Chapter 1009
“What will you do now?”
“Well, it seems there’s no movement from the third-ranked… I guess we should proceed?”
“Frankly, I’m worried about this plan too. Although I created an illusion of Seoryu to attack, they probably didn’t suffer any real damage. Besides, it’s unlikely that the Chromatic Dragons are unaware of what happened to the top-ranked Harveti. They’ll be here to recover the bodies within 20 minutes at most…”
Blaugrunn looked at Leeha with a worried expression.
The attack thought to be by Seoryu was merely an illusion.
It was nothing more than a ‘prank’ that Black Dragons could have noticed immediately, so his attack left no real mark.
In other words, the only traces of attack left on the two dead Black Dragon bodies belonged to Leeha!
“Ha Leeha’s attack left an unparalleled trace, didn’t it? They are likely to notice.”
“Yes, yes, I suppose.”
“… Pardon?”
“It’s natural for them to react that way.”
“If you didn’t quite understand what I said—
“Hehe, Blaugrunn.”
“Yes, Ha Leeha.”
Leeha raised his Black Bass and surveyed the vicinity of the dragon carcasses in the hills.
He observed the trees swaying violently.
It was likely that the Guardian Monsters under the control of Black Dragon Harveti were regaining their senses and returning to normal.
“Since the Guardians are returning to nature, it means the territory marks left by the dragons, you know, mana traces and all won’t remain, right?”
“… Correct. Even if we enter now, the dragons coming later would have difficulty finding us.”
“Okay. That’s all we need. Let’s get ready.”
With a click, Leeha pulled the bolt. Blaugrunn tilted his head in curiosity and asked.
“Sorry? For what—
“Follow me! ‘Ghost in the Shell.'”
Fwooosh──────!
Without answering, Leeha moved immediately.
Due to the constraint of remaining still, he utilized the skill of Black Bass to teleport swiftly.
Blaugrunn, momentarily dazed, scrutinized the hills. In the place where a faint violet glimmered, Leeha was whispering.
“Haha… As expected. You’re remarkable.”
Blaugrunn began dispersing Seoryu’s illusion as he reclaimed his mana.
Leeha watched the scene with admiration.
Even up close, the illusion felt real, and unlike Bahamut’s illusion, even when Black Bass’s muzzle pierced it, the form did not vanish.
“Impressive.”
While Leeha marveled, Blaugrunn activated a skill. The 6 km distance to Leeha was no issue for him.
“Partner: Summon.”
They were partners, after all.
With newfound respect for each other, the operation commenced.
* * *
Ram Hwajung waved her hand.
She conjured a smooth ice mattress over the rough rocks, then lay down on it.
“Boring.”
Though she lay neatly on her side, her expression was more rigid than ever.
This was only natural.
The arm and leg of Alexander, who stood beside Ram Hwajung with folded arms and a stern posture, trembled.
“Hmm. Truly a metal dragon. To choose a leader who will guide the next thousand years or more, such effort is indeed necessary.”
“… Boring.”
They wondered what was happening outside. They did not know. The metal dragon meeting had been progressing for 22 hours.
The meeting had begun when Leeha and Blaugrunn left their seats, and it showed no signs of ending even as Leeha was out slaying two Black Dragons.
The Metal Dragons’ meeting to elect a new Bahamut had proceeded more cautiously and substantially than ever, yet it was caught in a deadlock.
“Just let Kurpke do it!”
“No, Zelreja, I cannot. Having already lost one hyung, I can’t handle such a position while leaving another behind… Let Bailephus, the elder brother, bear it.”
“Impossible. I am already committed. When the time comes to choose between the Metal Clan and my partner, I won’t be able to make a sound judgment.”
The main deadlock was indeed the conflict among the strong candidates.
The one who had gained the backing of most Metal Dragons was not Bailephus but the Ancient Copper Dragon, Kurpke.
Having been the last to converse with the dying Bahamut and sharing his will, Kurpke was considered the most flexible and gentle dragon.
It was a consensus among the dragons that he was the most fitting to carry on the legacy of the former Bahamut.
“You can do it, elder brother. I am… just a feeble dragon who couldn’t even prevent the previous Bahamut’s death. I may manage a bit of mana, but becoming Bahamut with such meager abilities is beyond me.”
However, Kurpke, the person in question, was refusing!
If there was a unanimous decision, they might have forced him, but they couldn’t do so now since some Metal Dragons supported Bailephus.
Zelreja shouted in frustration at Kurpke’s humble demeanor.
“A bit? You are the only one here who can paralyze my movements in under a second! Before anyone else can even start casting, I can punch their jaws off!”
Clenching her fist and standing up, she drew many eyes to her.
Some Ancient Dragons, who favored physical prowess, looked displeased, but she didn’t back down.
“Anyone want to test it? If you can paralyze me with a spell or block me physically, then I’ll admit my defeat. ‘From this distance’, there’s no one here who can stop me.”
Zelreja glared fiercely at the surrounding dragons.
Even though she was still at the Adult stage, her confidence was unparalleled, and in a confined space like Bahamut’s lair, no dragon could match her agility, so no one dared to refute.
