Gramps indulged in some small talk with Audar before discussing the request again.
It was just some short exchanges and asking about each other's well-being, the usual. It didn't concern me so I had no intentions of putting myself forward for discussion.
We were the only ones in the large office as I waited somewhat impatiently for the main subject at hand to be brought up. I took frequent sips of the heavily sweetened cup of tea while staring daggers at the two who seemed to ignore my very presence.
They've always been quite close with the party leader spending years studying and training under Gramps. He never took any other disciple before so I heard from the veteran adventurers that there were frequent incidents between the two.
I was surprised to learn that Audar had once gotten into a fervent argument with Gramps over something truly trivial that resulted in a one-sided beatdown. I had heard nothing of it before so Audar had likely covered up news of his embarrassing state. This was only one such story among a pile of them that the drunk old fogeys readily shared.
I'll tease him for sure about it when the time is right. Perhaps I'll expose this hidden past of his to the other seniors. Then maybe he'll accept my sparring request out of frustration.
Point being. Gramps and the party leader are close confidants and acknowledge each other. This ties into the main issue at hand.
They both still treat me like a kid even though I'm not. That, I can't ignore no matter how strong they are.
It's only a matter of time though before I show them how fierce this 'kid' can be. I just need a good opportunity to do so.
I had heard that there was a big request up for grabs with a substantial reward. It seemed like the perfect chance to prove them wrong.
Anywho, it's still quite ridiculous how comfortable they can get when such an imposing threat stays at large.
The threat of a dragon is looming over them yet they have the leisure to chat away as if it's not their business. Hopefully, that is the case, for all our sakes.
They seem incredibly close of late though, probably because they are both gaining on their years.
Gramps is already retired and in his 60s. It's already a surprise that someone his age seems so healthy and active. It must be due to his large mana reserves. Otherwise, I have no way of explaining it. Audar is in his 30s and given his track record, he's clear for retirement.
Not that he seems intent on doing so anytime so.
I heard adventurers tend to retire earlier than most would for other occupations. It ties into how physically and mentally demanding this business can be on the body. Old wounds from battles take their toil with time and it's rather easy to gain traumatic events with how vicious certain unlucky encounters can be.
Many say such encounters don't happen often but one can never be too sure.
It's a dangerous journey, that much I was already sure of the moment I set foot on this path.
Anyway, Audar has already well established himself in the capital and would be welcomed respectfully anywhere he goes should he retire as an adventurer.
He is nearing the age when the body starts to lag behind and although it is nowhere near as severe as I make it out to be, it is still an issue for most people to consider. When even a single mistake can be the deciding factor between your life and death, it's important to take into consideration your body's health.
Well, that's what Gramps always nags about. Mana can more than cover for these small details so it doesn't really matter much, not especially when I'm a mage.
That's partly why Gramps is so strong as he grows older. His body retains decades of experience, wisdom, and battle acumen while utilizing his large mana reserves to fuel his physical enhancements.
It's not like Gramps needs to use even a fraction of all that to beat most people though.
I wonder how he'd fare against a dragon though. He once recounted the story of his exchange with a young dragon still growing but even then, he could only barely fend it off before reinforcements came.
That was quite some time ago, according to him, so it would obviously be a different case now. Then again, the dragon sighted this time was reported to be dozens of meters tall, no doubt a full-grown monster of absurd proportions.
But, if Gramps was going to drop a bombshell on us like that, he should've at least done it after we were prepared. I mean, what sane old man tells a few people to go take on a dragon?
He's gone senile alright.
It's about time I guess.
A somewhat exhausted sigh escape my mouth as I finished my drink.
...
A few moments later.
Gramps took on an unusually grave expression denoting that it was the end of their small talk.
"Now, for the request at hand."
"Finally, it's about time."
I let out, tired of waiting unnecessarily long.
Ignoring my sentiments, Gramps continued to explain.
"As I mentioned beforehand, this is an official subjugation request by the empire so the corresponding details are related. Since your party already accepted the request, I so no need to go through the other formalities in place. I trust you'll follow up without making matters too complicated for me."
As he mentioned some details, I was once again reminded that we accepted this ridiculous commission.
"Were there complications in submitting the request?" Audar, noticing the choice of words Gramps used, questioned.
