How to Live as a Half-Dragon

055. world stone.

Xian heard about the Worldstone a few months ago.

It was a word that came up when I heard about Hughes’ hometown.

‘I guess it wasn’t taken away then… .’

It was said that it was an attack by those who were aiming for the World Stone.

Naturally, it was assumed that if the blow was enough to destroy the village, it would have been stolen.

However, it seems that he was surprisingly able to protect the world stone.

Xian, unable to hold back his questions, asked softly.

I was wondering if he would tell me about the World Stone when I asked him quietly.

“Just like before, what the hell is the World Stone?”

What is it that helps you not to be seen?

Hughes said as if he hadn’t even thought about it.

“You’re clever, Xian.”

“yes?”

“Did you know that if I asked you a question like that, you would answer me?”

“hahahaha… Shouldn’t it be too?”

After all, Hughes was not an easy opponent.

It was embarrassing to read at once what I had hoped for in my heart.

It was a time when I wanted to leave it as a secret this time as well.

Unsurprisingly, Hughes talked about the Worldstone, albeit slightly.

“The Worldstone distorts the mana around it. The size of the fragment I have is small, so I can’t be relieved, but thanks to it, I can deceive the senses of the slayers anyway.”

When I heard Hughes’ words, one thing came to my mind.

It was about how his father, who was a dragon before, had not been caught among the Slayers of the Alteon family.

“Then that too… ?”

I asked Hughes just in case, and Hughes nodded.

“That’s right, Calad-nim also had a fragment of the World Stone. It’s bigger than mine.”

“Then if I had it… .”

It was the moment I thought that I could live leisurely without becoming particularly strong.

“This is a trick to the senses, not a means of avoiding interrogation. It doesn’t matter if you get sick on the outside.”

“ah… .”

It’s good.

Seeing that Xian was greatly disappointed, Hughes said with a chuckle.

“Rather than that, is Alteon’s life all right?”

“No, it’s a board that looks like it’s going to be kicked out soon?”

As the words came out, Xian let out a deep sigh and recounted what had happened.

What happened in the northern woods.

And now, to the foreign assignment that bothers himself again.

“How strong is that Stein bastard again… .”

said Hughes, who had been listening quietly.

“That’s a big deal… It seems that the family head’s attitude is more stubborn than I thought. It’s something I didn’t expect… .”

I guess Hughes didn’t know Duke Alteon would be so stubborn.

He said it as if he was worried.

“Did Drake say nothing about that?”

“uh… Well, it helps a lot, but there is a limit… what?”

Xian thought of a question and looked at Hughes.

“But Hughes.”

“yes?”

“How did you know there was a Drake on House Alteon?”

* * *

Xian didn’t bother to tell me the truth about Drake.

It was because Hughes was worried.

‘No matter how you think about it, that’s not the case.’

Thanks to that, I had a lot of trouble talking about what happened in the northern forest.

however…

‘I thought Drake would pop out of Hughes’ mouth out of nowhere.’

Hughes said when asked how he knew Drake was in Alteon.

“That’s it… .”

Hughes’ story began about a month ago.

After sending the letter and not visiting for a long time, I was curious and watched from a distance.

“But I must have been surprised to be with Drake.”

“What is it?”

And around the time when Hughes, who had a strong misunderstanding, was planning a great escape…

“Drake is here. I have no intention of hurting Xian right now, so don’t make a fuss.”

The fact that Drake, who already knew that Xian was a Dragonian, was still keeping Xian alive.

Also, taking into account the fact that he seemed to have no intention of harming himself in front of him, Hughes decided to follow Drake even if he didn’t know what he was thinking.

In fact, he didn’t have the confidence to make a fuss in Alteon’s territory and safely rescue Xian.

Xian said with a bewildered face.

“what… So you’re saying you already knew everything?”

“what… It happened. I wondered why they didn’t mention anything about Drake… .”

Hughes stroked Xian’s head.

“Judging by the reaction, did you care about me?”

“hmm… .”

something embarrassing

I didn’t play tricks to get compliments or get points…

Originally, this kind of consideration should be hidden from others, so it is cool.

At any rate, it was okay to talk about Drake, so Xian explained the situation with a comfortable mind.

“Drake wants to compete against Stain a lot.”

“Certainly considering Xian’s talent, it’s not a bad strategy. Oops… .”

