An oddly peaceful aura had settled over the castle of the Dragon Erebus. The humans had finally upped his danger rating to a Dragon and stopped bothering him. He had wiped out their army of 10,000, meaning he wasn’t someone or something they could defeat in the near future.

This was to Erebus’ dismay.

Without the humans to come and bother him, his days were once again, boring. He was no longer a Quester as per Rolut’s orders... so he simply sat in his castle all day.

Sometimes he would train Weryn in magical studies. The young boy was currently being taught the sword by Vyne, mathematics and other things by the genius Lilian. Magnus helped him in hand-to-hand combat while Tear taught him archery.

He was doing very well in all categories, he would certainly grow up to be a splendid warrior.

Erebus sat on his throne, his head resting on his palm and a completely bored expression on his face.

He had absolutely nothing to do.

A few times he would go out and take a stroll in the grasslands, a couple of times he went out with Weryn and taught him flying techniques. But, the majority of the time, he sat in his castle.

Staring at the wall.

Curse Rolut for tearing away his only source of entertainment. Curse those humans for finally growing smart enough to realize that he was someone they couldn’t defeat.

Curse all of those who were currently enjoying their lives!

Erebus grumbled to himself, a sour expression on his face. He shifted in his throne, he moved into what he dubbed ‘Position Two’. Position Two was comprised of him turning his body so that he would now stare at the left wall instead of the one directly in front of him.

The left wall was the most interesting one, in his opinion.

His reason? Absolutely none. Maybe the old tapestry that was holding on by a single (quite literally) thread.

Erebus sighed. No change in Position Two, now for Position Three. He turned towards the wall to the right.

Yep. Same old, same old.

Erebus left out a loud groan and began to bang his head with his hands. This was torture.

Erebus continued to groan and pulled himself into the fetal position.

“Ugh~”

...

“Ugh~ Ughhhhhh...”

His subordinates plus Weryn peeked their heads into the throne room to see the spectacle that was Erebus.

Such a renowned being in such a miserable condition. Their hearts wept for him.

What could they do to ease the pain in his soul? The sounds he made! Oh, the tragedy that played out before them...

“I cannot bear to watch this anymore,” Magnus shouted grandly. He burst into the throne room, his arms stretched wide and three pairs of eyes closed tightly. “Lord Erebus! I have come to mend your broken heart.”

“Go away,” Erebus muttered like a stubborn child. “Unless you have something fun to offer me.”

Magnus froze. He had no idea how to create entertainment for his master. “I-I hear the humans are coronating a new king down in the southern part of the Main Continent! Perhaps you would like to see the coronation, I can secure you an invitation rather easily.”

“Denied. Who wants to watch something as dull as that?”

Magnus swooned at his failure and his brother rushed in to grab him, holding him back upright. “Lord Erebus, the seafolk are having their annual grand feast in a couple of months.”

“Boring.”

Erebus’ other servants jumped in to offer suggestions on how he could find some type of enjoyment. They were all shot down without hesitation.

Weryn stood there as the slightly humorous scene unfolded in front of him. He could only think of one thing to say, and that was, “Um~ Master Erebus? Lord Rolut may have banned you from being a Quester, but he didn’t really say you couldn’t explore dungeons anymore, right?”

All eyes turned to the young dragon.

They had not even thought of such a thing.

“I-I mean, weren’t you in the middle of a dungeon when you were called away to the Dragon Continent? That’s what you told me...”

They continued to stare at him intently.

“S-so I was just thinking, why don’t you finish exploring that dungeon? The Demon Emperor Yvick should still know when it opens.”

Erebus stood up from his throne, a new light shining in his eye. Of course, such a simple solution! “Weryn. You are going to do well in life,” Erebus told the child with a strong nod of affirmation.

“Uh? Thanks?”

Weryn fidgeted uncomfortably.

“To the Lower Continent!” Erebus cheered with a fist pump.

His minions mimicked his actions.

W-wait, right now? Were they leaving right now? Weryn bore an alarmed expression.

“Let’s go!” Erebus strode forward, a peppy bounce in his step.

“No preparation?” Weryn gasped.

Erebus and his subordinates all laughed.

“Who needs it?” Erebus said casually.

“Lord Erebus is always ready,” Tear proclaimed proudly.

“There is no need to doubt when we have Lord Erebus,” Magnus boasted.

“Lord Erebus never makes any mistakes,” Stone chuckled.

“We are not so weak to be daunted by such a thing,” Vyne exclaimed.

“Since I am there, it will be all right,” Lilian added.

Weryn’s face sunk into even deeper despair. The fact that it was these six were going that worried him.

He had never met such a careless, nonchalant bunch in his life. How had they survived?

“Don’t you need someone to guard the castle while you're gone?” Weryn questioned them all. Wasn’t this common sense? Didn’t they think to bring food rations, emergency gear, or anything for that matter!

“Ah,” the six all realized in unison.

The subordinates eyed each other with expressions that said ‘I’m definitely going’, none of them showed signs of backing down.

“Mmm... let’s see. The layout of the dungeon would prohibit Stone and Magnus from passing through since they’re so huge.” Erebus scratched his head with a hopeless laugh.

The brother’s faces turned into ones of pure, unbridled horror. Again? They had to stay behind again?

Tear said, “Lilian’s chest won’t fit.” She wore a triumphant expression, she had only made it through because of her flatness. If Lilian tried to get through, she’d be stabbed!

The other woman scoffed. “I am capable of transforming into a small rabbit. I will fit in nearly every space.”

Tear had forgotten about the speciality of the beastman race. They were capable of turning into the animal their tribe resembled.

“Tch.” Tear turned her head in annoyance.

Erebus clapped his hands together. “That solves it then, right? Lilian, Tear, Vyne, Weryn, and I will all be going!”

No way. I don’t want to go with you guys.

Weryn’s face seemed to say.

But there was no way he could deny that childish glee in Erebus’ eye. There was no way he could do such a cruel thing to that man!

“T-then we should really get some things prepared beforehand. Just in case, y’know?”

Erebus laughed and patted Weryn’s head like a father would. “Of course we will!”

He had chalked up Weryn’s thoughts to him being a newbie afraid of the fresh adventure. In no way shape or form did he think anything else was actually needed.

“Lilian, help the boy gather up some things for the adventure, haha!” Erebus laughed once more.

She nodded and turned to Weryn. “Come,” she told him before bowing towards Erebus. “If you’ll excuse us, then.”

Erebus waved his hand and the two exited the throne room. He turned his head up towards the ceiling, a smile of pure happiness spreading across his lovely face.

He was finally getting out of this shitty place!