Side Story Chapter 178
In this world where swords and magic coexisted, humans never stopped improving themselves. The art of swords started from simple skills like horizontal and vertical swings and had come to incorporate all sorts of advanced techniques, to say nothing of the multitude of other weapons available. What about magic? There had initially been only four to five spells in each Circle, but humans had used their creativity and had invented hundreds, if not thousands, of spells. And even if those spells were the same type of magic, each faction of mages’ spells turned out to be entirely different from one another.
What about dragons? They had made no progress at all because they never tried despite the fact they lived for eternity. People perceived dragons to be creatures who could rule the world without effort; Joshua, naturally, didn’t think any differently until a moment ago.
Joshua reached the end of the underground vault and gasped.
“A dragon hatchling...?
A creature not quite as tall a human adult was cowering in the corner, which didn’t make any sense. According to everything Joshua knew, even a newborn dragon was as big as most trolls and ogres, but the hatchling in front of Joshua was one meter tall at most.
“That hatchling is my child,” Crevasse mumbled in his handsome black-haired human form.
“...That’s strange.”
“What do you mean?”
“It’s a lot different from what I know about dragons. You said that it’s possible even without sexual intercourse, but...” Joshua trailed off.
“Yes, we dragons can create life without such vulgar acts.”
Joshua immediately shook his head. “Life is conceived, not created. Only a god can create something out of nothing.”
“Look at what is in front of you. As you can see, I did it.”
“I’m sure that you didn’t use a conventional method, but if that was actually possible, dragons would have dominated the Human Realm long ago since they’d be able to freely create new dragons and instruct them to settle the entire continent. Besides, it’s not like dragons are hermaphrodites like earthworms.”
“You’re the one who is sorely mistaken here. We value harmony with other races above all else. Had we planned on ruling the Human Realm, we would have done it already. Although I don’t like the nickname, we dragons are called the guardians of the Human Realm reason,” Crevasse reminded Joshua.
“Let’s be more honest here.” Joshua looked deadly serious. “You couldn’t do it, not wouldn’t do it.”
Lilith agreed with every word Joshua said.
“What?”
“Of course, it’s cumbersome work, and you wouldn’t have felt the necessity... But it’s not what most dragons would have wanted. There are some eccentric dragons like you, but some gentle dragons like the gold dragons truly love peace.” Joshua tilted his head.
Crevasse quietly considered Joshua’s words, if only because Joshua had laid out the facts in a way that wouldn’t hurt Crevasse’s pride. History indicated that the biggest enemies of the evil and manic dragons, infamous for tormenting and trying to rule the humans, were their fellow dragons.
“Judging from the fact that you’ve shown me your hatchling, I assume that you have a favor to ask of me, yes?”
Crevasse’s mouth remained shut.
“If you continue to hide the truth, I can’t help you, Sir Crevasse.” Joshua turned around without any hesitation.
Lilith was surprised.
‘You’re just going to leave?’ she quickly asked.
-I should.
‘Dragons may disappear from this world without your help.’
-This is what they call reaping the harvest you sowed.
‘...You’re cold,’ Lilith grumbled.
However, Lilith was concerned for nothing.
“...You’re clever. Fooling a ghost might be easier,” Crevasse said. Joshua stopped but only turned his head. “I won’t hide it any longer. As you can already see, my child isn’t an ordinary dragon hatchling.”
“What is it then...?”
“The more apt description would be my avatar—a clone of me.”
Crevasse exercised his mana, projecting an image in front of him.
“Is that...?”
“It’s my heart.”
Joshua jolted. Crevasse’s heart was a powerful thing, but it was just as odd as his clone. Considering that Crevasse was as big as a castle, his heart was too small.
“Wait...”
“I give two-thirds of my heart to my hatchling.”
“I knew it...!” Joshua hissed. It was no wonder why the dragon hatchling was a lot smaller than an ordinary hatchling and why Crevasse hadn’t been himself in their battle.
“Nevertheless, that wasn’t enough to make a hatchling. Like you said, creating something from nothing is the work of a god—so I borrowed a god’s power.”
Joshua had an idea of what happened.
