Transmigrated as Baron, Married with my Lovely Maid-Chapter 26

"ROOOAARR...!"

The ferocious sound boomed like thunder striking the sky.

"W-what was that sound...?!"

"D-dragon...! It must be a dragon...! Run...! Save yourselves...!"

The Thornvale residents immediately screamed in terror, fleeing in all directions because the sound was so close to the city park.

Tch, this kind of panic will only lead to uncontrollable chaos.

"Alex, deploy troops to secure them away from the city park. Don’t let them run around panicky like this," I quickly ordered.

"Y-yes, Baron Atreus...!" Alex immediately went to call his troops.

From the stage, I watched Alex and his troops move quickly to organize their escape route away from the city park area.

Even though it was still sound—a monstrous sound—I wanted to make sure they were safe by not staying here.

I felt that the monster is not far from here, in the city park, but not sure where the specific place is.

Could this monstrous voice be coming from a... dragon?

"OHH...! THE GREAT WYVERNN...! RISE...! DESTROY THE CITY THAT BETRAYED YOU...!"

Hadari shouted hysterically.

I saw the purple seal crystal ball in his right hand crack partially, as if it were about to shatter.

I had a bad feeling.

Without hesitation, I unleashed a lightning bullet from my hand toward Hadari.

BZZZTT...!

"Gahh...!"

Hadari immediately collapsed, his seal crystal ball falling, rolling away from him.

However, Hadari wasn’t giving up.

He slowly got up, his body shaking uncontrollably from the electricity that had gripped and tormented him.

This bastard was still forcing himself to reach for the purple seal crystal ball, wanting to destroy it.

Then Hadari stopped, held back by Cecile, who stood firmly in his way.

"C-Cecile...!"

"General Hadari... you’ve made a huge, fatal mistake! Don’t you think the Great Wyvern will let us live!" Cecile snapped angrily.

"Heh... heheheh... HAHAHAHAH! BECAUSE THAT IS YOUR DESERVED PUNISHMENT, BARONESS CECILE...! YOU’VE JOINED THAT WIZARD VERMILLION, HAVEN’T YOU...?! THE ERA OF DRAGONS AND GOLEMS WILL BEGIN AGAIN...! YOU’RE THE ONE WHO BROUGHT ALL OF THIS CHAOS, CECILE...! ALL YOUR DECISIONS—"

WOOSH!

The flames erupted, incinerating Hadari.

Even his bones, which were barely visible, were reduced to ashes.

I’d had enough of that hysterical man’s ranting, and my hellfire magic was the perfect punishment to stop his madness.

Cecile stared at me, still in disbelief.

"B-Baron Atreus...! T-that fire..."

"Yes, that was my fire magic," I said calmly, stopping the fire magic.

There was nothing left of Hadari except his ashes.

Cecile swallowed, looking at me slightly trembling.

It seemed she still hadn’t expected me to kill Hadari so easily and quickly.

"Cecile, you haven’t told me about the Great Wyvern..." I pleaded quickly.

"The Great Wyvern... is a poison dragon that resides underground, right beneath this city park, Baron Atreus. Hadari awakened the Great Wyvern from its slumber using that purple seal crystal ball..." Cecile explained.

Leysha took the purple seal crystal ball and handed it to me.

"Be careful, Baron Atreus... the crystal ball is cracked..." Leysha said.

"Yes..." I said quietly, still staring at the badly cracked seal crystal ball.

If I squeezed it with just one pull, it seemed like the crystal ball would simply shatter.

"Baron Atreus, I suggest we secure the purple seal crystal ball somewhere special and well-guarded. It would be very dangerous if it were broken, as the Great Wyvern would be free," Cecile suggested with a worried expression.

"I have another idea about that, Cecile."

"W-what is it, Baron Atreus...?"

"Take me to where the Great Wyvern is, Cecile. I want to meet him."

Cecilia froze in shock, her mouth agape at my request.

She was at a loss for words, and she took a moment to catch her breath.

"A-are you serious, Baron Atreus...? I understand Wizards can communicate with dragons...but that doesn’t mean the dragons will accept you so easily. They are ferocious and dislike humans controlling them."

"It’s okay. Let me meet him. A true Vermillion should have the courage to face dragons."

Cecile was stunned and silent at my assertiveness.

She took the twin swords Hadari as her new weapons and hurried over to me.

