Chapter 42: The Sage’s Apology and the System’s Secret

Realizing Silvya’s peculiar stare and Noah’s abrupt shift to a colder demeanor, the White Dragon instantly became aware of his slip of the tongue.

Instinctively, he raised a draconic claw, intending to adjust his glasses to alleviate the awkwardness, only to find none there.

“Oh dear, oh dear, how truly impolite of me. However, lovely girls are quite splendid as well; those abundant, blossoming mammalian features, much like flowers, are crucial for bearing excellent offspring.”

Possessing ‘All-Knowing’ magic eyes capable of seizing information, the White Dragon immediately grasped the situation upon witnessing the inseparably intertwined souls within Noah’s mind, prompting him to laugh it off.

“Yet, it must be said, it’s truly rare for a human to possess such uniquely beautiful features; their form, as a geometric shape, is quite perfect. If I may be so bold, I’d like to dedicate some time to studying them.”

The White Dragon’s gaze fixed intently on Noah’s ample, spherical chest, his eyes brimming with an intense thirst for knowledge and curiosity, much like a mathematician or artist yearning for a solution.

“Get lost, you perverted scoundrel!”

In response, Noah’s usually smiling, pretty face now harbored a distinct edge of anger beneath her pleasant expression.

It was likely the White Dragon’s pure-hearted yet utterly offensive remarks that had ignited such fury within her.

“Wait, what’s all this about ‘becoming a cute girl’?” Silvya, feeling she could no longer be ignored, spoke up with a hint of confusion, her simple mind unable to process the preceding words.

Whenever she attempted to interpret it in that forbidden manner, she was met with Noah’s strikingly alluring features and graceful bearing, which, by all appearances, belonged to a breathtakingly beautiful human female.

This only served to further muddle her thoughts.

“Ah, my apologies, young lady,” the White Dragon said, expressing his regret with a touch of simple sincerity. This earnest, unfeigned emotional display, paradoxically, made others slightly uncomfortable.

“My name is Archimedes. I am a scaleless White Dragon, a flawed species incapable of true longevity, once a researcher and seeker driven to madness by knowledge. Now, I am merely Miss Noah’s familiar.”

“Here, your glasses.”

Noah summoned her system inventory, searched briefly, and retrieved a pair of rectangular glasses, offering them to Archimedes. He extended a claw, carefully placing the spectacles—symbols of wisdom—onto his face.

“My apologies. Due to my magic eyes, I am prone to seeing things I ought not. This tendency has intensified with age, ultimately driving me to madness through knowledge and obsession.”

Adorned with glasses, Archimedes now exuded even more the aura of a Dragon Sage. His clear draconic gaze swept around the room before settling on the blonde, flat-chested loli seated on the other side.

“However, I truly never imagined someone could devour so many dragon hearts and still retain their sanity,” the White Dragon remarked, a hint of admiration in his voice, utterly devoid of malice. Beside him, Noah nodded in emphatic agreement. “Mm-hmm.”

“Are you two… both just infuriating geniuses?”

Silvya’s veins visibly throbbed on her forehead. To have her entire existence, her very survival, described as a ‘miracle’ left her with no emotion but anger.

“Eh? But I was complimenting you!”

Archimedes’ mouth gaped slightly, appearing utterly bewildered.

“Mm-hmm, we truly are complimenting you~”

On the other side, Noah nodded in agreement, her posture conveying profound affirmation, her ample bosom gently bouncing with the movement.

“…Fine.”

Facing these two dragons, so ignorant of the world and utterly innocent in appearance, a profound sense of helplessness welled up within Silvya.

She leaned back in her chair, feeling a touch of defeat, resembling a loli with the weary soul of an old man who had seen too much of life.

Nevertheless, her curiosity about encountering a true dragon remained strong. While Archimedes’ form differed slightly from the dragons she knew, it did not diminish her desire to satisfy her ample curiosity.

“Are you perhaps curious about my condition? I understand; everyone who sees me tends to think the same.”

Noticing Silvya’s inquisitive gaze, Archimedes smiled, and like an elder dispelling doubts, he began to explain.

“As a consequence of possessing these magic eyes, I lost my immortal dragon scales and perfect vitality. My lifespan is shorter than that of my kin, and I cannot bear offspring naturally.”

“Yet, thanks to this very fact, I gained a perspective and thirst for knowledge that other members of my species lack. I’ve lived a remarkably fulfilling draconic life, and thus, there’s nothing to pity.”

“Ahahaha.” Archimedes let out a hearty, open laugh, imbued with a distinct sense of having made peace with the world.

“Archimedes,” Noah began, after a brief moment of contemplation, addressing the White Dragon before her. “I once asked you what the Adventurer (Player) system signifies to your kind, and you said you couldn’t answer.”

This was a question she had posed when she was Bai Tong, to which Archimedes had replied: ‘Based on my agreement with the system, I cannot answer.’

“So, in your current capacity, could you tell me what the system is like, in your understanding?”

“Ah, that question. Well then…” Just as Archimedes adjusted his glasses, preparing to elaborate, Silvya hastily stood up, speaking with a slight urgency.

“I… I have something to do. I’ll be going first. You two can take your time talking…”

She had suddenly realized she shouldn’t be privy to the upcoming conversation.

While she wasn’t entirely ignorant of Adventurers, the words about to be uttered by this Saintess and Dragon Sage were clearly an attempt to forcibly drag her into their affairs.

“Oh no, no~ Little Silvya is already mine~ Trying to stay out of things now~ That simply won’t do~”

Noah playfully winked one eye, her ample bosom resting on the table as a dangerously alluring smile graced her lips.

It seemed she was warning the loli before her: whether she wanted to listen or not was no longer her decision to make.

“Ugh!”

Silvya, whose tongue was tied by the favors she’d received, flushed crimson. Her movement to stand froze abruptly, and she ultimately yielded to Noah’s intimidating presence, slowly and somewhat shamefully sinking back into her seat.

“Very well, then I shall begin with the conclusion.”

Noah’s smile gradually softened, and her rather imposing, ample bosom was lifted from the table.

Archimedes pushed up his glasses, and as if nothing untoward had happened, he began to explain in a calm tone.

“The Adventurer system—or the Player system, as it’s known to those from other worlds—functions as a protective mechanism, enveloping this planet.”

“More precisely, it acts like an artificial atmosphere, safeguarding against the gazes and incursions of external deities.”