Chapter 2 : The Emperor’s Child

After polymorphing into a human form, I decided not to revert to my dragon form for now.

Having lived in this human body for 30 years, it felt more comfortable.

Anyway, I began organizing the situation around me.

The place I was in was a somewhat cold forest.

Judging by the chilly air, there might be a lake nearby.

“Couldn’t the GM have given me a bit more information before bailing?”

There was no choice but to rely on the background knowledge I had here.

First and foremost, figuring out what kind of dragon I was was crucial.

Dragon faction fights were brutal, after all.

In the hero fantasy game, dragon factions were divided into five groups.

The first was Glacier.

These were the ones who lived in snowy fields.

However, the place I was in, while cold, didn’t seem to be a snow-covered forest, so I ruled them out.

The second was Volcano.

From their name alone, you could tell they were fiery hot.

They lived in volcanic regions with no vegetation, so they were out too.

The third was Wind.

They were a bit more plausible since they lived in high, windy areas where it was cold.

But because the highlands had fewer trees, I ruled them out as well.

The fourth was Lake.

They lived in forests with lakes.

Hmm, they seemed like the most likely.

The fifth was Mineral.

Considering my appearance, they also seemed plausible.

As their name suggested, parts of their body sparkled like minerals.

Judging by the way my horns and tail scales shimmered gold, they fit the description.

“Hmm…”

Maybe there would be a hint in my status window?

With that thought, I opened it again.

[Entity Name: (Not Determined)]

[Race: Dragon]

[Level: 2]

[Skills: Polymorph, Breath, Flight, Roar, Charm… and many more.]

[Strength: 99]

[Magic: 99]

[Intelligence: ?]

[Stamina: 99]

[Titles: 2 titles held.]

There wasn’t anything particularly hint-worthy.

If anything, it only deepened my confusion.

“Now that I think about it, something’s strange. Why is my race listed as just ‘Dragon’?”

In Hero Fantasy, dragons were categorized by terrain, each with a distinct racial designation.

So why was I simply labeled as ‘Dragon’?

And upon closer inspection, something else had changed.

“What’s this? A title system?”

The title system.

It was purely decorative—a feature that rewarded achievements and allowed players to display titles before their names.

But what good was it when I couldn’t even use it?

I didn’t have a name yet.

And I already had two titles?

I hadn’t even done anything yet.

As expected of Hero Fantasy’s most overpowered race.

Among players, there were jokes about how the final evolution of the Demon King’s race was on par with a Level 1 dragon.

…That might actually be true.

“What, do I earn achievements just by doing nothing?”

I was curious. Should I just take a look?

[Would you like to view the Title Archive?]

[Y/N]

“Yes.”

Guessing this was how to respond, I answered, and the Title Archive opened with a flash.

[Viewing Title Archive.]

[Title 1: I’m Back.]

[You have been given a new life!]

[Title 2: Child of the Sovereign.]

[There is no one in this world who can stop you!]

“Hmm.”

What on earth does this mean?

The first title seemed easy enough to understand. It felt like a title given to those who have been reborn. It seemed to be a very unique one.

As for the second title…

“Child of the Sovereign?”

What was that supposed to mean?

It probably had something to do with my parents. Or maybe they just called dragons “sovereigns.”

My head was starting to ache.

I didn’t know my own identity, and without knowing that, I couldn’t decide where to go or what to do.

Dragon faction fights were fierce, so I needed to figure out who I was before seeking anyone out.

“Sigh… this is bleak.”

As I wallowed in despair—

Grrrrrgle.

“Ugh.”

My stomach let out a loud protest.

“My body… feels so weak…”

They say baby birds use up a tremendous amount of energy when they hatch from their eggs.

It seemed dragons were no different.

“Dizzy… I can’t keep sitting around like this.”

Whatever dragon territory this was, I’d rolled and fallen here, so the dragons here were probably like me… right?

“Anything… is there anything to eat around here?”

With that, I started scavenging for food.

