Chapter 9: The Passing of Time (1)

「 Dimensional Energy Year 3090, February 14th 」

Louis refused to eat baby food, so I prepared nutritious snacks for him. When I entered his room with the snacks, Louis was already asleep. Upon closer inspection, it seemed like more than just ordinary sleep.

He had finally entered the first hibernation phase.

It was adorable how he fell asleep face-down on the book he was reading, but I worried that he hadn’t consumed enough elixir before entering this stage. However, waking him up now wasn’t an option.

All I could do…was hope for his safe awakening.

Sleep well, my son.

「 Dimensional Energy Year 3090, February 18th 」

The fifth day since Louis fell asleep.

When I went to check on him, I found his bed collapsed.

A significant shock to a hatchling during hibernation can have detrimental effects. Alarmed, I rushed over hastily, relieved to find Louis unharmed. After laying my son down carefully, I examined the cause of the bed’s collapse.

Upon closer inspection, one of the legs had snapped. The bed was made from Parotin wood, known for being the strongest in the world, yet it broke? I searched the surroundings but found no signs of intrusion.

In other words, the bed breaking seemed like an unfortunate coincidence. However…my heart keeps pounding incessantly. Why do I have such a foreboding sense?

[Dimensional Energy Year 3100, February 14]

Today marks exactly ten years since Louis fell asleep. My initial unease when his bed first broke was not unfounded.

During Louis’s ten-year slumber, numerous incidents had occurred around him as if someone was trying to bring about his demise… Yet, each time, there were no traces left behind, which was hard to believe.

Who could be attempting to harm my son? And how did they manage to approach Louis without alerting me?

My senses were heightened at the realization that Louis might be in danger. Any entity threatening our child would not go unpunished. If even the slightest scratch marred Louis’s delicate scales… I’d make them regret ever drawing breath! Absolutely!

[February 14, Dimensional Year 3110]

Mysterious occurrences continued to plague Louis.

Whoever those bastards were…

Dammit… I’ll kill them all! I will find you no matter what it takes!

[February 14th, Dimensional Year 3120]

It has been thirty years since my son fell asleep. Still, I have not uncovered the identity of those targeting Louis. Instead, I’ve employed every possible measure to ensure his safety. It may have shortened my lifespan slightly, but that is insignificant compared to Louis’s well-being.

I must locate these threats as soon as possible… My heart grows increasingly anxious.

[February 14th, Dimensional Year 3130]

Forty years have passed since Louis entered his slumber. As I observe everything happening around him, I continue pondering incessantly.

Why was someone targeting Louis? What could they gain by killing this child? However, I still couldn’t discern their intentions. The helplessness of not being able to identify the entity threatening my son’s life… it suffocated and enraged me.

Dammit.

Flip, flip…

Genelocer’s hands paused while flipping through the diary pages. Reading these records brought back the distressing emotions from that time. Even now, recalling the danger Louis faced made his heart race with anger.

“Sigh…”

Taking a deep breath to compose himself, Genelocer continued turning the pages.

「 Dimensional Energy Year 3150, February 14th 」

It had been sixty years since Louis fell asleep.

Attempt number 4,102.

Over the past sixty years, there were numerous unidentified assassination attempts on Louis, totaling 4,102 times. On average, about 68 per year.

On average, there was one assassination attempt every five days. Initially, I suspected external interference, but how could that be possible? The world had forgotten about dragons, and only a few individuals from other races were aware of our existence.

I calmed my overactive mind and meticulously examined the past. Eventually, I reached a conclusion: All these incidents surrounding Louis might simply be coincidental occurrences. There seemed to be no other plausible explanation.

How could any being harm a hatchling without alerting dragon surveillance? In this era, only another dragon could potentially achieve such a feat, but our clan cherishes hatchlings too much to perpetrate such acts.

Unable to resolve this dilemma on my own, I sought counsel from my father.

After listening intently to my story, my father spoke thoughtfully:

‘Geniuses often face trials bestowed by fate. This child will continually endure hardships and tribulations, not just now but in the future as well, much like the first Dragon King…’

His words left me stunned. Could it be true? Was destiny trying to take Louis away because his talent was simply too extraordinary? Indeed, Louis’s abilities were exceptional enough to arouse envy from the heavens themselves. Is that why…fate seeks to claim him?!

No, never! Be it God, demons, or destiny itself—nothing shall harm our child. I vow to protect our son!

February 20th, Year 3170 of Dimensional Energy Era

Already 80 years had passed since Louis fell asleep, but fate continued to envy him relentlessly. I didn’t leave my son’s side for even a moment, as unexpected situations could arise at any time and place.

Then today, I had a thought. Louis learned faster than any other child, refusing sleep or meals before the hibernation period. Perhaps he was already sensing his own situation? Hatchlings were said to have an excellent instinct for detecting danger. Could Louis’ tantrums before sleeping be due to a protective instinct to safeguard himself?

