The truth of history is often unexpected.
According to the intelligence previously provided by the Brightness Dragon Lord, the Dragon Emperor coveted power from beyond the world in order to grow stronger.
This ultimately led to the later arrival of Players such as the Six Great Gods and the Eight Greed Kings.
But if the Vampiric Dragon Lord's explanation is correct, then the Dragon Emperor's determination to pursue power from beyond the world was not solely because he wanted to become stronger. It was also influenced by monsters like the Evil Tree.
According to the records, the Evil Tree descended long before the Six Great Gods.
It was not summoned by Wild Magic. Instead, it appeared suddenly when the sky shattered, descending into this world and battling the ancient Dragon Lords.
Looking at it this way, the pieces really did seem to connect.
The Dragon Emperor longed for greater power, and the appearance of monsters like the Evil Tree gave him the inspiration for a bold idea.
Using the power of Wild Magic, the Dragon Emperor turned his attention beyond the world.
[World-Class Items] then entered his sight.
Through that power, a force capable of changing the world itself, the Dragon Emperor saw the possibility of advancing even further.
Using Wild Magic as the anchor, the Dragon Emperor attempted to summon [World-Class Items] into his own world.
That was what ultimately led to the later transmigration of Players.
"So after going in circles like this, this Evil Tree actually ended up being my benefactor?"
Naohara finished sorting through his thoughts and looked at the Evil Tree being beaten by the dragon inside the mirror, his expression somewhat complicated.
If monsters like the Evil Tree had never descended, the Dragon Emperor might never have turned his attention beyond the world.
And Nazarick would never have been transported to another world after the game's shutdown.
So what did that make this situation?
Repaying kindness with hostility?
Naohara rubbed his forehead. Although he did not consider himself a good person, he still had his own bottom line.
Even if it had only been a coincidence.
No matter what, the Evil Tree could be considered a benefactor to him, Momonga, Herohero, and even all of Nazarick.
For that reason alone, killing it was no longer an option.
Not only could it not be killed, it would have to be properly taken care of.
"What a hassle."
Naohara shook his head helplessly. While watching the mirror, he continued cracking fruit shells for the Dryad.
For now, the two were still fighting hand to hand, so there was no need to rush.
Once the young dragon finished receiving its inheritance and successfully cast Wild Magic, he would immediately step in and save the Evil Tree.
Unlike Naohara, however, the Brightness Dragon Lord stood nearby surrounded by swirling elemental light, his expression slightly gloomy.
As one of the few True Dragon Lords who truly cared about the survival of the Dragon Race, learning the truth had left him feeling deeply troubled.
"Brightness, calm down!"
A hand rested on his shoulder. The familiar voice pulled the Brightness Dragon Lord back from his anger.
When he turned his head, he saw the Heavenly Dragon Lord, his expression serious.
"My apologies. I got a little emotional just now."
The Brightness Dragon Lord took a deep breath, then shifted his gaze toward the Vampiric Dragon Lord not far away, who was watching the scene with a smile.
"Vampiric, let's fight."
The Brightness Dragon Lord slowly stood up. He had already noticed something was wrong.
As two of the few remaining True Dragon Lords, they both knew each other's personalities very well.
That Vampiric fellow had done it on purpose.
Even though he clearly understood his temperament, he still said those things.
He was deliberately trying to provoke his anger.
"Are you trying to make me embarrass myself in front of our King using such a despicable trick?"
A trace of anger flashed in the Brightness Dragon Lord's eyes.
Although the two of them usually got along fairly well, once their own interests were involved, neither of them would show any restraint.
Among all the True Dragon Lords, the only one the Brightness Dragon Lord truly trusted without reservation was the Heavenly Dragon Lord.
"Heh, I don't mind. It's been centuries since the last time we sparred."
"I'm curious. For someone who loves breeding so much, how strong are you now compared to a hundred years ago?"
The Vampiric Dragon Lord did not refuse and slowly rose to his feet.
As a True Dragon Lord, he had his own pride. He did not believe he would lose to the Brightness Dragon Lord.
Besides, he had been somewhat underhanded in this matter to begin with.
The two stared at each other from afar. Seven-colored radiance and crimson mist swirled around them, and an immense pressure filled the air.
