Chapter 4: The Patriarch’s Challenge and Theresia’s Retreat

Theresia’s small fists clenched and unclenched, then clenched and unclenched again. Under the patriarch’s smiling gaze, she finally…

She loosened them.

It was futile!

This dragon might seem ancient and decrepit, nothing more than a pile of sinewy muscle. Yet, when it came to sheer power, in a world where deities could no longer descend, he was undeniably among the top three strongest beings.

Although Theresia had vowed to overthrow the old dragon’s rule one day, it would still take a thousand years for his strength to wane.

She had already decided to exact righteous retribution upon the old dragon a mere fifteen hundred years from now.

Theresia glared fiercely at the patriarch.

‘Just you wait, old dragon!’

‘A young dragon’s revenge is never too late, even after a thousand years! You’ll grow old too!’

“Old man, don’t you dare try to crush my morale and confidence here! Tell me your real purpose. It can’t be as simple as just wanting to watch me make a fool of myself, can it?”

The patriarch almost burst out laughing at Theresia’s spirited yet submissive demeanor. He suppressed this thought, which hardly befitted his status, and nodded.

“Of course, I’m here for serious business. Theodore’s body is still in good shape; he should be able to withstand your torment. At least you haven’t been careless about that.”

Theresia’s nearly two-hundred-year-old maidenly face flushed, not with shyness, but with anger.

“Don’t assume my failure as a premise.”

“Oh, whatever makes you happy. In any case, you’ve done well. Since you’ve completed the task I assigned you, I’ve brought all the materials I promised you.” With that, the patriarch handed a small pouch to Theresia.

Without a hint of politeness, Theresia accepted it, only to find a dazzling array of materials inside, each no larger than a fingernail.

Just as unceremoniously, Theresia poured out the contents, and a massive mountain of treasure materialized before the two of them.

The patriarch stood before Theresia, looking up at the treasure mountain as he declared, “I haven’t tampered with any of the magic scrolls, potions, or alchemical ingredients. If you don’t believe me, you can take them to the most reputable institution for appraisal. You still have time, given your speed.”

“I will certainly verify them.”

While the patriarch’s reputation among dragons was impeccable, her success in passing her ‘fa-qing’ period hinged on these materials, demanding utmost caution.

The patriarch didn’t mind in the slightest. Instead, he calmly stated, “There’s also a second matter: I’m holding a customary social gathering on the eastern side of Dragon Isle. The construction team will arrive tomorrow to set up.”

“Hmph, holding an unholy ritual at my most crucial moment, trying to shake my morale.” Theresia pouted, yet she dutifully replied, “Understood. Just keep it far from the cave where I’ll be undergoing my tribulation. If even a whisper reaches me, I won’t be so polite.”

“Don’t worry, I would have done so even without you saying anything. I’ll set up soundproofing barriers, three layers deep, inside and out.” The patriarch paused, then remarked with seasoned experience, “After all, some dragons’ ‘fa-qing’ cries are simply too loud. One careless mistake, and my perfectly good social gathering could turn into an open-air orgy. While beneficial for dragon reproduction, it really lowers the overall quality of the dragon race.”

When dragons triggered the Dragon God’s curse, they automatically released a wave of energy, detectable only by other dragons, within a ten-kilometer radius. This caused the often-reckless, trouble-making hearts of dragons to stir, making it an opportune time for social gatherings to achieve twice the results with half the effort.

Thus, the patriarch always seized this chance to host gatherings for single dragons, often achieving remarkable success. It wasn’t uncommon for dragons to return home to begin their egg-laying activities after such events.

Theresia’s face instantly turned the color of a sunset. She shot a fierce glare at the patriarch, then packed all the materials he had given her back into her spatial pouch.

“I’m going to inspect the materials!”

Having accepted the dragon’s funds, Theresia knew she was no match for the old fox. So, employing the thirty-six stratagems, she chose to flee, stirring up a massive gust of wind before vanishing from the spot.

****

Soon after Theresia departed, Theodore, covered in withered leaves and broken branches, finally returned. Normally, his speed would not have taken him so long, but since the patriarch hadn’t kept him rooted to the spot this time, he wisely gave them space to converse.

He had only rushed back at full speed once he saw Theresia take flight.

