No one understood what he said.
That was because they didn't even know what a Dragon Speech Organ was.
If Ernando had been there, he might have had some information. Yuri suddenly felt the absence of Ernando keenly.
Then Simon asked,
"It's hard for my meager mind to keep up with the words of the great Dragon. So, when you say Dragon Speech Organ, do you mean an organ that allows one to speak like a dragon? Isn't that something only beings like the great Dragon Cruar possess?"
It was Simon who took it upon himself to unravel this situation in place of Ernando.
Born as an illegitimate child and having lived his life reading the room, his gift of speech was working perfectly on this dragon, who loved being respected even more than any noble.
Yuri wanted to applaud Simon, not Cruar.
[Normally, the great Dragon Cruar is cold and taciturn, but if someone is this polite and humble, perhaps he might be willing to explain at length...]
"Thank you, great Cruar!"
[Dragon Speech refers to the language of authority and spirit. The Dragon Speech Organ is originally something that exists only in dragons, but its structure is not so different from the vocal organs of humans or other creatures.]
As Cruar explained, he swept his hand over Cory's body. Cory, who had been suffering from heat, was gradually regaining a calm complexion.
Simon asked again,
"Hearing your words, great Dragon Cruar, I feel like I understand a little. Then, are you saying Cory just happened to be born with vocal cords that resemble that organ?"
[Not vocal cords exactly, but... something similar, perhaps. Because this half-human...]
Cruar's tone, which had been light and casual, turned a bit heavier.
[...is a half-blood mixed with the blood of an orc.]
Humans and orcs are alike yet different.
Yuri knew that orcs originally stemmed from humans. That made Cruar's words all the more meaningful.
[Humans are beings born with inherent chaos, and mixed with orc blood, that nature is further amplified. Chaos is the same as infinite potential, and in very rare cases, it results in mutations.]
The group, including Yuri, vaguely began to understand what Cruar meant.
Because they had seen other half-orcs.
Half-orcs had no fixed form. Each one was essentially a mutation. Some had multiple arms, others sprouted crude wings, and some had antennae instead of eyes.
Compared to other half-orcs, Cory was relatively normal.
Therefore, Cruar's words were essentially saying that, amidst such grotesque chaos, some peculiar alignment had happened by chance, and as a result, Cory came to possess something resembling a Dragon Speech Organ.
[If this great Dragon Cruar were to judge it, I'd say it is a miracle wrought by unstable genetics.]
Then, Cruar looked up to the sky.
It was hard to tell with a dragon's face, but he seemed to be wearing an expression of melancholy.
Silence followed.
[...]
Not wanting to join in any further, Yuri elbowed Jose and Laurent, who stood beside him.
The two clapped awkwardly.
Simon, on the other hand, was already bowing deeply on the ground rather than merely applauding.
"A miracle wrought by unstable genetics—how poetic. The words strike my heart…"
While Cruar looked pleased, Yuri approached Cory and checked his complexion.
Though Cory had improved thanks to Cruar, he wasn't completely healed. His body was still radiating heat.
Yuri asked Cruar,
"Sir Cruar, then how can Cory be cured?"
[Hmm...]
He scratched his cheek with a claw.
[If you ask a little more politely and respectfully, I might give you a hint...]
"Sir Cruar."
Yuri no longer wanted to humor Cruar. That was Simon's role.
Someone had to speak to this dragon on equal footing.
Yuri spoke in a firm voice.
"Cory is a precious companion of mine."
[Hmm? Hmm...]
"Would you please tell me about his condition?"
Cruar scratched the back of his head.
[I was going to tell you anyway, no need to be so serious... I might be a little hurt...]
"..."
[That cold look in your eyes… Could he really be that monster human's son...]
Fidgeting, Cruar eventually placed his large hand on Cory's body.
[Once a Dragon Speech Organ begins to activate, it cannot be stopped. So there's only one way to heal.]
"What is it?"
[He must fully use the Dragon Speech Organ.]
In other words, Cory must awaken the power of the Language of Authority and Spirit, a power allowed only to dragons.
Cory's fate was now in Cruar's hands.
