Ch.298298. W-Would You Like to Perform an Autopsy?

“Nice to meet you. I’m Selden Alphonse.”

“Hello. I’m Robert.”

I slowly examined Robert sitting on the sofa across from me.

His appearance looked surprisingly ordinary.

He had the same silver hair as mine, neatly combed, and his well-groomed beard clearly indicated that he was a middle-aged man.

One more surprising thing was that I could now understand what Rupert and Kabla had previously mentioned about the “dragon’s aura.”

The unique mysterious atmosphere that I thought only Lucien possessed existed in Robert as well.

While I was inwardly expressing admiration, Kabla and Robert, who seemed to be meeting after a long time, began their conversation.

“Robert, is Olivia still not listening to you these days?”

“Ugh, don’t even mention it. Today I barely managed to shake her off when she insisted on following me.”

“She’s still following you around?”

“Yes, she’s already of marriageable age, but she follows me around like a child.”

“Haha, you’re blessed with a daughter, aren’t you?”

“Blessed? That’s not quite…”

It seemed they were talking about a woman named Olivia, Robert’s daughter.

Could it be that this person is the dragon who married a human?

If so, would Olivia, born between a human and a dragon, be human? Or a dragon?

Even as I sat there with a face full of questions, their conversation continued.

“Despite saying that, I think you’d be disappointed if Olivia got married?”

“That’s another problem. She’s throwing tantrums, saying she won’t marry anyone who isn’t stronger than her.”

“Olivia wants to marry someone stronger than herself? Then shouldn’t she be looking among dragons, not humans?”

“Sigh… Would a dragon want to marry Olivia, who is half human? I also want her to marry a human.”

Ah…

So Robert must be the friend Kabla mentioned who married a human.

As I continued to silently observe their conversation, Kabla, seemingly remembering something, formally introduced me.

“As you would know from my letter, I owe Lord Selden Alphonse a great deal. Plus, he’s interacting with a dragon named Lucien.”

At that, Robert turned his gaze toward me and bowed.

“I thought I’d never meet another human who interacts with dragons besides Kabla in my lifetime. It’s an honor to meet you.”

“Haha, not at all.”

“We’ve been talking too much among ourselves, haven’t we? Please understand, Kabla is an old friend I haven’t seen in a while.”

“It’s fine. And I never dreamed I would meet a dragon other than Lucien.”

When I checked Robert’s status with “Insight,” some values had question marks next to them, and even though he was in human form, I felt he was stronger than me.

Sigh…

Is that the level of strength needed to prevent a rampage?

I was planning to train slowly because Padericks was so worried, but suddenly I feel motivated.

I think I need to put more effort into my training again?

Robert gave a faint smile.

“Would Lord Selden Alphonse be interested in meeting other dragons as well?”

“As long as they are friendly to humans, I would welcome it anytime.”

“Then may I ask one favor of Lord Selden Alphonse?”

“Please go ahead.”

“I am truly interested in humans. So I gather materials about humans from various sources, but lately, the materials Kabla sends me feel insufficient.”

Robert gave me the impression that he greatly respected me.

I thought that as an older dragon, he might be somewhat arrogant due to his power, but he seemed to have an excellent personality.

“Don’t worry about that. If you send me a letter, I will support you in every way possible.”

“Haha! Is that so?”

“Despite appearances, I am financially well-off. Not just materials, but if you need anything else, please feel free to send a letter to Lake Estate anytime.”

“Thank you. Then is there anything I can help you with?”

At Robert’s question, Kabla hastily jumped into the conversation as if seizing the opportunity.

“Ye-yes, there is a way to help Lord Selden Alphonse.”

“What is it?”

“Lucien will soon come of age, and could you find a dragon for her to marry?”

“My own daughter hasn’t even married yet… but I’ll try to look for someone.”

Hearing their conversation, I cleared my throat and narrowed my eyes at Kabla.

“Kabla, didn’t I tell you before? I have no intention of pushing Lucien into marriage.”