Did I unknowingly get angry with Louis, mistaking his protective instincts for mere tantrums? If that is indeed the case…I feel ashamed facing my young son.

「 Dimensional Energy Year 3180, February 14th 」

Today marks the 90th year since Louis fell asleep. I have been constantly guarding him without a moment’s break. And just yesterday, Louis began to toss and turn. It was a sign that his hibernation period was coming to an end. At this rate, Louis should awaken within the next 10 to 20 years. How eagerly I look forward to seeing him smile at me once again.

「 Dimensional Energy Year 3189, December 22nd 」

Louis’ 100th birthday is approaching soon. This will be his first actual celebration since his birth, as I am unable to leave my lair. I entrusted a carefully planned gift for Louis to a friend earlier, hoping they would deliver it on my behalf. Just moments ago, I received news that the present will arrive tomorrow. I sincerely hope our son enjoys it.

「 Dimensional Energy Year 3190, January 1st 」

On his exact 100th birthday, Louis awakened.

His sleepy and dazed expression was just too cute. It seemed he still couldn’t believe that he had completed his first hibernation period. Well… it was understandable. He must have been bewildered, feeling like he closed his eyes for a moment only to find out a hundred years had passed. I remember feeling the same way initially.

I waited for my son to fully wake up before presenting him with the gift I prepared. Still groggy, Louis set the present aside without opening it immediately. I wished he would unwrap it right away… How would Louis react upon seeing the gift? I was incredibly eager to find out!

[January 5th, Dimensional Year 3190]

…Louis scolded me today.

He asked why I gave him such a gift.

Why indeed? Isn’t it supposed to be the most desired present among hatchlings of his age?

I need to analyze why Louis reacted so negatively.

Tak.

He quickly flipped through his parenting journal and closed it. Genelocer then placed the completed diary on the bookshelf and opened a drawer to retrieve a new notebook. Its thick leather cover was already labeled despite being completely blank.

[The Journal of Raising Louis II]

Similar notebooks filled up the drawer.

“My son is adorable as always!” Humming cheerfully, Genelocer began documenting Louis’s day in the latest volume.

The left fang of earth, a sharp tooth piercing through the sky from below, was surrounded by mountains big and small with dense foliage at its base. From afar, it resembled a green fang, hence why people referred to this area as the Green Tooth Mountain Range.

Green Tooth had long been known for its abundance of elemental power, attracting both mystical creatures and hermits seeking cultivation training. The diverse inhabitants included mystical beings who had lived there since ancient times, settlements built by hermits, and monsters coexisting harmoniously with nature. All manner of life thrived within the mountain range, freely roaming its expanse and benefiting from nature’s bounty.

However, even these denizens avoided one particular place:

It was located near the left fang of the earth’s jaw, on a high peak. The area possessed abundant elemental energy but was strictly off-limits to all creatures. Due to its resemblance to Fang’s flat incisor, it had come to be known as Forbidden Territory.

Yet there stood a child swinging a wooden sword within this very place.

The child appeared to be around four or five years old and boasted smooth skin, lustrous white hair, and radiant purple eyes like precious jewels. Despite being so young, the child possessed extraordinary beauty.

“Haaa!” With an adorable battle cry, the youngster swung down their weapon forcefully.

Whoosh! Crack!

The sound reverberating from the wooden sword swing sounded much more forceful than one would expect for such a small child. After practicing with the sword for quite some time, the child slowly lowered their weapon and caught their breath.

A white handkerchief suddenly flew toward him.

“My lord, your towel!” Surprisingly, it spoke on its own.

Even more surprising was how casually the boy accepted the offering.

“Thank you.” He nonchalantly wiped his nonexistent sweat with the cloth.

As he did so, a tiny figure about twenty centimeters tall became visible beneath the towel.

She had long flowing blond hair, fair skin, delicate facial features, and translucent wings akin to those of a dragonfly—everything one would expect from a fairy straight out of folklore.

Indeed, the being who handed over the towel was none other than a fairy, albeit strangely dressed as a maid.

The boy, now aged one hundred and ten, wiped his sweat with the proffered handkerchief before staring at the fairy who had given it to him.

“Hmm…”

Feeling Louis’s eyes on her, the fairy cocked her head curiously.

“What is it, my lord?”

“…Can you stop calling me ‘my lord’ already?”

“But you are my lord!”

Louis couldn’t help but smirk at the fairy’s response. It was not the smile of a child.

“Do you want to go back home?”

“My lord, please show mercy as befits your noble dragon heritage.” The fairy instantly changed her attitude, bowing low after sensing Louis’s threat.

This made Louis chuckle despite himself.

I think this marks our tenth year together, doesn’t it?

His thoughts drifted back ten years to when he first met Fin.