Most resources in the New World were hardly worth mentioning.
But innate talents, Wild Magic, and World Items still held value.
If Roy wanted to explore the Sea of Possibilities, he had to obtain Wild Magic to establish a connection.
Now, something that could grant him that lay right before him.
It was the Draconic Kingdom's Dragon Queen, [Draudillon Oriculus].
She possessed the pinnacle innate talent, [Wild Magic], and so World City had set its sights on her.
Draconic Kingdom, capital
"What am I supposed to do?"
"This is such a pain. Now I can't even enjoy a drink."
The Dragon Queen, [Draudillon Oriculus], let out a wail, looking nothing like a queen.
Her life had been fairly comfortable.
Although the Draconic Kingdom faced an invasion from the Orc Kingdom, the situation remained stable thanks to the capable reinforcements from the Slane Theocracy.
Paying a set amount of tribute each year was enough to secure peace.
The Draconic Kingdom might not have been flourishing, but it had at least held its ground, with a little tax revenue left over to develop the country.
The Dragon Queen had lived quite comfortably these past few years.
The Chancellor handled affairs of state. All she needed to do was enjoy her life.
Drinking, sleeping, and doing nothing.
That was the Dragon Queen's perfect life, to the point that even the Slane Theocracy had been forced to issue a warning.
"You must take governing your country seriously, or we will withdraw our troops."
Only after that warning had the Dragon Queen begun working in earnest.
Yet just as she had pulled herself together for a while and begun feeling tired enough to deserve a break...
Nigun of the Sunlight Scripture delivered shocking, terrible news.
It was not that the Orc Kingdom had won. The Orcs had long since fled in panic.
Instead, a terrifying battle had broken out at the border.
Nigun hurried back to the Slane Theocracy to report to the Cardinals.
But he had not forgotten his duties. He hastily notified the Dragon Queen before immediately using a Teleportation Scroll to return to the Slane Theocracy.
That was what had led to the Dragon Queen's wailing.
Magic on the level of gods and demons, something beyond the eighth tier, power that had frozen the border.
Was such a thing even possible?
If an enemy that powerful appeared, would the Draconic Kingdom have any chance of survival?
She knew the secret behind the Inveria Kingdom's destruction.
Before the truly powerful, small countries like hers had no ability to resist.
But the Chancellor said calmly:
"Your Majesty, whenever extraordinary power appears, there is always some way to address it."
After venting her anger, the Dragon Queen could not help staring at the Chancellor and asking:
"You seem to know something?"
"Someone wishes to meet Your Majesty and discuss a deal."
"For the sake of the country, surely it is only right for Your Majesty to make a small sacrifice."
A smile appeared on the Chancellor's face, making the Dragon Queen glare at him.
This man is the worst. All he ever comes up with are terrible ideas.
Like that nonsense about pretending to be a little girl to encourage the people to work together.
Absolutely ridiculous.
She had never expected the Chancellor to sell her out so quickly.
The Chancellor said leisurely:
"They come from a power hidden throughout history. This time, they were forced to reveal themselves to confront a mysterious force."
"Please have a look, Your Majesty."
The reason the Chancellor believed them was simple: Eve had recorded a video.
And so the Dragon Queen watched that terrifying battle.
She trembled all over.
Then the Dragon Queen asked quietly:
"Who are they?"
"What do they want to trade?"
The Chancellor said matter-of-factly:
"You will learn the truth if you go there in person, Your Majesty."
"After all, when dealing with a force possessing such power, we cannot guarantee Your Majesty's safety."
Damn you. You sold me out.
The Dragon Queen glared bitterly at the Chancellor and said helplessly:
"I need to prepare."
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
World City, Little Garden
When Roy learned that Eve had invited the Dragon Queen over, he arranged a far more lavish reception than he had for Miss Eirin last time.
Even the Dragon Queen looked astonished.
After several rounds of teleportation, she had arrived at World City's Little Garden.
Though called Little Garden, it was more breathtaking than the legendary Hanging Gardens.
As the Dragon Queen entered Little Garden, she saw sunlight spilling over tier upon tier of buildings. Waterfalls that defied the laws of physics gushed from unknown sources, and splendor adorned this incomparably magnificent palace, making it seem like heaven on earth.
Following the principle that building houses in a game cost nothing, Roy had exhausted the imaginations of countless architects.
The Dragon Queen might have looked young, but she was worldly and knowledgeable. Yet even she had never seen such an outrageous palace.
Am I making a deal with a devil or an angel?
Roy looked at the Dragon Queen and activated Spirit Appraisal Eye.
