How to Deal with Dragons
As I examined the items I had chosen, the Deputy Commander's expression turned intrigued.
"Hmm, six items in total?"
"Yes. Three from the equipment depot, three from the magic depot. Correct?"
When I shrugged, Erek Kaid nodded and began to carefully inspect them.
"These warehouses are so old, I wonder if anything useful could still be found."
He wasn't wrong — the 1st Legion's supply depot was practically abandoned.
That was because the 1st Legion itself was more of a reserve force, one that was only mobilized when a large-scale war broke out.
Unlike the standing forces such as the Border Guards or City Defense Corps, who constantly kept their blades sharp, the 1st Legion barely made its presence known in times of peace.
'That's just how reserves are.'
I would know — I've been there myself.
Anyway, I picked out what I needed from that old depot, just as agreed upon with the Deputy Commander.
Three pieces of equipment, and three magical items.
***
[Equipment]
Shoes of the Dead Courier
Leather Vest of the Nameless Scout
Worn Cloak of the Missing Archer
[Magical Items]
Madwood Magic Flute
Reinforced Mirror Amulet
Miniature Quake Bomb
***
"No problems, right?"
"Hmm… the quake bomb is a bit questionable, but otherwise it seems fine."
Even if it was a reserve unit, the 1st Legion was still part of the military.
And though the depot was neglected, it wasn't devoid of dangerous artifacts.
Somewhere in a corner were items that should never be taken outside.
For example…
'There were cursed swords and helmets lying around.'
Naturally, Deputy Commander Kaid, aware of such risks, decided to inspect the items I'd selected — and I agreed to it.
As it turned out, there were no issues.
The items were all approved and went safely into my inventory.
"These are surprisingly ordinary. I expected something more impressive."
"Oh?"
"I was expecting the Crown Prince to pick out some kind of grand treasure, honestly."
"A tool is just a tool."
"But you're about to enter the Dragon's Nest. I thought you'd choose something a bit more… extraordinary."
"I suppose these just look like junk to you?"
"Well, don't they?"
I just smirked without bothering to explain.
They might have looked like worthless junk, but each one held hidden value.
Take the equipment, for example—
Shoes of the Dead Courier. Leather Vest of the Nameless Scout. Worn Cloak of the Missing Archer.
Individually, they were trash-tier loot no one would bother to use…
But together?
'They activate a hidden set effect.'
****
[The equipped items resonate with each other.]
[Set Effect: "Revenant" activated!]
[Equipment effects significantly enhanced!]
[Hidden functions unlocked!]
***
As soon as I slung the worn cloak over my shoulders, a faint warmth spread through me.
At the same time, the ambient flow of mana began to circulate around me.
'Temperature regulation and mana gathering.'
That was the base effect of the Revenant set.
And on top of that…
[You have unlocked the skill "Specter Leap."]
[You can now use invisible spiritual entities as footholds.]
A new skill was unlocked.
Just as the system explained, I could now use invisible spirits as stepping stones — essentially allowing me to double jump.
'So that's a two-stage jump.'
For now, it was just one extra leap, but with enough practice, I could probably manage three.
'Nice.'
As I adjusted my outfit with a satisfied grin—
"…Hmm. I can feel a change in the flow of mana."
Erek Kaid narrowed his eyes, clearly sensing something.
"There's something you're not telling me, isn't there?"
I chuckled.
"Even a Grand Mage can't know everything."
"A wise answer indeed."
The rest of the magical items were all meant for use inside the Dragon's Nest, so I simply stored them away.
With that, my business in the Revolutionary Army's depot was more or less done.
***
"But are you really fine with this?"
That question came from Erek Kaid as I was about to move on to the next stage.
"With what?"
When I blinked, the old mage's eyes gleamed slyly.
"I mean the young lady's departure. You may never see her again — are you truly fine with that?"
…This guy.
Earlier he'd given me a cryptic look, and now he's being outright nosy.
At this point, I could tell what he was trying to say.
'He wants me to go after Eve?'
Ridiculous.
Why would I?
It's not like we had that kind of relationship anyway.
She never even told me where or why she was leaving.
So I just turned away and replied flatly,
"Goodbyes are goodbyes. If she's leaving, she's leaving. Life goes on."
And three days later, her carriage departed toward the Azure Mountain Range.
* * *
The Dragon's Nest had three entrances.
The first was the massive main gate — large enough for a dragon to pass through.
The second was a smaller auxiliary entrance, used when a dragon took human form through polymorph.
And the third…
'A hidden entrance used by the dragon's attendants to maintain the lair.'
That was the one I chose.
It was the hardest route — winding through underground tunnels beneath the Azure Mountains for hours.
But it was the only path available to me.
The first two routes were much easier and faster.
'But also instant death.'
Powerful defense magic covered the entire lair to prevent hatchlings from being captured by other races.
The first and second entrances, in particular, were sealed with high-grade curse magic.
They were designed to block entry from any being not of dragonkind.
Rumors said that those who entered through those paths either died… or came out insane.
'To go through the front, you'd need at least a five-man player party, all level 70 or higher.'
Naturally, that was impossible for me right now.
