Chapter 1146
"Are you truly intending to ignore the Great Dragon Lord's decrees?"
Raon gave a composed nod in response to the freezing tone of Bartius, the Gold Dragon.
'I anticipated that reaction.'
Through his exchange of blows with Bartius and his kin, Raon had gained a deep understanding of their spirits and inclinations. He had suspected they were cut from a different cloth than the typical dragons he had encountered, and his intuition proved correct—they clearly desired to stray from the rigid traditions of their ancestors.
"You don't appear particularly shocked."
Bartius squinted his eyes, scrutinizing Raon's expression.
"Was this something you already knew?"
"I caught glimpses of it in the way you fight."
A faint smirk played on Raon's lips as he looked toward Bartius and the circle of dragons gathered behind him.
"The fact that you wish to carve out a path separate from the Lord and the Ancient Dragons."
Unlike their elders, Bartius and these mature dragons did not lean solely on their birthright of overwhelming mana. Instead, they displayed highly individualized combat techniques, utilizing magic and skills they had personally refined. While they might lack the raw, world-bending power of the Ancient ones, their versatility made them far more unpredictable and dangerous opponents.
—Curse it all!
Wrath shook his vibrating, balled-up fist in frustration.
—How is it that these overgrown lizards are so difficult to loathe!
The small monarch squeezed his eyes shut, exasperated by the fact that these particular dragons possessed such tolerable personalities.
'I agree. They aren't like that arrogant trash, the Lord and the Ancient Dragons.'
The group led by Bartius didn't spend their lives spreading misery across the land, nor did they hide behind excuses of self-preservation, only appearing when victory was already assured. Raon found no reason to harbor ill will toward them.
"I see."
A ghost of a smile touched Bartius’s face, as if he could sense the genuine respect behind Raon's observations.
"We are nothing like those fossils! There isn't a single thing worth learning from their example!"
The Red Dragon, Valasiur, let out a sharp, snorting breath through his nostrils in agreement.
"You actually picked up on that? You’ve got a sharp eye, human!"
Sirtiren, the Blue Dragon, let out a vibrant laugh and clapped her hands together.
"I felt the strength of your conviction during our clash as well. It’s a sensation only those who have crossed blades can truly grasp."
The White Dragon, Bursiarabi, looked down with a calm, focused intensity.
"Hmph! It would be hard to miss after you barged in here and challenged every one of us to a duel."
Dariauran, the Black Dragon, gave a slow nod while massaging the back of his skull where Raon’s strike had landed.
"However, I still seek the underlying reason."
Raon’s gaze moved from Bartius to each of the dragons in the group.
"What drives you to defy the direct commands of your Lord?"
These mature dragons could have easily remained in the shadows, avoiding any risk until the inevitable conflict began. Raon struggled to understand why they would choose to stick their necks out and risk the wrath of their leader.
"Dragons are, by nature, solitary and independent."
Bartius opened his hand, and shimmering magical constructs of various dragons appeared, drifting away in separate directions.
"Even if someone holds the title of elder or has lived for millennia, we are not bound to follow their every whim without question."
He gestured slightly, explaining that their social structure functioned differently than the hierarchies of mankind.
"Yet, the mandate of the Dragon Lord is a different matter entirely."
The scattered magical images flew back toward Bartius, merging in his palm.
"The Dragon Lord is the sovereign acknowledged by all our kind. Therefore, adhering to his directives is considered our highest fundamental principle."
He clarified that this was the sole reason they had remained secluded and inactive until now, honoring the Lord’s specific instructions to wait.
"If it is a foundational principle, it carries more weight than a mere order. So, what changed? Why discard it now?"
Raon tilted his head slightly, prompting the dragon to reveal the core of the matter.
"Because the path they’ve chosen is one of cowardice."
Bartius finally voiced the resentment he felt toward the leadership of his race.
"Cowardice?"
"Precisely."
He squeezed his hand shut with a loud crack of bone, the irritation evident in his posture.
"Dragons are meant to be the arbiters of this realm. This entire dimension. We are the supreme race destined to maintain the natural balance of this world by repelling interference from outside forces."
