[–So you have come, visitor from beyond reason]
Those words were not sounds uttered from a throat.
They were more like thoughts transmitted through magic power, resonating directly within one’s mind.
“I have come in place of those who carry the blood of kings. The descendants of the guardians who lived in this land have grown weary from the effects of the eruption and are now resting in my territory.”
[I am aware. I have been watching all of your actions]
The [Dragon King] spoke these words while gazing at Kurtz with golden twin pupils.
[I am greatly grateful to you, who extended a helping hand to them, despite my foolish actions that endangered my kin through impatience. It was truly a great deed]
“Originally, it was humans of my own kind who obstructed your path, and I merely saved those who carry royal blood to atone for the sins of my people as a member of the same race.”
Normally, even when the [Dragon King] surfaced, it should have remained small-scale like the annual volcanic activity, but due to the existence that blocked the route, Mount Fleet erupted in a massive volcanic explosion.
The land of Felmund, formerly the Ornament territory, exists near Mount Fleet.
The Ornament ducal family had woven countless alchemical spells deep underground in the suburbs near Felmund to secretly hide the [Philosopher’s stone] buried underground.
The [Dragon King’s] ascent was hindered by the magical formations left by Ornament, and his forceful attempt to break through them caused Mount Fleet to erupt in an unprecedented massive eruption unlike previous years.
However, even knowing that an eruption would occur, the [Dragon King] needed to surface.
[Visitor from beyond reason, I perceive that you came to me knowing everything]
“…That is correct. I understand completely the situation and circumstances in which your dragon majesty finds yourself.”
Due to the harmful effects of forcibly breaking through Ornament’s magical formations, the [Dragon King] had severely depleted even the small amount of life that remained to him.
From his earlier words, it seemed that because he foresaw Kurtz’s arrival, he had persevered to live long enough to convey his words and wishes as the [Dragon King].
[Then convey my words and wishes to the guardians of the “Cradle.” Tell them to entrust the next generation’s king to the descendants of those who made the ancient covenant, and to protect him until he reaches the throne]
“…Your words, I have certainly received them. I will surely convey your dragon majesty’s will to the guardians.”
[I am grateful. It was truly regrettable that our resting place came to be called a graveyard]
The [Dragon King’s] words carried something that felt slightly human-like.
Then, the [Dragon King] lowered his raised head and lay down on the ground.
[As compensation, speak of what you desire]
“…As compensation, I would like to receive one of your dragon majesty’s horns and fangs, as well as your heart.”
[Understood. You who returned to this world through power from beyond reason and showed respect to me and my kin—I trust you will not handle my body carelessly, and so I shall give them to you]
While gazing at Kurtz, the golden twin pupils quietly closed as if nodding.
The presence emanating from the massive body gradually faded.
[I can only understand that you are a visitor from beyond reason. I cannot know what those black pupils of yours see ahead. However, I believe that one who has heard my wish will walk the righteous path]
After a brief pause, the [Dragon King] left his final words.
[–May the protection of the “Dragon King” be upon the path you walk toward]
Strangely, this was similar to the words Falsen had left in his previous life.
Eventually… the presence that had dominated the space completely disappeared.
He realized that the flame of life that had been lit to convey his final will had been extinguished.
After a brief moment—Kurtz exhaled deeply.
“Lucia, you may speak now.”
“Puhaaa!”
At Kurtz’s words, Lucia exhaled as if remembering to breathe.
“Uwaaah… That was seriously something incredible, or rather, various emotions welled up and it was crazy. Just being in front of him made me feel like I was forced to understand that I was like trash or an insect.”
Lucia spoke of her feelings in an unusually trembling and frightened voice.
“The [Dragon King] is, to put it in our crude words, a true god—a higher existence of a different biological rank. Just not fainting while facing him is quite sufficient.”
“And yet I deeply respect young master for being able to speak resolutely before a god…”
“I’m a human who took actions outside the world’s reason through [Regression]. You could say I’m close to being like them, and if I were my original self, it wouldn’t be strange if I were foaming at the mouth and wetting myself unlike you.”
“I might have wanted to see young master crying while wetting himself, just a little.”
“It’s fine to regain your composure, but don’t say irreverent things in front of such a great remains.”
After lightly poking Lucia’s back, Kurtz turned his gaze to the [Dragon King’s] remains.
“Now then, please cut out one horn and fang each from the [Dragon King’s] remains, as well as the heart. Please do so with respect, avoiding unnecessary wounds as much as possible.”
“By the way, I won’t be cursed if I fail, right?”
“I made a contract with the [Dragon King] in our earlier conversation. There’s a possibility if you break it or take anything other than the agreed compensation from the remains, but since he also consented, there shouldn’t be a problem.”
“The fact that there was actually a possibility of being cursed terrifies me…”
“Rather than fear such things, you should be careful of [Dragon Blood Poison]. Dragon blood has the property of reacting to magic power, and if you touch it with bare skin, it causes excruciating pain. This property becomes stronger in older dragons, so the [Dragon King’s] blood would cause pain intense enough to kill instantly.”
He took out protective clothing and gloves for dissection from his bag-type magical tool and threw them to Lucia.
“Also, after securing the necessary parts, please return the remains to the lava.”
“Aye aye. But if we want to prove to Falsen and the others that the [Dragon King] actually existed, wouldn’t it be better to show them the remains directly?”
“That would be certain, but neither I nor Falsen and the others would like treating the [Dragon King’s] remains like a spectacle. Besides—they should be able to confirm his existence sufficiently.”
While responding, Kurtz turned his gaze to the fallen [Dragon King’s] remains.
This place is not what would be called the [Dragon King’s Graveyard].
Though it had become distorted through long history, it originally had a different name.
It was a resting place for those called [Dragon Kings], and at the same time—
“—this land was not a graveyard, but a [Cradle].”
While gazing at what lay before him, Kurtz smiled.
READ THE ORIGINAL TRANSLATION AT LOCALIZERMEERKAT.GITHUB.IO
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After the mining site yielded ore veins.
Falsen and the others received instructions from the scholars and engineers Edel had brought, and confirmed the scale and details of the discovered ore veins.
“Good, this is truly in wonderful condition.”
Edel nodded repeatedly with an elated expression.
The accompanying scholars were similarly excited, saying it was miraculous that such a large-scale ore vein could yield such diverse minerals and gemstones from the same geological formation.
Falsen understood the value of the mined resources.
During hunting off-seasons, he had been employed by dwarves several times for mining and rock processing.
When ore veins were found, the dwarves had offered him enormous compensation that he couldn’t possibly spend all of, and he remembered exchanging the surplus for food and materials.
That’s why he couldn’t believe Edel’s words.
“Okay, we’ve also arranged buyers for the gold and gemstones, and the Mercator main family has officially signed a contract for continued trade in mineral resources, so this is more than adequate as a source of income for the territory.”
“I see. I’m glad we could be of help.”
“So next comes the discussion of Falsen and the others’ share.”
“…Our share?”
“Yes. My contract with Kurtz is that I get the trading rights for the mined minerals, one-tenth of the profits as a brokerage fee, and the residents of Vechta village who performed the mining work get thirty percent, plus one-tenth of the profits whenever minerals are produced in the future.”
“…How much would that be, specifically?”
“For now, the thirty percent to be paid immediately would be about this much.”
Edel put pen to paper and presented a specific amount.
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