[Name: Draudillon Oriculus] [Talent: Wild Magic] [Rank: EX (30 slots)] [Personal capacity: 30 slots] [Description: By paying a price in souls, the user can bypass the restrictions of the world's rules and bring the Wild Magic they envision into being.] [Description 2: If soul power is insufficient, Wild Magic will help locate sacrifices. The more souls offered, the greater the magic's power.]
What an evil power.
No wonder the Dragon Queen had virtually no other talents beyond this innate ability.
Simply accommodating this innate talent had exhausted almost all of her body's potential.
Despite being a dragon descendant, she had the combat strength of an ordinary person and could only depend on her country to survive.
The Slane Theocracy had recognized the Draconic Kingdom as a human nation and provided aid.
In a sense, they were maintaining her as a strategic weapon.
Roy finished reading the Dragon Queen's information without betraying anything, then told a barefaced lie:
"Your Majesty Oriculus, I imagine you already have some understanding of this deal."
"We are part of the Dragon Slaying Cult. We inherited assets left behind by the Eight Greed Kings and follow their final wishes: to eliminate Heteromorphs and protect humanity."
"Of course, we consider you a member of humanity, not a target for extermination."
"We also recognize the monarch of the Draconic Kingdom as human and are willing to trade with Your Majesty Oriculus."
The Dragon Queen studied Roy closely.
He was indeed a handsome man unlike any she had ever seen, so beautiful that he hardly seemed human. Even the finest elves could not compare.
Still, the Dragon Queen composed herself and distracted herself by admiring Little Garden's scenery.
She did not want to believe Roy's words.
Her grandfather, the Seven-Colored Dragon Lord, had told her many things, including about the Platinum Dragon Lord and the existence of Players.
But certainly nothing about a Dragon Worship Cult or a Dragon Slaying Cult.
It was too strange.
Yet everything Roy had shown her proved that a mysterious power really did exist.
After a brief moment of thought, the Dragon Queen gave him a sweet smile:
"Big brother, you look like a good person."
"I don't understand any of that, but can you help me protect the Draconic Kingdom?"
"I'll be sure to repay you properly."
"Big brother!"
Acting cute!
After a little thought, the Dragon Queen had resorted to her strongest weapon.
That damned Chancellor.
Although the Dragon Queen usually complained about the Chancellor's methods...
Whenever she encountered a problem herself, she could never help taking his advice.
But Roy said calmly:
"Acting cute won't work, especially at your age."
"We're here to discuss prices and cooperation."
You bastard. I'll bite you to death.
Normally, playing a little girl to win the people's affection made the Dragon Queen herself want to vomit.
Yet when the trick failed on Roy, and he even disparaged her age...
It made her even angrier!
"Do you want Tenth-Tier Scrolls, summoned monsters, or Powered Armor?"
Then again...
The Dragon Queen's eyes sparkled:
"Big brother, you're so handsome. You're the most beautiful man I've ever seen."
"Can I have all of them?"
"Yes."
Roy was a World Merchant. He would offer a fair trade.
"Five Tenth-Tier Scrolls, one [Earth Gem] for a Primordial Earth Elemental, and one suit of level 80 Powered Armor."
"Even if a natural disaster strikes, Your Majesty will be able to protect your country."
Th-that's far too much.
The Dragon Queen felt her breathing quicken and could not help asking:
"Big brother, if you have that kind of power, why make a trade?"
Why not just take what you want?
Roy smiled and said:
"A trade must be fair. At the very least, both parties must consider it fair and satisfactory before the God of Contracts can enforce a powerful binding effect."
"Unfair agreements do not receive the God of Contracts' protection."
"What we want is Your Majesty Oriculus's innate talent."
"It is the Draconic Kingdom's strategic weapon, so naturally, we will provide strategic power of equivalent value."
"If you choose any one of those offers, we can proceed with the trade directly."
"If you want all three, Your Majesty Oriculus must follow our instructions completely."
"Once the trade is complete, we will seal away the relevant memories."
Roy had not used charm magic on the Dragon Queen and abducted her for experiments because he suspected that [Wish Upon a Star] could not replicate [Wild Magic].
A trade had to be a trade.
The Dragon Queen bit her lip and could not help asking:
"Can I refuse?"
Before Roy could answer, she recalled what had happened in the video.
Ten fire dragons so powerful they left her breathless had died just like that.
The Draconic Kingdom could not withstand an attack from even one fire dragon. She had to obtain all three.
"I agree to the trade."
"Very good. Then let's begin."
Everything was going according to plan.
Wild Magic, here I come.
Before you continue