#1167 The Primordial Dragon’s Present Life

I am Typhon, the Proto-Geyser Dragon.

The primordial and strongest of all dragons.

Originally, dragons were created as enforcers of divine punishment.
When the gods grew arrogant and sought to destroy and reshape the world at their whim, dragons appeared as the final stopgap.

As a counterforce to arrogant gods, the Mother Goddess of All, Gaia, created dragons as the ultimate weapon of violence.

I, Typhon, am one of the most powerful of these dragons.

Ordinary dragons settle in this world, keeping watch over the gods across countless generations and stepping in to keep them in check when needed.
That’s the role every dragon besides me has upheld since ancient times, sustaining themselves through an unending cycle of death and rebirth.

But I’m the Proto-Geyser Dragon—the final, ultimate sword.

If, by any chance, those conceited gods grow powerful enough to surpass even dragons, and all surface dragons are pitifully wiped out…
Then I, who slumber beneath the earth, will awaken in a grand resurrection and wipe out those foolish gods in one fell swoop.

I fear nothing.
I, the ultimate and strongest dragon, possess power far beyond the combined might of all the dragons of this world.

No matter how strong the gods are, no matter how many of them there are, they will never surpass me.

When I awaken, it will be the end of the world.
When I appear, it will mark the beginning of the final war with the gods.

I will slaughter every single one of them, fulfilling the task set before me.
And since I’m the strongest god-slayer around, this puny world won’t stand a chance once I start fighting.
The shockwaves alone will tear it to shreds, and when it’s all over, there won’t be a speck of dust left.

After everything’s been reduced to nothing, I’ll create a new world. Then, I’ll be the god at the very top, ruling over it all.
That is my destiny.

And then, several years ago… I finally awakened.
Was it because the gods' arrogance reached its peak?
It doesn’t matter. I will fulfill my role. As the primordial emperor dragon, I will unleash my full power, turning the world into hell before disappearing without a trace!

…Or so I thought. However...

***

“…Hey, Typhon.”
“Hm?”
“Can you at least clean up your room already?”
“Ngh…”

That annoying Alexander again.
Every day without fail, he comes to my lair and nags me non-stop.

“It’s been years since you moved into my dungeon... And yet, you’ve done nothing but eat and sleep. How about doing something active for once?”
“Shut up! I’m the strongest dragon! I do whatever I want, whenever I want!!!”

I shout, tossing the fruit seed I’d been chewing.

This dragon…!
He’s technically my descendant, so what’s with him acting like a guardian?!
It’s so irritating when he tries to act all grown-up!

“Judging from your behavior, it’s clear who the real grown-up is.”
“Gah! The Butler?!”

Alexander’s loyal undead assistant?!
What kind of dragon brings around undead servants? That’s so un-dragonlike!

“That’s right, I’m well aware that I’m not your typical dragon. I’ve had many heated arguments with Father about it.”
“But isn’t that precisely what makes you so charming, Lord Alexander? Your compassion and mercy, qualities that are rare among dragons, make me want to serve you wholeheartedly.”

Ugh, shut up!
This master-servant duo is so sickening!

It’s true, though, Alexander is definitely an irregular dragon.
Brutality and tyranny. These two core virtues that all dragons should possess are completely absent in him. Instead, he’s full of mercy and compassion.

And if that’s all there was to him, we could laugh it off as just another weak dragon, but there’s more to Alexander than that.
That’s right, he’s strong.
Stronger than anything else in the world. He’s on a different dimension entirely.

Even I, who thought I was unbeatable, once challenged him and got annihilated.
He almost erased me from existence, and he planted the fear so deep in my heart that I knew I could never defy him again. He broke me, mentally and physically.

Ever since then, I’ve been living in his domain…

“You’ve been lying around since losing to my lord. You haven’t even bothered to make yourself presentable. Being a girl, you should be more mindful of your appearance.”

Shut up!
You’re talking about my human form, right? But dragons only take human form as a temporary disguise!
It doesn’t matter whether we’re kids, adults, girls, or guys, there’s no real difference!

“Is that so? Well, dragon transformation spells do reflect the caster’s mental state…”
“Is that why you transform into a dignified, mature figure, Lord Alexander?”
“Father transforms into a child’s form though. Despite being the oldest dragon alive, why doesn’t he act more mature...?”

Shut up, both of you.
The reason Alexander turns into an old man with white hair is because his mental age is too serious!

And in comparison, does that mean I’m… young?

“Considering your form is that of an adolescent girl…”
“That just makes me want to protect you. That’s why I have to keep telling you to take care of yourself.”

Ugh, annoying adults!
Both of you are nagging like mothers!

Why am I being treated like a child?! I’m the Proto-Geyser Dragon, the first to appear among all dragons!!!

“Age or seniority don’t mean much in the world of dragons. Because we are so strong and versatile, we don’t have to mature mentally.”

Stop talking like you know everything...!!!

“Well, it’s fine. Sit down, Typhon.”

Huh? What’s all this formal stuff now?

“It’s been a few years since you’ve been here. When I first learned of your existence, I was shocked, but at the same time, it made sense in some ways. It showed me what dragons really are… What dragons are supposed to be.”

What dragons are supposed to be?
Dragons don’t care about that kind of meaning. It’s a petty, trivial concern.
Alexander himself is a dragon who cares about that stuff, so it’s clear he’s a dragon that’s unlike any other.

He’s like a failed dragon, but it’s this very failure that’s led him to gain abilities that far exceed traditional limits.

“Dragons were created as watchers of the arrogant gods and, eventually, as their executioners. That’s why we’ve fought and eaten each other countless times. But that era has ended. Our ancestor, the primordial mother goddess Gaia, has relieved us of that task.”

Yeah, I know this story.
When I first heard it, I was too stunned to even think.

Dragons no longer have a purpose.
There’s no meaning anymore.

So, what now?

“Now, dragons are just another form of life, like humans. We exist simply to live. If we get bored of that, we can create new purposes, just like humans.”
“Lord Alexander also recommends that you find your own purpose. Even if you don’t, just eating and sleeping all day without doing anything is laziness, and that should be changed.”

How many times do I have to tell you to shut up?!
How dare you give me advice like that! I’m the primordial dragon!

Gwaaah!

“An easier way to put it is, ‘He who does not work, does not eat.’ You too, Typhon. As a member of this world, you must work to live. That is the role of all living creatures.”
“And with that in mind, we’ve prepared a task for you. Why don’t you try it out? You might see things in a different light.”

Alexander is gentle, and the Butler is harsh.
It’s so irritating how they’re playing their roles perfectly.

That’s the trick, isn’t it?
Carrot and stick!

And the job they’ve brought me is…

— “Managing a demo dungeon.”

What the heck?