Chapter 253 – Dark Dragon (2)

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Translated by Heavenly Cat

Read it only at Novelbyu.com & Utoon.net

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The reason Skal roamed the Arcana Continent alone was singular.

Because everyone was uniformly boring.

Shining, World Unification, Bohemian…

The objectives of those who reached out to him.

-“If we join hands, we can surpass Shining.”

-“I think playing solo from now on is overdoing it?”

-“Please give us an opportunity too…!”

A world perfectly distinct from reality.

To think the pursuit in Arcana was merely reigning over others.

Because that was something Skal had done and experienced plenty even in reality.

However, Ho-yeol alone was different.

He is strong, yet he didn’t flaunt his strength.

He could give orders, yet he did not give them.

Always stepping forward to the frontlines himself.

He moved others starting from their hearts.

Up to that point, it was simply at the level of generating curiosity.

-“Lee Ho-yeol, huh.”

He just thought he was a peculiar guy like himself.

So didn’t he spit out words arrogantly?

Why, in front of reporters from all over the world.

-“I don’t need leftovers. Lee Ho-yeol, I wish to converse with that side. Sir the great Evil Dragon Hunter.”

Thinking back on it now.

It was behavior that made him want to hide in a mouse hole.

It was bound to be so.

Dragon.

To subjugate the King of All Creation.

And mount on top of it.

The sole person who didn’t ridicule his absurd goal.

Because that was specifically Ho-yeol.

It wasn’t a metaphor or the like.

Skal clearly remembered Ho-yeol’s expression.

‘I couldn’t find even a hint of a smile.’

Like always.

An unfathomably sincere attitude and posture.

Even upon hearing the objective that sometimes even Skal himself thought was overdoing it, Ho-yeol nodded his head for him.

That first meeting exactly became the catalyst for Skal joining the Holy War Allied Forces.

Therefore.

“I assure you. No matter what happens in the future. You cannot reach the Dark Dragon.”

Even at the bolt from the blue remark.

Skal could manage not to let go of his teacup.

Because the reason Ho-yeol spoke like that definitely had an appropriate rationale.

Instead, he nodded his head.

“Actually, I had been guessing. Dark Dragon… Just as it is the name all dragons roared out. It must be an exceptionally great dragon. Perhaps enough to be considered the Leader of Dragons.”

There was some information he learned while performing the Dragon Knight’s Class Quests.

In the distantly remote past.

Stories estimating that the Mage Tower and dragons waged a war.

The vast majority was unverified information.

However, even that alone was sufficient to know what kind of existences dragons were.

“I believe you rightfully know this but. Between the dragons called the Kings of All Creation, a distinct hierarchy does not exist, you see. Yet to the point where all kings would mourn and shed tears…”

Skal spat out his serious impression.

“I understand why you spoke so firmly.”

The grand objective of becoming a true Dragon Knight.

Skal was someone who dashed forward looking only at that.

However, before the majesty of the Dark Dragon, he had no choice but to take a step back.

“Thank you for relaying precious words, Sir Ho-yeol.”

Saying one sees as much as they know.

It was thanks to Ho-yeol’s advice.

However, Skal did not fall into despair.

For hadn’t he witnessed it?

The fact that the Arcana Continent is vast, and dragons are plentiful!

Because excluding the Dark Dragon, there were plenty of dragons to set as objectives.

Soon, Skal’s face beamed with color again.

Skal asked Ho-yeol.

“More importantly, is the Old Dragon, Eunaxus, safe?”

.

.

.

Internally, I clicked my tongue.

Is that truly the Skal who lived shrouded in mysticism for over a decade?

Why is it that whenever stories related to dragons come out.

He doesn’t seem to think about stopping his mouth…?

After Skal leaves, I belatedly check the time.

“Oh my.”

For as much as he excessively babbled on before leaving.

To think the words ‘Oh my’ came out of Granfel’s mouth.

In that sense, think of it as fortunate, Skal.

‘It’s because there was a give and take that I let it slide.’

Considering Granfel’s usual grudge-holding…

Never mind the Three Visits to the Thatched Cottage.

Even if you did a Hundred Visits to the Thatched Cottage, he wouldn’t meet you from next time.

However, at this moment.

I, Lee Ho-yeol, was internally swallowing a sigh of relief.

‘…It somehow passed by, Dark Dragon.’

I want to ride the Dark Dragon!

When I heard those words, I seriously pondered.

…Was he asking me to give him a piggyback ride, I thought.

Naturally so.

In Granfel’s formality, giving someone a piggyback ride could never exist.

