§
To the ice dragon, the humans were just annoying pests buzzing around,
worthy of no more than extermination when they became a bother.
The recognition humans had for insects, and what dragons had for humans – there was no difference in that perception.
Kill them because they’re irritating, that was reason enough.
All other species were merely inferior to the ice dragon. And this was an immutable fact that would never change. Or so he had thought.
“—[Slash]!”
“GRRAAAGH!”
At this moment, all previous perceptions were shattered.
The ice dragon had never before experienced such excruciating pain, one that evoked the very notion of [death] for the first time.
“—[Double Slash]—[Triple Slash]!”
“GYAAAAAAAAAAAAAGH!!”
Next, its arrogance in being the strongest was blown away, and a part of its very being crumbled.
No more. No more. No more.
I don’t want to die. I don’t want to die. I don’t want to die.
Desperately clinging to life, it tried to cry out, but the sword struck before it could.
Steeped in despair, the ice dragon saw the human before it as nothing but a demon.
Time crawled by, agonizingly slow.
“—[Dark Slash]”
“GAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGH!!”
If only the ice dragon had been blessed with a stronger opponent, and gained even the slightest tolerance for [pain]—the outcome might have been different.
The pain inflicted by Luke’s strikes was simply too overwhelming as the first it had ever experienced. It utterly transformed the ice dragon’s personality, thought processes, and values.
This was a [rebirth].
The ice dragon had been reborn in this moment.
(I have to apologize, I have to apologize, I have to apologize, I have to apologize, I have to apologize, I have to apologize—)
The ice dragon decided. I shall apologize. First, I must apologize.
I got carried away. I’m sorry. I’m truly sorry.
If I apologize wholeheartedly, over and over, perhaps I might be forgiven. With that faint glimmer of hope.
(…Huh?)
Once more, the human’s sword was gathering a merciless light, growing ever larger and more ominous.
(Oh, this is going to hurt even more… I see… —Aaaahhhhh!? No, no, no, no!!)
“It was fun, but this is the end. —[Dark Bla—]”
“W-w-w-wait!! Please, just wait a moment!!”
The uncharacteristically polite speech emerged unconsciously, for the first time.
Even though it had never done so before, its body moved with surprising smoothness, driven by the instinct to survive.
Fully convinced of this, it lowered its head to the ground and curled its limbs and tail as tightly as possible.
It felt the wind rushing by. Fortunately, the sword had stopped.
If the pain didn’t come, then it no longer mattered what happened. Come what may.
This was the true essence of reckless abandon.
“…What is the meaning of this?”
“I-I-I completely… s-surrender…”
Bowing its head to the human.
The previous ice dragon would have twisted its face in unimaginable humiliation, shedding tears of blood.
But no, the emotion the current ice dragon felt was nothing but bottomless relief that the attack had stopped, and a slight embarrassment at stuttering over its words.
Looking down at the trembling, pitiful ice dragon, Luke paused briefly to consider what would be most beneficial for himself.
“—What is your name?”
“H-huh…?”
“I asked what your name is.”
“Ah, y-yes! I have one! I have one!”
Luke did not comment on the redundant repetition.
“Well?”
“I-it’s… King-of-the-World, sir…”
“…Huh?”
“I-I’m so sorry! So presumptuous of the likes of me! I’m very, very sorry!”
“…………”
The title of “King-of-the-World” was a name the ice dragon had given itself, purely out of idle amusement, though it had genuinely believed itself worthy of such a grand title.
But Luke could not have known that. Thus, he regarded it with bewilderment, wondering if the ice dragon was mocking him.
Though its expression was indiscernible, the ice dragon’s keen senses acutely detected the human’s souring mood. Its body trembled as if its heart were being gripped.
This is bad. Unbelievably bad. The ice dragon’s thoughts raced.
“Th-that’s right… I’ll think of a proper name…”
“…Hmm.”
It couldn’t immediately come up with a good name, but the ice dragon resolved to choose something more modest.
