The land that Ernesto teleported to was dominated by trees.
Ahead of him were never-ending plants of different colors and kinds. The canopies provided a slight glimpse into the dreary weather, which turned the shades of greenery even darker. The forest that should be inhabited by wild animals, beasts, or insects was quite empty. The main reason for this was the dragon, who charged towards Ernesto with its gigantic paws the moment Ernesto stepped inside Mount Mayon.
Ernesto slid down onto the forest's dry ground, stumbling over massive roots. He has good reflexes. That was why he effortlessly avoided the surprise attack of a vicious being. He jumped up to the tallest tree around and looked at the nine-meter-tall dragon.
The emerald scales of the dragon were camouflaged by the green trees.
Ernesto hadn't said anything yet, but the dragon was already gathering his mana in his mouth to form a fire breath. Anything that was close to the dragon started to burn and melt from the heat.
"Sir Dragon", he addressed the dragon respectfully.
Ernesto just came to gather information, and he won't initiate a fight because he was not yet strong enough to face a dragon.
"I came to ask about Duke Cornelio. I'll leave the forest after we talk."
The dragon flinched and his ears slightly twitched the moment he heard the name of the duke, but he didn't put off the fire breath and continuously gathered more force for it. The dragon was still wary of the intruder.
Yet, even the smallest reaction from the dragon was seen by Ernesto's sharp eyes. He then shared, "I am the same as Duke Cornelio. The pining goddess also blessed me."
For some reason, the fire breath was slightly reduced, and the dragon kept observing him.
"Hmmmm... It looks like this dragon was acquainted with the late duke."
Ernesto doesn't know anything but has his own assumptions about why the dragon has taken over the mountain.
"Was he betrayed for being wary like that? Did this dragon hate humans? Did the late duke appoint this creature to protect this mountain?"
His thoughts were running wild just like the dragon's mana that was also swirling violently around them.
"I need information about your friend's bles—" He could not finish his words. The dragon finally released its fire breath.
Everything that it passes over instantly dissipates. Ernesto had no time to run. He hurriedly pulled out the shield from his spatial magic and covered himself with it.
He activated the magic circle inside the shield that made it grow larger and stronger.
The heat burned the end of his hair. His clothes and skin feel like they're going to melt.
"Ughh!"
Ernesto let out a loud groan.
He couldn't do anything besides crouching inside the shield. He felt relieved that he had brought the shield with him.
It was only 10 seconds after the fire breath was released, but Ernesto felt like it was the longest time he had ever crouched down.
He could finally breathe after he felt the wind passing by and cooling down his heated skin.
He stumbled after suddenly standing up and saw that his surroundings had become plain land.
A moment ago, they were surrounded with sturdy trees and huge boulders. Goosebumps and cold sweat instantly covered his body.
"I have no desire to fight, sir," he nervously enunciated.
"I am not suicidal enough to fight you!" he exclaimed internally.
Ernesto wonders how Ndulou defeated two dragons, since fighting this one would surely mean his death.
"Who are you?" The majestic, cold voice of the dragon echoed throughout the mountain.
"Like I said, I am someone blessed with the same goddess as the duke." He dropped the shield and stood firmly while looking straight at the eye of the dragon. It was the way Ernesto wanted to show the Dragon that he was not bluffing.
"What do you want?"
Ernesto liked the dragon's straightforward response and shared what he desired to know.
"I wanted to know what his blessings were,"
The dragon titled its head.
"Didn't you say that you have the same blessings? What's the need to ask me?"
The dragon started to move its claws and a small amount of mana started to fluctuate.
"No! No! Please calm down! I will really die if you attack me now! Please listen to me first! I don't care if you want to control this mountain or this kingdom. I just want to save my friend!"
Fortunately, the mountain dragon was sensible and could communicate. He put down his claws and asked, "Is it something to do with my friend?"
"Friend." Ernesto repeated the dragon's words in his mind. Ernesto's lips slightly twitched as he worked hard to hide his smile. He could not believe that what he had guessed was right.
Ernesto was thinking that the dragon was not taking over the mountain but protecting it, probably at the duke's request.
If the dragon was giving importance to the human's request, it may mean that he was not entirely hostile towards humans. In that sense, Ernesto has the chance to talk to the dragon and ask for a favor.
"I need to know my blessing so that the goddess will let me in where my friend is. After receiving the blessings, Duke Cornelio becomes a hero. My friend too. I received one too. But I don't intend to be a fucking hero. Well, I really don't know what the blessings are exactly."
Ndulou never mentioned what exactly the blessings were and just called them blessings. Ernesto doesn't feel like it was really a blessing and would love to call it a curse, but curses have much worse effects.
"The goddess asked me to determine it, but I have no idea! Not even the slightest clue! I need to hurry and save my friend!"
Ernesto's desperate voice rang in the dragon's ears.
The dragon closed his eyes for a moment and then opened them again, as if he was reminiscing about something.
"I was the blessing."
It may sound narcissistic, but the dragon was serious.
Ernesto cursed internally. He was running out of patience. He thought the dragon was teasing him, but he couldn't respond rudely because Ernesto was on the losing side.
"Do you think I am kidding?"
Ernesto gulped at the dragon's stern voice.
"No, sir, but would you elaborate for me?"
"Haaaa–."
The dragon let out a long sigh.
"I still don't trust you, kid, but you look desperate, so I'll give you a little advice."
Ernesto nodded and clasped his hands in anticipation.
"If the gods bless you, you do not need to desire anything great and just be content with the blessings alone. And remember to avoid the opportunities that can lead you to manipulate time or life itself."
Both Ernesto's arms dropped, and his expression showed so much disappointment.
"But I already did," he mumbled in a disheartened voice.
"What?"
"I have done it, sir."
"What did you do?"
"Manipulate time"
"..."
An awkward silence filled the mountain.
The dragon looked at him with pity before commenting, "You're a fucked up kid."
"Should I be proud of that?" Their conversation naturally becomes casual.
Ernesto touched his stiffened neck because he had been looking up at the gigantic dragon for too long.
The dragon noticed it and started to polymorph. He turned into a teenage-looking lady with emerald eyes and yellow-green hair. She's wearing a caramel colored fabric that covers too little of her beautiful figure. Her image has a resemblance to a dryad. The male frightening dragon turned into a beautiful young lady.
"Aren't you male?" Ernesto subconsciously asked his questions aloud.
"My soul is female, but this fucking dragon is a male!!" The lady was cursing herself like she was talking to another person.
"Sir... I mean madam, perhaps you manipulated time too?"
The lady stopped for a moment.
The lady was thinking if she could trust the child in front of him. She pitied the child who might experience the same worst things she had experienced just being involved with the gods.
The Dragon thought, "Should I leave this mountain? It's been a long time since I isolated myself here. Should I take a short walk?" She was curious about the future of the child as she finally respond to Ernesto, "Life in my case. Someone else did it for me." then she bluntly asked, "How about you?"
"I stole it, madam"
"Steal?"
"There was a person suffering from multiple regression. I stole the power."
The dragon lifted her finger, pointing toward Ernesto. "That's pretty sleek, kid, so if I kill you now, will you turn back the past again?" the dragon asked.
"Wait! wait! Don't act so suddenly!" Ernesto immediately formed a triple layer of shield in front of him because of the dragon's sudden movement to attack.
"I will die!!! I don't know if I will return again, so don't kill me now! I might really die!"