He even abhors his attire getting disordered.

Would such a thing possibly be possible.

‘It’d be another story if it was giving my one and only niece, A-rang, a ride.’

So frigid words were bound to pop out.

That no matter what happens, such a thing will never happen!

But only after spitting it out did I realize it.

The fact that Skal did not know I am the Dark Dragon.

Saying this is why people can’t live comfortably after committing a sin.

Isn’t it true that that saying exists for a reason?

Getting terrified all by myself, and overreacting.

So I couldn’t help but walk on eggshells, too.

Granfel’s tone shouldn’t have been that firm.

I’d worried, ‘What if Skal despairs?’

Of course.

‘To think knowing only dragons would be helpful in this way.’

Skal immediately shifted his interest to other dragons though.

‘Anyway, he’s wise, Skal.’

Because besides the Dark Dragon, there are plenty of dragons to ride.

Of course, the achievement of being the first to mount a dragon.

I ended up acquiring it without even realizing…

“In order to possess that capability, you must also put in effort.”

Bear with trials of that level, Skal…!

Although mounting a dragon without an achievement effect wouldn’t be easy anywhere.

I also learned through experience. Skipping the intermediate process isn’t necessarily only full of good points.

‘It can’t be helped for me since I’ve stretched out over too many things.’

Right.

Aren’t I the one whose prepared exit holes and dug wells run plenty?

Whenever the lacking intermediate process is needed.

Supplementing them right then and there is an unavoidable circumstance for me.

So do not simply wildly envy my achievement.

‘…He wouldn’t envy me looking at this state, though.’

Scribble

What I unwearyingly picked up is, as expected, the quill pen.

Considering the time robbed by the babble with Skal, there wouldn’t even be time to tilt a teacup.

This isn’t the end. The work as the Chief at the Mage Tower is undoubtedly left over, too.

‘…Even if the departure applications were processed by the cat.’

Wasn’t there a heavy duty I brought upon myself added?

Reviewing the Connector Usage Permission Applications.

Its targets weren’t limited merely to the mages of the Mage Tower.

Incomprehensible compared to the departure applications.

Numerous applications must definitely be piled up on the office desk.

Are you asking if processing that is truly the end?

Is there any way that’d be true.

The newly updated Class Quest.

Even there, it’s unmistakably written down.

The damn quest objective.

─Discipline your weakened physical body. (Repeat)

‘My vision is already going blurry ahead.’

In the Arcana Continent, I nearly froze to death.

In reality, as soon as I returned, I look like I’ll die of overwork.

My destiny is this tragic…

*

The Arcana Continent.

An emergency dropped onto the Iron Castle ship.

The Leader, Chainwalker.

The Blacksmith, Wallswale.

The Pilot, Gunner.

Putting aside their assigned duties.

Every dwarf was preoccupied with hammering.

The metallic sounds resonate in every corner of the Iron Castle ship.

Clang clang!

To the point their thick fingers go numb.

There is no time to rest.

Gunner barely wiped off the gathered sweat and shouted.

“If I knew this would happen, I wouldn’t have even looked at being a pilot, me!”

For as much as they put their lives on the line every flight, there is an advantage for pilots.

The privilege of being exempted from the trivial duties of the Iron Castle ship, that is.

Only, this current situation wasn’t trivial.

Gunner continued speaking as if he still found it absurd.

“For dragons to suddenly appear, and in a flock at that! Is this a situation where a dwarf’s leg length doubles, seriously!”

The sole weakness of the Iron Castle ship.

Severe weather.

Even if it’s the Iron Castle ship armed with highly developed technological prowess.

Its efficiency is bound to plummet to extremes before nature.

“Consider it fortunate that we didn’t crash, Gunner.”

“Of course, that’s fortunate, but…”

“How about hammering in one more nail with the time you have to do that?”

“Sigh.”

Therefore, dragons appearing.

Those roaring hours were.

A nightmare-like time for the dwarves.

Clang clang!

Chainwalker muttered while hammering.

“What could possibly be so sad to sprinkle this kind of rain…”

It was unprecedented torrential rain.

Just how fiercely did it pour down.

Water was leaking into the Iron Castle ship, so saying that is enough.

Even if not to the extent of dragons or elves.

They were a bunch who had lived a quite long era themselves.

Nevertheless, the current situation was incomprehensible.

Wallswale bluntly opens his mouth.

“Did I not say so? It must be because of the Dark Dragon.”

“The Dark Dragon, is it…”

“I don’t know what it is, but it gives me the chills.”

