Ch.157Surpass – 3

All humans except Charlotte, even Christine or Serena, could never understand the meaning of the dragon language that dragons emitted.

For humans who couldn’t see with dragon eyes or view the world as dragons did, dragon language was nothing more than overwhelming violence.

The dragon language that had just flown toward Charlotte would have appeared to humans without dragon eyes as simply Charlotte being attacked by the dragon.

Who would think that a pure mass of mana, fired with enough power to obliterate everything it touched, was merely someone trying to have a normal conversation?

It would seem more natural to think the dragon was enraged that a mere human had used a breath, a symbol believed to be exclusive to dragons, and had launched an attack to kill Charlotte.

But Charlotte, who had gained nearly perfect control over the Ancient Dragon’s Ring, could understand.

The meaning contained in the dragon language that had just erupted from its mouth was not at all the dragon being angry at Charlotte or treating humans like insects to be crushed.

It was merely asking why she had shot a breath into the sky claiming to be looking for dragons, nothing more than that.

It was just an attempt at conversation that had manifested as dragon language due to the dragon’s tremendous mana affinity transforming it into pure mana.

“So you finally show your disgusting form.”

Charlotte didn’t deploy defensive magic circles. Nor did she use body enhancement to escape the range of the dragon language.

That was just an ordinary question from the dragon’s perspective.

If Charlotte were to block or avoid that dragon language, the dragon would then fire a real breath attack.

In human terms, it would be like covering your ears or walking away when someone speaks to you—rude enough to justify anger.

That’s why Charlotte stood still, staring blankly.

She had planned to kill them all eventually and use them as research materials, but before that, it seemed worthwhile to interrogate them about the location of their lair.

Charlotte stretched her left hand forward, gathering mana in her palm.

“Since you asked why I sought you, I should answer.”

And then, she returned the same dragon language toward the descending attack.

—Where is your lair?

In her outstretched palm, mana waves concentrated with that meaning. If the dragon’s language felt like burning fire, Charlotte’s was like cold water.

Charlotte flicked her finger. The two dragon languages collided, causing a massive explosion. The two masses of mana intertwined and dissipated.

Her silver hair flew wildly around her. Charlotte neatly arranged the strands clinging to her cheeks and neck with magic, then turned her eyes to the dragon that was beginning to descend to the ground.

With a heavy, ponderous sound like “kuung,” the mountain-like body of the dragon landed on the ground. Its body was vast enough to block out the sun.

Even when it had been flying in the sky, its size was apparent, but now that it had come down to stand on all fours right in front of her, “enormous” seemed woefully inadequate.

The dragon’s eyeballs were larger than Charlotte’s height, and its teeth seemed to match the height of a decent-sized building. Their thickness was equally impressive.

Its half-open mouth looked capable of swallowing an entire village’s worth of humans whole. The scales covering its skin boasted matching size and thickness.

‘It’s much larger than what I read in the memories, so it must be a different being from the dragon in my husband’s memories.’

It was several times larger than the dragon in the memories Charlotte had extracted from her husband. She thought the boy might have encountered an immature dragon.

The atmosphere itself was different. Enough that Charlotte had to reconsider her chances of victory.

She didn’t think she would lose, but she didn’t think she would win easily either. She would have to prepare for considerable damage after the fight.

—How interesting.

While Charlotte was weighing her chances, a voice flowed into her mind. She instinctively sensed that this was the language of dragons.

The previous Charlotte wouldn’t have understood it. But now, having become closer to dragons through her control of the Ancient Dragon’s Ring, she could understand.

The voice itself was very rough and coarse, but compared to when it first shot the dragon language, it was clearly calmer.

In fact, it was so gentle and quiet that Charlotte was momentarily taken aback. She had expected it to pounce on her at any moment, but that wasn’t the case.

Moreover, by some unknown power, the fighting spirit that had filled her chest was gradually being chipped away.

—We never imagined the existence of a human who could raise the potential of the ring we bestowed to such heights. You possess far greater potential than the human who received the ring from us.

—Answer my question. Where is your lair?

Having no desire to indulge in its admiration, Charlotte returned the words directly into the dragon’s mind.

How to speak, what words meant what, how to pronounce them—all were instinctively imprinted, so there would be no communication problems.

—A lair. I can answer that, as I haven’t been out in your world for long.

