#1168 The Dragon in the Well

Today, I'm full of energy and feeling proud of my adorable sons.

Looking back at the recent trade fair, there were plenty of things that made me feel it was all worth it, but there's one highlight that stands out.

It was Alexander's demo dungeon construction.
To be precise, it's a trial version of his main dungeon, the Mountain of the Sacred White Maiden.

Alexander’s really putting in the work to attract as many adventurers as possible to his place.

But, honestly, the dungeon he’s setting up is a total jackpot for us, too.
Because, while dungeons are sources of never-ending monster outbreaks and potential danger, they can also be bottomless goldmines if you play your cards right.

A dungeon generates monsters and materials out of thin air.
You can sell those for a high price, and they’re useful for everyday life as well.

Up until now, we’ve never had a dungeon in the Farm Kingdom. Sure, that means it’s been super safe, but on the flip side, there’s no access to dungeon-exclusive materials.
No risk, no reward, as they say.

But then Alexander shows up and offers to build a dungeon for us, and there couldn’t be better news.

It’s technically just a “demo version,” but it’s modeled after his original dungeon, which is said to be one of the best out there.

Because he’s taking care of the management side, there’s no danger of monsters running wild, and the materials that spawn are consistently top-notch in both quantity and quality.
Even if it’s just a demo, if the original has a potential of ten million, then a thousandth of that is still ten thousand.
That’s still way better performance than your average dungeon.

Having a fancy paid attraction open up in my territory is kinda like getting a J*sco to open in my hometown.
Or in today’s era, maybe that’s Æ*N?

Either way, it’s something that can really boost the local economy. Even if it’s a scaled-down version, word that Alexander’s dungeon is here is sure to bring adventurers in droves from all over the world.
That means foreign currency pouring in!!!

So today, Alexander and his entourage are coming by to hammer out the details, and I’m ready to welcome them with open arms.

“All right! Bring it on whenever you’re ready!”

And sure enough, here comes Alexander.
He arrives in full dragon form.
As always, that pure white radiance of his is downright awe-inspiring.

Trailing behind him is a somewhat smaller dragon.
Who’s that?

As soon as they land, both dragons shrink down into human form.

“Greetings, Saint. I appreciate the trouble you’ve gone to in welcoming us.”

Not at all, it’s the least I can do as your host.
I’ve been waiting for you with bated breath, Alexander!

But who’s this other dragon behind you?
She looks like a rather surly young girl... I dunno, maybe “brat” is the word that comes to mind?

Also, you didn’t bring your butler with you this time?

“I must thank you for allowing me to install my demo version of the dungeon in your domain. Since this place sees a lot of visitors, I have no doubt it’ll attract lots of foot traffic, which in turn should raise awareness of my main dungeon!!!”

Exactly!
A win-win arrangement that benefits both the incoming business and the local community.

“That said…I’d like to introduce someone. Even if it’s just a demo version, someone needs to manage it, right?”

Manage?
You mean, is it that girl you brought along?

“As expected of you, Saint, you catch on quick. I believe you’ve met before. This is Typhon, who lives under my care.”

Typhon?!
The one who came from the summit of Mt. Eternity?!

Oh hey, it’s been ages.
I almost forgot about you since it’s been so long. I guess you’ve been in Alexander’s care all this time.

I hadn’t heard anything from you for a few years, so I thought maybe you’d gone back to sleep.

“Shut it! Even if the goddess Gaia changed how dragons operate, that doesn’t mean I’ve got any reason to go into hibernation again!!!”

Well, come to think of it, that’s true…?
Originally, you slept in Mt. Eternity as a last resort, ready to awaken if the gods ever got too arrogant and tried to wreck the world. But these days, the gods have calmed down, and Gaia gave the final say-so that everything’s fine now.

“But the problem is, now that Typhon’s original role has ended, she’s been lazing about instead of finding a new purpose. I can’t overlook that any longer, so I decided to give her a job this time,” Alexander explains, looking visibly tired. “You see, she’s spent tens of millions of years as a quasi-invincible being, so she never bothered learning how society works. I’d like her to get some experience under your guidance, Saint. Please, I beg you!”

Alexander bows his head.
The way he’s acting, it’s like a worried parent pleading with a friend to help their NEET child get back on their feet.

