Trapped in Another World With No Magic

Chapter 64: The Mechanic and The Student

Ryuogriar and Reignleif use summoned wind to collect the dark magic unleashed by the dragon that ambushed Daniel and his team in the old dragon's keep. It was an attack meant to kill Daniel in a desperate last breath, but failed due to the legendary sword Nemaisol. Once the black fog of death is collected into one place, Xyreko is able to neutralize the poison. Meanwhile, her golems confirm the area is clear of the curse that had been afflicting the dragons by spraying the inoculation around the area, generating a new fog in the hallway. Geirahoel is all but attached to the golem closest to Daniel as it works its way up the hall. She fidgets with her hands impatiently as it clears the area in order to play it safe. As soon as Xyreko gives a slight nod of approval, the young orange dragon darts in front of Daniel, eyes watering as she stares into his eyes. “Mukori…”

That's all Daniel could say before she threw herself into a hug. “How could you!? I hate this! I hate being so scared!”

“I'm sorry. I thought I could have finished him.” Daniel looks at the dragon ambusher, who has lost all of his strength after using the deadly corrosive breath. He adds, “I'm kinda glad I missed.”

Geirahoel glares at the dragon as Ryuogriar and Reignleif fly close to them, landing and crowding around Daniel as well. “Yes. Just because he was a feldrok student, that doesn't excuse his behavior, Mukori. You must remember that you are an important person now. Transgressions against you should not be so easily forgiven.”

“He wasn't here to kill me, and he had no idea who I was. Please, let's hear him out.”

The dragon sighs softly. “Not only did you defeat Morthybargaron, but you claimed his harem.”

“I…” starts Daniel before he's cut off.

“That is correct,” states Ryuogriar proudly. Reignleif nods, “He is our new lord and emperor, and we are his empresses.”

Geirahoel refuses to let go of Daniel, and she doesn't acknowledge the other dragon.

Daniel sighed. “Only these three. The rest don't care for me much, but we stay out of each other's ways.”

“I see… You have heard my story, and without knowing it, you have avenged me. I can go in peace.”

“Gladly,” snarls Geirahoel as she begins to charge mana to her palm. Daniel tugs her arms down, hugs her to restrain her as she whines. “Mukori! He hurt you! He hurt our friends!”

“I know. I'd rather make him repay us,” replies Daniel gently. He looks at the dragon, who cocks his head slightly, still too weak to really move. “You will keep me alive?”

“That depends. My condition is that you have to agree to the contract until I can trust you. Then, I’ll consider removing it. But, we’re not enemies, right?”

“No. Had I not been able to open my mind to the world, I would never have been strong enough to destroy Morthybargaron. Perhaps I’m still not.”

“Mukori killed him in one blow,” replies Reignleif bluntly. She adds as she rubs her distended belly, “And, Mukori has given us each two eggs since. One of each is his own.” She looks at Daniel affectionately, and he smiles.

Daniel adds to the dragon, “I can’t overlook your attack, and Hekate won’t likely forgive you very easily, but no one died.”

“Speak for yourself,” replies Xyreko dryly. “I lost two golems trying to return, only for them to instantly dissolve.”

“Thank you, Xyreko, and I’m sorry.”

She nods. “I would like this one to catalog all of the spells he learned in his worldly travels in payment.”

“I would like him to surrender all of his collected treasures to us,” adds Ryuogriar mercilessly.

“I want him to serve Mukori loyally and surrender his armor,” adds Reignleif.

Geirahoel grips Daniel’s hands with her own, still glaring at the other dragon. “I want him to be a slave, bound to all of us forever.”

“Geira…” murmurs Daniel softly.

The dragon gives a deep exhale. “I accept. That you are all alive and on a path of redemption for our race… With a human, no less… I desire only to keep that going.”

“You don’t want your own harem?” asks Xyreko skeptically. “Seems like that’s a pretty big thing for dragons.

“I would be lying if I said no. But, I do owe the Harbinger of Calamity a great deal for achieving my vengeance.”

