The Story Of The Second Son Of The Baron Family [EN]: Chapter 40

Baron’s Second Son – Episode 40 – Last Free Release

A small mountain, not particularly high, possessed a unique feature about halfway up. Despite arriving directly above the magical energy signature indicated on the map, only trees were visible. Unsurprisingly, not even a single wyvern flew overhead.

“It seems to be underground.”

“Underground, huh? Should we dig our way in?”

“It could be dangerous.”

The magical energy signature hadn’t moved at all while we were moving. As Loran had noted, the blue color indicating the magical energy wasn’t very strong, but if it really represented the presence of a dragon, digging straight down could lead to the misfortune of falling right on top of it.

“The dragon was quite large, right?”

“Yeah. Too far away to know the exact size, but it was bigger than two or three average high-level species.”

“Then there must be enough space under here for a creature of that size to move around. The entrance must be somewhere on this mountain. It would be better to find the entrance.”

The mountain wasn’t very big. And a space large enough for a 20-meter giant to move in and out of wasn’t common. Finding the entrance shouldn’t be too difficult. We began searching around the point of interest and, as expected, soon found a place that seemed like an entrance.

“What should we do?”

I thought the best option was for some of us to prepare to escape and wait outside, while others went in to confirm the identity of the magical energy. Even if those who went inside couldn’t escape and died, those outside might be able to run away.

“Duo.”

“Should I stay behind?”

“Yes. Wait at the entrance with Mute. It shouldn’t take too long to get back to the Tera Barrier, even at a slow pace. If we don’t come out after half a day, or if there’s any trouble, report the situation immediately.”

“Boto, you stay too. Go back together in case of an emergency. You know how to use the map, right?”

“Of course. I was hoping to see a dragon with my own eyes, even if I was skeptical. What a shame.”

Two knights and a mage stayed outside. The remaining nine of us decided to enter the cave. As soon as we entered, the sunlight disappeared, and darkness greeted us, but creating light was a simple spell for the mages here.

“I don’t know if it’s a dragon or what, but it’s clear there’s a huge creature inside.”

“It seems strong enough to break rocks just by moving.”

“It must weigh a ton, judging by its size. Look, footprints.”

There were no footprints outside, but inside the cave, deeply imprinted footprints began to appear.

“That’s strange. I didn’t see these footprints outside.”

“Indeed. With a size like this, there should be footprints outside too.”

“Could it be hibernating?”

“Summer started a while ago. If it’s still hibernating, it’s quite the sleepyhead.”

If it was hibernating as I expected, that would be fortunate. At least there would be a chance to return safely if we didn’t provoke it. But if it was awake and we had entered a tiger’s den, unimaginable things would happen.

“Shall we go further in?”

“We can’t turn back until we see it with our own eyes. Let’s move forward.”

It didn’t take long to confirm the identity of the footprints.

#

“What is that…”

“I’m sure. That’s the one. That’s the one I saw.”

“Be quiet. You’ll wake it up.”

Horns as large as its head protruded from both sides, and crimson scales shone even in the darkness. Its wings were large enough to cover its body, and its tail was as long as its body. It was exactly the dragon we had imagined.

For a while, we stared blankly at the dragon. It was sleeping, eyes closed and body curled up, but just looking at it inspired awe. It was also terrifying. But it didn’t take long to realize that we couldn’t afford to admire it.

Snore-

Rumble-

“Is it, sleep-talking?”

“Everyone, be quiet. Quietly exit the cave. Avoid any actions that might provoke the dragon.”

We all carefully began to leave the cave, trying not to make any noise. But as everyone moved cautiously, only Loran stared at the dragon with bloodshot eyes, unable to look away.

“Mr. Loran.”

“…I have to get revenge. It’s telling me to get revenge. If I just kill that thing…”

As if possessed, he kept repeating revenge, his eyes seeming to have killed the dragon hundreds of times over. I quickly blocked Loran’s view of the dragon.

“I have to kill that thing to be forgiven. I have to kill it…”

“Mr. Loran! Snap out of it!”

I met his gaze and shook his shoulders, afraid he would cast a spell at the dragon any moment. Any reckless action here could lead not only Loran but everyone here to their deaths. No, it was certain to.

“…Renil?”

