Chapter 291

291st Episode: Dragon of the Hearth #3

Inside the throat of the Dragon of the Hearth Gesvalam.

Indeed, deep inside was a sharp thorn embedded.

However, contrary to my initial thought that it might have been a bone stuck from swallowing some beast whole, the real identity of this thorn was a metallic blade not meant to be there.

A longsword, in the shape of a cross, was ominously lodged deep within the dragon’s esophagus. Why was there a sword in the dragon’s throat?

I squeezed further into the narrow esophagus and tightly gripped the hilt of the sword embedded on the floor.

Gruuuh…

The dragon wriggled and clearly exhibited signs of pain. Indeed, with this thing lodged in its throat, the dragon wouldn’t be able to eat, being reduced to merely guarding its cave.

Gwaaaah…

I gripped the sword handle and exerted force.

But, this metallic thorn was embedded so strongly that it couldn’t be pulled out with ordinary strength. Indeed, as Hippolyte had said, even her strength wasn’t enough to remove it.

“Huff…”

I steadied my breath once more and firmly grasped the sword handle with both hands.

Then, grounding my legs firmly, I exerted strength from my tiptoes through my knees, hips, and shoulders to pull the sword out.

“Ugh!”

It felt as though a colossal iron rock was attached to the tip of this sword, the weight was tremendous.

Though it felt like the sword was gradually coming out, there was no telling when it would be completely removed.

Guaaaaah!

A massive roar—or perhaps a scream—rang through my ears. Soon, I felt intense heat from somewhere deep within the dragon’s stomach or chest, and before I knew it, flames engulfed my entire body.

Hrrrrrr…

“Ah, it’s hot, si-fooool!”

It was the dragon’s fire, no doubt. The flames were so intense that I felt my limbs shrinking. I was hit directly by them.

Hassan-!

Aaah! Hassan must have been hit directly with the dragon’s fire! Even someone like Hassan couldn’t withstand this… Hassan is completely finished…!

There were voices discussing outside, but I had no attention for them as I continued to endure the heat, focusing only on pulling the sword in my palms.

“Shibaaaaah!”

Crack, Crackkk…

Finally, when I managed to pull it out, I was expelled from the dragon’s mouth by what felt like a giant sneeze.

“Hassan is alive…! To survive even being scorched by a dragon’s fire inside its mouth! Truly, not even d*ath can stop Hassan…!”

“Hassan, are you hurt anywhere? Your hair’s turned so black! Your hair’s burnt! Hassan has completely turned black from the fire!”

“Noxdoth, there’s no need to fuss. Hassan’s hair was originally black because he’s a Samaritan—.”

Voices rang out from various directions, blending in my ears like tinnitus. Somehow, I had survived. In my hand was a fairly lengthy longsword.

This must be the thorn that was causing the dragon so much agony.

I glanced down at my burned body. At the time, it had felt incredibly hot, but aside from the outer layer of my leather clothes being slightly singed, there were no serious injuries.

Could it be that the new favor I’d received, “Charred Skin,” provided some resistance to fire?

Indeed, compared to the intense burns from when Elfride had torched the city, this was rather bearable.

After roughly dusting off the soot and dragon saliva from my body, I stood up. At this point, there was frankly no other question to ask.

“Why is there a sword embedded in your throat?”

In response to my question, the dragon, which had been repeatedly coughing and sneezing, slowly opened its mouth.

“It’s the sword of envy. It was the final act of the creature that was dragged into my stomach. Now that I think about it, swallowing that thing whole was my mistake.”

“Can you elaborate more?”

From the dragon, Gesvalam, I received a brief explanation thereafter.

A Dullahan named Envy came seeking Gesvalam. After a fierce battle, the dragon lost its eyes and had this sword plunged into its throat.

“The b*stard was trying to take my body. The ominous presence he exuded made me realize I couldn’t let him live. I thought that if I left him as he was, he would cause great harm to Goddess Vesta.”

A dragon trying to seize his body—could it be related to the Giros who were sharpening their claws in the depths of hell, using powerful monsters to find suitable vessels for their bodies?

“Is that knight definitely dead?”

Yes, except for this sword, not even ashes remain.

“Indeed.”

Thus, we were able to remove the thorn that had caused the dragon such pain.

Paranoi didn’t get swallowed as food, and aside from my slight charring, no one suffered any serious injuries.

However, I won’t be able to leave this place until I’ve regained my strength for a while. I shall give you an ember. With it, you can reignite the Dragon of the Hearth’s forge in the village.

“Here is a flame that will last at least ten years,” Gesvalam said as he exhaled a small breath. In front of him, a small, blue flame began to burn, piercing the space.

We transferred this to a nearby torch-like object, creating an intriguing blue-flamed torch. Now, all we need to do is take this back to the village, right?

I asked.

“Is this enough?”

Strengthening the forge’s fire requires a slightly more complex procedure, but I know someone among you carries the scent of flames strongly. That should be enough.

“That’s right. Farewell then. Try not to swallow any more strange things.”

