Chapter 51: The Fifth Guardian (1)  

‘OH!’  

It felt as if fireworks were exploding inside my head.  

In an instant, my mind cleared completely, and a thrilling excitement spread along my spine.  

[The contract slot for <Dragon’s Oath (EX)> has been expanded. ]

A message appeared before my eyes.  

“Dragon’s Oath (EX)”  

– You can contract with dragons.  

– Contracts (1/5)  

– Elemental Dragon (Dania)  

– [Empty]  

– [Empty]  

– [Empty]  

– [Empty]  

The slots had increased to five.  

Just as I had expected, the slots could indeed expand.  

‘Wow.’  

And this also meant that the possibility of there being not just one Rare Dragon Lair but multiple was very high.  

‘I really can’t just sit still.’  

I didn’t know how many more Dragon Lairs there were, but I was determined to find as many as possible and form contracts with every one of them.  

Suddenly, a thought crossed my mind.  

‘What are those strange ones trying to do by searching for the Dragon Lairs?’  

Could it be that they, too, had the power to contract with dragons like me?  

Or perhaps they had the ability to tame dragons?  

As that thought sank in, a wave of anxiety surged through me.

What if they stole the Dragon Lairs from me? That thought kept circling in my mind.  

“Huuh.”  

I took a deep breath.  

I shouldn’t worry about them.  

Now was the time to focus on what I could do.  

“All right, that’s it for today. Everyone, dismissed.”  

“Chu!”  

“Popo!”  

“Awoooong!”  

Everyone got up from their seats.  

I did the same.  

I glanced briefly at the Guardian Room.  

There was a strong possibility that a new guardian had been unlocked this time.  

At that moment—  

“Um, excuse me….”  

Lucien grabbed my arm.  

Huh? Was there something else?  

“May I pay my respects to the Sacred Tree before we leave…?”  

Ah, the Sacred Tree. Elatarias.  

It seemed to be a truly sacred tree to them.  

“Of course.”  

Paying respects didn’t cost anything.  

“Thank you!”  

Lucien’s face brightened at my words.  

He immediately headed toward Elatarias.  

“Greetings, Sacred Tree. I am Lucien of the Lili Clan, here to offer my first respects…”  

Lucien’s expression before Elatarias was solemn.  

His face was full of reverence, as if he were standing directly before a god he served.  

From his actions alone, it was clear just how important the Elatarias tree was to the Lili Clan.  

‘But I doubt Elatarias will respond just because of that.’  

I thought their faith was pretty deep, but just as I thought this, the sprout on Elatarias suddenly began to change.  

Wuuuuung!  

A deep green magic started to flow from the sprout’s leaves.  

“Ah! Elatarias!”  

Lucien collapsed to the ground, bowing with a face as if he might faint.  

‘What? It actually responded?’  

I stared wide-eyed at the Elatarias sprout.  

“Wow! That’s amazing.”  

Bellerin had quietly appeared beside me and was watching the spectacle with curiosity.  

Wuuuuung!  

The Elatarias sprout emitted an increasingly intense green magical light.  

Then Lucien hurriedly stood up and ran over to me.  

“C-can I use the Forest Essence I gave you earlier?”  

“To use on the Elatarias sprout?”  

“Y-yes!”  

“Here.”  

I handed over the half-full Forest Essence.  

Lucien accepted it and approached the Elatarias sprout again.  

Suuuuup!  

As the Forest Essence dripped onto the sprout,  

Wuuuuuuuuuung!!!  

A dazzling pure white light burst forth from the Elatarias sprout.  

Pop!  

New leaves sprouted from the branch that had only had two cotyledons before.  

“…!”  

“Wow!”  

“Popo!”  

“Chuuu!”  

We all gasped in surprise.  

It was growth we hadn’t expected at all.  

“How did you do that?”  

I asked Lucien excitedly.  

“Ah, the Sacred Tree said it was hungry!”  

“You can communicate with the Elatarias sprout?”  

“We can exchange simple intentions!”  

Huh. That was actually possible?  

“Wow, you must have noble bloodline!”  

Bellerin suddenly exclaimed with admiration.  

When I looked at her questioningly, she began to explain in detail.  

“Normally, the Lili Clan can communicate with flowers, trees, and plants! Among them, those with the Noblesse Bloodline in the Lili Clan can even communicate with noble plants like Elatarias or the World Tree!”  

Oh.  

Lucien was one of those with a noble bloodline?  

I looked at him with impressed eyes.  

Lucien scratched his head bashfully.  

Good.  

