Chapter 292
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 292
Chapter Title: Lesson 57. Dowry Legion - 2
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Dragon Fang Soldiers were a race from Greek mythology, born from dragon teeth sown into the earth, also known as Spartoi, meaning "those sown from seeds" in Greek.
Depending on the media, they were sometimes treated as undead, but since they were a proper race born from teeth, there were even those in the myths who married and had offspring.
Incidentally, Earth had long since lost all traces of mythology during its connection to the Union Net, so the legends of Dragon Fang Soldiers had naturally washed away with the tide.
Would Older Sister remember if I told her about this? Nah, probably not.
"So, what's the real deal with them?"
"Dragon Fang Soldiers are golems created from a true dragon's soul, blood, and a fragment of its flesh. They're the genuine article, complete with reproductive capabilities. Their physical structure is very similar to dragonkin, but the key difference is their utter subservience to dragons. In short, dragonkin are the dragons' descendants, while Dragon Fang Soldiers are their subordinates."
"Ooh."
The spaceship loaded with Dragon Fang Soldiers—the pinnacle of golem technology boasted by the Melodia family, one of the top houses even among those ruling S-rank dimensions—arrived with Aire, exuding an aura of overwhelming majesty.
Whether she had obtained the family head's permission was unclear, but the mere fact that she had brought along a full spaceship's worth of Dragon Fang Soldiers, which even the Melodia family rarely let out into the world, gave a clear sense of her standing within the house.
"However, the Dragon Fang Soldiers made by true dragons were too dangerous, and with enemies everywhere, none survived to have offspring. Moreover, to wield their full power, you need the creator themselves... so true Dragon Fang Soldiers no longer exist."
"Then what about the ones you brought?"
"Golems that the Melodia family—and I—crafted by referencing the originals. They lack reproductive abilities, but they can unleash tremendous power without complex conditions and have high magic resistance, so they're treated as elite troops."
Ban Yu-won got Aire's permission to summon and inspect one. Its core concepts—Dragon Fang and Magical Power—were each nearing 1,000, an astonishing level.
Not being truly alive or a monster, it lacked the concept of Life, but he suspected it possessed combat prowess equivalent to Life 1,000 or more.
"Whoa... Our kingdom doesn't have anything like this."
Asha, a fellow dragonkin descendant like Aire, gushed with lines straight out of a country bumpkin as she examined the Dragon Fang Soldier closely.
She suddenly tilted her head as if sensing something odd, but when Ban Yu-won turned to her, she shook her head, saying it was nothing.
"Just felt kinda familiar for a sec."
"You're a true dragon's descendant, after all. You might even have thicker dragon blood than Aire."
"You said there are no inferior dragonkin, Aire."
"But there are superior ones."
Aire wrinkled her nose a bit as she said it, then flashed a deliberately mischievous grin and poked Asha's soft cheek to tease her.
"From what I can see now, I'll stay superior forever."
"Urk— Yu-won, let's make Dragon Fang Soldiers too! Way stronger than Aire's. I'll pick 'em! Right now!"
"Don't, please."
Ban Yu-won frantically held Asha back, but he didn't miss how Aire's eyes sparkled at the mention of making Dragon Fang Soldiers.
"Aire, did you bring them this time because—"
"Yu-won, I love how quick you catch on."
Aire nodded as she replied.
"You're a genius not just at artifacts but also at creating kin with artificial life. I figured you could perfect the Dragon Fang Soldiers. I want your help with the research."
"Honestly, it seems feasible."
He could simply infuse them bit by bit with the massive reserves of Life currently stored in his core at a low depth—without absorbing it himself. Of course, it wouldn't be straightforward; he'd need to blend in other compatible concepts for harmony, but with a few trials and errors, he could likely see results quickly.
Having gained experience turning mere concepts from goblins into tangible living beings starting from intangibility, Ban Yu-won had spotted the voids within these golems—modeled after lifeforms but unable to truly become them—that he could fill.
"Knew I could count on you."
Aire's eyes sparkled at Ban Yu-won's reliable words.
Asha pouted and tried shoving her away, but Aire held firm, clearly prioritizing the Dragon Fang Soldier upgrades.
"One minor issue, though: if I touch them, they'll likely recognize me as their master instead of you."
Actually, 100% chance.
But Aire nodded readily, as if she'd anticipated that too.
"We'll register them jointly. We're bound by fate anyway—sharing possessions at this point is pointless."
"Eek, I wasn't thinking that far yet... No, wait. You're right, Aire. We're on the same side. Yeah, together forever."
"Exactly. Glad you get it."
Aire tucked the Dragon-Eye Orb back into her bosom with a radiant smile.
Lately, Ban Yu-won was starting to find Aire a bit scary.
Shati had warned him to watch out for a dragon's obsession... but was it already too late by then?
—I'm here, honey... Huh?
Right then, the spaceship carrying Mira and Shati arrived at the terminal, plunging into that awkward atmosphere.
Seeing Aire's dowry... the Dragon Fang Soldier legion she had brought made their jaws drop, of course.