Hughes said, looking at Cecily, who was quietly listening to the story in the seat next to Xian.

“In future sparring, make sure Cecily accompanies you.”

“And Cecily?”

“Yes, this kid has a pretty good eye.”

said Hughes, stroking Cecily’s head.

“Right, Cecily?”

“Yes, I want to become strong too.”

Cecily herself knew best that she couldn’t become Cyan’s strength right now.

That’s why Cecily was full of desire to become stronger.

I didn’t want to be a burden forever.

Sian said to Hughes, who was looking at Cecily, who was full of enthusiasm.

“But what is Drake’s purpose?”

No matter how much I thought about it, there was no reason to help myself.

Hughes said the same thing in a very uncertain tone.

“It’s my expectation, but it seems that he intends to make Xi’an an existence that does not harm humanity. Being especially interested in Alteon’s work this time is probably trying to create an environment in which Xian can grow properly.”

So-called all living things are greatly influenced by the environment in which they grow.

To put it a little worse, I will brainwash you.

“It was like that… .”

And certainly, there were parts of it that made sense.

“Then, could this have something to do with it?”

“Which one?”

When I told Hughes about being offered to be Ferreira’s son-in-law, the atmosphere instantly froze.

Is it because of the mood?

“That just can’t be overlooked. Is Xian interested?”

“I do not know.”

Having said that, I had no idea right now.

When Xian answered that, Hughes, who was thinking a little seriously, mumbled something.

“Sian, I still think that it is most desirable for a dragon to marry a dragon.”

“Oh, I see.”

Hughes was a Dragonian with a surprisingly conservative outlook.

Of course, Xi’an was something I couldn’t really relate to.

Because his own existence itself was proof of the dragon’s deviation.

Then you’re denying your mother’s happiness.’

Above all, Xian is not a dragon, but a dragonian.

It’s not like purebloodism, and if you insist on a partner in a similar situation, you might not be able to find a mate until your long lifespan is over.

“I think so.”

Contrary to what she had in her heart, Sian agreed with her words.

Contrary to what I thought, it was because there was nothing good about saying a contrary opinion to Hughes.

Hughes nodded to see if he was satisfied with the answer.

“But Xian.”

“yes?”

“Continuing the story is something we do, but it looks like there is something we need to point out.”

“What is it?”

As I waited to see what the hell she was going to say, she said quietly.

“The guest outside the door… .”

Are you Xian’s group?

* * *

Xian was startled.

“Who is outside the door?”

“Yes, I only noticed it in the middle of our conversation.”

To the extent that you can’t feel it even with the sharp sense of cyan.

But really Hughes.

she must have felt

‘There’s no reason to lie about what Hughes doesn’t have… .’

It was probably reasonable in many ways to see it as the truth.

Xian was nervous as he still couldn’t feel any signs outside the door.

“It must be pretty strong, right?”

“… … .”

Rather than answer Xian’s question, Hughes moved on with a rather serious face.

Since they were not part of the party, there was a high probability that they were the secretaries of the Duke of Alteon, so it seemed that they were intending to reveal the identity of the person who had overheard them.

Hughes opened the door at once.

A face Xian knew was revealed.

“… ostrich?”

Standing in front of the door was none other than Leah.

I wondered why Leah was here…

“Did you follow me?”

“It looks like you’re going out, so I was curious… .”

“Then why are you standing outside? You were surprised.”

“I enjoy just watching.”

It’s not particularly aristocratic or manly, but one thing is certain.

Leah also seems to enjoy voyeurism.

said Hughes.

“I’m glad I know someone.”

Hughes, who said that with eyes that looked like he would have done something if he hadn’t known him, was somewhat scared.

Wouldn’t it be nice if it was Lea instead of a gangster?

Sian shuddered once and asked Leah.

“But that’s the one I saw earlier, isn’t it?”

“Jamyoung is constantly practicing.”

It was called Jamyeong.

All of Ferreira’s techniques have cool names.

To the point where I thought it wouldn’t be bad to go over to Drake’s proposal if Alteon didn’t acknowledge it until the end.

Kock-kock-kock.

It was when Xian was thinking about that.

Just then, a strange sound came from the side window of the general store.

When Xian checked there, a pigeon perched on the window sill was knocking on the window.

‘carrier pigeon… ?’

I had only heard of it, but it was the first time I had actually seen it.

