Chapter 981
“We’re… we’re supposed to catch a Dragon with just us? Are you serious?”
Burren swallowed hard.
“He made that weird song, and now he’s lost his mind too…”
Martha twirled her finger by her temple, utterly baffled.
“Yeah, I will…”
Runaan nodded calmly, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
“N-No way!”
Dorian shook his head violently, his cowardice flaring back to life.
“It’s definitely an Ancient Dragon! How can we catch that!”
He squeezed his eyes shut, convinced it was impossible.
“I-It’s obviously a joke, right?”
Krein laughed awkwardly as he examined Raon’s expression.
“Nope? He’s serious…?”
As the person who had suffered Raon’s fists the most, he recognized immediately that Raon wasn’t joking.
“A Dragon…”
Mark Gorton smacked his lips, resting a hand on his sword, already looking forward to the hunt.
“If the Lord orders it, we have no choice. But we should think this through. This might be too much.”
Trevin frowned, wondering if Raon had really thought things out.
“He’s right.”
Borgos exhaled heavily, his eyes narrowing.
“Azure Dragon Desius is an Ancient Dragon. I know the strength of the Light Wind Palace better than anyone, but you can’t face him without Raon Zieghart.”
He exhaled a murky breath, like smoke leaking from a pipe.
“The dwarves threatened by that damn Dragon… no, they’re not even living. If you’re planning some half-baked rescue, it’s better to ignore it and pretend you saw nothing.”
Borgos frowned deeply, saying that giving false hope to people barely clinging to life was the worst cruelty.
“Not that I’m in any position to say that…”
He scrunched his nose and looked at his feet.
“I knew they were being exploited, but I couldn’t help. I didn’t have the strength, and I couldn’t ask anyone else for help either…”
Borgos shook his head, crushed by his own powerlessness.
“I understand.”
Vulcan patted him on the back.
“Asking outsiders to die over something that’s not their business… even a Demonkin wouldn’t do that.”
He clicked his tongue. He would’ve made the same choice Borgos had.
“Borgos is right. To face an Ancient Dragon, you need a Transcendant.”
Raon nodded. When he’d slain Mad Dragon Kaibar, Aris had blocked most of the attacks; Raon had only delivered the final blow.
“But I’m not joking. I believe these guys can catch that Dragon.”
“You’re serious?”
Burren narrowed his eyes.
“No matter how I think about it…”
“Of course, I’m not saying you’ll be doing everything.”
Raon smiled faintly and shook his head.
“I’ll block the Breath and any Transcendent-level magic.”
He raised a hand, meaning he would cover the fatal threats, just as Aris had done.
“Hmm… in that case…”
Burren’s eyes shifted. A sliver of possibility had opened.
“Then we can do it! Without the Breath, it’s just a lizard!”
Martha clapped excitedly, eager to catch a Dragon with her own hands.
“Yeah, I will…”
Runaan nodded again, expression unchanged.
“I-I still don’t want to!”
Dorian trembled so violently it looked like he had already been swallowed whole.
“If you think about it, a Dragon might be less scary than the Lord with a sword…?”
Krein shut his eyes, trying to psychologically reframe the situation.
“It can’t be helped…”
“Yeah. It’s not like he’d stop if we refused.”
“We just have to do it.”
One by one, the swordsmen nodded in resignation.
“Then everyone agrees.”
Raon nodded at the Light Wind Palace swordsmen, now burning with fighting spirit.
“N-No, I don’t!”
Dorian raised his hand, but Raon ignored him.
-That guy never changes.
Wrath shook his head.
‘But he’ll fight properly when it counts.’
Since awakening the Mind’s Eye, Dorian hadn’t run or backed down once. Terrified or not, he moved whenever his comrades were in real danger.
“Please continue. Tell me about Azure Dragon Desius.”
Raon nodded at Borgos.
“Azure Dragon Desius is a Red Dragon who built his nest at the far end of the Eastern Desert. A wicked creature who burns everything to ash with hellfire.”
Borgos explained the Dragon’s domain, then took a short breath.
“A desert? I thought he lived near a volcano if he was using dwarves.”
Raon frowned. Deserts did produce heat, but dwarves thrived near volcanic zones. He didn’t understand why a Dragon would choose a desert.
“Because he spreads the heat himself.”
Borgos curled his lip.
“Firepower? That strong?”
Raon let out a low groan.
“It means he doesn’t care if the slaves die.”
Borgos shook his head. Dragons saw every other race as insects—everyone knew that.
“What a piece of trash…”
Burren bit down hard on his lip.
“Why are there no decent Dragons or Archangels?”
Martha shook her head in disgust. None of the stories her mother had read her were true.
“Yeah. Demon Kings are nicer…”
Runaan pouted. She hated the Celestial race and Dragons.
-Ice Cream Girl!
Wrath clasped his hands, deeply moved by Runaan’s words.
“Still, that’s a relief.”
Raon let out a soft sigh.
“R-Relief? How?”
Borgos tilted his head.
