There was a strange silence. It would be polite to ask why I suddenly screamed out of nowhere, but Mr. Dragon had kept his mouth shut seriously since I let out the scream.
Geez, what a shame.
Once the silence was starting to get awkward, Mr. Brown-haired Dragon erased his Dragon Fear and asked, «...Why did you scream out of nowhere?». It was difficult to read his reptilian eyes, but this seemed pure curiosity. So this man could become curious.
I responded without hesitation: «I just wanted to do it. Why, is there a problem?». When I felt too upset to give a detailed explanation, this was my barbaric trick key that I could attach to anything.
Mr. Dragon seemed lost in thought for a moment before smiling. «No, there is no problem. Barbarians are as interesting as I've heard». His was an imposing and dignified voice. Immediately, he waved his hand in the air.
¡Shhhhhh!
A gust of wind radiated and the fog disappeared. The scene beyond her was quite different than I expected. There was no one there. I thought it would be full of dragons because of all those bright eyes.
When I looked at him for an explanation, he looked away timidly. «I'm telling you beforehand, but I was against this little girl».
«Against what?»
«Ah, apparently negotiation is easier once you kill the opponent's spirits, or so they say?».
Simply put, the glowing eyes were an illusion. To be honest, if I had thought about it calmly, I might have realized this beforehand. What he asked of Krovitz most was confidentiality, and the Dragon People were a race with an extremely small population. Logically, it was impossible for dozens of them to have gathered in one place just to mess with me.
«Anyway, I'm sorry. Tsk, I don't know what we're doing, trying to save a few cents. I told them that we cannot forget our duty and treat our benefactor like this». His voice was still imposing, but his speech and the atmosphere around him were incomparably lighter than before. Was it a performance before and this was your true self? If so, I thought we could meet face to face. Still, he couldn't let his guard down. This could even be a performance.
«First, let me confirm it. I am Bjorn, son of Yandel. Are you the chief of the dragon tribe?»
«boss... In your words, that would be correct, although it hasn't been long since I took office».
«No? I involuntarily tilted my head. I heard that it had been over thirty years since the dragon slayer killed the ancient dragon and received a curse.
«Time benefits those who receive it».
Oh right. The dragon tribe had a long life in the game. It wasn't meaningful information, so I forgot for a moment. It wasn't important anyway, so I should get to the point.
«boss».
«Call me Pirsearaidormus comfortably». Was it possible to say that comfortably? As he pondered what reaction he should show, Lord Dragon laughed and revealed his pseudonym. «It was a joke. Call me Lapir. It is my middle name for public use».
For reference, the middle names were a culture exclusive to the Dragon People. Because their real names were so long, they needed middle names for convenience so they could live in the city. Regal Vagos' real name would also be much longer.
But I'm glad.
I let out a silent sigh of relief. It was an official meeting. If he had asked me to call him by his real long name, it would have been a hassle. «Lapir». If it's long, you can call me Yandel, or Bjorn, whatever is most comfortable to pronounce».
«I like Yandel better». Anyway, the presentations were over. Just when he was going to say something, Lord Dragon spoke first. «Before I start talking, can I see Dragon Slayer first? I heard the story through the church, but I still can't believe it».
As soon as I heard that, I let out a bitter giggle. He may have spoken quietly, but the content was very explicit.
Telling my face that he couldn't trust me...
Well, it's not that I couldn't understand how he felt. Vagos was a member of Hercules and a huge criminal with a reward of hundreds of millions of stones. He was sure he had a hard time accepting a fourth-rate scout like me beating him up and stealing his sword.
Stab!
There was no need for long explanations, so I took Dragon Slayer out of my bag and stuck it in the ground.
Oh, how stinging.
I only held it for about three seconds, but my skin was already peeling.
Shortly after, the Dragon Lord came down from the throne and drew the sword. He held her and murmured quietly: «It was true».
In that short sentence, I could feel the complexity of his emotions. He seemed determined, but lonely at the same time. Considering the story behind this sword, it must have had a different impression than mine.
The Dragon Lord held the sword and stood still like that for a long time before stabbing it into the ground again and asking: «What was it like? You're the last person to see him. I want to know more».
I told him what happened that day, omitting the unfavorable parts for me.