"...then, follow me, Baron Atreus."

Cecile walked down from the stage.

Leysha and I followed behind her.

Cecile continued walking until we arrived in front of a statue of a man dressed like a noble with flashy large robe.

I noticed the inscription carved at the bottom of the statue: ’Lord Thornvale’.

Cecile stared at the statue for a long moment, as if there was a lingering feeling in her heart, as her expression suddenly became sad.

A few minutes passed, Cecile finally took the necklace and placed the gemstone in the small hole in the gemstone.

’GRKKKK’

Suddenly, the stone floor around me vibrated.

I saw the stone floor five meters behind me open by itself, revealing a staircase leading underground.

"Follow me, Baron Atreus," Cecile took my hand, and the two of us, along with Leysha, walked down the stairs.

As we descended, the stone floor above closed again, and darkness immediately enveloped us.

Before I ignited my fire magic, the blue torches that automatically lit on each side of the passageway immediately became a source of light.

As far as I could see, the passageway was so long, I couldn’t even see the end.

’GRRRRR....!’

Well, hearing the monster’s howl at the end of the passageway, I understood that we would meet the Great Wyvern.

I walked slowly down the passageway, accompanied only by the sounds of my, Leysha’s, and Cecile’s footsteps.

"This place is a secret place accessible only to the Thornvale noble family, Baron Atreus. A safe jail for the dragons... perhaps you and the Vermillion family already know it," Cecile said midway.

"There’s a place to keep dragons? I just found out," I replied innocently.

Cecilia suddenly looked at me with a surprised expression.

"You didn’t know, Baron Atreus? Wasn’t Lord Vermillion quite adamant about King Victor Dragomir’s control of the dragons and golems on this land?" Cecile asked again, puzzled.

"Um... I don’t remember. Maybe because I was so ill, I forgot about it," I replied, trying to recall Baron Atreus Vermillion’s story, but to no avail.

"Baron Atreus... I’m sorry to interrupt. But I can help you tell me about Lord Vermillion and this dragon if you’re having trouble remembering it. I understand that when you’re so ill, it must be very painful for you and difficult to recall what happened before Lord and Lady Vermillion died." Leysha said with a smile, walking beside me and holding my right hand.

Suddenly, Cecile gripped my left hand tightly, like a couple.

"I can help you with this dragon too, Baron Atreus..." she said teasingly, though her gaze wasn’t directed at me, but at Leysha.

Leysha suddenly tightened her grip on my right hand and glared at Cecile.

I don’t know what happened, but it seemed like they were competing for some reason.

"Okay...tell me whatever it is. I’m ready to hear it," I said, clearing my throat.

"Perhaps Baron Atreus Vermillion has forgotten, but let me try to refresh your memory. Before Victor Dragomir became king, three dragons and five golems were discovered on this land, wreaking havoc with each other, destroying it. Victor Dragomir managed to unite the forces of the Counts and Barons, then developed a special magic and metal to fight back against the dragons and five golems. But unfortunately, even though we’re slowly gaining the upper hand, we have a problem. The three dragons and five golems can’t die," Leysha explained slowly.

"...so they’re immortal?" I asked, confirming.

"More precisely...we still haven’t found a way to kill those monsters, Baron Atreus. Lord Vermillion is the only Baron who agrees that these dragons and golems are not meant to be fought, but to be collaborated with because, as wizards, they can communicate with them. Unlike us, who only know how to kill and defeat them," Cecile added.

Well, that explanation aligns with my memory of when Lord Vermillion fiercely resisted the Barons and Counts who wanted to control the dragons and golems by force.

"Unlike Lord Vermillion, Thornvale, along with the other Counts and Barons, agreed to control the dragons and golems with a seal powerful enough to be used as a weapon, although it was still quite unstable. But at least, we could control those wild monsters to not wreak havoc in our respective territories," Cecile continued.

I thought for a moment, trying to digest Cecile and Leysha’s story.

As I recalled, Vermillion did indeed believe in the trust of the dragons and golems, although in reality, I still didn’t have a clear picture of that kind of trust.

In the midst of my reverie, the end of the hallway we were exploring together became clearer and wider.

As I took one step into the wide space at the end of the hallway, the blue torches lining each side of the large, circular room automatically lit up.

WHOOSH! WHOOSH! WHOOSH! WHOOSH!

