Chapter 78

In front of me, instead of the dragon, was a blood-soaked armor.

Is this it? The dragon that was pierced by the wedge is the metaphor or hint of this armor. Could the armor have taken the form of a dragon as a trial to obtain it?

I was mentally and physically exhausted, so I cast 'Recovery' on myself, grateful for the mental recovery as well. White, who had been peeking out from my shoulder, had already returned.

Huh? Could it have returned!

It seems that the armor had lied, saying it couldn't return to help in that life-threatening situation. If it were just me, I might have given up long ago. I'll give it a fruit of gratitude later.

Ah, I need to pick berries while they're in season, or buy them if I don't have enough.

Next, I cast 'Purification' from [Life Magic] on the armor. The bloodstains disappeared instantly, and the pitch-black armor faintly glowed, with the darker parts emitting a pale blue light.

But it quickly turned bloody again.

I felt that the deep wounds on that dragon were beyond my recovery, but I cast 'Recovery' on the armor anyway.

No, it doesn't stop at all. Is this a cursed armor or something? It can't be taken off.

"Even with my intervention, to subdue that tyrant dragon..."

The Light God Vers sighed in admiration. He was there.

No, if Vers wasn't here, I wouldn't know how to return from this milky white space, so I'm glad he's here. I was so focused on the dragon that I completely forgot about his existence. How long did we face off?

It could have been an hour or a day. In the realm of the gods, time flows differently, so I have no idea.

"Does this blood not stop?"

I continued to cast 'Recovery,' but it didn't stop at all. For a moment, I thought this was the kind of armor, but Vers' words made me realize that the dragon was indeed the essence of this armor.

"Unfortunately, I do not govern healing. However, it looks ominous, doesn't it? Ah!"

It seems he had an idea, but I was wary of Vers' ideas after facing the dragon. Before I could stop him, he waved his right hand.

"How about this! Pure white! ... It's still red and black."

The armor turned white.

Or so I assume. Blood was seeping out from all over, making it impossible to confirm the color. Vers looked a bit disappointed, but I wanted to heal the injuries more than worry about the color.

"Healing the wounds should come first."

"Water God Far's domain. Hmm, it's been a while, but I'll try to call him."

"There's no need for that."

Far appeared, followed by other gods.

"Why did you release the 'Tyrant Dragon Bahamut'?"

Tree God Tasha.

Is Bahamut the right name for this dragon? It started as a fish but has become a synonym for dragons.

"Breaking the boundary between worlds again is unacceptable."

Earth God Dul.

I saw her as an old woman for the first time.

"Forcing trials is your bad habit, but this time it's the worst."

Gold God Rasha.

Her gaze is really painful, but it's directed at Vers, so I'll keep healing silently. I'm just a pitiful person who can be blown away by a breeze.

"Who do you plan to have slay it?"

Fire God Asha (with clothes).

"Ho, you were sulking in your room, but now you're being flashy."

Wind God Var.

Unlike the other gods who frowned, he seemed to be enjoying it.

"It's fine, if left as it was, his dragon would have bled to death. It's his wish to be of service to humans."

Vers said cheerfully.

In other words, this dragon was so dangerous that it required the gathering of all the gods. Damn you, Vers! What were you thinking!!!

"When you move, the world gets noisy."

Darkness God Verna.

"Oh! The lily that blooms deep in the forest, pure, lovely, delicate, and graceful, the gentle moonlight of the night, the beautiful light, the beautiful goddess Verna! It's been a long time!!"

"Brother!?"

A siscon!

Vers and I shouted simultaneously.

All eyes turned to me.

No, to praise someone with such eloquent words and then call them your sister...

And to ignore such a long description means he's always been like that.

"You're always in unexpected places."

"Ho ho, you're the one who caught my eye. Indeed, having multiple [Favors] is rare..."

"Did Vers take an interest in you?"

"Give it up. Even multiple heroes with multiple [Favors] couldn't slay it with human strength."

"Being brave and reckless due to Vers' influence is not a good idea?"

"Meat..."

They were stopped one after another. Before retreating, Vers was apparently creating trials recklessly.

By the way, from top to bottom, it's Tasha, Var, Dul, Asha, Rasha, and Far. Far, will you heal me if I give you meat? I've been casting 'Recovery' without incantation during the conversation, but my MP is almost depleted. I can't drink a potion in this atmosphere.

"No, I just wanted a fluffy mount. And please don't slay it while it's defenseless."

I was dropped in front of the dragon without a choice. And if I'm slain now, it would be a big problem, as I'm wearing it.

"Hmm, the only place where humans can bond with mounts around here is the foothills of the Parthin Mountains in Ail. You should go there."

"South, thank you."

"The armor is in bad taste. You should take it off. And your clothes too."

"I won't! If you heal me, I'll give you a T-bone steak and a pork cutlet."

Far approached and touched the armor, and the bleeding stopped instantly.

"Thank you."

I handed over the promised items and cast 'Purification' on the armor. The pitch-black armor indeed turned pure white, and the darker parts now faintly glowed gold.

The shape was between armor and a robe or coat, with cloth-like parts extending from the waist to near the ankles.

"The 'Sealing Wedge' is broken. Where did you send his dragon?"

