Chapter 181: Long Learns to Speak

Even so, Qiu Nuoya now had a better idea of where and how he should store his belongings. There were still limitations when it came to fresh food, but as far as ordinary belongings were concerned, it was fair to say that the amount he could carry was practically unlimited.

This is an incredibly useful skill. He should make good use of it from now on.

"Come to think of it, what about dinner? Would it be all right if I invited Long?"

"Huh? I don’t mind. Is there a reason?"

"I am also looking after some alcohol for Long, but more importantly, I think promises should be kept properly."

Indeed, there had been a condition attached to Qiu Nuoya’s tamed monster contract with Long. He had promised to protect the dragons living in this world.

Long could apparently sense the presence of his fellow dragons if they were nearby, but if Qiu Nuoya kept leaving him behind at home, there was no way for them to determine where those dragons were. Qiu Nuoya needed Long to check from time to time whether there were any of his kind nearby. Otherwise, it would be troublesome if anyone accused him of breaking his promise.

"Oh, right. There was a condition like that. I’d completely forgotten about it."

Igor gave an awkward laugh, looking as though he had genuinely forgotten.

Well, this was a promise between Qiu Nuoya, Long, and the elder dragon, so it had nothing to do with the others. Even so, Qiu Nuoya did not feel right about simply continuing his one-year tamed monster contract without doing anything in return.

After getting everyone’s permission, Qiu Nuoya summoned Long over.

[ Hmm? Where are we? Something feels different from usual. ]

Long stepped through the magical door in his demi-human form and looked around curiously.

"We conquered the dungeon, so we left the city. We’re camping here tonight, and I thought it would be nice if you joined us for dinner."

[ What? So I’m not working today? In that case, there was no need to summon me... ]

"We have alcohol."

[ Why didn’t you say that first!? ]

The mention of alcohol instantly put Long in a good mood. He was now rubbing his cheek against the barrel Qiu Nuoya had brought out.

He really does love the stuff.

"Come to think of it, I did invite you to have dinner with us, but there was also something I wanted to ask you. I heard that you can sense the presence of other dragons. How far can you sense them from?"

[ How far? ]

"Yeah. Can you sense any other dragons nearby right now?"

At Qiu Nuoya’s question, Long closed his eyes and listened carefully for a while, as though concentrating on his surroundings. After some time, he simply answered.

[ No. ]

"I see. So there probably aren’t any nearby."

[ Grandfather said that dragons in this world apparently don’t stay in one place for very long. Humans destroy their nests almost as soon as they build them, so even if they want to settle somewhere, they can’t.]

Ah, that makes sense.

Dragons were practically treated like natural disasters in this world. From the humans’ perspective, having one settle nearby would certainly be a problem.

"Then, if Long doesn’t travel with us, we won’t be able to find out where the other dragons are, will we?"

[ If you want, I could fly around starting now. ]

"I’d love to, but your appearance alone makes you too conspicuous. We can’t do that right now."

Long clicked his tongue and muttered.

[ What a pain. ]

But he had promised the elder dragon that he would protect Long when he became his tamed monster.

For now, Qiu Nuoya believed it was more important to let the people around them understand that Long was a harmless dragon.

"Hey, Long. If you’re willing, why don’t you come along on our journey?"

[ Huh? Why should I? ]

"It might be a little cramped and inconvenient for you at times, but 8 thinks it could be a good opportunity for you to learn more about this world."

Long seemed to ponder for a moment before muttering.

[ I don’t see what good knowing that would do. ]

He then fell silent, making a muffled grunting sound as though he was trying to say something.

"Long, what’s wrong?"

"Ah... uh, Qi... Qiu.... Nuo, Ya... ugh?"

"Long just spoke!?"

Qiu Nuoya stared at Long in surprise. Long was still struggling to form the words, mumbling, "Nuo... Ya...?" as he tried to say Qiu Nuoya’s name.

[ Ah, as I thought, speaking aloud is still difficult. ]

"Long, did you just say my name!? You did, didn’t you!?"

[ I tried, but I still have a long way to go. Speaking fluently like Grandfather will probably take quite a bit of effort. ]

"Long, you can speak?" Igor approached them, looking surprised that Long had actually spoken. In response to Igor’s question, Long tried to say, "Well, I ca... ah..." before giving up.

[ Tell this man that I am still practicing. I cannot manage long sentences yet. ]

"Hahaha, Igor, Long says he’s still practicing."

"I see, you’re still practicing. Then learn my name too. My name is I-gor."

Qiu Nuoya could not help laughing at how deliberately Igor pronounced each syllable.

Long already understands everything Igor says, of course. He already knows Igor’s name too. He simply can’t pronounce it in a language everyone else can understand yet.

"Ah... I, uh... Gor!"

"Almost! Just a little more!"

"I... Gor!"

"Oh! You said it!"

Seeing Long successfully say Igor’s name, Warren also seemed eager for his turn and came over to them.

"My name is Warren. Can you say War-ren?"

"Mmm... War-ren!"

This time, Long managed to pronounce the name perfectly on his first attempt, and he wore a somewhat proud smile.

Long then tried practicing Viktor’s name as well, but he seemed completely unable to pronounce the "vi" sound in Viktor’s name. In the end, he appeared to give up and simply called him "Vic."

"I don’t mind. It’s actually rather nostalgic hearing that name again."