Mira, guessing Aire's cute little scheme, fully acknowledged her as a rival and burned with jealous flames, while Shati—the closest thing to normal in this mad party—clutched her throbbing head and grilled Aire.
"These could conquer most dimensions single-handedly! Vice President, you sure about this? Now you're really stuck with us."
"Yu-won and I are together."
"Wow—talk about reassuring."
Shati said that, having already disguised her Black Demon Soldier legion as dimensional mercenaries and infiltrated A-1 dimension, Fairytale.
After making contact with the fairy race's heavyweights under Mira's mediation, they were now guarding the fairies against the looming threats of Prominence and Crimson Spear.
"This is getting fun. How did so many races end up fighting on the same side?"
"That's how messed up the dimensional situation is. Reinforcements are here, so let's head to Fairytale before anything stupid happens."
On the way to Fairytale, Mira and Aire traded glares nonstop, and Asha shot daggers at Aire for slyly closing the distance to Ban Yu-won.
Ban Yu-won knew jumping in would just tire him out, so he backed off and gave in to Lucelle's temptation—she wasn't making a move on him right now, at least.
"Rest when you can, Master. I'll try keeping order while you sleep."
"Thanks, Lucelle. You're the only one I can count on..."
As he lay on her plump thighs for a quick nap, Lucelle's mirror vibrated.
Squinting up, he saw two massive peaks beyond her as she took the call.
"Yes, Mom. You can make it on time? All one hundred? But... Slotty too? I wish Slotty wouldn't come... Huh? Already in heat...?"
The conversation was mind-boggling.
She'd said she'd bring beastkin, and now she actually had.
Still, given how absurdly strong some beastkin from E-1 dimension Jeda were compared to its rank, their help would be welcome...
Screw it, sleep now.
Wondering how big this dowry legion would grow was pointless right now.
Trusting Lucelle to handle the girls' discipline, Ban Yu-won dozed off. When he woke, the spaceship was entering Fairytale.
"Barrier's down. We can head straight in."
"Whoaaa, it's as beautiful as the planet I grew up on, sis."
"Hehe, fairies are a forest race, after all."
Ban Yu-won stirred at the chatter from Lucelle and Mira above him, rubbing his head against her thigh to shake off sleep before springing up energetically.
"Ah, Master."
"We're here? How long was I out?"
"About an hour."
Lucelle smoothed his messy bedhead as she answered, then signaled the others.
From Mira to Aire and Asha, they were all sitting primly—discipline had clearly taken hold.
But that very order hinted at their feelings for him, weighing on his heart a bit.
He was grateful for Dokgo Yeon, quietly watching from the corner like she wasn't involved.
As for Shati, smirking like it was all amusing, he wanted to flick her forehead.
Lucelle spoke up.
"We've decided to introduce a point system among us."
"Already sounds ominous."
"Plus points for every act that helps Master, minus for stressing him out or doing bad things. Rack up enough pluses, and you get a reward from Master. Punishments too..."
"Forget that I never agreed... Aren't punishments for when minuses pile up?"
"No."
Lucelle said sternly, glancing at Asha.
Asha flinched guiltily and looked away, cheeks flushing like she was imagining something.
"Punishment can be a reward for some."
"Got it, won't pry."
"It starts today, so plus points for those who brought troops helpful for the dowry... er, this war."
"Still calling it dowry, huh..."
Ban Yu-won pinched his brow as the spaceship sped through Fairytale's forest-filled skies.
No attacks came despite presences below—clearly Mira had handled communications.
[We're here. Descend like this?]
"Yeah."
Mira replied curtly to Lilith, who asked in an amused tone, having watched the whole scene.
Lilith adjusted trajectory into freefall, then righted herself midair for landing.
The ordinary-looking treetops cracked open like peeling pavement with a snap.
Beneath lay a stunning city Ban Yu-won had never seen—or was it a village? A forest? Cave? Coastline?
All crammed into one chaotic space, impossible to pin down.
"What the hell?"
"Yu-won, want me to explain again if you forgot?"
Mira approached, squeezing his hand tight.
"Fairies love pranks. They reach for whatever catches their eye... And changelings are pretty effective for sprucing up their homes too."
"So all that's fairy houses?"
"Spot on."
"Aren't they a forest race?"
"That's what everyone thinks."
As the ship neared landing, a fancy spaceport station—familiar from Union—split the soil open right at Mira's inputted coordinates.
Lilith landed at the station and ushered the group out, where waiting fairies sparkled with excitement.
All tall and beautiful like Mira.
Among them, a stunning woman wearing an ornate gem circlet on her forehead—strikingly resembling Mira—clapped eyes on Ban Yu-won and cried out in delight.
"Oh my, Mira! That's the man you're marrying?"
"Yeah, Mom. Mine."
"Trade for my husband!"
"Nope!"
Good, time to bolt.
Ban Yu-won spun around but failed as Mira gripped his hand firmly.
"Watch out for changelings, Yu-won. Everyone here but themselves is fair game for swapping."
"Aaaah..."