Bartius looked toward the heavens and released a weary, heavy breath.
"That is why we have always been the vanguard, putting our lives on the line whenever a Demon King attempts to manifest. If we did not have that sacred duty, there would be no purpose for us to be born with such overwhelming strength."
His brow furrowed as he spoke of the true purpose of dragonkind.
"But the Lord and the ancient fossils of our clan have abandoned that duty in favor of their own selfish desires. They flee from the Demon King out of sheer terror, yet they use their might to bully and dominate humans. They have begun to commit atrocities under the guise of being 'mediators'!"
Bartius fixed a sharp, meaningful look on Raon as he emphasized the word "dominate."
"Even then, as pathetic as it was, it fell within the realm of what I could tolerate. Knowing our species' self-centered nature, I found it disgusting, but not a sufficient reason to rebel against the Lord's word."
He ground his teeth together, his voice growing low with brewing rage.
"Indeed. As ugly as it is, the drive to survive is a basic instinct for any creature."
Sirtiren, the Blue Dragon, gave a nonchalant shrug.
"It drove me mad! I just wanted to turn everything to cinders!"
Valasiur, the Red Dragon, shook his head vehemently, indicating that his patience had reached its limit long ago.
"The turning point, the reason we chose to ignore the Lord's decree, wasn't actually the Demon King. It was something else..."
Bartius raised a finger, pointing toward the sky above.
"It was because of the Archangels and their subordinates."
His face contorted with a look of pure, unadulterated loathing.
"As I stated, as arbiters, we are bound to stop any extra-dimensional beings from meddling here. That doesn't just apply to the Demon Kings of the Devildom; it means the Archangels and Angels are also trespassers that must be purged."
Bartius let out a low, predatory growl at the mention of the heavenly beings.
"If the Archangels were also on your list of targets..."
Raon couldn't help but let out a dry, incredulous laugh at the revelation.
"Have you all simply been closing your eyes to their presence this whole time?"
The Dragon Lord had remained strangely indifferent to the Archangels' arrival, a stark contrast to how the dragons usually reacted to Demon Kings. Raon had assumed they simply viewed the celestial beings as less of a threat, but Bartius’s words suggested they were deliberately failing their primary mission.
"Yes. The elders of our race didn't just tuck their tails and hide from the Demon King; they went as far as to feign ignorance regarding the Archangels' descent. No, it was worse than that—they behaved like sycophants, welcoming them with open arms."
Bartius looked genuinely sickened by the conduct of his seniors.
"To top it off, the Lord actually entered into a pact with Derus Robert, the very man who orchestrated the Archangels' arrival. When I saw that, I reached the end of my rope."
He squeezed his fist so hard that blood began to seep from his palm.
"I would rather perish in battle. I refuse to live a life stripped of honor."
Dariauran, the Black Dragon, radiated a killing intent so potent it caused the hair on Raon's arms to stand up.
"I will drag them down to the grave with me, even if I have to consume my own soul to curse them with my venom."
He pressed his lips into a thin line, making it clear he was ready to trade his life for his duty.
"I concur. Whether they fall from the clouds or rise from the pits, filth is still filth."
Bursiarabi, the White Dragon, dug his heel into the dirt and looked toward the horizon with a defiant chin.
"In truth, we were aware that a Demon King had surfaced in the Suphren Holy Kingdom, but we were forced to remain idle because of the Lord's strict command not to interfere."
Bartius turned his gaze back to Raon. His eyes were icy, though the coldness was directed at his own kin, not the human before him.
"However, the moment we received word of a human who had successfully repelled a Demon King, we decided to defy the Lord's order of neutrality and came to find you."
"Are you saying I was the catalyst for this?"
"Because you represent everything the Lord and the elders have abandoned."
His eyes now burned with a strange, fierce heat as he looked at Raon.
"Raon Zieghart. Whether you face a Demon King, an Archangel, or even a Transcendent being, you throw yourself into the fire, fueling your blades with the passion of your own convictions. Seeing that... for the first time in my long life, I felt truly moved."
He gave a solemn nod, confirming that this was why he felt compelled to test Raon's strength personally.
