Novel Will Be Taken Down on 17 May or Earlier Chapter 254 - Call it a legend (1)

Antonium, capital of the Empire.

 

The imperial mage Nash William looked up at the sky.

 

The rain stopped and the sun was bright, but his body still trembled.

 

As expected, no matter how hard he tried to make up his mind, he couldn’t help it.

 

“I guess a little brother can’t imitate his older brother…”

 

The emergence of dragons.

 

He knew that it was impossible to hit a rock with an egg.

 

However, he couldn’t just leave it alone.

 

So Nash had moved quickly.

 

To prepare for an unexpected dragon attack.

 

But the moment he faced the dragon.

 

Nash froze.

 

The title of Imperial Mage was meaningless, and he was engulfed in fear.

 

This was why I don’t have the face to see His Majesty the Emperor, hyungnim…

 

“Clearly, if it had been hyungnim…”

 

If it were his older brother who always promised to surpass the Fire Dragon…!

 

Even in front of the dragon.

 

His fiery momentum wouldn’t have wavered.

 

Of course, that Fire Dragon wasn’t a real dragon.

 

Even if someone pointed that out.

 

It wouldn’t console the disheartened Nash.

 

“What are you thinking so hard about?”

 

“!”

 

The one who woke up Nash, who was blaming himself, was His Majesty, the Emperor.

 

Hearing the Emperor’s voice, Nash hurriedly lowered his head.

 

“I ashamed to face you, Your Majesty.”

 

“What do you mean?”

 

“I am sorry, this lowly self failed to fulfill his responsibilities as the Imperial Mage. I was intimidated by the dragons and forgot my duty.”

 

The Emperor approached Nash without saying a word.

 

“…?”

 

Then he gave a pat on the shoulder to Nash who was confused.

 

“Isn’t that only natural, Nash? To not be able to even raise your head properly in front of the true king. There is no need to ask for forgiveness from me. In the first place, I couldn’t even look straight at the sky.”

 

The Emperor’s gaze moved from Nash to the panoramic view of Antonium outside the window.

 

The capital city defended itself not only from the demons but also from the rebels.

 

Thanks to that, the vitality that had once been lively now seemed dull.

 

Antonium was dead silent.

 

The Emperor raised the corners of his mouth bitterly.

 

“So you don’t have to ask for forgiveness or blame yourself. For now, I’m just grateful. I don’t know why they left, but… I am glad they did.”

 

“…I will follow your orders, Your Majesty.”

 

Of course, he knew it wouldn’t be this easy.

 

At this moment, the reason Antonium was quiet was because of ‘that’.

 

The cause of the dragon’s disappearance.

 

Anyone could have guessed it.

 

‘Dark Dragon.’

 

Stories about dragons also had been handed down in the Empire. However, most of them were simply legends passed down by word of mouth and compiled into books.

 

So what could be called the truth…

 

‘As expected, there is only the Great Dragon-Demon War.’

 

The Great Dragon-Demon War

 

The few pages of records left in the Imperial Palace were the only gifts received by the previous emperor for establishing friendly relations with the Mage Tower.

 

They gave away hundreds of magic tools to the Mage Tower and only got a few pieces of paper in return.

 

Someone might say that it was a disrespect toward the Empire.

 

‘Even I used to think that way.’

 

But now that he had confirmed the existence of the dragons with his own eyes.

 

The few pages of records of the Great Dragon-Demon War would be a valuable pointer for the Empire. With that in mind, he had been looking through those records a little while ago.

 

But.

 

‘Even the Mage Tower doesn’t know.’

 

The Dark Dragon didn’t exist in the record of the Great Dragon-Demon War.

 

The Emperor was in agony.

 

The Dark Dragon didn’t appear in the distant past, not even in the Grear Dragon-Demon War.

 

How could such a being have such an influence on dragons…

 

“It’s a serious question.”

 

Suddenly, the Emperor looked at the bottom of the Imperial Palace.

 

To be exact.

 

He looked beyond the floor, into the basement of the Imperial Palace.

 

『Library of War』

 

It was in the basement.

 

If the answer to that question existed on the Arcana Continent, it would be in the 『Library of War』. If he asked what the existence of Dark Dragon was, he would be able to solve it right away.

 

But.

 

“…”

 

The Emperor asked himself.

 

‘Is it really the right time to use it?’

 

Many people were aware of the existence of 『Library of War』.

 

Nash and other ministers, as well as Harkon, who was now in the world of adventurers, had known about its existence.

 

However, the Emperor was the only one who knew that a ‘price’ was needed to hear the answer.