“Ah, right. Proper introductions seem in order, since we’re friends now. Great Dragon, I am Daniel. I am perfectly happy to be addressed as such.”

Ryuogriar adds seriously, “He is emperor of the Citadel and the Fievegal, the feldrok sorcerer, the Harbinger of Calamity, and the Dragon Lord on this continent. You will treat him with reverence.”

Daniel slowly huffs in exasperation. “Isn’t that such a mouthful, though?”

The platinum dragon shoots Daniel a glare, and he sighs in defeat. She then takes to introducing herself, “My old name is no longer a name I carry. I am Ryuogriar Gur Lawson, first dragon empress and second empress of the Citadel and the Fievegal.”

“Reignleif Gur Lawson. Second and third empress, respectively.”

“Geirahoel. Don’t insult me by talking to me. Ever. I hate you.”

The dragon nods. “My true name in this language is Larrvenmaouchoul.”

Ryuogriar flinches, and she cocks her head to look at him more closely. She murmurs, “I… do recognize you now… You were the orphan raised by the feldroks, weren’t you?”

Larrvenmaouchoul nods wearily. His expression tightens from apparent pain, and Daniel realizes he’s been powering through it for their benefit.

Daniel asks Ryuogriar directly, “What are your thoughts on him, Ryuo?”

Ryuogriar looks at Daniel for a moment, thinking. “It’s been a long time, but… I believe you would get along with him. He has always viewed all peoples merely as people, and… many of us…” She looks away, murmuring softly, “Felt he was too weak to carry on our legacy.”

Daniel nods. “Great Dragon Larrvenmaouchoul, I’ll provide you healing potations. You caught us off guard, but I hope you’ll understand what happens if you betray my trust.”

The dragon nods wearily. “I surrender. I only wish to see the dragons return to glory, and to be a part of a greater society, rather than isolated from it.”

Ryuogriar sighs. “Then, fate has put you in the right place. Daniel is likely the only one who would choose to spare you, and none of us here can speak for Hekate, who you successfully injured and endangered Daniel.”

Daniel releases Geirahoel, and she begins to cling to his arm, trying to stop him. In spite of her efforts, he withdraws his potation bag from the void bag he carries, and he finds the healing, antidote, and blood potations. They should restore his body, but Daniel will hold off on restoring the dragon’s mana, just in case. He pats Geirahoel’s hands gently, reassuring her, “It’ll be alright, Mukori. I trust you three to protect me. As well as Xyreko.”

She doesn’t let him go, but she doesn’t stop him, walking with him to the dragon. Daniel explains as he feeds the potations to the dragon, “Morthybargaron was cursed during his assassinations of the feldroks, and he spread that curse to the others. It made adult dragons nearly sterile, and children… too strong to survive their own biology.”

Larrvenmaouchoul looks down as he lets Daniel pour the liquids into his mouth. He swallows the combined potations, which are a miniscule amount compared to the massive dragon, but they can always add more based on the effects of the first.

“I am sorry,” murmurs the dragon. “I had no idea… I was so blinded by anger and rage, I tried to kill him and was driven back. I am likely cursed as well…”

Xyreko answers, “You’re clear now. That was what this spray has been.” She gestures at her golems still fogging the hallways with the anti-curse. 

Larrvenmaouchoul points out as his strength returns, “You mentioned inoculation. Would that not mean the curse cannot be inflicted again?”

The three female dragons look at Xyreko, who replies gently, “Daniel asked me to be extremely cautious, as no immunity is truly completely immune. Additionally, all three of them are currently carrying offspring, who may not inherit the inoculation.”

Daniel nods. Just as abruptly as the statement was made, he twitches. “Wait, all three?” He looks at Geirahoel, whose eyes go wide, and she blushes, trying to shift behind him to hide from him.

“Geira…?”

She murmurs softly, “Mu-Mukori, you still need to enslave this assailant.”

Daniel wants to press the issue, since, if true, it would make Geirahoel’s third egg in a relatively short period of time, and he thought they agreed on two for now. He lets it go for now, returning to task. “Larrvenmaouchoul, we have a core mission to finish before we return to the Citadel. Unless you can transform into a smaller form, we’ll have to part ways.”

