Chapter 123
Over a millennium ago, that’s when the dragon was first sighted.
Back in those days, based on the records, humans initially mistook it for a meteor or something of that sort.
Makes sense, right? The term ‘meteor’ probably didn’t even exist back then. People probably freaked out, thinking “A star has fallen!”？
Then, out of nowhere, a huge crater appeared.
People of that era probably thought the explosion was the wrath of a god or something.
I bet there was massive panic. But that’s not the main point right now.
That massive crater still exists today.
It’s transformed into a vast lake.
Oh, by the way, this lake isn’t on our continent.
It’s on the neighboring continent.
It’s called the Axis Lake in the Segan Continent.
Super famous lake, a major tourist spot.
Oops, I got sidetracked.
So, right in the center of that crater was where the dragon resided.
At first, it looked like a mere meteor — well, more like a hunk of rock.
But then it started moving.
It transformed into a dragon.
That was the initial encounter.
Between humans and the most powerful dragon.
Initially, humans tried to hunt the dragon.
What? You’d think no sane person would mess with a dragon that obviously powerful?
Well, the king at the time was quite foolish.
A millennium ago, on this continent, there existed a powerful nation, the first in history to unify the entire continent.
A king who forcefully pacified a war-torn continent.
This king believed that power was everything, and he was the embodiment of it.
So naturally, he thought:
He misconceived the dragon as some servant or lesser creature he should command.
He ruled the continent.
So in his mind, this dragon was a blessing from the gods.
A divine sign that with the dragon’s power, he could further his conquest.
I mean, given that he achieved continental domination, it’s not surprising he was a bit arrogant.
The king reportedly said:
「Dragon! Serve me! Otherwise, I shall destroy you with all my might.」
And then… that kingdom crumbled.
In just one night.
Within mere hours, the king, his kingdom, and all its inhabitants were obliterated.
At least, that’s what the records suggest.
Furthermore, the dragon’s fury extended across the continent.
A single massive continent was divided into four due to the dragon’s wrath.
That’s the origin of the world as we know it.
One of those parts is our homeland, the Faudo Continent.
The few survivors afterward declared it taboo to interfere with the dragon, maintaining a hands-off approach.
Luckily for them, as long as they didn’t provoke it, the dragon did no harm.
But as times change, so do people’s perspectives.
After a few centuries, such prohibitions start to wane.
Over the millennia, countless fools tried to claim the dragon as their own.
Every era has its idiots who see dragons as a symbol of power.
And every time they tried, kingdoms collapsed, and continents were thrown into chaos.
After so many years and countless lives lost, humans finally learned.
Never, ever provoke this dragon.
People feared and revered the dragon’s wrath even more than that of a demon king.
Well, the dragon does have a longer history than any demon king.
Never lay a finger on it.
Never even touch it.
It’s humanity’s biggest taboo.
The worst natural disaster and the strongest dragon.
If angered, its wrath could consume not just a continent, but the entire world. An actual divine catastrophe.
Throughout history, only three such god-tier monsters have ever been documented.
With just one of them capable of rewriting history, kingdoms, and even continents.
The mightiest dragon, crowned as the 『Divine Disaster Dragon King.』
Its name is… Earth Dragon Jibru.
「―――That’s all. That was the beginner’s guide to Jibru, easy enough for any sage to understand. Well, at a glance, it’s something like that. So, any questions?」
『Not exactly questions, more like, what in the world?!』
I hold my head in disbelief after hearing Elibel’s explanation.
What do I even say?
My mother… she was more of a monster, no, a dragon than I could ever have imagined.
Destroying a nation overnight and splitting continents…?
Her power seems to surpass any sacred or magic swords Elibel knows of.
Even Wald seems less intimidating compared to her.
「Given that you came from Jibru, your numerous unique attributes make sense to me now.」
Despite my obvious distress, Elibel remains eerily calm.
『Why didn’t you leave this knowledge in the ruins, Elibel?』
If I had known all this beforehand, I wouldn’t have been so shaken by Gwyve’s words.
「Well, this is basic knowledge that even a child in this world knows. I saw no need to inscribe such a thing in my ruins.」
Makes sense, I guess.
She’s a researcher.
She’d document her findings, not things everyone already knows.
Thinking about it, general knowledge was scarcely found in Elibel’s ruins.
That’s why I had to send Una and Dos outside.
Wait a minute… Does that mean Elibel researched the history of heroes and demon kings?
Their details were so extensively covered, even with a restoration function.
「In this instance, your lack of knowledge about this world’s basics worked against you.」
That’s one way to put it.
