Translator: FenrirTL
Editor: Doodle
=================
< Chapter 182: Temporary 5th Squad Leader (2) >
Theo was well-versed in the legend of the Dragonians.
Unlike ordinary dragon species, who gradually grasped the physical traits of ancient dragons, the Dragonians—alongside the Nagas—were the only ones who awakened the intellectual characteristics of ancient dragons.
Because of this, they could wield magic and sometimes appeared in the human world in their mystical forms.
The legends of Dragonborn that remained in the human world today were, in most cases, about them.
However, unlike the Nagas, who lived in groups, Dragonians had a pronounced tendency toward individualism.
As a result, it was rare for them to leave descendants, and most were believed to be extinct today.
But that woman…
『Indeed. There's no visible trace of dragon species traits. She appears almost entirely human.』
Lodbrok spoke with a sly grin.
『And that makes it all the more extraordinary. It means her magic is advanced enough to conceal her appearance.』
Theo's eyes gleamed momentarily.
『Tsk tsk. That look in your eyes says it all—you’re interested.』
Lodbrok couldn’t help but chuckle dryly, fully aware of Theo’s insatiable appetite for talent.
“Did I perhaps make some sort of mistake…?”
The 'Black and Blue Bird' appeared somewhat timid as Theo remained silent for a moment.
Theo simply shook his head.
“No, it’s just that I….”
「...never expected to encounter a Dragonian here.」
At last, the 'Black and Blue Bird’s' face regained its color.
And then—
Fwaaah!
Suddenly, her body was engulfed in a radiant halo, shifting into a distinctly different form.
Crack—
A sharp, rectangular horn burst from her left temple, her clothing swelled as wings sprouted from her back.
“Shibara Kum!”
“Dangol! Dangol! Mir Yorna Homabem!”
“Danana!”
While the natives panicked and buzzed around in confusion, the glowing aura quickly dissipated, revealing the transformed appearance of the 'Black and Blue Bird.'
Horns, wings, tail, and fangs—all perfectly blending human and dragon traits into a seamless balance.
The gentle atmosphere from moments ago was replaced with an air of sharp intensity.
『It seems she has even awakened some degree of Dragon Fear. There’s no doubt about it—this one is pureblood. Even in our era, finding someone of her caliber was rare. Fascinating.』
Theo refrained from asking what Lodbrok meant.
Lodbrok, ever talkative, would explain it all in due course anyway.
『For lower dragon species, "bloodline" refers to how closely their blood resembles that of the ancient dragons.』
Blood?
『Exactly. The dragon species as a whole can be considered byproducts of our efforts to safeguard the world. The closer they are to us, the more profound their abilities become.』
Lodbrok stroked her chin as she examined the 'Black and Blue Bird' from head to toe.
『This woman, though, seems to possess one of the purest bloodlines I’ve ever encountered. If it’s to this degree, she might as well be a first generation. Who is she?』
A first generation—would that mean she was born directly from an ancient dragon?
If so, her age would easily exceed a thousand years.
To think someone like that still exists…
Theo, too, found the 'Black and Blue Bird' fascinating at this point.
The 'Black and Blue Bird,' meanwhile, comforted the concerned natives with a gentle gaze and then turned to Theo.
“It’s true that my identity as a Dragonian is a secret, but not from them. So it’s fine. Still, thank you for your consideration.”
“I never imagined there would still be Dragonians, much less one with such pure blood, remaining on this land.”
The 'Black and Blue Bird’s' eyes widened slightly.
“To think you not only recognized me as a Dragonian but also figured that out—I’m impressed.”
“If this was something you wished to keep hidden, I’ll be more cautious with my words.”
“No, it’s merely a thing of the past. Hohoho. As expected, the one who opened the White Tower’s doors is extraordinary.”
“Then I’m relieved.”
Theo smiled warmly as he exchanged looks with the 'Black and Blue Bird.'
『Look at that shameless grin.』
‘Then why not reveal yourself instead?’
