Since Magnawell-san had mentioned obtaining this special vessel through a deal with Alice, I decided to ask him the question that was weighing on my mind.
"Is the nature of your deal with Alice something I’m allowed to ask about?"
"I do not mind... Truth be told, I have no idea what she intends to do with her prize, but the deal itself was quite the surprise. It all began a few days ago when Shaltier visited me. She looked me in the eye and said, 'Give me your heart.'"
"Wait, her... your heart?"
"Umu. To be precise, her goal was the Dragon Crystal nestled within it."
I hadn't heard that term before. But if even Magnawell-san called it surprising, it had to be an incredibly rare item.
"Um, what exactly is a Dragon Crystal?"
"Dragons forge their mighty physiques by circulating magic through their entire bodies, pumped from the heart along with their blood. Over immense stretches of time, that mana gradually coalesces into a small crystal. That is the Dragon Crystal, though almost no one has ever laid eyes on one. They only form within the hearts of those like me—the High Ancient True Dragons who have lived for more than ten thousand years."
"So it takes a massive amount of time to form... but is it actually okay to have a crystal inside your heart like that?"
"There is no issue at all. It is a truly tiny thing, you see. Even within the heart of a Super-large Species exceeding a hundred meters in length, a Dragon Crystal measuring a single centimeter would be considered large. The fact that Shaltier went out of her way to negotiate for mine suggests she required one of significant size. Since I am the first among all Dragon Species in both physical scale and age, it follows that I would possess the largest Dragon Crystal in existence."
I certainly understood that it was something incredible. But what in the world did Alice plan to do with it?
"A Dragon Crystal is a magic crystal of ultra-high density. It would be extremely dangerous if handled carelessly... though I suppose that is a non-issue if Shaltier is the one wielding it."
"Was it really okay for you to give it up, Magnawell-san? I mean, talking about giving away a heart feels a bit surreal."
"It was no trouble at all. In fact, the trade held no disadvantage for me whatsoever. Regenerating a heart is a simple matter, and while it will take many ages for a new Dragon Crystal to form... we Dragons gain no benefit from them in the first place. Because they are such high-density concentrations of magic, disposing of them carelessly is actually quite dangerous. Since they have no ill effects on the body, we usually just leave them where they are."
It made sense when he put it that way, especially since Magnawell-san was essentially immortal. Since the Dragon Crystal was useless to him, trading it for this special vessel was actually a fantastic deal.
"In truth, this vessel is magnificent. It is perfectly linked to my main body, and my magic power capacity remains nearly identical. I am not yet fully accustomed to moving in this form, so my actual combat power is likely only about seventy percent of my true self, but that is still more than formidable. While the strain on my output makes it difficult to move both bodies simultaneously, it causes no other inconvenience. Moreover, I am told this vessel will grow alongside my true body... Even with all my wisdom, I cannot begin to fathom the artifice used to create it, but its quality is beyond reproach."
"I see. It must be much easier for you to move around the festival like this, Magnawell-san."
"Umu. I do not have to worry about what is beneath my feet, and the ease of movement is on a different level entirely. Above all, this vessel allows me to eat and drink. My true body is of such a stature that, while eating is not a necessity, I could never enjoy it as a pastime. That was always a bit depressing. But in this body, I can enjoy fine dining without issue. The sake I tasted today—my first in many an age—was truly exquisite."
I could imagine. Given the size of Magnawell-san's true form, he looked like he could swallow a small mountain in one go. Trying to find enough food to satisfy a body that large as a "hobby" would probably be an impossible task.
There were likely many other things he couldn't enjoy because of his size. He couldn't go shopping, and even reading a book would be a struggle. Being that massive definitely had its downsides.
"Thanks to this, I find myself frolicking about like a youth despite my years. Until now, it was impossible to simply walk around and enjoy a festival. I had actually just slipped away from the guest seating to take a tour. In exchange for a mere Dragon Crystal, I feel as though I have gained so much that I should be the one apologizing."
"I’m glad it worked out for you. Still, I wonder what Alice is planning to use that crystal for? From what you’ve said, she’s never wanted one before, right?"
"Indeed... I have heard she is proposing similar trades to the other Six Kings as well. Apparently, she rushed to Megiddo's domain demanding one of his horns."
"Magnawell-san's Dragon Crystal and Megiddo-san's horn? Is she trying to forge the world’s ultimate weapon?"
"I cannot say. I have never been able to grasp what goes on in that one's head."
Well, at least the trade resulted in Great Satisfaction for Magnawell-san, so that part wasn't a problem... but what was Alice really up to?
I hoped she wasn't doing anything too reckless... though honestly, it might be faster to just ask her directly.
Serious-senpai: "The afterword category is finally open! Wait, what is this? It’s covered in notes saying it’s just a 'bonus' or a 'joke' category?!"
???: "Well, there isn't really a reward for winning this one, after all."
Serious-senpai: "No, no, I was only entered in this one! And now it says that even if there’s a third poll, I’m banned from entering?! Y-You’ve gotta be kidding me!"
???: "Well, in terms of sheer popularity, Serious-senpai is basically a cheat, after all."