Requiem Of A Failed Hero



The concept of naming was exclusive, carrying both advantages and disadvantages. Humans were never meant to be capable of naming dragons. 

Yet, this human whom she had thought never would be able to–had somehow managed to name her. 

"You caused this..."

"You gave me no other choice. But look to the bright side, now you possess a name," a silky, soft voice emerged from behind her. She knelt there with Raith's head resting on her lap. 

The dragon lady, Slyvia, sat cross-legged, hands folded. Trying to make sense of what had just transpired between a few hours ago. She was actually named by a human. 

Remarkably, nothing about her had changed. Unlike other creatures named by humans, who often transformed according to their namer's power, she remained the same.

This absence of transformation indicated Raith's exceptional strength. It meant he was far superior to her when it came to his mana. She glanced back at him skeptically.

"No way..."

She vehemently rejected the notion, shaking her head. 

'If he truly possessed that kind of power, he could have easily defeated me. I've barely lived for a thousand years.'

She shook her head again, attempting to dislodge the idea that the perverted bastard of a human she had met hours ago was more powerful than her. However, the puzzle remained unresolved in her mind.

"Hey, you insolent dryad."

"Mind your language, Slyvia. Mind your language."

Slyvia's brows twitched as the dryad addressed her by name. An urge to lash out pulsed within her, demanding that the lady refrain from uttering her name. Strangely though, the name didn't feel so bad.

Perhaps having a name wasn't as undesirable as she had thought. She had existed as a nameless dragon for centuries, as her previous companion lacked the strength to name her.

"Don't worry, my dear. One day, I'll grow strong enough to gift you a beautiful name," her constant promise, once the ice dragon's cherished dream. But the current of time had eroded that aspiration, life's tribulations reshaping her priorities.

"Why did you have to involve him?"

"There was no other way to stop you, and he carried an air of distinction. I sensed it the moment he entered this place."

The lady's appearance echoed an elf's with her pointed ears, though shorter. White hair framed her face, not as pure as Slyvia's, and she wore a skillfully woven green dress made from leaves, which adorned her tanned skin.

Slyvia frowned, averting her gaze.

"I apologize; I didn't realize the extent of my actions."

"Feeding on my life force was a cruel act..."

"Hah! I already said I'm sorry, alright?!"

Slyvia erupted, springing to her feet before striding away with an air of arrogance.

The dryad smiled, tenderly stroking Raith's hair. 

After a while, gradually, Raith's eyes fluttered open, his vision initially hazy.

"Gentleman, you're awake!"

Her delight was palpable both in her eyes and her voice. 

Raith, previously enjoying the soft support of the thighs beneath his head, swiftly sat up upon hearing the unfamiliar voice. 

He looked around, no familiar faces, only an overwhelming weakness that threatened to engulf him from the insides. His death soldiers had completely returned because he was depleted of both cosmic energy and dark energy. 

It took everything he had to name that darn dragon. But his energy was already regenerating, that too at a quick rate. 

"Rest, gentleman. Your survival is a marvel."

"What do you mean?"

Raith queried, his gaze shifting toward the lady while his hand cradled his head.

"You expended all your magical energy naming her..." She leaned closer to whisper, "...if I'm correct, you wield cosmic energy rather than magic."

Raith leaned away, his reaction suggesting that such proximity wasn't necessary for communication.

"Yes..."

'You don't need to come close to me to say that...' 

After scrutinizing her for a moment longer, he inquired, "Who are you?"

She responded by pointing towards her back, where the colossal tree shrouded in clouds stood.

"Ahh..."

Her enthusiastic nod affirmed Raith's realization.

"Thank you for intervening. Slyvia was consuming my life force to heal her wound. Had she continued, I wouldn't have survived another century."

"I see..."

Hearing her talk about not surviving another century made Raith question his decision to aid her.

'...so, it wasn't even a pressing issue, and she was pleading as though it were.'

"May I ask something?"

The dryad's gaze met Raith's, her eyes unusually deep green, larger than usual, reflective of her forest-wide serenity.

"Have you come seeking something? Millennia have passed since anyone ventured this far."

"I'm searching for a home for my people."

Raith's statement kindled a spark in the dryad's eyes, but it waned as swiftly as it appeared.

"This environment isn't exactly hospitable for humans."

"I'm aware. That's why I'm trying to find a solution. Are you the sole inhabitant here? And what are you?"

"Very well, I'm a dryad, a spirit of the Faefern tree."

"Oh..."

'So this is the Faefern she mentioned.'

His gaze swiveled, remembering her presence belatedly.

"By any chance, are you looking for Slyvia?"

"Yes,"

"She's been exploring; she hasn't left her lairs for two centuries. Fear not, formidable monsters can't assail you now that Slyvia is your vassal. I heard you're a ruler."

"Ah, it worked!"

Raith exclaimed, accessing his messages.

[Congratulations]

[You've achieved the impossible]

[You've named a dragon]

[Naming ability upgraded]

[Any entity you name can now evolve, gaining a unique skill]

[Quest completed]

[+10 assimilation rate gained]

[Rulership Assimilation Rate: 10.00%]

[New skill acquired]

[You've secured your first vassal as a ruler of greed]

[Your power grows stronger]

'If only I could've gained runestones had I managed to defeat her.'

For a fleeting moment, Raith regretted his choice but then stood, accepting it as it was.

"Gentleman, may I know your name?"

The dryad's inquiry caught him off guard.

"Raven Raith."

Bashfully, she lowered her head, fingers entwined, as if struggling to express something.

"Speak..."

As though awaiting his permission, she raised her head with newfound energy.

"Could you name me as well?"

"Huh?"

Raith was utterly perplexed.

In just a single day, he had secured two vassals far more potent than any ruler could hope for.