Chapter 870: Influx (5)
To tell you just the results, I was unable to get Hyunbyeol’s consent.
She said she wanted to stay here and watch this place, at least until Ragna woke up.
So, I only offered a few words of persuasion before backing down.
It would be counterproductive to push any further.
What will you do after Ragna wakes up.
If you gather the Evil Spirits and form a group, you'll have a minimal force.
Ragna wanted to achieve the integration of the Evil Spirits, and so on.
The very fact that she didn't sharply refute my persuasion meant she was practically halfway convinced.
So, this part should resolve itself if I give it some time.………………
“Hm? You're going out again today, meow?”
The next day, I left the house in the morning to start my schedule.
However, it wasn't a previously planned schedule…
“Where are you headed this time?"
“Gnome tree.”
“… Huh? Why there all of a sudden?"
"Something just came to mind.”
It was a rather impulsively made plan.
Talking about this and that with Hyunbyeol, who was cooped up in her room, made me think of the Dragon Brat, I guess.
Well, it's not like I'm clearing my entire day to go all the way to Gnome tree just for that, though.
Whirr, whirrr…
After taking the military platform and crossing over to Gnome tree in an instant, I traveled to the Dragon's Holy Land by Wagon.
“We welcome the visit of Baron Yandel.”
The gatekeeper at the entrance of the Holy Land was quite familiar.
Come to think of it, I feel like it was always this old man every time I came.
Do they not have shift changes here?
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The thought that it was quite barbaric crossed my mind, but I couldn't meddle in the internal welfare of another tribe, so I said nothing.
Ah, of course, I had to point this out.
“It's Viscount now.”
“Ah, is that so? My apologies for the discourtesy.”
“It has been a while. The news is a bit late, isn't it?"
"I don't pay much attention to the affairs of the world. If it is a word I must hear, it will eventually reach my ears on its own."
For some reason, his words felt enlightened, but I decided not to take them to heart.
If those were words I needed to take to heart, then I would eventually do so someday.
No need to rush, right?
“The Tribe Chief? Is he inside?”
“The Primordial Dragon is already waiting.”
“Oh, how did the Tribe Chief know I was coming?"
“Within Gnome tree, there is nothing the Primordial Dragon does not know.”
Hm, really..?
Then I wonder if he also knows about the time I first met Lee Baekho here.
“How strange. I didn't know the Tribe Chief had such an ability.”
“If you're truly curious, ask him when you meet him. The Primordial Dragon is waiting.”
Geez, he really puts an emphasis on 'Primordial Dragon' every time.
I don't even know why each tribe has a separate title for their chief in the first place.
It would be so much simpler if they were all just Tribe Chiefs.
Intuitive, with no room for confusion.
“You've finally arrived.”
After getting out of the wagon and walking up a long, sloped path, I arrived at the Dragon Temple and was immediately greeted by the Dragonkin Tribe Chief, the Dragon Uncle.
“You sound like you were expecting me."
“Of course I was. I was the one who told you to stop by anytime during the last tribal summit. She pretends she isn't, but Pen really wants to see you.”
Ah, right.
That did happen.
“But hearing you say that… it seems you've come for other business, haven't you?”
“Ahem…….”
"Well, out with it. I'm also curious to know what brought you here."
The Dragon Uncle showed more curiosity than displeasure, so I was able to state my business with a slightly more relaxed heart.
“I want to receive another Blessing of the Dragon.”
Getting stronger is always the right choice.
***
The Blessing of the Dragon.
A secret art unique to the tribe, much like the Barbarian Tribe's Spirit Engraving or the Beastkin's Spirit Beast.
In the past, as compensation for returning the Dragon Slayer Sword to their tribe, I received the 'Blessing of the Earth Dragon,' a ritual never performed on outsiders.
Its mark is still hidden safely under the sole of my foot.
Anyway, that's not what's important.
At that time, after finishing the blessing, the Dragon Brat, Pen, had said with a warning tone.
[I'm saying this just in case, but you can't pick multiple ones.
As a Barbarian, your body won't be able to handle it.]
As a Barbarian, my body wouldn't be able to handle it.