Dul was confronting Vers next to me.

"Perhaps due to the long time spent here, the presence is too strong to track other traces."

Tasha's confusion.

Wait a minute?

"I can sense Bahamut's presence from this armor."

When I realized that they might not think this armor is the dragon, Far said,

"Don't worry, because he has already completed the [Trial]!"

Vers turned to me, sweeping the hem of his robe.

"Did you slay it?!"

"No."

I immediately denied Asha's question. Slaying that thing is out of the question.

"His dragon submitted to him."

Vers looked unnecessarily happy and sparkled.

There was a pause.

"I want to say I can't believe it, but the armor you're wearing proves it?"

"Indeed! He desired a mount, and I granted his wish!"

Vers had a smug face, as if saying, "Isn't it amazing? Worship me!" Incidentally, the cream from the cake was still on his face.

"Where is it a mount?"

It looks like armor to me.

"Hmm, it submitted to you, so you can ride it, right?"

"I don't even know how to take it off. Besides, if it returns to its dragon form, flying is one thing, but landing would cause a commotion!"

"In that case, I'll provide a service to change its form, and its size can be adjusted freely. It's already adapted to fit you. I give you the armor, you get the mount, and his dragon gets a second chance. It's a win-win-win situation."

He just wanted to give me a weapon...

"It's very weak."

"It still can't change its form on its own."

"Far healed it, but moving too much will reopen the wounds."

"There are few things that can create new wounds."

"But I still don't recommend it receiving attacks as armor."

Darkness God Verna spoke as if confirming something.

He's different from his brother. I remember he said he dislikes noisy things.

"Sorry, can you change it into a necklace? I can't fight with it, and I want it to stay quiet until it can change its form on its own."

"Sure."

Verna placed her hand on me, and the armor disappeared, replaced by a gem about the length of a finger, emitting a blue light, on my chest. I don't know what kind of gem it is, but it's beautiful.

"Thank you."

I bowed slightly to show my gratitude.

"I made it silver."

The setting and chain around the blue gem, I guess. Is she fighting Vers' taste? Silver vs. Gold?

I'm a bit curious about their sibling relationship.

"Without much ado, is it okay for him to be the dragon's owner?"

Rasha confirmed.

"It's a legitimate right earned by accepting the [Trial] given by the gods."

Tasha responded, and the other gods nodded.

It seems this dragon will be my pet from now on.

"Hmm, so two of the eight beasts sealed by us are now free."

"There are still seven more of these, and those who accept the [Trial] will have a tough time."

Asha's sealed beast: Thunder Beast Nue

Var's sealed beast: White Beast Hasfaan

Dul's sealed beast: Mad Puppet Hamel

Rasha's sealed beast: Nation-Toppling Nine-Tailed Fox Kuzunoha

Far's sealed beast: Poison Bird Sirene

Tasha's sealed beast: End Serpent Kurulukan

Vers' sealed beast: Former Dragon King Bahamut

Verna's sealed beast: Eternal Maiden Alice

Each of them has directly or indirectly destroyed several countries, and not only in the human world but also tried to break the boundaries of the world. The sealing process also involves using the beasts' power to mend the torn boundaries. Despite being weakened by the long seal, Bahamut still poses a significant threat.

"Hey, I'm not the only one who gave [Beast Trials]!"

"Indeed, the seals on all eight beasts are about to break."

Dul said.

"The dragon's seal broke during the trial! It almost required a [Mission] to be given!"

Wait a minute, I was calm after the trial, but now I realize the wedge was removed because the dragon submitted. Was it that dangerous?

Even if not all seven, these six might be future boss quests for slaying.

"Hasfaan's seal was already broken by humans, and everyone knows that. It stayed in one place because it was given other tasks. It still agrees to have its power drained for boundary repair, even though it's outside."

There are some that are well-behaved.

"The 'Dragon' and the 'White Beast' have gained freedom by obtaining owners."

"The [Trial] to obtain the 'White Beast' must have been a difficult path! I will also grant a weapon to those who succeed!"

Vers loves trials. And he's limited it to weapons, showing a high learning ability.

"I don't remember giving any [Trial]. When I saw them bringing a beast into the temple and then leading it outside, I just gave it a hasty approval. If you want to give a [Trial], the owner is right there, do as you please."

Var looked at me and Vers alternately, as if teasing us.

"... Is it Fahn the white one?"

"Now!?"

I was interrupted by Var.

I remember when I brought White out, Var said it destroyed a country and caused chaos. At that time, I was thinking about "Give me strawberries or I'll tickle you!" or "Skirt lifting."

"My trial-takers already had a beast! ... Could it be the one that purred on your lap while I was drinking tea!?"

"Indeed, that was the reaction. I was surprised when I saw it, and I wouldn't have noticed if I hadn't heard about it."

Dul said in an old woman's voice. I can't get used to her as an old woman with long, bony fingers, after imagining her as a sun-tanned, muscular farmer.

Wait, maybe I meet the gods often because of the [Gods' Time] title and cooking, but also because I have White? Are they observing me?

As I thought this, the gods other than Verna and Vers were looking at me.

"Well, the dragon's situation is settled, right?"

"Let's end the serious talk. Now, let's talk about meat."

It was just my imagination.