Chapter 93

――The anomaly in the world.

It was something that could not be overlooked as the "Black Dragon of the World's Foundation."

This world was created from its own body.

In ancient times, there was a Black Dragon that was too large and powerful. It spent a long time alone, growing weary of life.

Then, a god spoke to it, asking, "Would you not create a world from your body?"

The Black Dragon, who had already lived for an immense amount of time, nodded at the god's words, thinking, "It might be interesting."

――Using its own body as the foundation and stabilizing it with seven "Jewels of the Gods."

The Black Dragon became the "Black Dragon of the World's Foundation" and fell into a long sleep.

Many events occurred in the world, and the flora and fauna evolved in various ways. However, no matter what happened, the cycle of life continued.

It surrendered itself to the eternal flow, occasionally sending out a manifestation of its consciousness to observe the changes in the world.

A single human, a single country, a single race, a single region—though some of them faced extinction, it did not affect the continuation of the world.

As the foundation, it protected the world. There was nothing that obstructed its purpose. It merely observed and then returned to its slow sleep.

So, when it first sensed the anomaly, it intended to observe as usual.

What it realized was the existence of Reni, a young elf who possessed a "Jewel of the God" at the center of the world's anomaly.

It seemed that the "Jewel of the God" had formed a strong bond with Reni.

Throughout its long history, the "Jewels of the God" had been used many times. However, the seven "Jewels of the God" maintained the balance and stability of the world.

This time did not seem to be special. However, the small anomaly in the world gradually grew larger.

It could no longer be ignored, so it sent out a manifestation of its consciousness and made contact with Reni.

Though it went against its principles, to maintain the stability of the world, it was not averse to extinguishing the source of the anomaly.

――Killing Reni was also an option.

With this thought, it confronted Reni.

The result was that the "Jewel of the God" and Reni were more strongly bonded than expected, making it difficult to separate them. Moreover, Reni was on the verge of disappearing from the world.

It decided that the first step was to stabilize Reni, who was an unstable vessel.

Fortunately, elves have long lifespans and high magical power, making them excellent vessels.

It planned to devise a strategy to ensure that the "Jewel of the God" would remain in the world until Reni reached the end of her life. However...

"What do you mean by the world being distorted? ...Reni is not currently experiencing a magical power surge. Her body is firmly here."

Samuel said this and gently held Reni's hand.

In response, Reni released her hand from her chest and clasped Samuel's hand.

As Samuel said, it was different from when Reni was about to disappear in the Elven Forest. Reni was not experiencing a magical power surge, and her body was not fading away.

"However... it is certain that the world has been distorted. Perhaps 'distorted' is not the right word; 'shifted' might be more accurate... and it is centered around the young elf."

The Black Dragon of the World's Foundation sat cross-legged in the air, flapping its wings.

Indeed, an anomaly had occurred, but it quickly disappeared, and the world returned to its usual state.

"I thought that if the young elf matured as a vessel, it might... but it may require more urgent action."

"What do you mean by that?"

"I don't know. That's why it's not good to leave it as it is."

The Black Dragon of the World's Foundation looked at Reni intently.

"Do you like this world?"

"Yes. Reni likes this world."

Reni's golden eyes were straightforward, with no hint of deceit.

For the Black Dragon of the World's Foundation, who had made its body the foundation of the world, these words were touching. It enjoyed the moments when Reni's eyes sparkled with excitement.

"I will go to sleep."

"Huh?"

Samuel frowned and spoke at the sudden declaration.

The Black Dragon of the World's Foundation nodded.

"I will tell you the locations of my remaining two treasures. However, I cannot assist you."

"Hmm. Up until now, you have only guided us, but you have never helped us."

"No, that's true... but... I can no longer watch over you."

"What do you mean by that?"

"Ugh..."

The Black Dragon of the World's Foundation groaned at Samuel's sharp words.

Indeed, it had decided to observe the world without favoring anyone and had not done anything.

The burning of the Elven Forest, for example, was seen as an act of hostility by Reni and Samuel, and it would have been better if it had not been there.

"Muto, when Reni was about to disappear, you told her to 'focus.'"