—Then speak. I have no desire to continue this pointless conversation.

Charlotte growled. Time was pressing. To save her husband, she needed to kill these dragons as quickly as possible and research their bodies.

—There’s no need to rush, child. I know your purpose.

—If you know my purpose, then you also know that I intend to kill you. Yet you still choose to continue this conversation rather than attack?

—That’s right.

Now it was Charlotte’s turn to be confused. The dragon knew that Charlotte wanted to kill them. Yet it still showed no will to fight.

—You’re radiating such killing intent that I couldn’t help but notice. So, what do you intend to use us for after killing us?

—To surpass.

—Surpass?

Suddenly, the dragon’s response came not as a voice in her mind but as a roar. The impact triggered dragon language, sending waves of mana spreading outward.

The sky rumbled. Charlotte instinctively realized that this dragon language was the dragon’s hearty laughter.

—How amusing. Truly amusing. I can understand why some dragons wanted to leave the lair and explore the human world. They were seeking the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to meet such bold humans. It wasn’t such an incomprehensible eccentricity after all.

Charlotte ignored the voice beginning to flow into her mind again and drew mana into her body. Since it didn’t seem like it would reveal the location of the lair, further conversation was meaningless.

—Listen, child.

The voice was much gentler than before the hearty laughter. It contained emotions similar to an adult coaxing and soothing a child.

The dragon lowered its neck and brought its head closer to Charlotte. Their identical vertical pupils faced each other.

Unlike Charlotte’s blood-red eyes that couldn’t hide her ominous intent, the dragon’s yellow eyes showed no hostility whatsoever.

This was something she instinctively recognized.

—You are truly a remarkable being. Hatchlings or immature dragons would surely fall to you. Perhaps even adult dragons lacking experience might lose to you.

The head came even closer.

—However, I am different. You can never defeat me, so obediently follow my words. If you do, you will surely achieve what you desire.

“Are you presuming to determine my path?”

Charlotte spat out in irritation. It was a direct verbal statement, not a thought in her mind. But the dragon seemed to understand somehow and responded.

—I merely stated a fact. Why would I lie to you? Whether I tell lies or truth, the fact that you cannot defeat me remains unchanged.

“Then I shall show you through my actions that you are wrong.”

Hundreds of magic circles appeared in the air. The dragon saw these magic circles but didn’t change its gentle tone.

—Child. I have searched for a very long time, but I have never met a child with such excellent potential as you. You are worthy of being taught, so don’t choose the more difficult path. Since you’re not bound by lifespan either, if you train for about a hundred years, you can surely achieve what you desire.

As soon as the dragon sent the word “hundred years” into her mind, Charlotte flared up with killing intent.

If it had been the usual Charlotte, the Charlotte who was around while the boy was freely roaming the kingdom, she would have gladly accepted that offer.

A hundred years was nothing to Charlotte. If she wanted, she could live for so long that lifespan would become meaningless.

But now she didn’t have that time. Even if it took a hundred days, it would be too long to accept, let alone a hundred years? It was absolutely unacceptable.

—Child, being too pressed for time is not a good habit.

The dragon raised its lowered neck upright. Its already enormous body rose even higher. It was truly the size of a mountain.

—Even if you have someone you love, there are times when you need to cool your head.

—Shut that worthless mouth. You dare not speak of someone who is not worthy of your mention.

The magic circles began to glow blue.

—I know. How important that person is to you, how you feel about that person, what you want for that person. I can feel it all. Even if you were asked to weigh the rest of the world against love, you would choose love without hesitation, wouldn’t you?

All sorts of destructive magic shot forth, emitting flashing light. The sky was covered in colorful hues, and every single spell hit the dragon without exception.

Charlotte silently drew the next magic circle. Despite standing still and taking a direct hit from Charlotte’s magic, the dragon showed no sign of damage.

Moreover, there was no disappointment or anger in its eyes as it looked at Charlotte, making her actions essentially meaningless.

—How amazing these connections are. To think that unfortunate child bound by time would be connected to a child who can control the Ancient Dragon’s Ring.

The magic circles glowed blue once more. It meant Charlotte was ready to attack.

—Since you seem very urgent, I should first calm that urgent heart of yours.

The dragon spread its wings wide.

—Come, child. There is still plenty of time.