Only Kurpke’s words could possibly restrain her.
“Um… Zelreja, how about speaking a bit… more graciously?”
“Well then, please become Bahamut, Kurpke.”
“Proposing impossible terms is not befitting a dragon’s virtue.”
“Oh, this is frustrating!”
Zelreja sighed deeply and sat back down. Bailephus quietly listened to Kurpke’s words, leaning against his chair.
―What do you think, partner? Do you think it would be better for me to become Bahamut?
Simultaneously, Bailephus was conversing with Alexander. Alexander responded with closed eyes, without even looking at Bailephus.
―Yes.
―Is that so? If I become Bahamut, my range of movement will be significantly restricted. The chances of us staying together will diminish.
―Hm… However, support will undoubtedly come out. Just being by my side when I enforce justice would be enough.
―I cannot assure that.
Alexander clenched his teeth at Bailephus’ reply.
Having one’s partner dragon become Bahamut is the greatest honor across Middle Earth.
Once decided, it is a position that no one else can occupy until his dragon is on the verge of death.
‘Moreover, my job as a Dragon Knight…’
It could become a stepping stone to advance to the next stage. What Alexander was contemplating was a secondary job change, and beyond that.
‘It could change.’
Perhaps reaching the 『third job change』, where no one else had set foot.
But this was a significant gamble.
What if, after becoming Bahamut, the leader of all Metal Dragons who influences the entire continent couldn’t stay with him anymore?
Or if, by becoming Bahamut, assigning others as partners, partnering the dragon to someone else?
‘Pairing humans and dragons is one of Bahamut’s unique privileges. It’s not impossible.’
The designation of partner dragons for Alexander, Leeha, and Ram Hwajung had all been made through Bahamut.
If connecting dragons and humans was within Bahamut’s power, severing those ties might also be possible.
If this were to happen, Alexander’s plans could be swept away like ashes in the wind.
In reality, Alexander had been subtly probing, but Bailephus only offered ambiguous answers, making it impossible for Alexander to strongly assert any opinions.
“Is everything alright?”
“I have no interest in Bahamut.”
“I know.”
“Then, let anyone take it.”
“Impossible.”
“Not interesting.”
The situation wasn’t different for Arzenmacht and Ram Hwajung either. Arzenmacht’s name had also risen as a strong candidate for Bahamut.
Unlike other dragons, Arzenmacht had recently faced the Demon King’s Fragment known as “Pyrot-Cocri” and possessed the capability to investigate the Peklo City that she had created.
“No, with my partner.”
However, a dragon with communication issues could hardly express their opinions properly.
After disappointing the dragons who once supported him with just two words, Bailephus merely watched the meeting.
“Elder brother Bailephus is the one who spent the longest time with the former Bahamut. He is more than qualified to uphold the former’s will. Moreover, considering the future age and impending dangers, wouldn’t Bailephus, who has led the vanguard across the world with his human partner, be the most suitable dragon for Bahamut? What do you all think?”
Kurpke continually advocated for Bailephus.
Each time, Bailephus had to show a troubled expression.
Alexander, too, wavered whenever he heard Kurpke’s words or Bailephus’s assertions.
‘Arzenmacht quickly gave up, and Blaugrunn declared withdrawal; it was because of the partner’s will.’
As Ram Hwajung showed no interest in Bahamut, Arzenmacht gave up.
Listening to Leeha’s story made Blaugrunn withdraw. The fact that Bailephus was still swayed by Kurpke’s words indicated that he hadn’t made a complete decision in any direction.
‘If he really wants Bahamut—’
Bailephus would persuade the other dragons backing Kurpke and take the position of Bahamut.
‘If that’s not the case—’
Bailephus would also withdraw.
In such a situation, Kurpke’s influence would naturally grow stronger.
The one who could end all these decisions was himself. Alexander knew well why he hesitated despite needing to make a decisive move.
‘I claimed to enforce justice and protect good…’
For the first time, Alexander felt his own “concept” waver.
Power and influence within Middle Earth equated to power and influence in reality.
The numerous interests that could pour in from the position of Bahamut were shaking the very core of his Middle Earth play.
“Hmmm…”
It was a natural conflict as a human.
Who doesn’t have desires? Alexander reflected on this but found no solace.
Should Middle Earth be regarded as just a game?
Or should it be seen as something more than a game?
Alexander pondered. And at that moment, a bright lavender light flickered from a corner of Bahamut’s lair.
“Hmm?”
“Who…”
“Blaugrunn?”
“Blaugrunn! How did you return?”
The metal dragons were surprised as they looked upon Blaugrunn, who appeared at the meeting.
Having announced his withdrawal from the position, why did he attend the meeting?
“Did you find it impossible to give up? I remember you were the one the former Bahamut cherished the most—
“No, Kurpke-nim.”
“—Huh?”
Blaugrunn quickly declined Kurpke’s words, then glanced around briefly.
He smiled awkwardly.
“The elder of the chromatic dragon has something to say.”
The smile implied that he was fully aware of the repercussions his words would bring.
The eyes of all the metal dragons widened in astonishment.