But something else bothers me.
『Hey, Elibel. My mother, Jibru… she’s still alive, right? So, aren’t the earth dragons technically not extinct? Well, considering I’m here.』
In Elibel’s records, it was implied the earth dragons were extinct.
Isn’t that misleading?
She scratches her head in thought.
「The thing is… Defining Jibru as an earth dragon is questionable. She might belong to that species, but her power and magical power are so extraordinary that it doesn’t seem right to classify her as such.」
Moreover, Elibel adds,
「Among other researchers, it was the official stance to recognize Jibru not as an earth dragon but as a separate category. If every earth dragon was perceived to be like her, you wouldn’t like it either, right? Though you’re quite exceptional yourself.」
How rude.
But fair enough.
Is it because my mother is so extraordinary that she can’t be counted as the same species?
Huh?
So, where does that place me?
I’m an earth dragon, right? Probably.
“More importantly,” Elibel notes,
「We need to address Gwyve. We need to question how he knew about all this.」
『True…』
Gwyve’s tone was undeniably that of someone in the know.
There must be some connection between him and my mother.
There’s just so much I want to ask him.
『Gwyve isn’t in the Eld Desert now. I believe he mentioned heading to the Holy Land.』
「Let’s first consult with Elja. She might have heard something from Gwyve.」
『Sounds good.』
With that, I initiate a thought transmission to Elja, beckoning her.
Fade to black.
「Master Earth, is something the matter?」
Elja, upon being summoned, had come immediately to the lab.
But…
『Hey, Elja. What happened to you? Why do you look so worn out?』
Indeed.
For some reason, Elja appeared ragged.
Her white dress was torn in places and stained with soot. Her green hair was unkempt and greasy.
…Ah, now that I think about it, Ann took her to the middle layer earlier.
「Please don’t worry. It wasn’t Lady Ann’s fault.」
『Wait, did something happen in the middle layer again―――』
「Please don’t worry. It wasn’t Lady Ann’s fault.」
Right.
Best pretend I didn’t hear that.
Her eyes seemed devoid of their usual spark.
It seemed like she’d experienced something traumatic.
『W-Well, alright then.』
「Yes, that’s right.」
For the moment, both Elibel and I asked Elja if she had heard anything about Jibru from Gwyve.
Regaining her composure, Elja pondered for a moment before responding.
「Hmm… I haven’t heard anything in particular.」
『I see. Do you know anything about Gwyve himself?』
Considering the many mysteries surrounding him, it wouldn’t hurt to ask.
Elja stroked her chin thoughtfully.
「Regarding Uncle Gwyve… All I know is that he occasionally visits, shares amusing tales, and gives me food. He’s always been a kind figure to me…」
Sounds just like the friendly neighborhood uncle.
「…So, there’s nothing else you can tell us?」
Elibel asked, her tone suggesting slight exasperation.
「Well… Important matters were usually discussed with my father, or rather, his attendant. Come to think of it, I don’t know much about Uncle Gwyve either. How surprising.」
This Holy Dragon isn’t of much help at all.
Both Elibel and I sighed in disappointment.
「Hmm, no useful information then…」
『What should we do?』
Perhaps someone should go to the Holy Land.
However, Una and Dos have already departed for the Continental Congress in the Hà Giang Empire.
Who else could go to the Holy Land?
While Elibel and I pondered, Elja spoke up.
「How about this, Lord Earth? Why not accompany me to the Holy Land?」
『Eh?』
「Other Holy Dragons reside there, and other dragon types too, including Uncle Gwyve. Some might know more about Lord Jibru. Plus, as a Dragon King, it’s essential for you to forge bonds with other dragons.」
That… makes sense.
It might be quickest to ask Gwyve about my mother directly in the Holy Land.
『Hmm…』
It’s been two years since I arrived in this world.
I should start establishing connections outside.
『Alright, I’ve decided.』
With that, I nodded firmly.
「In that case, Master Earth…!」
「Earth… Y-you’re actually going outside on your own?!」
Elja’s face brightened up instantly.
On the other hand, the flames in Elibel’s eye sockets flickered intensely.
That’s right.
When I decide to do something, I do it thoroughly.
I even have a vessel golem.
Therefore…
『Yeah… I’ll consider going, when I feel like it.』
Both Elibel and Elja were taken aback.
Well, going outside is a hassle…
For now, I’m hungry. I’ll eat and then think about it again.
…It’s even a bother going out as a vessel golem. Isn’t there a way to go out without actually going out?
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