He is able to move now that the potations are taking effect, and he shifts up, rising to a seated position as he catches his breath. He now towers over all of them. “I have little mana left. If I fall unconscious, you may allow me to perish.”

“We’ll see what happens.”

Larrvenmaouchoul casts the spell Daniel has seen a few times, shrinking down. Surprisingly, his armor shrinks with him, and he is left behind in a kneel when the glow of the spell fades. “Emperor Daniel, from this day forth until my last, I am your humble servant.”

“You don’t have to go that far. Will you make it?”

“Yes. Allow me to aid you in your mission.”

Daniel looks at Geirahoel, who is still holding his arm possessively. “What?” she asks, lightly glaring at Daniel.

“The last room we have to raid is yours. Will you show us where it is?”

She blushes, nodding. She shifts tones as she growls, “I still don’t want… him anywhere near us.”

Daniel sighs, but he nods. “Larrvenmaouchoul,... I mean no offense, but your name is really long and difficult to remember. Do you mind if I call you something shorter?”

The other three gasp, likely upset that he’s giving the new dragon the same privilege as them. The mechanic is hoping the grey dragon will agree to simply shorten his own name.

“I am at your service, my Lord. Call me how you wish.”

Geirahoel instantly retorts coldly, “Scum.”

Reignleif adds in an icy tone, “Jougstaug.”

Larrvenmaouchoul shifts uncomfortably, but he lets out a breath. He says gently, “Forgive me my Lord. Fair and Noble Empresses, I unknowingly attempted to harm and kill your Mukori. I deserve your ire, but I do ask for your forgiveness. I will prove my loyalty to Lord Daniel and his harem. My Lord, I accept any term you deem fit for me.”

Daniel exhales deeply, glancing at his three dragon empresses. Ryuogriar comes to the rescue, suggesting what Daniel would hope is the easiest suggestion. “Perhaps merely shortening his name, Mukori? ‘Choul’ should be easy to remember.”

Daniel jokes, “If we’re not shortening from the beginning…” Again, the three dragon empresses glare at Daniel, as if he’s personally sleighting them. He holds his hands up in concession. “Then, I’d almost rather call him ‘Maou’. In one of the languages on Earth, it’s a word for ‘Demon Lord’.”

Geirahoel squeezes Daniel’s arm, retorting, “He’s not a lord! He’s an assaulter! He’s less than a feral goblin! He’s-...” Daniel quiets her by cupping her cheek gently with his free hand, disrupting her rant. “In the context I was referring to, he’s the enemy of the world. But, if it bothers you so much, we’ll go with Choul. Sound good?”

Ryuogriar and Reignleif nod. Geirahoel huffs, but doesn’t object. And, the dragon in question nods. “Very well. I shall answer to the appellation ‘Choul’ from henceforth.”

“Good,” states Geirahoel haughtily. “Now that that’s settled, let’s go.”

Daniel nods, saying to Choul as Geirahoel pulls him along, “Choul, you can stay in the hallway or head for the Citadel. Either is acceptable.”

“I shall accompany you as far as possible, my Lord.”

“Keep your distance,” growls Ryuogriar as she takes Daniel’s other arm, and Reignleif leads the three of them, keeping herself away from Choul. Choul follows a fair distance behind, and Xyreko falls into step with Daniel’s group alongside Geirahoel. “Daniel, you should check in with the others quickly.”

“Please reassure them that I’m alright, Xyreko. We’ll just grab Geirahoel’s most desired things and leave the rest to your golems, if that’s alright. Also, you may seal the keep. No one other than us in or out until it’s cleared out.”

She nods. “As you wish. And, are you sure you can trust sir Choul?”

“I’m confident enough in his sincerity. Though, he may suffer more than if we just killed him.”

She scoffs, and Geirahoel again squeezes Daniel’s arm against her body. She looks at him with hurt in her eyes, and he tries to smile to reassure her. “Everything was under control, Mukori…”

“You’re lying.”