«I see. So it's over... Thanks for telling me. As you asked, I will keep the story that the dragon sword has returned a secret».
«Were you very close to him?»
At my question, Lord Dragon smiled bitterly. «He is... my younger brother».
"¿What?"
«That's why... I couldn't stop him by myself». He wanted to talk to him a little more to get information about the dragon slayer, but Mr. Dragon changed the subject as if it weren't a matter he wanted to talk about. «Come to think of it, I haven't said this yet. Bjorn, son of Yandel. Thank you for returning this sword. No relation to the reward you seek, we will consider you a benefactor».
I could see in his eyes that those words were sincere. The reptilian eyes were a little confusing, but anyway. Since I only made this decision for the reward, it was quite embarrassing for me, but there was no need to turn down this deal. I would later ask about the exact benefits that came with being a benefactor, but for now I focused on the current conversation.
«So what would you like?»
That was, in fact, the crux of this meeting. I had been thinking about this a lot. What should I ask for in exchange for a weapon made of a grade 5 material and an item that had the same meaning as a sacred relic for the dragon people?
«What can you give me?» I asked just in case, judging by the possibility that he would make me an offer that would change my mind.
Lord Dragon had some things prepared, and he spoke without thinking much. «The first is wealth».
Money. Not bad. That was one of my three candidates before I made my final decision, anyway. If I considered Grade 5 weapons to start in the hundreds of thousands, I should receive enough reward money to cover my entire body with high-grade equipment.
«I don't need money».
At my response, Mr. Dragon made a strange face. I figured you didn't think I was going to turn down this offer. «Hmm, that's probably because you don't know how much money...»
«I'll say it again, I'm not looking for money».
The quantity didn't matter. It wouldn't be more than the dragon sword was worth, anyway. I preferred to get something else.
Feeling my determination, Mr. Dragon took out the following reward option. «The second is a teammate».
«Teammate?»
«I found out from Sir Krovitz that you are forming a new team».
«Up to point?»
«I will attach one of my clan members to you for two years.»
It was a reward I hadn't even thought about. Was he offering to give me a teammate? This was definitely a breed that knew its value.
It's certainly attractive.
As I saw in the battle with the dragon hunter, the speech of dragons made possible things that not even a magician or a priest could. Additionally, the dragon tribe had high basic stats that made them suitable for hand-to-hand combat and could use magic that only certain humans could use.
However, once again, my answer was the same. «I have already found all my companions». As expected, I was not willing to welcome a teammate who would be leaving after two years. What I wanted in the end was a united team with a bond.
«She is very pretty».
Umm, ¿y what?
When I looked at him with that face, Mr. Dragon coughed in shame and opened his mouth again. «...Then this will be the final offer».
«Speaks».
«I will give you the weapon made of bow that will be born next year».
As expected, this was the last one. Bow metal and Dragon People were closely related and were even considered synonymous. Only Dragon People could wield bows.
The rule was that only one could be done each year through a ritual.
In that sense, this reward was the most reasonable, a long bow sword that could be used instead of one that could not. It was not a lost business for anyone.
But if that had been the case, he would have received it simply as money.
My answer this time was the same. «I don't like that either». Mr. Dragon did not expect me to reject this offer as well and pursed his lips. He didn't seem to have anything else to offer, so I decided to talk first. «I don't need that. Just get me a tattoo», I responded like it was no big deal.
«Tattoo? Mr. Dragon tilted his head before his eyes opened horizontally. A moment later he seemed to realize what he meant. «Do you mean the Blessing of the Dragon?».
And, a fruit.
When I nodded, the Dragon Lord's eyes changed in an instant. «Yandel, where have you heard about that?».
Ugh, now it was true. The Dragon Blessing, along with the Dragon Speech, was what kept the dragon tribe in the ranks of the cheating characters.
«The elders were right. You are too greedy». Mr. Dragon erased the smile from his face and discharged the Dragon Fear that he had deactivated. «I should have done this sooner».
The air sank so much that it was difficult to breathe. Was this his real serious way? I guessed that it was true that he opposed the infantilism of before, because the intensity itself was different.
Although not to the point of not being able to bear it.
It was the same as last time. Scared to the point of shaking? And? As long as the ancestral god was with them, a barbarian never backed down from psychological warfare.
