Book Eater

Chapter 344: Dragon Lord (1)

The dictionary definition of a dragon lord was the king of dragons. It was a very unusual custom for dragons who rarely gathered. Dragons usually nested somewhere away from their parents and peers. They were no longer protected after leaving their parents, but they usually just enjoyed their life free of any encumbrances. Even old dragons could order around other dragons. A dragon who reached adulthood had no obligation to follow the orders of others. They would have a thoroughly individualistic life.

However, no dragon could disobey the command of the lord. The leader of all dragons stood at the peak of their species from the moment they were born. In a sense, the dragon lord was a god. Born without parents, growing up without a gender, and then dying without any offspring, the dragon lord was an exception among dragons and only showed its power when the material world was in a crisis.

The dragon lord had gold scales that didn’t belong to any clan, and ruled over the mana of the world, regardless of its nature. As such, the dragon lord was literally the final weapon of the material world.

“... The lord came to this swamp?”

“Yes, if it wasn’t for the lord, would these people lift their heavy asses?” Aquilo placed her left arm around Theo’s shoulder as she responded to Theo’s trembling voice. Her cool and smooth skin felt good on his shoulder, but Theo was focused on the dragon lord.

A dragon lord wouldn’t abuse their power on personal affairs. If the records were true, they only acted when there was a crisis that threatened the whole world.

It means they didn’t come here lightly.

Legend had it that the appearance of a dragon lord was enough to gather people from all over the continent. Even Theo, who could compete with an old dragon, was lacking in comparison. If he had known this would happen, he would’ve saved all his strength.

While Theo was thinking, Brasmati turned his gaze to Aquilo and growled, “You are still talking nonsense, daughter of Surmidon. You are too old to be a child. Why don’t you have some decency?”

The situation suddenly became uncomfortable. However, rather than apologizing, Aquilo kept talking. She had no hesitation in provoking an opponent she couldn’t win against.

“Since when did our species follow the rules of seniority? Has your brain become ripe from living in the lava? What is behind your dissatisfaction?”

Brasmati seethed, “This damn woman...!”

“Oh, my. How scary.”

Brasmati’s eyebrows twitched as heat from his body started to dry the damp ground and cause steam to rise. Theo had seen this a few times with Veronica, but the power controlled by the red dragon was more powerful than Veronica’s draconic state.

.

Damn, why are they arguing like this?

Theo felt rather uncomfortable caught between the two who seemed like they would break out in a fight at any moment. He knew Aquilo was capricious, but he didn’t think she would do something so reckless. Theo looked carefully at the left arm attached to him and stopped breathing as fluorescent eyes appeared right in front of his nose.

“Boy, aren’t you on my side?”

“What?”

“If I fight this jerk, won’t you protect me?”

She was so close that her breath tickled his nose with every word. Theo’s eyes filled with an unknown excitement, and his breathing had gotten heavy. His body naturally reacted, and he realized that the question was a test. Aquilo’s attitude would change depending on his answer.

However, the strange atmosphere between the two didn’t continue.

“I thought it was too boisterous. We have guests, it seems,” a soft and cheerful voice was heard from the forest.

Brasmati looked like he had just bit into a bug. “Erucus.”

It was the green dragon that Theo had heard of a few days ago. Theo remembered the information that had come with his name. Erucus lived quietly in the mountains, saved those who were lost, and raised endangered animals. He was a saint compared to Aquilo, who played with pirates and collected treasures, and Brasmati, who was easily enraged.

“A magician standing at the boundary, a sword master, and...” Erucus looked at Titania standing behind Theo, and warmth filled his eyes. “A child of Arv, a high elf. Can I ask your name?”

“T-Titania.”

“I am Erucus. It is nice to meet you.”

The dragons of the green clan seemed to have a long standing relationship with elves as Erucus looked at Titania with a grandfatherly look in his eyes. Furthermore, thanks to Erucus’ appearance, the two dragons stepped back from their imminent fight. They weren’t angry enough to fight in this atmosphere.

Brasmati asked Erucus, “Erucus, where is the lord? Didn’t they accompany you?”

“They‘re coming. They sent me back first because they have something to check.”

“You can’t stay for a long time on your own?”

“Of course. But I’d need to satisfy the conditions of a few other attributes, but I don’t know what those conditions are.”

The words were confusing, but Brasmati nodded like he understood.

The matter won’t be explained until I see the lord.

Theo had to wait until the lord arrived. Erucus spoke with Titania, while Aquilo stuck to Theo from beginning to end. Only Randolph didn’t have a companion, making him stand awkwardly.

