Dragon Road: How I Rise in My New Life

At the edge of a cliff overlooking a vast canyon, a lone young man that can still be considered a boy sat on a rock as he stared off onto the horizon.

From behind him, a large figure with green skin and a hulking frame hidden in a cloak approached as it called out to him.

"Oi, boy. I had a little talk with the merchants and they've agreed to take us to the town closest to the borders of Yatamayanu, but that's as close as they'll take us. Seems like the country's closed off its borders, so we'll have to find our own way in."

The boy nodded, but didn't turn around to face the figure.

Seeing his response or lack thereof, the figure took off its hood to reveal the broad, tusked, and chiseled face of an orc.

He let out a sigh as he asked, "Hey, boy. We've been on the road for months now and I get that you still have things to think about, but don't you think you've been at this too much by now?"

Hearing his words, the young man – Glenn, gave the orc a sidelong glance over his shoulder before turning his face away again.

"I can't help it, Bol. Finding out things about your family while their past is slowly catching up to you… it just brings up so many questions that one can't help but think about," said Glenn.

The orc sighed as he scratched his head in exasperation, "If that's the case, then forget about thinking and just focus on getting there to get your answers. It hasn't done you any good before and it won't do you any good now."

Glenn only nodded at his response.

Shaking his head, the orc – Bolgruk, decided to change the topic, "I haven't really thought about it much, but was it really necessary to go off on your own without bringing that dragon along?"

Looking down, a tinge of melancholy can be seen on the boy's face.

"To be honest, I wanted to go off and have more adventures with Sir Camus… I feel like he'd have agreed to come along with my selfish wish, but…"

Slowly looking upwards towards the horizon, the sadness in his eyes became washed by solemn determination.

"To rely on him every time I'm in trouble feels like a waste of all that he's taught me. Besides, this time, generations of tradition are in the way. Him helping me would make dealing with the main family a lot more annoying."

The orc shrugged as he sighed, "Does it even matter considering we've learned that your father was wronged by that same family?"

A smile formed on Glenn's lips as he turned towards Bolgruk, "It does. Because then it would mean that despite all they've done, my family had succeeded."

Knowing there was no more point to argue, Bolgruk turned and left while Glenn continued to stare onto the horizon with thoughts on what his friend was currently doing.

- – -

Standing in a chamber facing a large rotund humanoid with a draconic head, Ellen had her arms crossed with an annoyed look.

Seeing her expression, the draconic humanoid – Grougaran, also known as Earth Father by the giants, scratched the underside of his maw with a sheepish expression.

"…not quite comfortable being called that, are you, little El."

Shaking her head and letting out a sigh, Ellen looked up towards Grougaran.

"You know that's not the problem, Earth Father. I'd like to know… just why?"

Hearing Ellen's question, the dragon god felt a little embarrassed - akin to a naughty child having been caught with their hands in the cookie jar.

"Saying that it was all for just a bit of jest is… probably not what you want to hear."

Grougaran began saying but changed his words when he saw Ellen's expression becoming visibly sharper.

"Sigh, fine. To be honest, I simply wanted that boy to see you in a more favorable light. I know the thing with your father was a bit… exaggerated. But it wasn't a complete lie."

Ellen did indeed lose her father once and never met him until she got older, but it was through the efforts of Grougaran and her people that they eventually found him and nursed him back to health.

While it wasn't a complete lie, it was still a lie. All for what? A god's prank?

"In the end, it all worked for the better, right?

To be honest, Ellen wanted to believe this, but she cared about Camus too much to simply ignore it. After all, in the end, all lies will eventually come to light.

"Earth Father, at some point I honestly wish you'd stop thinking things through what's between your legs."

Chuckling to himself, he shook his head while responding, "I'm afraid I can't help it, little El. After all, I was born from almost everything that was left of the lower end of our old selves. That includes the whole package. How do you think I got into Eloi's good graces?" he gestured with his brows.

"Ugh, you're unbelievable," she said in disgust.

"Fine, fine. I understand where you're coming from. Just bring the boy here and I'll deal with the rest," he replied seeing that she was about to nag at him again.

"For now, I suggest you make your way towards the capital. I can point you towards where he is right now of course, but you won't be able to see him for a good while since our eldest is currently… bonding with him."

Ellen could see the old dragon shudder as he said those words. What could possibly be happening to Camus right now?

