Barbarian's Adventure in a Fantasy World-Chapter 224: Ignisia the Elder Dragon (3)

The Oldest Ones was the name once given to the beings of the Demon Realm. Ignisia regarded Ketal quietly, her expression thoughtful as if piecing together ancient memories.

“If you think about it, you’re one of the Oldest Ones yourself, aren’t you?” she said, her tone only half in jest.

“I haven’t lived long enough to truly deserve that title,” Ketal replied, a modest smile on his lips. In truth, he had lived a very long time. His existence in the White Snowfield had twisted his perception of time, but he wasn’t oblivious to how much had passed.

Even so, when he first appeared in the White Snowfield, the monsters were already there, creatures far older than himself. He was not the original inhabitant; he was not the ancestor, but the descendant.

“Wouldn’t that mean your ancestors must have settled there? It’s so long ago, not even I know the details. All I know is, that’s what you were called,” Ignisia said, her eyes distant. “I only know what I’ve heard. Even for a dragon like me, the Demon Realm existed long before I was born. The Oldest Ones. That’s what we called you.”

How old are these beings? Older than gods? Older than demons? Ketal stroked his chin in contemplation.

Ignisia, perhaps sensing his train of thought, continued, “The Wandering Merchant is also considered one of the Oldest Ones. But unlike the others, they’re not hostile to the world. That’s why they were able to make a deal with the gods and wander freely.”

“I see,” Ketal muttered. He recalled the Merchant’s strange air of ancientness and their knowledge of things no mortal could ever know. If their roots truly lay with the Oldest Ones, it made sense.

Ignisia’s gaze sharpened. “The Merchant is a special existence. Among the Oldest Ones, it’s said they were the only one you could actually converse or interact with... or at least, that used to be true.”

With Ketal’s appearance, the Merchant was no longer unique.

“If the Merchant made a pact with the gods, their relationship must not be so bad,” Ketal mused.

“I suppose not.”

“But I heard there was a conflict between the gods and the Demon Realm,” Ketal said, watching her for a reaction.

“Ah, yes.” Ignisia nodded, her expression solemn. “That was in the distant past. I’ve heard stories of a fierce war. I believe the Merchant stayed out of it. Maybe that’s why they’re still able to walk the world freely.”

“Was it the gods who invaded? Or did the Demon Realm come out into the world?” Ketal’s question cut to the heart of the matter—the origin of the war, the identity of the aggressor, and the role of the defender.

Ignisia hesitated, genuinely uncertain. “I... don’t know. Even for an Elder Dragon, that’s a mystery. Only the eldest of us even remember that such a war happened. The young ones don’t have the slightest idea.”

That war was so ancient that only dragons who had survived since that era even knew it had occurred. If the Elder Dragons disappeared, the story would be lost forever.

“But... there are some things we do know for sure. The gods and the Oldest Ones... they were opposed. And that age was before the Divine-Demonic War.”

That last detail caught Ketal’s attention. “Before the Divine-Demonic War? But I thought the world belonged to demons before then.”

“I always thought so, too. It’s a contradiction. That’s why among the Elder Dragons, there are many theories. But with no answers, it’s impossible to say for certain.”

Ketal nodded, quietly organizing what he’d learned. The past of this world was more complicated than any record or legend suggested.

“Oh, right. You said you were the architect of the Mage Tower. Does that mean you know the Tower Master?” Ketal asked her

Ignisia let out a small laugh, nostalgia and a trace of pride in her eyes. “Yes, we’re acquainted. I helped design the original tower, long ago.”

“So, you and the Tower Master are close, then?” 𝗳𝗿𝐞𝕖𝘄𝗲𝕓𝗻𝚘𝚟𝕖𝐥.𝚌𝕠𝕞

At that, Ignisia’s face became hard to read, a mixture of pride, embarrassment, and something like wounded pride.

“Close is one way to put it... yes.” She didn’t seem eager to say more, and Ketal sensed this was not a topic she wanted to linger on.

He let it drop.

“Well, that’s enough questions for me. Thank you,” Keral concluded.

“It’s a fair trade,” Ignisia replied, recovering her composure. “Now, can I ask you a few questions?”

Her crimson eyes glimmered with a scholar’s hunger, and Ketal grinned.

“Ask away. What do you want to know?”

