Chapter 197 - The Thunder Dragon, Storeus

Hestia village.

The administrator, Isabella, looked at the dawn carefully brightening beyond the east and thought.

'It feels like they should be arriving soon.'

This was her most important task as administrator.

If there were results, skilled adventurers would flock here, and if there were many adventurers, even more merchants would follow.

For that reason, they were preparing a welcoming ceremony for the first expedition at the eastern gate.

After all, the more uproarious a celebration was, the better.

Until then, she prepared to begin the day by taking care of the work that had piled up.

"Administrator."

"What is it?"

"It's just that the weather seems very bad, so I came to ask whether we should proceed as planned."

The weather was bad?

Isabella could not believe those words.

Only thirty minutes ago, she had confirmed that the weather was clear and returned.

"Let us check."

Isabella rose from her seat and went outside.

He had not been talking nonsense.

What came into Isabella's view was the same thing they were seeing.

"What is this...?"

The sky, which had clearly been cloudless, was now filled with gloomy dark clouds, surging like waves.

"Could Iorga's side have summoned clouds like these?"

"No. Blue Eye does not create dark clouds recklessly."

"Then..."

There was only one being who could create dark clouds like these.

"Why would that reckless bastard..."

The Thunder Dragon, Storeus.

It was known that the domain of Storeus's spawns lay in the southwest.

But Storeus had no desire for territory, and he was a dragon who lived as the wind took him, using the clouds above the sky as his boat.

He was a disaster-like being who wandered around like an idle playboy and called down lightning whenever he was bored or something annoyed him.

That Storeus had come to the far east, where he had never once set foot.

'Why?'

The clouds surged and flew rapidly toward the far east, toward the Land of Demons.

Just as the sky's color, soaked in dawn, revealed itself and the clouds mingled with the darkness of the far east,

RUMBLE!

A tremendous roar shook heaven and earth.

The Land of Demons.

—So Boss had a reason for settling down here. To think she was keeping all these fun things to herself!

The corners of the long snout of the enormous dragon, Storeus, twisted upward.

It might have simply looked like he was smiling, but to Erica, who knew Storeus, nothing could be more chilling.

One wrong move, and everyone could die.

Erica carefully stepped forward and greeted him.

"I greet the great Aspect of Lightning, the Thunder Dragon, Lord Storeus."

—Do not greet me, inferior thing.

A chilling tone that contrasted with his hearty laughter.

At that moment, something pierced through the dense demonic energy and flew toward the adventurers.

"U-Urgh..."

"Hah, hah..."

A primal fear they had never felt before in their lives.

It naturally brought a five-syllable name to mind.

Dragon Fear.

The difference in rank that existed between mortals and immortals.

That was no different even for Erica, a dragon spawn.

His claw pointed at the ground.

—Since when did I say you were permitted to hold your head so stiffly before me? Kneel and show respect, you irreverent thing.

One by one, the adventurers knelt.

But Erica did not kneel so easily.

No, she could not.

However, she had her pride as an Iorga spawn.

She must not easily kneel to anyone other than Iorga.

Yet at the same time, in order to protect the expedition under the name Captain Eri, she had to bend that pride.

Just as she was about to kneel, someone grabbed Erica by the shoulder.

It was the armor knight.

She was stopping her from kneeling.

"W-What are you doing?"

Her voice stammered from tension.

Erica's face had turned deathly pale.

Did this person not know what happened if that reckless Storeus was displeased, and was trying to act brave?

She wanted to tell her to let go, but it was already too late.

Storeus did not miss even that brief instant.

—Ho... You mean you will not let another's child kneel to someone else?

Storeus chuckled.

It was already too late.

Once that laughter stopped, he would become a bolt of lightning and turn them into dust.

—Interesting. Very interesting.

But contrary to Erica's thoughts, that was not what happened.

Instead of creating lightning, Storeus simply turned away.

—I have other business, so come along slowly.

Storeus flew off just like that.

They were dumbfounded.

It was as though a storm that swept away everything had brushed past their side.

'Why did he just leave?'

In this situation, it was the perfect timing for Storeus, who loved picking fights, to act like a lunatic.

'He quietly went back just because he had other business?'

That was impossible.

Even if he had other business, he could still have turned them into a handful of ash.

