Chapter 6. Red Dragon Training
A few days later, Dora-sama took me to a new location.
The place where Dora-sama flew was outside of town.
In an area with few residents, the building was surrounded by domed walls.
There were several entrances built into the tall walls, and Dora-sama entered from one of them.
Of course, I followed through.
"!"
Immediately, smells from unfamiliar beasts assaulted my nose.
Not bad enough to hold my nose, but I couldn’t help but frown.
Not just the smell.
The smell isn’t that different from the Demon World.
More than the smell, I could hear various noises coming from the back of the building.
Creepy?
No, rather nostalgic.
"..."
Should I ask where we are? Rather, I could more or less guess.
Just then, Dora saw the questions on my face and spoke.
"This is the training ground for dragons."
I replied “Oh” to that and looked around.
I heard about this place.
Dragon Race can fly on our own wings by using force fields, and we can fly quite quickly and cruise at a high speed.
But Dragon Touki is limited, so flying long distances is exhausting.
When the Dragon Race needs to travel afar, we ride a Red Dragon.
The Red Dragon is the smaller of the dragons, but their range is relatively wide in comparison.
However, the Red Dragon is ferocious by nature.
After all, Red Dragons and the Dragon Race were natural enemies.
They’ll attack and eat the Dragon Race, left untamed.
That’s why we train and tame them here.
Catch a Red Dragon, teach them that Dragon Race is on top of the pecking order, train them as a riding animal.
"From today on, you work as my subordinate. You’ll work here from now on.”
"Yes!"
"Even if you weren’t working for me, I was going to bring you here at least once. Because living in the Dragon World, we can’t avoid a relationship with other dragon. There is no loss in knowing. ''
Dora-sama said, and started moving toward the back of the building.
The recess of the building was larger than it looked from the outside.
As we walked, I asked Dora-sama various questions.
"Why did you ask me to serve you?"
"When I heard your discussion with Dragon God-sama, I thought my work was optimal."
“Optimal?"
"Our work is appreciated by many Dragon Race without grudges.”
Training a dragon seems like a special task.
However, in reality, many dragons exist as livestock in the Dragon World.
Dragon Warriors need to tame dragons and fight alongside them.
More than livestock, but also as companions and partners.
In this world, it's closer to the relationship between a knight and his horse.
Although it is called a training ground, this building isn’t just for training.
From the treatment of gravely ill dragons to delivery of new births, it has various functions.
It’s a place where Dragon Warriors could get care for their partners.
Dragon World is a harsh world.
In battle, even a Red Dragon can die.
Therefore, there are many among the Dragon Race that deeply appreciate Dora-sama for her work.
Of course, it is not always possible to save a mortally wounded dragon.
But no one holds a grudge against Dora-sama when she can’t save it.
The Dragon Race does not blame those that have done their best.
That’s why the dragon training job was perfect for me.
It’ll take some time, but my name will spread through the land.
It’s not a glamorous job either, so no one will kick up a fuss.
"You’re an excellent student. I want to keep a talent like yours under my wings.”
"... I am honored to be praised."
I’m a little embarrassed to be praised by Dora-sama, but she looked away and proceeded to the end of the passage.
I walked through a narrow passage for a while and found a big passage.
Wide enough for red dragons to pass one another.
There were many cages within the passage, and in the cages, large red reptiles were curled up and lying down.
"That’s a Red Dragon."
"... Surprisingly calm, isn't it?"
The Red Dragon is a ferocious dragon.
It would attack anything that crossed its path and eat it.
However, the Red Dragon before me was just laying there, watching Dora-sama and I with a blank expression.
It was my first time seeing the real thing up close, but it looked quite different than I expected.
"This one has already been trained. If you go a little further in, you can see a dragon acting like a dragon."
"I see ... so what should I do first?"
"Rookie’s jobs have been fixed since ancient times.”
I followed Dora-sama deeper into the passage.
Then, just as Dora-sama said, the cries of the dragon grew louder.
I heard a rustling noise, like wings fluttering.
The cages became more sturdy, enclosing more rough individuals within.