From now on, I’d appoint Lucien as the exclusive caretaker of the Elatarias sprout.  

“W-what? Me?”  

“Yes. Please take good care of it.”  

“I-it’s an honor! Leave it to me!”  

Lucien gladly accepted my offer.  

“Is there anything you need?”  

If I was giving, I also wanted to receive.  

If Lucien needed anything, I was willing to help within my power.  

“1……”  

He seemed to have a need, but hesitated to say it.  

“It’s okay. Don’t be shy—just speak comfortably. If it’s something I can’t do, I’ll be honest about it.”  

“Then, um… could you please allow the other Lili Clan members remaining in the Rainbow Forest to live in Elatria?”  

“The other Lili Clan members?”  

“Yes!”  

“Alright.”  

More of the Lili Clan?  

That was good news for me, too.  

They were beings who could coexist with Elatria, and the more Forest Essence they produced, the faster not only Elatria but also the crops inside the Rare Dragon Lair could thrive.  

“Arkeron!”  

“Arkeron standing by.”  

I immediately ordered Arkeron to bring the remaining Lili Clan members.  

“Understood.”  

Arkeron took off immediately.  

Seeing this, Lucien burst into tears of gratitude and followed Arkeron.  

‘Such a crybaby. Really sensitive.’  

Alright, now let’s go check the Guardian Room.  

Just then—  

What now?  

A personal chat alert sounded from the supernet.  

Curious, I checked and saw it was Kim Ahjussi.  

[Rainbow Potion] : Hello, Archmage Emperor. We have completed the final version of the new potion and have sent it for your tasting.  

Oh.  

The new potion Kim Ahjussi had been working on.  

It seemed they had finally succeeded.  

[Archmage Emperor] : Congratulations on the successful development.  

[Rainbow Potion] : It’s all thanks to you, Archmage Emperor. Thank you so much.  

Director Kim’s joy came through clearly in the message.  

I smiled contentedly.  

‘I wonder what expression he’ll make when I meet him in person and reveal I’m the Archmage Emperor?’  

The thought made me chuckle involuntarily.  

[Rainbow Potion] : Also, I was wondering if it would be possible to purchase potatoes and sweet potatoes? 

Ah. Potatoes and sweet potatoes.  

I could easily send those.  

Currently, the harvest in the Rare Dragon Lair far exceeded the consumption of potatoes and sweet potatoes, so it was no problem.  

[Archmage Emperor] : Initiating trade. 

I quickly completed the transaction.  

‘They’re going to be so happy.’  

When I thought of potatoes and sweet potatoes, two faces immediately came to mind.  

Junho and Sua.  

The two kids from Love Orphanage who were especially close to me.  

A wave of fond memories crossed my face, and I smiled briefly.  

Then I headed toward the Guardian Room.  

[Personal Trade Completed.]  

“Ah…!”  

***  

An exclamation burst from Kim Jeonghwan’s mouth.  

The potatoes and sweet potatoes just sent by the Archmage Emperor.

Three hundred each, plus cherry tomatoes on top.  

“Is this a congratulatory gift…?”  

He couldn’t find the words to continue.  

The Archmage Emperor’s potatoes, sweet potatoes, and cherry tomatoes—  

Kim Jeonghwan knew full well how expensive those were.  

Yet the Archmage Emperor had sent them without hesitation.  

Even when he offered to pay, the Archmage Emperor firmly refused.  

[Archmage Emperor] : I know you’re doing good work. I’m sending this for the children, so don’t feel burdened.  

[Archmage Emperor] : If you really feel burdened, think of it as repaying me later and accept it.  

In the end, Kim Jeonghwan accepted.  

He thought refusing again might hurt the Archmage Emperor’s feelings.  

“Thank you so much.”  

He clenched his hands tightly in gratitude.  

If he succeeded further—  

If he developed the elixir he had dreamed of his entire life—  

He swore firmly he would be the first to give it to the Archmage Emperor.  

“This is too precious an ingredient to just cook with.”  

After some thought, Kim Jeonghwan called Bangbaedong Gourmet, Ahn Jaesung.  

Ahn Jaesung gladly accepted his request.  

“Thank you so much for coming despite being busy.”  

“Not at all. It’s something I enjoy doing. Rather, I’m honored to be invited.”  

While they exchanged greetings, another guest arrived.  

“Director!”  

“Oh, is that you?”  

“Long time no see.”  

“Heh heh. Yes, Inseok. Are you feeling better now?”  

“Yes, completely recovered.”  

Kim Jeonghwan warmly embraced Goo Donghyun with delight.  

