Make Dark Fantasy Great Again

Chapter 264 [Title: What? Why does this game treat dragons like this?] Content: Never mind being afraid of dragons, they almost despise them like bugs -A fucking huge lizard flying in the sky < how can anyone like this -[Author]: They're different from lizards though Don't dragons look kind of cool? -No, I'm not saying that That's how they're perceived in the in-game world -Do you know this? In this world, all snake-like creatures are treated as demons and monsters -[Author]: No way;;; what's that about -Scaly skin, vertical pupils, forked tongue, hairless wings < these are elements that completely destroy aesthetic sense by this world's standards Anyone with those features just gets treated as monsters or demons -[Author]: No, that doesn't make sense at all? Is it right to treat something as evil just because it's ugly? -(awkward... emoticon) -(angry emoticon) -(sobbing emoticon) -[Author]: Ah... -I almost got subjugated by female employees at work today for being evil... -Someone made an analogy about that and it really hit home ㅇㅇ From this world's people's perspective, dragons feel like really huge cockroaches -[Photo of a huge cockroach flying in the sky] That's how dragons look from that world's people's perspective -[Author]: No shit, that's really scary and disgusting *** Dragon. Contact with that legendary being. And the suddenly raised possibility of grasping a 'star' name. It was an abrupt situation for Risir in many ways. Perhaps because of this, as the conversation briefly stopped, Risir fell into deep contemplation. "...Hmm?" Thus, Risir, who had been lost in thought, suddenly felt a sense of unease. -... The dragon stared at him intently, then stepped back one pace. Was it his imagination? Risir felt something like consideration for the other party in that movement. Risir couldn't understand why he felt such sentiments toward a being called a dragon. Just as Risir's expression was about to be colored with even deeper contemplation. "Whoa...!" An exclamation somewhere between shock and admiration burst from Risir's mouth. The dragon. It had spread both wings to lift its massive body. It was as if a typhoon had descended upon the earth. Flap! Flap! His blonde hair whipped mercilessly in the fierce wind. Risir literally kept his posture leaning forward to avoid being blown away, opening his eyes in bewilderment. Anyone witnessing such an unreal scene before their eyes would have no choice but to react this way. It wasn't the use of power accompanied by magical phenomena like magic. Just movement. Just as a person moves their foot to step forward, the dragon was simply moving its wings to move its body. Yet with just that alone, all the air in the area was being pushed down and away. Like an overflowing river in flood. It was truly a presence that shattered the harmony of everyday life. Soon, sudden darkness descended upon the area. That massive body rising in the sky had completely blocked out the entire heavens. Thanks to that, if you could call it that, Risir could clearly see those sharp eyes of the giant reptile looking down at him. "..." Risir felt his expression hardening stiffly against his will. He felt his body stiffening. 'What is this?' Risir considered that unfamiliar sensation to be 'fear. As a living being, he had felt instinctive fear toward that superior existence. Thump! Thump! His heart beating madly. Was it from excitement at encountering a fantastical being? Or was it from fear? Risir couldn't easily distinguish. The dragon, as if very accustomed to the awe of the weak being looking up at it, tactfully withdrew its gaze. Freed from those massive iron-bar-like pupils, Risir unconsciously felt relief. Soon, once again the air in the area flooded. The huge shadow that had covered the entire ground gradually concentrated to a single point and disappeared. The dragon had left its position, heading toward even higher skies. Just when it seemed they had barely escaped the dragon's domain- -Divine one. I understand your confusion well. Risir reflexively looked around. That voice seemed to be coming from all directions. If something had swallowed him and was speaking, wouldn't it feel like this? That presence, which would be unreal even in the world of thoughts, kept approaching with substance. -Star of the Garden. I entrust the guidance of the divine one to you. With that enigmatically spoken statement as the last, the place was finally freed from the dragon's presence. Afterward, the red-haired gorgeous elf, Star of the Garden Lunadien, immediately approached Risir. The elf's expression looking at the young human clearly showed worry. Dragon. Because she knew what it felt like to encounter that 'dreadful' being for the first time. "I'm sorry. For