The blue firelight brightened the spacious room where Leysha, Cecile, and I were now.

Leysha and I froze in shock, both preparing our own magic techniques when we saw with our own eyes, a green dragon of monstrous size, its two wings bound by magical chains, as were its two legs.

I saw fragments of chains on the floor around the dragon, which I assumed were the chains that originally bound its mouth.

"GROAARRRRRR....!"

The dragon, the Great Wyvern, roared again in anger, releasing poisonous gas from its mouth.

Fortunately, Leysha, Cecile, and I had developed natural immunity strong enough to withstand the poisonous gas.

Amidst the fading fog of poisonous gas, the dragon finally looked at the three of us with an angry gaze.

"This is the first time I’ve seen a human survive this long with my poisonous gas..." the dragon said calmly.

I knew Cecile couldn’t understand what the dragon was saying, as it sounded like a wild animal.

But for Leysha and me, the dragon’s ferocious voice was as human as it could be.

I could even feel an invisible magical bond connecting me to the Great Wyvern.

"Baron Atreus... I can understand what the Great Wyvern is saying... but my magical abilities aren’t strong enough to speak to the dragon..." Leysha whispered, embarrassed.

"Well, don’t worry. Let me try, Leysha," I said reassuringly, concentrating deeper.

As I focused, the invisible thread-like magical bond became clearer.

From there, I felt a knowledge emerge that allowed me to understand and communicate with the dragon.

"Are you surprised, The Great Wyvern...?" I asked quietly, staring intently at the dragon.

The Great Wyvern’s gaze immediately focused on me.

He sniffed deeply for a few minutes, then exhaled his poisonous gas toward the three of us.

"Wizard...! Vermillion Wizard...!" the dragon exclaimed suddenly enthusiastically, but his gaze sharpened again, as if he wanted to devour me alive.

"...you disappear, and look what these foolish humans have done! Chaining us like we’re their slaves! This is the greatest insult to dragons!!"

The Great Wyvern roared so loudly that the entire large room shook violently.

Leysha and Cecile took cover behind me, seemingly worried about the Great Wyvern’s rage.

It was understandable, because I could see the large magical chains binding the dragon’s wings and legs cracking.

I picked up the seal’s crystal ball and watched as the cracks grew longer.

It seemed like the crystal ball reflected the strength of the magical chains binding the Great Wyvern.

Seeing the cracks widen on their own, it seemed like it was only a matter of time before the Great Wyvern was free again.

"The Great Wyvern. Nice to meet you. My name is Atreus Vermillion," I said casually, trying to strike up a conversation.

"Atreus Vermillion...?! Huh...! I thought Vermillion was dead and extinct...!" the Great Wyvern snapped.

"Almost, if I may say so. I am the last descendant of Vermillion, and I know you yearn for freedom. Am I right?"

"Oh... you understand my desire, Vermillion boy...! I knew only with the wizards could I share my troubles!"

I showed the purple seal crystal ball to the dragon.

The dragon was immediately startled, then glared at the seal crystal ball I had shown him.

"Ah...! That damn seal crystal ball again...! Get it away from me...!", the Great Wyvern cried loudly.

"I can get rid of it, as long as you promise to cooperate with me, Great Wyvern...!"

The dragon fell silent, staring at me meaningfully.

Then the dragon laughed, so hard that the room shook again and nearly collapsed.

"Vermillion brat...! What’s going on in your head...?! You’re just like your father...! Proposing the impossible...! There’s no history of dragons wanting to follow humans! You humans are the lowest caste! We are the superior dragons...!"

Tch, this bastard Wyvern is quite arrogant.

"I only want freedom, Vermillion brat...! I will never allow myself to become your slave...!", the dragon shouted again, emphasizing.

But I wasn’t giving up.

"How arrogant...even if you were free, would you even survive? King Victor Dragomir wouldn’t hesitate to seal you back a few days after your release, Wyvern. What do you have besides your gigantic body? Poison? Heh...even your deadly poison doesn’t kill us!"

"SILENCE!"

The Great Wyvern roared so loudly that the gust of wind from its cry pushed us backward.

But after that, the dragon fell silent.

I could tell he was starting to consider my previous words.

He should have realized that mere freedom wouldn’t guarantee his independence.

"Damn it...! What do you want, Vermillion...?!" the dragon exclaimed in annoyance.

