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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: FusionX
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The eventful cooking competition finally came to an end. Next came the Alliance meeting.
One by one, the delegations arrived the day before, their arms laden with gifts.
Was it courtesy? A show of good faith? Even seemingly trivial gestures like these reflected a nation’s prestige.
Especially since they had all received help from the Royal Knights.
In other words, the Royal Knights were their benefactors.
Failing to bring a gift wouldn’t just damage their reputation, but would also give their rivals ammunition to attack them.
As repeatedly emphasized, the Alliance was formed to oppose a common enemy, not out of mutual affection. It was, in essence, an uncomfortable cohabitation.
In such a situation, providing ammunition for attacks was something to be avoided at all costs.
The first delegation to arrive was from the Human Kingdom. Their representative was Duke Contras.
He was adorned with ornate jewelry and impeccably dressed. He also wore a sword at his hip, but it was more decorative than practical. The epitome of aristocratic appearance.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Duke Contras.”
“The pleasure is mine. I am Hans, Commander of the Royal Knights.”
“It’s an honor to meet the renowned Sir Hans.”
Duke Contras’ words were sincere.
As a representative of the noble faction, he wanted to see the Commander, who had been appointed by the royal faction. And to Duke Contras, Hans seemed like a rock.
‘I can’t discern his thoughts at all.’
Duke Contras had been a member of the Kingdom’s noble faction for decades. He was practically a mind reader when it came to discerning others’ intentions.
However, even Contras couldn’t fully grasp Hans’s thoughts.
If there had been an opening, he would have tried to recruit Hans to the noble faction. But people like Hans were more trouble than they were worth.
‘I have no thoughts. Because I have no thoughts.’
Duke Contras would likely never know that Hans truly wasn’t thinking anything. This was Hans’s chosen method. To greet guests without any preconceived notions.
If his thoughts were visible on his face, it could be used against him.
Especially since the delegations were comprised of individuals who considered themselves politically astute. They would see right through him.
“But why didn’t the leaders of the races come in person this time?”
“That’s only natural.”
“Excuse me?”
“The leaders have their hands full.”
The Human Kingdom and the Dwarf Kingdom were busy reclaiming demon territory with their newly launched expeditions.
The 12 Tribes and the Orcs also had much to do to maintain their cooperative relationship.
So, they had decided to conduct the Alliance meeting through crystal balls. Hans actually preferred this. The atmosphere was always tense when the leaders gathered in person.
As expected, Ambassador Viral arrived from the Dwarf Kingdom. After exchanging pleasantries, Hans greeted the remaining delegations. Just then, a giant shadow fell over the fortress.
‘What now?’
Hans looked up and saw a massive dragon. It was even larger than Yuren. A true dragon that blotted out the sky.
“Th-that’s?!”
“Oh dear… Father is being too playful again.”
“My, playful? I’m quite serious, you know?”
“…??”
The giant dragon that had covered the sky vanished in an instant. In its place stood someone Hans hadn’t seen before.
Not in the form of the dragon he had seen previously, but as a woman with long, flowing blonde hair.
“I heard you call me Father.”
“It’s Father’s hobby. He always takes on different forms to understand humans. He even changes his name every day.”
“My name today…let’s see, Yurenne sounds nice.”
“Father, can’t you at least keep your gender consistent?”
“Why should I bother with such things?”
Hans was dumbfounded by the surreal scene.
‘This is the Dragon Lord?’
As he thought that, he made eye contact with the Dragon Lord.
Her appearance was undeniably beautiful. She was one of the most beautiful women he had ever seen.
However, her eyes weren’t smiling. The Dragon Lord’s cold, piercing gaze was fixed on him.
“I have some questions for this child.”
“For the Commander? You’re not planning anything strange, are you?”
“No~ No~ I think the Commander already knows. Don’t you?”
“…Yes, I’ll gladly comply.”
The Dragon Lord seemed to already know everything. That’s why she had pointed Hans out directly. He would have been trembling with fear in the past, but now he was surprisingly calm.
