As the light flooded back into her eyes, her sight focused on the black mass. Its size towering over anyone in the room, by far. Even the cavern chamber seemed to only barely fit the creature.

“This is the solution to all our demon problems.”

“You really brought- Hm!” The great voice boomed. Infinitely old, with an ocean of confidence and wisdom behind it.

“A dragon,” Francis commented.

“Surprised? No, you do not seem shocked. Have you seen a dragon before in your fleeting life?”

“Yeah. He’s called Dan. I think I just left him. Still, you’ve got one working for you.”

“Might you be one of Bahamut’s descendents? I can sense our blood in you.”

“Mhm. I’m Frances Rayleigh. I believe you have a contract with Sylvana here, yes?”

“How are you not affected by my aura, girl? I believe my Draconic Fear is always in use.”

“Again, probably because I’ve got Bahamut going through me. Sylvana, I want you to leave us two alone.”

The elf muttered a few words of shock. But at the dragon’s suggestion, they stormed off. The dragon sighed, and rested its snout head on the cavern ground.

“I didn’t think your family was still living. I could have sworn they all died fighting in the first demon incursion. The Rayleighs, I believe.”

“Well see, the thing I know about dragons is that you guys are businessmen. And you took advantage of my draconic heritage because it let you guys pay less tax. So what contract do you have with Sylvana?”

“Ah. Client confidentiality, I’m afraid.”

“I’m sure I have something you want. What do dragons even like? Gold? Money? My body? I’m willing to let you have as many rounds as you like if that’s what it takes?”

“What? No! Why does everyone always assume dragons want virgin maidens or something? We don’t even reproduce like that, much less with someone not even from our genus.”

Frances laughed. The dragon continued on, giving a long rant on human nature and culture. Still, the dragon let slip some minor details about a centuries long contract.

“Did you just come out of hibernation by the way?”

“Yeah, literally not long ago. Oh sorry, did my snoring scare your friends?”

“That was your snoring?” Frances was taken aback. “To be able to cause that to Iris and the others...”

“Did you say something girl?”

“No, I didn’t. Either way, what’s the end goal of the contract then? The final phase?”

“Sorry girl. Can’t go into details.”

“Even if I’m asking nicely?”

“I’m afraid not. Although, for my master’s sake, I would recommend you leave this place as soon as possible.”

“Interesting that you say that.”

Well, that could only mean so many things. Her life was in danger the longer she stayed. Was that the dragon’s contract? Most probably. Then what might have been the cause?

“What sort of dragon are you, by the way?”

“You’re a curious girl. Keep that up, it’ll serve you well. As for me, why don’t you make a guess?”

The type of dragon could be determined by a few simple tests. Typically, dragons were smart creatures. Some were more intelligent than others, however. The black dragon was the outstanding competitor in intellect, making up for its weaker combat strength.

Red was unlikely. They tended to be far more prideful than the others. Blue, yellow, and green dragons did not live in caverns. That had to mean black. Though, it wasn’t unlikely that there were a myriad of species that were not discovered.

“Black? I don’t think I even know the complete list though.”

“Hmm. Understandable. Hey, Sylvana! You can come back in.”

The elf dragged their feet back in. They weren’t pleased about leaving the room.

“Care to tell the girl what species I am? I’m not sure what you guys call us.”

“This one here is one of the exotic prismatic species. I would personally estimate that there are only 5 in the entire world at one moment.”

“Damn. And you’re old old right?”

“For your reference, this is older than me.”

“Holy shit. So what makes this type of dragon special?”

“Therein lies the answer to the demon problem. Prismatic dragons do not have a colour specified to them, thus, they have no element to be confined to. Dragons are magical beasts at heart.”

“I don’t appreciate your calling me a beast.”

“It was a figure of speech, but it matters not. Child, this dragon has absorbed mana of unimaginable quantity and quality. There will not be a demon able to comprehend its power, much less fight against it.”

“How? And what does that even do?”

In fairness, she already had an idea. A dragon that absorbed mana, located beneath the capital of magic? It was a match made in heaven. But that thought shook her to her spine. If the already powerful dragon took in centuries of mana... She shook that idea away. That alone might have been enough to destroy the world.

“You mentioned the contracts. I will say, we as dragons do not usually form contracts with mortal beings.”

“And what made us different?”

“Your family has the blood of Bahamut, which made transactions far easier. As for the rare elves, however... It is not often that we can make a pact lasting centuries.”

So that was it, then. Everything went back to the contracts. But what about the city?

“Are you planning to destroy Limβurs?” Frances turned to face Sylvana head on.

“What? You are most mistaken. This will be the place where the demons will fall. They, similar to dragons, seek out mana. Thus, when I make our presence known, they will flock here. Without fail. Like moths to a flame.”

“How do you plan to kill them?”

“Upon their entrances, I shall ride the dragon into battle. The results should be self explanatory.”

A dragon of that strength and prowess was nothing less than a nuke. The entire city, perhaps the nation would end up engulfed in flames. In turn, whoever controlled the dragon controlled the world.