“I won, didn’t I-egh?” Daniel steps in a low spot, and it flares the soreness in his body, which he was successfully hiding. All three dragon empresses instantly face him and crowd him. “Daniel!?”

“I’m fine. Blame Hekate.”

They gasp, and he chuckles. “Seriously, relax, please. You’re the ones stressing me out.”

“We were worried sick!” cries Geirahoel. “You’re not-...!” She flinches, glaring at Choul for a moment. The defeated dragon simply cocks his head, but makes no expression or remarks.

Geirahoel pulls Daniel close to her, whispering, “You could have been killed!”

Daniel sighs. “I accepted that risk because I was afraid of him surviving and being able to attack you, before I knew anything about him. Hekate saved my life, and I definitely owe her something special, just as you three helped me once it was all done. But, I would do anything to protect you… my family.”

They all smile softly, and they crowd in to hug him. Ryuogriar grumbles, “Mukori… Your… uniqueness is its own curse to us… We have precious little time with you already, and… to think…” She trails off, and Reignleif adds softly, “You’re the only one we can’t revive. You should make more use of us…”

Daniel is touched by the concern. He had very close to nothing to lose before coming to Zenkon. He had things, like his computer, his house, his car, but his life was far from fulfilling. Now, the thought of losing what he has makes him desperate -and reckless-. Reignleif isn’t wrong with the cold conclusion that anyone else in the world who can make use of potations can be revived.

Anyone except Daniel.

But, that also assumes their body can be recovered quickly, and Daniel would rather not even risk it.

He does understand their feelings though, and he doesn’t try to belittle them. “Thank you for being concerned, and I’m sorry I worried you. I’ll try to do better, but please understand, my highest priority is protecting the rest of you.”

They sigh together, and Ryuogriar remarks pointedly, “Mukori, the best way for you to protect us is to survive and continue to protect us.”

“You’re right. I’ll make it a priority as well.”

She smiles and nods, taking his arm again. Geirahoel frowns at him still, but she hugs his arm and they walk further down the hall.

They reach Geirahoel’s personal chamber, and she lowers the barrier herself, allowing the others inside without Daniel needing to destroy the barrier. Her room is more cluttered than the other two, containing mostly various plants, and a special magic crystal that glows bright enough to emulate sunlight. It feels somewhat like a rainforest, with lots of obstruction hiding the majority of the room. 

“I-I like flowers,” grumbles Geirahoel somewhat defensively as she tugs Daniel’s shoulder armor.

“I would never have guessed,” teases Daniel, and she glares at him softly. Daniel notices flowers that he recognizes -or, at least, close enough to what he knows, which could help him confirm his translations-. “What’s that one?” asks Daniel as he points at what looks to be a rose, thorns and all.

Daniel commits the word to memory when she answers, thankfully using the same word Daniel had already learned. “That’s a [rose].”

“And, that one?” Daniel points at a bundle of oleanders.

“[Oleander.]” Unfortunately, that one doesn’t match what he thought. He asks, “Then, what about {Oleander}?” asks Daniel, using the word he thought was oleander.

She cocks her head. She looks around, walking with Daniel and the other two until she finds it. She perks up, pointing at a flower that Daniel believes is similar to Wisteria. “It’s this one. [Wisteria].”

“I see. And, that one over there. Is it… {Peony}, by chance?”

Geirahoel’s eyes light up, and she says brightly, “Yes!”

Daniel looks when he feels a tug on his back. Reignleif is looking up at him, and she asks softly, “Do… you like flowers, Daniel?”

Daniel smiles. “I do. I don’t know the names for them here, but back on Earth, I grew flowers we called [dandelion], [lavender], and I even gave a try at growing a flowering tree known as [sakura cherry blossom].” He scratches his cheek as he admits, “I wasn’t very good at it, but I tried.”

Just as the three dragons glance at each other, Daniel teases playfully, “I don’t necessarily want my next lunch to be a bunch of flowers, please.”

Geirahoel, specifically, tenses, and she turns bright pink as she whines, “You jerk! I’ll never make anything for you again!” She shakes him as she continues to hold his arm, and he laughs. “Nooo, please do. They were really good! I swear!”