“Get a grip. Revenge? Yes, we will. But not now. We can’t kill that thing now, even if we die and come back to life.”

The group consisted of two knights who could become masters with just one more step, six knights at the level below, two 5th circle mages, one 4th circle mage, and one 3rd circle mage. Their power was strong enough to find a path to victory against any monster known so far, but it was lacking against the dragon before them. If it was a party to become a dragon slayer, it would need a master like Duke Zieg and a 7th circle mage to fit the legend.

“Besides, it’s not just Mr. Loran’s revenge. Loran wasn’t the only one who had a connection with the people who died there. Understand? One step back for two steps forward. Now is the time for one step back.”

The dragon’s power before us might have been weaker than I thought. But judging from the traces, it was clear that this vast cave was its home. Now was not the time to risk our lives on uncertain hope, but to retreat to build up the power to overcome the situation even if that hope turned to dust.

My words seemed to have an effect, and Loran’s eyes returned to normal. He was still clenching his fists so tightly that his nails were digging in and drawing blood, and his lips were bitten so hard that red blood was visible, but at least he had regained his reason.

“Not right now, it would be impossible right now.”

“The opportunity will surely come.”

Clang- Clang-

We were moving as carefully as possible, but with the armor we were wearing, it was impossible not to make noise. Even I, who was lightly armed compared to the others, was wearing chainmail covered by a robe. If it weren’t for magic, the cave’s environment would have combined to wake the sleeping dragon long ago.

“Did you return? Was there really a dragon inside?”

“Yes. There was. I saw it with my own eyes.”

The group waiting at the entrance greeted us as we carefully but quickly exited the cave. Those who hadn’t seen the dragon themselves exclaimed in disappointment at the news, but we couldn’t risk danger to satisfy their curiosity. We hurried back to the Tera Barrier.

Inside the cave, the dragon, who had been hibernating very late, opened its eyes at the scent. It didn’t matter whether it hibernated or not, but it had tried it once. It didn’t matter if it woke up early, but it didn’t want to wake up since it had already fallen asleep.

As a result, it was hungrier than usual, and Renil’s group, who appeared at that moment, were no different from delicious prey.

The magical energy of each individual was far superior to the surrounding monsters, so the afterglow of magical energy was bound to be strong. Originally, it was planning to laze around a little longer, but the combination of the factors mentioned above, unfortunately for Renil’s group, forced it to open its eyes.

#

Our group quickly left the mountain and headed south. Rather than running straight towards the Tera Barrier, it was important to avoid unnecessary collisions and get away from the dragon.

“A dragon, a dragon was really a real creature!”

“This is news that will shake the world.”

“Can we really catch it?”

“If Duke Ponk, Duke Zieg, and the Master of the Magic Tower are with us, wouldn’t we be able to face even a dragon?”

The topic was, of course, about the dragon. It couldn’t be helped. Like Loran said, everything from the size to the atmosphere was so different from simple subspecies. It seemed like we knew why drakes and wyverns, which were considered high-level monsters, were only called subspecies.

“Huh? Why is it suddenly shady…?”

As the group ran south at such a fast pace, a shadow fell over them. There was still plenty of time before the sun went down, and there was nothing around to create a shadow, so we thought there might be a flying monster above us. When we looked up, we were surprised that it wasn’t a simple flying monster, and twice as surprised that it was the same figure we had seen in the cave.

Flap- Flap- Thud-

With a pair of wings that kicked up a cloud of dust as it landed. The ground shook as if to announce that such a large mass had suddenly landed on the ground. And when all the rising dust settled, we could clearly see the dragon’s figure that we had glimpsed in the darkness.

Kroooooooo-

As we faced the figure before us, our hands and feet trembled, and soon we couldn’t think of anything. The fear we felt when it was asleep was nothing. Is this what a rabbit feels when it faces a lion? I couldn’t imagine myself getting back alive.

[Not only did you invade my territory, but you also woke me up!]

I realized what Loran meant when he said it spoke human language. I was actually curious. How could he hear the voice clearly from such a distance, or how could it make a human voice from a completely different structure? The dragon didn’t speak. It just conveyed its will to us.

[There will only be death!]

The huge forefoot began to approach us.

Baron’s Second Son – Episode 40 – Last Free Release End