"And now that we have met, what is your conclusion?"
Raon could already see the answer shining in the eyes of Bartius and the four dragons standing with him.
"You exceeded my expectations."
Bartius answered without a moment's pause.
"Your skill in battle and the iron of your will are beyond reproach. You are like a towering pillar that connects the earth to the heavens."
He allowed himself a genuine smile, admitting that the rumors had actually understated Raon's true nature.
"My path is now clear. I can make this choice without a shadow of a doubt."
Bartius gave a sharp nod and partially turned his back.
"Do you all agree with my assessment?"
He looked toward his companions, expecting their confirmation.
"After feeling the weight of his strikes, I have no choice but to recognize him!"
Valasiur, the Red Dragon, punched the air with a triumphant fist.
"I'm a fan! He’s quite the handsome specimen for a human!"
Sirtiren, the Blue Dragon, grinned widely and gave Raon a friendly shove on the shoulder.
"He is the perfect rival. I am in as well."
Dariauran, the Black Dragon, showed eyes that were alight with the thrill of future combat.
"I sensed a flicker of the divine in his swordplay. His spirit is truly worthy of an arbiter."
Bursiarabi, the White Dragon, gave a slow, deliberate nod of approval.
"The dragons standing with me are those who were being groomed to lead our respective clans in the next generation. We are competitors, but we share a bond of mutual respect."
Bartius stepped forward, acting as the spokesperson for the group.
"We may seem like mere fledglings to you, but among our kind, we possess significant influence and power."
"I am aware. You were far more difficult to handle than the Ancient Dragons I've faced."
Raon acknowledged them with a respectful nod.
"Your magical theories and combat styles were entirely fresh. If you continue to grow, even I will find it difficult to keep you in check."
He knew that if these five were to reach the stage of Ancient Dragons, with their mana and physical forms fully matured, they would become a force that even he would struggle to overcome.
"We refuse to live as cowards any longer. As the true arbiters of this world, we will drive out every intruder, whether they be descending Archangels or manifest Demon Kings."
Bartius lifted his head high, formally declaring his independence from the Dragon Lord's path.
"Alongside the dragons who follow our lead, we will join you on the field of battle."
He reached out his hand, a gesture offering a formal alliance.
"Can... can we actually trust what they're saying?"
Dorian gulped nervously, his eyes wide with skepticism. He clearly hadn't forgotten the terror and trouble dragons had caused them in the past.
"Their words are true."
Raon didn't hesitate to grasp Bartius's hand.
"Because we have fought."
In the heat of a duel, one can peer into the heart of their opponent. Raon knew with certainty that Bartius and his four companions harbored a sincere love for the continent.
—Daaaaamn it!
Wrath wailed as he watched Raon seal the deal with the Gold Dragon.
—This means the buffet is closed! We can't eat them now!
He held his head in his hands, mourning the loss of high-quality dragon meat.
—If these are off the menu, go find some other Ancient Dragons to hunt! Quickly!
"Where can we find the Dragon Lord currently?"
Raon looked at Bartius, hoping to gather some actionable intelligence.
"It has been an age since we last laid eyes on the Lord ourselves. We only receive his mandates through a handful of Ancient Dragons who still serve him blindly."
Bartius shook his head, explaining that the sovereign had been in seclusion for quite some time.
"He's pathetic. He’s lived for thousands of years and still hasn't grown a spine."
Valasiur, the Red Dragon, was now openly mocking his own leader.
"Surely you must have some idea where his lair is located."
Raon held out his hand, urging them for any hint of a location.
"The current Lord has kept the coordinates of his sanctum a total secret. Only the most fanatical dragons who worship him would have that knowledge."
Dariauran, the Black Dragon, clicked his tongue in disgust, labeling the Lord a repulsive old coward.
"He’ll stay in his hole until the fires of war consume the Human World. Only then will he crawl out to hide behind the Archangels."
Bursiarabi, the White Dragon, looked physically pained by the thought, clearly ashamed to share the same race as such a leader.
"He’s right."
Dariauran ground his teeth in fury.
"The Lord and the Ancient Dragons intend to support Derus Robert and watch as humanity is wiped out."