Seeing only the patriarch standing there, lost in thought, Theodore pondered for a moment before he couldn’t help but ask, “Patriarch, is the content of the trial three days from now truly that confidential?”

The patriarch snapped back to reality, looking Theodore over from head to toe before replying, “This secret is worthless to the dragon race, but to her, its value is… well, her dragon life?”

Theodore flinched slightly. Although still very curious, he decided that since it was so important to Theresia, it was best not to ask too many questions.

The patriarch paused, then inquired thoughtfully, “Are you very curious?”

Theodore shrugged, saying, “Of course. After all, this is my mission here. To be honest, I feel like I’ve constantly been receiving but never giving anything in return.”

“Moreover, if I knew what it was, I could prepare in advance. Frankly, with the trial just three days away and me still completely in the dark, I feel as if I’m treading on air, without solid ground beneath my feet.”

“Is that so? If you want to know, then follow along. If you can manage it.”

With that, the patriarch suddenly reverted to his true form: an enormous golden dragon. The scorching sunlight illuminated his entire body, making him shimmer majestically, like a god descended from the divine realm.

He flapped his wings, and a powerful current of air carried his towering body straight into the clouds.

This time, Theodore was not blown away; he wasn’t so easily swept off his feet to begin with.

He channeled his energy to block the violent, sandstorm-like grit. Although his vision was completely obscured, the patriarch’s terrifying aura allowed Theodore to easily pinpoint his direction of flight.

Theodore took a deep breath. He didn’t have agile wings; all he had were his well-honed legs.

He bent low, tensing every muscle in his body, and in the next second, he sprang forward like a cheetah spotting its prey.

His gaze was not fixed on the sky, but on everything in his direct path: grass, massive rocks, wild beasts.

Though not explicitly stated, given the dragons’ consistently strict demands, the patriarch likely meant that Theodore had to arrive at least simultaneously with him, or perhaps just a tiny bit later.

Therefore, he had to ensure his brain processed the surrounding environmental information at maximum speed, identifying the optimal route without ever slowing down.

****

Flying high in the sky, the patriarch looked down at the tiny Theodore, who resembled an ant, and nodded to himself. Although he had controlled his speed, Theodore’s ability to keep up without faltering proved that he hadn’t neglected his training or simply built up dead muscle.

Just then, a pristine White Dragon, lazily leaning against a rock and devouring shaved ice, came into the patriarch’s view.

The White Dragon, too, evidently noticed the colossal figure soaring through the sky.

First, a look of surprise appeared on the White Dragon’s face, and she instinctively hid the massive cup of shaved ice she was eating behind her. Then, she flashed a goofy smile, waving towards the patriarch and loudly calling out, “Hello, Patriarch! You’ve worked hard!”

Patriarch: “…….”

‘Certified idiot. Beyond saving.’

‘There is no harm without comparison.’

‘Look at the promising Theodore, then look at the ‘crouching dragon, hidden phoenix’ of the dragon race.’

The patriarch’s heart felt as cold as the extreme north.

He was so tired. He longed for retirement, but the thought that the future of the dragon race rested in the hands of these dragons made him feel as if a whip was constantly lashing him, its owner angrily scolding him.

‘You don’t want the future of the dragon race to be ruined, do you? Get back to work!’

Thinking this, he let out a sky-shattering roar, its sound so immense it even triggered an earthquake on the island.

Theodore nearly stumbled and rolled off the cliff.

Meanwhile, the White Dragon, who had been shouting ‘Hello, Patriarch!’ while secretly eating shaved ice, nearly choked to death on a piece of ice in her throat.

Far away, Theresia almost dropped the dimensional pouch filled with materials into the sea.

Theodore assumed this was a test from the patriarch, so he accelerated once more.

The White Dragon thought the patriarch had discovered her little secret, so she intended to gulp down all the shaved ice before he could snatch it away.

Theresia believed the patriarch thought he had given her too much and wanted some back, so she flew even faster.

Yet, no one knew, cared about, or understood the desolation in the old dragon patriarch’s heart.

‘Care for the overworked old dragon, starting with you and me.’

****

“Almost there.”

Theodore could feel the colossal figure in the sky beginning to slow, a clear sign that their destination was near.

With a single stride, he burst through the dense jungle. Theodore was met not by the warm, humid sea breeze and sun-drenched beach, but by the patriarch’s enormous golden dragon claw.