Cruar crossed his arms and glanced sideways at Yuri.
[Hmm, uh... What to do...]
"Sir Cruar, please save Cory. I beg you."
[Thinking of that stern look earlier, it kind of makes me not want to...]
At that, Yuri immediately dropped to one knee.
Cruar flinched.
[W-Whoa, the prince doesn't really have to go as far as kneeling...]
"Please, Sir Cruar."
[You're a human who cherishes his companions...]
Cruar nodded.
[Alright, then rise.]
"You will save Cory?"
[The monster human's son knelt, so I suppose I should at least do that much...]
"Thank you, Sir Cruar."
Yuri stood and extended his hand toward Cruar.
Cruar tilted his head.
[What's that?]
"I'm offering a handshake."
[Handshake?]
"Humans shake hands with those they've formed a bond with."
Cruar's eyes widened.
"And I'm not the monster human's son. I am Yuri Briol. From now on, please call me Yuri, Sir Cruar."
[This might be the first time a human has asked me to call them by name…]
"Is that a problem?"
[Not at all. Yuri, human…]
"Just Yuri."
Yuri's hand and the dragon's enormous claw couldn't properly clasp, but Yuri still shaped it into a handshake and shook up and down.
Yuri said,
"Sir Cruar."
[Yes?]
"I know you intended to save Cory from the beginning."
[Oh, really?]
"That's why you came here yourself, isn't it?"
Yuri had figured out Cruar's personality back when the dragon proudly explained things after being flattered.
Why else would he have flown over the moment Cory collapsed?
And just like what he had seen in Gert's memories—how Cruar hadn't abandoned the fallen Cory but instead personally granted him a Language of Authority and Spirit spell so he could stand again—there was only one reason.
Despite his fearsome appearance,
This dragon was kind.
"If I'd known you were this gentle, Sir Cruar, I would've visited much sooner. But I'm glad to know now. Thank you."
[Hmm, hmm…]
Cruar's expression noticeably brightened.
Simon had groveled from the start, but Yuri hadn't exactly been obedient. That made his compliment all the more heartfelt to Cruar.
[Is this half-human precious to you, Yuri?]
"Yes. He is."
[To wield the Language of Authority and Spirit is rare. This is a rare opportunity even for me. I'll take responsibility and teach him properly.]
"Thank you."
[Is this half-human's name Cory?]
"Yes."
[Yuri, Cory. I will remember.]
"Thank you."
And with that, the matter regarding Cory was, for the time being, concluded.
Cruar lowered his neck to meet the party at eye level, then asked,
[By the way, how did Gert meet his end?]
"Well…"
Yuri proceeded to explain what had happened.
When Cruar heard that Gert had perished along with the Devil's Flower, he quietly nodded, lost in reminiscence.
[He was a man with a will like a mountain. Too pitiful to be left behind, perhaps…]
He said he knew that the existence of black magic was disturbing the world, but that he did not involve himself, as it was a matter for humans. Of course, to Yuri, it simply sounded like he couldn't be bothered.
Perhaps because of that, he knew little about black magic outside of what had happened in Adelvine.
Still, he did share something meaningful.
[There is a grimoire imbued with black magic. It is said to possess a will of its own and moves from master to master. That parchment, perhaps it's a page from that grimoire…]
"You mean, a grimoire?"
When Yuri asked, Cruar tilted his head.
[I only saw it briefly in an old tome, so I don't know well either. I'll search my library later, and if I find anything, I'll let this half-human, Cory, know.]
"I sincerely thank you for your kindness, Sir Cruar."
[Ahem, hmm…]
"When will Cory be fully healed?"
[That depends on his own will, but since a great dragon like me is teaching him, it might not take that long…]
"As expected of you, Sir Cruar."
[Khmm…]
Yuri suddenly looked up at the sky.
The sunset was descending.
"It's getting darker."
It was time to leave Adelvine.
With Cory on his back, Cruar soared into the sky, brimming with pride, as he received cheers and bows from the rest of the group.
Then, as if to show off his flying prowess, he spun a few loops in the air before heading off toward the distant sunset.