"You're scaring the guest. If you want to fight, go do it somewhere farther away."
"And don't go overboard. Otherwise, I wouldn't mind playing with the two of you myself."
The light, casual voice made both True Dragon Lords shudder.
Remembering the earlier battle, the two dragons, who had just been locked in a fierce standoff, could not help twitching at the corners of their mouths.
"As you command, my King."
The Brightness Dragon Lord and the Vampiric Dragon Lord lowered their heads at once, putting on an obedient and respectful posture.
Then they immediately jumped off the Magic Carpet. With a roar, both True Dragon Lords revealed their true forms.
Under the Heavenly Dragon Lord's gaze, the Brightness Dragon Lord turned into a seven-colored streak of light, while the Vampiric Dragon Lord became a blood-red streak. In an instant, both shot off into the horizon.
"Those two really are..."
The Heavenly Dragon Lord shook his head and said nothing more.
To be honest, even now he still had not figured out why Brightness wanted to fight the Vampiric Dragon Lord.
But it did not matter. Let them do whatever they wanted. They were not going to die anyway.
Picking up a hamburger, the Heavenly Dragon Lord resumed eating by himself.
His dragon life was simple. As long as he could eat well and sleep well, that was enough.
Meanwhile, Naohara glanced at the Heavenly Dragon Lord and nodded in satisfaction.
Yeah, this one was still the reassuring one.
Naohara did not care about the little schemes of the Brightness Dragon Lord and the Vampiric Dragon Lord. As long as it did not affect Nazarick, he would not make excessive demands.
Besides, there was already the Platinum Dragon Lord as a precedent.
"So, have you decided? Do you want to become my subordinate?"
Naohara handed the last fruit to the Dryad and then extended the invitation.
A Dryad from another world that had lived for several hundred years was undoubtedly a rare individual.
No doubt a certain someone with a collector's obsession would love her.
"Mm... you're a good person... becoming your subordinate... I guess it's not impossible..."
"Um... you absolutely have to prepare a place full of delicious water and sunlight for me. And no parasitic creatures, okay..."
The Dryad placed a finger on her chin and thought for a moment before quickly making her decision.
"Then please take care of me from now on, Naohara-sama!"
Spreading her two pairs of dragonfly-like little wings, the Dryad happily flew two circles around Naohara.
The innocent Dryad did not think too much about things. She trusted whoever treated her well. That had been true for the captain of the 13 Heroes back then, and it was true for Naohara now.
"Sincerity really is the ultimate move."
Naohara could not help thinking that to himself.
"Welcome aboard."
The Heavenly Dragon Lord came over from the side.
As an exception among Dragon Lords, the Heavenly Dragon Lord did not put on airs in front of the comparatively weak Dryad.
He never liked that sort of thing anyway. After all, he was a slacker dragon.
Time passed slowly just like that, the three of them eating snacks while watching the mirror.
But as time went on, Naohara's expression gradually grew serious.
"Why hasn't Wild Magic activated yet? And it's getting weaker too. I've got a bad feeling about this..."
Inside the mirror, the battle between the Evil Tree and the Young Dragon was still going on, but unlike before, the Young Dragon was now being pushed back.
The sky was gradually growing dark as well, as though something bad was about to happen.
"Naohara-sama, something's wrong."
A burst of hurried footsteps rang out as a figure in a dark red suit quickly approached.
It was Demiurge, who should have been below, observing the Young Dragon at close range and recording its data.
"The Wild Magic inheritance has failed. Its magic power is rapidly declining, and its body is gradually collapsing..."
"It was originally expected to reach Level 90, but now it has already dropped to 80, and it's still falling."
Demiurge was in a terrible mood.
Everything had gone smoothly up to this point. The Young Dragon had been born successfully and possessed strength comparable to a True Dragon Lord. It had only been one step away from inheriting Wild Magic, yet it had failed at the very last moment.
"Calm down, Demiurge. Have Aura and Mare come up from below."
"Heavenly, activate the Wild Magic [World-Isolating Barrier] at once and seal off the surrounding area."
Naohara waved a hand to cut Demiurge off and swiftly gave his orders.
He then looked upward, where a familiar fluctuation was beginning to gather.
"I think I roughly know what's going on."
"The curse of the world?"