forcing such a sudden meeting on you. Are you okay? Can you calm down a bit?" Lunadien carefully placed her hand on Risir's shoulder. And when she went in front of him and carefully checked his expression- "...Huh?" Lunadien tilted her head. Because the young human's reaction was quite different from what she had expected. "..." Slightly upturned corners of his mouth. Continuous quiet laughter escaping. That appearance looked as if he was quite excited. Lunadien stared blankly at that sight for a moment, then shook her head. That couldn't be. There was no way he could feel excited emotions after encountering that dreadful being. It must be her own mood. "Risir." "Yes? Ah! Yes! Lady Lunadien. Please speak." "First, I'll apologize. I'm sorry for forcing such a sudden meeting on you. If I had told you the truth from the beginning, there was a possibility you would feel repulsion and things would go wrong, so I had no choice but to take this approach." The Star of the Garden rarely took such a humble posture. Because she knew that even with Risir's gentle nature, it wouldn't be easy to laugh this matter off. "Ah, yes. Well. Since Lady Lunadien judged it that way, I also believe it was the right thing to do." "...?" Risir laughed it off. This time Lunadien truly felt something was off and stared intently at his face. "You..." "Yes?" "Aren't you bothered at all?" "Not bothered at all... what do you mean?" "That thing earlier." "That thing earlier? Ah. That— are you talking about the encounter with the dragon?" "Yes. That." "Hmm?" Now it wasn't only Lunadien who felt something was off about the other person. Risir detected something strange in Lunadien's behavior. Ugh. Lips twisted as if in disgust. Her brow deeply furrowed with tension. Most of all, the colors of fear and contempt strongly lingering in those eyes. Risir was momentarily startled. Thinking that gorgeous elf was directing those emotions at him. However, looking closely, those emotions were directed toward somewhere much more distant. "You've never seen a dragon before, right?" "Ah. That's right." "It's no joke, right?" Lunadien artificially raised both hands and shrugged her shoulders. It was like a character in a play trying to form empathy with the other person. "I also thought I'd go completely insane when I first saw one... Risir?" Lunadien, who had been acting somewhat exaggeratedly to lighten Risir's mood, stopped speaking midway. He was looking at her strangely. Scratch. He awkwardly scratched the back of his head and said. "Dragons... aren't they magnificent?" "...What? Magnificent...? Dragons...? In what way...?" "Well... isn't the overall atmosphere like that...? Full of dignity... solemn... majestic... especially that sight of spreading its wings fully..." "..." Lunadien's mouth fell wide open. She looked at Risir and shook her head. Lunadien felt a sense of distance from Risir. Perhaps even more than when she had heard the fact that he had actually become the Mother of World Tree. "No way..." Risir was simply bewildered. Was saying dragons were magnificent something that warranted this kind of treatment? *** -Indeed, Master embraces even that dreadful being!!! Kyaaah!!! What ultimate compassion!!! Afterward, Risir was able to understand Lunadien's reaction after having a conversation with Dangaleon. 'Dragons are... objects of fear and revulsion?' The full story was something he could never have imagined. Dragons, which to him were majestic fantastical beings, were known to others as objects of terrible fear and revulsion. 'Sometimes they called cats monsters... ah, come to think of it—' Risir recalled. That violent stirring in his chest he had felt the moment the dragon spread its wings. At the time, he thought it was because he was overwhelmed by the dragon- But now, looking back coldly, he could clearly understand. A feeling like many-legged insects crawling over his skin. That was instinctive revulsion. 'Master... I felt this same way when I first encountered Dark Elves.' The gap in thinking that comes with awareness of a past life. It was a sensation he hadn't felt in a very long time. 