…He’s the strongest dragon in the world, so why is he putting himself through all this stress?

Unaware of Alexander’s mental strain, the NEET in question just scowls and protests.

“Hey, bastard ! Don’t you go bowing your head so easily—you’re supposed to be the strongest living dragon! And you’re bowing to a freaking human, of all things? You of all people were once the strongest of the strong, who even beat me! Have you no pride?!”

She’s barking at the very person she’s supposed to be grateful to.

“Silence.”
“Yeeek!”

Alexander smacks Typhon lightly on the forehead, and a sonic boom ripples through the air just behind her.

“When you want help from someone, it’s only proper to bow your head and ask. Strength doesn’t enter into it.”

Right on.
Besides, does Typhon even get why Alexander is bowing his head in the first place?
He doesn’t actually need to bow.

“Hmph! It’s not like I wanted this! If anything, I’m the one getting roped into a favor here! I’m only listening to Alexander because he’s the only one who ever beat me even once! Don’t you dare think you can just ride those coattails and boss me around, you weakest of all humans!!!”

Yep, that pride.
I’ve gotten used to it by now. It’s basically the default template for dragons.

But all right, fine.
The best way to handle a dragon’s bluster is to show them some real strength on our side.

Which is why I’ve asked Veil to step in.

“Yosakoi, here I come!”

Enter Veil, our resident dragon.
She’s a bit much herself, but after witnessing Typhon’s over-the-top tyrannical attitude, Veil almost seems like the picture of reason by comparison.

“I’ve heard what’s going on. Sounds like you want me to show this deluded dragon just how harsh reality can be, right?”
“Oh, I remember you. Perfect timing. I can use you to prove how strong I really am. Even though I lost to Alexander, once I beat you, my overall record will even out to one win and one loss!!!”

As she speaks, Typhon shifts into her dragon form.

“Then I accept your challenge!”

Veil also transforms into her dragon form, ready for battle.

“Gwahahaha! You’ll regret jumping into a fight with me so carelessly! I am Typhon, the Proto-Geyser Dragon, the ancestor of all dragons and still the mightiest! Alexander was just an outlier; no other dragon could ever stand against me!!!”
“Dragon Secret Art: Harmonia Destruction!”
“Gyaaaaaahhhhhhh!”

Typhon goes down in a single hit.
She didn’t even put up a fight. It’s a total landslide victory for Veil.

“Who said Alexander was the only exception? I myself have grown a whole lot stronger by following Master and pouring my love into Junior. Love overcomes everything!”
"Putting me aside, I’d guess Veil’s currently the strongest dragon out there,” comments Alexander.

“Guhhh…! How… did I, Typhon, the Proto-Geyser Dragon, the mightiest dragon in the world, end up losing twice?”
“Well, since you’re already here, you might as well line up for more defeats."
“Huh?”
“Your turn, pseudo-corpse. Give her another taste of sweet, sweet defeat!”

Answering Veil's call, Sensei, the Lifeless King, silently appears amid a haze of miasma.
Did Veil just summon him via teleportation?

“Hah, so you bring out a worthless walking corpse? As if the Proto-Geyser Dragon Typhon could lose to some lower creature that’s not even a dragon!”
“Simultaneous casting: Dark Binding Constriction & Hellfire Steaming.”
“Gyaaaaaaaaahhh!”

Another instant defeat.

Right, I recall when Typhon first showed up, she got taken down by the Sage. Sensei’s basically on the same level, so yeah, I can’t see her winning there.

“Why... How?! Aren’t dragons supposed to be the strongest race? I can accept losing to someone of my own kind, but to be outdone by these lower creatures…?!”
“We Lifeless Kings have some of your kind, too. Thinking you’re the absolute strongest and letting it go to your head never ends well. There’s always somebody out there stronger than you, towering overhead.”
“Urgh… I refuse to accept it. This one’s just another exception. Nobody else can even step into my domain. I alone am the strongest—”
“Goodness... If that’s how you feel, then I suppose I’ll just have to bring in a few more of these so-called exceptions.”

Sensei lifts his staff and starts chanting some new spell.

Wait, is he about to summon more people?
This is turning into a whole Typhon-punishment relay at this point...