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Chapter 42
The Dragon Returns
The mountain camp had grown restless under the shadow of the ancient peaks.
For two full days and nights, the soldiers had combed every slope, every hidden ravine, and every shadowed cliff. Torches flickered like fireflies against the darkness, while patrols moved in tight groups across the jagged rocks, their voices low and urgent. The wind carried whispers of worry through the pine-scented air.
Prince Alex had vanished without a trace.
Max stood at the edge of the camp, arms crossed over his armored chest, staring toward the dark, yawning mouth of the mountain caves. His usually calm face was etched with a deep frown, the lines of concern cutting sharper than any blade.
"He wouldn't just disappear," Max muttered, his voice steady but heavy with unease.
One of the knights beside him shook his head, torchlight dancing across his worried features.
"We've searched the lower caves thoroughly, sir. There's nothing there but stone and echoes."
Another soldier shifted nervously, gripping his spear tighter.
"What if… what if some ancient monster awakened and took him? These mountains hold old secrets."
Max's expression darkened like storm clouds gathering.
"This range has slumbered peacefully for centuries. If a powerful beast lurked here, the scouts would have sensed its presence long ago."
Yet even he could not hide the flicker of doubt in his eyes. The prince had entered the mountain alone two days earlier, seeking solitude and answers. Since then, only silence had returned.
Not far from them stood Baron William, who had arrived earlier after hearing the prince had disappeared inside his territory. His aged yet dignified face carried visible worry as he looked toward the mountain.
"My lord prince entered my land and vanished under my watch…" the baron murmured gravely. "If something happens to him, it will be my greatest failure."
The knights nearby quickly reassured him.
"We will find him, Baron. His Highness is not someone easily harmed."
Still, tension lingered over the entire camp.
The entire camp suddenly fell into a heavy silence.
Footsteps echoed softly down the rocky path leading from the mountain's heart — steady, unhurried steps that cut through the tension like a blade through silk.
Every head turned.
A familiar figure emerged from the swirling mountain mist, bathed in the pale glow of moonlight.
Prince Alex.
For a breathless moment, the whole camp froze, as if time itself had paused to witness his return.
Then the spell broke.
"Prince Alex!"
Several soldiers rushed forward, relief flooding their faces like sunrise after a long night.
Max's eyes widened slightly.
"…Your Highness."
Baron William stepped forward as well, clearly relieved.
"Prince Alex! Thank the heavens you are safe."
Alex looked at the crowd gathering around him and raised a single eyebrow, his expression calm and slightly amused, as if he had merely returned from a short walk through the woods.
"What?" he asked lightly.
The soldiers stared at him as though he were a ghost risen from the mountain's depths.
Suddenly—
Ding!
A familiar blue system notification shimmered before Alex's eyes.
You have shocked your companions.
Reward: 500 SC
Alex nearly laughed aloud but kept his face composed.
Max strode forward quickly, his armored boots crunching on the gravel.
"Where were you, Your Highness? You disappeared for two full days without a word."
Baron William also asked with concern,
"My lord prince, the entire camp has been searching for you day and night. We feared the worst."
Alex scratched the back of his head casually.
"Relax. I was just… strolling through the mountain."
Everyone stared at him in stunned silence.
"…Strolling?" Max repeated slowly.
Alex nodded, completely at ease.
"Yeah. I wandered a bit too far and found something interesting hidden deep inside."
Max narrowed his eyes.
"What kind of interesting?"
Alex shrugged lightly.
"A hidden dungeon. Ancient. Forgotten by time itself."
The camp exploded into shocked whispers.
"A hidden dungeon?!"
"In these mountains?"
"How is that possible?"
Baron William looked genuinely stunned.
"There are no records of any dungeon in this region. I have governed this territory for years and never once heard of such a thing."
Alex offered a faint smile.
"Seems like it. Some treasures are meant to remain hidden until the right person finds them."
Ding!
You have shocked the group again.
Reward: 300 SC
Max folded his arms.
"…Did you clear it?"
Alex nodded casually.
"Something like that."
The soldiers exchanged stunned glances.
