Chapter 158: Dragon Habitat

"....."

Just a moment ago, that huge Dragon had been up there, casting a shadow over him with its enormous body. But suddenly, in the blink of an eye, the huge Dragon had taken human form and bowed its head before Julian.

Wind blew against Julian’s body, and leaves unlike ordinary leaves drifted through the sky.

Meanwhile, the silence itself felt rather deadly, as no one was able to speak.

They all fell silent, staring at the Rank-S Dragon bowing his head before Julian without any warning.

Even the sound of the Dragons’ wingbeats that had filled the air earlier now sounded far quieter.

After all, who wouldn’t be bewildered by such a sudden turn of events?

Why would a Rank-S Dragon suddenly lower its head?

Julian had no idea what kind of reaction he was showing right now. Oh, well, it was surely blank, so he found himself wondering about the reaction he was producing from within his mind, the honest expression he was making.

"...What now?"

Had that Dragon suddenly gotten amnesia or something?

’...I don’t think so.’

There had to be more to it, some particular reason Julian couldn’t understand. Besides, don’t strange things like this happen sometimes?

For some reason, Julian felt that something he didn’t know about had happened once again, and would lead him into yet another strange situation.

Just like usual, right?

His face twitched slightly, as the Dragon now lifted his head, coughing low as if he had just realized what had happened.

His expression looked complicated as he looked at Julian.

Then, after a few seconds of silence, the Dragon opened his lips and said a sentence Julian didn’t understand at all.

"He’s asking whether Boss has ever eaten a Language Fruit."

Luckily, there was Monk, who was able to help Julian translate the Dragon’s language.

"Language Fruit?"

Monk nodded. "It’s a Fruit that lets every race and creature with intelligence communicate. Monk has eaten one too, that’s why Monk can talk to Boss."

Hearing that left Julian somewhat stunned.

’There’s a fruit like that...?’

That also explained why the sentences Monk spoke in the human language sounded strange and not fluent.

"It seems you haven’t eaten even one."

Julian blinked, looking at the Dragon, who had finally used a language Julian could understand.

The sudden change of language made Julian wonder again, but he chose to listen first.

"My name is Garph, I am an Elder of the Qiezhuran Dragon Clan."

"...I’m Julian."

"Very well, Lord Julian, I apologize for the earlier misunderstanding."

Judging by how the other Dragons reacted, even though he couldn’t understand the language they used, Julian could at least sense their worry and confusion.

It clearly showed that what Garph had done was something they didn’t understand.

In fact, the Dragon who had been hunting the little Fox looked betrayed, starting to shout something.

But that Dragon, Garph, didn’t say much, only closing his eyes gracefully, seeming not to care about their response.

"B-Boss what’s happening? Wh-why is that terrifying Dragon being so soft and obedient to you?"

Julian opened his lips, closed them, then opened them again while glancing at Monk.

"How would I know?"

"...Boss, could you secretly have a Dragon bloodline?"

"That’s impossible."

"Did you ever marry a Dragon?"

"No."

"What about—"

"No."

Monk still seemed to want to say something, but Julian had already turned his gaze away.

Ignoring Monk, who kept rambling about something nonsensical, Julian let out a small sigh and glanced slightly at the Dragons.

’What on earth is going on now?’

Of course, this situation was hard to understand, the cause unknown, but for now, did any of it matter?

When thinking about Julian’s own situation, what was happening right now actually felt like a chance to leave this world.

’As long as I can maintain whatever is at the root of this misunderstanding, and have access to go to where the Dragons live, maybe I’ll be able to find the device myself.’

Julian thought about that for a moment and grew more convinced that, among all the possibilities, wasn’t the current event what might lead him to a way out?

Of course, which part had made the Dragon misunderstand would determine how far Julian could go.

At that moment, Julian, lost in thought, caught sight of Garph walking toward him.

There was no hostility, not the slightest movement of Mana, but Julian tensed a little and didn’t let his guard weaken in the slightest.

Julian watched every movement of Garph, making sure the Dragon wouldn’t suddenly do something dangerous.

Afterward, Garph raised his palm.

"As compensation for the mistake I made, would you be willing to visit where we live, and accept this gift?"

In his palm was a fruit the size of an apple. But its color was a blend of gold and silver.

The fruit was strangely full of Mana, so much that Julian frowned and couldn’t help realizing that the Fruit had to be a precious one.

"...What fruit is this?"

"This is a Language Fruit."

"....."

So, was that the Fruit that would allow Julian to communicate with them too?

Communicate with creatures from different worlds, as long as those creatures had intelligence.

’Just accept it, I suppose?’

Seeing that Monk showed no reaction or any sign of a problem regarding the Fruit, it seemed it really was the Language Fruit.

Julian felt somewhat hesitant.

’Should I just ask directly?’

Why was Garph being nice?

Would it give Julian an answer, or would it instead cut the chain of misunderstanding that had suddenly occurred?

Julian then let out a small sigh, looked at Garph and nodded.

"Alright, I’ll accept this. Thank you."

Garph smiled, handing the fruit to Julian.

The fruit felt light in Julian’s palm, and even the Mana bursting inside it felt far clearer now.

Julian looked at the fruit for a while, then stored it in his storage ring.

He didn’t feel the need to eat it for now, not until he could understand whether the fruit held something dangerous or not.

Afterward, his gaze met Garph’s once more.

"Then... Shall we go now?"

Garph spoke, ignoring the Young Dragon who had his eyes on the little Fox on Julian’s shoulder.