Episode16(S1-11)：THE DRAGON LORD

A few minutes later, Quon and Alpina were taken into custody and taken to the northernmost house in town. The mansion was larger and more grandiose than any other building in town. It is a symbol of wealth and power, comparable to the mansions of The Human aristocrats in The Royal Capital. It was the place where the head of Cars Amra sat.

“From now on, you shall pay your respects to The Dragon Lord. Do not fail to be courteous. Is that clear?”

The Dragonute, Valencia, is taking Alpina away. Quon is inwardly impressed by The Dragonute's power, but he is not so much of a threat to Alpina as he is constantly being subjected to her unreasonableness. Alpina herself also feels the same way, perhaps because of her separated position as The Sons of God and The Human Child.

“The Dragon Lord?”

“He is the chief of our The Dragonute, the one who has inherited the blood and will of The Imperial Dragon.”

Valencia teaches Alpina in a reverent manner that reveres his own chief. But he does not see her. When she hears the word "The Dragon Lord," her expression is a complex mixture of emotions that are hard to describe. Anger or disappointment? Quon, who did not know the truth of the matter, could not identify it, but what he did know was that it was not a very happy thing for her. Praying in his heart that nothing serious would happen, he watched with bated breath to see what would happen.

“The Dragon Lord is the chief of The Dragons, one in each The World. It is a title that is too much for half-baked beings like you, who are neither The Human Child nor The Sons of God. I will let you off the hook here and now, but be careful what you say from now on.”

“You dare to taunt The Dragon Lord!”

Good grief ...... Nana told us not to do anything that would cause a fuss.

Quon somehow managed to resist the urge to let out a sigh, and swore in his heart. As a companion, he should have stopped her by saying so directly, but he decided that he should let the matter take its course rather than disturbing the situation unnecessarily with an easy remark. He was not an expert on the history of The Dragon and The Devil, and it would be more dangerous than anything else to offend her by speculating.

“Taunting? That's my line. Isn't it your attitude of believing in a distorted history of The Dragon and wielding your own interpretation of it that is called "taunting"?”

“What!?”

Valencia, with A blue streak, is caught up IN A rage. Emotions sometimes stimulate people to action, but in too great a degree, they lose sight of themselves. Valencia bares his teeth with such authority that he seems ready to grab Alpina at any moment. Alpina, however, looks at them with cool, mocking eyes and shows them the difference between The Sons of God and The Human Child.

The conversation is so loud and clear that the innocent townspeople who can hear it are terrified. Quon, resigned to the fact that it is too late, half-heartedly walks through the door of the mansion.

The inside of the mansion was as luxuriously decorated as the outside. The Dragonute's unique culture and civilization, which they have continued to inherit, has given birth to a variety of decorations that are not found in The Human's. It is impossible to say that one is better or worse than the other, and both sides fully exude the characteristics of their own race.

Alpina couldn't help but feel a sense of nostalgia as she admired the interior. The Dragon's face, which had shared an endless amount of time with her since she was born into this world. The Dragonute's atmosphere, reminiscent of the city of dragons where they gather, is proof that The Dragonute has the blood of dragons in their veins. Even if they have never met each other directly, their worldviews are similar due to the instinctive values that are engraved in their blood and souls.

““What's up, Alpina?””

Quon asks Alpina in an inaudible voice. The telepathy he performed unconsciously was due to his spontaneous action. His talent, which he acquired after just one experience, is admirable. Alpina replies with praise for his action.

““You have made telepathy a thing in this short time. ...... you would never understand, but judging from their values floating from their ornaments, it seems that it is neither presumption nor deception that they have The Dragon's blood in their veins. I suspected that they could have had their souls tampered with by someone or something, but if they are so thorough, I'd be willing to dismiss that possibility.””

““Do they look that much alike?””

““Ah, I miss it. And you will too, if you ever get the chance to visit The Dragon's capital someday.””

Or," she mentally spits out. Her soliloquy was laced with a hint of sadness, but Quon could not hear it.

I wonder if the day will come in the not-so-distant future when Quon will know about it if we are able to collect even The Piece of Dragon’s Soul. Considering his current understanding of The Sons of God, I would have to bet on it.

Alpina's attitude, which is reflected in her lone smiling face, raises a question mark in Quon's brain. He wonders in his own way what is going on in her thoughts that spread outside of telepathy. But it is impossible to grasp the mind of another. The Sons of God may be able to do so, but it is an impossible wish for Quon, The Human Child.

While the two are engaged in a mind-blowing conversational drama, Valencia and the others walk with them. While they pass through a long corridor, many The Dragonute pass by them, generally giving them a cold look. Or perhaps they are instinctively wary of the pair. Even if they are hiding the fact that they are The Devil, Alpina's presence is different from that of The Human who is merely harmless to humans. Their mental health varies greatly depending on whether they regard him as the true The Sons of God or as a mere madman.

The two are then ushered into a hall. A chandelier hangs from the high ceiling and candles are lit. The light from the chandelier is not very bright, but the light from the candlesticks on the wall, together with the light from the candelabras on the wall, ensures a brightness that does not interfere with the visual function of the guests. The floor is covered with a long, shaggy carpet that completely drowns out the sound of one's footsteps, no matter how arrogantly one walks.

The passageway stretching from the entrance to the center of the room is composed of numerous The Dragonute sitting on both sides. It was too cruel to be called a runhway and was ready to welcome them with the color of fear.

Quon and Alpina stand in the center of the room. Although they are not physically restrained, there is an air of security that restrains them from escaping. However, if they wanted to escape, they would be able to do so. Quon's true desire was to make short work of the troublesome situation in order to fulfill his contract with Nana.

““Don't be too rough with them, Alpina.””

““What is your impression of me? If they would only observe the moderation as The Dragonute and not do such a foolish thing as insult my friend, I would not touch them.””

The two then look up at the luxurious chairs set up on a raised platform at the end of a waist-high impulse. There sits The Dragonute, a man of strong physique, not suited to his age, who looks down at them calmly. And when they look at the chair right next to it, they see The Dragonute, whom they both know, sitting there.

““Is that Nana?””

Zirnia's position is a special one, called The Imperial Dragon. She must have a high position among The Dragonute because she is descended from him.

Alpina laughed as she recalled her former friend and glared at the two The Dragons with her serpentine eyes. Then, as if inspired by her eyes, The Dragonute, seated in the upper section, opened his mouth.