Even among the Dragonkin, only a few besides the Dragon Uncle have more than two blessings engraved, as the overload is severe.
Sensing the sincerity in her warning, I understood and let go of my greed.
However…….
“Hmm, another blessing, you say…”
Things were a little different now.
After consuming the Essence of Tears, hadn't I become virtually immortal?
Whether it was two blessings or three, I was confident my body could withstand them.
Well, it would probably hurt a lot more than before.
"I don't know what's gotten into you, but it seems a strange thought has suddenly taken root in your head.”
The Dragon Uncle pressed his forehead as if he already had a headache.
“Don't tell me my body can't handle it. The me of then and the me of now are completely different people.”
“I can't deny that part, but this is a completely different story.”
“Try to convince me.”
"Hmm, I'm not sure why I have to go as far as convincing you…”
Hmm, should I turn on my mindless Barbarian mode then?
Just as I was having that thought, the Dragon Uncle continued.
“I'll tell you since it seems like you'll cause some sort of trouble if I just say no."
Does this old man have mind-reading powers too?
I wasn't sure, but the Dragon Uncle spoke as if he were reasoning with a young child.
“The blessing doesn't just put a strain on the physical body. The real problem is the mental… no, to be precise, the strain it puts on the soul.”
"The soul?"
“Keep listening."
It seemed like a rather random topic, but I kept my mouth shut at the Dragon Uncle's expression, which told me not to interrupt.
“The body is a vessel that contains the soul. And no matter how tough and resilient you've become, it's impossible to increase the total capacity of that vessel itself.”
“Ha, and the Dragonkin are different?"
“We are.”
The Dragon Uncle replied with a serious face to my sneering remark.
"I'm not saying we're a superior race, but simply stating a racial difference. It is a fact that we are given an amount of time that other races can't even imagine, is it not?”
"…"
“Think about it. On the day a Barbarian born today lives a peaceful life and dies of old age, I will be the same as I am now."
Okay, I think I get what this old man is trying to say.
But there's one thing I'm curious about.
“In that case, is it the same no matter how high the level of the soul becomes?"
Is the concept of a 'vessel of the soul' that the Dragonkin speak of related to one's level?
To that question, the Dragon Uncle's answer was immediate.
"It is the same. Even if the muddy water within a vessel becomes cleaner and purer, the vessel holding it does not grow larger, does it?”
"…"
“So, let go of your greed. You might suffer permanent damage to your soul. I have ancient texts that say most humans who received the blessing became simpletons."
Right, so that's how it is…
I smacked my lips and asked sharply.
“But what if I were to say that I must receive it anyway?”
"Hmm… if that's the case, I suppose I would say this."
The Dragon Uncle, sitting on his throne, looked down at me and spoke.
“In the first place, why should we grant your request? It's not like you brought the Dragon Slayer Sword this time, is it?"
"…"
“Well, last time I…….”
"If you are referring to slaying the Dragon Slayer and retrieving the heart, I can nullify that deal and grant you what you want. Will you do so?"
"…"
I couldn't give any answer.
Because the 'deal' the Dragon Uncle was talking about right now was the 'oath.'
In exchange for the Dragon Slayer's heart, I was promised the support of the Dragonkin tribe, albeit with the condition that the king did not intervene.
'If I were in a situation where I could go head-to-head with the king, I had said I would consider it.'
This wasn't a promise I could break just to receive one more blessing.
The Dragon Uncle knew that too, which was why he offered to void the existing deal and make a new one if I wanted.
I absolutely cannot back out of this.
Therefore…
'Okay, I'll give up on the Blessing of the Dragon without any fuss.’
I cast aside all my greed.
Besides, wasn't it a dangerous choice that could turn me into a simpleton?
There was no need to cling to it at the cost of everything else.
But was my coolly letting go of my attachment unexpected?
“You're surprisingly quick to agree. It seems you have no intention of being stubborn."
“I was just testing the waters, really.”
I shrugged playfully, but for some reason, the Dragon Uncle's expression was unusually heavy.
"…Is that thought still valid?”
“What are you talking about?"
“The Royal Family.”
"Ah….”
