The Duty of the Dragon God

There are several theories regarding the fall of the Argenta Empire.

Some scholars point to the incompetence of the Argenta Imperial family and the corruption of the nobility as the primary causes. Others blame the sudden opening of the gates to the Demon Realm, arguing that Argenta lacked the power to cope with the demons and was swallowed up by a new emerging force just in time.

Since it was an event from the distant past and not directly related to my current life, I consumed those stories as mere entertainment. It felt exactly like reading about how Yi Bang-won swung a mace to kill Jeong Mong-ju—just about that level of detachment.

So, I thought, it would have been better to tell the “Truth of the Argenta Empire” to the scholars who have spent their lives researching it, not me.

Well… I suppose it can’t be helped since these are memories left in a place only I can enter. It seems Arjen didn’t leave these memories for public purposes like the advancement of history anyway.

In any case, the reason Argenta fell was that Arjen was ousted from his position as the Dragon God. Arjen lost his divine status by committing the taboo of loving a human. Capre, who succeeded Arjen as the Dragon God, used Kaian to destroy Argenta and established a new empire named after himself.

I let out a yawn as I skimmed through the memories, which were at least 70% composed of the love story between the Black Dragon Arjen and the last Crown Princess of Argenta, Marie. I got it—the two of them, or rather, the dragon and the human, shared a romance for the ages. But really… how much longer do I have to watch this?

After falling endlessly, I landed in a well-manicured garden. Whether I was confused or not, the child-version of Arjen and little Marie had their heart-fluttering first meeting in a garden full of roses.

“Excuse me.”

I tried calling out, but neither of them answered or even gave me a glance, which was a bit awkward. After experiencing a movie-like scene transition where the world went dark and then bright again, I realized this was an illusion created by Arjen.

I didn’t really care to know their love story, but there were some useful things in these memories. Specifically, the part where Arjen taught the teenage Marie how to handle the Dragon’s Blessing.

I possessed a blessing strong enough to be considered the reincarnation of Emperor Kaian, but I had no idea how to use it. Honestly, I hadn’t felt the need until now. The Empire was peaceful. Sure, there were all sorts of power struggles beneath the surface, but I’d never needed martial force.

However, after falling alone into dragon ruins twice now—and with my coronation as the Grand Duke of Aphelion approaching—I felt a sense of crisis. I needed to be able to protect my own body.

While Arjen was busy pulling cringeworthy moves on Marie, I practiced drawing out my blessing. It wasn’t exactly hard, but it wasn’t easy either.

Sensing the power dormant in my heart was simple enough; I’d been doing that ever since I entered Kaian’s body. But drawing it out was a different story. I had always viewed this power as a bomb that would explode if touched, and until recently, that was practically the truth.

Just the flickering of that dormant power made me anxious. Was it really okay? The vessel for the power had grown stronger, but my body was still weak. I hated pain, and I hated dying even more. I sighed, covering my cold-sweated hand with the other. Perhaps staying near strong people was a wiser strategy than trying to become strong myself.

‘Why did you stop?’

Suddenly, Arjen’s voice echoed in my head. I looked at him. Arjen was busy telling Marie that she was more fragrant than the flowers and that he wished time would stop… and so on. Did I mishear him? As I wondered, Arjen spoke again.

‘Kaian.’

– Marie.

Two voices overlapped, but I could clearly distinguish them. The voice calling my name was inside my head, while the one calling Marie’s name reached my ears. I looked up at the sunny sky.

“Hello.”

A laugh echoed in both my ears and my mind.

‘You share nothing but a name with him.’

“Is that so?”

‘He tended to find greetings quite bothersome.’

Now I knew where Kallios’s terrible social manners came from. It was genetic. If it was passed down to him, it was definitely a dominant trait.

“Emperors don’t usually have to greet people,” I defended Kallios. Arjen laughed again. I pointlessly rubbed my palms against my clothes.

Arjen, still holding Marie’s hand, began explaining how to handle the power.

– It’s not much different from moving your fingers to grab an object. At first, you have to do it consciously, but once you get used to it, it will move naturally according to your will.

I sat on a flat rock and watched them. Marie groaned while staring at her captured hand and sighed.

– It won’t move.

– Keep trying. Dragon power is prideful, but it won’t forget its duty just to protect its pride.

– Duty?

Arjen smiled tenderly. Seeing a handsome face smiling with such favor was quite a sight. I crossed my legs on the rock and propped my chin on my hand.

– Yes, duty.

Marie seemed curious about what that duty was, but Arjen didn’t explain. Instead, he told her to keep practicing. I let out a long yawn and rubbed my eyes.

‘You try it too.’

“I’d rather not…”

‘Why? Are you afraid?’

After a moment of silence, I nodded. This power had threatened my life for over ten years. Just because my heart had gotten a bit stronger didn’t mean the fear would vanish. I had lived thinking that pain was a natural part of being in this frail body, but I had never once enjoyed it. I still remembered the days of suffering through fevers and the sensation of my blood vessels being torn apart. If asked which was greater—my desire for power or my hatred of pain—it was definitely the latter.

