Chapter 50

Chapter 50

“Huh?”

Andra raised her eyebrows at the dragon’s answer. It was here when it woke up? Does it have friends? Could it be that there are other dragons living here too? So it’s not a dungeon but a dragon’s lair? As if reading the thoughts on Andra’s expression, the dragon shook his head, fluttering in response.

[ When I opened my eyes, I was just here, but I haven’t been here all the time. I went around the world a lot. I also made a lot of friends. I was tired from running around a lot, so I just came back here and slept. ]

Now this was also its nest. Since it’s in a dungeon, no annoying humans could come in, so it’s convenient. Then, the dragon chattered happily about why this place was suitable for its nest. Solitude and loneliness could not be found in such a dragon.

Andra quickly schooled her expression. It’s not a good habit to make assumptions based on simple things. Wouldn’t it have been a big misunderstanding? Andra vowed that she would think more carefully next time. She changed the subject.

“Then do you know how to get out of here?”

The dragon hadn’t stayed here all the time, so he probably knew how to get out of here. If it’s like that, then they can leave this place without needing to attack the dungeon.

However, the dragon’s reply was a little disappointing.

[ Aren’t you trying to attack the dungeon? You can’t get out of here until you attack. You’ve already come all the way here to do that, right? ]

“…So how did you get out?”

[ This is my nest, Lady Anat. Is there any idiot who can’t even go in and out of his house properly? ]

That’s right… Andra bit her lower lip, swallowed a gulp, and then opened her mouth again.

“So how? There must be a way out, isn’t there?”

[ How to get out? Just leave. Just leaving is going out, right? ]

“I’m asking because I can’t do that. Didn’t you say you have to attack the dungeon to get out? So, did you go out by attacking the dungeon?”

The dragon tilted its head as if it did not understand Andra’s question. Then it ran around Andra as if it realized it.

[ Oh my, Lady Anat! I didn’t come here to attack the dungeon. So I can just go out. The dungeon is my nest. ]

Yes yes, it’s been using this place as a nest since before, but how could a temple of God become a nest for a dragon? Andra said, calming the running dragon.

“By the way, this is also Nera’s temple.”

[ That’s right. It’s Lady Nera’s temple. ]

“But your nest…”

[ What does that matter? The temple isn’t even Nera’s house. After all, Lady Nera can’t even kick me out. She cannot intervene. ]

Can’t intervene? Andra looked at the dragon, who was very proud of squatting here.

“Why?”

[ Since that day, the Primordial God has strictly forbidden any god’s intervention. Perhaps that’s why… I can’t see any other gods. While I was here, all I saw was Lady Nera and Lord Basham. But these days, I can’t even see Lord Basham. By the way, when did Lord Basham disappear? ]

The older I get, the more I have to remember what I’ve forgotten. The dragon shook its head and jumped around Andra.

[ Really, where have you all gone? Let’s go attack the dungeon! Let me help you! It shouldn’t be allowed, but it’s you, Lady Anat! ]

After saying that, the dragon ran to the middle of the arena at will. Reluctantly, Andra and Dustin also followed the dragon.

The dragon put its head in one place and sniffed through his nose. There were the inscriptions and grooves they had first discovered. It was in a good state even though they were fighting the dragon.

“Do you know what to put here?”

[ Of course, it’s fire. But it’s not the fire you think it is. ]

The dragon immediately began to vomit. Huuk, a red stone popped out of its mouth. Dustin knew the red stone well. It was dragon fire. He himself stole it and ran away, in his memory.

Tng, tng, tng… Andra picked up the red stone that was rolling on the floor. She looked closely and saw a fire burning in the stone.

“This…”

[ That’s right, it’s my fire. Put it here. ]

The dragon pointed his claws at the groove. Andra did not hesitate and put the red stone into the groove. Then, the words burned with fire, and fire began to appear from the statues surrounding the arena.

The stone statues started to burn and disappear one by one. It was a blue flame that melted everything.

Not long after, all the stone statues burned up and disappeared. The place where the stone statues were now became full of stones similar to the red stone Andra had inserted into the groove.

Oh, we had to break the stone statues. Andra let out a low exclamation as the dragon slapped its head lightly on Andra’s shoulder.

[ Give me my fire again. ]

“Huh? Oh.”

Andra took the stone from the groove and handed it to the dragon. The dragon took it and ate it. The dragon that put its fire into its body spewed fire out of its mouth once. Fire, fire, my red fire, blue fire! It also sang. After some time, the dragon calmed down.

[ Originally, you had to find a real fire and put it in the groove. Otherwise, the stone statue will attack you. The more you put the wrong fire into the groove, the more the stone statues will attack. ]

“Oh, I see.”