That was no exception even for Erica, a spawn of Iorga and one of leader rank among them.

'Which means it was because of this armor knight.'

A man he could not touch carelessly, even after committing the irreverence of holding his head stiffly high.

'Just what is this person?'

In any case, since Storeus did not act on a whim, they were able to return safely to the village.

After going through a grand welcome ceremony, Erica tried to speak with the armor knight, but by the time they arrived, she had already disappeared.

The clouds that had headed for the far east stopped in front of Valdrova Castle.

They were thunderclouds as immense as if a great mountain were floating in the air, large enough that if they struck down, the castle seemed as though it would collapse on the spot.

Luri was standing before the main gate, looking up at those thunderclouds.

She knew who the master of those thunderclouds was, and she had a feeling he would come here.

BOOM!

With the sound of lightning, a form appeared before her.

The head of a gigantic dragon stood right in front of her.

Her body flinched at the fear that touched her instincts, but she made every effort to observe courtesy and bowed her head.

"I greet the great Aspect of Lightning, the Thunder Dragon, Lord Storeus."

"Is your master inside?"

"She is currently out. She will return soon, so if you would wait just a moment—"

"Yes, she will be back soon. I saw her on the way here."

"..."

Luri understood those words immediately.

Storeus already knew where Valdrova was, and he had seen her before coming here.

Even if that armor could deceive dragon spawns, fellow dragons must have already noticed.

—Until your master arrives, I shall while away the time. Guide me to a guest room and bring me wine, Silverwind wench.

"My apologies, but while this is Valdrova Castle, belonging to my master, it is also a castle made for humans. Therefore, in dragon form, it will be too cramped for you."

—Hm, it is cramped, yes.

His form gradually shrank, and he Polymorphed into a man.

Dark blue hair like a wild horse's mane.

His fierce eyes looked as if nothing in the world pleased him, and an arrogant smile hung on his bearded mouth.

"It has been a long time since I stayed in this form. So when will you bring my wine?"

"... I will guide you to the reception room first. Please, this way..."

Luri turned and led the way, guiding him.

She was welcoming the guest as if she were composed, but she too was being crushed by his presence.

Her neatly clasped hands were drenched in sweat.

'Raw power with no consideration whatsoever...'

Dragons knew that people feared them simply because they existed.

Therefore, they tried to conceal their appearance or suppress their aura with magic and the like.

That was what those called Guardian Dragons usually did.

But Storeus was not like that.

Overwhelming others suited his temperament more than showing consideration.

Luri was no exception.

From the moment they first faced each other, he had been attacking with focus, trying to break Luri's businesslike expression.

'I have to manage it...'

Luri guided him to the reception room and handed him a wine glass.

"How cumbersome."

Storeus threw the glass aside and snatched the bottle she was holding, drinking straight from it.

Even though it was a high-proof liquor, he emptied half the bottle in one gulp.

Storeus narrowed his brow and complained.

"Cheap stuff. Is our dear Grand Duchess living too frugally?"

"Her Highness the Grand Duchess does not enjoy alcohol, and she also has no desire to collect things..."

"So you were taught to serve this cheap swill to guests?"

"I apologize. I will do my utmost to satisfy you on your next visit."

"So there is such a thing as a next time for your master, is there?"

Storeus's eyes turned toward Luri.

She suppressed her instincts with all her might.

"Drinking alone is no fun after all. I shall need a friend. Little one."

"Yes."

"Do you know how to drink?"

"..."

"Answer me."

"... I do not."

"Then you can learn today. Bring another glass."

"..."

"An adult is offering you a drink, and you mean to refuse?"

"..."

"Even after living so long, you have not grown a handspan taller, and are your insides still those of a child as well? How utterly laughable. Is this the form your master wishes you to keep?"

He did not ease the pressure in the slightest.

Luri had no choice but to bring a glass.

"Receive it with both hands. Politely."

"... Yes."

He filled a large whiskey glass to the brim, almost to overflowing.

The strong smell stabbed at her nose.

"Drink it all down in one go."

"..."

"If you spill even a little or try to cheat, you will have to drink another glass."

Luri slowly brought the glass to her lips.

The closer the alcohol came to her mouth, the more violently the surface inside her glass rippled.

"Luri."

A clear and pure woman's voice filled the reception room.

"Put the glass down."

