26. A Dragon Chooses…

After traveling east from the royal palace by horse for half a day, a towering mountain came into view.

Its summit was shrouded in clouds so thick that the peak remained invisible.

At the mountain’s base lay the Dragon’s Sanctuary.

From a distance, the sheer cliff face appeared to be an impassable wall, but a large gate stood prominently at its center, with two sentries stationed on either side.

“I’m carrying a letter of recommendation…”

Reet announced this to the sentries, who immediately saluted him.

“Welcome to the Dragon’s Sanctuary, sir knight. We shall open the gate for you now.”

One of the sentries pushed open the massive gate. Beyond lay a dark passageway, faintly lit by candlelight, with a brilliant opening visible about fifty meters ahead—unmistakably the exit.

“Please proceed down the passage.”

“Thank you.”

Reet followed their direction, passing through the gate and stepping into the sanctuary.

As he walked through the cave and emerged into the open air—

“Graaaaahhhhh!!!”

A roar that pierced the eardrums.

Several dragons soared through the sky, their jet-black scales gleaming with brilliant radiance.

When their wings cut through the air, the wind they generated reached even Reet’s position.

So those are… dragons!

Dragons were exceedingly rare creatures. This was Reet’s first time seeing one in person.

As Reet stood transfixed, gazing upward in awe, someone called out to him from ahead.

“Welcome to the Dragon’s Sanctuary, sir knight.”

The voice belonged to an elderly man who appeared to be well past sixty, small in stature, with long white hair and a flowing beard that gave him the appearance of a sage.

“It’s an honor to meet you. My name is Reet.”

When Reet introduced himself, the old man replied, “I am Cogi.”

“I’ve come to see the dragon eggs…”

“Ah yes, I shall show you the way.”

Reet followed Cogi deeper into the village. The sanctuary was built in a basin surrounded by sheer cliffs, shaped like an inverted cup, with buildings nestled at the bottom.

“As it happens, we have another knight visiting today.”

“Is that so?”

“It would be fortunate if you both could examine the eggs together.”

Upon hearing this, Reet straightened his posture as he walked. He was getting along well enough with Ursu, but relations with other knights remained strained. I had been hoping to build a better rapport with at least one of them here.

But upon seeing “the other knight,” I realized that reconciliation would be impossible.

“Kait!”

The other knight who had come to see the eggs was Kait.

Reet was struck by how small the world truly was.

“Reet! What in the— why are you here!”

“I came to see the eggs…”

Reet answered straightforwardly.

Kait’s response was scathing.

“Ha! There’s no way a man abandoned by the goddess could be chosen by a dragon. Don’t say such ridiculous things.”

Reet thought it was none of Kait’s business, but he found he had no energy to argue back.

“Gentlemen, let us refrain from quarreling and proceed directly to view the eggs,” Cogi said, attempting to mediate between the two.

“…Right, fine. I’ll let this Classless fool watch as I, blessed with the Holy Knight Class, am chosen by a dragon too.”

The two were led by Cogi into a building. Inside was a lobby-like space furnished with a single table at its center. Beyond, guarded by sentries, stood a heavy door.

“Please wait here. I shall bring the eggs momentarily.”

With that, Cogi disappeared through the door.

After a short time, he returned, cradling an enormous egg in his arms. He placed it carefully on a cushion atop the table.

“Now then. First, Lord Reet, please place your palm upon the egg. The result shall appear at once—dragons decide immediately, you understand.”

Reet swallowed hard, then gently placed his hand on the egg.

A cool, chilling sensation.

But.

One second passed, then two, then three. Nothing happened.

“I’m afraid this one was not meant for you,” Cogi said gently.

Kait laughed triumphantly through his nose.

“See? There’s no way a Classless fool could bond with a dragon. You’d be better off not hoping.”

Kait then thrust his hand onto the egg’s surface as if to say it was his turn.

…But nothing occurred.

“What?!”

Kait cried out in frustration.

“Now, now, don’t be hasty,” Cogi replied placidly.

He then carried the egg back through the door and returned with a different one.

“This one is a Red Dragon egg. What do you think?”

This time Kait was quick to place his hand on it. But again, nothing happened.

Reet followed suit, but received no response whatsoever.

“Let us see…”

……

…

…And then ten more eggs were brought out, but none of them reacted even slightly.

“Hmm, that was the last of them, but I’m afraid neither of you has found a match…”

Cogi lamented this.

“What! There are no more?”

Kait pressed further.

Kait could not afford to leave empty-handed. If he returned without a dragon, his father would be furious.

“Hmm. Though I must say, the eggs are limited in number…”

Cogi stroked his beard thoughtfully.

But after a moment’s reflection, he seemed to have a realization and snapped his fingers.

“Of course. I nearly forgot—there is one more egg I haven’t tried yet.”

“That’s it! Yes! Bring that one out!”

At Kait’s insistence, Cogi retreated into the back room again.

But this time it took several minutes for him to return.

When he did, the egg he carried was noticeably smaller than all the others.

It was a deep blue, as if one were gazing into the ocean itself.

The depth of color was entirely different from the previous eggs.

“Actually, this egg was laid seven hundred years ago.”

“Seven hundred years? You mean it hasn’t bonded with anyone all that time?”

“That’s correct. There is no other dragon as stubborn as this one. And when it hatches, it will likely be among the strongest dragons. Eggs that wait long for their master are often the most formidable.”

At Cogi’s explanation, Kait flexed his arms eagerly.

“All right, watch this…”

Kait then pressed his hand forcefully onto the blue egg.

But.

Nothing occurred.

Kait’s shoulders sagged noticeably.

“Don’t take it too hard. Even our past knight commanders could not win its affection. There’s no point in despair.”

Cogi tried to console Kait, but his words seemed to fall on deaf ears.

“Now then, Lord Reet. Do give it a try.”

Prompted by this, Reet reached out his hand.

And then.

As his fingertips drew near the egg, his hand suddenly grew faintly warm.

The moment his palm made contact—

A small crack sounded from the shell.

“Ohhh! Surely not! The dragon has chosen a master! You have been selected, Lord Reet!”

Cogi, previously composed, spoke now with barely contained excitement.

And in the next instant, the shell shattered completely—and from within emerged a blue dragon.

A creature no larger than a kitten, yet unmistakably possessing wings.

The dragon, its eyes closed, slowly opened them after a moment.

Its transparent eyes gazed upon Reet.

“Kuuuuuu…”

Releasing a breath-like cry, the small creature spread its tiny wings and stood upright on its two legs.

Then it rubbed itself against Reet’s hand.

A gentle warmth touched his palm.

“In all my years, I never thought I would witness someone chosen by this egg…”

Cogi marveled at the sight.

But Kait could not accept the reality that Reet had been chosen by a dragon.

“I-Impossible!! That a man abandoned by the goddess—a Classless fool—would be chosen by a dragon! This must be some kind of mistake!”

With those words, Kait stormed from the room.

Startled by Kait’s shout, the dragon flinched in fear.

Seeing this, Reet gently stroked the creature’s head.

“Don’t be afraid… You’re a good one.”

At the sound of his voice, the dragon wrapped its small front claws around Reet’s arm and embraced him tighter.

Its claws, still soft, dug pleasantly into his skin.

How adorable…

Before he could stop himself, Reet whispered those words aloud.