Chapter 1000
『Ah, I guess that’s true―』.
The Blue Dragon stammered.
Leeha found himself in the same position with a lack of grasp on the situation, but the dragon’s foolish appearance made him want to laugh.
The Black Dragon, witnessing Leeha’s smile, frowned at the Blue Dragon.
『Is it really that surprising, Hadakr?』
『S-Sir Syeoru.』
『There’s always a difference in skill among adults. How can you, as a part of the Chromatic, display such disgraceful behavior?』
『That’s… that’s…』
Even Leeha could tell that they were of the same adult class.
Yet, the Black Dragon spoke to the Blue Dragon as if scolding it. Did it imply a hierarchy? Or simply a difference in strength?
The Black Dragon exuded a confidence that exceeded such reasoning.
It was as if it claimed to have captured Leeha and Blaugrunn with that serene expression. Leeha saw through that calm demeanor.
“Onyx?”
『You, insolent human! How dare you utter the venerable elder’s name carelessly!』
『If only grandfather were here, you wouldn’t even be a mouthful―.』
“Yeah, banking on Onyx’s backing, huh? But didn’t you guys faint at the sight of ‘Onyx’ earlier?”
So Onyx’s influence lingered even after death.
Once the name Onyx was mentioned, the aura of the two Black Dragons surged noticeably, while Blue and Red seemed more intimidated.
With Leeha’s words leaving no room for objection, the Black Dragons growled.
At that moment, sparks flared from their bodies.
『Kyaa!』
『Krhhh?』
“I’m sorry, but we can’t let you use magic. Ha Leeha, be cautious too. Dragons restore mana much faster than humans.”
“Oh, that’s right. No wonder mana particles just gathered in their bodies.”
As soon as Blaugrunn saw what Leeha had barely noticed with his 〈Distorted Eyes〉 ability, he intervened to prevent it. Leeha glanced at Blaugrunn and suddenly displayed a strange smile.
‘This is too much! What is this?! Why has he gotten so strong? Was he like this before?’
Even recalling the past adult-class Blaugrunn, there weren’t any significant memories Leeha could remember.
It was partly because of the overwhelming strength of Kuzgunak’sh and also because Leeha’s own insight was too limited to comprehend or recognize their battles.
However, even in comparing fragmentary memories, there was something certain.
Blaugrunn was strong.
If so?
『If you do not release us at once―.』
“Oh, noisy. Aren’t you assessing the situation correctly? You Chromatic Dragons are captured by me. You aren’t leaving just like that! Understood?”
Simultaneously, Leeha thought he should utilize the situation.
Faced with Leeha’s gallant attitude, the Chromatic Dragons attempted to rekindle their fighting spirit, but Leeha wouldn’t sit idle and watch.
Click.
The metallic sound didn’t ring loudly.
Compared to the dragons’ growling, it was extremely faint, but neither was the action of Leeha aiming the gun light.
“What? Wanna try me? How many seconds do you think it would take to kill dragons that couldn’t even break my partner’s barrier?”
『Kill! There are plenty of dragons to carry on Elder Onyx’s legacy. There are many dragons left to avenge the Queen. Do you think we’ll yield to a human’s threat?』
The Black Dragon, known as Syeoru, growled in response to Leeha’s words. Leeha responded with a smirk.
“Stop spouting nonsense about avenging the Queen. The name Onyx came up first just now, didn’t it? If it were truly to avenge Tiamat, that name should’ve been mentioned first, right?”
The ridicule was more than enough to infuriate the Black Dragon further.
『How Dare You!』
Before the dragons could say anything, Leeha quickly spoke.
“No, aren’t you Chromatic Dragons already aware? About Onyx trying to absorb Tiamat.”
That single sentence was enough to shut the mouths of the Black Dragon.
However, Leeha was not only focusing on them. Watching the reaction of the Blue and Red Dragons to the mention of Onyx’s name and the absorption of Tiamat, Leeha could gauge the situation to some extent.
It was certain that Onyx’s name held influence within the Chromatic Dragons.
And what could be the reason that Onyx’s name carried influence at this point?
‘So that’s it.’
Leeha’s gun shifted between the Chromatic Dragons.
Every small movement made by the tiny human crouched in front of Electric Jail caused the enormous dragons to flinch.
“Killing you wouldn’t be difficult. Here, I don’t even need Blaugrunn’s help. Even if the four of us clashed again after eliminating Electric Jail… if I truly intended to kill you, it wouldn’t even take 5 seconds.”
『Such arrogant nonsense—.』
BANG────────!
The gunshot rang loudly, interrupting Seoryu’s words.
The bullet bounced right in front of his claw, lightly brushing his chin scales.
“Say one more word and I’ll really kill you.”
Though Leeha’s voice was very low and soft, it was loud enough for the dragons to hear. At last, all the dragons shut their mouths.
In the tense atmosphere, Leeha glared at the Black Dragon for a moment and then turned his head.
“To continue where we left off, while killing you is extremely easy, I don’t want to fight you anymore. That’s how I truly feel.”
『Then… what do you intend to do?』
The Blue Dragon asked cautiously.
