Chapter 167 : Chapter 167

Chapter 167 : Beastkin Conference (3)

The Dragonkin had a long-held tradition.

– Never leave the High Dragon's Nest empty. At least one dragon must guard the nest.

Many dragons had accompanied Adjak's expedition, and most had not returned.

Now, only Hike and Baden were left of the Dragonkin.

Nevertheless, the two dragons faithfully kept their tradition.

If one left the nest, the other guarded it.

It was not a particularly difficult task for them.

Dragons, after all, did not have a great interest in the world.

It was common for both dragons to be cooped up in the nest, sleeping for years.

But for the past few years, the two dragons had been busy in their own way.

This was because the world had begun to stir, just as it had 300 years ago when Adjak left on his expedition.

Hike, who had been Adjak's companion, was rediscovering her lost passion.

She paid close attention to the movements of Polarin Adjak, Adjak's descendant, who was surprisingly similar to Adjak.

However, the closer Hike watched Polarin, the more she discovered that he was not just similar to Adjak.

Adjak had a charisma that could overwhelm everyone.

Those inspired by Adjak's charisma joined the expedition and raised their swords and spears to follow him.

Of course, charisma alone could not win over everyone.

Therefore, Adjak did not shy away from any means to increase the expedition's power.

If necessary, he would even form family ties with many to draw them into his forces.

Adjak also helped many people.

However, Adjak did so when he had the capacity to help others.

The purpose of helping others was also to have them join the expedition.

Adjak was always clever and efficient.

Polarin's way was similar to Adjak's at first glance, but also different.

Polarin was not one who reigned above all.

Despite being very strong, he knew how to lower himself, and he did not turn away from someone's pain even when he had no spare capacity.

Polarin built up his forces more slowly than Adjak.

But anyone who met Polarin followed him without exception.

Polarin was far from the type to not shy away from any means.

But many were inspired by his steadfast dedication to doing what he believed was right.

The charisma Polarin possessed was gentle, but it bound people together tightly.

Baden also clearly recognized the difference between Adjak and Polarin.

Baden had not participated in Adjak's expedition.

It was partly because a dragon was needed to stay in the nest, but also because it was difficult for him to fully follow Adjak's methods.

However, Baden came to know well that Polarin's path was similar to Adjak's, yet different.

There were not many dragons left alive.

As the Lord, Baden knew that the race he led was fading away.

Polarin and Hike, each and every one was a very precious dragon.

Baden wanted to protect Polarin.

‘He's still a weak child to stand against the Demon King. I must help him.’

And the present moment, when many were trying to join forces to strike Myeolji, was a rare period even when looking back at the continent's history.

This very moment would be an important turning point in the continent's history.

Baden had broken the Dragonkin's tradition and came out of the nest to help Polarin and give him even more strength.

“……My Lord.”

Hike looked at Baden with concern.

The fact that there were only two dragons left in the world was not widely known.

Most would also not know about the Dragonkin's tradition.

But Baden and Hike knew the Dragonkin's tradition all too well.

– The High Dragon's Nest must be protected.

But also that there was one more clause attached to that tradition.

– However, if there is a moment when the world truly needs dragons, all dragons will leave the nest and spread their wings.

Baden had deemed that now, the world needed dragons.

Baden grinned at Hike, who was looking at him.

It was a look that said there was nothing to worry about.

It was the first time Hike knew that Baden could make such a smile.

***

The Dragon Lord, Baden, who seemed a little out of his mind.

He had declared in front of everyone that he would tear open my chest.

I could feel goosebumps on the back of my neck.

Baden was someone who was more than capable of doing so.

Wasn't he the one who had even tried to assassinate his own father just to obtain the rim?

Baden was someone who could tear open my chest to prove I was a dragon without a second thought.

Of course, he wouldn't kill me.

By using Dragon Speech, he might be able to show only my heart without killing me.

‘Even so, I don't want my chest to be split open in front of everyone…….’

Just imagining it gave me the creeps.

Moreover, the gazes of some people seemed to be in anticipation, as if wondering, ‘Will he really cut open his heart and show the Dragon Heart?’

While everyone was in a state of confusion, the Goat King Olru, who had barely regained his senses, asked.

“L, Lord of the Dragons, what brings you here?”

Olru's voice usually trembled when he spoke, but now, standing before Baden, his voice trembled pitifully.

But Baden nonchalantly took out a white stone.

“I got an invitation too. Why? Is that not allowed?”

If you think about it, the Dragonkin are also part of the Beastkin, but…….

Now, the Beastkin kings' gazes turned to Urseca. Urseca was just as flustered.

“I. Invitation. Gave. Never. Have……”

Urseca's eyes began to roll around.

He was sure he had never given a stone to the Dragon Lord, so did the messenger go to the wrong place?

Urseca had no idea where or how things had gotten so twisted to lead to this situation.

“Ah, they didn't give me one. So I snatched one.”

“……”

“Then there must be a king here without an invitation. Isn't that person unqualified? It seems the Beastkin Conference isn't managed very thoroughly.”

Now, everyone's eyes wavered.

The Goat King Olru chose to just shut his eyes tightly.

The host of the Beastkin Conference, Urseca, looked around at the kings.

Most of the kings were bewildered.

“Whose. Stone. Did you. Snatch?”

“From that bear brute over there.”

Baden's gaze turned to the Bear King Goldin.

Goldin hung his head very gloomily.

Only then did I understand the situation.

Only then could I guess the reason why Goldin had resisted even Hike's words.

‘Baden made him do it all…….’

Baden, who had surprised everyone with just his appearance, was now practically causing a rampage.