“Then you have to forgive me!” exclaims Geirahoel.

As Daniel calms her down, he asks, “Forgive you?”

She looks away, fidgeting. “I… In my defense… you didn’t explicitly make me promise…”

Daniel sighs. “Ah, that.” He does recall. They went back and forth about it, and then Ryuogriar interrupted before Daniel got Geirahoel to say the words. “It’s fine. But, seriously, we need to know whether or not we can handle them.” 

She smiles sheepishly and nods. Daniel then looks at Xyreko. “Xyreko, I’d prefer to give the plants real sunlight if possible, so I’d like to find one of the turrets or the roof where we can put a garden.”

“Of course. I think the roof would be the best. It’s already a favored place of our graceful Empresses.”

“Mukori, I have begun to appreciate more things in life since meeting you. So, I would also like to take part in this garden.”

Daniel nods, “If that’s what you want. Or, we can also do what you want to do.”

She smiles, and Reignleif asks, “Can we also collect books and read together?”

“Of course. You’ve been reading mine, haven’t you?”

She blushes, looking away as she shrinks into the high collar of her mantle. She nods sheepishly.

“I haven’t had as much time to write, recently, but it was one of my favorite hobbies. I’ve had a lot more inspiration now, that’s for sure.”

They chuckle together, and they work to collect Geirahoel’s precious belongings, though she becomes impatient about gathering her favorite plants and flowers, which is virtually all of them. Fortunately, the magic bags can store things virtually indefinitely, so the plants should be fine.

Geirahoel asks softly, “Mukori?”

Daniel looks at the fiery young dragon, and she looks away from him briefly as she asks her question. “Why… did you decide to share so much? I-Is… Is it because… we yelled at you?”

“Yelled at me? I know I upset you, so I probably deserved that. I shared because I learned something else today. I’m setting you up for failure if I don’t.”

She blushes, and Reignleif hugs him from behind. “You have to keep sharing. Our children will enjoy your hobbies and favorite foods and places as well.”

Ryuogriar and Geirahoel nod in agreement.

“Alright, you have a deal. May we return? I suspect I’m in for a vicious scolding a few more times.”

Geirahoel pouts, “You deserve it. You worried everyone. Even Xyreko.”

Daniel nods, saying gently, “I am sorry, Xyreko. I genuinely believed I had it under control. What I didn’t have under my control was everyone else’s safety.”

“I know,” replies Xyreko softly. “But, as they said, just because I promised to carry on your legacy for as long as I exist, that does not mean I will accept living without you so soon.”

“Thanks everyone.” Daniel stretches a little, trying to loosen his aching body up as much as possible before he’s likely tackled by his companions. “I’m ready.”

They chuckle, and Xyreko secures the keep before the group regroups with Choul. Xyreko then returns them to the Citadel using the teleportation spell.

***

Erimaya tries to sneak back into her room, now that she has returned safely from her excursion. However, the moment she opens her door, she flinches. “B-Big sister!?” asks the second princess, surprised.

“Where have you been, Eri!?” snaps her elder sister.

“What concern of it is yours? I’m safe, aren’t I?”

“That’s unacceptable!” Heralesse takes Erimaya by the wrist, pulling her forcefully down the corridor. “Wh-Where are we going?” asks Erimaya nervously.

Heralesse doesn’t answer, simply guiding Erimaya quickly.

They arrive at the personal quarters of the King and Queen, Greydald and Orphelsia. They both seem to have been worried, and their expressions immediately relax a little as they see Erimaya.

“Erimaya?” asks King Greydald. “Where have you been? Do you know how worried we were?”

“I… Mother, Father, how long have you been back?” squeaks the second princess.

“Answer my question, Erimaya,” growls the king. She squeaks, tensing. “I… I was on a diplomatic mission.”

“Diplomatic mission?” asks Heralesse. “Without telling anyone?”

“I… No one would have allowed me to go.”

“Of course not!” snaps the king. “Not when you don’t have a full escort.”

