Chapter 47
No one knew exactly where the rumor had begun.
But soon, the same story was being whispered everywhere at once.
They said a Gold Dragon had settled in Ludwig’s Demon King Territory.
“A Gold Dragon? But hasn’t one not been seen in over a thousand years?”
“That’s right. Around here we know where the Red, Black, Blue, and White Dragons live. But not Gold.”
No one could say why the golden ones had become so rare.
Still, everyone knew at least one legend about them.
“They say wherever a Gold Dragon builds its nest, gold never runs dry.”
“Exactly! A Golden Dragon is a symbol of endless wealth.”
“I heard the strongest Demon Kings in history all had territories near a Gold Dragon’s lair.”
“Ah, I’ve heard that too.”
Of course, some only laughed.
“You really believe that? After all this time, a Gold Dragon just suddenly shows up?”
“It’s probably just some bumpkins mistaking a yellow gargoyle or wyvern.”
“Even if—just maybe—it is a Gold Dragon, why would it live in Ludwig’s Demon King Territory of all places? That’s nonsense!”
“Exactly! In this poor, mountainous wilderness? Absurd.”
Some arguments sounded logical.
“Dragons do not obey Demon Kings. They’d never settle inside their territory. At best, they’d stay in the surrounding lands.”
It was common sense. Dragons, proud as they were, never became servants of a Demon King.
They even refused to dwell under a Demon King’s sun.
Such was the law of the Demon Realm.
So, the idea that a dragon lived inside the Demon King’s land was dismissed as foolish.
And yet, the rumor refused to die.
It spread most fiercely in the very place it began—Ludwig’s Demon King Territory.
Whenever two or more locals gathered, the same topic came up.
“They say it’s real. A kobold blacksmith’s daughter saw it herself. She works in the Demon King’s castle as a maid now.”
“I heard too. They say a young Gold Dragon the size of a foal runs around inside the castle.”
“How did it get here?”
“Who cares? If the legend is true, our lives will finally change!”
“Could it be that the blessing of the Golden Dragon has fallen on this land?”
“That would be enough. If it means an end to this cursed poverty!”
With so many mouths inside the castle, some stories leaking out was inevitable.
Ariella did not strictly stop it.
People always believe what they want to believe.
And with morale already lifted thanks to the grain she had distributed, this rumor of a Golden Dragon poured oil on the fire.
Maybe not enough for gold to flow without end, but enough for hope to bloom—that life would be better from now on.
The territory grew lively. Almost no one was left anymore.
Even those who had once planned to migrate now hesitated, seeing the change.
When Ariella read the reports about this, she finally let out a long breath of relief.
‘At least I won’t die alone in a foreign land.’
The sun of Ludwig’s Demon King Territory would not be extinguished, at least for now.
With lighter steps, Ariella climbed the castle watchtower with the hatchling.
The dragon gazed curiously down at the land.
The first thing it saw was kobolds busy harvesting crops.
Since the orc raids had lessened, they could now farm more safely.
Demon King soldiers patrolled regularly to protect them.
‘This is only the beginning. We’ve finally reached the starting line.’
Ariella remembered her first arrival here.
The territory’s size was little different now.
But she had cut out the rotting parts.
The people at least had enough peace of mind to keep working for their survival.
And most of all, hope had appeared.
‘The obstacles holding us back are gone—or soon will be.’
Bagis Fedwick had already been dealt with.
In her head, many more plans were prepared.
One of them had even sent Ludwig himself outside the castle on an assignment.
‘If I’m going to develop this place, then it must rise as a great power. A nation strong enough to rival the Holy Empire of the human world.’
She had suffered enough to know how miserable life was without power.
This land must grow into something so mighty that no one would dare look down on it.
She was strengthening her resolve—
When suddenly—
“Kyaaahhh!”
“What—what is that?!”
Screams rang out from below the castle.
The dragon perked up its ears.
“Ariella, did you hear that?”
The cries came from behind them.
Ariella turned, ready to run, but there was no need.
Just lifting her head slightly was enough.
She saw what everyone else in the territory was already staring at.
Something impossibly huge was flying toward them.
‘It’s here.’
Many townsfolk had come outside, standing frozen, pale, and trembling.
Soldiers shouted in confusion, with no one properly leading them.
Calmly, Ariella thought she’d need to overhaul the military system soon.
Meanwhile, that massive shape approached, like a mountain floating in the sky.
It moved like a drifting eclipse, casting long shadows across the land.
A long neck and tail stretched symmetrically, four vast wings, and scales glowing blood-red.
Ariella’s lips parted in silent awe.
‘A Red Dragon!’
It looked like the hatchling by her side, multiplied a thousand times.
Its size was so unreal that the ground didn’t even tremble beneath it.
At last, the Red Dragon cut through the sky’s weighty silence and stopped above the watchtower.
Ariella tilted her head back until her neck ached, staring up at the enormous beast.
The dragon’s claws alone could crush the castle walls like paper.
If they ever had to fight such a creature… how would her territory respond?
As she wondered that—
A thunderous voice struck her mind.
“Are you Ariella Capelle Oinos?”
Thud!
Beside her, the hatchling fell onto its bottom.
Even a young dragon was startled by that mighty sound.
But Ariella did not flinch.
This was all within her expectations.
‘Faster than I thought. I expected it to take half a month.’
In truth, she had drawn this moment here.
“Yes. I am Ariella. I am the one you seek.”
Her voice was neither loud nor soft.
Calm, firm, and unshaken.
The Red Dragon’s eyes flickered strangely at that.
After all, even the hatchling had cowered before it—
But this human stood tall.
‘…What are they so afraid of? I haven’t done anything wrong. Is it really worth such panic?’
Sure, the dragon was massive. But was that a reason to freeze like prey?
“My name is Kaliserd.”
The great dragon turned its gaze toward the hatchling.
“I have come to take the kin you mentioned in your letter.”
Its eyes glimmered with countless thoughts.
“I see. When I read the letter, I doubted. But now, there is no denying it. A descendant of the Gold Clan… returning after a thousand years.”
The hatchling just gaped in silence.
Then, suddenly, Kaliserd released his power.
No words were spoken, and no claw or wing moved.
Yet Ariella knew instantly.
The air around them swirled, roared, and spread with immense magic.
‘This… this is dragon magic!’
The flow was overwhelming, completely different from anything she knew.
A translucent barrier formed around them.
She itched with curiosity, but this wasn’t the time to ask questions.
“Because of the sensitivity of this matter, I have sealed the sound. Nothing will escape. Young one, tell me—what is your name?”
A barrier, then.
Ariella marveled, but the hatchling only tilted its head.
“I don’t know.”
“You don’t know? Has no one ever given you a name? Not once?”
“Yes.”
“…I see.”
Kaliserd’s deep voice grew grave.