Some growled and tried to intimidate me when they spotted someone new had arrived.
When Dora-sama stared back, They quickly grew quiet again.
"This area contains individuals that have been training for a few years. Still rather wild. Once they judge that all the Dragon Race are allies, they can be moved to other areas where more Dragon Race frequent, gradually moving toward Kayos.
"Caged at the furthest end are individuals that have just started training. They are no different from wild beasts."
"My job is to train them, right?"
I said so because I thought there was only the deepest part left.
However, I was scolded by Dora.
"Fool. I can't let a rookie fill the most important and dangerous role. Here."
Then, Dora-sama led me down a side road between the cages.
As we proceeded down the side road, I heard a terrible cry.
Perhaps an untamed, feral dragon roared.
The roar of giant reptiles can send chills down your spine.
If you hear it up close, your knees might buckle.
Even though I hunted beasts in the demon world, I froze for a moment.
Of course, dragons are probably on another level compared to demonic beasts.
If Dora-sama wasn't leading the way, my legs probably would stay frozen.
Dora-sama saw right through me.
She turned around and observed me with her usual cold gaze.
"What's wrong? Scared?"
"No, just surprised."
"Good. If you're so uncomfortable with this, you can’t do your job."
I have to do better.
What awaits me here isn't just trivial labor.
I can’t underestimate it.
But I thought it might be safer than fighting.
■
I was brought to the cage of a red dragon.
The red dragon was much smaller than the others.
At that time, I thought it was probably a young or immature specimen.
The dragon seemed agitated, growling and breathing roughly. It was wary of us, leaning against a wall.
Reading for a bite.
The dream of riding it like a mount seems like distant dream.
"First, you’re in charge of the training of this guy."
"Yes!"
"I won’t teach you anything. Dragons, better get used to them with your own skin.”
Aside from flying, Dora-sama taught me everything step-by-step.
Feel like I was suddenly thrown out on my own.
But my training was over, and so was our relationship as student and teacher.
Now that I’m her understudy, it’s only natural she expects me to stand on my own two feet.
"If you think it’s not working out, you can kill it."
"Kill it?"
"I will give you about a year."
Just like that, Dora-sama left.
Leaving behind me and the dragon, growling in the corner.
"Grrrrr ... Gao!"
"..."
Before me, a threatening dragon.
I thought for a while standing before him.
How can I make this dragon submit?
Do I beat it?
No, with a dragon this small, anyone from the Dragon Race can probably beat it up, capture and bring it here.
Since it’s not submissive, it probably doesn’t understand the difference in strength yet.
It would be useless for me to do it.
"..."
After thinking for a while, I left the scene.
Returning to the passage to greet a Dragon Race that passed by.
Even though he looked at me suspiciously, I gave him an honored salute.
"Hello, I work under Dora-sama starting today. I’m Laplace.”
"...A Rookie? I'm Gala."
"Gala-sama, may I ask you something?"
After thinking, I gave up and asked my senior for help?
No, not really.
Dora-sama told me to feel the dragon with my own skin.
If I asked my senior for help, it would be against the order.
But I thought my method would require some preparations.
"Where is the food for the dragon?"
"Oh, go straight that way--"
Yes, bait.
It's a simple idea, but first and foremost, I thought food was important.
For wildlife, the search for food is life-and-death.
When I was on my own, my everyday life revolved around the search for food.
So first, food.
Following Gala's direction, I visited the food storage and took a portion from the person in charge.
It's a giant piece of red dragon meat.
Dragons cannibalize each other for meat.
Even though Dragon Race eats dragons, we do not eat our own. It’s what differentiates us from wild beasts.
In any case, I returned to the Red Dragon with my bait.
First, fill its stomach.
That is the first important step.
"Gugaaaaa!"
However, the dragon only gazed me and growled.
As if saying, “I don’t need that, go away!”
Even when I placed the meat in front of it, it would not look at it.
Doesn’t look like it will eat anything from me.
Maybe it suspects that it contains poison.
"... That didn’t work."
