DEB 31

Now it seemed that things had become more complicated due to the lies. Huiyun seriously pondered whether he and Huigang should escape overseas.

Yasha’s memory.

First of all, he needed to recover it.

Whether he continued to lie or whether Yasha’s existence was eventually exposed, he needed to have complete memories to deal with it. In his current state, he couldn’t casually interfere with stories about Verita or reincarnation that might come up.

When he opened the system window and clicked on the reward he got from clearing the gate, a notification asking if he wanted to confirm Yasha’s memory fragment appeared. As he pressed the accept button, an irresistible force engulfed Huiyun.

So, it was to be shown through dreams.

Realizing what would come next, Huiyun surrendered himself to the intense somnolence. 

As his consciousness became hazy, forgotten memories emerged above it. 

In the long dream, he became Yasha, not the 20-year-old Mok Huiyun.

***

“Yasha, where are we going?”

As the ancient dragon prepared to go out of his lair, a red-haired man followed Yasha, asking persistently. 

Despite reaching adulthood, Yasha still couldn’t shake off Ash’s playful habits, so he affectionately tousled Ash’s hair behind him.

“It seems that hatchlings from both the Blue Dragon and Black Dragon sides have gone missing. Since quite some time has passed without finding them, I suppose I’ll have to take matters into my own hands.”

“Are you planning to bring them back?”

“Well… I’ve heard rumors that humans might have them, but I’ll need to assess the situation first. So, just stay put.”

Before he left, Yasha gave some instruction to his first disciple to not cause trouble, not burn the garden, not kill innocent creatures out of boredom, and keep the lair clean.

Obviously, Ash protested against it.

Smirking, Yasha flicked his finger, sending the protesting disciple flying back into the lair.

“Yashaaa!”

Even as his disciple protested from afar, feeling unjustly treated, Yasha flipped his robe and stepped out of the grand lair.

Yasha’s first encounter with the missing Hatchlings from the two dragon species occurred within the underground dungeons of the slave market.

“Blue eyes and black eyes. Both dark and splendid.”

Though the children trapped behind bars seemed no different from ordinary people at first glance, Yasha saw their origins in his eyes. The sapphire eyes were the Blue Dragon’s symbol and likewise the void in the eyes of the Black Dragon. Just those two traits were enough to identify the two children.

It was rewarding to follow the tails of information scattered across the continent. Despite taking about a year, Yasha was satisfied to find them relatively quickly. As he approached, the children, appearing to be around seven years old in human age, opened their eyes sharply and assumed a defensive posture.

Growl.

Unbelievable beast-like sounds emanated from the children’s mouths. While they seemed sharp and cruel, Yasha, knowing it was just a defense mechanism, smiled sadly at the scars that adorned their bodies.

It was only natural to feel a tearing sense of guilt, knowing that the adults who should have protected them had failed.

According to what he had heard, the stolen Hatchlings were taken by humans and sold at the market.

It was unthinkable. It shouldn’t have happened, but it did. All Yasha could do now was to try to make amends and heal their wounds.

Yasha smiled kindly and reached out through the bars. 

“So, the stolen young dragons have ended up here.”

“…?”

“Won’t you come with me?”

The two boys raised their eyes at the hand. The blue-eyed boy hid the black-eyed child behind him and revealed his sharp fangs.

“Who are you?”

The question about his identity somehow sounded so feeble in Yasha’s ears. Yasha tilted his head and removed the robe he was wearing, revealing his face. Cascading locks of silver hair fell down as his mesmerizing white eyes drew a soothing gaze.

Ah…

Unconsciously, young dragons exclaimed in admiration as they observed Yasha’s aura.

Despite his pale and cold skin, warmth emanated from Yasha. Even though every detail, down to his eyelashes, appeared pale, there was a contradictory overflow of vitality within him. The young dragons held their breath as they encountered an exception for the first time, instinctively acknowledging Yasha.

It was indeed evidence that they had inherited the blood of dragons, which deepened Yasha’s smile. The dragon against the wall now looked up at Yasha with a puzzled expression.

“…Who are you?”

They asked the question once more.

“I am Yasha. The first dragon and the origin of life.”

