The dark dragon 2

Feeling the wind rush against my face, I couldn't help but smile as I soared through the sky on Rodrigo's back. The vast blue expanse stretched endlessly above me, while the world below seemed almost insignificant tiny villages and sprawling fields reduced to mere specks. There was something exhilarating about riding a dragon, an untouchable sense of power and freedom that nothing in my old life could compare to.

Reluctantly, I guided Rodrigo back toward my castle, landing near the entrance. As soon as I dismounted, he let out a low rumble of acknowledgment before taking off again, disappearing into the sky. Our flight was over for now, but the connection between us remained.

"The bond between a dragon and its rider is unbreakable." Those were the words my father spoke the day I was discovered to have inherited our family's rarest trait. The last Pendragon who could tame a dragon was my grandfather. My father had tried many times but each attempt ended in failure, forcing him to retreat or be rescued by his knights. Even my brother, with all his talent, had nearly lost a hand during his first and only attempt.

It was tradition for Pendragon kings to have multiple children, as there was never a guarantee that the firstborn would inherit the dragon-riding trait. Yet here I was, the second son, the one with no claim to the throne, the one expected to inherit nothing yet the only one in our bloodline who could command a dragon.

And still, none of it mattered. This castle, this land, it all belonged to me… for now. But once my father passed and Arthur took the throne, everything would revert to him. I would be left with nothing unless I built something for myself.

There were options, of course. I could try to join the royal council, but I had no interest in politics. I could marry into nobility, become someone's consort, but the idea was hardly appealing.

Or… I could request my father's permission to leave, to explore the world beyond Camelot. He would grant it he never denied his sons anything unless it was completely unreasonable. The kingdom would be fine in my absence. If I took too long, they would replace me with another noble. It wasn't as if I had a future here anyway.

With that thought lingering in my mind, I made my way back inside. The castle doors swung open as the servants rushed to accommodate me, but I ignored them, heading straight to my chambers. I changed into something more comfortable before settling onto my bed, bringing up my system interface.

I decided to look through the different options of my system.

Interesting way to upgrade my skills, I thought, as I read the way I could increase the power of my skills. I could take an upgrade quest which would upgrade my skill once I finish it. Looking through the skills I had, I decided to upgrade this one. I could always upgrade the other one with training but I have learned something from games is that resistance is worth more than any in the long run.

[Fire resistance upgrade quest]

Objective: Resist E Rank fire attack (0/10)

Reward: Empowered skill Rank F is turned into a Rank E

Well, I think it's now time to prepare for my trip.

- Later -

Landing in front of my father's castle, I dismounted Rodrigo with a confident smirk. The dragon let out a low rumble before taking off again, disappearing into the sky. Without hesitation, I strode toward the entrance, my boots echoing against the stone path.

The guards recognized me immediately but made no move to stop me. They knew better. I walked through the familiar halls of the castle until I reached an enormous set of double doors. Without bothering with formalities, I kicked them open, the heavy doors slamming against the walls.

The sudden entrance drew shocked gasps from the gathered nobles. Some of the guards instinctively reached for their weapons, only to freeze once they recognized me. Whispers filled the room as the nobles murmured among themselves, no doubt already spinning their ridiculous speculations. I ignored them all. Their gossip meant nothing to me.

At the head of the chamber, my father sat upon his throne, his sharp blue eyes studying me with interest. He was an imposing figure, standing at least 6'4" or 6'5", much like my brother. His blonde hair and regal presence commanded attention, and for once, he looked genuinely intrigued by my sudden arrival.

"My son," he said, his voice laced with surprise.

I stepped forward, the murmuring of the nobles fading into the background. Once I stood before my father, I bent my knee slightly in acknowledgment.

"I have come to make a request," I stated, meeting his gaze directly.

He nodded, curiosity flickering in his eyes. "Speak."

"I wish to leave the kingdom. I want to explore Britannia."

For a brief moment, a flicker of worry crossed his face, but it was gone just as quickly, replaced by his usual stoic expression. Then, a knowing smirk tugged at the corners of his lips.

"You're a feisty one, aren't you?" he mused. His tone was amused, but I knew him well enough to sense the irritation beneath it. What exactly had I done to annoy him this time?

Still, after a brief pause, he exhaled and gave me a nod. "Fine. If that is your desire, I will grant it. Just take care of yourself you are the last dragon rider, after all."

Hearing his approval, I couldn't help but grin. "Thank you, Father."

With a final nod from him, I turned and left the chamber. There was no need to linger. I had preparations to make.

- Uther Pendragon -

Fuck, what was he thinking?

Artorius, his second son and the only dragon rider in his family, decided to take a little trip around the kingdom, and he allowed it.

If anything happened to the boy, the trait would be lost in his family, probably for some generations, which was unacceptable.

Maybe other kings' families were willing to lose their traits, but he wasn't willing to lose the trait that made his family into royalty.

They were not kings because their ancestors were wise; they were kings because of dragons and the massive boots a dragon rider gives a dragon, which is already considered one of the strongest magical creatures; that was just a reality of his family history.

But why would he allow this? What was up with his mind…?

That damn witch, goddamnit, Merlin, he thought, thinking about the damn witch that he aligned himself with and permitted to train his son Arthur.

He should've known she would've gotten an interest in him since he was the only one who could tame dragons.

Well, all he could hope for was the best and that his son would return stronger, and a part of him wanted his son to return with riches or whatever he found in his journey.

Frankly, if Artorius wasn't born his second son and was his eldest, he would be confident in the future of his kingdom, but now.

He loved both of his sons, but Arthur did not inherit the trade of his family. The only one that did was his other son, Artorius, and he was a second son, a spare just in case something happened to Arthur, and even then both of them were grown to that age and old enough to get married when Arthur starts having kids; Artorius will go lower in the line of succession.

His original plan was to marry off Artorius to one of Arthur's daughters, but honestly, knowing his son Arthur, he would probably take a long time to start pumping out kids to whoever his future wife would be, so he changed his plans.

He will make sure that Artorius lines Mary into Arthur's line, not only securing the line of succession but also making sure that there's no second branch of his house.

He knew for a fact both of his boys would never hurt each other or their children, but he's not sure about his grandchildren or great-great-grandchildren or their descendants.

Not only that, but that would make sure that the dragon trait would only stay in his family or, at the very least, a branch family. Shaking his head, he decided to start looking for potential wives for his two boys. I think some years ago Bartra was trying to propose a marriage between one of his daughters and one of my sons. Well, it's worth a try, I thought to myself, ready to contact one of my oldest friends.

- Artorius Pendragon -

As I was putting my stuff in my inventory for my upcoming trip I got a notification from the system that I had leveled up my class.

Skill add

[Dragon empowerment - Rank F]

You can temporarily empower your dragon, increasing your dragon, strength, speed, and elemental power.

Perk added

[Dragon bond]

Your bond with your dragon is so intense that you can communicate with your dragon instantly knowing where he's at it's also reverse your dragon knowing exactly where you are at

I smile feeling my bond with Rodrigo getting stronger I smile to myself. This was going to be an interesting trip.

XxX

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