Then he introduced him to Ahn Jaesung right away.  

“Ah! Chef, this is Goo Donghyun, who I consider like a son.”  

“Donghyun, this is Chef Ahn Jaesung.”  

The man was none other than Goo Donghyun, known by his nickname “Gugune White Sundae.”  

“Ah, so you’re Gugune White Sundae. I heard news of you at the Gold Lounge. I’m glad you recovered.”  

“Thank you. I also heard about your victory at the international competition. Congratulations.”  

The reason Goo Donghyun came was simple.  

He wanted to check in on Kim Jeonghwan after a long time.  

Coincidentally, Ahn Jaesung joined them, and the three gathered together.  

After exchanging warm greetings, they began preparing dishes together.  

Today’s main ingredients were the potatoes, sweet potatoes, and cherry tomatoes sent by the Archmage Emperor.  

Potato and sweet potato salad.  

Potato and sweet potato stew.  

Potato and sweet potato gratin.  

Potato and sweet potato pancakes.  

Cherry tomato marinade, and more.  

“This is the cherry tomato marinade I served when I won.”  

“Wow, it looks really delicious!”  

“Just smelling it makes me understand why you won!”  

Exclamations continued as a grand feast began.  

“Wow, this is so delicious!”  

“I’m going to eat until I burst today!”  

The children happily ate the potato and sweet potato dishes made by Ahn Jaesung.  

“Thank you, sir!”  

“Thank you so much!”  

“Yeah, eat plenty.”  

Ahn Jaesung smiled as he watched Junho and the children thanking him.  

Seeing the children’s innocent smiles, he felt as if all the worries in the world were melting away like snow.  

‘Yeah, this is why I came.’  

That was why Ahn Jaesung had gladly accepted Kim Jeonghwan’s invitation.  

After the meal, as they chatted, Kim Jeonghwan, Ahn Jaesung, and Goo Donghyun discovered a remarkable commonality.  

“Come to think of it, we’ve all received favors from the Archmage Emperor.”  

“That’s true. It feels like it’s thanks to the Archmage Emperor that we’ve gathered like this.”  

“What a strange coincidence.”  

They naturally began talking about the Archmage Emperor.  

And soon reached a conclusion.  

“Since we’re all gathered, why don’t we think of a way to express our gratitude to the Archmage Emperor?”  

“Good idea.”  

“I agree.”  

Their hearts were united.  

They started discussing what they could do to show their appreciation to the Archmage Emperor.  

Kwaaaaah!  

***  

A golden light poured from the stone slab.  

As expected, upon reaching level 50, I was able to summon a new guardian.  

[Level 50 confirmed.]

The fifth guardian. The ancient and powerful protector, <Yong Taeho>, awakens from a long slumber.

The golden light poured out even more brilliantly and majestically than the previous four times.  

“…!”  

I felt an unusual flow of magical power.  

At the moment that power converged into a single point—  

Flash—  

Kwaaaaaaah!!  

I finally encountered the fifth guardian.  

***  

At that moment—  

Arkeron was patrolling the East Rainbow Forest with Lucien and the Shadow Wolf Clan, rescuing members of the Lili Clan.  

“Is it true that Elatrium exists?”  

“Yes, that’s correct. Our tribe currently resides there…!”  

“Ah, then please help our tribe as well.”  

A Lili Clan woman with pink hair.  

She was the leader of this tribe, guiding eighty Lili Clan members.  

They, too, had been facing a crisis due to depleted magic and had fallen into despair until Lucien appeared before them like a savior.  

“You can board right away…!”  

“Thank you.”  

The Lili Clan members began mounting the saddles of the Shadow Wolves.  

It was the moment another tribe was heading toward Elatrium.  

But then—  

Kwaaaaaaah!  

A massive magical power crushed everything around.  

The forest began to scream.  

“Keron. Unknown entity detected. Warning, warning, enemy combat power cannot be measured!”  

A powerful being was rapidly approaching.  

“You all go back first.”  

“P-please be safe!”  

Sensing the grave atmosphere, Lucien said this to Arkeron.  

“Keron. No problem.”  

“Awooooo!”  

“Awoooo-!”  

Following Arkeron’s command, the Shadow Wolves quickly fled the area, carrying the Lili Clan members.  

At that moment—  

An unknown entity appeared before Arkeron.  

If Arkeron hadn’t been guarding the spot, he would have been caught off guard.  

“Found you.”  

The being looked like a mix of a giant mantis and a human.  

Its steel-like green carapace gleamed as it sneered fiercely, facing off against Arkeron.