It seemed the Dragon Uncle had taken my immediate withdrawal, as soon as the oath was mentioned, to mean something else.
Of course, I had no intention of correcting him.
It wasn't exactly a misunderstanding, after all.
“Well, what can I do? I desperately hope it doesn't come to that, but…”
I have to be prepared.
“If a situation comes where I have to fight, then I have no choice but to fight."
The Dragon Uncle's expression upon hearing my words was peculiar.
I couldn't tell what he was thinking, and in the end, he didn't voice those thoughts.
“Truly a strange, yet enviable stance."
With the matter of the Blessing of the Dragon concluded, my conversation with the Dragon Uncle was over.
“Before you go, make sure to see Pen. I'm sure you'll be surprised."
“I will, but there's someone I want to see first.”
“If you're talking about Lavian, that child is not in the Holy Land.”
"… Huh?"
“Ah, did I guess wrong?”
No, that wasn't it.
The person I wanted to see before the Dragon Brat was my Dragonkin companion from the Ice Rock expedition, Lavian.
I was thinking of gently coaxing her into joining me in the Labyrinth if she wasn't up to much…
“That's right, but she's not here? Do you know when she'll be back?”
“Well, I don't know either. But don't get your hopes up too high. She hasn't been back since the last time you visited the Holy Land.”
“What? Since then—?”
“If you happen to hear anything, be sure to let me know later. I'm starting to get curious about what that child is up to myself.”
It was absurd.
Is this what a proper father is supposed to be like?
If she hasn't been seen for years, shouldn't he be worried and think she's missing?
That was my first thought, but it was a thoroughly non-Dragonkin way of thinking.
“To a Dragonkin, it is but an extremely short period of time."
…
If that was the case, then as a Barbarian, I had nothing more to say.
***
The Dragon Brat, Pen, whom I met after my audience with the Dragon Uncle, was different in many ways from when I last saw her.
Mentally, I wasn't sure, but physically, definitely.
'I don't think I can call her a Dragon Brat anymore…?'
She had grown quite a bit taller.
Not that she was as tall as an adult woman…
Just about a little taller than Raven?
“Why did you only come now…! You said you'd visit often!"
Her way of speaking was the same, but maybe because her appearance had changed so much?
For some reason, I felt more unfamiliarity than happiness.
“Huhu, you look surprised to see me, don't you? I told you, didn't I? If you just waited a little, I'd become like my big sister! What? Do you regret it now?”
“…Regret?"
“It's too late. Liars are already disqualified."
I had no idea what she was talking about, so I asked, but only got an even more incomprehensible answer.
However, I decided not to think too deeply about it.
"Alright, tell me your stories! I heard a little from Father, but hearing it directly is different! Who knows? If it's an interesting story, I might change my mind.”
"…"
“…You say that like I have something set aside for you.”
It was a little ridiculous, but I obediently began to recount the tales of my adventures from the time we had been apart.
But what was this?
“So? So what happened?"
Even though this little brat was listening attentively, giving reactions and all, something felt off.
"Hurry! Don't drag it out, just tell me! This is the most interesting part!"
For some reason… unlike before, it felt like there was no soul in her reactions.
'This could be a problem.'
My periodic meetings with this kid were a form of volunteer work, in a way.
But to not even give a proper reaction to such a kind person.
A naughty child like this doesn't deserve to hear my stories—.
Swoosh.
Suddenly, the Dragon Brat quickly slipped something into my hand.
I checked and saw a note with hastily scribbled words.
[Don't stop talking.
Read while you talk.]
What is this…?
As I tilted my head in confusion without realizing.
The Dragon Brat quickly scribbled another note and passed it to me.
[Please, save my sister.]
The content was still incomprehensible.
Her sister would undoubtedly be Lavian…
[I think… Father is trying to kill my sister.]
After reading the contents of the next note, I froze on the spot.
Seeing her tense expression as she warily scanned her surroundings, it seemed she was being serious…
'So this is why there was no soul in her reactions…?'
I could at least understand why the Dragon Brat wasn't focused on my story.
But that was as far as my understanding went.
'That Dragon Uncle is trying to kill Lavian?'
What is this all about?
