Thus.
Suddenly, 'Pure Scale of the Black Dragon' Scalian had become one of my captured monsters.
I groaned as I looked at the list of my captured monsters in the system window.
'No, why... Am I really becoming a capture monster master?'
And it's filled with legendary ones at that. To think there are as many as two dragons. If a Capture Monster Championship ever took place, this would be championship-level power.
"If I had known, should I have tried to capture Wingian too? Or maybe Ipian... Gasp, what if there's a set effect when you catch them all..."
As I muttered about the achievements I might have missed, a rebuttal came from behind.
"That's going to be tough."
Scalian, who was fiddling with the collar-shaped restraint around his neck as if it were curious, explained.
"It's odd for me to say this as a dragon friendly to humans... but my brothers despise humans to their very bones. They'd rather kill themselves than become your subordinates."
Suddenly, I remembered Kali-Alexander who had committed suicide upon becoming a captured monster, despite being friendly to humans.
And the figure of Salome, who had willingly become my captured monster...
"..."
Which category does this guy in front of me fall into?
Does he really intend to be on my side?
Scalian was currently polymorphed into a human form.
Messy long hair, large glasses of the same style he wore as a dragon, and a voluminous robe.
He was definitely a handsome man in his original form, but his gloomy complexion and the awkwardly raised corners of his mouth ruined his looks. He was oozing nerdiness...
'...Strangely, he feels like a kindred spirit, which makes me feel weird.'
Memories of being RetroAddict flashed in my brain.
I shook my head quickly. Gah, no. Now is not the time to form a nerd connection.
"Phew... Enough. We'll talk more later."
I snapped my fingers.
"For now, just get stored away."
"Ooh, to be stored away in subspace like this..."
Scalian, who had been marveling, vanished into my capture monster-exclusive subspace with a whoosh.
Parekian was sucked in as well, and Violet, who had been lying on top, fell to the ground with a shriek.
I clicked my tongue inwardly.
'...Is there any point to this?'
It seems dragons can tear through subspace and come out on their own will anyway.
Anyway, with Scalian's interruption taken care of, and luckily, Ipian didn't barge in. It seems today's ordeal is finally over.
"Alright, everyone, good work! Let's wrap this up! Grab your stuff and let's go home!"
I had the heroes gather the corpse of Wingian and the loot from Rare.
While everyone was busy collecting the loot, I looked around.
"And... I need to take care of these bastards."
"..."
Standing awkwardly on the side was the Banshee Legion Commander. She was still holding the head of the Dullahan Legion Commander in her arms.
"Leave them to me, Prince Ash!"
Dearmudin and his party of mages raised attack spells in their hands in unison.
"We didn't get to do anything today, so at least let us take these guys down!"
Having been excluded from the battle in anticipation of further dragon intrusions, the mage party was itching for action.
Dearmudin chuckled wickedly as he approached the Banshee Legion Commander.
"It's a bit disappointing that our only prey today is a dead Dullahan and a half-crushed Banshee, but if we can take down a monster..."
Just then, the Dullahan Legion Commander's head, which the Banshee was holding, suddenly opened its eyes.
"I'm not dead yet..."
"Whoaaa!"
Startled, Dearmudin jumped back, and the other heroes around screamed in shock.
Carried away, I screamed along before suddenly regaining my composure and trying to regain my dignity.
"No, I thought you were definitely dead since you were just a head! What the heck!"
"Dullahans are always separated from their heads... Just being a head doesn't mean I'm dead."
No, I... knew that, but you had your eyes tightly shut, so of course I thought you were just dead!
"Si, si, it's... it's bad for my heart..."
Dearmudin's legs went weak, and he trembled as he searched his pockets for medicine. Oh, grandpa, you need to be careful watching horror movies at your age...
Then the Banshee Legion Commander, still holding the Dullahan's head, spoke up.
"Huhuhuh..."
"Why are you pretending to cry while being able to speak just fine? Just say it with words."
"Uhhuhuh... bas... tard...huhuhuh."
You just said bastard, didn't you! Definitely called me bastard!
"Guardian of Humanity. I have a proposal."
The Dullahan Legion Commander spoke. I'm not particularly fond of horror movies, so it was uncomfortable facing him, but I still listened attentively.
"Let's hear it."
"Wouldn't you allow us to join your alliance as well?"
I furrowed my brows. The Dullahan Legion Commander continued calmly.
"The Black Dragon clan has not only enslaved our legion for centuries but also... killed everyone like this."
"..."
"I want revenge on them. If I can contribute to their destruction, I'm willing to cooperate."
I snorted.
"So, you just don't want to die right now?"
"...Honestly, that's not entirely untrue."
Dearmudin, who had taken his heart medicine, seemed better and began doing aerobics with a huff and puff!
Flames wrapped around his fingertips as he slowly did his health exercises, and it was clear he'd roast these monsters once he finished.
The urgency slightly heightened in the Dullahan Legion Commander's voice as he continued.
"But our hatred towards the Black Dragon legion is certain. If we can contribute even slightly to their downfall, we'll do whatever it takes."
The Banshee Legion Commander chimed in.
"Black, black, black, black dragon bastards...huhuhuh."
"Now you're swearing quite naturally, Banshee."
I pondered for a moment.