ROAAAARRRR!!!

A terrifying cry echoed from somewhere nearby.

[You have discovered prey!]

[Title: Child of the Sovereign has detected the status effect: Hunger!]

[The Sovereign’s Grace descends upon you!!]

“The Sovereign’s Grace? What’s that supposed to be?”

I didn’t know, but my vision felt sharper, and I felt a surge of strength.

Boom!!!
Boom!!!

There was no time to stay clueless.

The source of the deafening sound revealed itself, radiating a massive presence before me.

“It’s coming this way? Looks pretty big… Will I even be able to eat it all?”

[Entity Name: Specter of the Lake Forest.]

[Race: (Unknown)]

[Level: (Unknown)]

[Stats: (Unknown)]

[1000-year-old vengeful spirit, full of magic, extremely nutritious for newborn dragons.]

[Emergency Quest Received!]

[Hunt the Specter of the Lake Forest! (0/1)]

As the quest popped up before my eyes, the massive creature revealed itself.

ROAAAARRRR!!!

A black, salamander-like body emanating a constant purple aura—it was the specter of the Lake Forest.

It was as large as Mount Baekdu.

But despite its massive size, the emotion I felt wasn’t fear.

“Looks delicious!!”

It was overwhelming anticipation.

The tale of the Unified Dragon Kingdom spanned 3000 years.

For ages, the kingdom had been stagnant due to low birth rates.

But now, excitement rippled through the land.

The queen’s pregnancy had been announced nationwide.

Afterward, the queen and king decided to spend a month resting in the good air and water of the Lake Dragons’ old territory.

They were on their way back to the dragons’ capital, Dragon Hive, when—

Crash!!!!

A landslide occurred, triggered by the heavy rain from the previous night.

“Eek!”

The wet nurse was startled and accidentally dropped the egg from the carriage.

Roll roll roll.

The egg tumbled down, rolling endlessly.

The first title, I kind of understand what it’s about.

It seems like a title given to those who are reborn.

It feels like a very unique title.

But the second title…

“Child of the Sovereign?”

What’s that supposed to mean?

I have no idea, but it probably has something to do with my parents.

Maybe it’s just a fancy way of referring to dragons as sovereigns.

My head started hurting.

I don’t even know my true identity yet. I need to figure that out before I can decide where to go.

Since dragons engage in fierce factional fights, I need to know who I am before I can seek allies or make plans.

“Hah… this is hopeless.”

While drowning in despair—

Growl.

“Of.”

My stomach growled loudly.

“Wh-why am I feeling so weak…”

It’s said that birds expend an enormous amount of energy when hatching from their eggs.

It seems dragons aren’t much different.

“I-I’m feeling dizzy…”

I couldn’t afford to stay still like this.

Wherever this territory belonged, it was probably home to dragons similar to me since this is where I rolled down.

“Anything… Is there anything I can eat?”

With that, I began wandering in search of food.

Grrrooooaaaaar!

A beastly roar echoed from nearby.

[Prey detected!]

[Title: Child of the Sovereign has recognized the status effect: Hunger!]

[The Sovereign’s Grace descends!!]

“Sovereign’s Grace? What’s that?”

I wasn’t sure, but my vision sharpened, and I felt strength returning to my body.

Boom!

Boom!

I didn’t have time to waste being confused.

The source of the booming sound revealed its enormous presence as it approached.

“Is that it? …It looks pretty big. Can I even eat all of it?”

[Entity Name: Wraith of the Lake Forest.]

[Race: (Unknown)]

[Level: (Unknown)]

[Attributes: A 1,000-year-old grudge, a mass of magic, highly nutritious for a newborn dragon.]

[Emergency Quest received!]

[Hunt the Wraith of the Lake Forest! (0/1)]

As the quest notification appeared, a massive beast revealed itself.

Grrrooooaaaaar!

A dark, salamander-like creature with a black body emanating a purple aura emerged from the forest.

Its size rivaled that of Mount Baekdu.

