Starting Point
As Asahi was still bowing, I was still in awe of the dragon's stature. It was as huge as the rumors say.
In fact, staring at it from up close could break one's neck if they do it in a hurry.
When the dragon came down, and with the sun's rays no longer blinding, I was able to get a good look at it.
The dragon had bright, colorful crimson scales. Touching it seemed like it would burn your hand.
It opened its mouth slightly, breathing out a large amount of smoke or steam.
"Lord Zeraff... It is a pleasure to see you again."
"..."
I swallowed the spit in my mouth while staring at the dragon, as it did not respond to Asahi.
"You with the swords. Tell me, what is your name?"
He was ignored like he didn't exist.
The dragon finally opened its mouth to speak. Its voice does not match the movement of its mouth.
At least the books were correct in saying these monsters were intelligent enough to speak.
"..."
"I asked you a question. You will answer me now. What is your name?!"
The dragon spoke again, its voice grumpy, old, menacing, and terrifying to hear.
It sounded like the voice of a middle-aged man ready to enter his grandpa stage. But it was hard to get a feel for the dragon's intentions under the intimidating gaze, the strong voice that rings in your ears, and the terrifying presence that sends chills down one's spine.
Although it seems I was the only one with the chill. Asahi could only look at us from the corner of his eyes while still bowing, and the spirit, Death's Mercy, had his hand on his sword, ready to draw at any moment.
He was still composed, but even he could tell that a fight against this dragon would only end in his downfall, and spell my death.
He couldn't let that happen, but his hand remained on the hilt of his katana. The least he could do is buy me some time to get away if it does turn into a battle.
He looked at me like he required permission to speak back, and all I did was nod my head in a hurry, scared of what might happen if the dragon got even grumpier and angrier.
I don't know.
Something about Asahi's look told me that this dragon could turn this whole place into rubble in an instant, and with little force required.
"I do not have a name, but you can call me Death's Mercy. That's what my master calls me."
"...Don't have a name? Aa, I see... You're just a mere spirit."
A mere spirit.
When the dragon said that, I immediately knew that even a guardian spirit was no match for this beast.
Every fear bone in my body was vibrating nonstop. And as they continued to vibrate, my fear turned into acceptance. Acceptance that any hope of resisting would be immediately squashed.
"Who is your master? Who is it that you offer your mercy to?"
Zeraff spoke, and before Mercy could answer, he shifted his focus to me and continued to lower his head.
His face was so close that I could feel the hot breath on my face. No, it wasn't warm. Not like the warm breath you breathe onto your palms when you're trying to warm up on a cold day.
This air was hot.
It distorts even the surroundings if you look through it.
I stared back at him into his golden, narrow eyes, not daring to blink.
"Are you the master of this spirit?"
"Ahah! Ahah!"
I didn't even hesitate to nod my head multiple times in agreement.
At that time, it was a surefire way to make it stick that I was genuine in my response. There are no lies in a body language response under extreme pressure. Someone can try, but if the result is death, the body will defy any order you give, developing a mind of its own.
Natural survival instinct.
"Tell me, are you an otherworlder?"
"Ah... Yes. I do have memories from my past life, don't know about otherworlder."
His question surprised me and made me realize that dragons are more than intelligent; they are also very knowledgeable.
About most things, a mortal could never hope to understand.
It is expected that if you live for thousands of years and even longer, you would be wiser to the ways of life and the different species that came and left you behind.
"If I may interject, lord Zeraff, sir... You see, he is like me."
Zeraff glanced through the corner of his pointy eyes to look at Asahi, who stood up and yet was still exuding manners of respect.
Even his way of speaking was different.
It was more obedient than cheerful, unlike how he was acting not so long ago.
This must be what they mean to show a king or ruler the respect they are due. Never to be familiar with them.
After Asahi spoke, Zeraff returned his eyes to me.
"So another reincarnate..." He said.
He then raised his head to assume his original huge statue, which towered above the forest trees.
He looked at Mercy as if remembering something; as if he was studying him.
In my mind, I was busy contemplating what we could have done to attract the attention of a dragon, when Asahi spoke again.
"If I may ask, what brings you out of your chambers today?"
"I sensed an immense power from this place..."
There was no fear in his voice, the kind that arises from feeling something threatening. Rather, his voice was melancholy in a way.
Like reliving memories.
He took a good, long look at Mercy before speaking for the last time.
"Child of light..."
"Yes."
Asahi answered. Zeraff must be calling him by his light spirit, or maybe it is something else entirely.
I wouldn't know, I just arrived at this place yesterday, and today I was attracting the attention of a dragon.
Not to sound arrogant or anything, but I do believe Zeraff was here because of me, more specifically because he felt the mana of Mercy manifesting for the first time.
"Who was releasing that mana I felt?"
"Oh. It was the spirit, my lord. You see, that is a Guardian Spirit."
"I see... Then bring this spirit and its owner to my chambers at first light tomorrow."
"..."
He said that and flew away after. He didn't wait for a response. To him, there was only one response to his words - the action of bringing what he requested to him.
And that was what was going to happen. There was no way we could defy a dragon.
He flew off in the direction he came from.
Throughout the entire time he was here, and the time he placed that order with Asahi, Zeraff never once acknowledged me.
I must have been nothing more than carrying what got his attention.
"Man, that was scary."
I stare as Zeraff flies away into the forest cover and let out a sigh of relief.
My chest loosens, and my posture becomes a little sluggish, as if releasing all the tension it had stored up under that immense pressure.
"Master, I'm afraid my time is up."
"...oh."
Mercy said something about having no time. I didn't understand at first what he meant by that until his body started to dissolve in the air, and his mana flowed back towards me as if seeping inside my body.
It was an odd feeling, unlike when I used mana build.
☆☆☆
"Now that the mood and tension had eased up, it is the perfect time to ask some questions... Mainly, who the heck was that?"
I said in a shivering voice, trying to make sure Zeraff doesn't overhear me.
"Hehe. I have never seen you scared like that, even in our past lives..."
He answered my question with a snide remark.
Although it was kind of rude to do that, he had one thing mistaken.
I wasn't scared, I was terrified to the core of my soul.
How can one person be calm in a situation like that, when a dragon the size you have never seen stands before you in curiosity?
"That would be the lord of this country. Zeraff the Flame Dragon. Or better known among the dark elves living here as The Tired Ruler."
"...I do not want to get on his bad side, ever."
"You don't have to worry about that, he's a chill dragon after all. Besides, this works out perfectly."
"Huh?.."
I was confused by his words and attitude. What was perfect about that situation?
I was scared out of my wits and couldn't move.
However, I was also curious about him. Like, why was a dragon interested in my guardian spirit?
"I was planning to take you to him eventually. You are going to be amazed, trust me."
He had a smirk on his face; certainly a satisfied smirk.
He stared at the forest as if he could see through it.
I didn't know it then, but this would turn out to be the point where my life changed, maybe even before today.
But this was the end of my weakness.
