorry for not being able to entertain you properly after calling you all the way here."
The Imugi said with a face full of worry.
I could roughly guess what he was thinking.
He was probably worried that we wouldn't come visit again because he was so boring.
"Gom-gom, gom-gom-gom."
I will come visit again next time.
I said the above to ease the Imugi's worries.
It wasn't particularly boring, anyway.
The journey here was fun because it felt like an adventure, we received an excessive amount of hospitality after arriving, and overall, it was a satisfying visit.
"It was nice meeting you! Let's see each other again next time!"
"Woong, woong!"
"Wooong, I'll come visit with my Ancestor next time I have time!"
"Take care."
The Little Yellow Dragon, Tosuni, Tosun's Mom, and Ms. Vampire.
"Gom-gom-gom."
And I waved my hand as a goodbye.
After that, we immediately climbed onto the back of the Giant Centipede.
"Jii, jiiieee!"
The Giant Centipede departed, moving its legs dazzlingly.
Like that, we left the Lake, sent off by countless members of the Lake.
"Kkyuaaak! Let's go!"
"Gom?"
"Kkyua?"
"...Gom-gom, gom-gom-gom?"
What the, Red Panda, why are you here?
I can understand the Frog, but you don't need to escort us too, do you?
When I expressed my doubts, the Red Panda also tilted his head, looking puzzled.
"We're going back to our Dungeon, so of course I should get on too!"
"Gom?"
Our Dungeon?
I slowly lowered my gaze.
Beneath the Red Panda's feet was a large bundle.
He even packed his bags?
"Please take good care of me from now on!"
"Gom...?"
"Why are you acting like you don't know! You said you would raise me!"
That was just a joke....
While I was panicking, the Frog approached me and quietly spoke.
"Teddy Bear, didn't the Moon Tribe and the Vampires, who have friendly relationships with you, each select an important member of their tribe and entrust them to your Dungeon? Therefore, after some discussion on our Lake's side, we decided to send one of the Little Masters, ribbit."
No.......
I think there's a slight misunderstanding here?
Anyone looking would think I was taking one hostage from each tribe and forcing a friendly relationship.