Yet, my only thought upon seeing its immense form was:

“Looks delicious!!”

The kingdom of unified dragons.

After 3,000 years of unity and a prolonged period of low birthrates, the dragon kingdom had grown stagnant.

But the news of the queen giving birth ignited the nation with excitement.

Afterward, the king and queen took a month-long retreat to the pristine and serene former territory of the Lake Dragons.

On their way back to the dragon capital, Dragon Hive—

Boom!

A landslide triggered by the previous day’s heavy rain occurred.

“Ahh!”

Startled, the nanny accidentally dropped the egg from the carriage.

Roll… roll… roll…

The egg tumbled down.

“My baby! My baby!!!”

“Your Majesty! It’s dangerous!”

The queen rushed toward the cliff, screaming, while the king desperately tried to stop her.

“Execute that woman immediately!!”

“Guards, find the egg at once!!!”

Dragon eggs are as tough as steel.

They can’t break unless the dragon inside hatches them, but—

If the temperature drops too much, it becomes dangerous.

With the ground soaked from the rain and the nearby lake lowering the temperature further, the king ordered a search party.

As the captain of the royal guard, I led four others down the cliff to search.

“Captain! The egg is nowhere to be found!!”

“Keep looking! Losing the egg here is not an option!!”

“Yes, sir!!”

This was a matter of the kingdom’s survival.

Recently, advances in human technology had made them stronger, and we sensed their growing desire for our territory.

Though no proud dragon would ever lose to humans, we couldn’t ignore the threat of the Demon Lords targeting our land.

If news of the king’s missing child spread, it would cause chaos.

The guards knew this and searched the forest as best as they could.

But then, the true cause of the landslide revealed itself.

Grrrooooaaaaar!!!

“!!!!”

“The Wraith of the Lake Forest!!”

“Damn it!”

A massive dragon-like form cloaked in black aura emerged.

The Wraith of the Lake Forest—

It was a monster that had appeared 3,000 years ago, during the era before dragon unification.

After the Lakes were massacred by the Glaciers in this place, their grudges manifested into this beast.

Its size was said to be larger than three mountains combined, and legend claimed it would take 100 dragons to match its enormity.

The soldiers froze, overwhelmed by its sheer size.

“All aerial units, revert to dragon form for combat!!”

I issued commands, snapping them out of their stupor.

“Take to the skies and prepare your breath attacks immediately!!!”

Fifteen aerial units scrambled to the sky.

“Investigation units, retreat to safety without releasing polymorph!”

“Understood!!”

I hurriedly evacuated the investigation units.

“Protect the king!”

“Raise your spears!”

“Magic units, prepare to cast spells!”

The soldiers readied their spears, and the mages began their incantations.

Just as they were about to launch their attacks, a voice called out to me from behind.

“Captain! Have you found the child yet?!”

It was the king, Albinos Laskaris, a wise and revered ruler to whom I had pledged my loyalty.

“…Your Majesty… I’m sorry.”

“Haa…”

“The queen!”

The queen collapsed at the shocking news, and the king caught her before glaring at me.

“…Haig, tell me—do we have any chance of finding it now?”

“…I’m sorry.”

“Haa… Let’s deal with that monster first and then search for the egg.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

After bowing to the king, I escorted him and the queen back to the carriage.

“I’ll handle this as quickly as possible.”

“Good. If needed, I’ll join the fight.”

“I won’t let it come to that.”

Back outside, a mage approached, informing me that their spell was ready.

“On the count of three, fire.”

One.

Two—

[The Child of the Sovereign glares at those interrupting its meal!!]

“Urk?!”

Suddenly, text appeared before my eyes.

“A s-status window?!”

At the same time, all the soldiers began collapsing.

A splitting headache overwhelmed us.

Urgh?!

Gah!

“W-what the…?!”

“Th-the Child of the Sovereign?!”

As the royal guard fell—

Boom!!

A golden, radiant breath erupted from the forest.