"—Onyx!"
Deep within the Yudaina Mountain Range, in a primordial wilderness where even the most seasoned adventurers of the Brave Territory would struggle to tread, I called out the dragon’s name.
The heavy thrum of wings reached my ears, and a colossal shadow draped itself over the barren peak. A massive black dragon manifested before me. His name was Onyx, a member of the species known as Onyx Dragons.
"What is your business, Laguna Ver Brave?"
"I just wanted to see your face for the first time in a while."
"I have no desire to see yours."
"Don't be like that."
Perhaps it was the inherent pride of his kind, but he was always like this. Since dragons were beings that existed entirely outside the realm of human common sense, it couldn't be helped. From their perspective, humans were nothing more than an inferior species.
"So, where have you been lurking?"
The fact that he even bothered to ask told me he cared in his own way, which was why I secretly referred to him as the Tsundere Dragon. Or "Tundra" for short. To be honest, having a dragon acknowledge me at all was a point of pride.
"The Royal Capital. I was attending the Academy."
"That loathsome sanctuary protected by those Guardian Barriers? Hmph. To go through the trouble of gathering children from far and wide to live in a pack... humans truly are tedious creatures."
"You’re not wrong."
"And has the vow been kept?"
Onyx lowered his massive head, his black eyes piercing through me.
"You swore it before me. If it has gone unfulfilled, shall I devour you right here and now?"
"It’s not a problem. Everything is on track."
"How dull."
If anything, my opponents had been so weak they weren't even worth discussing. I truly felt that staying inside those barriers would make a person soft.
"That's exactly why I came to see you."
"Am I merely an outlet for your frustrations? Hmph. You are likely the only fool in existence who would treat a dragon as such."
"That wasn't my intention, but my instincts are starting to dull."
There had been two times in my life when I truly believed I was going to die. The first was when I was three years old, and the second was when I met Onyx.
What I felt the first time was terror. As I lived through a life of restless struggle, I eventually managed to overcome that fear. But the second time, what I felt was heat.
Perhaps it could be described as my blood boiling. When I confronted the dragon before me—when we engaged in that life-or-death struggle and I was finally acknowledged—I felt as if a white-hot current was racing through every fiber of my being. I still haven't been able to forget that sensation. I treasure it.
And yet, when I was immersed in peace, I felt like I might occasionally lose sight of it. That was what truly terrified me.
"You humans created that sanctuary because you craved peace, did you not? You built an absolute Guardian Barrier capable of withstanding even a dragon’s hellfire."
Onyx noted that it was only natural for me to grow soft in such an environment.
"Peace isn't a bad thing, certainly. But I’d hate for my skills to rot away, leaving me unable to protect someone when the moment of truth arrives."
"...I see."
Normally, he would have offered some scathing remark about how inferior creatures always overcomplicate things with their nonsense, but this time he simply accepted my words. Perhaps he felt a touch of nostalgia since it had been so long. What an adorable dragon.
"If you crave death that badly, I shall entertain you. Take pride in this; for hundreds of years, no human has survived to cross fangs with a dragon twice."
"Hundreds of years, huh? It would have been cooler if you’d said I was the first one ever."
"From my perspective, you are no different from a newborn babe. Realize that you are but a frog in a well."
"That’s fine by me."
The more he came at me with the genuine intent to kill, the more I could feel that heat.
"In the human world, they would not be wrong to call you a madman."
"Well, it can't be helped."
I often thought I was crazy myself. My environment had molded me this way, so there was no point in fighting it; this was my normal. Consequently, I didn't really know if my current self was sane or broken.
Even so, I loved Alicia, and I genuinely enjoyed the time we spent together. If my conflicting emotions were managing to coexist, it was thanks to the people around me—Alicia, Sebas, Mariana, and even Onyx. The servants, the people of the territory, and the adventurers all played their part.
If I were to waver even slightly, I’d probably end up hopelessly shattered, just like when I lost my family. Falling in battle was frightening, and forgetting the heat was even worse, but above all else, losing someone close to me was my greatest fear.
"That’s why I have to get stronger."
"So, the dragon is to be your whetstone... Very well. It is a fine enough diversion to settle my stomach."
Onyx spread his wings wide. The mere beat of those massive wings contained power that eclipsed the winds of a Tactical-grade Mage.
Dragons were magnificent—truly awe-inspiring. He was a mountain of immense magic power with no discernible limit; even the ambient mana leaking from his body acted like a barrier. Facing a being born as a peak predator, I felt my blood race through my body. It was a thrill unlike any other. I wondered what kind of monster the Hero from the legends must have been to make such a being submit.
"Onyx, are there many others like you in the world? Like a white dragon, for instance?"
"I shall tell you only if you can defeat me rather than merely fighting to a stalemate. Though, such a feat is impossible for you."
"That’s a shame."
As Onyx said, it was impossible for now. I was overwhelmingly lacking in endurance.
"Now, come at me from wherever you wish, you foolish human who dares to challenge a dragon."
Onyx was grinning. To be honest, despite how much he disparaged humanity, I suspected he actually liked us. If he didn't, I would have been cinders long ago.
Yep, a total tsundere.
The battle lasted for barely an hour.
That alone was enough to drain my magic power to its absolute limit. I lay on my back on the scorched ground of the bald mountain, gasping for air.
"Haa... haa... I really thought I was a goner..."
"To last an hour before a dragon... hmph. You have earned your pride."
"Even if you tell me that, I’m not sure I feel it..."
I suppose I should be grateful my limbs were still attached. It was a plateau I couldn't yet reach, no matter how much I hoped to win. Still, the sting of defeat was a pleasant spice that made the world seem even more vast.
"Oh, right. Onyx, I’m going to bring someone here eventually. I want you to meet her."
"How many requests do you intend to pile upon me?"
He made a visibly displeased face, but he was a good sort who would descend if I asked.
"The next one is... well, she’s the Reincarnated Saint, or something along those lines."
"...Another peculiar human. Very well. One or two makes no difference."
Success.
"So, which of them do you intend to take as your bride?"
"What? No, it’s not like that. I’m not making a vow to protect her or anything. I just want to introduce her to you."
If I could get his scent on her, malicious entities wouldn't dare approach her. Dragons were truly mysterious, influential existences.
"I see. It matters not to me. Tell the Mustache to bring fruit boiled in sugar to the designated location."
"Yeah, yeah. I'll tell Sebas."
"Is that all? Then I shall take my leave."
"Wait, one more thing. I've been wondering for a while... Onyx, you have those faint white horizontal stripes on your scales. Are you different from a normal Onyx Dragon?"
"Hmph. I am under no obligation to answer that. —Farewell."