Chapter 275
“Make sure you do your best today, got it?”
With a creak, Lloyd looked up with a smile. The coolest master in the world, Lloyd. The incomparably refreshing and absolute leader of the Bone Brigade, Lloyd. At his master’s reminder, Bondragon, Yongyong, nodded his massive skull vigorously. And he thought to himself, indeed, our master is the best. I’ve missed him terribly.
“Creak! Squeak!” Yongyong fiddled with the oversized bow tie around his neck, reminiscing about the past days.
It had been lonely. It had been boring. Reuniting with Lloyd in hell was a moment of pure joy. And the journey back to the royal capital via the Hellgate was genuinely thrilling. But that joy and cheer were short-lived, all because of what Lloyd had said at the time.
“Yongyong, you’ll cause quite a stir if people notice you here, so stay hidden for now. Over there, that’s east.”
Was that what he said? Then Lloyd had also given an order.
“Just keep flying east, and you’ll come across a huge mountain range, the Eastern Mountains. Stay there for a while, have fun. If you meet any orcs, make friends with them. You’re a good boy, Yongyong. If you listen well, I’ll introduce you to the Bone Brigade brothers later. Now, off you go.”
Of course, he followed the order without question. It was a command from his master Lloyd, after all. He flew diligently to the Eastern Mountains. He even took a bath in a lake deep in the mountains, something he hadn’t done in a long while. Then, he encountered an orc tribe. The orcs roared in welcome, which made Lloyd’s reminder and command come flooding back. Since he was told to be friendly with the orcs, he roared back in greeting with all the friendliness he could muster. The orc warriors burst into laughter, a fanatical (?) response. It was the first time he had received such a greeting. The orcs climbed onto his body, patting him all over with various battle axes, spears, and hammers. Sometimes they tied him up with ropes and tugged, twisted, and bent him. The orc warriors were indeed strong. It was very satisfying. It was far more exhilarating and refreshing than any half-hearted massage or physiotherapy. From then on, Yongyong’s daily routine involved playing (?) with the orc warriors by the Kapua lakeside in the Eastern Mountains. Every day was thrilling. Yet, despite the excitement, there was an emptiness in his thoracic cavity that wouldn’t go away because he missed Lloyd.
“Squeak… Creak…” No matter how much fun he had with the orcs, no matter how refreshing the massages felt, nothing could fill the emptiness. He longed to spend time with his master. He wanted to show off, to work hard, to be praised. But the opportunity to do so was rare. Lloyd didn’t call for him. Even after returning to the territory right below the mountains, it was the same! “Squeak…” He felt neglected but bore it. He knew why Lloyd didn’t call him, why he didn’t introduce him to the Bone Brigade brothers. He thought it was because he was ugly, especially his head shape, that made him embarrassing to show around. Whenever such thoughts crossed his mind, he felt dejected, his scapulae shriveled, and he felt envious of those naturally handsome beings who seemed to cheat existence itself. It was sorrowful. He grew tired of playing with the orc warriors. He decided to become twisted. He spent all day cooped up at the bottom of the lake. Then, one day, out of nowhere, without any warning, Lloyd sent a signal!
“Creak!” Dismissing his sulking, Yongyong burst forth from the lake, spurred by the soul connection provided by the undead control skill, happily flapping towards Lloyd’s location. He flew swiftly to the royal capital. He savored a rare reunion with Lloyd. And today, he received an incredible mission.
“Remember, who is the star of today’s banquet?”
“Creak!”
“Right. It’s you. The success of today’s banquet depends on what you do. So, you are today’s main character. What should you do?”
“Squeak!”
“Okay. You remember well. Just like the script I recited earlier. When I give the signal, appear at the designated place, in the promised posture, as powerfully and dramatically as possible. And then?”
“Creak!”
“Correct. You remember well. Sync well with the queen. Got it?”
“Squeak!”
“Good. Oh, you smart little thing. If you pull this off, you won’t have to hide anymore. You can show yourself with pride. So, fighting?”
“Creak!”
After finishing his pep talk, Lloyd headed to the banquet first. Yongyong watched his master’s retreating figure and nodded his massive skull with all his might, mentally preparing himself. If he could just get through today, he would be able to be with Lloyd as much as he wanted. Adjusting his enormous, custom-tailored tuxedo, he checked for any misalignments in his bow tie or wrinkles in his suit, repeatedly inspecting himself. He felt insecure.
“Creak…”
What if his ugliness scared people? Despite Lloyd’s reassurances, he couldn’t help but worry. Then, shortly after, a signal came from Lloyd at the banquet hall.
“Now!”
With a whoosh, Yongyong took off at Lloyd’s signal, his giant tuxedo tailcoat fluttering as he soared high into the night sky. He quickly checked the position and angle of the full moon, ensuring his silhouette could be seen against the moon from the banquet hall, casting his shadow across the night sky. He flew to that spot and roared.
“…!”
It was a carefully modulated silent roar, the shockwaves vibrating through the night air, shaking objects miles away at the banquet hall, causing instruments to resonate uncontrollably, wine in glasses to slosh, and making the body of a foreign diplomat, who had been scoffing at today’s event and the Magentano royal family, shudder.
“Bone dragon!” A shriek tore through the night.