Ignisia’s questions tumbled out in rapid succession, as if she had been waiting centuries for this chance: how long Ketal had lived in the White Snowfield, what the barbarians were like, why they could not wield Myst, and what he had done during all that time.

Her questions echoed what Milayna, Arkemis, and Aquaz had once asked. Ketal answered them all, one by one, with a kind of meditative honesty.

“I can’t say how long I stayed in the White Snowfield. Time doesn’t mean much there. It stretches and twists until you stop trying to keep track. All I know is, it’s been a very, very long time. The barbarians are ignorant and crude. I’d say we’re even more foolish than the ones out here. We spent our days trying to carve out new territory, always searching for a way to escape. In the process, we clashed with the monsters the Emperor spoke of. As for Myst, it simply didn’t exist there. There were things that used different, alien powers, but nothing you could call Myst.”

Ignisia listened to every word, soaking up details as if they were priceless. For someone who knew so much, the White Snowfield was a black hole of mystery. Each piece of Ketal’s story was like a rare gem, information that couldn’t be bought with any amount of gold.

Part of her wanted to sit there for hours, asking question after question. However, she restrained herself. Even what she’d already learned was more than enough. To ask for more would have felt greedy.

She took a slow breath, preparing for the most important question of all—the one she could not avoid as a dragon, as a guardian of the world.

“Are you our enemy?” she asked him.

Beings from the Demon Realm were appearing in the world with increasing frequency, and each time they did, chaos followed. Ketal’s role in all of this remained unclear. He might have been neutral, like the Wandering Merchant, or he might have been another emerging threat.

Ketal met her eyes, voice calm and unflinching. “I am not your enemy. If anything, I am your ally.”

What Ketal wanted was a place in the fantasy world, a home. He liked the people, the gods, and the spirits.

“If you don’t see me as an enemy, then I am not your enemy,” Ketal continued.

Ignisia pressed on, “What do you think about the Demon Realms?”

“It’s a nightmare,” Ketal answered instantly, with a genuine look of disgust. “I never want to be in one again.”

Ignisia fell silent, mulling over his words. There was no mistaking his sincerity. Ketal was an outlier, a being of the Demon Realm who stood with the world instead of against it. Her eyes dropped to the jet-black bracelet around Ketal’s wrist. That was Kalosia’s holy relic, a sign that he had met the God of Lies and Deception and received their recognition.

That wasn’t all. Ketal was also a contractor of a Legendary spirit, even though his Myst was negligible. No normal means would have allowed him to form such a pact. There was only one explanation: the Spirit God had personally intervened.

Ignisia asked for confirmation, “Have you been to Elfo Sagrado?”

“I have, recently. Through the High Elf Queen, I even visited the Spirit Realm.”

“Karin... is she doing well?”

“She seemed well when I saw her. Do you know her?”

Ignisia nodded, her voice tinged with fondness. “We’ve crossed paths before.”

So Karin had mentioned knowing a dragon. It must have been Ignisia, Ketal thought.

Kalosia and Beatrice both had met Ketal personally and given him powerful gifts. It was proof of trust. If the gods and spirits trusted him, then so could Ignisia.

She murmured, almost in awe, “A being of the Demon Realm, making friends among us... How strange. Are other barbarians like you?”

Ketal shook his head at once, “Absolutely not. I’m the only one.”

“I see...” Ignisia looked relieved, perhaps even grateful. Most of her doubts were now settled.

She took another breath, ready for the last, most primal question, a question of strength. “How strong are you in the White Snowfield? Where do I stand compared to your world?”

However, before Ketal could answer, the air shimmered. A rift split the room, and the Wandering Merchant stepped through, carrying something large and red.

“It’s all finished...,” the Wandering Merchant said.

“You always have perfect timing,” Ignisia muttered.

“Why do you sound annoyed...”

“Never mind. I can ask my question later. Did you bring the Dragon Heart?”

“Right here...”

The Merchant opened a spatial portal, and from it emerged a gigantic, still-pulsing red heart.

Ketal let out a low whistle. “It’s huge.”

The heart was easily large enough to fit three Ketals inside it. Ignisia examined the organ closely.

“I was worried it might be tainted by demonic energy, given its former owner’s interests, but there’s no problem. This will do just fine. Merchant, I’ll give you a list of materials for the catalyst. Please gather them,” Ignisia said.

