Chapter 100

「Visitor At The Mountain Top (Part 1) 」

Translator: Silver

My name is Harvey.

A proud dragon.

And, I am the mountain hear of the Luville mountain range.

A mountain lord is similar to a feudal lord in the human world.

Unfortunately, I lacked the power to call myself a king, but I was still in a position with many subordinates.

Many dragons live in the mountains. Therefore Mountain (山) Lord (首) (T/N: The kanji directly translates to mountain head, but I think lord sounds better.)

You were still called a mountain lord even if you head a non-mountainous territory.

This is probably because it emphasized the popular part with the populous.

A water dragon that lives in the lake said that his territory wasn’t a mountain, but would you know?

Mountains are precious.

I am strong.

It’s not because I’m a dragon that I’m strong.

I’m strong because I’m strong.

Except when creating a new territory, the position of the mountain lord is inherited from a predecessor. Still, the method of inheritance varies from mountain to mountain.

It could be hereditary, or the mountain residents consult and elect the candidate.

There were cases where they were simply nominated by the predecessor.

However, for generations, the lord of the Luville Mountains had been decided with power.

……With a few exceptions.

I subdued my predecessor by force and climbed up to be the current head of the mountain.

Show strength! This is the true longing of dragons.

A dragon must be stronger and fiercer than anyone else.

There were anecdotes from two generations ago about a fantastic dragon that didn’t stop fighting until its wings were torn, its arms were severed, and its eyes were crushed.

……With few exceptions.

For a dragon, preserving their dignity was a sacred duty.

Everyone recognizes us as the strongest existences, so we must act accordingly.

It’s not just about me.

This is true for my subordinate, and I wanted dragons I had never met to be like that.

No, they should be.

Therefore, I will continue to take the initiative to show it.

I will continue to prove that dragons are profound.

On such a day, a visitor who thought and lived like that came to me.

“An elf?”

“Yes. It seems they have something to discuss with the Lord.”

My subordinate dragon told me so.

I’ve had no contact with elves.

I’ve seen them several times while serving the older generation as an underling.

But dragons are extraordinary beings.

Occasionally, humans or other races will ask for advice, treasures, or direct aid.

I’m sure it will be the same this time.

“What do you want us to do? Drive them away?”

There was no point in listening to the petty wishes of such a small thing.

Usually, I’d let my underlings drive them away and let that be the end of it……

“How many elves did they come with?”

“From the looks of it, they’re alone. As long as they’re not hiding, things should be fine.”

“Ooh. Did they come to a dragon’s dwelling alone?”

That arrogance should be commended.

Human royalty sometimes dispatched an army. Cowardly.

“Good. Let’s spare them the savagery and meet. Let’s go to the audience room.”

The audience area in my domain was wide.

It was created by hollowing out a mountain and made with the assumption that other dragons would visit.

Therefore, when the small ones saw it, they were stunned.

Naturally.

There was a difference between their idea of grandeur and a dragon’s.

It was only one audience room, but it was big enough to house a small castle.

I lined up all my dragons in the audience room.

The elf said they came to see me alone, which was unacceptable.

I could see them crying and trembling now.

Of course, if it was that “thing”, it’d be a different story……

That’s right, that “thing.”

I saw that “thing” when I was serving the previous generation.

Their existence itself was synonymous with “death.”

They pretended to be an elf while being more than an elf.

A holy spirit incarnated.

Arch-elf.

An absolute monster that’s been alive since ancient times.

I witnessed with my own eyes just how terrifying that thing was.

It was an opponent that caused to brave and courageous previous generation leader to cry and beg for his life.

That was the only thing I would never fight.

When I was young, I made a vow in my heart.

Seven legendary elves claim to be from the beginning.

However, I know that there was an eighth.

No, even in tradition, it’s said there were eight of them from the start.

However, there’s no such thing as a progenitor who didn’t leave behind a child.

The progenitor always possesses the breeder attribute.

Therefore, no ancestor didn’t have children.