Do I give up?
Even though I was hoping to make progress after it ate its fill.
If you think about it, it’s not that different from me back in the Demon World.
After living as a feral child in the Demon World, and after all my studies and training in the Dragon World. I can’t give up like that.
"Oh yeah!"
No, there was something else.
In my limited experience, there was a way to make a strong impression.
"Let's give it a name"
A name.
Yes, a name.
I think a name is important to start a hierarchical relationship.
When I was named, I could sense something important had happened.
At the moment I was named by Dragon God, I felt reborned.
That's why I’ll give it a name.
Back then, Dragon Race did not usually name their dragons.
Dragons are dragons. Even though we’ll differentiate them by species, we rarely differentiate between individuals.
"Your name is..."
But for me, it's my first time naming something.
The name didn't readily appear, and I had to think for a bit in front of the growling dragon.
"Gooh!"
Did my hesitation appear weak?
The dragon suddenly bounced and attacked me.
"Hold on.."
I grabbed its upper jaw without effort.
Compared to the quickness of Dora-sama, the terrified lizard might as well be standing still.
That's the difference in power.
By then, I had begun to understand how to utilize Dragon Touki through training.
Even though I couldn’t yet use my full power, it was plenty to handle a small dragon.
No matter how much the dragon struggled, its upper jaw was fixed in the air unmoving.
Even though it tried to escape my grasp, or tried to bite my hand, it was to no avail.
Then, in the mind of the dragon, the painful experience of training by other Dragon Race reappeared.
Fearing pain, it fluttered its wings and tried to escape.
But it couldn’t move.
Its upper jaw still held fixed, the body, no matter how much it struggled and twisted, couldn’t shake free.
Eventually, the dragon became tired and stopped moving.
At the same time, I thought of something.
"Saleyakt ... Yes, your name is Saleyakt."
As I said that, the dragon slowly looked up at me.
Its eye reflected a Dragon Race different from the rest, with violent, tabooed hair.
As the dragon watched, I repeated the word "Saleyakt."
Of course, the name has no meaning.
But I finally decided what to call it.
"Gugu ..."
Red dragons are ferocious but clever creatures.
Therefore, he immediately understood that it was a name given to himself.
Incidentally, it also realized it can’t overpower me.
When I let go, Saleyakt immediately shrunk to a corner of the room.
With its tail tucked into the corner, it stared at me with frightened eyes.
"Saleyakt. Food. Eat."
I placed the bait again before the settled Saleyakt.
A huge chunk of dragon meat.
"Grrrrr ... Gao!"
Salejact stared at it, then at me, and barked again.
Even if it knew it couldn't win, it still didn't want to submit.
Well, if it would submit that easily, it wouldn't have been stuck here.
In the end, it didn’t eat the meat that day.
Only waiting for me to leave.
I began to appreciate what Dora-sama meant by feeling the dragon with my skin.
Dragons are stubborn and don't easily submit to the Dragon Race.
They’re not like the tamed ones rode by Dragon Warriors, you have to know to deal with wild dragons first…
I kept hanging out with Saleyakt.
For a long time.
One day, two days, until the meat rotted and became putrid.
When it was no longer edible, I discarded the meat in front of Saleyakt.
I took the meat to the dump and threw it away.
What do you think I do after that?
I took a new piece of meat and put it in front of Saleyakt again.
It's silly, foolish and repetitive.
But I can't help it.
Because this was work Dora-sama assigned me.
I had no intention of giving up until it was completed.
However, I do not know how to do it.
I thought of trying various things, but they would only work after Saleyakt began eating.
It probably wanted to eat.
I knew how hard it was to be hungry.
But Saleyakt didn't eat.
Not even after three, four, or five days.
I didn't eat as well.
Exchanging the meat many times, I fasted alongside Saleyakt.
It’s a competition to see who breaks fast first.
■
How many days have passed?
The first to give was Saleyakt.
Did it give up and take a bite of the meat…? No.
It was starvation.
Its hunger had reached its limit.
No longer with the strength to hold on, it plopped its belly on the ground and fell.