Leeha wasn’t looking at him. Since turning his gaze from the Black Dragon, Leeha had been focused on only one thing, the red dragon.
“Name?”
『Arev.』
“Good. Arev, do you know that I am the one who granted Kuzgunak’sh’s final wish?”
『…….』
The red dragon Arev did not respond.
Leeha knew that silence meant affirmation.
The Black Dragon was giving looks telling him not to speak nonsense, but when Leeha glared at him momentarily, he couldn’t move at all.
Leeha took a breath, organizing his words before speaking.
“I want to talk with you. I don’t seek a battle with you. If you agree to talk, I will let all of you leave alive.”
Could this truly be considered using the rewards of achievements?
After subduing with force, was he instilling a coercive ‘peace’?
This was a slightly different perspective from a ceasefire request led by the red dragon.
Unlike Arev persuading Seoryu, who seemed to hold the most power among them, to retreat, it was simply Leeha unilaterally proposing this.
However, for Leeha, it didn’t matter which direction it went anymore.
The Black Dragon did not intervene, and Leeha simply wanted to ask questions to the dragon most likely to communicate.
“Decide. If you refuse, all four of you will die here, without meaning, without succeeding in any vengeance.”
Surviving would give a chance for revenge.
To persuade them, Leeha pretended to be offering himself as a sacrifice.
Once this event-like raid ended, perhaps an ancient-level being would come next time.
Would he be able to hold them off as he did now? It would probably be difficult. Yet Leeha spoke with confidence.
‘Anyway, I’m heading to the New Continent’s East, so what’s going to happen.’
Because he had something to rely on.
The chromatic dragons exchanged glances momentarily. In the end, Arev nodded.
“Alright. I understand the will of our clan’s elder, Kuzgunak’sh.”
“Okay. Agreement established. Oh, of course, we’ll let you go for now. But if you attack me now or later, there will be no mercy. Right, Blaugrunn?”
Leeha smiled as he looked at Blaugrunn.
“Yes. Let’s release them all.”
As the wall of electricity disappeared, they started to fly away, momentarily bewildered.
They briefly showed expressions of disbelief that Leeha would really let them go, but refrained from any reckless attacks.
“Remember, Ha Leeha. Our chromatic dragons are just waiting for the day to burn your bones to ashes.”
“Yes, yes, take care.”
“And Arev. If you speak nonsense, not only you but all the red dragon clan will not be spared.”
“…… I understand. Seoryu.”
“Hmph.”
Led by Seoryu, the Black Dragons and Blue Dragons followed suit.
After watching the chromatic dragons become small dots in the sky, Leeha turned to Arev.
“Now! Let’s go inside and have a chat. Oh, wouldn’t it be better if you appear human? Ram Hwayeon! Is there perhaps a quiet place where we can talk?”
Then he warmly called out to Ram Hwayeon.
Capturing the chromatic dragons wasn’t enough; he even negotiated with them?
Those from the previous shocked Paleos and Hwawong Guild members were now in disbelief.
* * *
“This tea is good. Hwayeon, where did you get this?”
Leeha casually picked up the teacup and took a sip.
At the square table, Leeha was seated with Blaugrunn, Ram Hwayeon, and Arev alongside him.
The meeting room, a small office within Hwawong’s headquarters, was filled with tension.
―Is this the time to say such things? What are you going to do about that red dragon? And how did Blaugrunn get involved like this?
―I don’t know about Blaugrunn. And don’t worry about the red dragon, I’ve got plans for that.
Leeha deemed it necessary to talk with Blaugrunn but was not going to miss the opportunity presented by the visit of the red dragon.
“So… what conversation are you hoping to have?”
Arev, with his red, sporty hair, was a young man.
With lighter, more slender skin than Kuzgunak’sh, Leeha noted the differences in characteristics were not exclusive to dragons; they varied by individual.
After quenching his thirst, Leeha placed the teacup down.
A red dragon that could be reasoned with enough to halt a battle and retreat? It might be possible to glean some information he was curious about.
“There are a few things I’d like to ask. The first is about the elder.”
“Elder?”
“Is the reason the Onyx faction… I mean, the Black Dragons, are so aggressive because another Black Dragon is likely to be elected as the next elder?”
“… There’s no reason to divulge internal matters of the chromatic dragons to outsiders. Even if you fulfilled Elder Kuzgunak’sh’s wish—it’s not something I can share.”
Arev immediately rejected Leeha’s request. Leeha nodded in understanding.
Judging by their attitude until now, it was enough to infer certain truths. There was no need to explicitly confirm them.
“Alright. It’s not of immediate relevance to me who is currently favored. Ah! Then could you perhaps tell me about the timeline? When such meetings are held… if there’s a fixed date or time?”
“The Metal Dragons your side associates with should know well.”
“Hmm? Blaugrunn?”
Arev folded his arms and looked at Blaugrunn.
Receiving Leeha’s gaze, Blaugrunn nodded. His turquoise hair shimmered.
“Indeed, Ha Leeha. Although it differs slightly from Queen Tiamat… each dragon is obliged to elect a leader. However, there is no set deadline.”