 

It was only natural.

 

Until now.

 

The only people who used it were the previous emperors.

 

‘…What am I supposed to do, Harkon?’

 

The moment when the Emperor shook his head and agonized.

 

Suddenly, the warm sunlight on the palace disappeared.

 

The Emperor and Nash were startled at that moment.

 

“…?”

 

Was it going to rain?

 

If not that.

 

Did the dragons appear again?

 

It was only natural that they were surprised again.

 

But both cases were not the answer.

 

“…Your Majesty?”

 

Nash blurted out.

 

It was neither a dragon nor a dark cloud carrying rain that obscured the sun.

 

A familiar airship.

 

It was the dwarves’ Iron Castle.

 

Therefore, doubt appeared on the Emperor’s face.

 

“Why are the dwarves again…?”

 

He thought they wouldn’t stop by Antonium for a while.

 

Perhaps, had something urgent happened?

 

The Emperor ordered Nash.

 

“Get ready to greet them, Nash.”

 

“I will follow your orders, Your Majesty!”

 

Then, he soon faced the dwarves’ leader, Chainwalker.

 

The Emperor’s guess was half-correct.

 

Chainwalker opened his mouth in a hurry.

 

“I’ve come back to the Empire because I’ve got some news to deliver.”

 

Yes, the news was urgent in a different way.

 

“Empire, you don’t have time to tremble in fear like this. Move as quickly as possible to restore the Empire’s power and restore its former glory!”

 

“…What do you mean, dwarf? Can’t you tell from that sight? The dragons appeared. How can you say something like that when the people are still in shock?”

 

“It’s not something to be shocked about.”

 

“…What?”

 

“It’s not something to be afraid of.”

 

“Not to be afraid of, what the hell do you mean?”

 

Chainwalker continued to the Emperor who asked back.

 

“The Dark Dragon.”

 

.

 

.

 

.

 

Chainwalker was certain.

 

“Sir Hoyeol wouldn’t want the continent to tremble in fear.”

 

Akshan’s last survivor.

 

Negative emotions strengthened the demons.

 

Hoyeol probably knew that fact better than anyone else.

 

Now, humans and demons alike were trembling in the face of the dragon…

 

“The demon is a race that doesn’t know its place.”

 

The foolish demons could even forget their own fear.

 

This peace would never last.

 

Chainwalker made a decision.

 

“Isn’t this what our oath is about?”

 

They would use this as an opportunity to reverse the negative emotions that had spread across the continent.

 

It didn’t take much to make it possible.

 

Just one word was enough.

 

The Emperor appeared on top of Antonium Castle.

 

The people of Antonium look at the Emperor with faces full of concern.

 

Chainwalker got back to the Iron Castle and looked at their faces.

 

Worswyle asked.

 

“Chainwalker, are you sure you’ve conveyed it properly?”

 

The Dark Dragon that the dragons were crying about.

 

It was Hoyeol, Akshan’s last survivor.

 

Considering they heard that fact.

 

Wasn’t the expressions of the Emperor and the people were too serious?

 

Chainwalker chuckled at his concern.

 

It was a needless worry.

 

“Worswyle, don’t you know?”

 

“What are you saying all of a sudden?”

 

“How legends are handed down.”

 

“…?”

 

Worswyle frowned at the enigmatic words.

 

Because he lived in front of a hot furnace, Walswyle had very little patience when it came to other things. Chainwalker got straight to the point.

 

“No matter how legendary an event or being is, in the end, it cannot be called a legend without passing through the human world. It is up to humans to elevate something to a legend.”

 

“…!”

 

Indeed.

 

No matter how great something was, it couldn’t become a legend if it was not widely known.

 And it was only up to humans to publicize that something.

 

“I see…”

 

Of course, those who lived in seclusion.

 

The dragons or the elves were not the ones who would spread it.

 

Chainwalker watched Antonium with a satisfied look.

 

“What the Holy War Allied Force needs is a reversal. A dramatic one, too, Worswyle. We need one big blow that can overturn the Arcana Continent which is covered in fear.”

 

Worswyle asked.

 

“Is this tempering for that purpose?”

 

Chainwalker nodded gently.

 

“That’s right. It’s probably not the usual tempering that took a lot of effort either. The weight of the legend will also vary depending on whose mouth it begins with.”

 

Chainwalker chuckled.

 

“In that case, there is no better person than the Emperor!”

 

.

 

.

 

.

 

The Emperor spoke.

 

“I know what you are afraid of.”

 

Even as he said that, he felt that it was shameless of him.

 

He was rambling as if he wasn’t scared at all.