«¡Behell-ahhhhhhh!»
When I tore a scream from my lower belly and loosened my stiff neck, the Dragon Lord dropped his jaw expressionlessly. «But what...?»
«Is there a problem?»
«...Are all barbarians like you?» The Dragon Fear soon retreated. Yes, I may have used the serious mode, but it wasn't because he was really upset with me. «Phew...» Mr. Dragon let out his serious expression and sighed deeply. «I will add considerable reward money in addition to the bow weapon. What do you think?»
Having come to the conclusion that a stick wouldn't work on me, he handed me a carrot. FYI, I hated carrots.
«¡Me him!»
«You do not understand. This will also be poison to you. If your people find out, you will be treated like a traitor».
He had already received an oracle, so that was not new.
«So calm your excitement-»
«Lapir! Aren't you a descendant of a dragon?! Don't be mean and do it for me! You call me a benefactor and you still can't do this? That's low!» I've probably never seen someone shout ignorantly «Give it to me!» at a negotiating table, so he stared at me without understanding. I took advantage of that moment to aim for Achilles' heel. «The goddess of the stars told me that Regal Vagos and I will meet again. We are connected by a strong and sick destiny».
«...Did the star goddess say that? It's true?»
«I must get stronger if I don't want to lose another teammate to your brother».
It was a dirty hand even for me, but what could I do? Negotiations were won by those who did not hesitate to use even dirty tricks. Technically, I didn't say anything bad.
«Lapir, you said before that you couldn't stop your brother with your own power, right? Invest in me. I'll finish what you couldn't do». After that, I didn't scold anymore.
Mr. Dragon went into thinking mode again for a long time. «...I guess this is my karma», he murmured like a sigh.
«Will you?»
«...First I will have to confirm with the temple that the oracle is true. I'll call you later. It's not something I can decide on my own».
If you say so.
«How long do you think it will take?»
«I don't know. One month? Two months? I will make a decision as soon as possible and let you know».
«Until then, I'll stick with this».
«Clear.»
It was a much colder acceptance than I thought. After that, I took out Dragon Slayer and put it back in my bag. Then, after asking him how I should contact him again and some other questions I had, I concluded today's negotiations.
«It is a message stone. When I contact you, tear up the paper I just gave you. That way I'll know where you are».
«Use haré.»
Shortly after, Mr. Dragon sent me back to the inn using the Teleporter Dragon Speech again.
As I thought, the Dragon Speech is a cheater.
With that impression, I got rid of my equipment and was about to lie down on the bed.
Toc, toc, toc.
A knock sounded. It meant I had a visit from a stranger. Missha would have just opened the door, and Ainar's knock would have sounded more like bang, bang, bang.
«Nice to see you». When I opened the door, I saw a familiar woman.
«Julianne Urbans?» She was the daughter of the district chief, a truly unfortunate daughter who wanted her father's downfall for her freedom.
«So, have you changed your mind?»
«What do you mean?»
«I heard your team was disbanded. That wizard is dead too. It's that person Rotmiller's thing, right?»
Ah, so that's why he hadn't given up and came back. It certainly could have looked like this from the outside. «It's not 'that wizard', but Riol Warb Dwalkie. And it is true that his father played tricks on him, but Rotmiller was not bought». I pointed out only the facts. After doing so, I realized the need to resolve this matter now. He didn't think Mr. Bear or Raven would fall into the trap so easily, even if he tried something else, but abandoning him would make him more upset.
I should do it while it occurs to me.
«Where is your father now?»
«Uh, I don't know. He's probably at District 7 headquarters right now».
Getting the necessary information from Urbans, I gave him the order to leave. «Come back now. And don't come back. I refuse to get involved in your family's affairs».
«Excuse me? What me?.?»
«It's like diet..»
The first time he came to see me I thought he held a grudge against me for the jailbreak incident. But now that I think about it, the timing was right. The reason the district chief had become hostile to me a few months ago was her.
«I told you. Our interests are aligned.»
«Uh huh, go.» I forced Urbans out and put on the gear I had just taken off.
Crujido.
When I walked out the door, she was still standing there. «Are you going to see my father?»
«Yeah. I'm going to negotiate».
«But why the gun?»
I tilted my head. Why wouldn't I take my gun to a negotiation?