Chapter 36

The next afternoon.

Sitting on the threshold where the mansion and the dragon house were connected, I was chatting with the dragons when a complete stranger came to visit.

I had never seen this person before, but since they were dressed like a merchant, I decided not to turn them away and instead led them to the reception room to hear what they had to say.

In the reception room, we sat facing each other.

"Nice to meet you, I am Loewen Laurent, representative of the Laurent Trading Company."

"Uh, I'm Cyril Arrows."

"I am aware. It is an honor to meet the representative of the currently rising Dragon Knight Guild, Lord Arrows."

"Currently rising?"

I tilted my head slightly.

"Yes. Although still a minority, your achievements and the dragons you possess are undoubtedly seen as promising for the future."

"Is that how we're seen?"

"That's why I came today to get to know you better."

"I see."

I nodded slightly.

I looked at Loewen's face.

For some reason, I didn't think he was just here for a greeting.

I decided to ask him straight out.

"It's not just a greeting, right?"

"Indeed, Lord Arrows. Today, I have brought an item that I would like you to purchase."

"Really?"

I was a little impressed.

I knew this intellectually.

Shopping is usually something you do by going to a store.

But once you become famous or wealthy, merchants start coming to you to offer their goods.

One of the differences between the wealthy and those who aren't is whether merchants come to visit.

I was a little impressed to realize that I was now on the side where merchants came to me.

While thinking about this, I asked Loewen again.

"What is it?"

"Here it is."

Loewen took out a small box from his pocket with careful movements and placed it on the low table between us.

It was a small box, about the size of a jewelry box, and even had a lock on it.

"What is it?"

"It's a type of relic."

"A relic?"

I was taken aback.

A relic, literally, is something left behind by a saint or a holy being.

More bluntly, it's a part of a saint's body.

The church venerates such things.

"Relics, right? Like how if you put all the pieces together, Saint Simon would have seven heads and 130 right arms, right?"

I said with a slight smile.

Loewen also smiled wryly.

"Yes, as you say, most are fakes. But this one is genuine."

"Hmm."

I didn't know how to react.

The claim that something is genuine is the one thing you should never take at face value from a merchant.

While I was wondering what to do, Loewen took out the key and opened the box, showing it to me.

"This is... a bone?"

"Yes."

Loewen nodded clearly.

Inside the box he opened was a small bone.

The shape of the bone was clearly not human.

I couldn't tell what kind of bone it was, but I knew it wasn't human.

"What kind of bone is it?"

"It's a dragon's."

"A dragon's?"

"Yes, the bone of the Holy Dragon King—bone from the era before dragons were tamed, when they ruled over all dragons."

"Wow."

"To be frank—"

"Hmm?"

"I believe that as the Dragon Knight Guild continues to grow, it would be beneficial to have a genuine relic to enhance your reputation."

"Hmm."

"It may seem unnecessary, but your reputation and 'status' are often determined by how much you can afford such luxuries."

"...I see."

I understood the point.

It's about appearances.

Royalty and nobility are often judged by how much they can afford such unnecessary luxuries.

The same applies to the Dragon Knight Guild as it rises to the top.

In that sense, Loewen, who spoke honestly about this, was relatively on my side.

However, even so.

I didn't have the luxury of spending money on such things yet.

*Hahaha, they came to you.*

Chris?

I heard Chris's voice from the direction of the dragon house.

I just tilted my head at Loewen, not asking for clarification.

*My friend, you should buy it. I will guarantee it.*

"I'll buy it."

I told Loewen.

Since Chris guaranteed it—though I didn't know what he was guaranteeing—it left no room for doubt.

"20,000 reals, how about it?"

"Alright."

I was a little relieved.

It was all the money I had.

Paying this would leave me broke for a while, but I could always earn more.

More importantly, I trusted Chris.

I paid 20,000 reals in church notes and obtained the bone of the Holy Dragon King.

☆

After Loewen left, in the dragon house.

I was alone with Chris.

*You made a quick decision, my friend.*

"You're the one who said it, doubting would be a waste of time."

*Hahaha, good, good, my friend. Your decisiveness is commendable, and it makes me want to live up to your trust.*

Chris laughed heartily.

The building itself seemed to shake with his laughter—his way of laughing when he was in a very good mood.

"So, this is genuine, right?"

*Yes, but the name is different.*

"The name?"

*Yes, it's not just a bone of the Holy Dragon King.*

"Then what is it?"

*Take a look.*

Chris said and breathed fire.

The fire enveloped the box I was holding.

The box burned, but the bone remained.

I didn't panic because of the fire resistance from my contract with Chris, so I held it steady.

"This isn't ordinary fire, is it?"

*Correct, it's my regenerative flame.*

"I see."

The regenerative flame burned the box and attached itself to the bone.

The bone, instead of being destroyed, began to "regenerate."

The words "regeneration" and "incarnation" floated in my mind.

Eventually, the bone transformed into a short dagger, like a dagger.

"This... wasn't a part of a body?"

*As I said, it's not just a bone of the Holy Dragon King. What you saw earlier was just a disguise.*

"I see. Then what is this?"

*Legacy Phoenix Horn.*

"Phoenix... Phoenix!?"

I was surprised and looked at Chris sharply.

Chris had a smug look on his face.

*Yes, a legacy item made from the relics I left behind when I died a few times ago. Humans used to call them divine instruments back then.*

"Divine instruments!?"

I was surprised again.

This might have been the most surprising thing today.

While dragon instruments are tools used by dragons, divine instruments are said to be tools used by gods.

They possess various powers, far surpassing anything humans could create.

Under normal circumstances, such ancient tales would be dismissed as mere legends, impossible to believe.

*Hahaha, your fame has attracted it. Well done.*

Chris laughed heartily.

If Chris said it, I was certain it was genuine.

Thank you for your support!

Thanks to everyone, I've managed to reach the top of the daily rankings and even narrowed the gap to within 100 points. I'm hanging in there...

The next ranking update might be the last chance to reach the top.

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