Chapter 32: The Lost Dragon
Another world.
At the other end of the space-time passage, on a small hill several kilometers away from Sigma Volcano.
An elf stood on the mountain path, saying, "In 785, the Federation published it. The first time I saw this term was in this book. It was precisely because I fell in love with this book during my childhood that I embarked on the path of researching strange creatures."
He raised his telescope again, looking at the monster bathing in lava and casually walking through the volcanic region. The silver elf nodded in agreement, "Volcano Dragon? Couldn't be more fitting. It truly matches the description in the book exactly... Could it be that what the book records isn't fantasy or myth? Dragons truly exist?"
"All myths and legends have their prototypes. The myths of today might not necessarily be anything other than the real history of the past, merely because too much time has passed, causing everyone to forget."
As if speaking with some emotion, the High Commander fell silent for a moment, then shook his head with a laugh, "Since you, Director Laura, are here, I'll leave the task of observing this creature's daily activities to you. After all, I'm not a professional, and the information gathered by other special squads is incomplete. I hope you, as a biologist, can analyze something new from its behavior."
"My honor."
Now in his area of expertise, Laura became confident. He picked up the telescope and carefully observed the situation in the distance.
This small hill was less than five kilometers from Sigma Volcano. This distance was actually not far at all. The magma and mud rain caused by the previous volcanic eruption had completely changed the shape of the original mountain peak. The stone cliff where the two stood was also newly formed.
For that giant beast, a distance of a few kilometers was just a matter of minutes. Observing from this distance, while it was possible to find many details, it was also very dangerous.
But Laura didn't care. His dream was to search for and closely observe any strange creature. This bit of danger meant nothing to him. Even without the High Commander's entrustment, the silver elf would have found a way to get here.
Although aware that someone was watching it, that giant beast seemed uninterested in this group of tiny beings. It just paced back and forth between areas seventy-three and seventy-five, as if searching for something. This Volcano Dragon would occasionally let out a furious roar, causing the surrounding fire elements to suddenly explode, producing violent blasts. This action put all the soldiers near the stone cliff on alert, but it had no follow-up actions, simply continuing to pace.
And Laura, having observed for only this short time, had already gathered quite a bit of information.
"Body is elongated, similar to a sea snake. The wings appear to be underdeveloped, likely incapable of flight."
"It seems to have a physique better suited for swimming than running. The tail is very powerful, providing tremendous propulsion in water, but on land, it can only be used as a weapon, otherwise it's a burden."
"Just from the body shape, it appears to be an aquatic species."
Saying this, he couldn't help but frown, as if finding it contradictory. "But it can manipulate fire elements... Hmm, right, it lives in a volcano, so it should be active in lava and hot springs. This isn't conflicting."
After all, it was a Volcano Dragon, not to be judged by common sense. It could indeed live in lava. Laura continued to put on the telescope, activating the spells on it to focus and magnify: "Body shape, limb structure... In these aspects, it has some horse-like characteristics. Estimated running speed is at least over seventy kilometers per hour—since it's a magical species, its maximum speed cannot be predicted."
One piece of information after another was summarized, but Laura grew genuinely puzzled: "Strange, this way it's moving... it really does seem to be searching for something."
"What is this dragon looking for?"
Of course, it was looking for the way home.
Unable to find its target anywhere, the black dragon raised its head and roared in fury. Waves of fire elements, like tidal surges, swept up scorching lava and spread in all directions. In the distance, Laura and the High Commander suddenly felt a pressure from the ancient wilderness, from the top of the food chain. They watched in shock as this Volcano Dragon, which had been slowly walking, leaped up and rushed toward the distance at a speed faster than a gale.
In just a few seconds of stunned silence, its figure disappeared into the thick dust and smoke it had stirred up.
Unlike Laura, who was still trembling in fear, the High Commander beside him reacted quickly. He picked up his communicator and roared sternly, "...This is the High Commander, Urken Uranor. In my name, immediately issue a Level One Alert Order!"
"The powerful creature codenamed Volcano Dragon has left Sigma Volcano. It is now..."
Saying this, he looked in the direction where the smoke was rising and spoke in a rapid tone tinged with fear, "...heading straight for the capital of Babel Province!"