“It would also be wise not to think about eating nymphs…! The Nymph Rescue Foundation might soon come questioning, so be careful…!”

As we were about to head back to Dragon Scale Village, a massive voice called out from behind.

“Thank you, Juvenile Hassan. Because of you, I can sleep without pain now. I’d wish to light your way, but I cannot see.”

With that, my conversation with the great dragon was concluded.

On the way back to the village, we walked in relative silence, perhaps tired from our previous endeavors. Our primary concern was ensuring the blue flame on the torch didn’t extinguish.

At that moment, someone spoke up.

“What exactly is a Juvenile, anyway?”

It was Luna, questioning why the dragon had addressed her as “Juvenile Noxdoth.” Frankly, I was curious about it too.

Elfrida, who had been eerily silent until now, responded.

“It’s a term dragons use to refer to each other’s age.”

“Age of a dragon?”

“They call individuals transitioning into adulthood ‘Juvenile.’ Those who age further are called ‘Ancient.'”

Indeed, it seems they call newly turned adults ‘Juveniles.’ Perhaps in dragon language, terms like youth, young adult, student, or young miss could work?

“Too bad. It’s not every day you get a chance to ride on a dragon’s back. They’re proud creatures who’ll only let those they acknowledge ride them.”

It felt like Elfrida was spilling all her dragon knowledge, contradicting her previous silence.

Just when I thought she was done,

“There are cases where ordinary people can ride dragons too. If you habituate a dragon to human touch from the Hatchling stage, they might let you ride occasionally.”

“What’s a Hatchling?”

I saw Elfrida’s ears flicker as she held the torch, almost as if she’d been waiting for that question.

“A Hatchling is a dragon’s offspring. They are so small and cute they barely seem like dragons. Hatchlings that have learned the art of transformation often live among humans disguised as children.”

“A dragon living among humans?”

“Yes, there are also Heater Dragons that intentionally raise young dragons among humans. Hatchlings raised this way sometimes even believe they’re human.”

“A dragon thinking it’s human while it’s a dragon! They’re completely clueless! It’s the same as raising an eagle among chickens, making it think it’s a chicken! Just like that!”

Luna laughed as if hearing an incredibly amusing story.

She was mocking the clueless Hatchling or whoever, probably. Though dragons might be different, an eagle living among chickens does have its funny side.

Still, I didn’t find it funny.

Could Luna be the eagle among chickens?

Right now, Luna is self-deprecating unknowingly. Of course, only I am aware of this fact. It was a little amusing, but there was nothing I could do about it. Surely, without a special reason, Luna will never think, “Hmm, maybe I’m a daughter of God?” and visit Delphi for an oracle.

However, perhaps this journey might awaken Luna to her divinity?

Goddess Luna.

What kind of goddess would Luna become?

Since Luna is adorable, perhaps the goddess of beauty? With spiders, ants, and cicadas, a “Three Beauties Goddess” sounds fitting.

Still, I have some concerns. If Luna becomes a goddess, our relationship might drift apart.

While I was pondering this, Elfrida spoke.

“Hatchlings are endearing because they live without knowing their true identity. The awkward youth of a perfect being. A brief rest in a long life. Such moments inherently hold value.”

That’s how Elfrida ended her dragon stories.

Living unknowingly, hence endearing.

The awkward youth of a perfect being.

There was a sharp insight in those words that seemed to pierce through Luna’s true identity.

If Luna hadn’t lived among humans, we wouldn’t have these moments of laughter and conversation now. Thinking about it made me feel a little sorrowful.

Maybe Elfrida has a slight fondness for Luna because she senses this subconsciously?

I don’t know.

At any rate, it was a newly discovered fact in these last two years: Elfrida is a huge dragon enthusiast. Perhaps she feels kinship with dragons because they breathe fire?

At the Fire Dragon’s presence, was she too ecstatic to speak?

*

“Oh, is that really the torch with the blue flame!”

At high noon,

The village headman, Gardeman, standing at the entrance of Dragon Scale Village greeted us with a smile brighter than the sun, as if he had been waiting just for us.

With wide eyes, a gaping mouth, and veins bulging on his forehead, he seemed almost unhinged with joy.

“Even the nymph has returned alive! Incredible! Incredible! Could you tell me what happened?”

“All thanks to Mr. Hassan here who handled everything perfectly…! Entering the dragon’s mouth, enduring the flames, he returned from the dead, as if reborn!”

“Surely, such a feat is possible? If this is true, our village has gained a new legend! A Samaritan who endured the dragon’s fire! The sound of tourists is already here!”

“And I am Hassan’s right-hand, the strategist Paranoi…! The defiant stand of the ditch-water nymph against the dragon, that too must reach the ears of the people…!”

“A nymph fighting back against being eaten by a dragon? What an extraordinary story indeed!”

It wasn’t even lunchtime yet, but I had no energy. Perhaps the mental strain of entering and exiting a dragon’s mouth was catching up.

Therefore, I decided to sit and rest on a bench in the central park of the village.

Luna and Hippolyte were hard at work transferring the flame they had brought over to the forge in the center.