“I was worried I might accidentally pick a fight with a good Dragon, but I don’t have to worry now.”
Raon’s smile turned frosty.
“I’m glad he’s someone I won’t feel guilty killing.”
He gripped Heavenly Drive and began turning away.
“Get ready.”
He glanced back at Borgos and Vulcan, whose eyes had widened.
“Because I’m bringing back the Red Dragon’s corpse.”
He told them to return to their work, then descended toward Mirthan Village.
“We will follow the Lord.”
At Burren’s signal, the Light Wind Palace swordsmen followed, their aura sharp and disciplined.
“Ugh…”
Vulcan took a swig and shook his head.
“Those youngsters have become proper tempered swords.”
He clicked his tongue proudly.
“Yeah.”
Borgos nodded.
“Whoever tempered them… they’re masterpieces.”
He shook his head in amazement.
“Whoever tempered them? He’s right there.”
Vulcan pointed at Raon’s back and laughed.
“A craftsman who forges blades better than us.”
He smiled faintly, remembering Raon at the charcoal kiln long ago, declaring his goals.
“Still a long way to go, right?”
Go further, Raon.
***
A gray desert, so dry it looked scorched black.
A dwarf with a long, ragged brown beard wandered weakly through the sand.
“It’s not here either…”
After searching for a long time, he slumped down, defeated.
“I’ll have to turn another forest and mountain into a desert…”
He covered his soot-darkened face with sand-stained hands, trembling.
“Hoo…”
He let out a long breath, heavy with years of suffering.
“I have to go back… but still…”
He pressed a fist to his knee and forced himself upright.
“This road is hell.”
As he turned to retrace his steps, still trembling—
Thud!
His body sank into the sand as if falling into the sea.
“Ugh!”
He flailed in panic, but within seconds his feet struck solid ground.
“W-What is…”
His eyes widened.
‘Frost? Why is there frost here?’
Blue frost burned like flame, forming a barrier that held the desert sand at bay. In all his decades wandering this desert, he had never seen anything like it.
“Are you from the Brown Beard Tribe?”
He spun toward the voice.
“H-Hmm!”
A blond-haired, red-eyed human stood behind him—radiant enough to dazzle at a glance.
‘What is that sword energy…’
Even that handsome face paled before the overwhelming sword energy radiating from him.
“Y-Yes. But why is a human here…?”
The dwarf swallowed hard as he saw not only the red-eyed human but the swordsmen behind him.
“I came after hearing from Borgos of the Gray Hammer Guild.”
The blond human smiled gently and offered his hand.
“I am Raon Zieghart.”
Raon studied the dwarf, who trembled in fear.
‘He doesn’t know my name.’
He wasn’t proud of it, but very few people on the continent didn’t know him.
Judging by the dwarf’s expression, he had never even heard the name Raon Zieghart—meaning he’d been trapped in this desert for a very long time.
‘And I’ve never seen a dwarf this skinny.’
Dwarves were short and stocky, sturdy as carved logs.
But this dwarf was so thin he looked like a malnourished human.
“Borgos? You know him?”
The dwarf spoke Borgos’s name directly. He clearly held a significant position among his people.
“May I ask your position in the Brown Beard Tribe…?”
Raon narrowed his eyes slightly.
“My name is Latiru. I am the chief of the Brown Beard Tribe.”
The dwarf bowed his head lightly.
“C-Chief?”
Martha’s eyes shot open.
“You must be starving…”
Burren muttered in pity.
“Want some?”
Runaan held out the snack she’d taken from Dorian.
“Hm…”
Raon shook his head slightly as he examined Latiru’s condition again. He truly looked nothing like a chief.
“May I hear what Borgos said?”
Latiru’s weak voice broke the silence.
“He said dwarves were being held captive by Azure Dragon Desius and asked us to rescue them.”
Raon handed him the letter.
“Hmm…”
Latiru read it again and again before folding it.
“I understand your and Borgos’s intentions. But I cannot accept your help.”
He sighed deeply and shook his head.
“What is the reason?”
Raon lowered his voice.
“You all thought I didn’t look like a chief, didn’t you?”
Latiru smiled faintly at the entire group.
“S-Sorry…”
Burren immediately bowed.
“It’s fine. I look like a beggar myself.”
Latiru acknowledged it without complaint.
“But it can’t be helped. Only I and a few executives can leave the lair.”
He explained that only their officers were allowed out to gather materials.
“Hmm… meaning…”
Raon understood and trembled slightly.
“Correct. Dwarves are deeply loyal to their tribe. So he took the tribesmen hostage. We cannot leave.”
Latiru shook his head.
“Azure Dragon Desius is strong and cunning. Even if you defeat him, our people will die.”
He clenched his trembling fists.
“I’m sorry. I would give you my life if you asked, but I cannot endanger my tribe.”
Latiru’s refusal was firm.
“What do you know of Borgos?”
Raon held Latiru’s gaze.
“He is not quite a friend… but close to a comrade.”
Latiru said he trusted Borgos fully.
“Borgos said the same. That is why he asked me to help.”
