The Genius Blacksmith's Game
Ancient Dragon. (5)
Someone often says this.
That the living sometimes live in pain that feels like death itself, even more so than the dead.
For Gronit, every day was like that.
Lord, congratulations on your inauguration!
Dragon Lord, Gronit. Be immortal!
Although there were not many of them, he missed her even when he became the leader of the dragons.
I thought I would be able to forget her after a few seasons passed, but then I thought of her again sporadically.
Just like in the past, I visited the human world and, watching children holding their parents' hands and humans, I longed for them, thinking, 'What would it have been like if we had children of our own?'
Even when I was just sitting still, I missed it.
Even while living a busy life, I always missed Margaret.
Even after a long time, the scattered ones were not erased.
why?
It is because I think she is not on this earth.
but…….
It was not that she was not on this earth.
Gronit took a few steps back.
Shhhhhh
Welcome, Gronit.
As if greeting, the old tree stood on a small hill, looking down at the world.
We were looking at this small, wonderful village, just like back when we used to sit in rocking chairs and share trivial stories every day.
Even when he left to forget her.
The sprouted one grew more vigorously, more upright, and more steadfast.
Enduring hundreds of rainy seasons, floods, typhoons, and earthquakes, it has stood firm as a 2,000-year-old ancient tree from the time she left until now.
Why am I only thinking of this now?
We will definitely meet again, Gronit.
Margaret's words, spoken a few months before leaving.
So don't be too sad.
I thought he meant that, with his great power as a Dragon Elder, he was asking to somehow allow us to meet again at least once.
For him, who will return here someday.
To hope that if Gronit lives here without leaving, she won't feel sad watching Margaret grow up.
Also, to let you know that we are together for life.
She left one last 'gift'.
Gronit knew why there were two of these trees.
Thank you.
Gronit, who expressed gratitude to the man living in front of the cabin where they once lived, now gives her gift to Margaret.
The man living in the cabin was puzzled by the man who suddenly cried, and questioned the man who expressed gratitude once again.
Quack-
The roots of two old trees began to slowly wrap around and intertwine from the bottom.
Two old trees began to become one.
“Is this magic? No way, that story was true?”
The man wore a surprised expression, and Gronit's magical power spread throughout the world.
[A conjoined tree representing the love between a dragon and a human is born.]
Conjoined trees
Branches of two trees growing from different roots grew together and became one.
A tree that looks like humans holding hands.
Margaret left it, and Gronit completes it.
Like a 'combined edition' of books that started differently.
[The name of the tree is decided.]
This is Margaret and Gronit.
Margaret and Gronit are special.
[Everyone who sees the conjoined trees feels happy, even if only for a moment.]
You gain the courage to believe that perhaps your love can come true.
[When lovers facing separation gaze at a conjoined tree together, the fear of death fades and the sorrow is somewhat lessened.]
[This story spreads throughout Ares.]
A world message does not necessarily start with "The world message rings."
Sometimes it spreads into the world in other ways as well.
That’s just like you.
Gronites are those who prepare for farewell while gazing at this conjoined tree.
Children who regret not being able to treat their father well.
Or those who grieve over a husband or wife who is about to leave, and on the contrary, those whose hearts ache and feel uncomfortable before leaving.
I realized that their minds would be at ease.
Margaret was a good person.
He was someone who could embrace many people differently from himself.
From the start… Gronit did not intend for their fear to fade and their sadness to lessen somewhat.
Because that was an area that even a dragon couldn't handle.
However, this conjoined tree covered the world warmly, just like a Margaret.
May I buy this cabin?
“W-of course. I didn't know the rumors were actually true.”
The man is perceptive.
Gronit gave an amount equivalent to ten times the value of this house.
However, the real reason the man sold this house was that he knew the long-standing story would finally come to an end today.
This is a gift.
“……Thank you.”
Gronit was surprised.
An old-looking rocking chair.
It appears to have been passed down through generations and used by people who repeatedly repaired it.
Gronit placed the rocking chair next to the conjoined tree and sat down.
And from that swaying chair, I looked down at the world along with the conjoined trees.
Just like long ago, when I sat here with Margaret, chatting away…
one side.
[A conjoined tree named Margaret and Gronit is born.]
[Margaret and Gronit become known to the world.]
Those who see the conjoined trees, imbued with a noble love that transcends species, forget their fear even when facing death.
[You will reach peaceful rest.]
[If you are with your lover, you will become more affectionate towards each other.]
A notification was coming to Hyunsu. He was able to learn through the notification that Gronit had connected the two old trees into one.
Did the mission fail in the end?
Hyunsu gave a wry smile.
[Hidden Quest: First Love, and Last Love.]
Grade: SSS
Restriction: Those who received Gronit's proposal.
Rewards: You can receive 5 random artifacts from Gronit's Rare, and obtain artifact materials derived from Gronit.
