Chapter 3

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"Wh-Why do you know...?"

"Understanding ancient language, magic, necessary. Started using for conversation. Clumsy, impolite."

The young man answered my confused question with due respect, and my spirits soared at the first proper conversation in centuries.

"Don't worry about it at all. I'm actually delighted that we can communicate! It's the first time in ages!"

"Can I ask a question?"

"Of course, please do!"

I waited excitedly for his words. He paused for a moment, as if thinking.

"What is the dragon doing here?"

"I'm restoring the normal flow of magic here. Do you know about ley lines? They're like pathways of magic that run through the ground and air, and dragons manage them to ensure they flow optimally."

"!! So, are you increasing the number of magical creatures?"

"Wow, that's your interpretation."

Managing the flow of magic isn't necessarily beneficial to humans or other creatures, but to think that my work isn't even recognized...

"I know, but what kind of life do the other dragons lead?"

"Rather, I adjust to prevent excessive accumulation of magic. It might seem like I'm increasing the number of magical creatures because I came when there was an excess of magic, but I'm just managing the flow of magic according to the will of the world."

"What... a thing..."

He emphasized this point and then looked at me with a stunned expression, as if the world had been turned upside down. Though he spoke in human language, his expression suggested "Oh my God!"

Well, the other dragons are extreme loners. They probably had no interactions at all. It's no wonder they're unknown.

Since he didn't seem to have any more questions, I asked about something that had been bothering me.

"Hey, why were you sent here? And how did you realize I could understand language?"

"Talking takes a long time, is that okay?"

"Of course, we have plenty of time."

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According to his hesitant narration:

It seems that the army of a country called Barrow, located near this forest, was trying to slay a dragon (me) they believed to be the cause of the increase in powerful magical creatures and monsters, which was due to the ley lines being out of sync.

However, they were no match for me in automatic defense mode and were forced to retreat. Despite this, the country couldn't give up because the scales and claws of dragons (apparently, they call wyverns and other reptilian magical creatures dragons) are the best materials. So, the army was reformed multiple times by soldiers and mercenaries who wanted to earn glory.

It's a troublesome story, but things can turn in unexpected ways.

The last group of dragon hunters included a magician who had studied the ancient language I use. He realized that my mumbling, which was thought to be just growling, matched the intonation of the ancient language.

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...To think that all my thoughts were being blurted out in my sleep... I feel like I want to bury myself.

Maybe I should just merge with the ley lines.

"That, I am your friend. I reported to the country. The scholars didn't believe it. Dragons have no intelligence, they don't speak."

Yeah, I get it. I'm considered the same as wyverns. Only the automatic defense dragons have been communicating, so it's understandable, but it's sad.

And it gets even more incredible from here.

The young man continued with a slightly troubled expression.

"Dragon slaying, impossible. Therefore, strong. The country thought. They decided to use unnecessary people, criminals, to kill."

"Who, criminals? Who?"

He paused, as if unsure whether to continue or if he didn't want to.

"Feeling bad? Should I stop?"

"No, it's fine, continue."

Encouraged, he hesitated but continued, and I was inwardly flabbergasted by the unsettling content.

"I am a criminal. But I studied ancient language a little. I understand. The country offered a deal. If I could talk to the dragon, freedom. If I could kill the dragon, freedom. But the truth is, the execution of criminals."

To think they would use something that might not even work as a guillotine... Are the leaders of Barrow country even sane? Moreover, it's infuriating that they would use me without permission. Besides, this guy doesn't look like a criminal at all.

I asked cautiously:

"By the way, what did you do to get arrested?"

"Research, presentation. Where magic comes from, world, circulation, stagnation, bad. Country, magic, fixed, crops, abundant, harvest. Increase in magical creatures, cause. Pointed out possibilities. Imprisoned."

In other words, they were using magic as fertilizer to increase crop yields. I see, that explains the strangely artificial pathways.

Since ancient spirits can also create ley lines, I thought it might have been a spirit living here, but the holes in the ground didn't make sense. It turns out it was humans.

It's so sloppy that it can't be repurposed, and it's so rigidly fixed that it's hard to remove, which is one of the reasons management is difficult. I'll take care of it someday.

