Chapter 131: The Dragon’s Godfather Part 1

The dragon said it would choose its own godparent.

"…"

Dragons had a custom of appointing a godparent from another race for their children. Normally, the egg's parents would choose the godparent, but this egg had no parents.

Therefore, it was highly likely that a godparent would be chosen from the other races present. I used this as bait to draw Khalid into this adventure.

Becoming a godparent to a dragon was an incredible honor and privilege. It wasn't just about sharing the dragon's magic but also the status, respect, and strength that came with being the dragon's godparent.

I wasn't uninterested in these things. However, I believed they would be burdensome and unhelpful to me, so I didn't covet them from the beginning.

Dragons were extremely attached to those they accepted into their fold. They cared for and loved their godparents as much as if they were "obsessed" with them. The ancient dragon <Valerie > who once protected the now-destroyed Ansgar royal family defied the wrath of the gods to protect the royal family it cherished and as a result…

…it died.

Dragons were extremely wise and rational beings, but they were equally stubborn. That's why, even when foreseeing its own death, it stood against the gods to protect the humans it loved.

Right now, solving the Origin God Quest and uncovering this world's secrets was my top priority. And of course, that task came with "danger".

If I became the dragon's godparent…

The dragon would do anything to ensure my safety.

Which meant it might interfere with my work for the sake of my safety.

…Such an unpredictable factor is not good.

Moreover, the one who died protecting the egg in the Swamp of Death was…

A Black Dragon.

A Black Dragon was infamous among dragons for being evil, cruel, and ferocious.

That's why I was trying to pass it off to Khalid…

It wanted to choose its own godparent?

A shiver ran down the back of my neck at the ominous premonition.

No way. It won't choose me, right? Khalid over there looks crazy enough to be a perfect match for a Black Dragon…

I glanced nervously between the egg and Tondra.

"Lord Tondra, isn't it usually the parent dragon who chooses the godparent? Since this one has no parent dragon, shouldn't you decide as the elder…?"

[I have no objections.]

"Huh?"

[I will respect its decision as a fellow dragon.]

"…"

What the hell.

It may not have hatched yet, but it already possessed a firm sense of self as a dragon. That's why Tondra didn't want to be at odds with the new kin.

Perhaps, since it's a new dragon appearing after a very long time, he's being lenient, like grandparents doting on their grandchildren…

Things aren't going my way.

So, the candidates for the dragon godparent now are…

Me, El, Lloyd, Khalid, Didier, Aquila, and Ayla. Although the chances of Ayla being chosen are slim, you never know.

I have a one in seven chance of being chosen.

I don't know if that's good or bad.

[Legion, will you choose your 'guardian' from among these beings?]

-Tok.

The egg moved slightly at Tondra's words.

…Wait a minute.

"Le-Legion?"

I asked Tondra in a startled voice. Tondra slowly nodded and looked at the egg.

[Legion. That's its name.]

That's right.

Dragons name themselves "by themselves".

It wasn't surprising that a dragon yet to hatch already had a name.

I wasn't surprised by the fact that dragons named themselves or even by the audacity of this one naming itself before it was born.

Legion.

It was because of that very name.

This is crazy…

Legion!

The flying death, the black flame of vengeance, the slayer of the desert. <Legion >!

The infamous black dragon Legion who burned the desert regions of Roshan and brought down the Western Magic Tower…

…The main story boss of the Roshan region.

Just as El was destined to command the cursed land as the <Silver Lion> Reinhardt in the future, Legion was destined to rule the desert regions of Roshan as the <Black Dragon Emperor>.

One of the key stories was how the black flames of Legion would burn the sands of the desert, and turn half of Roshan's desert into the "Black Desert".

If I hadn't found it in the Swamp of Death, this thing

would have hatched due to some incident and become the evil dragon

<Legion > that destroys Roshan in the future…

So was it a good thing that I picked it up?

Or…

-Gulp.

I gulped and glanced at the egg. For some reason, it felt like the unhatched egg was watching me.

No, no. Don't worry. If it were such a crazy dragon, it would naturally choose the crazy wizard Khalid as its godparent.

Phew. Calm down, calm down.

A black dragon and a druid.

They obviously didn't match at all!

[Hmm, yes. If you want, I will be your witness.]

Whether I was about to go crazy or not, Tondra looked at the egg with a satisfied expression and nodded.

[I see. However….]

-Tap, tap.