“But, we received word of loyal troops of Mornistae at Fort Peony needing to be verified of their mission. I was the only one present at the time.”

“Were you?” asks the king skeptically.

Erimaya is no fool, and she tightens her posture. She knows the king’s tone means he’s calling her bluff. He knows something she doesn’t. “T-To my knowledge, yes, your Majesty.”

“To your knowledge. Did you give Grand Duchess Aramellianna our regards?”

So, it was the Grand Duchess. She must have heard of the troops before they even left, then.

“When I was at Fort Peony, the Grand Duchess had not yet arrived. I was afraid it was a time-sensitive matter.”

Orphelsia finally speaks up, “You’re an intelligent girl, Erimaya. For that, we are proud. With that being said, you are lying. This recklessness is exactly why you wouldn’t have gotten permission.”

“If you had been captured by our enemies, or worse, if the new demon tyrant learned a princess was at the battlefront…” warns the king. “She commands dragons, for heaven’s sake.”

“You mean Empress Hekate?” blurts out Erimaya without thinking.

All three of them look at her, and Heralesse replies, “She’s not recognized as an Empress. She’s a despot proving to be dangerous.”

“She’s not dangerous!” retorts Erimaya sassily. “Or, she wouldn’t be if we left her alone!”

“Princess!” snaps the King. Ignoring his objection, she adds passionately, “No! Hekate is a really nice person. She didn’t try to deceive me, she didn’t ask for anything from me, and she even gave me part of what I wanted.”

“And, what is that?” asks Orphelsia, managing to stave off the king’s wrath long enough to pry for more information.

Erimaya narrows her eyes. She knows her mother is just letting her string more rope. “I learned that Daniel is alive and well, no thanks to any of you.”

The three gasp, and Heralesse asks quickly, “You saw him? Were you able to speak to him?”

“I was. Thankfully, he harbors no ill-will towards us. He’s the only reason the dragons have stopped their attack.”

“What?” asks Heralesse.

“The dragons are no longer a threat. Nor is Empress Hekate. So long as we do not attack them.”

“Attack them!? You’re speaking of a demon-kin!”

Erimaya glares at Heralesse. “You’re speaking of an Empress. One who is trying to stop the war.”

“You can’t call her that!” cries out Heralesse.

“And why not? What makes her title carry any less weight than our own?”

The three are speechless. Erimaya adds a little indignantly, “Actually, I would wager that hers carries even more weight. After all, she has a weapon capable of killing gods.”

The three are appalled by Erimaya’s words. King Greydald murmurs, “That’s impossible.”

“I’ve seen what it can do, Father. No one here has the strength to withstand it. It can destroy an entire country.”

Just as she’s finishing the sentence, a knock at the door comes, and Rikuto lets himself in. “Apologies. I heard Erimaya was found and… Did… I hear correctly, Princess?”

Erimaya straightens her posture, taking a slightly indignant tone. “I don’t know. What did you hear, your Majesty?”

Rikuto sighs. “You mentioned a weapon that can destroy a country?”

Erimaya replies, “Did I say that? If I did, I assume we wouldn’t want to make enemies of the people with that weapon.”

Rikuto thinks for a moment. His eyes widen. “Daniel… What have you done?”

Erimaya’s expression becomes nervous following how grimly serious Rikuto has become. 

Rikuto looks at Erimaya, saying coldly, “You are not to reach out to Hekate or Daniel again.” He turns his gaze to the other three of the royal family, adding, “We need to gather every artisan and artificer we can, as well as mages and scholars.”

“Y-You can’t!” cries out Erimaya. “Empress Hekate is my friend!”

“You don’t understand! I finally know that it was Daniel that day… the day magic dipped. The weapon he created…”

“He used it to defeat something terrible!”

“And now, he can use it to destroy everything,” growls Rikuto seriously. “Eighty years after they were used on our world… the aftermath still remains. I can’t allow him to use any more.”

Erimaya clutches her chest. She finally made a friend that was a friend she chose. And, she’s being taken away.

All because she tried to convince her family that they aren’t a threat because they already could have done something.

***