『It’s troublesome. Can you imagine how exhausting it would be to exchange pleasantries with creatures like them?』
She really does do as she pleases.
Theo smiled bitterly.
『You seem to be thinking disrespectful thoughts.』
‘Not at all.’
『You’re becoming more shameless, just like Sigurd.』
Theo intentionally ignored the sound of Lodbrok clicking her tongue.
“However, my knowledge is limited, so I could not discern whose blessing you received. May I ask?”
The 'Black and Blue Bird’s' eyes curved into a smile.
“It’s not difficult to answer. The one who blessed me is likely close to the Gatekeeper as well.”
Theo blinked, unable to grasp the implication, and Lodbrok tilted her head in puzzlement.
“The one who blessed me is none other than Lady Lodbrok, the guardian dragon of Ragnar.”
“Excuse me…?”
『What?』
Theo hurriedly turned his head toward where Lodbrok’s spiritual form was situated.
Lodbrok’s pupils were trembling uncontrollably.
‘Did you… have a child?’
『Are you out of your mind! I’ve spent my entire life fighting that Deluded God fool! I’ve never even properly held a man’s hand, let alone—how dare you spout such nonsense!』
‘Then who is she?’
『How would I know that!』
Lodbrok flailed about furiously, her face flushed crimson, making it hard to believe she was lying.
Then… what could this mean?
The 'Black and Blue Bird' chuckled softly.
“As expected, you’re surprised.”
“Well… I suppose I can’t help but be.”
“Feel free to call me Dangol.”
The 'Black and Blue Bird' added that "Dangol" meant "priestess" in their language.
“...There are no records or legends related to you passed down in my family.”
“That’s only natural. I was created out of necessity by the Pantheon.”
“...?”
“Before Lady Lodbrok returned to the Winter Mountains, the Pantheon intervened and fashioned me from one of the ‘traces’ she left behind in this world. My purpose was to guard the White Tower that leads to the Pantheon.”
Only then did Theo begin to understand.
‘Dangol guards the Pantheon’s exterior, while Keratosuchus protects its interior. They’re the gatekeepers of the Pantheon.’
『…The more I hear about them, the more I despise those Pantheon scoundrels.』
Was it the fact that they had created a being from her traces without her consent? Or perhaps their unilateral actions?
Ever since her encounter with Sigurd, Lodbrok seemed to harbor deep hatred toward the Pantheon.
“But guarding the White Tower was not something I could manage alone, which is why I enlisted their help.”
In essence, Dangol was the one who had created the White Tower’s native inhabitants.
“Then the reason you’ve sought me out…”
“Because, after a long wait, the true Gatekeeper has finally arrived. My long mission is now complete, and I would like to make a single request of you.”
Dangol gracefully bent her waist in a polite bow.
“If you would grant my request, as long as you allow it, I will lend my strength to the dragon corps you command.”
One of the natives stepped forward and extended something to Theo.
It was wrapped in red silk.
Dangol pulled the silk downward, revealing its contents.
At that moment, Theo’s eyes widened.
“This, as well, I offer to you.”
The item wrapped in the silk was a ring.
A small, unremarkable ring.
But a faint blue light seeped out from it.
Fwaaah—
It was a relic of the Ancient Dragon.
* * *
By the time dawn broke at 4 a.m., the mission’s start time had arrived.
Theo, escorted by the 5th Squad, reached the assembly point.
The sight of over a hundred white dragons filling the sky in tightly formed squadrons was a spectacle in itself.
“……”
“……”
“……”
On the ground, the Black Iron Cavalry stood arrayed, their black armor gleaming as dark as the night sky above.
Though their numbers were smaller than usual due to the many injured, this only sharpened their already fierce aura.
Beneath over a hundred black helmets, staring skyward, no sound could be heard.
It was as if they had forgotten how to speak.
However, the White Armored Dragon Cavalry was no different in their silence.
For them, the only thing that mattered now was fulfilling their mission.