The surrounding heroes and monster Legion Commanders stiffly waited for my decision, while Dearmudin continued his slow aerobics. Huff and puff...
"Sigh..."
After exhaling deeply, I nodded.
"Alright. But you'll have to become my captured monsters."
I still have a few uses left of [Become Mine!]. There's no reason not to accept Legion Commander-level bosses if they fall into my trap without resistance.
These guys haven't really harmed us, after all...
A faint smile crossed the Dullahan Legion Commander's fearsome face.
"I will gladly do so."
The Banshee Legion Commander sobbed pitifully.
"Uhhuhuh...thank you...huhuhuh."
"Either cry or speak, please choose one..."
I used [Become Mine!] in rapid succession and captured the Dullahan Legion Commander (only the head) and the Banshee Legion Commander (speaks well).
Thus, today's capture monster haul.
[I've enlisted Pure Scale of the Black Dragon Scalian (SSR) as an ally!]
[I've enlisted Dullahan Lord Black Rider (SSR) as an ally!]
[I've enlisted Banshee Queen Cliodhna (SSR) as an ally!]
"..."
It's like reluctantly accepting perishable food from the neighbors.
Isn't today's haul insanely good...? All SSR grade?
'Huh? No joke, am I really becoming a capture monster master?'
I briefly entertained the thought before shaking my head. What would I do even if I became a master? There's no championship league!
"Get yourselves together. I'll call on you again."
I snapped my fingers, and the two monster Legion Commanders were sucked into subspace and vanished.
Sweating, the heroes looked at me, and I nodded.
"Well, that's that. Let's all head back! Time to wrap up and rest."
"Yes!"
The rest of the heroes hurried to assist with collecting the loot.
"Hehe, it really feels like my cardiovascular health improves when I do the Ivory Tower health exercises I developed myself..."
After finishing his exercises and returning late, Dearmudin looked around with wide eyes.
"What! Prince Ash, where did all my achievements go!"
"..."
I, thinking it bad for his cardiovascular health, had cleared everything away...
I massaged the grumbling old mage's shoulders as we walked together towards the exit.
"We'll need your great performance in the next battle. Let's conserve your strength until then."
"You really mean that, Prince Ash?! I'm counting on you!"
I grimaced.
Really, because in the next battle, this old mage must shine.
'We took down Wingian and captured Scalian, next battle, it's Ipian.'
A tough battle was approaching where our frontline mages would truly suffer.
***
After returning to Crossroads and taking a break,
The next day, I went straight to the forge.
The loot acquired from this free exploration was lined up inside the forge. Kellibey couldn't help but marvel repeatedly as he inspected Wingian's scales and feathers.
"Amazing, truly amazing...! I've never seen materials like these in my life!"
Tustivian was also an exceptionally fine top-grade material, capable of creating powerful equipment.
But Wingian was of a higher class. After all, it was a genuine dragon species.
"These feathers are particularly remarkable."
Kellibey picked up a feather and waved it.
"Not as good as the scales, but still robust... and above all, light."
"Rear support heroes can wear this equipment without burden."
Typically, normal armor is heavy, burdensome for mages, rear supports, and heroes like me with weaker stamina.
Equipment made from Wingian's feathers would provide an excellent alternative.
"Please make robes or capes from this. Hmm, then the mages should wear them first. They're going to have a tough time in the next battle..."
"No."
Lucas, who had followed me and was standing behind me, spoke in a stern voice.
"My lord, you should wear it."
"..."
"My lord, please. In the last battle, you almost didn't make it. If it hadn't been for Hecate and the Glory Knights, it would have been really dangerous."
Lucas, who had much to unload, poured out his reasoning, and Evangeline, standing behind him with her arms crossed, nodded in agreement.
"There are always variables on the battlefield. No matter how cautious you are, my lord, accidents that you overlook are bound to happen."
"..."
I recalled how Wingian had gathered its breath even as it fell with severed wings.
Such a thing would be impossible in a game. But this is reality.
The transcendent will and hatred of the evil dragon... will continue to target the parts I least expect.
"Evangeline and I, the Glory Knights, and many others are prepared to risk our lives to protect you, my lord. But there may be situations where we cannot reach you."
I could do nothing but grunt in response.
"Please wear proper armor. This is advice from your bodyguard."
"Alright, alright... Kellibey, then make a cape as a top priority, please. Include a barrier creation artifact in it. Make it strong enough to withstand at least one dragon breath."
Kellibey looked incredulous.
"This guy, this guy, see if he has any conscience... A cape to withstand dragon breath?"
"It seems possible with these materials, doesn't it? Why not give it a try?"
"Just because it's not his job to make it, he talks so easily."
However, Kellibey did not ultimately refuse. Despite his grumbling, the smile tugging at the corners of his beard suggested he was already excited about the prospect of making it.
"We'll handle the regular equipment like that... but this will be the real challenge."
Thump!
A beautifully glowing magic core was placed on the workbench. We all swallowed our saliva as we gazed at it.
Wingian's magic core.
In other words, the dragon heart.
Just as the dagger [Isagum] made from the dragon heart of Tustivian possessed an extraordinary destructive power.
The equipment to be made from the even more powerful dragon of Wingian's magic core would also be incredibly potent.
Kellibey squinted his piercing eyes at me and asked.
"So, what do you plan to make with this?"