Moreover, the strength the other party had displayed earlier was enough to command genuine respect.
At that moment, Milgatabrek—clearly growing impatient with Borchi's incessant chatter—gently nudged the Golden Dragon aside with her long neck and massive head. The motion was neither hostile nor forceful, but firm enough to make her intention clear.
Then she turned and walked steadily back into the depths of the dark cave.
Everyone watched her retreating silhouette with confusion.
What was she doing?
The heavy rhythm of her footsteps echoed through the cavern once more. Moments later, Milgatabrek reemerged into the faint light spilling in from the cave entrance.
This time, she carried something carefully cradled in her powerful foreclaws.
A Dragon egg.
It was enormous—several times larger than a human child. Its shell shimmered in a warm blue-green hue, veined with delicate marble-like patterns that seemed almost alive. From within, a faint pulse radiated outward, a weak but unmistakable life force that stirred the air itself.
Under everyone's astonished gaze, Milgatabrek walked straight toward Karl El.
She lowered her elegant neck and extended the claws holding the egg slightly forward.
At the same time, a series of low, gentle roars flowed from her throat—tones entirely different from the hostility she had shown earlier. There was no aggression in that sound, only gratitude… and something deeper.
Entrustment.
Her emerald dragon eyes reflected sincerity, solemnity, and an emotion rarely displayed by creatures of such overwhelming power.
Borchi, standing to one side, listened carefully to her words in the Dragon tongue. As he translated, his expression gradually grew complex—a mixture of understanding, subtle loss, and quiet solemnity.
He turned to Karl El and spoke in a low voice.
"Arnulfati, Milgatabrek is expressing her deepest gratitude to you."
"She thanks you for healing her wounds. She thanks you for the mercy you showed during your battle. And she thanks you for everything you have done for us since."
Borchi paused briefly before continuing.
"She says that you defeated me—a Golden Dragon—and proved your strength and reliability beyond doubt."
"She believes that a powerhouse like you deserves an equally powerful companion."
"Therefore… she is willing to entrust one of her children to you. She hopes that in the future, this child may grow into your loyal assistant and trusted partner."
The cave fell into complete silence.
Geralt, Yennefer, Doregare, and the two sisters, Tia, all turned their heads almost simultaneously, their gazes locking onto Karl El.
A Dragon.
Even as a hatchling, its potential was immeasurable. Once fully grown, it could rival an entire army. It would be both a symbol and a force—something kingdoms would wage wars to possess.
There was no doubt in their minds.
Karl El would accept.
Doregare's eyes nearly bulged out of their sockets. As a sorcerer devoted to protecting rare magical creatures, the thought of personally raising a Dragon—watching it grow from fragile hatchling to majestic apex predator—was nothing short of his lifelong dream.
He was screaming internally.
Agree! Just agree!
If possible, he would have volunteered to raise the Dragon himself.
Yet Karl El's reaction was nothing like what they expected.
He merely raised one eyebrow slightly.
A trace of genuine surprise flickered in his eyes.
"Wait… why is there another Dragon egg?"
A sliver of doubt surfaced in his thoughts.
According to his memory, Milgatabrek should only have one hatchling—Saskia—by her side. There had never been mention of a second egg.
Was this a change in the timeline?
Or had his memory been incomplete?
The question lingered in his mind, but it did not delay his answer.
Karl El stepped forward calmly and met Milgatabrek's hopeful gaze.
He shook his head.
"Milgatabrek," he said evenly, "I accept your gratitude and your recognition. This trust you place in me is invaluable."
His voice carried neither arrogance nor false modesty.
"But I must decline this Dragon egg."
The words landed like a stone dropped into still water.
Everyone froze.
He pointed to himself with a faintly helpless smile.
"First of all, I don't know how to raise a child."
He spread his hands slightly.
"Especially not one from the Dragon Clan, whose habits, lifespan, and instincts are completely different from those of humans."
"Raising such a child requires patience, knowledge, and decades—perhaps centuries—of dedication."
"And right now, I do not have that kind of time or energy."
He turned his gaze toward Borchi, who was still stunned by the refusal.
"Secondly, I believe Velentretremes…"
He deliberately used Borchi's true name.
"…as your kin, shares the same bloodline, instincts, and longevity."
"He is far more suitable than I am to take on the role of guardian and guide. He can provide the child with proper instruction, protection, and understanding of its own nature."
To make his meaning absolutely clear—and to prevent any possibility of mistranslation—Karl El pointed directly at Borchi.
The gesture was unmistakable.
Borchi blinked.
Once.
Twice.
Then realization dawned.
The other humans were equally stunned.
Refuse?
He was refusing a Dragon partner?
Not hesitating. Not bargaining. Not even pretending to consider.
Simply… refusing.
Geralt's cat-like eyes narrowed slightly.
The witcher had seen greed twist kings and peasants alike. He had seen men betray their closest allies for far less.
Yet Karl El's expression held no trace of regret.
Only calm certainty.
Geralt silently adjusted his estimation of this man upward once again.
Doregare, meanwhile, nearly fainted from emotional whiplash.
Borchi's initial shock quickly transformed into something else.
Gratitude.
Deep, almost overwhelming gratitude.
He nodded vigorously at Karl El, his massive golden head bobbing repeatedly. His vertical pupils softened, and he even blinked in a distinctly dragon-like show of appreciation.
Karl El's "rejection" was, in truth, an opportunity.
An opportunity for Borchi to grow closer to Milgatabrek.
Without hesitation, Borchi turned toward the Green Dragon and began speaking in a softer, more persuasive Dragon tongue. His voice carried not only translation, but subtle encouragement.
Perhaps even a bit of personal lobbying.
Milgatabrek listened carefully.
At first, her emerald pupils reflected confusion.
This outcome had clearly exceeded her expectations.
Why would anyone refuse such a gift?
She shifted her gaze between Karl El—calm and composed—and Velentretremes, who was speaking earnestly.
Suspicion flickered briefly in her eyes.
She did not understand human speech.
She could only rely on Velentretremes' translation.
But she had clearly seen Karl El point at him.
Was this truly the human's decision?
Would Velentretremes deceive her in such a matter?
She studied Karl El closely.
There was no greed in his eyes.
No possessiveness.
No hunger for power.
Only serenity… and a faint trace of apology.
Gradually, the suspicion faded.
Milgatabrek lowered her head slightly.
Perhaps she did not fully understand the human way of thinking.
Perhaps she never would.
But she understood sincerity.
And she understood responsibility.
This man had risked himself to heal her.
He had shown mercy in battle.
Now, he was refusing power—not out of fear, but out of clarity.
In the end, she chose to respect that.
A soft roar escaped her throat.
This time, the sound carried regret—but even more so, relief and admiration.
Karl El inclined his head slightly in response.
No further words were needed.
The Dragon egg remained cradled in her claws, but the atmosphere in the cave had shifted.
It was no longer one of transaction.
It was one of mutual respect.
Doregare let out a long, complicated sigh.
Geralt folded his arms silently.
Yennefer's violet eyes gleamed with faint amusement.
And Borchi… Borchi felt as if fate itself had just handed him a priceless gift.
Karl El, however, remained calm.
In truth, a Dragon companion would indeed be a tremendous asset.
But power acquired without responsibility was merely a burden in disguise.
He had no intention of binding a newborn life to his own uncertain path.
Not yet.
Perhaps someday.
But not today.
For more chapters
patreon.com/Robertt45