episode_0006

“100 dragons. I will only give you 100 dragons.”

William, the commander of the Dragon Knights, shot me a disdainful look and uttered those words.

“Just that much will be sufficient.”

I obediently nodded my head.

In the original novel, he was an unwavering loyalist who, even in the despicable war incited by Lendor to seize the emperor’s throne after his death, did not surrender a single dragon from the Dragon Knights. Despite witnessing his family being executed by Lendor, he never yielded the Dragon Knights.

The fact that he offered 100 dragons was probably because it was the emperor’s command. Citing the reason that if all 300 dragons were to move to the Rako Mountains, they would be unable to protect the imperial city, he agreed to provide only 100 dragons.

“I don’t trust you.”

Commander William growled at me openly.

“I don’t know what trick you’re trying to pull by asking for dragons, but it’s not because of some excuse to thwart Sultan Saladin’s ambition.”

“I can’t trust you either. It’s really because of that reason.”

“The 100 dragons will return to the capital every week. Divided into three groups, they will rotate and guard Lord Elond’s territory. The guardian dragons will remain stationed, that’s all.”

Commander William revealed his distrust towards me and his intention to monitor me with that one remark. If the 100 dragons do not reside permanently and the personnel on duty change every week, it becomes difficult to persuade them. Since he doesn’t trust me, he made that decision.

And so, the 100 dragons that returned will report to Commander William in detail about everything they have seen and heard. And if anything suspicious arises, Commander William will order the dragons to kill me in order to protect the emperor.

It was exactly as I had read in the novel, both in words and actions.

“That works out well. While they’re coming and going, would it be alright to send some supplies with the dragons?”

However, I did not engage in actions such as laughing with hidden conspiracy or subtly threatening. I was planning to have the delivery done by a wyvern anyway, so it doesn’t matter if they come out first. It’s good for me.

“What?”

“We’re going to move some of the goods we received from the Western Continent to the capital. While we’re at it, can we also transport those goods on the wyverns? Since they’ll be going back and forth anyway.”

“……..Are you saying you want to use wyverns as delivery shuttles?”

“Yes.”

“…….”

“We even came up with a name. Wyvern Delivery, order today and arrive tomorrow. We’ll promote it to the nobles in the capital. Since they go back and forth every week anyway. Is that okay?”

An unmistakable confusion appeared on Director William’s face.

“Well… I don’t really mind.”

“Then I’m satisfied. Can you let me ride a wyvern? I’m curious to try.”

Director William gave me a look as if wondering what’s wrong with this person. But I smiled and looked at him.

“I’ll show you how to create a magnificent empire where the people don’t suffer and the treasury doesn’t deplete. Just watch.”

“Don’t talk nonsense and get lost right away.”

He snapped at me, but I still disappeared in front of him with a smile.

Wyverns were incredibly fast.

With 100 wyverns and a guardian dragon, I was able to reach the Elond Territory in half a day, leaving the capital behind.

It was an added bonus that I had to vomit heavily as soon as I arrived due to riding a wyvern for the first time.

Dragons.

Monsters covered in impenetrable scales, faster than arrows, and capable of spewing flames hotter than steel. If the Western Continent had thousands of elephant units, the Eastern Continent had these monsters.

The wyvern knights were the troops that rode and tamed these dragons.

The dragons they rode were usually about 30 meters long with wings spanning around 25 meters, but occasionally there were ones that were abnormally large even among them.

The monstrous creature, measuring 70 meters in length with wings spanning 60 meters, was far stronger and more vicious than any other dragon. These creatures were commonly referred to as “Guardian Dragons,” a special name that bestowed them with glory.

Ordinary humans refused to ride on their backs, allowing only the special dragons born from noble lineage to carry them. According to the original novel’s setting, the current Guardian Dragon recognized only Karia as its master and obeyed her commands.

“Is this… for real? How is this even possible?”

Interpreters from the Merchant Guild, who were busy working, were startled and rushed out of the building with their mouths agape upon seeing 100 wyverns gracefully descending from the sky and one giant Guardian Dragon landing on the ground.

Where did they come from?

Everyone working in the Elond Territory panicked and prostrated themselves upon witnessing the dragons’ presence. After all, the Wyvern Knights were an armed force symbolizing the Emperor’s authority.

Only the soldiers of the Ironblood Legion remained unfazed, seemingly accustomed to the sight of dragons.

“Randor!”

Of course. Whether it was a dragon or anything else, Princess Karia, who had fallen deeply in love with me, never ceased to run towards me and embrace me tightly.

“Let’s go inside.”

I led the hundred wyverns’ squadron leader, the interpreters, Karia, and the officers of the Ironblood Legion into the building to start the meeting. The wyverns were temporarily placed in the prepared tunnels for safekeeping.

“Soon, we will face Sultan Saldin.”

My words surprised everyone.

“Sultan? Are you talking about Sultan Saldin? Are you planning to wage war using the wyverns? We were mobilized to protect the capital and prevent war, not to invade enemy territory according to your ambitions!”

I raised my head in response to the hostile question from Wyvern Squadron Leader Gerard.

“That’s impossible, Gerard. How could you even think that? The war will be waged by them, not us.”

“What?”

While Gerard was taken aback, I looked at the interpreters.

“They must have sent a dove to the Golden City where the Sultan resides, right?”

“Yes. We have captured a special envoy from our merchant guild and sent a message towards the capital. We have opened up a trade route and would like permission to engage in trade through it.”