“Why so?”

“Because it is an unprecedented event, Chainwalker.”

Even if a single dragon revealed itself on the continent.

It would be a shocking event.

The number of heads seemed roughly to be a dozen or so.

Not just a dragon, but.

To have an existence capable of exerting such influence upon dragon’s’.

“Certainly, a change will strike the continent in some form.”

He could be certain.

The dragons vanishing without a trace like a lie.

Because the clearly cleared-up sky indicated a simple meaning.

“It seems they found that thing called the Dark Dragon.”

“…Truthfully, I am afraid.”

“Who wouldn’t be?”

Clang!

Wallswale took his hand off the hammer and gazed at the continent.

Thanks to the fierce rain washing away even the dust neatly, the vision cleared up to the point the other side of the horizon was clearly visible.

Even so, no conspicuous movements were seen.

“Given the Empire, not to mention demons, seem to be trembling in fear.”

Since the King of All Creation roared, that sound must have conveyed to all creation as well.

Chainwalker and Wallswale.

The two dwarves were worried about that point.

“At this rate, a new legend will inevitably be written.”

The name of it.

The legend of the Dark Dragon.

Chainwalker asked Wallswale subtly.

“Are you not feeling regretful, our legendary Blacksmith?”

Legends harbor power.

Because he had written down a legend.

Wallswale knew what that meant.

“Regretful, you say.”

Even in the vast Arcana Continent.

Things to be called a legend aren’t numerous.

The reason for asking if he isn’t regretful must be due to that as well.

Because the birth of Ghost Iron, which would have repeatedly been talked about for a long time.

Had been eclipsed by the legend of the Dark Dragon.

However, Wallswale shook his head.

“You still do not know, Chainwalker.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“That there is an above and below even in legends.”

The legend of Ghost Iron’s birth.

Depending on the active roles of its owner, Ho-yeol.

It could be talked about by far more people later on, but…

How is it compared to the immediate legend of the Dark Dragon?

That legend over there is truly.

Safe to say it resonated throughout all of Arcana.

Furthermore.

“A revelation has not even been made, yet it made the world tremble by its mere mention.”

The physical entity, the Dark Dragon, has not even revealed itself on the continent yet.

Therefore, there wasn’t a speck of reason to feel regret.

Because it wasn’t even a subject of comparison from the start.

However, he was still merely concerned.

“We must just hope the new legend does not run wild.”

In that sense, Chainwalker and Wallswale shut their mouths.

They hadn’t shared any conversation while shutting their mouths.

Coincidentally, the two dwarves were harboring the same thought.

‘…Does Sir Ho-yeol know of this situation.’

However, the thought did not last long.

Suddenly.

Because something was captured in the sky.

A splitting void.

A massive figure revealing itself from there.

It was a dragon.

“!!!”

During repairs.

Because of that, the Iron Castle ship could neither advance forward.

Nor retreat backward.

A situation where they had no choice but to face a dragon.

Chainwalker softly opened his mouth.

“Damn it, are the ears of the King of All Creation sharp as well?”

“How would I know.”

“Dammit, I wish to decline this sort of end.”

The dragon’s physical body completely blocking the view from the window of the Iron Castle ship.

But, why is its appearance…?

Not unfamiliar.

“Hmm?”

Wallswale’s eyes flinched.

Even if it wasn’t seen properly due to the driving wind and rain.

He wondered if he felt it familiar because it was a dragon he witnessed once.

It wasn’t that.

What looked familiar was solely.

Because it was the radiantly shining ‘wings’.

Even if the sizes differ.

“…Th- that’s?”

Wallswale.

The keen eye of the continent’s greatest blacksmith quickly realized.

The afterimage overlapping above the wings.

It’s certain, the wings of that radiantly shining dragon are…

The exact same as the magic tool Ho-yeol was equipped with!

“…H- how could that be?”

Tens of thousands of possibilities popped in his mind.

However.

Those distracting thoughts also didn’t last long.

Swoosh

The Iron Castle ship.

The spirit who had been keeping his place with a lofty posture.

Because Hiel began to move from his seat.

Because he advanced towards the dragon and nonchalantly opened his mouth.

“You have finally realized the Liege’s will, Eunaxus.”

Because the dragon responded to those words.

“To harbor doubts towards the Dark Dragon, it was clearly my negligence.”

The meaning behind that short conversation was simple.

Chainwalker, Wallswale, Gunner…

No, astonishment surfaced on the faces of all the dwarves.

“C- could it be that the Dark Dragon was Sir Ho-yeol…?”