Next came the delegation from the 12 Tribes. The representative was a woman with white hair and fox ears.
She bowed her head and exclaimed,
“It’s an honor to meet you! My name is Yoo Baek!”
“Yoo Baek?”
“Y-yes! I’m from the Bear Tribe, but! I’m currently assisting Lady Yuyeong with various tasks!”
“I see. You’ve been working hard.”
“Yes, sir!”
Finally, after receiving the Orc delegation, all the delegations had arrived at Lionheart Fortress.
Hans clicked his tongue.
Before catching up with the delegations, he had something to do.
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“I didn’t expect to find you waiting here.”
After seeing the delegations into the fortress, Hans was about to go look for the Lord, but there was no need. The Dragon Lord was already waiting.
She, no, he was leaning against the wall, waiting for Hans. Seeing Hans approach, he pushed himself off the wall. His gaze was cold and sharp.
“Shall we get straight to the point? Why do you possess the Dragon Heart?”
His voice alone resonated like thunder, shaking the heavens and the earth. Facing such a being, Hans spoke with a composure that surprised even himself.
“I obtained it after killing the Black Dragon Zaerkan.”
“You killed Zaerkan?”
“Yes. He tried to take the Orcs’ territory and make it his own nest. Moreover, he had allied with the demons.”
“Allied with the demons? That bastard?!”
The Lord seemed genuinely surprised.
Hans simply nodded.
Observing Hans, the Dragon Lord was inwardly impressed.
‘He’s quite composed in front of me. Is it the influence of the Dragon Heart? No…if he were influenced by the Dragon Heart, he wouldn’t be able to remain so calm before me.’
The Dragon Heart wouldn’t remain dormant in the presence of the Dragon Lord, who commanded all dragons.
Yet, he remained calm.
That meant this was his true nature.
He had heard that Hans had rebuilt the Royal Knights, but he hadn’t expected him to be so composed. The Lord couldn’t help but acknowledge him.
Hans himself, however, felt nothing.
Simply put, it was like a bull stepping back and accidentally catching a mouse.
Those at a higher level could gauge the strength of others. Conversely, those at a lower level couldn’t even comprehend the strength of those above them.
Of course, Hans hadn’t stopped growing stronger.
However, no matter how much he grew, the difference between him and the Dragon Lord was overwhelming. That’s why Hans felt nothing.
But how could the Lord know that? That the one who had saved his daughter, Yuren, and rebuilt the Royal Knights, felt nothing because he simply wasn’t on the same level.
“I apologize. I’ve been on edge lately because of recent events. I lost my temper.”
“It is true that you killed one of my kind.”
“That may be so, but he had allied with the demons, so there’s nothing more to be said.”
“You’re surprisingly forgiving.”
“It is regrettable. Two of my comrades have recently left us.”
“Two? Has another dragon died besides Zaerkan?”
The Lord nodded.
Hans clicked his tongue.
He finally understood why the Lord had overreacted. He seemed to have assumed that Hans had killed the other dragon as well.
“But regardless of that, I need to compensate you for my outburst. Is there anything you desire?”
“What exactly is the Dragon Heart?”
Hans finally voiced the question that had been plaguing him.
He wanted to know about the Dragon Heart, but he couldn’t bring himself to ask Yuren. So, he would resolve it now.
“The Dragon Heart? Simply put, it’s a dragon’s soul.”
“A dragon’s soul?”
“That’s right. Like a soul, it becomes imprinted on you and gradually changes you. And someday, a time of choice will come.”
“A time of choice? What choice?”
“Whether you remain human, or become a dragon.”
Hans asked why that was the case, but the Lord refused to elaborate, saying it would spoil the fun. He then added that the rest of the compensation would be paid in gold.
There was much more Hans wanted to know, but he couldn’t refuse the money.
The Dragon Lord’s treasure was sure to be substantial.
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[Your Text Here]
If Yuren plays her cards correctly she can exploit the MCs guilt to encroach upon his heart. If she fumbles this, then, considering her competition, she will be permanently out of the running for first waifu.