Hughes’ expression hardened as he skillfully received and confirmed the letter from Jeon Seo-gu.

It felt like something serious had happened.

“Xian, I’m sorry you came here, but I think you should leave today.”

“uh… Is it urgent?”

“Yes, I think we will have to close the store for a while.”

Well, it’s a store, and there are no customers at all, so I wonder if it’ll be okay, but it’s a pity that I won’t be able to see Hughes again for a while.

“It doesn’t matter. So, when are you coming back?”

“well. I think it will take about a month.”

“I see… all right.”

As for what I regret not being able to do, Hughes said the same with a bitter smile.

“But the next time we meet, the outcome will be decided, right? Xian can do it. Cheer up Xian.”

* * *

It was a short meeting, but the time spent with Hughes was quite enjoyable.

Although Cecily was also a kindhearted colleague, she was not yet at the level of replacing Hughes.

Hughes was still the only one I could trust and rely on in terms of the time we spent together and in many ways.

“But what are you going to do from now on?”

Xian thought a little about Cecily’s question, but as expected, nothing came of it.

“Do you think it would be better to go home?”

I wasn’t the type to like shooting outside, and I didn’t have anything special to do.

A lack of interest in spending money apart from having it also played a role.

“I see… .”

Putting Cecily’s regretful reaction aside for a moment, Xian asked Leah, who was walking alongside.

“What about Leah?”

“I don’t have to mind.”

In a word, it means do whatever you want.

It was at that time that Xian was about to return to the dorm, saying that he had nothing to do.

“hmm… .”

Xian, who found something, stopped in front of the peddler on the street.

Cecily and Leah asked if they were curious about Cian’s behavior.

“draft?”

“What’s wrong?”

On the shelf lined with jewelry, Xian looked closely at the small butterfly-shaped earrings.

‘It would suit Hughes perfectly.’

And now that I think about it, Xian even received an expensive necklace as a gift.

Of course, the price difference would be huge, but I thought it would be better than wiping my mouth.

As she picked it up to give as a gift in return, Cecily said,

“It doesn’t suit Xian, but are you going to give it as a gift?”

“uh.”

“Hughes sister?”

It was a sight that made me feel left out.

Hey, leaving Cecily behind and exchanging gifts just the two of us is a bit…

Since Xian couldn’t discriminate openly, he decided to give Cecily a present as well.

“Would you like Cecily to pick one too?”

“Can I?”

I didn’t say anything to Leah, but the two picked up each one they liked.

Leah was a white hairpin, and Cecily was a ring.

“thank you. customer.”

Since he already had quite a bit of money, Xian, who bought it casually, put in the butterfly-shaped earrings.

‘I hope that Hughes will like it when he receives it, just like the two of them.’

* * *

The time when the sun had just passed midday.

Xian arrived at the inn relatively early.

Before entering the room, the lady-in-waiting at the door nodded and said,

“Are you back?”

“Ah yes.”

Such a polite attitude…

As expected, the environment I lived in was different, so it was still burdensome.

Xian gave an appropriate answer and was about to enter the room, but the maid said.

“While the accommodation was empty, a reply came back from the head of household.”

“yes? Oh already?”

Before going out in the morning, Xi’an had made a request through the lady-in-waiting.

It was a request for permission to use the Great Library.

“What did you say?”

“He told me to use it freely for a month if you want.”

To be honest, I didn’t expect half of it when I asked for it, but fortunately, it didn’t seem like I was going to be strict even in this part.

“really?”

“Yes, may I guide you?”

“no.”

The location is clearly known.

The Central Library is the largest building in Alteon.

That was what I could see at a glance even in Xi’an’s dorm.

Xian headed straight to the Great Library.

Arriving right in front of the library, Xian entered the place guarded by guards.

‘Fortunately, I heard about it, didn’t it stop me?’

The library, which I entered without any restraint, was solemn and quiet.

It feels similar to the anchae that I heard a few times ago.

“Let’s see… .”

However, a short impression is also for a while.

Soon, Xian started to walk around, scanning between the bookshelves.

I came all the way here because I had a purpose.

‘The reason my mother sent me here.’

I couldn’t get an answer by asking someone, so I thought of borrowing the knowledge from the book to find out.

The reason why I asked him to become a Slayer was still a question.

‘I can understand that now.’

Xian started to find out why dragons became extinct as his mother said.