Chapter 2: The Birth of Little Dragon (2)

“Wooooohoo!” Louis’s voice echoed throughout the treasure chamber as he rolled around on top of the mound of gold coins.

A dragon’s lair is truly heaven!

Dragon lairs were common settings in fantasy novels, and naturally, these lairs always featured vast hoards of treasure. It turned out there was some truth to this trope. In fact, Louis couldn’t imagine any fictional dragons having more riches than what lay before him. Of course, that was purely his opinion.

“Money… Gold… Ha-ha. All mine!” He grinned widely at the metallic scent permeating the air.

The first time Louis laid eyes on mountains of gold, he nearly had a heart attack despite being only one month old. In his previous life, Louis’s sole experience with gold was wearing a single gold-plated ring. Imagine how overwhelming it was for him to see such massive piles of pure gold!

Even more astonishing was that there wasn’t just one mountain but several scattered throughout their lair, filled not only with gold but also silver and precious gems.

How did they accumulate all this treasure?

Initially, Louis was curious about its origins, but eventually, everything became routine. Besides, there was no need to ponder such matters. Each day felt like a dream, and he couldn’t be happier knowing all this gold belonged to his father.

Still, as his child…won’t he share at least some with me?

Louis rolled around on top of the gold while daydreaming happily.

I could live without worrying about money for the rest of my life if I had this much!

Nostalgia filled Louis’s eyes as memories from his past life resurfaced. In his previous existence, his early twenties were spent constantly fretting over how to make ends meet, and later, fear of death kept him up at night.

But not anymore. His current body was naturally robust, ensuring longevity even if all he did was breathe, and he would inherit an immense fortune. This new beginning couldn’t have been more different from his previous life, making it feel like the polar opposite extreme.

A golden spoon? No, more like a diamond spoon—no, wait… This is a dragon’s spoon!

Louis mentally chanted “Hail to dragons!” dozens of times.

“Yes, this level of wealth is just the baseline for being born as a dragon. And with a little orc chewing and fire breathing, I’ll be a true dragon!”

The baby dragon chuckled contentedly while lying atop its mound of gold coins. Louis reveled in imagining his future ahead.

Swimming leisurely in his makeshift pool became a hobby, and he continued enjoying it long afterward. When the scent of gold permeated his entire body, Louis headed back to his room, looking incredibly refreshed.

Upon returning to his room, Louis headed straight for a pile of books.

“Let’s see… Where did I leave off yesterday?” He picked up a book as thick as his torso and effortlessly opened it, revealing tiny letters on each page.

“I think around here?”

The writing in the book was in a peculiar script he had never encountered in his previous life, but he could read it without difficulty.

Is this what they call the Dragon Buff?

Louis realized that knowledge transfer, something previously seen only in fantasy novels, actually existed, since he’d experienced it firsthand. This method allowed dragons to conveniently and swiftly pass down information from generation to generation. Thanks to this ability, Louis learned how to speak even before he could properly form words as a baby.

Too bad. It would’ve been nice if I received more knowledge.

Louis had wanted to receive more knowledge beyond language and writing, but his father refused due to concerns about Louis’s brain not being fully developed yet.

Well, I can figure out what’s missing on my own.

With that thought, Louis focused back on his book.

Rustle.

The sound of pages turning echoed softly.

“Hmm… This area has quite some history.”

He was currently reading a tome documenting the continent’s history from 50,000 years ago up until modern times. Such comprehensive records were only possible for dragons to compile and possess, as ordinary humans couldn’t have chronicled events so far back.

Rustle rustle!

Pages flipped quickly. As time passed, Louis turned them at an increasingly rapid pace. To anyone watching, it might seem like he was just flipping through without reading, but Louis absorbed every word without missing a beat.

Not only that, he was committing everything to memory as well.

Being a dragon sure has its perks.

Dragons were known for possessing both formidable physical strength and exceptional intellect. Louis could effortlessly store information with just a quick skim. As a newly transformed dragon, he could now recite books read weeks ago word for word without missing a beat.

This newfound ability ignited within him a passion for learning he had never experienced in his previous life.

Is studying this easy?

With every page sticking in his mind, Louis discovered the joy of learning for the first time in his second life.

How long had he been engrossed in the book? The tome, about eight inches thick, was nearly finished, covering history up until modern times on the continent.

Just then…

The Howard Empire?

Louis’s hand froze at the familiar name. He blinked several times, perplexed.

“What is this…? It feels both new and familiar.” The oddly recognizable name left him scratching his head.

He pondered it for quite some time before…

“Louis! It’s snack time.”

It had been hours since Louis last ate, but there stood his father behind him.