Still, this young man, though a bit naive, must be incredibly talented to have figured out the principles of ley lines on his own. This country seems to be a dictatorship that suppresses information that doesn't suit them. If that's the case, he should have fled to another country.

"Anyway, now that you're no longer restrained, why don't you escape? I have no intention of doing anything to you."

At this suggestion, his sky-blue eyes clouded over.

"Impossible. To learn magic, a pledge is required. No defiance against the country. High-level, strict. Death curse. Without permission, leaving the country, death."

Hmm, that makes sense. As my grandfather said, mages are still considered human-shaped ultimate weapons that hold state secrets and military power. It's necessary to concentrate power in one person, but... I don't like it at all.

Putting that aside, I tilted my head at the young man, who was smiling hollowly as if there was nothing he could do.

Well, for something with that kind of coercive power, magic must be directly inscribed on the body or soul. But I can't sense any magic other than his own. Maybe...

After examining his magic flow, I was shocked.

"That, it probably doesn't work."

"?"

"Actually, when I tried to remove your restraints, I accidentally overpowered it and erased all the magic spells on you. I just checked, and there's no magic reaction other than yours, so your magical contract with the country is probably gone... Ah, are you okay!?"

I was about to ask if he felt any physical changes, but...

After a brief moment of closing his eyes, large tears started to fall from both eyes, and I was genuinely flustered.

Because I haven't seen a grown man cry in centuries!! He must have just realized it himself, and I didn't expect such a reaction, so I was just flustered.

I asked if he was in pain, and he shook his head no, so I wanted to believe he was relieved to be free from the pressure of carrying a bomb.

While letting him cry for a while, I reflected.

It's a good thing his magic was strong and his resistance was high. I knew that a power difference could break a magical contract, but if it could be erased so easily, it would have blown away the person. Even if it didn't blow away, it could have left physical or soul damage, which would have been irreparable.

...I need to improve my magic control.

"...Hiccup, dragon, thank you, from the bottom of my heart."

"You don't have to force yourself to speak. Dragons are patient. Cry as much as you need."

And take some time to reflect.

But the young man didn't think that way and tried to stop his tears, wiping them with the sleeve of his tattered coat.

Ah, that will make your eyes red.

As expected, his eyes were red and swollen, and he looked up at me, and I thought he was kind of cute, but I kept that to myself. He's probably in his early twenties.

"Hiccup... I, hiccup, want to thank the dragon. Is there, hiccup, anything I can do?"

I almost said no out of reflex, but I thought, wait a minute.

Is this a chance?

This person understands my language and, being human, must know modern language. This could advance my long-abandoned plan to make friends.

If I can, I'll make him feel indebted and ensure he doesn't escape!

I quickly changed my approach and spoke excitedly.

"Then, would you teach me human language?"

"Human language... language? Why?"

"I've tried to convey that I have no hostile intentions in other places, but since I only know this language, it hasn't worked. It's no use if they just cry and scream. I've never met anyone who wanted to talk to me, so I gave up on learning human language."

"Humans, unfriendly. Dragon, strong. Language, necessary?"

He looked at me confused, not understanding why I would put in so much effort. Of course, he doesn't know my main reason.

"But to get them to understand our situation peacefully, language is the best way, isn't it? If they don't understand, it's better to understand them. You, who understand my language, are the right person. I thought it would be interesting to talk to humans who occasionally come here for a break. What do you think?"

Actually, the latter is the main reason!

The young man's tears had stopped, and he looked taken aback, but his sky-blue eyes looked up at me with determination and nodded firmly.

"Dragon, I will do whatever you wish."

Suddenly, he knelt on the ground and bowed deeply.

...Wait, is that the pose a servant shows respect to their master?

Suddenly, his flaxen and pale pink hair, infused with magic, floated gently.

"I, Nectar Prominent, swear to dedicate my body, my magic, and my soul to the noble black dragon."

This fluent declaration was in the ancient language, the most optimal for moving magic, and it was a magical oath that even dragons couldn't alter. In this case, it means "I will be your familiar."

...What is this super development?

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