“Huh…”
Latiru blinked slowly as he listened.
“And we aren’t moving only for you. There are benefits for us as well. So please help us.”
Raon bowed slightly.
-He’s always been good with words…
Wrath snorted as Latiru’s expression began to change.
“I promise. We will sever that Dragon’s head without losing a single dwarf.”
Raon spoke with absolute certainty.
“Y-You…”
Latiru swallowed hard. He had only met Raon today, yet he trusted him—perhaps because he felt the sincerity behind his words.
“Trust him. He’s a Transcendant.”
Martha nodded.
“Right. A lot has happened, but our Lord even cut off the Black Tower Lord’s head.”
Burren grinned.
“Transcendant…? Black Tower…?”
Latiru stared at Raon in disbelief.
“I didn’t defeat everything alone. But as I said, we can catch Azure Dragon Desius.”
Raon bowed again.
“No…”
Latiru trembled at the sight.
‘I should be the one begging for help…’
Because of fear, because of despair, he hadn’t mustered the courage. Yet the ones who came to save them were begging him instead.
He felt tears of shame prick behind his eyes.
“Haaa…”
Latiru lowered his head and let out a long sigh.
“Fine. What must I do?”
He would seize the chance to_save his children_—the dwarves born as the Dragon’s slaves.
“Tell us the exact location of the lair and live as usual inside. When we move, gather everyone and come outside.”
Raon nodded.
“I-Is that really all? Don’t I have to stab Desius somewhere…?”
“Not necessary. Just come to the surface.”
Raon smiled faintly.
“I understand. The location is…”
Latiru detailed the lair’s structure and position.
“This is enough.”
Raon drew a map and nodded.
“Then I’ll go tomorrow.”
“T-Tomorrow?”
“Dragons notice disturbances quickly. Waiting is dangerous.”
“A-Alright…”
Latiru blinked in disbelief and hurried back toward the lair.
“There truly are bastards everywhere.”
Martha clenched her fists.
“All the Dragons in my books were mediators who protected the world…”
Burren sighed, deeply disappointed.
“Yeah. Worse than lizards…”
Runaan frowned.
“Should we really be slandering lizards right now?”
Raon shook his head at the three squad leaders behind him.
“We don’t have much time to plan. Let’s gather.”
Trevin clapped loudly.
“First, we need a strategy to rescue the hostages.”
“That won’t be easy. There’s only one exit.”
“And it’s narrow.”
“Then we have to lure the Dragon out—”
“If we lure him out first, we lose any chance at a surprise attack. And if it’s just us, we need that advantage.”
The swordsmen began a serious discussion, each offering their thoughts.
“Hmmm…”
Raon crossed his arms, humming as he watched them.
-That bastard….
Wrath scowled, seeing how much Raon was enjoying himself.
-Looks like he’s about to cause trouble?
***
Noon the next day.
The Light Wind Palace swordsmen were digging a tunnel through the desert, slowly advancing toward Azure Dragon Desius’s lair.
“Is this really the best way…?”
Raon followed behind them, clicking his tongue.
“We have no choice. The exit is too narrow. If the Dragon moves before us, every hostage dies.”
Martha shook her head. They had to make a path first, or there was no rescue.
“Right. We rescue the dwarves inside, then block the Dragon’s attacks while escaping.”
Burren agreed, tossing sand behind him as he dug.
“Honestly… I’m not really sure.”
Runaan nodded blankly. She was simply following Burren and Martha’s lead.
“Since we know the Azure Dragon’s position and the lair layout, this is our best option for now.”
Trevin waved his hand, trying to reassure everyone.
“Quiet. We’re close.”
Burren checked the map and took a short breath. The others nodded, tightening their focus.
“Hmmm…”
Raon crossed his arms again and shook his head.
“No matter how I think about it… this isn’t right.”
Sensing the presence inside the lair right beneath them, Raon summoned frost and lightly stepped up onto the sand above.
“Hey!”
“Raon!”
“Haaah!”
He flashed a thick, mischievous smile at the panicked Light Wind Palace executives and climbed fully onto the desert surface.
Gooooooo!
A massive sand mountain towered ahead. Azure Dragon Desius and the dwarves were gathered beneath it.
“Hoo…”
Raon drew in a deep breath—then opened his mouth wide.
“You lizard bastard hiding in the desert! The brave warriors coming to kill you are here! Get out here right now!”
His roar blasted across the desert, sweeping the sand aside. The entire sand mountain trembled as if ready to collapse.
Kugugugugugu!
A tremendous Mana resonance surged from within the sand mountain.
Azure Dragon Desius was responding.
“Aaaaaaaah!”
“You insane bastard!”
“Why is he doing this!”
“You said the plan was good! Why are you ruining it!”
The swordsmen screamed in disbelief as Raon went completely off-script.
-I knew it….
Wrath shook his head.
‘I saw the madness in his eyes.’
‘You saw it too.’
Raon twisted his lips as the red scales of the Dragon emerged from beneath the sand.
‘Their method can’t save the hostages.’