“Ackkkk! Y-you startled me!” A high-pitched squawk escaped from Louis’s startled mouth.

Agh, damn it! When will I stop making these chick noises?!

Despite his best efforts, he couldn’t help letting out such strange cries.

Louis tried to calm his racing heart as he glared at his father.

“Dad, give some warning next time!”

“…I’ll consider it if you call me ‘Father.’”

Hurt by Louis’s choice of address, his father slumped his shoulders but quickly perked up and effortlessly scooped him into his arms.

“How about we grab something to eat first?”

Louis’s short legs dangled loosely while his tail wagged excitedly.

Swish, swish.

Cradled securely in his father’s embrace, Louis pouted.

I’m only letting this slide for snacks, mind you.

The mere mention of food made his mouth water, and despite himself, his tail swung rapidly back and forth. As they headed toward the dining hall with Louis held like a puppy, one thought crossed his mind.

“Father.”

“…What?!”

Startled by Louis’s call, Genelocer abruptly stopped walking. His eyes lit up with anticipation as he anxiously asked:

“What—what did you say just now? P-please repeat it!”

“…Dad.”

“…” The corners of his father’s eyes softened at this change in address.

Louis secretly grinned and continued. “What is your name, Dad?”

“…” Genelocer smiled incredulously. “It took you this long to wonder about my name?”

“…Yes.”

Until then, Louis had simply referred to him as Daddy, Da, or Father without knowing his actual name—even after spending a whole month together.

His father gently chuckled before answering. “My name is Genelocer.”

“…Genelocer?”

“Yes. Your dad’s name is Genelocer.”

“Oh, I see.”

Louis nodded as if he understood but quickly lost interest and stared eagerly at the dining room, anticipating a snack. Genelocer had hoped for a different reaction from his son and paused to look down at him, only receiving indifference in return.

Tap-tap-tap!

Louis’s tail wagged rapidly against Genelocer’s arm, urging him forward.

“Oh…” Disappointed, Genelocer slowly continued walking.

Meanwhile, Louis, cradled in his father’s arms, thought deeply with his tail drooping slightly.

Genelocer… What a cool name.

He kept these words of admiration to himself, thinking they would please Genelocer. They had barely taken a few steps toward the dining room when…

“Huh…?”

“What is it?”

“Um…?”

A sudden sense of déjà vu washed over Louis.

Genelocer!

As soon as Louis uttered the name, a memory flashed before Genelocer’s eyes, and his face contorted.

Louis’s jaw dropped. “N-no way…!”

The peaceful expression on Genelocer’s face was replaced by one filled with rage and madness.

—I shall annihilate everything!

—Do not forget that this is all because of your sins!

The image of a massive black dragon screaming murderously, its red eyes glowing ominously, materialized clearly in Louis’s mind, sending him into a panic. He flailed his limbs wildly, using the momentum to break free from his father’s embrace.

“L-Louis?” Startled, Genelocer called out to his son, but Louis quickly hopped away toward his room.

Could it be…? No way! Louis mentally screamed as he rushed to his room.

Upon arrival, he hurriedly approached the pile of books and flipped open the one he had been reading earlier.

The Howard Empire!

His face turned pale with shock. He frantically scanned other volumes like a madman. All these books contained geographical information about locations across the continent along with their unique features. His expression remained grim as he delved deeper into them.

“Louis? What’s wrong?” Genelocer followed him, concern etched on his face.

However, Louis paid no attention to his father, absorbed in rapidly scanning through the pages.

How much time had passed?

“Oh…!” Louis put down the book as if astonished and stared blankly at Genelocer, who was watching him with concern.

“What’s wrong?”

“…” Despite his father’s question, Louis remained silent for several moments, simply gazing back at him.

“Louis?”

Under Genelocer’s puzzled gaze, Louis inwardly cursed.

Damn it… This isn’t reincarnation?

Louis had been absolutely convinced that after dying in his previous life, he had been reborn as a dragon. But now he realized this wasn’t true.

One month ago, just before his death in his past life, Louis had been reading a fantasy webtoon featuring—of all things—the Howard Empire.

And Howard Empire… It was the name of the empire featured in the webtoon Louis had been reading right before his death.

Louis looked flustered.

Is this what they call…an isekai rip-off?

It didn’t matter to him. If reincarnation as a dragon could happen, why not an isekai rip-off? After all, one could argue that it was just another form of rebirth.

However, there was something else that made Louis want to curse under his breath.

This is insane!

The source of his confusion was none other than the name of his father, who now watched over him with concern.

Genelocer.

A rather ordinary name for an ordinary father, but when coupled with his title…

The Wild Dragon.

It belonged to the Mad Dragon.