 

In front of the demons.

 

In front of the rebels.

 

And in front of the dragons.

 

He was more afraid than anyone else.

 

“…”

 

So the current silence wasn’t harsh at all.

 

In the eyes of the people looking up at him.

 

He hadn’t proved anything as an emperor to expect their respect or awe.

 

‘If I don’t feel it’s shameless, I’d be no different from the demons.’

 

The Empire’s territory was vast.

 

However, at present, the only area that could be considered its territory was the Capital City, Antonium.

 

And Frost, which was rebuilt in the world of adventurers.

 

He knew that he could no longer be called emperor since he had lost control of the rest of his territory and his people.

 

Nevertheless.

 

“So I say this in the name of the emperor.”

 

He must desperately play the role of the emperor.

 

Yeah, even if it was only a false one.

 

Because his words had power.

 

Because he had to give that power to ‘him’.

 

“You should not be afraid of the Dark Dragon.”

 

In this case, the education he received as a prince in his childhood was helpful.

 

The vocalizations and the speech that were uttered after thorough practice seemed enough to awaken the fearful people.

 

But the Emperor knew.

 

‘I’m not the one who really awakens them.’

 

He was just a stepping stone.

 

So he spoke with more dignity.

 

If it had been for the sake of elevating himself, he wouldn’t have been able to.

 

He spat out the dignified voice of the emperor.

 

“I already know who the Dark Dragon is.”

 

“…?”

 

“Same goes for you.”

 

The Emperor’s gaze was directed to the survivors of Dredsen.

 

Of course, the first thing they realized was the meaning behind those words.

 

They were survivors of Dredsen.

 

Dredsen was at the border of the Empire.

 

A mountain village where news of the Empire couldn’t reach.

 

Furthermore, they had just settled in Antonium.

 

But they already knew the existence of the Dark Dragon…?

 

“…!”

 

Ransha unconsciously murmured.

 

“D-Don’t tell me?”

 

Yes.

 

It seemed it was true.

 

Emperor’s remark continued.

 

“The Dark Dragon, he is the savior of Dredsen.”

 

“At the same time, he is Antonium’s hero.”

 

“Infinitely Deep Darkness.”

 

It was the moment when a legend was declared from the Emperor’s mouth.

 

“Yes. Adventurer Lee Hoyeol. He is the Dark Dragon!”

 

“…!!!”

 

*

…My ears itched.

 

Returning to the Mage Tower.

 

As soon as I sat down at the desk in my office, my ears started to feel itchy.

 

It was a bad sign.

 

But with Grandfel’s formality, he wouldn’t accept the act of picking his ears with his fingers even if he had to die.

 

I tried to ignore the itch and moved my eyes to the desk.

 

The first thing that caught my eye was the tower exit application.

 

No, to be exact.

 

It was the cat’s paw stamped on the tower exit application.

 

What Marcelo had told me.

 

Was the task that the Tower Master took over the task of reviewing the tower exit application?

 

I muttered while looking at the passed tower exit application.

 

“I fully understand your sincerity.”

 

But that…

 

There was such a thing as consideration.

 

Such was the case now with Tower Master’s favor.

 

Grandfel couldn’t live being indebted to anyone.

 

‘So I can’t say anything that I don’t like.’

 

Really that cat’s work is just like a cat washing its face ^[1] A cat washing its face = doing things roughly/half-heartedly. !

 

No, no matter how annoying it was.

 

What should I do if you gave permission to exit the tower so recklessly?!

 

“But, I guess I have to fix what needs to be corrected.”

 

I’d never trust the cat, the Tower Master, again.

 

Of course, it was all because of Grandfel’s difficult personality.

 

I mumbled to myself.

 

‘For this personality, a give and take is the best.’

 

In this regard, I would like to make a request to everyone.

 

‘Everyone, please refrain from thinking about doing anything for me.’

 

If you feel sorry for me who has to endure all this mess.

 

Hurry it up.

 

I have a lot of work to finish before the end of the day.

 

As I said.

 

I had to diligently carry out the goal of the class quest, the physical training.

 

Let’s hurry up and revise the tower exit application form.

 

‘Therefore.’

 

I scribbled with the feather pen.

 

Sksk–

 

Unfortunately.

 

I will also review this tower exit application as a failure.

 

Senior Bensch William.

 

.

 

.

 

.

 

[Legend system opens]

 

[Acquire the legend, ‘Dark Dragon Lee Hoyeol’.]

 

[Your legend materializes]

 

• 1. A cat washing its face = doing things roughly/half-heartedly.