The Deal with the Dragon

Ethan had almost forgotten that at that time, dragons were treated just like any other wild beasts, or perhaps it was more accurate to call them monsters given their danger. However, he realized that he had no ability whatsoever to kill a dragon.

He was merely a side character in a novel, unable to even defeat a slender woman like Helena in swordsmanship. How could he expect to keep his life intact if he were to fight a dragon?

"I'm not foolish enough to challenge you to a fight," Ethan admitted honestly, realizing the futility of such a confrontation.

This made the dragon laugh even more, amused by Ethan's candid admission. "Then why did you approach me?" the dragon inquired, curious about Ethan's intentions.

"I..." Ethan hesitated, initially planning to ensnare the dragon. However, now that he found himself capable of conversing with the dragon, a different plan began to take shape in Ethan's mind. "I want to offer you a deal," he proposed, his tone taking on a newfound confidence.

"What kind of deal do you want to offer me?" the dragon responded, intrigued by the unexpected proposition.

"Don't you want to know where the ruby crown is located?" Ethan posed the question, aware of the immense significance the crown held for the dragons.

"What???" the dragon exclaimed, unable to conceal its disbelief. "Don't lie to me! Or do you want me to tear you apart?" It regarded Ethan with suspicion, unable to fathom the possibility of such information being revealed.

"Why would I lie?" Ethan retorted, earnestly defending his dignity. He hoped to earn the dragon's trust and cooperation.

"But...but it has been lost for a thousand years, and...so, are you saying that a human stole it?" the dragon questioned, grappling with the implications of Ethan's statement.

"I will tell you the truth only if you fulfill my wish," Ethan proposed, entering into a negotiation with the dragon, seeking a mutually beneficial agreement.

The dragon seemed to be thinking. How could a twenty-year-old human know the whereabouts of the ruby crown that had been lost a thousand years ago? The entire dragon clan had searched for it. They even sacrificed lives in battles with humans. But the conclusion reached was that the thief had died, and no one knew the whereabouts of the ruby crown.

Besides, in this era, no humans cared about the ruby crown. Even the dragons had given up hope and did not expect the precious crown to be found.

"Are you sure about what you're saying?" the dragon asked, seeking reassurance in Ethan's words.

Ethan started to feel annoyed by the dragon's skepticism. "How can you say whether I'm lying or telling the truth? You claim to be a dragon, don't you?" Ethan sneered, challenging the dragon's authenticity. "Are you a real dragon or not?" he taunted, attempting to provoke a response.

The dragon cringed upon hearing Ethan's cutting words, realizing that the man before him possessed an acute understanding of the ruby crown's immense value to the dragons. It symbolized leadership among their kind, and if he could retrieve it and present it to his father, he would regain his status as a rightful son, restoring honor to his family. Even if he failed to win the tournament of young dragons, forgiveness would be within reach if he came back with the ruby crown.

'What do you want me to do for you?' the dragon asked, sensing that the favor Ethan sought would not come without a significant price. 'I sense that the payment won't be easy.'

Ethan pondered the dragon's query for a moment, carefully considering his next move. "I only ask that you come to her and bless her," he requested, presenting his unconventional demand.

The dragon was taken aback by Ethan's extraordinary request, finding it nearly impossible to fulfill. The significance and implications of such an act weighed heavily on the dragon's mind.

'It's impossible!' the dragon adamantly refused. 'Dragons no longer bless humans. We have no connection with humans anymore,' it explained, emphasizing the severed ties between their species.

"Then what do you consider me? Am I, not a human who seeks to restore the honor of the dragons? Is it so difficult for a dragon to give such a sign of peace to a human who helps them?" Ethan countered, highlighting the contradiction in the dragon's stance.

The dragon appeared highly reluctant, grappling with the implications of granting a blessing to a human and reestablishing a friendship that had long been severed. Such an act couldn't be taken lightly.

'I am … even … nobody to my clan,' the dragon admitted, expressing its lack of recognition within its clan.

"It is precise because you are disowned by your clan that it means you are free to determine your own fate and actions," Ethan argued, appealing to the dragon's agency and independence.

"This is only an agreement between us. A sign of peace between us," Ethan clarified, kneeling respectfully. He knew that asking for friendship would be too much on his part.

In reality, Ethan knew that this red-gold dragon was destined to reclaim the ruby crown of the dragons. In the future, the crown prince accidentally found the ruby crown and gave it to the red young dragon before him. He remembered the dragon's physical description mentioned in the book.

In return, the crown prince of Altara asked the dragon to bless Liana so that she would be allowed to marry the crown prince. King Altara, who initially rejected the marriage between the crown prince and Liana, then approved their relationship because a woman blessed by a dragon would be as valuable as a saintess, the crown prince's betrothed at that time.

"This will not have any consequences for the dragons' position among humans, right?" Ethan asked again. "I only want to be acknowledged by my wife. Only then will she acknowledge me."

'Very well. I agree,' the red dragon finally said.

Ethan smiled and reached out to touch the dragon's leg. "I am Ethan," he introduced himself.

The red dragon remained silent, reluctant to disclose its name to Ethan. Ethan simply smiled, understanding that the dragon preferred to keep their relationship distant.

"Very well, Mighty Dragon. Are you willing to meet my wife?" Ethan asked humbly.

'Sure,' the dragon replied tersely, signaling its agreement.

Ethan then walked back towards his waiting wife, followed by the red dragon behind him. In his heart, Ethan speculated whether he had done something dangerous for the original plot.

'Ah, it seems not. I have only expedited this dragon's discovery of the ruby crown. As for the affairs of the crown prince of Altara and Liana, let them find another way to gain the king's approval,' Ethan thought to himself.