Penalty on failure: No gains.
Description: It is the time when Gronit was separated from his human wife, Margaret, 2,000 years ago. Please help Margaret and Gronit reunite.
This quest that Hyunsu received.
Sure enough, the notification rang.
[You failed to reunite Margaret and Gronit.]
Margaret, having crossed the River of Reincarnation, can never meet Gronit.
Bahala also had a look on his face as if he had heard the notification.
“It might have been an impossible quest from the start. The reward Gronit gives is to obtain five artifacts from a Dragon Lair. It makes no sense to obtain such things from the lair of someone who was even a Dragon Lord. After all, it was a quest that even gave the materials we wanted.”
Come to think of it, the compensation really is ridiculous.
Everything is high risk, high return.
Rewards are never easily obtained.
Moreover, the Dragon Lair is like a dream place for users.
There was no one who didn't know that massive rewards were piled high in the Dragon's Lair.
But what if you could choose an artifact from the lair of the former Dragon Lord?
It would be a tremendous reward, enough to excite people all over the world.
Do I need to find other substitute materials?
“……Or it might be faster to find another ancient dragon.”
Bahala said that, but I knew it wasn't easy.
They didn't have much time left.
The two of them headed to where Gronit was, feeling a sense of regret.
Hyunsu and Bahala, who had come there, were surprised.
Before telling Gronit that fact… … .
Margaret planted two seeds for Gronit.
Hyun-su had already come here to verify the words of the God of Death.
I had seen two large old trees there. The surroundings were just an ordinary place full of bushes.
But now it was completely reversed.
Millions of flowers exuded a strong fragrance, and the mercy bestowed here by a being named Gronit made the entire land beautiful.
It feels like I have come to Switzerland, where flowers are in full bloom.
Gronit, who was sitting in a rocking chair, and the two people were able to meet.
Hyunsu could not lift his head.
I really wanted to complete this quest.
However, it wasn't something that could be achieved just by wanting to.
Gronit stared at Hyunsu and spoke.
“Thanks to you… I was reunited with Margaret.”
“……A reunion?”
Hyunsu and Bahala looked puzzled.
"Isn't Margaret here?"
Gronit smiled and looked at the conjoined trees.
The moment I saw the conjoined trees, I felt at ease.
It felt even more special to Bahala, who had experienced the sorrow of separation.
It feels as though the sadness you carry is fading somewhat and becoming more at ease.
I feel much better.
“I realized that you don’t necessarily have to meet again to truly meet. If you hadn’t found a way to meet Margaret for me, I wouldn’t have even been able to discover this old tree she left behind.”
The story began when Bahala went to find Gronit.
At that time, Gronit was simply losing his vitality and dying while missing Margaret.
The timing of that meeting enabled Gronit to find this old tree.
It is all thanks to you. I can now close my eyes in peace. My mind is finally at ease, and I can see the world clearly.
[Gronit's eternal rest is just around the corner.]
[Gazeing at the conjoined trees, Gronit now wishes to go to Margaret's embrace, feeling so at ease and fearless.]
[His death is by no means sad. Born of nature, returning to nature.]
Yes, Gronit is going to die now.
Because my last wish was fulfilled.
However, he did not become breathless, nor did he blink his eyes more frequently.
His gaze was more intense than ever, and his voice was filled with strength.
“As one who was once a Dragon Lord, and as one who must maintain order in the world, I have come to realize that Varga is a being who must be stopped at all costs. So please stop him. It is a task that only the two of you can perform in this world. I trust both of you.”
[Gronit, the ancient dragon who was once the Dragon Lord, trusts you.]
[The trust of the Ancient Dragon Gronit is special.]
[Acquire the title "One Trusted by the Dragon."]
[Gronit begins to fall into eternal slumber.]
[His eternal rest is more peaceful than any other moment.]
Shhhhhhh-
Hyunsu and Bahala soon sat in the rocking chair, looked back at the conjoined trees, and watched Gronit begin to scatter.
His thing, scattering blue into hundreds of pieces of magical crystals, was scattered among millions of flowers and conjoined trees.
Gronit, scattered in that place, that tree, and that cabin, would look down upon the world from here with Margaret for the rest of his life.
Soon, three things rose up in front of the two people.
A rippling red light contained in a giant potion bottle.
[Transcendent Grade. Hemolysis.]
Pumping harder than any heart and pulsating powerful mana.
[Transcendent Grade. Dragon Heart Core.]
finally…….
Rumble-
The remnants of a powerful flame capable of destroying even a great demon danced in the air, were enveloped in light, and transformed into parchment.
[Transcendent Grade. Ancient Dragon's Breath.]
Through the materials obtained from Gronit's life… … .
[All materials guided by God's custom crafting have been gathered, overwhelmingly superior to existing ones.]
Finally, all the materials for the Dragon Slayer Sword were gathered in one place.
