The last image David saw before he "perished" in the starry expanse still lingered in his mind.
He hadn't even had a chance to confirm it further before he was instantly obliterated, his memory fragmenting along with his consciousness.
He didn't even know how he had died.
Surely, I wasn't just stared to death by a mere glance from that King of the North Wind, right?
Even gods shouldn't be that perverse. In my past life, if I wanted to kill an ant, I at least had to lift my foot and stomp on it.
So, that dragon on The Slaying King Star… was it truly Bahamut?
Could it be?
"Damn it!"
Engulfed in a nameless Wrath, David couldn't stop tearing at the surrounding rubble. His tail, like a rampaging python, thrashed about, turning everything upside down as if a pile driver had plowed through the area. It took a long while for him to calm the inexplicably frenzied emotions.
Wait, why don't I just use 'Magical Illusion' to recreate what I saw and present it to the Chromatic Dragon Queen? Let Her discern the truth Herself!
With Tiamat's understanding of Bahamut, She definitely wouldn't mistake Him for another dragon.
This would also mean I've completed the Dragon Queen's commission.
After all, the Dragon Queen only asked me to complete the marking task and, while I was at it, to 'take a look' for Her.
Comforted by the thought that even if the sky fell, there were taller individuals to hold it up, David immediately raised the back of his claw, took a deep breath, and facing the Protection of Tiamat, intoned the Dragon Queen's name with solemnity,
"Your Majesty Tiamat, I, David Uthos, after thirty-two years, have not failed Your trust. I have successfully implanted the marking anchor on The Slaying King Star.
"In twelve years, when it reaches the skies above Ferren, it shall illuminate the starry vault according to Your will.
"Furthermore, this is everything I witnessed upon reaching The Slaying King Star, before my consciousness ended.
"I hope, through Your eyes, to perceive the ultimate truth of all things.
"Myriad Colors Return to the Void, Evil Scales Shine Forever.
"My Liege."
This was likely the first time in the fifty years since his transmigration—aside from when he was desperately trying to survive in the Gloomy Region—that David had invoked the name of Tiamat, the Chromatic Dragon Queen, with such earnest and 'devout' reverence.
Previously, he had constantly worried that his identity as a transmigrator would be discovered, fearing it might arouse Her suspicion and displeasure. If the adherents of the Evil Scales were to drag him to the sacrificial altar, it would be game over.
But he finally let go of this wariness ever since his mother had proactively explained the situation to him. Furthermore, Tiamat Herself had pointed out his Heteromorphic Dragon identity and entrusted him with a task of great importance.
More importantly, now that I've completed such an 'epic-level difficulty' mission, shouldn't I hurry up and report to the 'big boss' to claim some benefits?!
Greed
This time, however, he waited for an unexpectedly long time. Just as his patience was wearing thin and he was preparing to set off for the Evil Scale Fortress, he finally heard the Dragon Queen's calm reply,
"I am aware.
"The Chromatic Dragons shall also share in your glory.
"David Uthos.
"My child."
David held his head high, eyes narrowed, like a decorated war hero returning from campaign, ready to be showered with commendations and rewards from the sovereign of the Chromatic Dragons. But… that was it? And why didn't the Dragon Queen seem particularly shocked or angry about the eyewitness report I provided?
But this was something he and his old man had risked their lives for over thirty-two years.
You have to add more money! AAARGH!
David waited for a long while, but nothing more came.
Tiamat had hung up the 'phone.'
So frustrating!
David once again began to roll around in the stone pit like a groundhog, causing the earth to shake violently.
This time, he even triggered the 'rockfall' unique to the great slope of Malboggi.
However, as the rockslide began, David unleashed his Wrath-filled Dragon Breath, instantly turning the rocks into a flow of lava that washed over him like an intensely hot shower.
As the lava covered the dragon pit, David smelled a peculiar, appetizing aroma…
It was just like the fragrance of a beggar's chicken nearing perfection.
Beggar's chicken? David suddenly remembered that there might be other dragons buried in this pit, including his own family. He was instantly alarmed.
But after a frantic search, he only managed to pull out his Silver Dragon father, cooked medium-rare.
And so, Attilicia, who had been immersed in that tragic 'Dream of Toriel,' was jolted awake by the searing heat.
To David's surprise, however, the Silver Dragon, whose scales were nearly scalded to the color of a cooked shrimp, showed no reaction at all. His dull, vacant eyes were filled with crimson, bloodshot veins.
"Dad… Dad?!" David, instantly understanding the cause, quickly tried to shake him awake,
"Wake up! We succeeded!"
"Hmm?… David?" Attilicia, who had been tormented by anxiety and Despair for twenty years, finally showed a flicker of life in his hollow eyes. Yet, as if still dreaming, he mumbled his question.