However, since ancient times, there have only been seven elven lineages.

That’s why everyone decided that the eighth was a myth.

However, I’ve confirmed with my eyes that the eighth actually existed.

“……? I was created third, not eighth.”

That monster spoke such nonsense.’

Just remembering that sent chills through my fearless body.

“Oh, hey. What’s the name of the visiting elf?”

“Eh. Ah…… I’m sure it was Henry or Hendatta or something like that.”

“I-Is that so……!”

That’s good. It wasn’t that “Thing.”

Then I have nothing to fear.

I pulled myself together and sat in the middle of the audience room.

“I’m seeing you for the first time. My name is Henriette Balkenede Zwolle Stara Ramielion. It’s an honor to meet the great Lord of the Luville Mountains.”

The elf who came bowed her head with a faint smile without even the slightest hint of hesitation. It was a graceful move.

The dragons lined up were impressed by her boldness, but I was fascinated by another part.

The composition of elven names was quite different from that of humans.

In this woman’s case, Henriette was her individual name, and Balkenende was the family name.

The rest represented where she came from and which progenitor she descended from.

Remielion meant she descended from Ramiel.

The arch-elf, known as the wandering elf, possessed an absolute spatial displacement power, which was only found in legends.

If that was the end, she might be capable of using spatial magic, even if it was just a little.

A magic that tears space itself apart, even a dragon with a strong body would be reaped to shreds.

However, that’s not the point.

This elf called herself Balkenende.

Balkenende is the familial name of elves that served as sanctuary guardians.

I heard they were a family that won that position through generations, even though it wasn’t hereditary.

Just as I acquired the position of Mountain Lord with my strength, they used their strength to be appointed as a sanctuary guardian.

However, there was one elf who was of a different kind.

That person had retired from their position and now worked as a merchant in the human world.

Indeed, the name isー.

“Is business more profitable than being a sanctuary guardian these days?”

“I take pride in the fact that the company’s work is gratifying.”

I tried to take a sickle to it, but it seemed that this woman was quite odd.

I see.

If you were a former sanctuary guardian, why would you fear dragons?

“So. What brings a merchant to the dragon’s lair? Did you come here to conduct a business negotiation?”

“It’s not a business negotiation, but definitely a profitable deal. Mountain Lord, you’ve been blessed with a good opportunity.”

“Huh? Even though it’s not a negotiation, it’s still an opportunity?”

Never trust the so-called merchants at face value. No matter what race they belong to.

You’ll see hell if they’re trying to rope you in with lip service.

“Mountain Lord is busy. If you have something to say, just say it.”

A subordinate dragon by my side urged the merchant to get to the point.

His tone was intimidating.

We dragons respect the strong.

But, the silver-tongued are guarded against and despised.

Now that her identity as a merchant was revealed, this elf was seen in that light.

The gazes of my subordinates changed to severe ones.

If it were someone normal, they would’ve lost their nerve by now, but this woman still had a calm smile plastered on her face.

“Well, let me be frank. Mountain lord, could you please lend me the swampy area at the southern end of the Luville Mountains?”

“What, the wetlands?”

That was an unexpected request.

Of course, I had no intention of handing over my territory, but why would she want a place like that?

I tried to question her intentions, but my furious subordinates lashed out before I could speak.

“Remember your place, little one! You would have us dragons surrender our territory?!”

“Elven style doesn’t fit the picture!”

“Toss her out!”

“Enough!”

I shouted.

It’s good to intimidate rude people.

However, one cannot be said to maintain their dignity if one can be angered so easily.

A dragon has to be above that.

I turned to the woman.

“Elven merchant. This land has been passed down and protected for generations. You’re asking me to give you a portion of it. What are you willing to offer?”

I set the pace to be to my advantage.

They were in a position to make a hearty compensation.

I had no intention of giving it away, but I wanted to know their offer.

That woman spoke to me with a smile.

“Yes. In return, I will guarantee your safety.”

I was furious.

<Previous Chapter   Index    Next Chapter>