So the third route was my only choice.
A path unknown to NPCs — one that only I knew.
'Not that it'll be easy.'
So I needed to prepare carefully.
I had to review my skills, organize my Fate Cards, and ideally, find some time for training.
'It'd be nice to have somewhere private for all that.'
To keep NPCs from noticing, I needed a secluded place.
That's when help came from an unexpected source — Archbishop Hendel.
"There's an abandoned monastery of our order along the road to the Azure Mountains. You may use it."
An unexpected gesture of goodwill.
This Is Appreciated, But…
"Archbishop, I'm sure you've already settled accounts for me stopping the Great Flood, haven't you?"
"But of course."
"Then why go out of your way to do me this favor?"
Given my suspicious nature, I couldn't help but confirm.
The answer I received was a masterpiece.
"Let's just say it's an apology for the time we tied you up."
"…."
Ah, right. I'd forgotten about that.
'So being tied up gets me both saved and a free place to stay, huh?'
All things considered, maybe that humiliation was worth it.
Still, I'm definitely not letting them tie me up a third time.
Anyway.
And so, we were now bumping along in a rattling carriage headed for an abandoned monastery in eastern Aulrax.
***
"Disciple, how much longer?"
Tyrbaen, sitting across from me, rubbed his sleepy eyes.
Feeling equally bored, I opened the window and shouted,
"Kals! What's taking so long? Step on it!"
From the driver's seat, Kals shouted back grumpily,
"Your Highness, don't mistake your knight for a coachman! If you'd learned to ride, I wouldn't be sitting here right now!"
…Fair point.
Both Kals and Tyrbaen were seasoned riders.
If only I'd invested some points in Riding Skill, we'd already be there on horseback by now.
'We'd probably have reached the monastery hours ago.'
But I hadn't done that—intentionally.
For good reason.
'Why waste skill points when you can unlock riding just by practice?'
In game terms, after about one in-game day of riding around—even without steering properly—
a player could acquire Basic Riding without spending any points.
So instead of using my precious points, I'd decided to just ride now and then until the skill unlocked naturally.
But since I hadn't finished that process yet, I had no choice but to let Kals drive.
***
"Master, we've got about another hour to go."
"How dull. I should've sat up front with you."
"That's not advisable."
"Why not?"
"Just because."
"..."
Yeah, no way I'm letting those two flirt up there.
Clip-clop, clip-clop.
Still, the rhythm of the hooves was changing—
the road beneath us must have shifted to open plains.
"Whoa…"
Across the vast expanse of flatland, an enormous mountain range rose like a folding screen against the horizon.
That was the Azure Mountain Range, home of the Dragon's Nest.
'Seeing it in person really is breathtaking.'
Once I acquired an egg there and hatched it, all I'd need to do afterward was feed the hatchling on schedule.
'Hmm… The random temperament thing is a bit concerning, though.'
But a trained dragon is a creature of absolute loyalty to its master.
No other worries there.
'…Though wait—when can a wyrmling start carrying a rider again?'
I was mulling that over when suddenly—
"Whoa! Whoa there!"
Kals's alarmed voice rang out, and the carriage jolted violently, speed surging.
"Eek!"
Tyrbaen, who'd been dozing off, tumbled to the floor.
Snapped from my thoughts, I shouted out the window,
"Kals! Get it together! A true knight should know how to handle a horse!"
But the reply I got was strange.
"Your Highness, things are about to get loud, so brace yourself!"
…Huh? What did that mean?
That's when shouts erupted from outside—rough, violent voices.
"Stop the carriage and grab what's inside!"
"Drag those rich bastards out!"
"Kill them all!"
…Oh?
They were barbaric screams, but to me, they sounded almost welcome.
'Now this is music to my ears.'
***
[Sudden Event: Encounter with Bandits!]
[Defend the carriage and repel the attackers!]
***
Peeking out, I could see them—
a mob of rowdy bandits, faces flushed with bloodlust.
Men with swords and axes were spurring their horses, shouting threats as they closed in.
Tyrbaen, who'd never faced anything like this, looked startled.
"Master, please stay inside! No matter what happens, don't come out! I'll handle everything!"
And with that, I threw the door open and climbed onto the moving carriage roof.
Thud.
"...?"
Kals glanced back at me with disbelief before shouting,
"Your Highness!"
Then, as a dutiful knight, he roared,
"Why must you do this every time?! Can't you just trust me?! I can handle this myself!"
"Nope! Not this time!"
This wasn't about XP or loot.
Before heading into the Dragon's Nest,
there was something very important I needed to verify.
'…I need to find out once and for all whether Gilroshan really can't use magic.'
The skill tree unfurled before me.
I picked the simplest, most basic spell there was—
no hesitation whatsoever.
"This is my specialty, after all!"
Magic flared to life instantly.
"Fireball!"
***
[Offensive Magic: Fireball]
My fingertips burned hot as the spell began to form…
But then—
"Huh?"
My face twisted.
***
[For unknown reasons, the spell has been canceled.]
***
The flame that had started to gather fizzled out helplessly.
"…You've got to be kidding me."
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