The Golden Mana Entity was standing with its arms crossed, glaring at us askance. Perhaps due to the appearance of this mana entity, the crystal insects that had been moving while emitting cracking sounds soon stopped again.
Akashi also halted his spellcasting mid-chant upon seeing the suddenly appearing mana entity. A moment of silence descended, creating an odd standoff situation.
“Are you deaf? You just barge into someone else’s private property, ruin their work, and now you’re planning to act tough with the owner? Get lost. I’m still willing to tell you this much… Hm? Wait a second.”
The mana entity, which had been growing larger in a threatening manner, seemed to sense something and stared intently at me. Though it was unclear whether the featureless golden face was truly looking at me or not.
Nevertheless, I felt as if it perceived something from me, just as I sensed something familiar from it. The magical resonance it emitted reminded me of the energy that had filled the pit during my fight in the fake Underworld.
…The aura of kinship. Strictly speaking, I am only half to it.
“Ho. That aura, and those horns. Are you Kalpi’s daughter? I heard he disposed of you himself. Regardless, it makes no difference. Sit there and wait for a bit, half-breed. The carriage will arrive soon.”
The golden mana entity stroked its chin as if observing a curiosity, then snapped its fingers and conjured a stone chair right behind me.
Unable to discern its intentions, I lowered my stance further and prepared for battle, unsure of what kind of being this might be or whether it was friendly.
Especially if it’s a Dragon… It wouldn’t leave a halfbreed alive, would it? It’d likely capture me for research material or treat me as a toy to play with.
Damn. Why here of all places…!
“…I don’t know what you’re trying to do, but I won’t let it happen.”
“I told you to sit, half-breed. If I intended to tear you apart, it would have already been done. I wanted to have a conversation, but really now. Did you inherit your father’s temper?”
As soon as the mana entity saw my hostile intent, it emitted an oppressive pressure and set the crystal insects into motion. Their bizarre writhing made it clear they were ready to charge, forcing me to reluctantly take a seat.
One-on-one might be different, but there are too many of those crystal constructs the dragon seems to command right now. Who knows what might happen if it goes berserk, but I didn’t feel confident about engaging.
“…Fine. I’ll sit. But don’t touch my companions.”
“Not pets or slaves, but companions? How unusual. So, four of you? Hmm… We’ll need a reception room.”
When the mana entity clapped its hands twice, the crystals forming the insect bodies separated, fragmented like bricks, and swiftly assembled into an elegant building.
Though entirely made of crystal, allowing a full view of the outside landscape, it only highlighted the gap between me and this mysterious dragon, leaving me uneasy.
“Much better. There’s no tea, so just sit and wait.”
Having finished its speech, the mana entity disappeared as quickly as it had come. For the benefit of my party members, who were still unsure of what was happening, I opened the crystal door and invited them inside.
“…Come in and sit down. Whether things will go well or not, I’m not sure, but it says it will come personally.”
“Come? Who?”
Still bewildered, Myungho looked around the dazzling crystal building, asking who was coming. Yuna cautiously stepped inside, unsure if she was allowed.
“…The Great Worm. That much is certain. Why it’s here, I don’t know… Sigh. Ah, don’t worry. It doesn’t seem to have come to kill. It just wants to talk.”
Upon hearing “Great Worm,” Myungho and Yuna’s expressions darkened immediately, prompting me to hastily reassure them that we wouldn’t end up fighting to the death.
This visibly relieved them, but Akashi remained frowning, clearly dissatisfied with something. What exactly does he want?
Mari, witnessing this spectacle for the first time, was fascinated, touching the walls with her palm. It is impressive. If I didn’t know who created it, I’d probably be marveling like Mari too.
As each of us passed the time in our own ways, the opposite door opened wide, and a blond man entered.
Dressed plainly in a simple white shirt and brown pants, contrasting with the luxurious building, he carried a tray adorned with jewels that could blind one and a large bottle of liquor in his other hand. He placed these items on the table he had just conjured.