Baron William shook his head slowly.
"Truly incredible… Your Highness entered alone and returned victorious."
The tension finally melted away from the camp.
Relief spread among the soldiers as laughter and chatter returned.
Dinner was prepared quickly, and the scent of roasted meat filled the air.
---
Later That Evening
The campfire burned brightly as night fully settled across the mountain.
Max stood across from Alex in the training clearing.
"You've been gone for two days," Max said calmly.
"Let's see how much strength you gained."
Alex smiled slightly.
"You sure about that?"
Max raised his wooden training sword.
"Always."
The sparring began.
Max attacked first.
Fast.
Precise.
But Alex moved even faster.
The moment Max's sword swung toward him, Alex stepped aside effortlessly.
Max's eyes widened slightly.
He's faster.
Max attacked again with a rapid combination of strikes.
Clang!
Clang!
Clang!
Alex blocked each strike smoothly.
His movements were lighter now.
Sharper.
Dragon mana flowed quietly through his veins.
Max pushed harder.
"Your Highness… you've improved."
Alex stepped forward.
His sword moved like lightning.
Max barely managed to block.
The impact forced him back two steps.
Max's eyes widened.
"That strength…"
Alex lowered his weapon calmly.
The soldiers watching nearby stared in disbelief.
Max exhaled slowly.
"…You've become much stronger."
Alex smiled faintly.
"Maybe that dungeon helped."
Max shook his head slightly.
"That was more than just a dungeon."
Alex said nothing.
Inside his body, dragon mana flowed calmly.
---
That Night
The camp finally grew quiet as soldiers retired to their tents.
Moonlight filtered softly through Alex's tent.
Alex sat cross-legged on his bedroll.
"System."
The blue interface appeared.
"Yes, host."
Alex leaned back slightly.
"Is there any manual connected to my bloodline?"
A brief pause followed.
Then—
"Yes, host."
Ding!
A new screen appeared.
---
Ancient Emperor Dragon Scripture — Part One
Rank: S
Skills:
• Dragon Mana Circulation — Refine and amplify dragon mana.
• Emperor Dragon Aura — Release overwhelming draconic pressure.
• Draconic Regeneration — Heal using dragon blood.
Cost: 100,000 SC
Wish to purchase?
---
Alex frowned.
"Wait… this is only part one?"
"What about the rest?"
The system replied calmly.
"Even after years you may not easily purchase the later parts."
Another set of screens appeared.
---
Ancient Emperor Dragon Scripture — Part Two
Cost: 300,000 SC
---
Part Three
Cost: 500,000 SC
---
Part Four
Cost: 1,000,000 SC
---
Alex stared at the numbers.
"…You've got to be kidding me."
"There are four parts?"
"That cost is insane."
He grumbled quietly before sighing.
"…Fine."
"Purchase Part One."
Ding!
Purchase successful.
Suddenly a massive wave of knowledge flooded Alex's mind.
Ancient dragon runes.
Mana pathways.
Breathing techniques.
Dragon power cultivation methods.
Alex sat perfectly still while the information settled inside him.
Minutes passed.
Finally he exhaled slowly.
"…Incredible."
Dragon mana now circulated through his body smoothly.
His mana capacity had grown dramatically.
Alex opened his eyes.
"I now have dragon mana comparable to A-class mages…"
Faint crimson energy flickered around his fingers.
"Well…"
He lay down slowly.
"I've become much stronger."
The moonlight shifted across the tent.
"But the road ahead is still long."
Alex closed his eyes.
"…Let's sleep."
---
The Next Morning
The caravan prepared to depart at sunrise.
Horses were saddled.
Supplies packed.
Baron William approached Alex.
"Prince Alex, it has been an honor hosting you in my territory."
Alex nodded politely.
"Thank you for your hospitality, Baron."
Max approached as well.
"We're ready to depart, Your Highness."
Alex looked once toward the mountain behind them — the place where the dragon legacy had awakened inside him.
Then he mounted his horse.
The caravan began moving once again.
Their destination:
The Eastern Province.
And the next stage of Alex's journey had officially begun.
---
End of Chapter 42