Andra knew for sure what this riddle was then. After all, the sudden appearance of a dragon here was out of balance.

Andra glanced at the side of Nera’s stone statue. Strangely, she immediately felt that she wasn’t smiling, as though she was not satisfied.

‘Is this something she didn’t expect?’

While Andra looked at Nera, the dragon flew among the red stones, and then found the real fire. Then it pushed it back into the groove. The ground turned over and spit something out. Andra accepted it abruptly.

It was a golden key.

[ Take it. You need to collect two more in order to attack the dungeon. ]

“You mean there are two more left?”

At Andra’s question, the dragon laughed. Everything is in threes. Immediately the dragon started walking towards the hole it came out of.

Again, Andra and Dustin followed the dragon into the dark hole without saying a word. The unexpected appearance of an ally to help them strengthened their resolve.

* * *

“Jonathan.”

At the familiar voice calling him, Jonathan turned his head. From afar, Viola was coming here with only one escort knight. Count Ygenn’s eyes widened in an instant, standing next to Jonathan. He took a step back and bowed his head towards Viola.

“Sister.”

Jonathan escorted her naturally as he took Viola’s hand in one fluid motion, and left a kiss on the back of her hand. Viola, without saying a word, gave her hand to her younger brother. Count Ygenn and Viola’s escort knight followed.

“It’s sunny. It reminds me of the past.”

Viola stopped in her spot for a moment, looked up at the sky and said this. Except for a few clouds floating like cotton, the sky was ephemeral blue and clear. The sun wasn’t shining either. A gentle wind blew past them. Jonathan followed Viola’s gaze and looked up at the sky.

“I used to go out on a day like this. We went boating on the lake and played. Also, we used to crawl around while playing tag.”

“Yes, at that time, the castle was noisy all day…”

The five members of the imperial family got along well. It was because the children were gathered together and brought up without discrimination. In fact, they still have a good relationship until now. They exchanged news with each other and sent gifts. They rejoiced and grieved together over small things.

However, being on good terms and fighting for the throne were two different things. The emperor always said as a habit that they should distinguish between public and private life. Since they were born as descendants of the imperial family, they should be able to maintain balance. Otherwise, one side would collapse. He emphasized the need to cut or catch the opponent with the right timing.

Viola strode forward again. Jonathan walked at her stride. At some point, the two arrived at the flower garden of the imperial palace and strolled through it. Count Ygenn and the escort knight stood at the entrance to the garden and waited for the masters to finish their chat.

This time, it was Viola who spoke first.

“Marquis Avellin stepped into the capital.”

“Because Sister pressured the former Marquis Avellin to bring the new marquis here. Actually, I didn’t know Sister would touch the wool business. It must be complicated, isn’t it?”

Unlike Viola, who glanced at the flowers in full bloom without admiration, Jonathan looked at them with affectionate eyes.

“Arthur, you are exaggerating. I’m sure you know. Wool export is a declining business. In the long run, turning to textile manufacturing is beneficial. You also bought the shares several years ago. You think I don’t know that you’re buying wool under the name of Baron Houin in the South and diverting it to make textiles?”

“That’s because Sister held Sir Airak’s hand. And shouldn’t I be prepared when Sister is coming out like this now? It seems like if I stay still, I will lose my entire textile business. Our union should also have something to gain. The wool business is a sure-fire business that makes money.”

“I think Avellin made you do that. Wise old man. Because he can smell money exactly. I have no choice but to side with the Airak that held a lot of money and not wanting to compromise. Still, it seems like you don’t like striking Flande from behind.”

Most of the wool of Ishur was exported to the continent and flowed into Flande. Flande was a small kingdom with many textile cities, and made money by making wool with imported wool as an excellent textile manufacturing company.

For this reason, Eilderck’s biggest customer was Flande, and Marquis Avellin also had a close relationship with Flande.

“It’s a business that has been around for more than a few decades. Above all else, wasn’t the ancestor of the Marquisate’s Grand Madam of Flande royalty? For Avellin, it must have been something they were willing to step up to because it was turning their back on their grandmother’s hometown. That’s why they’re taking the wool through me. Instead of funding me, they’re going to use me as a shield.”

In fact, Jonathan didn’t really care if Avellin put him in front. It was because he, as the second prince of the Empire, had no interest in Flande anyway. That’s why Avellin chose him.

And even if this incident takes a toll on Flande, Avellin wouldn’t budge. They seem sorry on the outside, but in the end, they will put the enacted law first and show that their position is difficult.

Even if betraying Flande wasn’t desirable, it was clear that Avellin would never help Flande.

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