Chapter 142 142: Names

My entire afternoon this day was like riding a roller coaster. Many events have been triggered and have occurred. But at the end of the day, the problems had finally given a dot.

After my fight with the sovereign of the forest, the black dragon submitted itself to me and became my subject. Since the dragon has been bound to me by the Taming skill, I can assure that the dragon will follow my orders.

"So this is what riding a dragon feels like!"

"SEEMS LIKE MASTER IS ENJOYING HIMSELF."

As of now, I am having a back ride on the dragon and heading northward. After I decided to keep the dragon, I fully healed its injuries to restore its former glory.

We are currently flying towards the location of the resting fox queen. She had been severely weakened due to the life-absorbing Bane of Masses spell of the dragon, so she has been healing naturally.

Even though my Warp could not carry this dragon, I could use the Portal. In spite of being able to teleport magically, I still chose a double-sonic back ride because I wanted to.

After all, riding a true dragon, unlike those knockoff wyverns, is a man's romance. It's my first time encountering a conversable dragon, so I seized the opportunity to ride one while I was at it.

((Hello, Madam. Are you there?))

((Mr. Raphael...?)) Madam received my Telepathy call and answered with less strength in her voice. ((Is that you? What happened to the dragon?))

((I'll tell you the details in person. Wait up there, and expect the unexpected.))

((? If you say so...)) She left confused before I closed the room.

I am able to use Telepathy now, by the way. I acquired it when I had my first telepathic conversation after I evolved. My evolution must have affected my blessings as well.

But the conspicuous appearance of the dragon might surprise Madam if we reach the location. That was why I gave her advice for her to prepare herself for the sudden turns of events.

◆◇◆◇◆◇

In a few minutes, we can get a vision of a rounded, desolated part of the forest. In the middle of it, the silver fox queen can be seen lying herself on the dead soil. The Bane of Masses really is a horrifyingly ominous spell.

Probably upon sensing the presence of the dragon, the fox quickly stood up and sternly faced our direction. She should have detected me, but my presence was just too small compared to the dragon.

((Everything is fine, Madam.))

((Mr. Raphael...! But why is that dragon coming here?))

((Trust me, Madam. No need to fret.))

As soon as I said that, the dragon had landed on the spot, a hundred meters from where the silver fox was. She did not let her guards down a bit, maintaining her wariness intact.

"Hop."

With my sudden appearance that interrupted the fox, I jumped from the back of the dragon. The height is quite high, but I was able to perform a perfect featherlight landing.

((Mr. Raphael, can I get an explanation about this?))

She immediately asked for details as soon as I revealed myself behind the dragon. She is sending daggers on the dragon; the dragon had inflicted much damage on her, so she must have developed hostility toward it.

To answer her question, I came up with the idea I have discussed with the dragon.

((Actually, I defeated the dragon, and the dragon offered me its servitude; thus, the dragon became my tamed monster.))

I decided not to disclose the contents of the dragon's being a gift from someone, so the dragon and I agreed to come up with a plausible story to hide the truth.

Though it quite piqued its pride, the dragon and I are all on the same page about fabricating a story about its defeat. It then resorted to becoming my subject if I spared its life.

But, well, I almost killed the dragon, so some of the details in the fabricated story were technically true.

((What...?)) She seemed lost for words, glancing over at me and the dragon simultaneously.

An ancient dragon becoming a servant of a human is hard to believe, and everybody would doubt it if they were to hear this bizarre occurrence.

((It is true. This big dragon is now on my knees, so there's no need for you to be wary of it.))

((...If it is what you said, it must be true.))

((I am glad you understand.))

Once the confusion was settled, the whole silvery body of the fox queen began to shine brightly, so bright that I had to cover my eyes.

After the blinding lights faded, a silver haired woman with a beauty worth beholding appeared in front of us under the white and red garments I had given her earlier.

"Mr. Raphael, it seems like I realize I am not committed and devoted enough. That is way, let me formally pledge myself to you once again."

Then she placed her right palm on her ample chest and took a light bow.

<Requirement fulfilled.  The Celestial Fox has been successfully tamed.>

"From now on, my purpose is to serve Master Raphael. Please use me as you see fit, Master."

Yep. She had volitionally appealed her fidelity upon me anew, which was immediately and officially approved by the system, making her my third monster after the black dragon earlier.

If she is this willful, it is my pleasure to accept her commitment. The delicious fish is biting the hook, so there was absolutely no reason for me not to pull the rod.

"Come here, my loyal servant." Extending my right hand forward, I gave my first order to my newest subject.

"Yes, Master." She replied, then accepted my hand with the opposite hand.

I pulled her closer and wrapped my left arm around her waist as if starting a dance. Her unsupported Motherly assets are pressing against my chest.

Before the setting sun, I leaned my face over, and so did she; then I planted my very first kiss on a person who I don't share blood with. I am currently making her my woman.

"Mmm..."

She did not resist, not because I commanded her via a skill. She just wanted to do so. Her strong will to be a worthy servant to me.

In these recent years, I have grown to five seven and have eclipsed Mother, who is standing at five five, and have been able to cross lips with this woman whose height is five six.

"Master..."

"Well done."

"I am glad to be at your service."

I broke the kiss, and I saw her flash a smile of satisfaction. If she was happy about that, I was happy as well.

There were reasons why I kissed her. One of those was to replicate the exclusive abilities of a Celestial Fox through her saliva. There's a certain useful skill I wanted to own, so I am collecting them now.

"Did not I promise you one thing before the fight started?"

"You really meant it, Master?"

"Of course. I am a man with a word..."

Since the fight against the dragon was over, I decided to fulfill the promise I made to the fox queen. And that promise was—

"...Inari."

"I'll treasure this day forever, Master." The voice of the fox queen, now named Inari, wavers as she kneels before me.

"You may stand up." As per my request, she stood.

As I promised, I have bestowed her the name Inari. Her name was derived from the goddess of foxes and harvests in Shinto mythology. Truly befitting of her title as the Queen of the Fox.

As for her daughter, I will bestow her name in person, so it can wait. Right now, I have another monster to baptize.

Once done, I turned my attention to the gigantic black dragon, who is watching the whole scene with an expressionless face. Perhaps a dragon prioritized its pride over lust.

"Okay."

I said this before making an approach toward the dragon. Then I placed my right palm against the scales of its enormous left front limb.

Before I can start bestowing its own name, I have to impart a certain skill into its soul in order for it to adapt to mine. The dragon had told me its gender earlier, so I came up with a name befitting her destructive power.

"The epithet of the Ancient Dragon of Darkness is no more. From now on, your name will be Czarina!"

"AS YOU DESIRE, MASTER."

The moment I spiritually engraved the name of Czarina on the dragon, the black legendary monster began to glow with a very bright light, much brighter than what Inari emitted as she transformed.

By the way, Czarina was the feminine form of the term Tsar from the Tsar Bomba, the biggest nuke ever detonated. While tsar means emperor, tsarina means empress.

After a few seconds of dazzling lights, the lights showed signs of fading and finally subsided. Before us, the massive black dragon has gone, but a single human being has appeared before the autumn sunset instead.