Even then, its bright eyes still fixed upon me.
Even though it no longer looked intimating…
On the other hand, I was still fine.
Whether it was the blood of the Dragon Race, or the Demon Race, I could go a hundred days without food.
But even I was surprised.
I never thought Saleyakt would still refuse to eat even at the edge of starvation.
Having experienced hunger myself, it was hard to believe.
At the same time, I gained a sense of respect for him.
He refused to submit even from hunger.
I wonder if his pride is more important.
If I was put in a position to choose between betraying Dragon God and food, I would have done the same.
Better off dead.
But not many people can do that in practice.
I decided to witness his death.
I was in charge of his training by Dora-sama.
Dora-sama's command is the same as Dragon God-sama's command. It cannot be refused.
Furthermore, I was told that I could kill him.
Then I thought I'd let him die while keeping his pride.
"Farewell, Saleyakt. I'll never forget your pride, so at least I will be a witness to your end.”
Having said that, I sat beside Saleyakt.
Not quite touching, but closer than before.
It was then when Saleyakt and I came face-to-face for the first time.
One hour, two hours?
I gazed at Saleyakt for a period of time.
Saleyakt continued to stare at me.
I thought that time would last forever.
Until the moment death comes to Saleyakt and his eyes lose power.
"Goo ..."
But, just then.
Saleyakt turned away his eyes.
As if he couldn’t handle the staring contest.
Rather, he turned toward the meat.
Without any strength he shifted his neck, moving its mouth closer to the meat.
It’s trying to eat.
I don't know what inner-conflict he had.
Swallowing his pride, he chose life.
He wanted to live.
However, it was near exhaustion.
He could barely leave a bite mark with his remaining strength.
He couldn't even chew.
I got up right away.
I took a piece of the meat and chewed it over.
The meat is tough and stringy, but I had a strong jaw and sharp fangs and I chewed.
After tenderizing the meat, I put it into Saleyakt’s mouth.
Slowly, meekly, Saleyakt swallowed the meat I softened.
Confirming that, I chewed a few more pieces of meat, and fed it to Saleyakt.
While chewing the meat, I was feeling hungry as well.
So sometimes I swallow it myself.
After repeating it several times, the original piece of meat was gone.
I immediately ran to the food stores and brought in an additional piece.
By that time Saleyakt had regained some strength.
It wasn't enough to stand up on his own feet, but a little power returned to him, and the light of his eyes returned as he stared at me.
It was rather quick to digest it, but a dragon is a powerful and tough creature, so that's what happens sometimes.
Ignoring that, I grabbed a piece of the meat in my hand, chewed it, and swallowed it.
I pushed the remaining meat to the front of Saleyakt.
Showing him how I ate, and want him to do the same.
Even Saleyakt knew how to eat meat.
Hesitantly, he stretched his neck and licked the meat.
It tasted delicious, even with my saliva.
After licking it a bit, realizing how hungry he was, he clung onto the flesh.
Holding the meat with his front legs, he bit into the tough muscles with his fangs, chewing, crushing, swallowing the bones and all.
Saleyakt was absorbed in eating for a while.
But he suddenly returned to me.
Standing behind the meat.
Watching the person sitting there that was watching him eat.
Gently, Saleyakt pushed the tendered meat towards me.
Seeing that, I sat still for a few seconds, then bit and chewed on the meat as well.
I didn't know what he wanted at first, but quickly figured out that we should eat together.
Then, after taking a few bites, I returned the meat to Saleyakt.
Saleyakt growled happily, chewed the meat, and after a few bites, returned to me.
Then, after exchanging the meat several times, it was gone.
I placed my hand on Saleyakt's head and opened my mouth.
"Saleyakt. I shall raise you."
At that time, Saleyakt could not understand the Dragon Race language.
However, he seems to understand what those words meant.
From this day on, Saleyakt was no longer frightened of me.
That was the first step for my assignment, and a huge leap for me.
Do you know?
One grows from failure, but not failure alone.
Only success, even if just once, can push one forward.