However, despite the apparent efforts of Luna, Hippolyte, and the villagers, the torch flame seemed uncooperative, resisting being transferred into the forge.

“What’s the problem?”

Luna looked puzzled, tilting her head while holding the torch in her hands.

After a few minutes of struggling, noticing the torch gradually diminishing, the villagers began to lose hope.

“What can we do? Is this the end for Dragon Scale Village?”

“Two hundred years of history crumbling. Without the forge, we’d be attacked by monsters every night…”

The villagers were deeply regretful as the torch they had hoped in vain seemed useless. Since I didn’t think there was anything I could do, I simply rested in the shade.

However, Elfrida, who was sitting beside me and watching this scene pensively, kept twitching her shoulders.

“If it bothers you, why don’t you go and help? After all, it’s the dragon’s fire you like so much, which might go out.”

“…”

“Why do you even fear fire? Is it because of me, or because of that incident back then?”

“What?”

“You burned before my eyes.”

“Are you serious? Just because of that, you think I’d fear fire? You’ve got a massive complex, bro.”

“Alright, if not that. What is it then? Honestly, you do seem to be afraid of fire.”

At my words, Elfrida slightly furrowed her brows.

“People develop fears over time. You’re scared of spiders, aren’t you?”

“That’s true, but Elfrida, your case feels different.”

“…”

Elfrida didn’t reply. Neither did I push further.

A person’s trauma can be a strong form of anchor or curse. But in Elfrida’s case, it felt different from my fear of spiders.

Whereas my fear was physiological, Elfrida gave off vibes of someone trying to flee from something.

There’s a difference between not doing something because you can’t and not doing something despite being capable.

Of course, maybe my oversized ego was influencing these thoughts, but this time, I trusted my instincts.

“Looks like the flame is about to go out. That dragon trusted you enough to give us just the torch. Failing now would make all our efforts today futile.”

“So, what exactly do you want me to do?”

“Let’s make a deal. If I place a spider on my palm, you face whatever it is you’re running away from.”

“Are you insane? Hassan placing a spider on his palm? You start puking the moment you even glance at a spider’s eye. Don’t be ridiculous.”

“Maybe yesterday’s me. Today, I’ve returned alive from a dragon’s mouth. I feel like I could do anything.”

I stood up and lightly nudged the tree I had been sitting beneath with my extraordinary strength of 15.

Crackkkk!

Leaves and some strange objects fell like a basketful.

Among them was definitely a spider. A really big one, about the size of my palm.

A wild wolf spider, probably.

Its color was black and crude, but considering its size and resemblance to Keng Keng, it was likely a wolf spider.

Grrrrrr…

The growling sound it made was beastly rather than spider-like. Its long fur almost made it resemble a puffball.

Wolf spiders are said to be harmless despite their terrifying appearance, without venom and quite gentle and timid.

Thinking of Keng Keng, this big black spider wasn’t half bad.

Therefore, I carefully extended my hand towards the creature, gently grasping its back and belly with my palm, and eventually placed it on the back of my other hand.

Grrrrrr!

Though the spider was growling irritably at my unexpected touch, its legs trembling and cold sweat running down my back, I managed to hold the spider on my hand. This was a considerable feat of bravery on my part.

“See? I can touch a wolf spider.”

“What? That thing-.”

Elfrida was looking at me with wide red eyes, extremely surprised. Of course, she wouldn’t expect me to be able to handle a spider.

“Well, now it’s your turn to face the flames. A fire mage who’s afraid of fire isn’t worth much, is it?”

“But, that’s not a wolf spider…!”

“What is it then?”

“That’s probably a lion spider. No venom, but if bitten, your face could hurt like hell for days. Look at its mane-like growth around its face.”

Grrrrrr!!

“d*mn it!”

Terrified, I shook my hand violently, causing the big black spider perched on my hand to leap off and quickly scurry away.

A “lion spider,” what the hell is that?

Still, whatever it was, something incredibly funny seemed to strike Elfrida, making her snicker.

“Huh. Never thought I’d be the one to say this to you.”

She stood up from the shade, dusted her b*tt off with a couple of taps, and headed towards the massive forge. Dust flew into my face, making me frown.

But Elfrida paid no heed, walking towards the forge like it was no big deal. She grabbed the torch from Luna and cast a simple spell.

The distance was too far, and the words were too muffled, but it sounded firm and courageous.

It was unmistakably an Elfrida-like spell.

Finally, when Elfrida threw the torch she was holding into the forge, a massive blue flame shot up, reaching the sky.

“Wow, the pointy-eared lady revived the flames!”

“Prophecy’s pointed ears aren’t nymphs; they’re elves!”

The flames burned magnificently, almost as if they could touch the heavens.

[Author’s Note] Actually, I thought about adding 3-4 episodes, two or three episodes before reaching Delphi…!

But, thinking about it, the destination is more important than the journey… Maybe making it a bit shorter would be good…!

Thus, our flight is expected to reach Delphi the day after tomorrow…!

Dear passengers, please prepare for turbulence for a safe journey…!!!

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