Chapter 93: Chapter 93 The Undying Black Dragon Monarch
It was a giant dragon!
It was sleeping, its massive dragon body as large as a mountain, blocking the end of the valley. Its scales, black as ink, were covered in dust, like rusted armor.
Each dragon scale was the size of a shield, and between the scales were horizontal and vertical gaps, where a magma-like dark red glow solidified.
Just by looking at the dragon scales, one could tell how astonishing its defense was. Even the largest and sharpest city-defending ballistas in the Royal Capital could not pierce the black-gold-like dragon scales.
The black giant dragon rested its chin on a collapsed stone tablet, and the sulfurous breath from its nostrils sent gravel rolling.
With each inhale, small stones on the ground floated into the air; with each exhale, rock fragments rattled down the cliff face.
Its mere snoring was like thunder, enough to shake the entire valley!
What was even more shocking, however, was that the Black Dragon's monstrous and terrifying dragon head, which originally had a pair of dragon horns, had its horns broken off. Embedded in the broken horn Roots were several glowing amethysts, flashing with each breath.
Besides that, the black giant dragon's wide dragon wings, half-folded and half-spread, resembled two new cliffs. The wing membranes were somewhat riddled with holes, but they had clearly healed, and the holes had become tiny, at most about the size of a silver coin.
Heaven knows what kind of battle the black giant dragon had experienced.
Even in its sleeping state, its thick and sharp giant dragon claws were still tightly dug into the valley floor, with dark red flames emanating from its Finger gap . The high temperature and pressure over many years had actually compressed the rocks in its dragon claws into diamonds!
Compared to this black giant dragon, neither the Lizard Monk's transformed wyvern nor the Fire Dragon slaughtered by Gun Goddess Heather could be mentioned in the same breath.
The difference was too great!!
"Finally found it, the great Black Dragon Lord Raphael!"
The leading Dark People spread his arms, speaking with excitement.
He was none other than Lester, mentioned by the old village chief of Hot Spring Village.
"As expected of a giant dragon that has lived for five thousand years."
"Even through the transfer mirror, one can still perceive the Black Dragon Monarch's powerful aura. Terrifying, truly terrifying."
"If I were to cross the transfer mirror and stand in the valley, I probably wouldn't even have the courage to face the Black Dragon Monarch directly."
Pure-blooded dragon species, their lineage noble and powerful.
Far from what sub-dragon species can compare to.
A dragon egg hatches into a young dragon in ten years.
A hundred years for a flying dragon!
A thousand years for a giant dragon!
Ten thousand years for a Dragon King!!
On this vast continent, a true Dragon King has never been born, but every giant dragon that has lived for over a thousand years has its own name. If it lives for over five thousand years, it can be called a Monarch.
The Black Dragon Lord Raphael before them was hailed by the Unprayed as the giant dragon most likely to become a Dragon King, because its racial talent was... immortality!
Throughout its long and ancient history, the Black Dragon Monarch had massacred cities, destroyed nations, and also encountered true heroes, being killed by them.
But the Black Dragon Monarch, possessing the immortal talent, like the Demon God King, was extinguished again and again, and reborn again and again in destruction,
Like a phoenix reborn from ashes.
The only way to deal with such a purely immortal creature was sealing magic.
Unfortunately, the Goblin Slayer World did not have powerful sealing magic.
"Alright, let's begin. Let the Goblins hidden in the underground ruins through the transfer mirror become active. The Black Dragon Lord Raphael is about to awaken, and what we need to do is accelerate this process to give the Water Capital a small surprise."
"This surprise can also help me complete the summoning ritual for the strongest Demon God General!"
In his extreme excitement, Lester's effeminate and handsome elven face even appeared somewhat distorted.
Water Capital, Adventurers' Guild.
Third-floor VIP lounge.
Several people sat on luxurious and expensive red velvet sofas.
The four branch masters of the Adventurers' Guild were white-haired old men.
The current Archbishop of the Water Capital supreme god Temple—also an aging old nun.
A senior steward from the Royal Capital's Adventurers' Guild Headquarters, the General Master's secretary, a middle-aged man with meticulously combed hair.
These were truly important figures, social elites who, with one step, could make the Water Capital tremble three times.
And they were all gathered here for one person.
A cheerful, sunny blonde teenager.
Naruto sat on the red velvet sofa, gently blowing on the steaming hot tea, and asked, "Speak, why did you call me here?"
After he came from the Fire Shadow World, he had just left the inn, planning to go to the square to buy some snacks and then find Sword Saintess, but he was respectfully invited here by the Adventurers' Guild staff.
The branch master stroked his grizzled beard and said with a chuckle, "Mr. Naruto, the purpose of inviting you here is actually very simple.
It is to confirm the authenticity of the Great Snow Mountain incident and to go through the process of advancing to Golden-level Adventurers."
He introduced to the side: "This is the Archbishop of the Water Capital supreme god Temple."
"And this is the senior steward who rushed over from the Royal Capital Headquarters."
"Both of them are witnesses to your promotion to Golden-level Adventurers!"
"Oh?"
Naruto took a sip of red tea, found it a bit hot, quickly put it down again, his eyes flickering.
"Killing the Goblins in the Great Snow Mountain actually made me advance to Golden-level Adventurers?"
The branch master explained with a smile: "If it were just a few thousand Goblins, naturally not."