Chapter 6. Red Dragon Training
A few days later, Dora-sama took me to a new location.
The place where Dora-sama flew was outside of town.
In an area with few residents, the building was surrounded by domed walls.
There were several entrances built into the tall walls, and Dora-sama entered from one of them.
Of course, I followed through.
"!"
Immediately, smells from unfamiliar beasts assaulted my nose.
Not bad enough to hold my nose, but I couldn’t help but frown.
Not just the smell.
The smell isn’t that different from the Demon World.
More than the smell, I could hear various noises coming from the back of the building.
Creepy?
No, rather nostalgic.
"..."
Should I ask where we are? Rather, I could more or less guess.
Just then, Dora saw the questions on my face and spoke.
"This is the training ground for dragons."
I replied “Oh” to that and looked around.
I heard about this place.
Dragon Race can fly on our own wings by using force fields, and we can fly quite quickly and cruise at a high speed.
But Dragon Touki is limited, so flying long distances is exhausting.
When the Dragon Race needs to travel afar, we ride a Red Dragon.
The Red Dragon is the smaller of the dragons, but their range is relatively wide in comparison.
However, the Red Dragon is ferocious by nature.
After all, Red Dragons and the Dragon Race were natural enemies.
They’ll attack and eat the Dragon Race, left untamed.
That’s why we train and tame them here.
Catch a Red Dragon, teach them that Dragon Race is on top of the pecking order, train them as a riding animal.
"From today on, you work as my subordinate. You’ll work here from now on.”
"Yes!"
"Even if you weren’t working for me, I was going to bring you here at least once. Because living in the Dragon World, we can’t avoid a relationship with other dragon. There is no loss in knowing. ''
Dora-sama said, and started moving toward the back of the building.
The recess of the building was larger than it looked from the outside.
As we walked, I asked Dora-sama various questions.
"Why did you ask me to serve you?"
"When I heard your discussion with Dragon God-sama, I thought my work was optimal."
“Optimal?"
"Our work is appreciated by many Dragon Race without grudges.”
Training a dragon seems like a special task.
However, in reality, many dragons exist as livestock in the Dragon World.
Dragon Warriors need to tame dragons and fight alongside them.
More than livestock, but also as companions and partners.
In this world, it's closer to the relationship between a knight and his horse.
Although it is called a training ground, this building isn’t just for training.
From the treatment of gravely ill dragons to delivery of new births, it has various functions.
It’s a place where Dragon Warriors could get care for their partners.
Dragon World is a harsh world.
In battle, even a Red Dragon can die.
Therefore, there are many among the Dragon Race that deeply appreciate Dora-sama for her work.
Of course, it is not always possible to save a mortally wounded dragon.
But no one holds a grudge against Dora-sama when she can’t save it.
The Dragon Race does not blame those that have done their best.
That’s why the dragon training job was perfect for me.
It’ll take some time, but my name will spread through the land.
It’s not a glamorous job either, so no one will kick up a fuss.
"You’re an excellent student. I want to keep a talent like yours under my wings.”
"... I am honored to be praised."
I’m a little embarrassed to be praised by Dora-sama, but she looked away and proceeded to the end of the passage.
I walked through a narrow passage for a while and found a big passage.
Wide enough for red dragons to pass one another.
There were many cages within the passage, and in the cages, large red reptiles were curled up and lying down.
"That’s a Red Dragon."
"... Surprisingly calm, isn't it?"
The Red Dragon is a ferocious dragon.
It would attack anything that crossed its path and eat it.
However, the Red Dragon before me was just laying there, watching Dora-sama and I with a blank expression.
It was my first time seeing the real thing up close, but it looked quite different than I expected.
"This one has already been trained. If you go a little further in, you can see a dragon acting like a dragon."
"I see ... so what should I do first?"
"Rookie’s jobs have been fixed since ancient times.”
I followed Dora-sama deeper into the passage.
Then, just as Dora-sama said, the cries of the dragon grew louder.
I heard a rustling noise, like wings fluttering.
The cages became more sturdy, enclosing more rough individuals within.
