Dark Warlock in the Apocalypse

He added that the dragon could eat meat whether it was alive or dead, even rotten or burnt, with no need to worry about its health.

"But its favorite meal would be young animals or young women. It'll be thrilled if you give it that as a reward."

"...I'll keep that in mind."

Justin grimaced, recalling how Fafnir had clung to Rachel earlier. Before the dragon grew too large, he would have to make sure it understood not to mess with his companions.

"Here, eat up."

"Kyiiik!"

Crunch, chomp.

After purchasing some raw meat from the shop, Justin fed Fafnir, who eagerly tore into it. He had bought quite a bit of meat just in case, but it didn't take long for Fafnir to finish it all. After devouring what was about the weight of its own body, the baby dragon perched contentedly on his shoulder and began dozing off.

The dragon looked so cute as it slept that Justin gently stroked its head.

"Uh, Lord?" A nervous voice interrupted him from behind.

Turning his head, Justin saw one of the maids Zachary had hired. She flinched when their eyes met and quickly bowed deeply.

"What is it?"

"T-the guest has woken up."

"Guest? Oh, right, that man."

Justin remembered the man they had brought in, who had been on the brink of death while begging them for help. They had saved him to gain information about other territories.

"Got it. Let your master know I'll be there soon."

"Y-yes!" the maid stammered and hurried off, almost stumbling as she left.

Justin walked leisurely toward Zachary's house, making sure Fafnir remained comfortable on his shoulder. When he opened the gate, Zachary rushed out, clearly having been waiting for him.

"Welcome, Lord! I have something to report—wait, a dragon!?" Zachary's eyes widened in shock when he saw Fafnir perched on Justin's shoulder.

His surprise quickly gave way to excitement as he eagerly stepped closer.

"It's finally hatched! A black dragon! A real dragon!"

"Calm down. It's still a baby and can't be used in battle yet."

"Even so! Just having a dragon is incredible! Once it's grown, it'll be a force of destruction on the battlefield!"

"Kyaaak!"

As Zachary kept approaching, Fafnir bared its teeth and growled, ready to bite. But Zachary, too caught up in his excitement, didn't seem to notice the threat. Justin patted his shoulder, trying to calm him down.

"You can admire the dragon later. Let's deal with the important matter first. You said the guest woke up? Is that why you called me?"

"Ah, right! That's what I needed to report!" Zachary finally tore his eyes away from the dragon and adopted a more serious expression.

"I spoke briefly with the man before you arrived. He's still exhausted, but he was able to talk."

"Did you find out anything useful?" Justin asked.

"Yes. At first, I wasn't sure if he was a pioneer or just a regular villager, since he didn't have any weapons. But he's definitely a pioneer. His job, though, is a bit unusual."

Your journey continues on empire

"Job?"

After a brief pause, Zachary continued, "He's not a warrior or a mage—he's a craftsman. More specifically, an alchemist."

"...!"

'This is incredible,' Eugene thought to himself as he lay in bed, marveling at his surroundings.

Being a pioneer himself, he had lived in a relatively decent house compared to the villagers, but even that seemed shabby compared to this one.

'They said the lord here... completely transformed this place.'

Though he hadn't seen the outside yet, Zachary had mentioned that the entire village had been changed. He also mentioned that the development had cost around 40,000 mana stones.

To Eugene, who had always struggled with mana stone shortages, that number was mind-boggling.

What kind of person could earn that much and invest it in their territory without hesitation? Eugene couldn't even begin to imagine.

'If he's that powerful, maybe he can fulfill my request.'

The more Eugene thought about the lord's influence and power, the more confident he felt. Not just in terms of the number of pioneers under his command, but his control over the territory and his own personal strength.

If he's that capable, surely my request wouldn't be too difficult.

But as that thought crossed his mind, a bitter smile crept onto Eugene's lips.

'No, the real issue isn't whether it's possible. It's whether he has any reason to grant my request.'

Even if the lord had the ability, no one would act unless there was a reason to. And as Eugene saw it, there wasn't much reason for the lord to help him.

Bang!

At that moment, the door swung open, breaking Eugene's train of thought.

"You're awake."

"Ah...!"

The sudden entrance startled Eugene, but what shocked him more was the person who entered. The man wielded a strange staff, unlike anything typically seen on a mage, adorned with intricate designs. His rings, too, were clearly powerful items, and perched on his shoulder was a small dragon.

'A high-level pioneer! And not just any—he's cleared multiple dungeons!' Eugene immediately realized who this man was and quickly bowed his head.

"It's an honor to meet you! I am—"

"I've heard. Your name is Eugene, an alchemist by profession. You were fleeing after your territory was invaded by other pioneers and lost, and we found you. Anything wrong with that?"

"N-no, that's correct," Eugene stammered, nodding rapidly.

The lord's direct tone left him flustered. Normally, he would've found such a way of speaking disrespectful, but now, it only seemed to reflect the man's confidence. The lord's next words, however, carried a biting tone.n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

"I heard you woke up and immediately asked if we could help you reclaim your territory. Quite bold. Shouldn't you be grateful just for surviving?"

"T-that's not what I meant!"

"Oh? Then you weren't asking us to shed blood for a land we know nothing about?" the lord shot back.

"...."

Eugene couldn't say anything. After all, the lord wasn't wrong. Even if his request was to save his people, it would still involve shedding blood.

The lord gave a mocking smile as he looked at Eugene.

"Tell me. Why should we help you? What's in it for us to make enemies and shed blood? We only saved you by chance, after all."

"Kyaaak!" Fafnir let out a cry from his shoulder, as if in agreement with his master's words.

Faced with the brutal truth, Eugene lowered his head in silence. But it wasn't long before he raised it again, his expression determined.

"There is something in it for you!" he declared.

"Hmm." The lord tilted his head, motioning for Eugene to explain.

Eugene took a deep breath, meeting the lord's eyes with resolve. "If you help me reclaim my territory, I and five other craftsmen will serve you like dogs!"