Strange Dragon – 123

Chapter 123 – The Dragon’s Thoughts

---

Even if you took away the source of the stench, the smell would not disappear so quickly.
However, thanks to the shape, or the fact there were other holes, there was a decent current of air that flowed through the cave.
And so it should fade away eventually.

After cleaning up the cave interior, Pii returned to me.

“Thank you. For cleaning everything.”
I picked Pii up.

“Pii!”
The slimed jiggled happily.

While carrying Pii, I moved a short distance away from Boaboa.
It was near the entrance, where I could see outside.

Boaboa had said that it didn’t mind if it was bright.
But it also nested in a cave without much light.
And so the darkness must be more comfortable for it.

I then laid down a blanket and sat on it.

“It’s already night.”
“Kyuo.”
“Pii.”

Hippolius and Pii sat on my lap as we looked outside.

“You two worked hard today. Thank you.”
“Kyuo.”
“Pii.”

Fresh air came in from outside of the cave.
Here, the stench from the leftover food did not reach us.

As we sat there, the dragon walked out from the back of the cave.
And then it sat down right next to us.

“Grraaa.”
“So you came out here too?”
“Grau.”

For some time, the four of us sat there and enjoyed the view.
Not that it was an especially good view.

There was a small clearing just outside of the cave.
But after that, it was just a large forest.
All we could see were the trees and the night sky.

“Thank you. For helping Gisela.”
“Graa.”

The dragon said that it came because it wanted to meet me.

“I’m glad to meet you too. It’s been so long.”
“Gaa-graaau.”
“But…aren’t you busy?”

Over the years, the dragon had become quite great, even among dragons.
In fact, it was the king of the local dragons.
If you were the king of dragons, then you were at the top of all monsters.
In other words, it was the king of monsters back home.

“Gagaraa.”
“Hmm. So your children have grown too then.”

Apparently, its children were capable of taking care of things in its absence.
And so the dragon had time to fly out here like this.

“Grau.”
“No, surely you are still stronger than those younger dragons. It is too early to retire.”
“Gagagara?”
“No, I didn’t retire and go into hiding. Well, maybe I was trying to get away from it all. And so I work leisurely over here.”
“Gaaa.”
“Thank you. What about you? Why don’t you live with us? I could make you a house.”
“Gaaagaara.”
“Hmm. I see. You’re going home.”

To the dragon, this was just a vacation.
While there was no rush, it would return to its home eventually.

“Gaga–gaa.”
“…That’s great. You really are still young.”
“Gaa.”

The dragon looked bashful.
Apparently, its mate was going to lay more eggs soon.
Of course, it was only soon by dragon standards.
It could be months, years or even decades later.

“Well, then you really can’t go into hiding then.”
“Gaa.”
“Ah, once we are finishing here, I will go and visit you and the other dragons.”
“Gaaga?”
“You want me to name your children? Hmm… But then they will be my familiars.”
“Ga!”
“You don’t mind? But wouldn’t that affect your authority as king of the dragons?”

That was why I had not given the dragon a name in the past.
This was not a problem with monsters, who did not have their own society.
But it was different with dragons, who were like humans in some ways.

“Gaga—gaa.”
“I see. If you say it is fine, I suppose it is.”
“Grraa.”
“Very well. If your children want it, I will give them names when the time comes.”
“Gaagarra.”

The dragon shook happily.

“Gagaugaa.”

Apparently, when Gisela asked it for a ride, the dragon decided that it would use the opportunity to tell me about its children.

“I see. Thank you. For coming all of this way to tell me.”
“Grau.”

The dragon pressed gently into my back.
It was telling me to lean against it.

“Thank you.”
“Grau.”

And so I leaned against the large dragon, and while carrying Hippolius and Pii, fell into a deep sleep.

Next Chapter