Some growled and tried to intimidate me when they spotted someone new had arrived.
When Dora-sama stared back, They quickly grew quiet again.
"This area contains individuals that have been training for a few years. Still rather wild. Once they judge that all the Dragon Race are allies, they can be moved to other areas where more Dragon Race frequent, gradually moving toward Kayos.
"Caged at the furthest end are individuals that have just started training. They are no different from wild beasts."
"My job is to train them, right?"
I said so because I thought there was only the deepest part left.
However, I was scolded by Dora.
"Fool. I can't let a rookie fill the most important and dangerous role. Here."
Then, Dora-sama led me down a side road between the cages.
As we proceeded down the side road, I heard a terrible cry.
Perhaps an untamed, feral dragon roared.
The roar of giant reptiles can send chills down your spine.
If you hear it up close, your knees might buckle.
Even though I hunted beasts in the demon world, I froze for a moment.
Of course, dragons are probably on another level compared to demonic beasts.
If Dora-sama wasn't leading the way, my legs probably would stay frozen.
Dora-sama saw right through me.
She turned around and observed me with her usual cold gaze.
"What's wrong? Scared?"
"No, just surprised."
"Good. If you're so uncomfortable with this, you can’t do your job."
I have to do better.
What awaits me here isn't just trivial labor.
I can’t underestimate it.
But I thought it might be safer than fighting.
■
I was brought to the cage of a red dragon.
The red dragon was much smaller than the others.
At that time, I thought it was probably a young or immature specimen.
The dragon seemed agitated, growling and breathing roughly. It was wary of us, leaning against a wall.
Reading for a bite.
The dream of riding it like a mount seems like distant dream.
"First, you’re in charge of the training of this guy."
"Yes!"
"I won’t teach you anything. Dragons, better get used to them with your own skin.”
Aside from flying, Dora-sama taught me everything step-by-step.
Feel like I was suddenly thrown out on my own.
But my training was over, and so was our relationship as student and teacher.
Now that I’m her understudy, it’s only natural she expects me to stand on my own two feet.
"If you think it’s not working out, you can kill it."
"Kill it?"
"I will give you about a year."
Just like that, Dora-sama left.
Leaving behind me and the dragon, growling in the corner.
"Grrrrr ... Gao!"
"..."
Before me, a threatening dragon.
I thought for a while standing before him.
How can I make this dragon submit?
Do I beat it?
No, with a dragon this small, anyone from the Dragon Race can probably beat it up, capture and bring it here.
Since it’s not submissive, it probably doesn’t understand the difference in strength yet.
It would be useless for me to do it.
"..."
After thinking for a while, I left the scene.
Returning to the passage to greet a Dragon Race that passed by.
Even though he looked at me suspiciously, I gave him an honored salute.
"Hello, I work under Dora-sama starting today. I’m Laplace.”
"...A Rookie? I'm Gala."
"Gala-sama, may I ask you something?"
After thinking, I gave up and asked my senior for help?
No, not really.
Dora-sama told me to feel the dragon with my own skin.
If I asked my senior for help, it would be against the order.
But I thought my method would require some preparations.
"Where is the food for the dragon?"
"Oh, go straight that way--"
Yes, bait.
It's a simple idea, but first and foremost, I thought food was important.
For wildlife, the search for food is life-and-death.
When I was on my own, my everyday life revolved around the search for food.
So first, food.
Following Gala's direction, I visited the food storage and took a portion from the person in charge.
It's a giant piece of red dragon meat.
Dragons cannibalize each other for meat.
Even though Dragon Race eats dragons, we do not eat our own. It’s what differentiates us from wild beasts.
In any case, I returned to the Red Dragon with my bait.
First, fill its stomach.
That is the first important step.
"Gugaaaaa!"
However, the dragon only gazed me and growled.
As if saying, “I don’t need that, go away!”
Even when I placed the meat in front of it, it would not look at it.
Doesn’t look like it will eat anything from me.
Maybe it suspects that it contains poison.
"... That didn’t work."
