Chapter 120: The Dragon Companion

"Hmm, a flying tamed monster..." The Elder Dragon glanced toward the young dragon that had brought Qiu Nuoya and the others there. "You were born and raised here, and you have never seen the outside world, have you?"

"Well, yes, that’s true..."

"Perhaps it would be good for you to venture outside at least once for the sake of gaining experience."

"Elder!?"

"And so, Qiu Nuoya, how about this one? He is my youngest grandson and a very good boy. He was brought here while he was still an egg, so he knows nothing of the outside world." The Elder Dragon continued speaking calmly. "Dragons can sense the whereabouts of their kin through their presence, and once they are within a certain distance of one another, they can communicate through telepathy. He should be useful in helping you find our fellow dragons."

"Elder!!! I absolutely refuse! Why should I lower myself to become a mere human’s tamed monster!?"

Qiu Nuoya was stunned. Given the young dragon’s enormous size, it would easily be able to carry everyone while flying, and having it accompany them would be exactly what he had hoped for. However, the dragon itself looked extremely displeased. Would this really be all right?

"This is not necessarily a bad arrangement for you. Among the dragons currently living in this land, you are the only one without a mate. Since there is no suitable partner for you here, you may never find a mate if you remain here for the rest of your life. There may still be someone in the outside world who could become your mate. Besides, humans do not have particularly long lifespans. After serving him, you can simply return here."

"But!"

"It is settled. Qiu Nuoya, give him a name." The Elder Dragon ignored the young dragon’s continued protests and calmly insisted that Qiu Nuoya give him a name.

"Um, are you really sure about this?"

"Of course, of course." Despite the Elder Dragon’s cheerful response, the young dragon glared fiercely at Qiu Nuoya.

No, this is definitely not all right.

Whether or not the Elder Dragon noticed Qiu Nuoya sweating nervously under the young dragon’s glare, he simply urged him on. ℯ

"Go ahead and give him a name."

Qiu Nuoya did not know what to do. Entering into a tamed monster contract without any trust between them would only make both sides unhappy. If possible, Qiu Nuoya wanted to become friends with the dragon rather than force it to submit to him.

"Um, why don’t we start by becoming friends first!?"

"Huh?"

"I don’t feel comfortable making him my tamed monster without his consent either. If he eventually decides that he is willing to become my tamed monster, we can make an official contract then. For now, I would be grateful if he could simply travel with us as a companion and help us with our adventures for a while!"

Both the Elder Dragon and the younger dragon stared at Qiu Nuoya in stunned silence.

"Um, would that not be acceptable...?"

"I have no objection to that, but can you protect him this way? Humans will try to hunt any dragon that does not submit to them without a second thought. Apparently, they feel reassured once a dragon becomes a tamed monster."

"Oh, I see..."

"Elder, I am not so weak that I need a human to protect me."

"But you cannot speak human language, can you?"

"Well, that’s true..."

"Humans fear threats they cannot communicate with. It would be safer for you to become a tamed monster."

Qiu Nuoya could tell that the young dragon was hesitating. There was really no need for him to agonize over it so much. Qiu Nuoya would be perfectly happy if the dragon simply agreed to get along with him as a friend.

"Then, how about one year for now! A one year contract!"

"You certainly are being selfish, considering that we are the ones asking for a favor..."

"You damn old man! You’re the one forcing your selfish demands on me over a request that has nothing to do with me! You old geezer!" The younger dragon suddenly lost his temper. However, in the very next moment, the Elder Dragon’s eyes flashed ominously. "An old geezer, you say...?"

With a low, chilling voice that seemed to crawl along the ground, the Elder Dragon glared at the younger dragon.

"Who was it that took you in and raised you when you were on the verge of dying shortly after hatching from your egg? Who was it that saved you when you were young and crying after being bullied by lesser creatures? And when you finally grew up properly, who was it that took you in here after you kept getting into fights despite being weak and ended up having nowhere else to go? Hm?"

"Th-That was..."

"All I am asking for is to see a cute great grandchild. How can you be so ungrateful to your grandfather? Can’t you do at least a little something to make your old grandfather happy?"

"Grrr..."

So the Elder Dragon was this young dragon’s adoptive parent. Seeing how frustrated the dragon looked, Qiu Nuoya began to feel a little sorry for him.

"Um, I’m perfectly fine with a one year contract. If you find that you’re comfortable with us, you can simply renew the contract afterward."

It was true that expecting someone to commit permanently to a job without even knowing what the working environment would be like was a little harsh. If Qiu Nuoya thought of the dragon as a temporary worker, having him around would be extremely helpful for now, so he suggested that arrangement.

The Elder Dragon looked slightly dissatisfied. "Are you really all right with that?"

"If you’re fine with it, then I’m fine with it. I’ll do everything I can to protect your companions as well."

"Very well, then. I entrust him to you. My grandson may have a sharp tongue, but he is timid and cries easily. I hope he can grow even a little while experiencing the outside world."

"Elder! Why do you keep bringing up things from when I was a child!?"

The Elder Dragon laughed heartily. He must have adored his grandson.

Qiu Nuoya fondly remembered how his own grandfather had always teased him while doting on him in much the same way. Family really was a wonderful thing.

And so, in this strange land, Qiu Nuoya accepted a new request and gained a dragon companion.