“You used the Demon Spirit’s legacy,” he said, a frown tugging at his lips.
“That’s correct. It’s the shell of a god without a soul, so that was perfect to rebuild my heart. Besides, as I told you earlier, black dragons use demonic power.”
“Do you know what you have done?”
“Not at all. This has never been done in history, but I had no other choice.” Crevasse smiled bitterly.
The reason why Joshua’s expression was so grim was that the dragon hatchling was unlike anything that had ever existed. Being born from the Demon Spirit’s body, there was no knowing what kind of creature the hatchling would grow up to be.
“That is why I would like to ask you a favor: if you believe that he’s going to grow up to be someone who will bring evil to the world... slay him yourself. Please.”
Joshua 's eyes widened.
Lilith was quite surprised too. Even though they were talking about the worst-case scenario, Crevasse himself was asking Joshua to kill the child whom he had created using two-thirds of his life.
“Just because I split my heart into three parts, doesn’t mean that I’m left with a third of my vitality. Since I butchered my heart with my own hands, I’m going to die .”
“Crevasse, you...”
“Maybe the day I die will be tomorrow. Of course, I have no regrets. This is a noble sacrifice that I made to uphold the vow I made to the dragon lord, not suicide. Hahahaha.” Crevasse was laughing, but his eyes were filled with sorrow. “Little Creshua will be the last surviving dragon in this world.”
“Creshua...?” Joshua vacantly echoed.
Crevasse was actually embarrassed.
“You, Joshua Sanders, are the only one in this world who I approve of.”
An awkward silence descended on them. After a moment, Lilith whispered, ‘It sounds like you’re the father.’
-Thank you very much for not calling me the mother.
‘To be honest, you’re handsome, but Crevasse is more beautiful. From a cursory glance, it’s hard to tell if he’s a man or a woman,’ Lilith playfully replied.
In a stark contrast to their silly conversation, Crevasse, the ever prideful dragon, bowed to a mere human.
“Please do this for me.”
“...You said please, so it’s fine even if I say no, yes?”
“If you do, the race of dragons ends here.”
“Are you putting the fate of your people in the hands of a human?” Joshua asked, reluctantly.
“I’m telling you again. You are not an ordinary human.” Crevasse looked Joshua in the eyes. “The dragon lord wasn’t concerned about her own life, but even she was worried about the end of our race. Considering your history with her, I think you would be opposed to such an end.”
“You’ve always been cruel and manipulative, haven’t you.”
“There is nothing to hold me back now that I near my end.”
They felt a powerful rumble shake the chamber from above them.
Crevasse looked up. “Something serious seems to be happening above. You should go back.”
Joshua could both feel the earthquake and the unusual change in the two demons’ Overlord Symbols, but he had to ask, “What about the hatchling?”
“I can look after him for the time being—but of course, it would be perfect if you come back here after you’re done taking care of things up there.”
Joshua was silent for a moment before nodding. “It’s your last wish... so I’ll do you this favor.”
Crevasse’s expressionless face twitched and then the ends of his mouth slowly curled upward. “That’s good to hear.”
“But I want to set a condition.”
“Go on. I have no intention of asking you to do all the heavy lifting for free,” Crevasse said, ready to accept anything.
He was handing his last mission, a tremendous burden on his heart, over to Joshua, so he was planning on rewarding Joshua handsomely even if he hadn’t asked for anything. Crevasse’s lair was full of treasure that he had spent his entire life gathering. He was prepared to give Joshua all of it. Another idea would be to tell Joshua about the dead dragons’ lairs; no doubt that would be far more interesting to the human.
However, once again, this eccentric human subverted all expectations.
“Survive.”
“...What?”
“Crevasse, the last adult dragon on the continent: survive, and look after the hatchling yourself.”
“That’s—”
Joshua quietly but firmly shook his head, cutting off the dragon. “A savage human isn’t what your hatchling needs. He needs the parent that gave birth to him. I don’t think dragons and humans are different in that regard.”
“I already told you that I’m near death.”
“Then try your utmost best to survive until your destined end.”
Crevasse 's eyes widened.
“I won’t allow any negotiations. This is my only condition.”
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