Chapter 4: Visitor

When August communicated with Irene previously, he mentioned that he would contact Zeref to come along.

Irene herself had refused this.

For August and Zeref, who could use teleportation magic, the distance was negligible. They could arrive in an instant using super-level teleportation magic that powerful mages possessed.

However, without understanding Aegon's intentions, hastily inviting Zeref and August might signal the start of a war.

Irene initially intended to stall for time to understand Aegon's purpose. Unexpectedly, she became intrigued by Aegon instead.

"I can help you with the side effects like cold intolerance and loss of taste after transforming into a dragon."

Aegon's own transformation magic (Dragonization/Humanization) could be taught. He himself was not troubled by the so-called side effects of dragon power.

He could sleep soundly and enjoy his meals.

This simple statement about resolving the side effects of dragon power hit Irene's heart like a heavy blow!

Irene's chest visibly heaved as her heartbeat quickened, and her breathing became rapid.

After taking a few deep breaths, Irene barely managed to calm down.

"After turning into a dragon..."

Irene suddenly realized, her pupils contracting rapidly and her face showing astonishment, "Wait! You know I am already a dragonized Dragon Slayer?"

Aegon chuckled softly, "Of course I know, Mother of Dragon Slayers, Irene Belserion."

Apart from being captivated by her, there were parts of Irene's backstory introduced in the game.

Irene frowned, puzzled, "Then why don't you kill me?"

From what she knew, the Black Dragon hated dragons and Dragon Slayers intensely, killing them on sight.

Since the Dragon King Festival, dragons had been extinct in the Western Continent, so she had been deliberately hiding her aura. She didn't expect Aegon to know from the beginning!

'How does he know I'm troubled by the side effects of dragon transformation?' This question lingered in Irene's mind.

"Are you troubled by the side effects too?"

Aegon replied with a question, "Do I look troubled? As for killing dragons, that was in the past. Now I have a new goal."

Irene tilted her head slightly, puzzled, "A new goal?"

"Getting stronger, evolving, enjoying life. But compared to these, I think you should be more concerned about yourself."

Aegon's words brought Irene's attention back to herself.

Her body had been fully transformed into a dragon for over three hundred years. After meeting Zeref, he turned her back into a human, but couldn't solve the problems caused by the side effects.

Since the day she returned to human form in X765, for the past twelve years, every day and night...

She had longed to become a real human again!

Not this current shell that looked human but was plagued by side effects, a walking corpse!

For the sake of becoming human, she had even considered her daughter!

"What's your answer?"

A glint of determination flashed in Irene's crimson eyes.

"My demands are not as many as you imagine. At the very least, I won't make you destroy the world or kill Zeref."

Aegon's words added another heavy weight to Irene's heart.

Besides these, what else did she have? High-level enchantment magic? Extreme enchantment? World reconstruction? And her own body?

Irene looked at him seriously, "I have one condition. If you do not agree, even if you kill me, I won't accept."

"Speak."

"If you and Lord Zeref go to war later, I will not participate on either side."

"Agreed." This decision made Aegon like her even more.

Hearing Aegon's agreement, she nodded without hesitation, "Alright!"

Aegon nodded slightly, "A wise choice."

...

Aegon decided to stay in the city of Aclios.

Irene was still practicing transformation magic, so Aegon and Irene did not leave Aclios for the time being.

Aegon sat comfortably in a chair, and Juliet brought a steak to him, her bright eyes playfully winking, her voice crisp and sweet, "Aegon-sama, please enjoy."

After spending some time together, Juliet and Heine had roughly figured out that Aegon wasn't someone who enjoyed violence. They were no longer afraid of him, and Juliet occasionally dared to make small jokes.

Of course, if you overlook what happened on the first day...

After Irene obtained transformation magic from Aegon and got his permission, she went into seclusion.

"I made a promise too soon..."

Aegon's experience could only be researched using Heine and Juliet...

Heine was very surprised, "Eh? We are going to fight Aegon-sama?"

"Yes, with full strength."

After confirming multiple times, Heine and Juliet attacked Aegon from both sides.

Aegon simply clawed at their backs, sending them flying. A gentle stomp on the ground created several meters wide cracks, and Heine and Juliet fell unconscious with dimmed pupils.

Even though Heine and Juliet were beautiful girls, Aegon had no interest in these two swords.

Seeing no change in his experience bar, Aegon frowned, "No experience at all? Must it be a kill?"

So far, Aegon had only gained experience by killing a magic mountain boar.

However, he soon confirmed that defeating could also gain experience.

On the second day of Irene's seclusion—

Heine, fully recovered, came to Irene's office and knocked on the door, "Aegon-sama, Mr. August is here. Would you like to see him?"

Aegon initially wanted to refuse but then thought differently, 'Isn't this a free test subject delivered to my door?'

"Let him in."

When August saw Aegon reclining on the sofa, he bowed slightly to show respect, "How should I address you?"

Heine and Juliet had subtly reminded him that the Black Dragon's real name was not Acnologia.

Of course, even without their reminder, August already knew from the Revelation.

"Aegon."

August did not show any fear or excessive respect despite knowing he was facing the Black Dragon from the Revelation. He met Aegon's eyes with calm composure:

"Lord Aegon, we met once before. Allow me to introduce myself, I am August."

"August, right?"

"Yes, because I met Lord Zeref in August, he named me after it."

Aegon gestured to the sofa opposite, "Sit."

"Serve the tea."

Seeing Aegon pick up his teacup, August also took a sip of the steaming red tea.

Aegon asked casually, like an old friend, "Where's Zeref?"

August paused, then answered, "The Lord is traveling and currently unreachable."

August was somewhat surprised. Although he had only met Aegon twice, the Black Dragon was very different from the Revelation and what Zeref had described. He had a suspicion, 'He was originally a doctor. Perhaps he slaughtered dragons because he hated them...'

Aegon merely nodded and didn't pursue the topic further. The atmosphere in the reception room fell silent.

August's visit had two main purposes, the first being Irene's safety.