“I was delayed preparing some snacks. Seeing you in person is even more remarkable. I never expected that Kalpi would hide a daughter. Or did she survive by luck? Either way, care for a drink?”
After conjuring a chair and two glasses on the spot, the dragon tore open the bottle’s mouth and poured a viscous black substance into the glass. Given its lack of smell and thick consistency, I doubted it was real alcohol.
“Drink up.”
The dragon downed its glass in one shot before offering me mine, insisting I drink it. As I took the glass, its weight betrayed its unlikely contents.
“…What is this?”
“Something good for you. Rare enough that I rarely bring it out. Though it’s deadly poison to weaker beings, it should serve as a tonic for you.”
Just hearing the description killed any desire to drink it. However, refusing might lead to unforeseen consequences, so with great reluctance, I closed my eyes and gulped it down in one go. And immediately regretted it.
“…Ugh… Ugh… Ack, ack… Huff, huff…”
The bitter taste and sticky texture caused nausea to rise, but it clung stubbornly to my throat, making retching impossible.
Eventually, after several dry heaves, I painfully felt the viscous liquid slowly enter my stomach. When I glared at the dragon after emptying the glass, it laughed heartily, explaining that anything good for the body usually tasted bad.
“Rare metals were melted to create this. They’ll strengthen your bones. No thanks necessary.”
After dismissing the dragon’s nonsense, I asked the most pressing question.
“…Why aren’t you killing me?”
“Eh? It’s none of my business, and it would be boring. Above all, I have no hobby of ruining beautiful things.”
“…Beautiful?”
“More beautiful than this wasteland, wouldn’t you agree? Right, you spectators over there?”
Caught off guard, Myungho and Yuna stammered before agreeing.
Despite the absurd reasoning, feeling somewhat deflated, I pressed on with another question before the dragon could ramble further.
“What exactly is the purpose of summoning us?”
“Summoning? You’ve got it wrong. I didn’t summon you. You trespassed, and I merely paused chasing you off when something interesting caught my attention. I’m only interested in you. Kalpi’s offspring. What’s your name? Don’t look at me like that. I’m not asking for your true name. It’s awkward calling you ‘you’ forever, so just give me something appropriate to call you.”
“…Alterra.”
“Alterra. Good. Alterra, the reason I’ve called you here is simple. How did you survive that meticulous and dullard father of yours?”
Judging by the mention of Kalpira, this dragon seems to know him.
Since there wasn’t much to hide, I told the dragon everything. The story Akashi had told Myungho, what I knew, and what Mother had shared. Everything.
“Tch. I remember hearing that some crazy woman stole his seed while he slept. So, it wasn’t just idle talk.”
While listening to my story, the dragon casually chewed on gems as if they were nuts.
“Everything else is fine, but… insult my mother again, and I won’t stay silent.”
“Do you really mean that? To still follow a woman who handed you something that causes you to lose consciousness every time you use your dragon powers. Foolish. Though judging by how you haven’t discarded that necklace, you must have regained some sense.”
“I didn’t discard it. I just entrusted it temporarily. Myungho, can you pass me the necklace?”
Realizing it wasn’t his place to intervene unless called upon, Myungho silently waited until I requested the necklace, then finally moved to hand it over.
Taking the necklace, I dangled it in front of the dragon, challenging it to see if there was anything suspicious with its “wise” eyes.
“…Really? This is what your mother gave you? Stop joking. This isn’t treating offspring or even a pet, but rather… wow. Something rare enough to appear once in an era? Honestly, I advise you to get rid of it immediately. Unless you want to live worse than death.”
The dragon, which had initially glanced at the necklace as if it were worthless, gradually grew serious and eventually widened its eyes in shock, uttering words of disbelief.
“You…!”
Before I could lunge at the dragon in anger, it spoke.
“What? You have no idea? Your mother’s soul is sealed inside this necklace. And prolonged wearing triggers a spell to steal your body. And yet, you insist on keeping it?”