He stomped the ground with enough force to crack the earth, declaring such an act to be the ultimate betrayal of an arbiter's duty.
"We wish to confront the Lord immediately, but his whereabouts are a mystery even to us. However..."
Bartius raised a clenched fist, his expression determined.
"We will track him down. We will find his lair before the first blow of the great war is struck."
He gave a firm nod, promising to locate the Dragon Lord before the conflict with Derus reached its peak.
"You were aware of the coming war as well?"
Raon let out a soft laugh. He was surprised that the dragons were so well-informed about Derus's timeline.
"By keeping a close watch on your movements, we deduced that Derus Robert plans to launch his campaign for continental conquest in a year's time."
Bartius wrinkled his nose in distaste, adding that they had also caught wind of the secret meetings between Derus and the Dragon Lord.
"To conspire with a man who seeks to shatter the balance of this world by summoning celestial beings... the Lord must think of us as nothing more than pebbles on the road."
He spat out the names of Derus Robert and the Lord with pure vitriol.
"So that's how it stands."
Raon felt a surge of confidence, realizing he had just gained a powerful group of allies.
"As I promised, we will stand with humanity when the war begins. And until that day..."
Bartius looked up at the sky, his eyes glowing with an inner light.
"We will hunt for the Lord's location and bring the news to you."
He struck his chest with his fist, a gesture of absolute sincerity.
"It has only been a day, but I trust your word."
Raon smiled and nodded back.
"I will wait for your signal."
"We do have one condition, however."
Bartius held up a single finger.
"Since we are prepared to gamble our lives in your war, you must ensure that every Archangel seeking to manipulate this world is put to the sword."
His gaze was steady and unwavering, reflecting a total commitment to his duty. Every dragon present shared that same fierce resolve.
"Consider it done."
Raon mimicked Bartius's gesture, striking his own chest firmly.
"I give you my word. My allies and I will risk everything to cut down every Archangel that has set foot on this soil."
He made a solemn vow to the dragons to purge the world of the celestial invaders.
—T-then you have to kick out the Demon Kings too!
Wrath shot a suspicious look at Raon.
'Not necessarily. Bartius specifically pointed out the Angels and Archangels. I simply agreed to his terms.'
Bartius’s anger was clearly focused on the celestial side of the interference, so he hadn't mentioned the denizens of the Devildom. Raon hadn't lied; he had just been very specific.
—Y-you absolute swindler! Even now!
Wrath narrowed his eyes, convinced that Raon was the most manipulative human in existence.
'The other Demon Kings aren't actually causing any trouble. They're being so well-behaved it's almost weird.'
Aside from entities like Greed or Pride, the other Demon Kings didn't seem interested in world domination. They were mostly preoccupied with eating snacks or finding romance, so Raon saw no immediate need to hunt them down.
'If they start acting up, I'll deal with them then. Except for you, of course.'
Raon brushed the thought aside, implying Wrath was a special case.
—W-why only me?!
Wrath’s lower lip trembled with indignation.
—Just kick me out too! You’re bleeding me dry! Please, just let me go!
He began to wail, offering to give up his power and status just to be free of Raon’s clutches.
'Not a chance. I still have plenty of things to learn from you.'
—Aaaaargh! Let me out!
'Nope. We’re just getting started.'
Raon couldn't help but grin as he watched Wrath’s dramatic tantrum.
"Are you alright?"
Olga stepped up to his side, checking him over with a concerned look.
"Not a scratch on me."
Raon held up his arms to show he was perfectly fine.
"Taking on five dragons back-to-back and coming out unscathed... you’ve truly turned into a monster."
Olga let out a dry laugh, shaking her head at his sheer absurdity.
"Hmm...?"
Bartius leaned in, his eyes narrowing as he focused on Olga.
"Are you a mortal from the Suphren Kingdom?"
"What's it to you?"
Olga snapped back, her tone sharp and defensive.
"Wait, you..."
Bartius squinted, looking at Olga as if he were seeing a ghost. Then, his eyes widened in genuine shock.
"Exactly what kind of deity are you serving?!"