Storeus turned his head.

Red hair and two pairs of horns.

Golden eyes.

Despite her gentle impression, her expression was serious.

"What are you doing? Are you not going to do as your master says?"

The pressure surrounding Luri's body lifted.

Luri set down the glass and politely clasped her hands over her apron.

"Have you returned, Master?"

"Luri, could you step out for a moment?"

"No. I must attend to you—"

"It's all right."

Valdrova smiled softly and touched her cheek.

"You did well."

Although her expression had not faltered even once, she already knew that Luri had reached her limit.

"Then..."

Luri carefully left the room.

The door closed, and Valdrova faced Storeus alone.

"It has been a long time, Valdrova."

"It's been a long time, Storeus."

They exchanged light greetings, calling each other by name.

"And thank you."

"For what? For educating that insolent servant?"

"For not revealing my identity in front of everyone."

Valdrova added.

"And I would like you not to bother Luri."

"Luri... So that insolent thing even has a name."

Storeus laughed as if it were ridiculous.

"And do not thank me for something like that. What fun would there be for me in exposing you during your life of amusement? The great Red Dragon is having her fun. Would it do for me to stop her? Rather, you need amusement."

"..."

"Though I could not stand the sight of that insolent Iorga girl enjoying her amusement."

He was talking about Erica.

"There was no need to humiliate her that much, was there?"

"What does it matter if someone else's children are humiliated? If they are humiliated, is that not only good for you?"

"I don't like things like that."

"Disgusting. How long do you want to live as a good little child, Boss?"

Boss...

At that word, Valdrova squeezed her eyes shut.

"Even with such tremendous power, you have not made even a single spawn, and the only one you command is another's spawn. You have no accumulated wealth and no desire to enjoy anything. I thought perhaps you were finally enjoying yourself after living like that..."

Storeus let out a hollow laugh.

"And then you got engaged to a sickly human?"

"Mr. Ferda is a greater person than you think."

Valdrova refuted him without hesitation.

Those words displeased Storeus.

"What is great about him?"

"He can do things I cannot."

"Is that so? To my eyes, he looks like an ant that struts a little more than the rest."

He held out his index finger and spoke.

"What do you think would happen if I pressed down with this finger?"

"..."

"It is obvious. He would burst without resistance—"

"Storeus."

Valdrova's tone dropped.

"That man is going to become my husband. Do not speak carelessly about him."

But he did not back down.

His eyes tried to pressure Valdrova.

"And what will you do if I do?"

But Valdrova answered without wavering.

"I will get angry."

She carefully placed a hand on her chest.

"I will become very angry with you."

"What a ridiculous thing to say. Have you ever once been angry at someone, Boss?"

"I have."

Valdrova said.

"I simply regret it every time, so I no longer do it."

"You are prepared to regret it for that human?"

"If Mr. Ferda gets hurt because I hesitated, there will be nothing I regret more."

Storeus withdrew the finger he had been about to bring down on the table.

Storeus threw himself back onto the sofa.

"Do you love that human?"

"Yes."

"Iorga said those words too. Though in that one's case, it was not a human, but an elf. Was it called a high elf? Those odd creatures that serve the World Tree as their mother."

"..."

"You know how that turned out, do you not?"

"I do."

Valdrova still remembered that sight.

Iorga had killed her fiancé with her own hands.

And she had suffered terribly.

Valdrova had wanted to approach her and comfort her.

"How can you do what even that clever one, so full of herself, could not?"

"..."

"Humans and elves are nothing more than pets. Playing with them a few times may be amusing, but once you start taking responsibility, it becomes troublesome. That is exactly what you are like. I can see you fretting that even the small flame before your eyes might go out at any moment."

"Storeus."

Her golden eyes looked at Storeus.

The emotion held within them was neither fighting spirit nor anger.

It was pity.

"Stop saying cruel things you don't even mean."

Valdrova was pitying him.

Storeus, who had been sarcastically scratching at Valdrova's nerves, now had his own face twist in return.

"This is why I cannot like you. No one can like you."

Storeus rose from his seat.

"For old time's sake, I will quietly give only a warning, Boss. Killing what comes from the Land of Demons is fine. But do not set foot any farther than that. If it is for Boss, and for this continent as well."

"..."

"This is the decision that white thing made."