Chapter 87

Chapter 87

Translator: Yonnee

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I wasn’t concerned about the mention of ‘dragon fledgling’. What caught my attention was the word ‘dying’. Albert did say that dragons didn’t care for each other.

Since that’s the case, even if Blanc was in a situation where his life was in danger, then there would be no one else but me who’d help him. Because I knew this, I didn’t find it strange to hear about the other dragon cubs.

As I opened and closed my lips, Liam and I met eyes. With an expressionless face, he looked down slightly and asked.

“Ah, that reminds me. You mentioned that you were interested in dragons, correct? Why is that?”

Liam didn’t have the capability to see Blanc’s true form. Can I tell him about Blanc?

All I knew about dragons was what Albert told me. And Albert didn’t like dragons very much.

…I think the biggest reason he dislikes Blanc was because I brought him in.

When I hesitated, Liam walked past me and looked at the bookshelf there.

“You don’t have to explain.”

But if I continue hiding it, I won’t be able to get any information from Liam. More than that, I kinda need his help.

Instead of being completely honest, I sparsely told half-truths.

“Because there’s a dragon cub I know.”

“Ahh.”

Liam briefly replied like that with a sour tone of voice, but he soon looked back at me with his eyes wide open.

“Do you wield magic?”

…Was that such a surprise? Feeling awkward, I nodded.

“I didn’t know about it either, but I guess that’s the case.”

“You haven’t really awakened yet, then. Ah, that’s why you’re looking for books on magic.”

“Yes, but why is Your Grace also looking for a book on dragons?”

Liam pulled out a thick book from its shelf. It looked about a thousand pages long.

“To confirm what happens when a dragon fledgling dies.”

“…What happens when they die?”

“Read about it on your own. Aren’t you here for that?”

Opening a book, Liam sat down at a chair behind a desk and waved at me. It was more of a shooing gesture to make it known that I shouldn’t talk to him anymore because he had to concentrate on reading.

Unlike Albert, who would keep a straight, elegant posture whenever he read a book, Liam flipped through the pages while hunching forward, his chin on one hand. He didn’t seem to like reading books very much.

Seeing that he had a sword on his person even inside the castle, it seemed like he was a swordsman. Perhaps he’s more brawn than brains.

Liam was certainly in good shape. Though not as much as Albert.

So what the hell’s up with Albert…? Was it his male lead buff?

Lost in thought, I returned to what I came here for. Liam was here personally, even though he could have asked someone else to do this.

That’s how important it was for him to check.

It seemed like it’s going to be difficult to get a straight answer from him. When I saw the books about dragons from the shelf where Liam took out the book he was reading now, I reached for about three of them and brought them to the desk.

When I opened the book titled 〈 The History of Dragons 〉, I got surprised by the huge dragon that’s illustrated on the page. It was amazing to know that a huge creature that was bigger than an entire castle seemed to exist in this world.

Can Blanc be able to transform into a huge dragon like this later? As I thought of this, I suddenly realized that I have never once envisioned that Blanc would die.

It’s said that dragons cubs were weak.

I was always with Blanc, so I didn’t even have time to think about this. I just thought about leaving the tower and continuing to be with him.

At the beginning of this book, I read about the same information that Albert had told me about. It’s as if he had memorized the whole book.

The reasons for why dragon cubs tended to die was also explained in more detail—as a matter of fact, there were many reasons. The closer they got to their 500th year, the less likely they were to die from the most ridiculous reasons. But, still as ever, torturous pain awaited them on their 500th birthday.

—After a fledgling dragon dies, its remains will cause a disaster because of the consequential destabilization of mana in the surrounding area. It is considered their final struggle.

The only evidence left that they existed in this world was a disaster that would be caused after their death. This made me feel strange.

But why was Liam here to check this information? He said that a dying fledgling dragon was found, not its remains.

“…May I ask why you need to know this?”

Looking back at me with one eyebrow raised, Liam replied.

“It’s for His Highness. The death of a dragon fledgling in itself would have quite a large impact on the kingdom. And it’s a rather good decoy.”

Liam’s words were ruthless.

“Why aren’t you thinking of saving the dying fledgling dragon?”

“There is no way to save one without a contractor. And it is the fate of a fledgling dragon. Time and time again.”

We’re just taking advantage of this opportunity for His Highness, Liam continued in a low voice as he returned the book to its place. He passed by me and dusted his hands.

“Apparently, I heard that nobody wants to be its contractor, so it’s better to stay away. If it so happens that you’re there for the moment it dies, then you will die as well.”

The book also gave a warning about how terribly painful it was to be a dragon’s contractor. The pain that would be passed on was far too much for any human to endure.

I heard the same words from Albert, but they had a different impact on me now.

When I first found out that Blanc was a dragon cub, all I wanted to do was to create good memories before he’d have to overcome the ordeal that he’d go through when he’d turn 500.

But right now, I don’t know anymore.

As I read about the pain that Blanc was going to experience, there in clear printed script, it made it feel more real to me.

The more time I spent with Blanc, the more so it was going to be.

Albert also warned me not to be so attached to Blanc… As I was trying not to give in to Albert, I couldn’t possibly ignore Blanc when he’s alleviating my loneliness.

I want Blanc to live. I want him to be happy and look as cool as the dragon on the first page of the book. I don’t want him to pass away and become a natural disaster.

Then, a contractor.