Fortunately, the dragon lord appeared quickly. The other side of the forest glittered for a moment and the dragons and Theo’s party looked in that direction.

Erucus advised them, “The lord is coming. I don’t intend to force our manners on other species, but please don’t act in a rude manner.”

“Yes, I understand.” Theo nodded.

He wasn’t intending on any impoliteness from the beginning. The brilliant light wasn’t disturbed at all by the dingy swamp and vegetation. Theo couldn’t look directly at the light as his eyes narrowed.

Light...? No, this dazzling existence...!

Theo had felt this once before. His mind went back to the golden coffin in the basement of Lairon’s church. This light resembled Baldur’s divine light. It seemed a little more stricter compared to Baldur’s gentleness, but it was proof that the power was far from evil.

Suddenly, the two dragons and Aquilo, who was attached to Theo’s left arm, bowed down to the light.

“Descendant of Bahamut, I greet the lord.”

Theo was surprised that the dragons would be so formal and courteous, even if it was to their lord. They prided themselves on their lack of hierarchy, yet they were very polite to their lord? As Theo was blinking with surprise, a childlike voice emerged from the mass of light believed to be the dragon lord.

[Stand up.]

The three dragons straightened as the light scattered and the shape within became increasingly clear. The light that couldn’t be penetrated by Theo’s eyes finally revealed the concealed entity. At that moment, Theo, Randolph, and Titania were struck dumb.

... A kid?

It was a child who could be a boy or a girl. The child’s golden hair shone like sunlight, and the brilliance had yet to fade from their eyes. It seemed like this brilliance would never fade, even in the darkest of places.

The gold dragon clan protected the providence and mana of the world. Nevertheless, the lord had the body of a child that was less than ten years old. A voice resonated in the heads of Theo and the others.

[Yes, I am a child. In human years, I’m not even ten years old.]

Theo’s eyes widened. “What? This voice, don’t tell me?”

[Yes, my vocal organs are still immature, so I can only speak like this. I should’ve said it in advance, I’m sorry.]

Theo shook his head. “No, rather, you are...”

[That’s right. I'm reading your surface thoughts. If you are uncomfortable, close your eyes. I don’t yet have the ability to consciously read your thoughts.]

Theo lost his composure with just a few words. He had never imagined a dragon lord could simply ignore the defenses of an 8th Circle magician, sword master, and high elf and simply read their minds. This was a level of strength he imagined only divine beings in ancient books had.

[Ey, I’m not that strong. At a level like yours, I have to face you for at least a minute to read your thoughts in depth. Don’t worry too much. I’m not grown up yet and can’t fight well.]

Theo inclined his head. “... I understand. But did you read our names?”

[Ah! Indeed. I haven’t introduced myself yet.]

The gold dragon read Theo’s intentions and introduced themselves simply.

[I am the dragon lord of the present age, Clipeus. It is a pleasure!]

The dragon lord was different from what Theo had expected, but he still didn’t relax. If Clipeus’ words were true, then they were still a hatchling. They hadn’t grown into the fullness of their strength, but were born with the allegiance of the other dragons and the ability to see a master’s heart. It was the best proof that they would grow into an unfathomable existence.

Theo tried not to shrink back and opened his mouth, “If the lord has read my mind, then you know the reasons I came here. Right?”

[Well, I guess so. I sent Brasmati to bring you to me.]

Theo frowned. “Why? If the dragons here can’t solve it, I can’t imagine what I can do.”

[That is the case if combat force is required. But we shouldn’t fight what is in the center of this swamp. If we don’t resolve it using another method, this world will be in danger.]

Before Theo could ask, Clipeus answered the obvious question

[It is simple, Theodore Miller. I’m not asking for cooperation from a ‘magician’ or the ‘chief tower master.’ I am asking you as the ‘owner of Gluttony.’]

Theo stilled. “... You read that from my surface thoughts?”

[Haha, perhaps.]

Clipeus laughed innocently after hearing Theo’s sharp question. They looked at Theo’s left hand.

[It has been a long time, Gluttony. How are you?]

As everyone paid attention, a tongue emerged from the palm of Theo’s left hand.

- ... Damn lizard, you still can’t read the mood.

Gluttony seemed mildly irritated.

- What did you call me for?

Clipeus smiled mysteriously.

[Don’t you know the story?]

- Damn bastard. You know I can’t say it, yet you are still acting like this?

[Hihi, think of it as revenge for the old days.]

This time, it wasn’t just the three masters. Even the dragons didn’t understand what was going on. While everyone was feeling astonished, Clipeus eventually confessed the reason for their presence in the swamp.

[Please reseal Sloth.]