Do I give up?
Even though I was hoping to make progress after it ate its fill.
If you think about it, it’s not that different from me back in the Demon World.
After living as a feral child in the Demon World, and after all my studies and training in the Dragon World. I can’t give up like that.
"Oh yeah!"
No, there was something else.
In my limited experience, there was a way to make a strong impression.
"Let's give it a name"
A name.
Yes, a name.
I think a name is important to start a hierarchical relationship.
When I was named, I could sense something important had happened.
At the moment I was named by Dragon God, I felt reborned.
That's why I’ll give it a name.
Back then, Dragon Race did not usually name their dragons.
Dragons are dragons. Even though we’ll differentiate them by species, we rarely differentiate between individuals.
"Your name is..."
But for me, it's my first time naming something.
The name didn't readily appear, and I had to think for a bit in front of the growling dragon.
"Gooh!"
Did my hesitation appear weak?
The dragon suddenly bounced and attacked me.
"Hold on.."
I grabbed its upper jaw without effort.
Compared to the quickness of Dora-sama, the terrified lizard might as well be standing still.
That's the difference in power.
By then, I had begun to understand how to utilize Dragon Touki through training.
Even though I couldn’t yet use my full power, it was plenty to handle a small dragon.
No matter how much the dragon struggled, its upper jaw was fixed in the air unmoving.
Even though it tried to escape my grasp, or tried to bite my hand, it was to no avail.
Then, in the mind of the dragon, the painful experience of training by other Dragon Race reappeared.
Fearing pain, it fluttered its wings and tried to escape.
But it couldn’t move.
Its upper jaw still held fixed, the body, no matter how much it struggled and twisted, couldn’t shake free.
Eventually, the dragon became tired and stopped moving.
At the same time, I thought of something.
"Saleyakt ... Yes, your name is Saleyakt."
As I said that, the dragon slowly looked up at me.
Its eye reflected a Dragon Race different from the rest, with violent, tabooed hair.
As the dragon watched, I repeated the word "Saleyakt."
Of course, the name has no meaning.
But I finally decided what to call it.
"Gugu ..."
Red dragons are ferocious but clever creatures.
Therefore, he immediately understood that it was a name given to himself.
Incidentally, it also realized it can’t overpower me.
When I let go, Saleyakt immediately shrunk to a corner of the room.
With its tail tucked into the corner, it stared at me with frightened eyes.
"Saleyakt. Food. Eat."
I placed the bait again before the settled Saleyakt.
A huge chunk of dragon meat.
"Grrrrr ... Gao!"
Salejact stared at it, then at me, and barked again.
Even if it knew it couldn't win, it still didn't want to submit.
Well, if it would submit that easily, it wouldn't have been stuck here.
In the end, it didn’t eat the meat that day.
Only waiting for me to leave.
I began to appreciate what Dora-sama meant by feeling the dragon with my skin.
Dragons are stubborn and don't easily submit to the Dragon Race.
They’re not like the tamed ones rode by Dragon Warriors, you have to know to deal with wild dragons first…
I kept hanging out with Saleyakt.
For a long time.
One day, two days, until the meat rotted and became putrid.
When it was no longer edible, I discarded the meat in front of Saleyakt.
I took the meat to the dump and threw it away.
What do you think I do after that?
I took a new piece of meat and put it in front of Saleyakt again.
It's silly, foolish and repetitive.
But I can't help it.
Because this was work Dora-sama assigned me.
I had no intention of giving up until it was completed.
However, I do not know how to do it.
I thought of trying various things, but they would only work after Saleyakt began eating.
It probably wanted to eat.
I knew how hard it was to be hungry.
But Saleyakt didn't eat.
Not even after three, four, or five days.
I didn't eat as well.
Exchanging the meat many times, I fasted alongside Saleyakt.
It’s a competition to see who breaks fast first.
■
How many days have passed?
The first to give was Saleyakt.
Did it give up and take a bite of the meat…? No.
It was starvation.
Its hunger had reached its limit.
No longer with the strength to hold on, it plopped its belly on the ground and fell.