“If you demand too much, I’ll require compensation...,” the Merchant muttered.

“You’re such a stickler,” Ignisia grumbled. “Don’t worry, I’ll be reasonable.”

The Merchant left to fetch the necessary supplies, and Ignisia turned back to Ketal.

“I’ll make it for you. It should be done in about a week. Your body’s... unusual, so it might take longer, but two weeks at most,” she said.

Ketal’s eyes lit up. “Thank you. Are you sure? Isn’t it a lot to ask?”

To use her kin’s heart as a catalyst and help the very one who had killed it was something Ketal could hardly imagine happening among humans.

Ignisia shook her head. “I had to deal with it anyway. Besides, I’m partly to blame. Think of it as my apology.”

She had attacked Ketal, concealed her identity, and, if Ketal had been less reasonable, their fight might still be raging.

“In that case, I’m grateful,” Ketal said simply.

“I’ll start right away. Just relax while you wait,” Ignisia said with a faint smile.

***

The Merchant returned soon with the materials. Ignisia wasted no time. She gathered the Dragon Heart and her tools, immediately setting to work on the catalyst.

For Ketal, there was little to do but wait. Exploring the lair was interesting, but it wasn’t very big; he had seen everything in a few hours. With nothing else to occupy his mind, he found himself simply watching Ignisia work.

After a while, Ignisia glanced over and smiled. “You look bored.”

“There’s not much to do but wait.”

“Is there anything you want to do?”

“There is, actually.” Ketal looked at her, and in his eyes, Ignisia saw the unmistakable glimmer of challenge.

She gave a wry smile, “I’m afraid I can’t spar with you right now. If we fought, I’d have to give it my all, and I don’t have the time.”

“I know,” Ketal said, disappointment plain on his face.

He didn’t want to trouble her further, not when she was already making a catalyst for him. However, then Ignisia’s smile changed—sly, inviting, just a little dangerous.

“In that case, how about some other fun?” she said.

It was a provocative smile, almost predatory. She licked her lips, and the air between them grew thick and charged.

“I am curious, you know. I wonder just what the difference is between those from the Inside and the Outside. I’d like to think I’m a rather attractive partner. Doesn’t it tempt you?”

“It would be a lie to say it doesn’t,” Ketal admitted.

By any measure, Ignisia was a beautiful woman—and a dragon as well. The idea carried an undeniable thrill.

However, Ketal shook his head. “No. I’ll pass.”

“Is it a difference in desire?” she asked him.

“That’s not it. I just don’t care for it.”

Barbarians from the White Snowfield were known for their lack of restraint and their love for immediate pleasures. Their relationships were fleeting, transactional—a way to pass the time, with no feeling, no attachment, just raw sensation. It was a symbol of their savagery.

Ketal himself had once indulged in such things, back in that distant, wild past. However, ever since learning the truth about the world, he had lost all interest. Now that he was Outside, he saw no reason to seek empty pleasures.

He realized how strange this sounded, given how much he longed to fight Ignisia while dismissing physical pleasure as barbaric. It was a contradiction, but it was his way.

Ignisia regarded him with interest. “You’re still human in a strange way.”

“Well, there’s another reason, too,” Ketal admitted, grimacing.

The truth was, back in the White Snowfield, there had been a certain persistent suitor—one he could never shake, no matter how much he fought back. It was enough to put him off for good.

“Another barbarian?” she asked him.

“No. Not human at all.”

“Really? Not even human?” Ignisia looked amused.

“For that reason, I’ll have to decline. Sorry if I embarrassed you.”

“Not at all. If you’re bored, why not explore the lair a bit more? Don’t just look, try things out. If anything catches your fancy, you can keep it. I’ll allow it.”

“Thank you. I appreciate that.” Ketal’s spirits lifted. The lair was filled with ancient relics, rare catalysts, and books that looked older than most countries. He had wanted to ask before, but hadn’t dared. With Ignisia’s permission, he could explore without worry.

“May I?” he asked her, already half-rising.

“Treat this place as your own,” Ignisia replied warmly.

Ketal grinned and set off to explore the lair with real enthusiasm at last. Ignisia watched his retreating back, a strange, thoughtful expression in her eyes.