Nodding, he responded.
"There were indeed some contradictions proposed during the meeting. As you can already guess how the differing political parties have always been at odds. It's no different even during such a perilous moment."
"Hah, how ridiculous. To still be thinking of their own gain when so many lives are at stake... what utter morons."
I interjected. Despite not hearing the full story, I could already tell how it was going to be. It was almost always the same whenever something even remotely similar happened and the nobility was involved.
They had the power to help to save thousands yet didn't act according to such authority, hiding behind those high walls of theirs. The fact that Audar and Gramps send nothing in opposition is testimony to their like minded opinions.
"The nobility faction wanted to submit a request to subjugate the dragon with intentions to either keep the dragon as a pet or to study. The imperial faction wanted the opposite, only its death an assurance to their worries."
Gramps continued which made me frown, the ludicrous nature of the discussion during the meeting a subject of ridicule. Even Audar wasn't particularly pleased hearing this piece of news despite his familiarity with the nobles.
Noticing our expressions, Gramps eased our worries.
"There's no need to be too concerned about this issue, not that I think you'll be particularly worried. Naturally, you'll be tasked with killing the dragon and your rewards will not change no matter how hard the nobility faction may try in frustration. The emperor personally took action to guarantee this in front of the other nobles."
Hearing this was a surprise, certainly, but not entirely out of expectations. Although the current emperor is gaining in his years, he is known for being wise and benevolent, seeing through the crux of the issue and resolving the panic of the citizens when rumors spread of a dragon wreaking havoc.
He is nowhere near as pronounced as previous emperors but at least he has a good head on his shoulders. At least the one running the country isn't completely useless and can see the bigger picture.
With that out of the way, Audar also addressed my primary concern.
"What of the initial knight expedition who first encountered the dragon?" He asked solemnly.
In response, Gramps took out a small stack of documents from his desk and gave a few of them to me and Audar.
Scanning through them, it was a detailed report from the party in question about the event leading up to and during the encounter, the follow-up reports on casualties and investigations.
Picking the key aspects to recount, Gramps summarized the report.
"When repeated sightings of a large, unidentified monster wreaking havoc on the outskirts reached a nearby powerful lord, he quickly dispatched a sizeable group of knights and mercenaries he hired. They numbered several hundred with a few capable individuals mixed in. In less than a day, all but one were annihilated."
Pausing for a moment to take a sip of his tea, Gramps continued.
"The only knight who returned was heavily injured. He managed to describe the dragon in detail before passing out and with his descriptions, we can accurately determine that it is an Elder Crimson Dragon."
Hearing this, the air grew tense as Audar's countenance grew noticeably grim.
Having never seen a dragon before, I also haven't heard of this type of dragon. With my confusion evidently visible, Audar explained it to me.
"Dragons at birth already outrank any other species in all aspects by an insurmountable margin. As lifeforms born from nature, they assimilate with it at an incredible rate and percentage. The abilities available to them are learned and utilized with apparent ease while we have to spend decades just to imitate an inferior level of mana control alone."
Noticing my interest and shock, Audar further added.
"And those who stand at the top amongst such absurdities are known as the 'Elders' in recognition of their advanced age which spans thousands of years more than normal. Less than 10 have appeared throughout the history of man but each one has caused destruction or had power enough to threaten the safety of a continent or more."
Audibly gulping, I was silent in response to his explanation, obviously shocked at hearing news of such a powerful existence being so near their residence.
Only after a few more seconds did I finally speak up.
"...All the more why we shouldn't be the ones to take up this request. How could a small party of B and A-ranked adventurers fare up against such a formidable foe?! You'd need a party of S-ranks and those of similar strength, Grandmasters like the Imperial Knight Order Commander at the minimum!" I exclaimed, convinced that this was beyond our capabilities.
Audar was silent, contemplating something before Gramps spoke.
"You would be right if this was any other Elder dragon. But reports indicate that this one, in particular, was severely injured, having wounds scattered all across its body before contact was made. Throughout history, there has only been one other similar case and I highly doubt there are 2 different ones."
Catching our attention, Gramps gave us a name.
"The first of the 9 Elders, the Crimson Dragon, Cerise."