Even then, its bright eyes still fixed upon me.
Even though it no longer looked intimating…
On the other hand, I was still fine.
Whether it was the blood of the Dragon Race, or the Demon Race, I could go a hundred days without food.
But even I was surprised.
I never thought Saleyakt would still refuse to eat even at the edge of starvation.
Having experienced hunger myself, it was hard to believe.
At the same time, I gained a sense of respect for him.
He refused to submit even from hunger.
I wonder if his pride is more important.
If I was put in a position to choose between betraying Dragon God and food, I would have done the same.
Better off dead.
But not many people can do that in practice.
I decided to witness his death.
I was in charge of his training by Dora-sama.
Dora-sama's command is the same as Dragon God-sama's command. It cannot be refused.
Furthermore, I was told that I could kill him.
Then I thought I'd let him die while keeping his pride.
"Farewell, Saleyakt. I'll never forget your pride, so at least I will be a witness to your end.”
Having said that, I sat beside Saleyakt.
Not quite touching, but closer than before.
It was then when Saleyakt and I came face-to-face for the first time.
One hour, two hours?
I gazed at Saleyakt for a period of time.
Saleyakt continued to stare at me.
I thought that time would last forever.
Until the moment death comes to Saleyakt and his eyes lose power.
"Goo ..."
But, just then.
Saleyakt turned away his eyes.
As if he couldn’t handle the staring contest.
Rather, he turned toward the meat.
Without any strength he shifted his neck, moving its mouth closer to the meat.
It’s trying to eat.
I don't know what inner-conflict he had.
Swallowing his pride, he chose life.
He wanted to live.
However, it was near exhaustion.
He could barely leave a bite mark with his remaining strength.
He couldn't even chew.
I got up right away.
I took a piece of the meat and chewed it over.
The meat is tough and stringy, but I had a strong jaw and sharp fangs and I chewed.
After tenderizing the meat, I put it into Saleyakt’s mouth.
Slowly, meekly, Saleyakt swallowed the meat I softened.
Confirming that, I chewed a few more pieces of meat, and fed it to Saleyakt.
While chewing the meat, I was feeling hungry as well.
So sometimes I swallow it myself.
After repeating it several times, the original piece of meat was gone.
I immediately ran to the food stores and brought in an additional piece.
By that time Saleyakt had regained some strength.
It wasn't enough to stand up on his own feet, but a little power returned to him, and the light of his eyes returned as he stared at me.
It was rather quick to digest it, but a dragon is a powerful and tough creature, so that's what happens sometimes.
Ignoring that, I grabbed a piece of the meat in my hand, chewed it, and swallowed it.
I pushed the remaining meat to the front of Saleyakt.
Showing him how I ate, and want him to do the same.
Even Saleyakt knew how to eat meat.
Hesitantly, he stretched his neck and licked the meat.
It tasted delicious, even with my saliva.
After licking it a bit, realizing how hungry he was, he clung onto the flesh.
Holding the meat with his front legs, he bit into the tough muscles with his fangs, chewing, crushing, swallowing the bones and all.
Saleyakt was absorbed in eating for a while.
But he suddenly returned to me.
Standing behind the meat.
Watching the person sitting there that was watching him eat.
Gently, Saleyakt pushed the tendered meat towards me.
Seeing that, I sat still for a few seconds, then bit and chewed on the meat as well.
I didn't know what he wanted at first, but quickly figured out that we should eat together.
Then, after taking a few bites, I returned the meat to Saleyakt.
Saleyakt growled happily, chewed the meat, and after a few bites, returned to me.
Then, after exchanging the meat several times, it was gone.
I placed my hand on Saleyakt's head and opened my mouth.
"Saleyakt. I shall raise you."
At that time, Saleyakt could not understand the Dragon Race language.
However, he seems to understand what those words meant.
From this day on, Saleyakt was no longer frightened of me.
That was the first step for my assignment, and a huge leap for me.
Do you know?
One grows from failure, but not failure alone.
Only success, even if just once, can push one forward.
