Chapter 24

### Humanization

It seems that this is a special ability observed in dragons.

Originally, dragons with high magical power can use their power to freely change their appearance.

It is said to be extremely rare and almost never seen in any other creature, but I had a sense of déjà vu.

And I soon realized it.

Next to me, standing on two legs, was the mermaid Plat.

"Well, humans and demons, despite their weakness, create various cultures and entertainments, you know," the teacher added.

"Dragons often mimic human forms for the sake of such entertainments, which is actually quite common," the teacher explained.

"Indeed! That's exactly it!!" the dragon, now transformed into a beautiful woman, declared.

"I really liked the food you made! It was completely different from just swallowing a square boar whole!"

"Did you really swallow it whole!?"

"At that moment, I thought: wouldn't human food taste best when eaten in human form? So I decided to try humanization, which I learned from my father a long time ago!!"

Father?

"The King of Dragons, Geyser Dragon. He is also known as the Emperor Dragon," the teacher explained.

The King of Dragons...

What a formidable title, enough to make one shudder.

"Enough of that, human! Bring out more meat quickly! I haven't had enough of your cooking yet!"

And the silver-haired beauty, who had been a terrifying dragon just a moment ago, held out an empty plate.

"Wait a minute!"

The mermaid princess confronted the dragon girl.

"Next, it's my husband's turn to cook meat for me! Follow the order, please!!"

"What do you know, a mere mermaid. Order doesn't matter. The strong take everything. That's the absolute rule, isn't it?"

"If that's the case, the absolute rule here is my husband! Have you forgotten that he tried to run away in fear!?"

Why do women always become so troublesome when they gather in groups?

They say that when three women gather, they plot mischief, but even two are enough to cause trouble.

Well, if you think of it as becoming lively rather than troublesome, it might be fun.

Anyway, I had already thawed a whole boar, so I planned to consume it all today.

It's an impossible amount for a normal person, but considering the size of that dragon girl, it should be easy.

* * *

"I'm so full~ I can't eat anymore~!"

"Me too~!"

It was impossible.

It seems that the stomach size in human form is similar to that of a human.

I had been competing with Plat in a eating contest, but by the fifth plate, I was already full.

There was still more than half of the thawed meat left.

What should I do with it? Should I refreeze it?

Or maybe I should try making ham or smoked meat?

"Viel is the daughter of the Emperor Dragon," the teacher explained.

I had heard this before.

The Emperor Dragon, Geyser Dragon.

The name alone is terrifying.

"Geyser Dragon is a title, and each one has a different name. The title is passed down through generations. The current Geyser Dragon is apparently in the process of selecting a successor—choosing the next Geyser Dragon," the teacher continued.

"Is that Viel?"

"She is one of the candidates at the moment. The current Geyser Dragon has given each successor candidate a trial. Those who overcome their trials remain as candidates..."

This process continues until only one remains, and that one becomes the next Geyser Dragon...

"Viel's trial is to steal the Holy Sword from me. There are a few Holy Swords in this world, each powerful and legendary," the teacher explained.

"One of them is... this one?"

I looked down at the sword at my waist.

Viel had called it the "Evil Holy Sword," a name with a significant history.

"Viel attacked me about fifty years ago, but even as a dragon, she was still a young one and no match for me," the teacher said.

"Wow..."

You say it so casually, but you repelled a dragon, Immortal King?

The two greatest calamities in the world are said to be dragons and the Non-Life King, and you, the teacher, might be one of the strongest Non-Life Kings.

"If she had fled, she would have been removed from the list of Geyser Dragon successors. Viel couldn't return to the Dragon Emperor's Castle without the Holy Sword."

So she settled near the teacher's house, lying low and waiting for an opportunity to steal the Holy Sword.

That was the mountain dungeon...

"Don't get too comfortable, human!"

The dragon princess, Viel, lay on her back with a bloated stomach and glared.

"My father tasked me with bringing back the Evil Holy Sword. Therefore, I have no use for an Immortal King without the Evil Holy Sword! My target is you! The new owner of the Evil Holy Sword!!"

"..."

"Watch this! I'll incinerate you with my breath of fire and retrieve the Evil Holy Sword from the ashes!! I'll present it to my father and take another step toward becoming the Geyser Dragon...? Huh? What are you doing?"

"..."

"Stop it! Don't press my stomach! If you press my stomach now, the contents will come back up...! It will be a disaster! A major disaster! And it would be a waste to throw up the food...! Stop it, stop it, stop it! I'm sorry! I was wrong, please forgive me!!"