Azerlisia Mountains.
This towering mountain range stretched across the northwestern corner of the continent, forming a natural boundary between the Re-Estize Kingdom and the Baharuth Empire.
It was a land of extreme cold. To the north lay the Rhynd Sea, and to the south stretched the vast Great Forest of Tob.
The Azerlisia Mountains were rich in natural resources, but they were also home to numerous dangerous monsters.
Even Adamantite Adventurers could perish here if they were careless.
Though both great nations coveted this land, neither had ever truly set foot in it.
Thus, the mountain range remained a largely uninhabited region.
But today, that silence was broken.
...
Azerlisia Mountains, Mt. Rappaslea.
"Roar!"
A crimson monster wreathed in flames roared as it retreated step by step, its eyes filled with deep wariness as it stared at the figure before it.
It was the Ancient Flame Dragon, a terrifying magical beast bearing the title [Ruler of the Surface], one of the legendary Three Great Beasts of the Azerlisia Mountains.
The other two were the [Ruler of the Sky], the Phoenix Lord, and the [Ruler of Magma], the Magma Lord.
All three were dreadful beings beyond the Realm of Heroes.
Yet now, this Ancient Flame Dragon, the [Ruler of the Surface], felt the shadow of death looming over it.
"Not a Dragon Lord?"
Standing opposite it, Sephis spoke with faint disappointment.
When he first heard the title Ancient Flame Dragon, he had assumed it was part of the Dragon Race.
Instead, it was merely a giant flame lizard with only thin Dragon Blood in its veins.
That left him somewhat disappointed.
Looking at the Ancient Flame Dragon before him, Sephis prepared to strike it down.
[Dragon Lightning]
With a low murmur, lightning surged forth like a coiling dragon.
"S-Spare me!"
A bone-deep chill surged through the Ancient Flame Dragon. Sensing imminent death, it immediately rolled over and exposed its belly.
Sephis: "…"
...
Within the Azerlisia Mountains, Sephis rode atop the Ancient Flame Dragon, heading deeper into the range.
Half an hour earlier, just as Sephis had been about to take its life, the Ancient Flame Dragon had decisively abandoned its pride. It dropped into a smooth sliding kneel, declaring that after drifting through half its life, it had finally found a wise master.
After witnessing Sephis's overwhelming strength, it immediately pledged allegiance and willingly offered itself as a mount.
Considering that the Ancient Flame Dragon was one of the Three Great Beasts of the Azerlisia Mountains, known as the [Ruler of the Surface], and was thoroughly familiar with the terrain, Sephis ultimately refrained from killing it.
He did need a guide.
His true target was the ruler of the Azerlisia Mountains, the White Dragon Lord.
As a local powerhouse, the Ancient Flame Dragon could lead the way. And so Sephis now sat upon its back as it sped toward the depths of the mountains.
"Slimear, how much farther?"
Sephis asked, watching the scenery rush past.
Demiurge's plan could not be delayed. He had to complete this mission as quickly as possible.
As a son, he needed to ease Father-sama's burdens.
"About half a day's journey, Sephis-sama!"
The Ancient Flame Dragon showed no resistance to its new name. After all, when a dragon is under someone else's roof, it must bow its head.
Moreover, after learning that its new master was a Dragonoid, it had quietly breathed a sigh of relief. Its earlier resentment had completely faded.
Losing to a Dragonoid was nothing shameful. In fact, the Ancient Flame Dragon felt a trace of pride.
To have produced such a powerful Dragonoid, his father must be extremely strong, at the very least a being on the level of a True Dragon Lord.
Now it, too, had backing.
With that thought, the Ancient Flame Dragon ran even harder.
It had to leave a good impression. Perhaps if its master was pleased, he might even help purify its Dragon Blood.
Lost in its fantasies, the Ancient Flame Dragon grinned, already imagining its bright future ahead.
...
Time passed slowly, from morning into afternoon.
Sephis had been resting with his eyes closed atop the Ancient Flame Dragon when he suddenly snapped them open.
"Stop!"
His gaze sharpened, dark golden dragon pupils emerging.
From within his blue hair, a pair of blue dragon horns grew forth. Pale blue scales spread along both sides of his face, and an overwhelming Dragon Aura surged from his body.
Looking up, a massive shadow came into view in the sky above.
"W-What is it, Sephis-sama?"
Overwhelmed by the terrifying Dragon Aura radiating from Sephis, the Ancient Flame Dragon was forced flat against the ground.
"A dragon is coming. And it's strong."
The [Dragon Spine Spear] appeared in Sephis's hand. He glanced at the Ancient Flame Dragon and tossed it a scroll.
"Stay here and don't move. If you're in danger, activate the scroll."
He did not intend to abandon his new mount.
Before the Ancient Flame Dragon could respond, Sephis vanished from where he stood.
Thunder rumbled.
Midair, Sephis raised the [Dragon Spine Spear], and a pale blue triple-layered magic array unfolded before him.
[Triplet Maximize Magic: Thunderous Catastrophe]
Thunder elemental particles in the atmosphere began to gather. Violent magic power condensed in an instant. The next second, lightning coalesced into a thick, deep-blue pillar of light that shot upward at incredible speed.
"Troublesome. I've been discovered."
A voice echoed from the sky.
With a resonant dragon's roar, magic gathered once more. A dark crimson breath erupted, surging downward from above.
As the two spells tore through the air, every cloud in their path was scattered. Sephis finally saw his opponent clearly.
It was a dragon. Its scales were gray, yet they shimmered faintly with iridescent light.
A True Dragon Lord.
The thought flashed through his mind. As if sensing Sephis's gaze, the colossal dragon turned to look at him as well.
In the next instant, the breath attack and the pillar of lightning collided head-on.
"Boom!"
High in the sky, a mushroom cloud formed from lightning and flames rose slowly upward.