Second World

"You want to blackmail the secret boss behind this seal to become your country guardian in exchange for her freedom? Nice," Ronald said.

With Spring Crown, Linda could tell it was mostly sarcasm when the gamer spoke. With Ronald, she couldn't.

"Freedom is not the only thing I will use for negotiating," Master said. "By joining us, she has the chance to exact revenge on the one who sealed her."

"And who was that?" Long asked.

"Linda, you explain the lore. I need to work on this seal," Master said. "I need to unravel it only a little so I can communicate with the one behind the seal, but not too much that she can break out."

Master's body floated to the center of the seal and started working. The seal functioned similarly to a rune diagram.

Linda resumed Master's explanation, "In this game world's lore, there was a huge war during the ancient time. Although the war encompassed the entire continent, two races were the key players. On one side were the true dragons, and on the other side were the beholders. The true dragons were led by the then lord of dragons, Broidrireg. The beholders were led by their brood mother, the eldritch beholder."

"The one who is currently serving Aurebor?" Long asked.

"That's right," Linda answered. "The war went on for years. At that ancient time, the true dragon's number was more than five times their current number. That ancient war was the reason their number had dwindled significantly. The beholders were nasty enemies. Their brood mother couldn't die. Even if she was defeated, she came into existence again around a week later. She could continue to breed more beholders as long as she lived, and she bred fast. Another troubling thing about the beholders was their mind control ability. With enough number, they almost enslaved the entire population of a country, forcing the dragons to fight an innocent race instead of fighting them directly."

"Hm… What does that history have to do with the one behind this seal?" Long asked. "The eldritch beholder was already recruited by Aurebor. She is the most powerful among the beholder's forces, isn't she? We are not here to recruit a weaker beholder, are we? Or, are you telling me the one behind this seal is a true dragon?"

Linda responded to Long's question with silence and a meaningful stare.

"For real?" Long asked.

"Hehe, interesting," Ronald remarked with a chuckle. He wasn't interested in this world's history but he was always interested in strong prey. The beast behind this seal might become an ally, or things might go south and they might end up in a fight.

"Behind this seal is the true dragon who turned against her own kind," Linda explained. "She schemed with the eldritch beholder and caused a catastrophe upon the continent. She was also the reason the true dragons became an active participant in the war against the beholders."

"What did she do?" Long asked.

"She was fascinated by the eldritch beholder's mass breeding technique. She wanted the eldritch beholder to help her create her brood. In return, she gave the beholder a secret artifact originally owned by the true dragons, the Mind Breaker. The eldritch beholder absorbed this artifact and gained the mind control ability. The worst thing was all other beholders born by her after that inherited the same power. This was how they rose and carried on their attempt to conquer the continent."

Ronald didn't care about the story. What he cared about was how strong the dragon was. "Okay, she is a true dragon. So what? Broidrireg is the lord of the dragons. He is the strongest there is. Even if the dragon behind this seal joins us, she is still not Broidrireg's opponent."

"That's where you are wrong," Linda said. "Broidrireg was chosen as the leader because he was the wisest, not the strongest. Even at that time, Broidrireg had a brother and a sister who were stronger than him. His brother was a true dragon with the soul element. He was also the father of the current lord of dragons, Eoranth. Her sister was the true dragon that embraced the chaos element."

"So… I assume it is Broidrireg's sister we are recruiting?" Long asked.

"Yes," Linda nodded. "Broidrireg sealed the eldritch beholder because she couldn't be killed. He sealed her sister because he couldn't bring himself to kill his kin, even when his sister has killed his brother."

"Eoranth's father?" Long asked.

Linda nodded.

Ronald chuckled. He had seen Eoranth in action. That dragon's father was sure not less formidable. To be able to kill a dragon that powerful, the one behind this seal was certainly not to be taken lightly."

"However, the lore also said that she had been turned mad by the chaos element she embraced," Linda continued. "That's why she turned against her kin and got together with the eldritch beholder. The chaotic energy turned her secret desire for a brood into madness."

"What's her name?" Long asked.

"Her name is Azzarilth," Linda answered.

The moment the name was uttered, a shrill voice entered their mind.

"Who dares utter my name?"

The voice was soft, yet Ronald and Linda felt as if something was gnawing inside their head. Only Long and Master were unaffected.

"Azzarilth, I'm here with an offer," Master declared.

"Hahaha!" A laughter filled with madness reverberated through the cave. Linda and Ronald felt as if hundreds of gongs were struck right next to their heads. They had to move further away from the seal to reduce the pain.

"What does a tiny mortal like you can offer me?" Azzarilth asked.

"For starter, your freedom," Master answered.

The cave suddenly shook. The seal on the wall flared brightly.

"Your act has caused the seal to weaken. I don't need your help. Given time, I can break out myself," Azzarilth hissed.

"I can always use a rune diagram to repair the seal, or maybe even strengthen it," Master threatened. "You will not leave your prison without my say-so."

"Do not bluff. I can sense that you are an outworlder. You don't have that kind of knowledge."

"Are you willing to take the bet?" Master asked.

There was a long silence after that. It was some time before Azzarilth's voice was heard again. "What is your offer?" She asked.

"Firstly, a chance to take down Broidrireg," Master answered.

"… I'm listening," Azzarilth said.

"Secondly, I will help you build your brood."

"I can see that you know who you are talking to. All you are offering sounds too good to be true. I expect a high price for all that."

"I only have one demand. Serve me as my country guardian," Master uttered.

"Hahaha…!" The mad laughter was heard again.

"Do you accept?" Master asked after the laughter died down.

"Hehe. Let's do it then, and I wish our cooperation will one day conclude in a violent culmination."