"In any case, you must go quickly if you wish to meet up with him. There are malevolent forces closing in on his trail, but it will be long before they find him. Go, bring some of our greatest with you. They're idle and useless here while I'm around."

Hearing his command, Ellen nodded solemnly and left the halls to prepare for her journey.

Behind her, Grougaran grinned as he looked to the distance and thought.

'She's a good woman brother. I do hope you forgive me for that little trick, but don't blame her.'

The light slowly faded around the old god and soon vanished as though the halls were empty in the beginning.

- – -

"Gah!"

This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

I woke up in a cold sweat. The last thing I remember was that the world seemed to have been turned upside-down and I was flailing around. It was a terrible feeling of helplessness that I didn't want to experience again.

"Looks like you're finally awake."

I turned to see the one who called, the dragon-man in azure robes, Astranir.

"How did it feel? To have your mana completely drowned out by that of another?"

I flinched at the thought after remembering my earlier experience. It felt like I had no control over my own body and my mind was about to cave from the pressure.

"This is the effect that we, Dragons, have over the mortal races. The vast amounts of mana we possess can simply drown out all the other senses and the effect is far worse to those who are sensitive to it. That is why the first thing that a young Dragon learns is to control that mana."

He then paused to generate a ball of water above is palm and flung it at me. However, before the water hit me, the sphere of water broke apart and splashed onto the floor.

"That is also why most magics have no effect on Dragons. To use magic against a Dragon is like trying to set fire to the ocean with a torch." He said with a laugh. "And that is already the case with just Dragons. Now, imagine that situation with High Dragons such as your current self and with me who is a Dragon God. The amount exponentially increases with each classification by the way."

I shuddered at the idea. To think the benefits of magic immunity I've been experiencing have been coincidence all along. I don't want to imagine how bad it would've been if I took a hit and failed to realize in time that I would be done for.

On cue as though he were reading my thoughts, Astranir calmed me with his next words.

"Well, it's not like there's a lot of beings who can outclass a Dragon in mana after all. Much less, a High Dragon. After all, you are special yourself, brother. Above a High Dragon but less than a god, your mana is in a class of its own. Not to mention you also possess the unique mana of undead, mortema. The only ones you actually have to worry about are the ones that have already been told to you by the old lion."

That did help calm me down a little, but it doesn't change the fact that I was being foolish again. Haven't I read enough isekais and whatnot to know about this? It should be common knowledge to me by now that there's no power that's absolute. I do feel that I probably couldn't help it since my new constitution made me feel so invincible, but I know that's just an excuse.

Wait… didn't that old soul warn me about this before? That being reborn as I am would make me think too highly of myself? I guess all this pummeling has finally jogged that memory. Now, the problem is that this isn't the first time I got too cocky and I'm liable to fall for it again.

Seeing my face from all this thinking must've struck something with the old dragon as his next words felt somewhat mellowed.

"Seems we've been here for a quite a while. Seeing your progress, I do believe you've earned yourself a break, brother."

With a twist of his hand, a door formed in front of us as he gestured me in.

"I'll give you a couple of days. That's likely more than enough to get your spirits, so go on and enjoy yourself."

It's kind of strange how he put it – it almost seems like he's telling me to go on a vacation. Should I be worried?

Before I could have anymore thoughts on the matter, however, the door opened and sucked me in. It was all too sudden and the next thing I know, I was in a large luxurious looking room with a large bed in the middle.

The biggest surprise, however, was the beautiful woman sitting at a table having tea on the side.

Mistress Sorena looked at me with a stunned silence for a time before she suddenly stood up and gave me a hug.

"My dear Camus! It's been so long since I've last seen you that I've simply lost track of time!"

She came at me all too sudden that I myself was stunned. Has it truly been so long since I've been away from the girls? The impact of her wonderful smell and her soft touch assailed my senses to the point of near madness.

"Oh, I can't wait to let the girls know! They've been wanting to see you for so long, I - ? Camus?"

I swear I could hear Sorena say something and moving in my grasp, but as I closed my eyes, it was hard to think about anything other than the wonderful sensation in my arms.

I was too enamored by the current situation that I failed to notice her silence and the mischievous grin that formed on her lovely face as she slowly gestured her hand at the door with a spell sealing the lock shut.

"It seems you've sorely missed us as well… but it's so rare to have you by yourself that perhaps… we should enjoy this rare moment, hmm?"

Unaware of her ploy, I could only get lost in the moment as she slowly guided me to the bed.