‘Let’s see.’

The wind gathered in the air and soon took the form of a person. It was an Arjen who looked slightly older than the one standing with Marie.

‘Hello, Kaian.’

“Uh-huh.”

Arjen landed silently before me with a smile. I looked at him in his full-grown youthful form.

“Are you Arjen?”

‘I am, and I am not.’

“What does that even mean?”

Arjen didn’t answer but smiled and held out his hand.

‘Hand.’

“No, I’m good.”

‘I just want to check something. It won’t hurt, so don’t worry. Hand.’

I glanced at the Arjen still holding Marie’s hand before offering mine. He took it.

“This feels a bit…”

I frowned. The texture felt exactly like the translucent dome, molded into the shape of a hand. It was soft and cool. It felt like I could crush it if I squeezed hard. I looked at his hand for a moment before relaxing my grip.

I felt something slithering into the center of my palm. I sighed and tried to relax.

‘Good boy.’

Arjen praised my reaction. The presence that had entered leisurely began to crawl up my arm before stopping near my elbow. Arjen covered the back of my hand with his other hand. The thing that had paused continued its climb before stopping at my shoulder.

I waited patiently, watching Arjen’s face as he focused with his eyes closed.

The power that had hesitated at my shoulder suddenly surged into my chest. I winced and held my breath. A sudden heat pooled around my heart. Arjen pulled me into an embrace.

‘Relax.’

Like that’s easy! I swallowed a surge of nausea, which turned into a cough. Sparks flew every time I hacked. I started to wonder if this guy wasn’t trying to help me, but rather to kill or break me. After all, I was the First Prince of Capresena—the nation that destroyed the country Arjen’s Marie was meant to inherit. I tried to pull my hand away, but Arjen interlaced his fingers with mine, gripping tightly. Contrary to my first impression, Arjen’s hand did not crumble or scatter.

‘Breathe in.’

I took a deep breath. Arjen slowly stroked my back. The power that had been churning my insides settled into my chest.

‘This… is certainly a size worth being afraid of.’

The coughing only stopped after Arjen’s power suppressed the wild fire. I caught my breath and let my body go limp. I closed my eyes, leaning entirely against Arjen’s jelly-like body. It felt as if the awakened fire was flowing through my veins. My whole body grew hot—much hotter than a fever, but it didn’t hurt or feel miserable.

The fire flowing through me split in two: one part coiled in my chest, and the other in my forehead. Once the heat fully subsided, I pushed Arjen away. He had held onto me the whole time I was spitting fire, but he stepped back obediently. You son of a b*tch. I wiped my mouth, wet from the coughing and nausea, with my sleeve. The blackened, charred fabric crumbled away. Wait, what is this?! Arjen laughed out loud at my bewildered expression. Just as I was about to get angry, the scene changed.

I was now in the Imperial Palace of Argenta. It seemed to be Marie’s room. Marie was sitting on the bed, and Arjen was standing, looking down at her. The atmosphere between them was heavy.

– I’ll go.

At Arjen’s words, Marie, who had been checking a sword half-drawn from its scabbard, slammed it back in with a sharp clack.

– It’s my country.

– Exactly.

– I will protect it.

– Marie.

Arjen knelt before Marie and slowly bowed his head. He kissed the slippers peeking out from under her white dress.

– I don’t want to let you go.

– Arjen.

Marie stroked Arjen’s hair. Arjen remained still, his lips pressed to her foot. Marie’s expression looked… sorrowful.

– I’ll be back.

– Marie.

– Stay here and wait for me.

Arjen’s tears soaked Marie’s slippers. I watched the scene for a moment before turning my head to look at the wall.

The scene changed again. It was a field at sunset, filled with the corpses of humans and monsters. Marie, her hair cut short, stood at the vanguard, swinging a sword wrapped in black aura. A man in black, clashing swords with her, cackled as he tore at Marie’s shoulder with long claws. Metal armor and flesh were ripped away together, spraying red blood. I flinched and took a step back.

‘That is a demon. Look closely.’

“A demon?”

Arjen explained in a calm voice.

The reason the Dragon God protects the human empire is to guard the continent from the hands of demons. Human faith makes the Dragon God strong. Using the power gathered from that faith, the Dragon God seals the gates of the Demon Realm.

The reason the gates opened even while the Dragon God Arjen was present on the continent was because… his divine status had weakened. He said with a smile that this is what happens when a Dragon God, who is supposed to love the entire continent and all of humanity, creates one special existence.

Just as a demon’s hand was about to pierce Marie’s heart, Arjen appeared and blocked it with his own body. The demon laughed like a madman, looking at its own hand that had harmed a god. Marie wailed. Arjen, Arjen. As I listened to her crying his name, I asked.

“Why are you showing me this?”

‘I wonder.’

The world went dark and then bright again. I closed and opened my eyes. I saw the log cabin I had seen before Arjen’s memories began.

‘Now, let’s practice controlling the power.’

“I don’t want to.”

‘It will be easier than before.’

Arjen coaxed me as if soothing a child. I scowled.