Fear and dread spilled over, gripping the banquet in an instant wave of terror. The guests thought, “Not today, of all days.” The last banquet had been ruined by a bone dragon attack, and now, to their dismay, a dragon appeared again during the event meant to make amends.
“How unfortunate to be a victim at such an event,” they lamented, fearful and desperate, remembering the royal family’s previous failure to fend off the bone dragon effectively.
As these fears swirled, the bone dragon Yongyong landed at the banquet.
“Kwaang!”
“Scream for help!” The tremendous impact of its landing, its mere presence engulfing the night sky, sent everyone’s hearts into their stomachs, chilling them to the bone. They felt doomed, unable to flee, their legs too stiff to move, their courage drained.
But then, the moonlight revealed Yongyong’s form clearly.
“…Eh?” Why was the bone dragon wearing a tuxedo? And what about that bow tie around its neck? Could it be a new trend among dragons to dress formally while terrorizing humans?
As everyone grappled with this absurd thought, something entirely unexpected happened.
“My bone dragon, the absolute destroyer and guardian of the Magentano royal family, and also my faithful servant. Do not startle everyone needlessly,” Queen Alicia stepped forward, approaching Yongyong with only a sword at her hip, not drawn, her walk confident and unhesitant as if approaching a loyal retainer, without a trace of fear or reservation.
At that moment, everyone realized, “Ah, Queen Alicia is still unmarried, without an heir. The Magentano lineage could end tonight.”
But nothing happened. Yongyong didn’t attack the queen or trample her as feared. Instead, he bowed his head respectfully, humbly, and carefully, as a loyal dog might to its owner, lowering his body and forehead towards her.
Queen Alicia drew her sword, lightly touching Yongyong’s temples in a ceremonial gesture akin to knighting, as if acknowledging and confirming his status.
“I am well aware of your remorse for the previous incident, your sense of responsibility, and your efforts to make amends. Rather than wallowing in guilt, I wish for you to protect our kingdom and redeem yourself through your service,” she announced.
“Creak!” Yongyong nodded his massive skull, a faint smile playing on Queen Alicia’s lips.
“Then, as the Magentano royal family’s dignified retainer and the special host of tonight’s banquet, can you assure the guests they have nothing to fear?”
“Squeak!” Yongyong nodded again, turning to the guests, who flinched under his gaze. They were bewildered, wondering what was unfolding, whether they were trapped in a bizarre dream, as they nervously swallowed their saliva.
Yongyong then stood up, pulling out a few large signs hidden in his tuxedo, each bearing a message written by Lloyd.
“I won’t harm you.”
Silence engulfed everyone.
He then revealed the next signs.
“I don’t bite.”
“Nor do I strike.”
“…Well, that’s a relief,” the guests thought, though worried a sneeze from Yongyong might be fatal.
As the final sign was shown,
“Bone dragon Yongyong is your friend♡”
“…Thank you for that reassurance,” they thought, amidst an overwhelming silence, as Yongyong neatly put away the signs and made a heart gesture with his front claws, then sat down quietly, just like a newly trained puppy might sit, tucking his rear end on the ground and keeping his posture straight and attentive.
Only after seeing this did the guests start to react.
“…Ah, ha ha… ha?” Laughter and bewildered murmurs began to break the silence.
“Is this… Wow, um, ha ha.” The initial shock and silence gave way to a dawning realization and a tentative relief among the attendees.
Gradually, it became clear to everyone. The bone dragon hadn’t attacked the banquet; it was merely a guest, acting under Queen Alicia’s orders. Meaning, the entire spectacle suggested that the Magentano royal family had indeed subdued the bone dragon, turning it into a loyal servant.
“Magentano has actually… tamed the bone dragon? So, it serves Queen Alicia now?” The chaos of the previous bone dragon incident, when the Magentano royal family seemed powerless, had been a source of ridicule. Everyone had doubted their claims of having subdued the dragon after a fierce battle, dismissing it as bluster or an attempt to save face. Yet, here was the proof, turning skepticism into awe.
“Incredible. Magentano has managed to turn a bone dragon into an ally, a part of its military force?” This realization marked Magentano’s ascent to an uncontested pinnacle of power in the Lorasian continent.
Swallowing hard, the foreign diplomats present felt their throats tighten, their minds racing. Their faces, previously marked by smirks of disdain, now bore no trace of amusement, only a dawning realization of the need to urgently communicate this development back to their nations, cautioning against any direct confrontations with Magentano in the near future.
Overwhelmed and certain of Magentano’s new standing, they couldn’t help but feel a mix of respect and fear.
Lloyd, watching from a distance, smiled slyly at the turn of events. “Ah, the sound of their eyes rolling could almost be heard from here,” he mused, amused by the sudden shift in the diplomats’ demeanor, who had previously looked down on the Magentano royal family and Queen Alicia. The successful execution of today’s plan was evident, awaiting only Queen Alicia’s formal declaration to mark its completion.
Soon after, Queen Alicia addressed the assembly, her stance unyielding, her voice resonating with the authority of a sovereign who had solidified her realm’s supremacy on the continent.
“I declare here and now,” she began, signaling out Lloyd, her gaze and the focus of the entire assembly shifting toward him.