[…If that is your choice.]

What was that ominous conversation?

[The godparent chosen by Legion is….]

Everyone held their breath and looked at Tondra. Tondra smiled broadly and then…

[….Theodore.]

He called my name.

"That's not what we agreed upon!"

"Do you think I did it on purpose? I didn't know either."

"Theodore, I will never forget this."

"Calm down. There's still a chance."

After Tondra revealed who Legion had chosen as its godfather, Khalid went half-mad. It was understandable since, for a wizard, the position of a dragon's godfather was more coveted than anything else. I calmed down Khalid who was on the verge of spewing green flames and tapped the egg lightly, as if I was knocking on a door.

"Hey, Legion."

....

"What about Khalid? It seems you don't know well since you haven't hatched yet, but this person is an incredible wizard."

["What use is an incredible wizard? No wizard can be more incredible than me." That's what it's saying.]

…Wow, this egg isn't even hatched yet and already has such a smart mouth? Khalid's face twisted into a serious grimace beside me. Well, he would be upset.

However, I continued calmly with a smile.

"Legion, think carefully. I'm just an ordinary druid. I'm not fit to be your godfather. You've seen all this while being with me."

["What I want is not a crazy wizard buried in a cave, but a free spirit who can show me the whole world." That's what it's saying.]

"…."

["That person is you. You are my godfather." That's what it's saying.]

"Legion…."

["If you don't become my godfather, I will choose death." This is getting more interesting.]

"W-What did you say?"

["If that happens, all the dragons in the world will come to kill you." …Oh, this statement, unfortunately, is true. Theodore, all dragons will swear vengeance against the one who makes the new generation choose 'death".]

"What? No, what kind of threat is this…?"

["You have no choice but to become my godfather".]

-Tok, todok.

The egg was spinning happily. This was crazy. Either raise this crazy dragon or be hunted by all the dragons in the world. One of the two, huh?

Clever little brat…

It was actually using its head even before being born! I glared at the spinning egg and let out a deep sigh. I can't believe I'll have another burden like this…

"…Alright. Alright. I'll do as you say."

I heard Khalid bursting with anger beside me. What can I do? Otherwise, I'll die. I ignored Khalid.

[Theodore. Legion wants a "soul-bound oath".]

"…Alright."

Since it has come to this, there's no choice.

Reluctantly, I drew the magical power that had been stored in my heart and floated it into the air. The shimmering golden mass of magical power gently descended onto the egg.

[It is an honor to witness your birth, Legion.]

"…It is an honor to witness your birth, Legion."

As the oath concluded…

-Tok!

-Todok!

Cracks began to appear on the smooth surface of the egg. Under everyone's watchful eyes, the egg started to break, revealing sleek black scales. Crack, craack… No matter how roughly the egg had been handled before, it never showed a single scratch or any sign of breaking. Yet, it was now easily shattering with the creature's movements.

-Purrrrrrr!

The newborn dragon was about the size of a cat. Its body was covered in black scales with elegant curves. It opened its mouth wide and breathed out a black breath that burned away the shell and debris that clung to its body. Then, as if stretching, it straightened its whole body and let out a long yawn. A puff of black flames burst and vanished from its mouth, releasing a trail of smoke.

[Theodore.]

Legion looked straight at me and called my name. I flinched involuntarily and met its gaze. Legion's eyes were still covered by a thin membrane, making them look cloudy. Typically, a parent dragon would use its magic-infused tongue to lick away this membrane, but now…

"…Legion."

I had to do it. With my hands filled with magical power, I gently removed the membrane covering its eyes. Blood-red eyes were revealed.

[Theo!]

[Legion still doesn't know how to control its dragon tongue, so it will take some time before it can hold a proper conversation.]

I nodded at Tondra's explanation. For now, just calling my name is the best it can do. I carefully picked up Legion, who was as small as a cat. Despite its appearance, it was quite heavy. I felt like I was holding a sack of rice. This baby dragon's weight is no joke. You're quite a hefty one, Legion.

[Legion is still small and fragile. Even though it's a dragon, if it's not cared for properly during this time, who knows what might happen.]

"…I am very worried."

[For the time being, I will allow you to stay in my lair, as a fellow dragon.]

"You are very generous, Tondra. Thank you."

I wondered if I should be grateful that Tondra was here. I sighed as I looked down at Legion who had fallen asleep and was breathing softly.

…Is this really going to work out?