"Cooperate with me, Great Wyvern, and I will ensure your freedom. I want a mutually beneficial relationship. Let’s put it between us because Vermillion’s main goal now is to overthrow King Victor Dragomir," I answered clearly and firmly.

"Ohh... Vermillion’s resurrection, it turns out! We have a common enemy! But you need to know, Vermillion Boy... forming a relationship with the dragon isn’t that simple. We need a promise! We need a vow! Only a true wizard dares to make a vow to prove they are worthy of our relationship!"

Vow?

I thought for a moment, wondering what vow the dragon was referring to.

But slowly, I could feel the dragon’s body emitting a black aura, and at the same time, my body was emitting a similar black aura.

These two black auras seemed to be connected, bound together.

I could feel a great, gripping power within the black aura, prompting me to reach for it with my right hand, then—

"Baron Atreus, wait." Leysha suddenly stopped my hand.

"...Leysha?"

"I-I remember the explanation from Lord Vermillion.... this black aura is the form of a vow between a wizard and a dragon. You must complete the dragon’s challenge for this vow to be mutually binding, and the dragon will commit to the wizard."

Oh, I never thought there was a vow like this.

So convenient.

It feels like a contract with a partner.

"You haven’t asked what if you fail, Vermillion boy..." The Great Wyvern said challengingly.

"Okay... what if I fail this challenge of yours...?" I asked calmly.

"You will die for breaking your vow. Automatically, Vermillion boy...!"

I fell silent, as did Leysha and Cecile, who were shocked to hear this.

They both held my hand, looking at me with worried expressions.

I knew the risks were enormous, but I knew that Vermillion’s vision was a great one, one that cost lives.

I smiled at Leysha and Cecile.

But they could only smile softly.

They both understood, even though I didn’t say it, that I was standing firm in my determination to strengthen Vermillion by forming a vow with the dragon.

Slowly, Leysha and Cecile released their grip, and I approached the Great Wyvern.

"Tell me your challenge, The Great Wyvern," I said firmly.

"Hah...! Vermillion boy...! Young and brave...! I hope you don’t back down in fear, boy...! I want you to succeed in conquering the golden mountain of Aaren...!"

The golden mountain of Aaren?

As I recall, I’ve seen on maps of this land that there’s a high mountain area named Aaren south of Thornvale.

I certainly haven’t studied the golden mountain of Aaren thoroughly, but there’s no time to think about it now.

Take it or leave it.

"Deal! I will definitely meet your challenge, The Great Wyvern!" I exclaimed firmly.

The dragon smiled and let out a loud howl.

The black aura that had previously been spreading between us now entered our bodies.

I felt a surge of powerful magical energy, but I couldn’t fully control it as it entered my body.

But at the same time, I could feel the sharpness of the black aura within me, and I knew it could explode and kill me.

It seemed that way if I failed to meet the challenge.

ROAAAARRR!

The Great Wyvern let out a loud cry, louder than usual, so loud that Leysha, Cecile, and I all covered our ears.

CLANG! CLANG! CLANG! CLANG!

The cry was so loud that the magical chains binding its legs and wings cracked, unable to withstand the surge of power.

Even the crystal seal is entirely shattered!

The Great Wyvern flapped its gigantic wings and shot straight up, striking through to the ground easily until the dragon finally return to the sky.

"I await you on the golden mountain of Aaren, Vermillion boy...!"

The dragon’s cry rang out loudly, then faded away as it sank into the sky.

I was speechless, overwhelmed by the surge of this dangerous black aura.

The chaos in Thornvale had certainly been resolved, but there was a new challenge I had to face.

This new burst of power indirectly fueled my deep desire, which I knew was growing stronger as I watched Leysha and Cecile approach me.

It seemed I needed a ritual to control the power of this mysterious black aura.

"Baron Atreus, are you alright...?" Leysha asked.

"Oh, thank goodness the Great Wyvern is gone...! I didn’t think you could banish him, Baron Atreus...!" Cecile said happily, not quite understanding my conversation with the dragon.

I knew she also didn’t fully understand the newly formed vow between me and The Great Wyvern as vow of wizard and dragon.

However, for now, I already know what I want to do before I left for the golden mountain of Aaren.

"Leysha, Cecile... come to my room tonight. Wear your best clothes. I’m sure you both know what I want."

"Eh...?"