With an appearance akin to a spirit, Yasha’s self-introduction softened the boys’ guardedness. Yasha adjusted himself to their eye level and extended his hand once again.

“You can call me Lord. Can we now go together?”

Despite initially refusing, the boys seemed intrigued by the gentle offer that was extended again. They seemed to find it fascinating, as if it were their first encounter with such a situation. They looked confused, and eventually, the boy with black eyes led the way, pulling the boy with blue eyes.

“Let’s go. Staying here won’t change anything, and we’ll be sold as slaves anyway, so we might as well make a choice.”

Though his voice sounded somewhat cold and mature for a child, the boy with the blue eyes hesitated, clearly showing signs of inner turmoil, before finally grabbing Yasha’s hand. Yasha held onto the small hand that barely covered half of his palm and murmured softly.

Then, the bars vanished without a trace. Yasha hugged the two boys tightly, laughing cheerfully.

“Let’s go to my Lair. There are newly grown dragons that will take care of you… hmmm.”

As Yasha was about to finish his sentence, he simply smiled. The two boys, puzzled by Yasha’s meaningful expression, obediently followed him towards his Lair. 

When they finally arrived, the red-haired man came running out in astonishment, calling Yasha’s name.

“What… what’s this, Yasha! Why on earth did you bring those fluffy little ones?” 

“Fluffy little ones? What a cute way to put it, Ash. You’ll be a good older brother to these kids.”

“Of course I will be, but why did you bring them here? This is Yasha’s and my nest!”

“You need to be honest. This is not ‘our’ nest, Ash. It’s my Lair.”

As the noisy, bustling man contrasted with the calmly spoken Yasha, Yasha gently lowered the two dragons to the ground. The young dragons looked at the man with wary eyes, and despite doing his best to deal with a three-year-old child, the man faced their fierce gaze head-on and growled threateningly. 

Smiling warmly at the unfolding scene, Yasha grabbed Ash’s shoulder.

“It’s nice seeing you guys get along so well”

“Yasha… Urgh!”

Ash’s expression, which had seemed about to say something, twisted suddenly. 

Crack. 

A sound like bones breaking emanated from his grabbed shoulder. Yasha gently held onto Ash, who was writhing in pain, and spoke.

“Ash, I believe you can be a good older brother to these kids. They have nowhere else to go but my Lair. Don’t you think we should take care of them?”

“But…!”

“Ash.”

 Crackl!

“I’ll, I’ll do it! I’ll do it!”

Unable to bear the pain of his broken bones, Ash jumped up and cried out in agony. Yasha patted his cheek gently and released his grip on his shoulder. 

Ash, whose shoulder had been twisted into the shape of Yasha’s fingers, groaned as he straightened the broken bones on his own. By the time the regeneration was complete, the bones had returned to their original shape as if nothing had happened.

“…”

Realizing something was amiss, the two dragons looked at each other, but they had no choice. With nowhere else to go, the dragons ended up staying in Yasha’s Lair, and Ash, reluctantly accepting Yasha’s almost threatening request, reluctantly took care of the two boys. 

Though initially reluctant, as a caring dragon, he eventually found himself quite adept at babysitting, even letting them riding his neck and shouting, “Yeehaw!” as they jumped around, seeming to enjoy it immensely.

“Ash, Ash! Let’s go this way!”

“No, going this way is better!”

“Hey, you little rascals! Do you think my hair is some kind of steering device?”

Of course, there were times when things seemed troublesome, but Yasha considered it all part of their growth process and would laugh it off with ease.

Yes, it was time for Ash to have a friend too.

Whenever he went away, Ash would guard the entrance like a lonely puppy, waiting for his owner to return. It would be nice for him to have someone by his side, a new friend, a family member. 

After living together for ten years, Yasha, proudly gave them names when they suddenly gained weight and became healthier.

Vina and Moot.

The children, who had been the Blue Dragon and the Black Dragon respectively, quite liked their newly given names.

“Seeing you even give them names, you’re… you’re trying to expand again, aren’t you, Yasha? This isn’t some kind of orphanage. I took care of the injured griffin you brought before…”

Although there was a grumbling dragon, Yasha and the young dragons were just happy about the good things.