The declaration of the second test was bold, but I didn’t kick the butt as soon as I finished talking.
“In the original test, it’s right to start right here, but everyone will need some time.”
“Obviously.”
It’s not another prey, it’s a dragon. It doesn’t make sense to ask them to catch them alone, but who will go if they don’t even prepare?
“Let each of us have three days to prepare. In the meantime, prepare everything you can. Even in tradition, personal items are not particularly restricted.”
In other words, it means that they don’t care if you bring a weapon or a special artifact that you hear from the dragon. It was fortunate for the candidates.
The candidates temporarily scattered, but the surroundings did not become quiet. Because the entire northern gaze was already focused on the king candidates.
“Huh, those ministers are single-handedly slaying dragons?”
“That’s right! It’s like choosing a king, so that’s enough!”
“No matter how brave the knights are, that’s a bit… … .”
“Do you know? We will actually see the knight who caught the dragon in our lifetime.”
The faces of some of the candidates turned dark at the sound of residents whispering. As long as I expressed my intention to participate, there was really nowhere to run.
On the contrary, there was also a candidate who spent the remaining time in a comfortable rest.
“It tastes good. It’s hard to eat such good meat in the North.”
Luke murmured as he chewed on the cut steak. As expected, the treatment is different because he is a candidate for the king. Seeing that, Bruno sighed deeply.
“Master, is the steak over?”
“You’re so sloppy, what’s the problem?”
“I heard you’re going to catch a dragon!”
As if frustrated, Bruno pounded his chest. No matter how you think about it, this wasn’t it.
“To be honest, even if Lord Ray and I came forward, the dragon is whether or not to catch it. But how did you say you would catch it alone?”
“Are you going to catch me? They said they’d catch Bjorn over there too.”
“No, that… … .”
Having said that, I had nothing to say. Because Bjorn lost to Luke dozens of times. If it was suicidal for Luke, it would be the same for Bjorn.
However, if both of them quit here, it would be like feeding Ragnar the throne. While Bruno hesitated, Ray stepped forward.
“Then I’d suggest both of you quit.”
“… … .”
“It is too dangerous.”
Luke paused for a moment at the serious look in his worried eyes. But he soon smiled and put the last piece of steak into his mouth.
“I am so happy to have such loyal vassals.”
“Lord.”
“Stop worrying. Would I have jumped in without thinking?”
“You have an idea, too.”
Bjorn looked at Luke with the eyes that believed him. Looking back on the past, Luke came up with a solution as if he had prepared it in advance.
Luke smiled and held out his forearm.
“Do you know what this is?”
“A bandage used as a wrist guard? It’s rare that it’s orange.”
“that!”
Bjorn’s words brought Bruno to his senses. Come to think of it, I forgot. One of the artifacts used by Dragon Slayer Leonic, a rune-engraved bandage.
The treasure of treasures that blocks all kinds of fire and heat. The dragon’s flame was no exception to that target.
“With this, at least it won’t melt away from your breath.”
“But isn’t the only reason why dragons are scary is because of their breath?”
“That’s true, but it’s a different story if it’s a Salamander.”
“… … !”
Salamander. One of the subspecies of dragons that is unusual in that it does not have sharp claws or hard scales. However, it is difficult to even get close to it as it always emits hot heat from its entire body.
When angered, it becomes so hot that it can melt quite a bit of armor and weapons. Although it has neither wings nor scales, it is more tricky than other dragons with this special ability.
“Honestly, with this artifact, it’s not difficult to catch a Salamander.”
“Yeah, that’s right.”
“But without the Salamander… … .”
“there is. This is for sure.”
In the past, Ragnar did everything possible to gather power in the divided north. The three most famous of these are raiding dungeons, excavating stone chambers, and hunting dragons.
At that time, he was not alone, but he used the army to catch three dragons, and displayed his authority by adorning the corpses with large decorations.
‘There was a Salamander among them.’
As it is a land adjacent to barbarians, Ragnar probably knows where and what kind of species live. And I’ll let you know before taking the exam.
Later, after the exam, it would be annoying if someone whined, ‘I met a special subspecies, it’s not fair’.
“If that’s for sure… … !”
“Yes, with this, Bjorn can catch the Salamander.”
“… yes?”
“Okay, take it.”
Luke unwrapped the bandage and threw it at Bjorn. Bjorn was bewildered but snatched up the bandage that had flown by.
“Salamander is a guy who relies heavily on his own ability, so his physical ability is relatively low. If you fight the lion after death, you will be able to catch it somehow.”
“… Lord? Wasn’t the master trying to catch the salamander with it?”
“It’s not?”
Luke grinned at Bruno, who asked blankly.
“I just want to challenge myself with my skills.”
“… … .”
* * *
Luke relaxed his neck with a tired face. It’s a long-awaited break, but I’m tired of persuading my vassals.
-What kind of guts are you!?
-I’d rather catch it with my bare body!
-My lord, please cherish your body!
– Calm down, you guys!
The rampage of vassals for almost two days barely stopped after Luke showed his full strength.
-If you can’t catch it anyway, you’ve gained the strength to escape! So stop worrying!
It was difficult for the vassals to understand Luke’s advice. It was after hearing that even that, if it was really dangerous, I had to avoid it.
“My lord, after all, this artifact is your lord’s… … .”
“stop. I am tired of persuasion.”
“but.”
“What are you going to do if you drop out for me in the first place?”