“Then the Sultan must be leading his elephant troops and army towards this direction. Using his sorcerers and the power of the sacred ground, he can surpass the marching speed of any legion, passing through three or four cities in a day. The Western Trade Route must sound very enticing to his ambitious self.”

Upon hearing my words, Karia clenches her fist tightly.

“I swear. Those guys won’t even touch a strand of Randor’s hair.”

“Oh, Your Highness. It would be troublesome if you were to wage war. Just a peaceful demonstration of force should be sufficient.”

“How can we demonstrate force? If we burn down one of the enemy’s cities as an example…”

Karia, the invincible one.

Truly brave and unrivaled in military command and combat, she is the strongest in this world. But at times like this, she is useless. I calmed her down and explained how to carry out a peaceful demonstration of force.

“Send the 200,000 elite legion to the opposite side of the trade route. Dress them up meticulously, not for battle but for display, just like during the victory parade in the capital. And while they are arranged, let the dragons fly around to create an atmosphere of terror. Then, with me and the interpreters on the guardian dragons, fly down in front of the Sultan and land.”

The interpreters looked at me with worried expressions upon hearing my words.

“Do you think the Sultan will stop his ambition after seeing a mere 200,000 troops and dragons? If anything, it might stimulate his competitive spirit and make him want to start a war immediately.”

“That’s true. However, the key here is not the dragons or the elite legion. That’s not the essence.”

As I said that, I stuck out my tongue.

Before everyone’s eyes, the legendary tongue, which even the Emperor and the Empire’s strongest princess couldn’t resist, was revealed.

“I will try to convince him with this.”

I had confidence.

“With this, I will defeat his legion and secure the trading rights.”

“Invasion alert!!! Your Highness!! You must come out and see!”

We were confronted by an enormous army of elephants, filling the horizon, along with even more infantry. Their numbers were so intimidating, revealing the Sultan’s ambition.

“Great Conqueror! Unifier of the Western Continent! Salakh At-Dim, the Eternal Sovereign, sends a message to the overseer of the trade route!! Two choices are given! Surrender the trade route and cowardly spare your life! Otherwise, face a dreadful but honorable death at the blades of the Divine Legion! What will you choose?”

As we set up camp on the plain before the trade route, Caria and I, a messenger from the Sultan approached us with a threatening tone, delivering the Sultan’s words. I trembled with certainty that war was about to unfold, accompanied by ten interpreters who were petrified, and Caria emanating a fierce aura. Together, riding on a guardian dragon, we advanced towards the Sultan.

Up until this point, it was evident to anyone that war was imminent.

However, exactly 30 minutes after meeting the Sultan and me…

“Hahaha! A pleasing army!! Excellent! Defeat the legion, and I shall grant permission for the trade! Randor!!! My brother!!!!!”

I managed to secure the Sultan’s declaration of alliance.

The shocked expressions of the ten bewildered interpreters and Caria were quite a sight.

“Captain Gerard, I bring you greetings upon my return.”

A week later, Captain Gerard returned to the capital with 100 dragons. After receiving such greetings from Gerard, Commander William hastily led him into the secret chamber of the Knight Order, where no one could hear or see them.

“Greet His Highness, the Great Prince. It is Adran of Gold.”

Gerard widened his eyes upon seeing Adran, who had been waiting for him in the secret chamber. He immediately prostrated himself on the floor.

“I behold the Empire’s light.”

“Rise, Captain Gerard. This is our private space. Let us postpone formalities for now,” Adran said, and Gerard cautiously stood up.

“His Highness, the Crown Prince, wishes to hear about the events in the Rako Mountains, Randolph. What that vile human intended to do with 100 dragons and what happened in the Rako Mountains while you were there. Report it clearly.”

“Yes.”

Gerald bowed his head and began his explanation.

“Three days after we reached the Rako Mountains, Sultan Saladin’s legion of the Eternal Lord arrived on the opposite side of the trade route, at the Golden Meadow. They came with a million troops and thousands of elephant units.”

Adran’s eyes widened.

“If Sultan Saladin brought such a massive army, there should have been a war. Reports of a war breaking out haven’t come yet. Please tell me what happened.”

“Yes. The Sultan offered two choices. Surrender the trade route and cowardly spare their lives, or defend the trade route and face an honorable death by the Divine Legion. Upon hearing this, Randolph took the princess of Karia and the interpreters on the Guardian Dragon and went to meet the Sultan. And he hasn’t returned for four days.”

“Is he dead?”

“No. He returned just this morning, right before we were about to depart. He brought a pile of gold and treasures provided by the Sultan. And then…”

As Gerald hesitated in his words, Adran grew anxious and interrupted him.

“And then? Did he conspire with the Sultan to conquer the Eastern Continent? That traitor must have said something like that.”

“No. It’s hard to believe, but he supposedly secured a monopoly on trade through the land route to the Western Continent. And he said he received ownership of the Golden Meadow to build a road.”

“How on earth…?”

“Randolph apparently talked to the Sultan as if he were telling a fable. Shall I tell you the story?”

“Please do. I want to hear it.”

In response to Adran’s request, Gerald began his explanation.

“As soon as Randolph faced the Sultan, he returned the words the Sultan had spoken.”

“What did he say?”

“Boldly, he offered the Sultan two choices. Whether to take the sword or take the gold.”

Adran’s expression crumpled at those words.

If he didn’t mishear…

“Isn’t that a threat?”

Those words were a threat directed towards the Sultan.

Chief Gerard chuckled with a bewildered smile and nodded his head.

“Yes, Your Highness. It is said that the traitor audaciously issued a threat during their first encounter with the Sultan.”