When I mixed in a bit of anger, Kabla flinched and quickly turned his gaze to Robert.

“Robert, then could you help prevent Lucien’s rampage instead?”

“The mating season rampage?”

“I’m asking you this favor. I owe Lord Selden Alphonse that much.”

“So, you want me to prevent the rampage when this dragon Lucien enters her mating season?”

“Of course, it would be best if Lord Selden Alphonse changed his mind and found a mate for Lucien… but if not, at least help prevent the rampage.”

Robert looked at me once and tilted his head.

“…Couldn’t Lord Selden Alphonse prevent the rampage himself?”

“Wh-what are you saying? How could a human prevent a dragon’s rampage!?”

Robert spread his palm toward the indignant Kabla, telling him to calm down.

“Calm down. I too doubted my eyes when I first saw Selden Alphonse. I’ve never seen such a powerful human in all my life.”

“What do you mean… Lord Selden Alphonse’s power surpasses a dragon’s?”

“Well, not all dragons, but at least stronger than a dragon who is just coming of age.”

Dragons seemed to have a racial trait that allowed them to gauge others’ strength.

Lucien was the same.

Even though I hadn’t shown my desperate strength in front of her, she recognized that I was strong.

I sighed briefly in front of the astonished Kabla.

“Didn’t I already tell you, Kabla? That I thought I could prevent the rampage.”

“I-I thought Lord Selden Alphonse was just joking.”

“What parent in this world would joke about their child?”

Kabla wiped the sweat from his forehead with a handkerchief and continued.

“This is surprising. A human who can surpass a dragon’s power… Have you fought with Lucien?”

“We’ve trained together, but we haven’t sparred with all our might.”

“This… I feel a strong desire to study Lord Selden Alphonse rather than dragons for the time being.”

Something about Kabla’s flushed face and flickering tongue gave me an eerie feeling.

“A-are you going to dissect me?”

“Haha! No, I just want to witness Lord Selden Alphonse hunting monsters and training with my own eyes.”

I put away my startled expression and breathed a sigh of relief.

“Well… that’s not difficult.”

“Ah! And! I want to hear about Lord Selden Alphonse’s life so far. If it’s too much to ask, you can refuse. I can find out on my own.”

In other words, if I refuse, he’ll investigate me?

How can he say this so openly in front of me?

Just as I was about to surrender to Kabla’s research passion, Robert carefully spoke up.

“Just in case, I’ll help you.”

“You’ll help prevent Lucien’s rampage?”

“Yes, I believe Lord Selden Alphonse is capable enough, but a dragon’s rampage can bring many variables.”

“What kind of variables are you referring to?”

“There are various possibilities. For instance… Lord Selden Alphonse might fail to control his strength and accidentally kill Lucien, right?”

Robert’s words stung me.

If what he said was true, I would essentially become a father who lost his daughter.

I swallowed dryly and slightly bowed my head.

“…I would appreciate your help.”

“Then may I also follow Lord Selden Alphonse around like Kabla?”

“…Pardon?”

“Of course, like Kabla, I’d also like to hear about Lord Selden Alphonse’s life, but it’s fine if you refuse.”

“Will you also investigate on your own, Lord Robert…?”

“Yes.”

Like friend, like friend… even their speech patterns are identical.

I could understand how Kabla and Robert became friends.

I shook my head as if to say “there’s no helping it” and smiled gently.

“There’s no need to investigate on your own. If you ask me, I’ll answer everything.”

“Is that really alright?”

“Yes, you can simply follow me when I hunt monsters and train, as I do those things regularly anyway.”

“Then regarding your life, since it might be bothersome for you, I’ll discuss with Kabla and compile our questions to ask all at once.”

“If you do that, I would be grateful.”

“Haha! It seems I’ll be staying at Lake Estate longer than expected.”

After exchanging a few more words, Robert rose to his feet.

Then he bowed respectfully toward me.

“Now, shall we go meet our little dragon?”