Sighing, Luke looked at Bjorn. Loyalty is good, but Bjorn had forgotten the nature of the current situation.
“Don’t forget this is not my fight It’s your fight.”
Luke has no intention of becoming King of the North. Nevertheless, the reason I participated in the primary was to prevent a bug character called Ragnar.
“Are you going to rule the North by relying on the authority I put on your plate? Is it okay for you to rule as a miserable king who can’t claim authority for himself?”
“… … .”
Bjorn, who was stabbed to the point, shut his mouth. Bjorn is also a northerner. Even if he reigned like that, he would not be able to escape the aristocrats who were only kings.
“Check your gear while you worry about me. Even though the salamander is weak compared to other dragons, you will be the one to risk your life on.”
“I will keep this in mind, lord.”
Bjorn stepped back with a determined face. Luke sighed and looked at Bjorn’s back.
‘From now on, I’ll have to tell you there’s a way, even if it’s a lie.’
He passed through so many crises lightly, but his worries. It was a bit annoying, but at the same time, I felt a warm feeling in my chest.
Everyone except Luke and Bjorn had already gathered at the meeting place.
“Looks like preparations are complete.”
After scanning the candidates, Ragnar pulled out a map and laid it on the table. It may have been made by barbarians, but it was quite sloppy, but it wasn’t to the extent that even the approximate location was mistaken.
The type of dragon was written with red markings all over the map.
“As you can see from this map, there are a total of eight dragons nestled in the snowfield.”
“Eight!?”
“So many… … !”
It was an expression that no one could have guessed that there were so many dragons. This surprised even Luke.
‘It’s a real f*cking land.’
It was understandable that the barbarians periodically engaged in predatory wars. It would be close to impossible to live purely self-sufficiently in a land like that.
“Excluding the candidates who resigned, there are six of them, so the number should suffice. Choose the prey you’re after. Keep in mind that once you choose, you cannot change it.”
“I will choose this one.”
As soon as Ragnar’s words ran out, Carol pointed to a corner of the map. Doris’ face contorted at the type of dragon written next to it.
“Lesser Dragon? Are you kidding me now!?”
“Is something wrong?”
“A monster that is embarrassing to even call a dragon!”
“It’s not like it’s not a dragon either.”
Carol crossed her arms with an impudent face. Lesser dragons are truly the weakest of the subspecies of dragons. It is small and its wings are degenerated, so it can hardly fly.
The breath was also weak and had clear signs, so it was easy to dodge. In fact, rather than being a dragon, a dragon that is treated as a monster in the form of a dragon.
“Anyway, if it’s written here, doesn’t that mean it’s recognized as one of the dragons? Isn’t that right, Warchief?”
“No way.”
Ragnar agreed, but at the same time, a deep sneering smile appeared on his lips.
“However, who would approve if I told you to kill the lesser dragon and become the king? At least our sons of the snow fields will treat you as an idiot.”
“… … .”
Carol dyed her face red with shame, but that was it. There was a glimpse of the thought that he would rather endure an insult than to catch another dragon with a high risk.
Doris glanced at Carol and pointed to the other side of the map.
“I will catch him.”
From noble mtl dot com
“Hmm, that’s Drake.”
His physical ability is not inferior to other dragons, but he has no wings and cannot breathe. Still, it was enough to hear the voice of a hero if he was single.
“Lord of Veldine? Did you pick them all?”
“I’ll take the Salamander here.”
“Salamander!? Are you serious!?”
Astonishment erupted from Doris and Carol. His pure physical ability is far weaker, but he’s more terrifying than most gigantic dragons because of the heat that covers his whole body!
“Blinded by honor!”
“Suicide, Lord Bjorn.”
“Kuhm, I’ve already made my choice.”
Bjorn cleared his throat and avoided the gaze of the people around him. In fact, it’s an easier opponent than Lesser Dragon because it has artifacts. Of course, I didn’t have to tell you that.
“It is wonderful indeed. That fearless determination truly deserves to be called a northern warrior.”
“Chemm! Cuckoo hum! Okay, let’s move on!”
Feeling guilty, Bjorn quickly passed his turn. All that was left were Ragnar, Logaine, and Luke. Luke’s eyes widened as he looked over the map.
‘what? Did he live here too?’
The name of the guy I hadn’t heard of before the return caught my eye. Luke pointed that way without hesitation.
“Do it with this guy.”
“… … !”
Ragnar and Logain’s faces hardened. Ragnar, who was silent for a moment, barely opened his mouth and spoke.
“Are you serious?”
“I mean it.”
“Don’t you know how terrible the hydra’s poison is?”
“Hey, Hydra!?”
Carol swallowed the wind. Truly the king of all poisons that exist in this world. It is said that if exposed to the hydra’s venom, the body turns purple in an instant and dies.
What’s even more frightening is that it’s not just teeth that are poisonous.
“Do you know how to be safe if you avoid being bitten? Not only does it breathe, but the scales that cover its body always secrete sticky poison. Even blood is extremely acidic.”
“So you know that the person who cut down the hydra always died with it. There is no need to remind you again.”
“You must be crazy!”
Ragnar shouted with an angry face. It wasn’t just worry, it was mixed with anger at having the highlights taken away.
In fact, Hydra is a polyp that even you can’t catch. The plan to get the highlight by picking the most difficult guy at the end was ruined.
“The hydra’s poison only works on dragons! Are you saying you can become a real dragon!”
Luke was stunned by Ragnar’s outraged cry. This bastard is very quick-witted, isn’t he?