Chapter 34: The Dwarf Village (1)

To complete the lair, I need dwarves.

Having carved out the hill and prepared the site, now it’s time to bring in the best experts to finish the interior.

Carving the finest marble, sculpting, creating multiple rooms, and setting up various facilities—there are no better craftsmen than the dwarves. It’s practically impossible without them. So, the dwarves were essential.

Currently, we are in the western frontier of the empire.

The Miliolek Mountain Range, known for its vast mines, hosts a dwarf village. That’s what the records said.

The dwarf who made the kitchen utensils for my restaurant was an old friend. Unfortunately, he had left the empire long ago.

I have no way of knowing his current whereabouts. His mana is weak, so unless he shows up, I can’t find him.

Therefore, the only option is to locate the dwarf village and enlist the help of other dwarves.

The Miliolek Mountain Range, where the dwarf village is said to be, is a place Rurin has never visited.

Hence, we had to use the same method as with the water buffalo. Detecting dragon mana near the western region where Miliolek is located, we attempted to teleport to the intermediary location.

So, somewhere near the valley ahead, there must be an unknown dragon’s lair.

“I don’t see any dwarves.”

“Would you live near a dragon’s lair if you were a dwarf?”

“If I were, I’d catch the dwarves and force them to work. So, this lair’s dragon should also…”

“Forcing them isn’t a good way to get efficient work done. Just formally request their help instead of forcing them.”

I pressed Rurin’s temples with both hands.

A good work of art comes from enthusiasm. Starting with violence is no good. Dragons, really…

Anyway, dwarves are also afraid of dragons. They’ll probably tremble in fear, but with a bit of motivation, the combination of fear and drive will create synergy in construction.

“Ow, that hurts!”

I took Rurin’s hand and started walking out of the valley. This should be the west.

The dwarf village is about a day’s walk past this mountain towards the Miliolek Range. The dwarves are likely offering tribute to the master of this mountain.

Tribute for safety and peace.

That’s the nature of a dragon’s territory. If the Black Dragon elder recognizes Grayks as Rurin’s territory because she has a lair there, it means that the surrounding monsters must pay respect and tribute.

Some dragons do attack humans. It doesn’t happen often without reason. Usually, they don’t breathe fire on human lands without cause. But it can happen if tributes aren’t paid.

The Empire’s near-destruction was due to being caught up in a dragon war, not because of missed tributes.

“Rurin.”

“What is it?”

Rurin, who was holding my hand even tighter, looked up at me as I stopped.

“Can’t you feel it?”

“I can feel it. Your hand is warm. Heehee.”

“No, not that, idiot.”

“I’m not an idiot! If it’s something else, I sense the presence of another dragon. But isn’t that expected near a lair?”

Dragons usually sleep for long periods. During those centuries of slumber, they’re free to receive tributes and whatnot.

The last time I used a dragon’s lair as an intermediary to catch the water buffalo, the lair’s owner was in a deep sleep. But it seems the owner of this lair is different.

We’re getting a grand welcome.

In the sky, a red dragon appeared, flapping its wings in its true form.

The intent to eliminate the intruder was clear. The dragon’s wingbeats created winds that shook the ground.

“Look! It’s a damn red dragon.”

Rurin glared at the dragon. Red and black dragons don’t get along. The last war was primarily caused by discord between red and black dragons.

“A human dares trespass in my territory without permission! Only death awaits you!”

The dragon landed, showing off its massive body and emitting a terrifying aura. Ordinary humans would die instantly from a dragon’s aura alone. But that doesn’t work on me or Rurin.

Judging by its size, this dragon reached adulthood long ago.

“Stupid red dragon. Do I look like a mere human?”

As Rurin responded with her aura, the red dragon roared even more ferociously.

“Grrrr!”

“A lowly black dares! How insolent!”

The dragon roared, immediately opening its mouth wide. A breath of pure energy erupted.

Boom!

Rurin couldn’t block the dragon’s breath in human form. She could if she reverted to her true form, but she showed no intention of doing so. She just glared at the red dragon.

Well, the breath won’t harm Rurin. I’m here.

I countered the dragon’s breath with a 9th-class spell, Plasma Break.

Plasma Break absorbs immense energy and returns it to the attacker. The plasma blob that absorbed the breath began to engulf the dragon. Given that the breath is a mass of energy, the Plasma Break became quite large.