“Lord.”

And it seemed the only one who could stop Baden's rampage was Hike.

Hike called Baden's name to tell him to compose himself, and then began to sort out the situation.

“Now that even the Dragon Lord has come, everyone must know. Polarin is indeed half-human, half-dragon. Is there anyone left who wishes to object?”

At Hike's words, the hall fell silent.

Many nodded as if in agreement, but they also just looked like they wanted to get out of this situation quickly.

But amidst the silence, there was one who raised a giant forepaw.

“I think I'll only know if I see his chest cut open?”

“Baden!”

Hike finally showed her anger.

She no longer addressed him as Lord and began to raise her energy.

“So you can make that face too.”

Baden replied leisurely.

And then, he changed from his dragon form to his Draconian form.

“Oh……”

Even in the heavy atmosphere, some people were impressed.

The appearance of a human male who looked both rugged and elegant, and at once seemed kinder than anyone yet also dangerous.

Baden as a Draconian had an appearance that seemed capable of combining many seemingly incompatible descriptions.

If it weren't for his vertically slit golden eyes, one would have believed he was not a Draconian, but the most beautiful human in the world.

He took out a transparent rim of a heart from his bosom.

Many among the Beastkin kings knew what it was, so everyone was surprised.

“Polarin.”

“Yes, Lord.”

“You said you wanted to receive more Heart Engravings?”

“Yes, I do. But…… Can we do it here?”

The tradition of the Dragonkin was not just that the High Dragon's Nest should not be left empty.

The Heart Engraving was also only performed in the High Dragon's Nest.

Since he had already broken one tradition, could he break another?

“Is there a problem? Wherever I am is the Dragon's Nest.”

Baden muttered and recited a Dragon Speech.

– Nest, come forth.

Then, the space where everyone was standing changed.

***

The inside of the High Dragon's Nest was crowded.

Various Beastkin kings, as well as my companions and I, were transported to the nest together.

No, the space where we were standing became the High Dragon's Nest.

“……”

The Beastkin kings looked around the interior of the High Dragon's Nest but could no longer even let out exclamations of admiration.

That was how sacred the High Dragon's Nest felt.

The light from the Dragon's Crystals was emitting a soft glow, and abundant mana flowed throughout the entire nest.

In the center of the nest were Hike, Baden, and I.

“This is the last engraving. Now, this entire rim will be embedded in you.”

Baden said softly.

If his voice until now had felt tinged with madness, it was now endlessly calm.

“I will consider it an honor.”

I familiarly lay down on the altar. I had not known that I would be receiving the final Heart Engraving with so many people observing.

Originally, there should have been several more Heart Engravings left, but Baden had pinpointed this as the final stage.

It seemed he had decided to insert the entire rim this time.

Following his decision, I took a deep breath.

The atmosphere was so solemn that I couldn't even ask for anesthesia first.

Not just me, but everyone was holding their breath and waiting.

The Heart Engraving had been passed down in the Adjak family, so anyone who knew would know about it. But a Heart Engraving performed by a dragon itself carried a different weight.

Balua and Pasion were also concentrating, needlessly stroking their own chests.

Hike and Baden approached the side of the altar.

Hike recited a Dragon Speech to protect my body first.

After that, Baden's sharp claws split open my chest.

Chaenggeurang!

With a clear sound, the Dragon's Rim was completely shattered.

Baden began to overlay the pieces of the rim onto my heart.

Light flowed out from my split chest.

My heart no longer rejected the engraving of the rim.

It just calmly allowed the heart rim of the former Dragon Lord to be placed upon itself.

It was more peaceful than the previous Heart Engraving processes.

It was not just because I was anesthetized.

Along with my growth, my Dragon Heart had also grown. It had grown to the point where it did not need to have a power struggle with the former Lord's heart.

Baden and Hike painstakingly fitted the heart rim onto me.

When only one last piece remained, Baden handed that piece to Hike.

Hike silently accepted the piece, closed her eyes, and had a moment of silent prayer.

After that, she placed the final piece on my heart.

A light so great that it brightly illuminated the entire High Dragon's Nest arose. At the same time, mana raged like a storm.

Chaeng! Chaeng! Chaeng!

The Dragon's Crystals hanging inside the High Dragon's Nest shattered all at once.

Soon after, the mana that the crystals had held richly filled the nest.

“The birth of a mighty dragon.”

“Indeed.”

Baden and Hike calmly stated their impressions.

And Baden recited a Dragon Speech and stitched up my split chest.

Since Sea's Healing was also manifesting, I was able to watch the final Heart Engraving completely without losing consciousness.

I could feel a solemn yet powerful force seeping into me.

I got up from the altar and bowed to Baden and Hike in turn.

Baden looked straight into my eyes and said.

“Try reciting a Dragon Speech.”

A half-human, half-dragon can recite Dragon Speech after completing the third Heart Engraving.

I didn't need to ask how to do it.

Because the method of reciting Dragon Speech naturally came to me from the former Lord's memories.

“You may say whatever you wish to say.”

Hike also encouraged me.

I met the eyes of Hike, Baden, and each and every Beastkin king gathered here, and then I spoke.

– May I become the King of the Beastkin.

Though it was Dragon Speech, I spoke so that my words could be heard by everyone.

Some Beastkin kings nodded, and Urseca knelt.

Balua was smiling brightly, and there was also a Beastkin king who was clapping.

“What kind of dragon uses Dragon Speech like that?”

Hike said as if chiding me. But a faint smile was on her lips.

“You've made it, Polarin.”

Baden grinned, wider than Hike.

“King of the Beastkin.”