Watching that, Jared muttered,
"Cory… He'll come back safe, right? That dragon won't suddenly get hungry and eat him, will he?"
"Do dragons eat meat?"
"Wouldn't they? They're huge, after all."
"Elephants are herbivores though…"
"But with those teeth, he looked like he could chew bones…"
"He uses magical speech, so maybe he lives off the mana of the great nature…"
"Come on, where's the proof in that."
"Will Cory be okay…"
"Wahaha, Cory will handle it just fine."
Jose burst out laughing and said,
"Well then, shall we head to Bursen?"
"Hm?"
"Didn't I say I'd treat you to a full course after all this was done? Before you return to Briol, why not stop by Bursen?"
Yuri nodded.
"Sounds good. So I'll finally get to taste the full course I've only heard about!"
"I'm looking forward to it."
"Sir Jose will give us a proper welcome."
"Sir Jonathan and Sir Froin will be pleased too. Actually, how about paying a visit to His Majesty while you're at it?"
"That doesn't sound bad either."
Meeting the king of Bursen would help keep the future Empire in check.
Yuri's group had decided on their next destination: they would head toward Bursen, not far from Adelvine.
"But come to think of it…"
"Yeah?"
"Didn't we leave the horses we came on somewhere?"
"Ah…"
"We fed them Mandragora and hid them…"
Yuri's group looked around blankly.
The Grand Library's destruction had left the area in ruins. The scenery had changed, making it hard to get their bearings.
Yuri cleared his throat.
"First, let's go rescue the horses."
"Yes!"
***
Cory, who had lost consciousness, slowly opened his eyes.
"Ugh…"
A faint light came into view. A torch mounted on the wall flickered, revealing the texture of stone walls.
When he sat up, he realized he was in an unfamiliar place.
"Uh…"
He was lying on a bed, surrounded by antique furniture.
A large mirror hung on the wall reflected his confused face.
The environment clearly felt like a cave, but everything inside was luxurious.
He recalled what had happened before he lost consciousness. And without thinking, he drew in a breath.
He didn't remember everything, but he could piece most of it together.
He had met a dragon.
And had come to the nest.
"What happened…"
At that moment, a voice called from beyond the space he was in.
[If you woke up and didn't come to greet me right away, I might feel a bit hurt…]
Only then did the encounter, which had felt like a dream, come vividly back to him.
After slaying the Devil's Flower, he had collapsed, and the dragon named Cruar had appeared. And he had come here with him.
Cory immediately got up and headed toward the voice.
Dim torches lit the cavern, and at the center lay Cruar, curled up. His yellow eyes followed Cory's steps.
Cory offered a greeting.
"Uh, h-hello. I-I'm C-Cory."
It was strange. As he stood before the dragon, instinctive fear surged up within him.
Yesterday, he'd been too ill to properly see him, but now that he faced the dragon's full form, a primal terror buried deep in his subconscious enveloped his whole body.
He couldn't even speak properly.
"Th-thank you… for sav—"
[Hmm…]
As Cruar let out a soft sound, Cory froze even more.
"S-sorry. I-I'm just n-nervous…"
[Not only did you inherit a Dragon Speech Organ, but also fear of dragons? How strange. Humans truly are clumsy and curious beings…]
Cory couldn't even understand what Cruar was saying. Faced with those scales, that form, and those yellow pupils, he couldn't think rationally.
[I suppose there's no helping it…]
"S-s-sorry…"
[Let the great Dragon Cruar show mercy. Wait here, Cory.]
Cruar even called him by name.
Then, he muttered something under his breath.
"Huh…?"
A light burst forth.
Cory shielded his eyes from the blinding light. And when the cave darkened again, he lowered his hands from his face.
And then, something unbelievable happened.
"Huh?"
The dragon that had terrified him was gone.
And in its place appeared a being Cory never could have imagined.
[With this form, you'll be fine, right? Khmm, ahem… If you're amazed by my mercy and bow your head, the great Dragon Cruar might be pleased…]
A beautiful woman, dressed in a gown with flowing red hair, was glancing sideways at him, checking his reaction while staring into space.
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