It had been quite fond of the wonderful name “King-of-the-World.” It would give that one to this human instead. Surely he would be delighted, and it would convey the ice dragon’s respect.
Just as the ice dragon was about to speak—
“Heh—I’ve decided. You shall become the mascot of my domain.”
“…Huh?”
Luke had been contemplating a way to repay the immense debt he owed his father.
Even if they were family, he did not wish to incur further obligations.
Thus, the idea occurred to him to make the ice dragon a mascot of the Gilbert territory, which would bring even greater prosperity.
Surely the novelty of seeing an elemental dragon would draw many humans, bestowing vast wealth.
“From now on, you shall serve as my pawn, devoting yourself to the prosperity of my domain. It must be humiliating, but I’m being generous in letting you live instead of killing you. Heh.”
“I will! I will become your pawn!”
“…Huh?”
Luke, who had expected the ice dragon to distort its face in humiliation, is instead puzzled by the ice dragon eagerly, almost greedily, offering to become his pawn.
“…I see, I’ll take the materials as well. You dragons possess miraculous regenerative abilities, don’t you? Then it should be fine to periodically tear off your claws, fangs, and scales, right? Kukuku, hahaha–“
“Of course! If my body can be of use to the master, there is no greater joy than that!”
“…………”
Luke didn’t feel any guilt, but he was aware that he was saying something that completely disregarded the dragon’s dignity.
Yet, the ice dragon in front of him is still all excited.
It’s incomprehensible.
“Then, as a gesture of familiarity…”
“–Wait… What are you doing?”
“Eek, I was thinking of cutting off your tail and offering it… Since it’ll grow back quickly anyway…”
“…I don’t need that right now.”
“U-Understood.”
“…………”
Luke’s confusion only deepens.
Just moments ago, the dragon was saying things like “[You insolent human being]”, trying to kill him, and now it has done a complete turnaround.
“…I hope you’re not thinking you can trick me, because it’s useless. You’ve been made my [familiar] through a contract magic. Kukuku, you must have been thinking of escaping at the first chance, but–“
“It’s an honor, truly!!!!”
“…………”
From now on, the ice dragon will no longer be Luke’s [enemy].
The overwhelming joy of that fact is the only thing filling the ice dragon.
“Let’s start right away, please!”
“Ah, yes…”
Luke ponders again.
Isn’t this some kind of trap? Is there something he’s overlooking?
But no matter how much he thinks, he can’t find anything like that. That’s why it feels even more uncanny. He’s even unsure if he should make it his familiar.
“– [Contract: Familiar]”
A massive magic circle appears, centered on Luke and the ice dragon, emitting a dazzling light.
Contract magic is a non-elemental magic that requires the mutual consent of both parties, and the weight of the contract and the target determine the required magic power. But the contract is formed incredibly smoothly.
“…………”
An invisible bond is formed between Luke and the ice dragon.
Through it, the ice dragon’s feelings of absolute obedience sworn from the bottom of its heart are strongly conveyed.
“I will serve you with utmost sincerity–“
“…I see.”
Tired of doubting, Luke considers making the ice dragon’s tail meat a new specialty of Gilvadia as he rides on the dragon’s back.
And he returns to where the adventurers who had been observing the situation from a distance are.
His appearance is that of a true hero of old, taming a dragon.
In the next moment, all of them raise their fists and let out a victorious roar.
§
READ THE ORIGINAL TRANSLATION AT GADGETIZEDPANDA.COM
“Ah, yeah! This is impossible!”
“–Impossible. Way too impossible.”
Two people, a man and a woman, with turbans on.
In a certain place, Canis and Felis had been watching a part of the battle between Luke and the ice dragon.
Their expressions are as bright as if a burden had been lifted.
“I tried my best, but… this one won’t be enough, no matter how many lives it has. That means we have two options: one is to run far away, and the other is–“
“…………”
Canis and Felis take action. It’s all for the sake of their own future.
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