Looking up at the Black Dragon of the World's Foundation, Reni whispered, "Thank you."

"Reni didn't disappear because of that."

"Of course, of course!"

The Black Dragon of the World's Foundation chuckled and lowered its eyebrows.

"If the same thing happens again, I won't be able to speak to you. You and the young elf will have to overcome it together."

"Okay. Reni has practiced. It's fine."

"That's right! Lady Reni has practiced magic control and can now freely use special magic! She even blew away a water snake with magic! A magical power surge shouldn't happen easily now."

"Okay."

Reni and Samuel laughed together.

Seeing their smiles and the trust between them, the Black Dragon of the World's Foundation felt that things would be fine unless something extraordinary happened. However...

"Ah... if there is a 'what if,' it means that something extraordinary has happened."

The Black Dragon of the World's Foundation raised its voice.

"The young elf and the Jewel are more important than I had anticipated. I don't know what it means yet, but when it happens, it will certainly cause a great upheaval in the world. The best thing is to prevent it!"

I hope this premonition turns out to be groundless.

The Black Dragon of the World's Foundation smiled down at Reni.

"The young elf likes this world, so she would be sad if it disappeared."

"Okay."

Reni looked up at the Black Dragon of the World's Foundation and smiled.

Just seeing that made the Black Dragon of the World's Foundation feel a warm, fuzzy feeling in its chest.

It does not favor anyone. It only observes. That is the Black Dragon of the World's Foundation.

But in its heart...

"The young elf has a mission to look up at me with sparkling eyes!"

―Reni's shining golden eyes.

I hope they never lose their shine. I hope the young elf at the center of the world's anomaly can continue her journey, smiling and saying, "It's fun!"

"I will give this to you. It's like a charm. I will go to sleep, but if you are truly in trouble, speak to this."

The Black Dragon of the World's Foundation said this and handed Reni a shining object about the size of her palm.

"What is this?"

"Yes. It's my inverse scale."

"Inverse scale? Muto's?"

Reni, who had taken the inverse scale from Samuel, blinked her eyes and tilted her head in confusion.

"Will you get angry if I touch it?"

"Why would I?"

"Because touching a dragon's inverse scale makes it angry..."

"That's only if it's on my body. Since it's here, I don't have it on my body now. And since you have it, touching you means touching my inverse scale!"

The Black Dragon of the World's Foundation puffed out its chest in satisfaction and laughed, "Hahaha!"

Samuel looked at it with a displeased expression and whispered to Reni, "Let's throw it away, Lady Reni. Just toss it."

"It's my inverse scale!? It's precious and powerful, and it will definitely protect the young elf!"

"Handing over a scale from your own body to Lady Reni... Lady Reni, it's dirty. Let's throw it away."

However, Reni seemed to be ignoring both Samuel's whisper and Muto's shout, staring intently at the inverse scale in front of her.

She exclaimed, "Wow!" and her eyes sparkled.

"It's black and beautiful."

The scale, about the size of Reni's palm, was very hard and shimmered with a rainbow of colors depending on the light. It looked more like a large, polished gem than a scale.

Reni was entranced by its beauty.

"Reni, this is the first time I've had a partner."

Seeing Reni's happiness, Samuel couldn't say anything.

He muttered, "There's nothing I can do," and frowned, looking up at the Black Dragon of the World's Foundation.

"So, you were going to tell us the locations before you go to sleep. Where are the other two places?"

"Yes, the other two are the 'Shifting Desert' and the 'Transcription Forest.'"

"Understood. Then, go to sleep."

"Wait, wait, wait. Listen a bit more. You can understand the locations, but the 'Shifting Desert' changes its terrain every time you go there. The 'Poison Chicken' has the treasure, but it wanders around the changing terrain, making it difficult to find."

Samuel sighed, "So, it's a place that requires a guide. And the dragon is going to sleep, so it can't guide us."

"...Yes."

Samuel snorted, "Hmph!"

His eyes were cold, and his expression seemed to say, "Useless."

Then, a cheerful voice rang out.

"Karin can guide the 'Shifting Desert'!"

Karin, the rabbit beast person who had been silent until now, raised her hand, saying, "Yes, yes, yes!"