"But a few thousand Goblins led by a Goblin King, forming an organized and systematic army, the significance is different."
"The harm of a Goblin army even exceeds that of a true flying dragon."
"Moreover—"
The branch master turned his head to look at the middle-aged steward, who had meticulously combed hair, was dressed impeccably, and looked like a nobleman.
The middle-aged steward flipped through the papers in his folder and answered matter-of-factly: "Your Excellency's name is greatly renowned in the Royal Capital.
From the poor to the nobles, your name is widely spread."
"In the five major cities of Water, Fire, Wind, and Earth, in every street and alley, almost every bard is singing your ballads.
Slaying dragons, forming an army by yourself, slaughtering ten thousand Goblins, destroying an entire Goblin Kingdom with your own strength, and even displaying the super powerful ability to destroy mountains, it's simply like a human hero from the mythical era."
"Now, many people already believe that Your Excellency is the legendary hero, and His Majesty the King even wants to grant you an audience."
"After collective deliberation by the high-level officials of the Headquarters, combining Mr. Naruto's reputation, strength, and achievements, it was unanimously agreed
to promote your rank to Gold-Grade adventurers!"
The middle-aged steward put down the paper and looked at the young man, who was only twelve or thirteen years old.
His words clearly showed shock, awe, and even a hint of admiration, but his tone remained calm, without any ripple: "Next, we'll go through a process. Please, Mr. Naruto, recount the situation of that day." The branch master smiled kindly.
"Hmm—"
Naruto briefly recounted the events.
But he selectively omitted some key information, such as the Green Moon Altar, and so on.
Other details, including the collusion between the Dark People and the Goblin King, and the intelligence about "herding" humans in Hot Spring Village, Naruto also revealed.
In reality.
Even if there were some questionable points, the high-level officials present would not ask too many questions.
The reason was simple: strength reigns supreme!!
With the power Naruto displayed, he was undoubtedly Gold-Grade, even surpassing Gold-Grade, reaching the realm that only past heroes could touch—Platinum-Grade.
Such an existence was no longer bound by the Adventurers' Guild, the Kingdom, or even the common sense of the world.
As long as he stood on the human side and was not an enemy of humanity, the Adventurers' Guild wouldn't dare to utter a peep and would even have to coax and pamper him.
The Gold-Grade promotion review indeed wasn't as strict as other levels; it truly was just a formality.
"Those Dark People, colluding with Goblins, what exactly are they planning?"
The branch master frowned tightly, clenching his fists, a bit worried.
The Archbishop next to him gripped the balance sword pendant around her neck, her aged face turning solemn and dignified, and she said word by word: "In the name of the supreme god, I swear, what this person said is beyond doubt, all true!"
With the supreme god Archbishop's [Discernment] as a guarantee, the branch master immediately beamed with smiles, becoming even more amiable.
The middle-aged steward began to put on white gloves, solemnly taking out a luxurious brocade box. After opening it, he took out a golden, gleaming Gold-Grade plaque from inside, then respectfully presented it with both hands.
"Congratulations, Mr. Naruto, on becoming the Adventurers' Guild's tenth Gold-Grade Adventurer!"
"Tenth one?"
"The Adventurers' Guild has nine Gold-Grade adventurers, much fewer than I imagined."
Naruto mused, reaching out to take the Gold-Grade plaque, which represented status and position.
He remembered that the Adventurers' Guild publicly claimed to have fourteen or fifteen Gold-Grade adventurers. Now it seemed, the bluffing was a bit heavy.
The branch master asked with a smile: "Mr. Naruto, may our Adventurers' Guild disclose your identity?"
"Of course, just to announce to the outside world that the Adventurers' Guild has gained another Gold-Grade Adventurer, code-named 'Goblin Slayer', and no more information will be revealed. What do you think?"
"The purpose is actually very simple, mainly to enhance the Adventurers' Guild's prestige, deter villains and monsters, and allow us humans to stand more firmly on the continent."
"Goblin Slayer?"
Naruto shook his head.
The branch master's smile remained unchanged, but a look of disappointment flashed in his weathered eyes.
"It's alright, some Gold-Grade adventurers do indeed pay more attention to their personal information privacy."
"Master, you misunderstood. What I mean is—the title 'Goblin Slayer' isn't loud enough, is it? I know a Gold-Grade Adventurer, her name is Heather, and her title is Gun Goddess?"
The branch master immediately said: "Ms. Heather, the Gun Goddess who stands at the pinnacle of the Fire Capital!"
Naruto nodded: "So my title should also be changed. Although I gained fame by killing Goblins, I won't just kill Goblins my whole life."
"If others hear the title 'Goblin Slayer,' it's easy to leave a stereotypical impression, thinking I only kill Goblins,
and that I relied on eliminating Goblins to accumulate achievements and was promoted to Gold-Grade adventurers."
It wasn't Naruto's own conjecture; it was the truth.
Ballads would eventually stop being sung, and bards would always find the next "legend."
When people forgot, the title "Goblin Slayer" would be the beginning of misunderstanding.
An adventurer who was promoted to Gold-Grade by killing Goblins would certainly make countless new adventurers feel unconvinced.
So, although the title might seem vulgar, it was crucial.
The branch master immediately understood and asked curiously: "What title does Mr. Naruto desire?"
Naruto enunciated two words, one by one: "Death—God—"