Boom!

The clash of Plasma Break and the dragon created a massive explosion.

But dragons don’t die so easily. Even with 9th-class ultimate magic, they’re tough to kill.

Dragons, especially, are full of pride and don’t enjoy conversations. Their tendency to immediately use breath attacks is a clear sign.

I dislike seeing Rurin get hurt. I’m not sure why, but I just don’t like it.

Especially if her black hair gets damaged—that’s unforgivable.

It’s peculiar that Rurin doesn’t revert to her true form even when another dragon appears.

Not just now. Rurin has always been reluctant to show her true form in front of me. She always stays in her human form.

But even a dragon in human form is at risk from another dragon’s breath.

Of course, the title of Dragon Slayer isn’t for nothing, so she doesn’t need to transform.

I used Plasma Break against the dragon once more.

Boom!

The red dragon’s body caught fire, turning an even deeper red.

Groaning, the red dragon used ice magic to quell the flames and glared at me.

“A 9th-class mage! A human! Could it be? No, wait!”

As I prepared another Plasma Break, the red dragon quickly shouted and was soon engulfed in light. It was attempting to polymorph.

A woman with red hair appeared. Unlike Rurin, she exuded sensuality, likely having lured many men with her charms.

Unlike our naive Rurin…

The red dragon’s back was still smoking where my magic had burned her.

“Arrogant red!”

Rurin, still holding my hand tightly, mocked the red dragon.

“Hah, laughable. Black, step aside! You, human, I remember. The human who slaughtered my kin in the last war? You ate the Lord’s heart, didn’t you? Yes, I remember! My memory is unbeatable!”

“Yes, that’s true.”

When I admitted it coolly, the red dragon took a step back in shock. She must have participated in the last war, judging by her sweat.

“Why are you here with a lowly black?”

“Who are you calling lowly! Elle is mine. That’s why we’re together. Got it, you stupid female!”

Whose am I? This dragon…

As Rurin spouted nonsense, the red dragon seemed to believe her, speaking with curiosity.

“That human is yours? How did you tame him? Wouldn’t he make a great subordinate?”

These dragons! Rurin began boasting even more.

“He’s mine, so he’s mine. He said he’d stay by my side forever!”

Rurin puffed up proudly.

So, I pressed her temples again.

“Hey, who’s yours? And what do you mean, tame?”

“Ow! Didn’t I say that hurts! And you did say you’d stay with me!”

Well, that’s true. I said that to comfort her when she was hurt and rampaging after being bullied by her kind.

“That’s true, but why does that mean I’m yours?”

And this red dragon, talking about making someone a subordinate?

“If you’re not a lowly black’s, why not be mine? I know humans well. I’ve had many playful times. Melting a human man is my specialty. Want to experience it? Huh, what could that little girl do?”

The red dragon approached me seductively. Sexy, but not going to work.

Thanks to that, Rurin was emitting a fierce killing intent, almost enough to transform. To calm the situation, I glared at both dragons.

“Red dragon, cut the nonsense and step back.”

Seeing that talking wouldn’t work, I showed the ultimate 9th-class magic, Intra Breaking, used in the war to kill dragons. The red dragon, recognizing it, fled.

“That’s the magic that killed my kin! No, I was just joking. Sorry, my bad! I don’t want to die!”

Remembering the powerful magic, the dragon cowered, clutching her head in fear.

“Did you see that? You can’t compare me to you! Right, Elle?”

Rurin looked at me, smiling happily. Thankfully, her killing intent subsided.

“Fine. Red dragon, we were just passing through. Let’s stop this nonsense and move on.”

“Do whatever you want! I don’t want to face a black or that human. I don’t want to be shredded. I still want more fun and sleep!”

“That’s fortunate.”

“You’re sparing her? Such a red deserves death!”

“Unless you want to start another war, calm down. No more hand-holding?”

“I don’t want that.”

Rurin immediately turned her back, snuggling close to me. Apparently, my hand was more important than dealing with the red dragon.

“But can I ask something? Is this the way to the Miliolek Range?”

To confirm, I pointed the direction and asked. The red dragon nodded.

“Yes, but why go there?”

“We’re looking for the dwarf village.”

Hearing this, the red dragon tilted her head slightly.

“What? The dwarves were wiped out in the last war. That’s why there’s no tribute anymore. Humph.”