Before I came to my senses, that time I spent with Sorena was perhaps one of the best experiences I've had in a long time.

[NSFW part - I'd like to write it, but it always comes off as wrong whenever I put it into words. I'll save you all the misfortune of my clumsy-ass writing and leave it all to your imagination until I could finally get it right.]

– - –

The morning came and with it a refreshing sensation I haven't felt in a long time as I turned to the left and looked at the silver-haired beauty sleeping beside me. I then turned to the right to see the well-built chocolate goddess that was also lying by my side. And finally, I turned towards the lovely little bunny that was resting on my chest.

At some point, that fun little night turned into one hell of a party, and I couldn't help but feel glad to be alive with these awesome girls at my side. Seeing their faces, I couldn't help but feel a little guilty and sad that Ellen couldn't be here with me. Which begs me to question, what could she be doing right now?

"Are you done with your fun?"

Hearing that voice jolted my brain with a start. I sat up immediately to see the great dragon mage standing before the bed.

"I know I said to enjoy your break, but I didn't think you'd actually be at it for three days straight. There are more things in life to enjoy than just copulation, dear brother."

T-Three days!? I know I wasn't paying attention to the time, but seriously, three days!?

"Well, no matter. Get yourself ready; your final lesson starts today."

I was trying to calm the girls who went on high alert after my earlier panic, but then Astranir's words gave me pause. Final lesson?

"You heard me right. Or, well… final lesson here at least. Things have taken a turn in the world, and you've pretty much gotten an idea on what it's like to be suppressed." He then proceeds to look at me from top to bottom and nods. "Based on your growth, you're well on your way on your own… is what I wish I could say, however..."

With a look frustration, he continued "There's not much I can do about the situation, but what I can offer is a way for us to continue our lessons while you journey. Here, take this."

I quickly caught what he tossed over to me what looked like a piece of antler or horn made out of crystal.

"Keep that on you always. It'll allow us to maintain a connection in order for me to continue your training. It's sorely lacking when compared to my divine realm, but it's better than nothing."

I can't feel anything from the horn, but I'm not going to doubt the powers of anything a god would give me. I look towards my brother and had hoped to say a word, but somehow I felt the words getting stuck in my throat refusing to come out.

He looked towards me with a knowing grin.

"Camus. Your journey is long... and far from over. There are many things you may wish to say, but for now... there is plenty of time. Until we see each other again, take care on your travels. Now, go."

My eyes widened at his words. Somehow, it gave me peace knowing that.

I took one last look before I turned towards the girls who've already dressed and led them out the door. As soon as I stepped out, I was suddenly struck by sunlight as I somehow brought out into a clearing surrounded by woodland and a road in front me.

I turned around to see the girls there giving me a smile and the portal suddenly closing.

"Where to now, Camus?"

I turned my head towards the road and beyond it I see it lead to what seems to be a village in the distance.

"For now, let's go see where we're at. It seems there's a village over there, but it looks pretty far. Let's have Fenril take us and - !"

Ah right, I knew I was forgetting something. Shit. Looks like Fenril's still stuck with my brother. I'm gonna have to call him and -

My thoughts were interrupted as another portal opened and out came a massive beast covered in scales and fur.

[My King! How dare you leave without me! Am I not your trusted aide?]

He's my what now? Whatever, I'm just glad to see the big dog is here and still lively. Without him it would take us a while to get to the village.

[Somehow I sense you are insulting me, My King! Do not be rude to me!]

For someone who considers me their king, he's sure pretty demanding. In any case, I signaled him to let the girls on him and pointed him towards the village.

It seems he understood and immediately left- hey! You sonovabitch, you were supposed to take me too!

...

Whatever, I'll just take the scenic route.

I unfurled my wings and stretched them as I could. It's been so long I almost started to forget I had them. Within a single motion, I crouched down then sprung high like a loosed cannon into the sky, the ground caving from the force of my jump.

It felt good to fly again.

I looked down and saw they were well on their way. I then turned towards the horizon as I thought about the things I've gone through and future ahead.

There were so many things happening in order that it was hard to tell it all happened within a short span of time. My resurrection as a dragon, my time in the cave with my dad, the friends I've made at the inn, the kid I tried to raise into a good adventurer, and of course Ellen... then eventually Vai, Azula, and Sorena.

These girls have become my treasures, and I will make sure my life will be fulfilled with them.

The road ahead is long for a dragon, but this is how I will rise in my new life.

***

END