Races: Online - Chapter 359: A Dragon's Name

Amidst all the changes that occurred in the recent century, a Dragon was best left to stay slumbering in their own luxury without a hint of care in the world. It did not accept the offer of the Creators to join this world to lead ‘new’ and ‘promising’ creatures of his same kind to a new era and age of peace.

The Dragon only yearned to sleep until the end of time.

It was not invested in squabbles, distraught or promises that would change its life. Even the gods and ancient ones were loathed to understand that this creature did not need anything beyond himself to sustain his existence.

Even when the Elves and the Fey frolic and gather around to witness the changing of seasons, only a proud creature like itself would not bother to look or pay attention to the chatroom.

So it was with great annoyance that the Dragon stared down at the two feeble Humans in front of him that were greatly bowing their heads in respect. Was this worship? Even his arrogance could not be stroked by such a sight.

What were pitiful men shaking and quivering that pleased him?

Unlike gods, this Dragon did not acknowledgement or praise to become strong and affect the world. Its own innate nature was already enough to shake the mountains and have the earth tremble underneath its feet.

Kaden and Relyea stared up at the magnificent creature and were at a loss for words. Both assumed that the night when the Colossal Wyvern took flight with its weyr and descended upon the valleys before the Endless Passes would be their end.

Unprepared and confidently not taking more resources as to not hinder his quick leveling, Kaden thought he’d end up getting scorned by Lyra in the afterlife for not packing up more healing potions from the Bartender.

He didn’t expect anything to turn out like this.

That was his mistake.

Relyea nearly cried herself to dehydration when she saw the state of him and that was a sight that Kaden thought was at least worth the trouble of saving her when Kaden was the first one to get her into this mess.

But now things were fine.

It reminded Kaden about the texts and scriptures of Eemis that told about the start of humanity—formed out of mud and clay, and being placed in a garden.

He didn’t consider himself religious or anything, but being in front of a Dragon with Relyea and dressed so lightly that he could feel the wind in his behind—which happened due to a fire breath scorching most of his clothes and making him naked—he was like that ‘Adon’ guy or something?

At least Kaden was covered up in leaves and not revealing his sword to anyone.

Not that Relyea would actually look his way.

She’d already seen everything.

“Now that the two of you have fully recovered, it is about time that the two of you get out of my sight.” The Dragon flicked a claw at them, careful not to actually swipe them and turn them into bloody meat, but relieved to have them leave.

If that foolish winged fae returned with these two here? He’d never hear the end of it.

Rumors of him abducting princes was already enough of a pain to hear—he didn’t want another irritating gossip to circulate about him for the next millenia. He got more visitors when that happened.

“But is there really nothing we can do to show our gratitude for helping us?” Relyea asked. “Upon my honor  and sense of duty, it is only fair that we do something to return everything you’ve done for us.”

“… I do not think that your Human kingdom has the resources to make me greedy for any treasure of any sort, much less anything that you may have to offer.”

“Er, you know… my party and I were actually about to go on a quest to find the Illusionary Island.” Kaden spoke up at last. “It speaks about a great treasure unlike anything the world has seen.”

While Kaden normally would have already taken note of anything interesting among the dragon’s hoard, there was something arrogant—which wasn’t surprising—about the Dragon’s words that made him want to challenge it.

Relyea frowned slightly at him. “…I do not wish to refute your statement. But is that what your party has been trying to find? That’s nothing more but a mirage. A story made up to have Adventurers searching for treasure that has no trail. If it existed, a Pirate would have already laid his hands on it.”

“Not quite.”

Both Kaden and Relyea looked up at him. The Dragon would have normally clamped its mouth shut, and yet this reminded him a little of those… old lectures he used to dabble in. He cleared his throat as his tail flickered and thrashed against the rocky cavern that he was dwelling in.

“The island truly does exist and while I have not personally made the visit there myself, I know what is within there.”

“Treasures, right?” Kaden asked, the man a bit more excited than he wanted to admit at the confirmation of things. Owen once dropped hints that it actually existed and Lyra trusted the Bartender’s words more than anything, but it was good to hear it from someone else.

“Much more than that.”

Kaden looked up at the Dragon and asked another thing. “Is the part about anything you could ever wish for, true as well? It sounded like something you’d add to allure Adventurers, but I think that’s not real. Anything… is anything. And there are even things that gods do not give to us.”

Relyea looked at the man’s face with a curious stare, but it shifted once the Dragon spoke again. He tried to make himself not stand out, but his very nature commanded attention.

“Wish? Ah. Yes… I suppose you could say that is the case. There is a singular being there that can grant it to you.”

“What if we can bring them to you?”

Kaden’s words made the Dragon’s eyes fill slightly with mirth. That honesty and impulse reminded him of someone else. “Even if you were to bring the core of the Illusionary Island here when you enter the treacherous dungeon, that gives me nothing.”

Relyea pursed her lips at last and realized that material gain was something that the dragon did not ask for at all—the troves of treasure it had was surprisingly enough. It raised a hand as the attention of the two shifted to her.

“If we cannot give you anything… may we at least know your name and remember you by?” Relyea asked. “A memory that will continue until the very last of my generation comes to an end, we will remember you by.”

“Relyea, I don’t think we’re supposed to spread the existence of a Dragon. Dragon treasure and all that.”

“The man is correct that I wish not to be disturbed… but a name is all you ask for isn’t it?”

“It is how we might repay you.”

The Dragon stared down at the mortal woman at last and pondered about it. It did not yearn to be remembered and yet he knew that such people would not cease from their incessant pestering if he did not give them anything at all.

“Caeranul of the Alcum Woods, if you must spread it.”