'I see. So that's why Lady Lunadien was so surprised.' Having understood the entire situation and organized his thoughts, Risir spoke to Lunadien, who had been standing apart for a moment. "Um... I'd like to ask about what the dragon just said..." "Ah." Lunadien closed her eyes and kept snapping her fingers. Look at me. This isn't the time to be like this. "It's as that dragon said. Recently, the Star's Council seems to be watching you. As a new Star Master." "Star names are given that way?" Risir was quite surprised. Until now, he had thought star names were like nicknames that naturally attached to those who achieved continental fame. But in reality, they were granted by a secret organization that dragons belonged to. "No. It's not necessarily just like that. Usually people gain fame and get star names, and then receive the council's attention." "Ah." Risir nodded, saying he understood. And then he was once again captivated by the surreal feeling that star names evoked. "Will I really be recognized by them an get a star title...? Can I handle that star name?" Lunadien smiled gently as she looked at such a Risir. "You don't need to feel burdened just because the Star's Council is watching." "Lady Lunadien...!?" Lunadien had already spent long years as a star title holder. Risir expected what tremendous advice she might give him as a senior. "Looking at what you do, no matter which path you take, having a star name follow you will be unavoidable." "..." Lunadien's voice was full of conviction. *** The star-related information that Lunadien provided. Risir interpreted it in the most favorable way possible for himself. "So that's it. The Star's Council. Apart from their recognition, those worthy of becoming star title holder naturally have star names attached to them—" "That's right. The Star's Council doesn't actively spread their fame." "Moreover, the Star's Council isn't a group with a coercive nature." Good. Risir nodded, saying he had made up his mind. "Then I don't need to worry about it!" "...Is that how it works?" "Yes! I covet the social status that star names bring, but I'm not interested in the responsibilities or obligations that come with them! So! I'll think about matters related to the Star's Council later when I have time! Thank you for your concern, Lady Lunadien!" Wow. Lunadien unconsciously let out an exclamation as she looked at Risir making his bold declaration. *** World Tree. Magic Sword. Hero Party. Divine Magic. Nature Magic. Magic Swordsmanship. What to eat for lunch today. Risir's head was already complicated with various matters. And now on top of that, dragons, star name, Star's Council- Adding all these things again? 'My head's going to explode.' Risir cleanly forgot about the encounter with the dragon and returned to daily life. After telling Grand Master Labella about what had happened, he officially began receiving instruction in Nature Magic. He also didn't neglect training in Divine Magic and Magic Swordsmanship, and prepared for the 'expedition' in his spare time. Risir enjoyed the peaceful and ordinary daily life he had barely regained. *** A week had passed since the meeting with the dragon. "Risir! Please take this!!!" "Oh? Ratsil is giving me a book...? What kind of book is this?" "It's not a book!" "Not a book... then what, is it a Grimoire or something?" "It's a list of things I want to do with Risir on this trip, no, expedition!!!" "Huh, huuugh...!" The expedition was ready. It was time to depart for Bondaless. *** Elves. That mystical race pursues coexistence with nature for various reasons that other races cannot fully understand. Such jokes even circulated in the world that even if the entire Great Forest burned down, the elves wouldn't leave. "The elves have undertaken a large-scale expedition!?" Such elves had left the forest. Their unprecedented movement caused huge ripples in the world outside the forest. "And High Elves are included in the expedition too!?" "High Elves leaving the World Tree's side, isn't that unprecedented!?" "What on earth is happening!?" "Everyone calm down! Who knows, maybe the elves left to find new nature!" Their expedition leaving the forest quickly got on track, and it wasn't difficult to estimate their destination. The heart of the continent where numerous human cities were concentrated. The central region. "Good heavens, surely they're not planning to start a war!?!" Their anxiety became reality. "What the hell, why are wheat prices like this!?" "Haven't you heard the news!?" Nobles stockpiled supplies and merchants hoarded goods. "What do you suddenly mean!? Saying you need to cancel the contract!?" "Well, you see, suddenly there are many people looking for us. And paying well too." Mercenaries and adventurers each sought ways to survive for bigger money or safety. "Is it war!?" Tension spread. "Is it war!?" Many people interpreted it as clouds of war. "It's war!!!" None of the various cities leading to the central region were free from that tension. "...Is it Risir?" Except for one city. While most trading companies were sweeping up special supplies like wheat, weapons, and Mana Stones in preparation for war, there was one company that went against the flow and massively released their warehouses. It was the Great Trading Company Golden Barley. Merchants said about that company's owner. "Gus, that man has been holed up in his mansion lately and lost all his touch."