Any other conversation was unnecessary.
“Move out.”
At Torkel’s command—
Dudududu!
Keeeeeck!
The advance began.
* * *
Keeeeeeck!
Umbra let out a piercing shriek as it flapped its wings with tremendous force.
The 5th Squad took up the rearmost position in the formation.
Thanks to this, Theo could observe not only the other members of the White Armored Dragon Cavalry but also the movements of the Black Iron Cavalry from behind.
To think another relic would be in a place like this.
Theo absentmindedly fiddled with the ring on the fourth finger of his left hand, lost in thought.
- This relic doesn’t unlock its seal so easily, does it?
- No. That’s because I am the guardian of this relic.
- So?
- Yes. My request is a test to obtain it.
- What is this request?
- It is...
Dangol’s conditions for the test were straightforward.
---
[Scenario Quest #8]
Offer a new future to the Lacunacum tribe that has long protected the White Tower.
- Difficulty: A+
- Reward: Relic of the Ancient Dragon
- Failure: Death
---
Dangol’s explanation was brief.
The tribe of the White Tower was currently elated with the pride of having fulfilled their clan’s long-cherished wish.
However, some of the elder generation harbored concerns about the uncertainty that might plague the younger generation in the future.
'Things may be fine now, but later, they might feel a sense of emptiness. Dangol wants to provide them with new hope and a sense of purpose.'
It was a quest that could feel daunting.
To present a new vision and instill a sense of duty in an entire tribe.
It could easily be seen as an unexpected burden.
'But this works out well for me.'
Yet Theo didn’t feel any particular concern.
After all, he already had the Kriemhild Knights under his command.
Those who would come at his call anytime, ready to serve as a solid foundation.
And now, new talents had been added to that foundation, allowing it to expand with remarkable ease.
This was why Theo proposed to Dangol that she consider moving to the Floating Archipelago.
- Go to the Kriemhild Knights. If you tell them I sent you, they’ll immediately arrange a place for you to stay. While some may refuse to leave their homeland, the situation there will still be better than it is here.
The Black Iron Cavalry, who held little regard for the natives, were likely to face serious consequences soon.
No one could predict how they might lash out in retaliation.
- Also, select volunteers from your tribe and have them train alongside the Knights. I’ll call upon you again soon.
Theo planned to introduce a new system to the Kriemhild Knights in the long term.
There’s no rule saying dragon knights can only be wyvern riders.
If an air force existed, why not also a ground or naval force?
On land, Drake Riders could protect their territory. At sea, Serpent Riders could defend the Floating Archipelago.
And that wasn’t all.
It was also possible to operate a magic division.
With Fairy Dragon and Dragonian on their side, along with knights to support and protect them, their combat strength could grow immensely.
And if Theo eventually managed to gain control of the White Armored Dragon Cavalry and merge them with the Kriemhild Knights…
At that point, an unparalleled dragon knight corps—or perhaps an entire legion of dragon knights—could be born.
Of course, such an endeavor couldn’t be openly pursued.
In that regard, the Floating Archipelago, a place difficult for outsiders to monitor, would serve as an excellent hiding place.
- The future of Ragnar you envision is vastly different from anything Ragnar has seen before. I approve.
Thanks to this, Theo earned the recognition of the Dragonians and solidified his ownership of the relic.
---
[Congratulations! You have successfully completed Scenario Quest #8 by instilling a new sense of purpose in the Lacunacum tribe.]
- Rating: AAA+
- Reward: You have obtained ownership of the Ancient Dragon relic, Tear of the Dragonian. Consult the guardian for details.
- Additional Reward: Magical aptitude has increased due to the high evaluation.
---
- Think of the Tear of the Dragonian as a consumable artifact.
- Consumable? Does that mean it has a limited number of uses?
- That’s correct. It can only be used three times. But I assure you, during those three uses, no one—not even the gods of the Pantheon—will be able to kill Theo Ragnar.
- …!