[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-problematic-child-of-the-magic-tower":3,"chapter-the-problematic-child-of-the-magic-tower-the-problematic-child-of-the-magic-tower-chapter-351":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","The Problematic Child of the Magic Tower",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},1334622,1778,"Chapter 351","the-problematic-child-of-the-magic-tower-chapter-351",351,"\u003Cp>[Translator - Night]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Proofreader - Gun]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chapter 351: Observers (1)\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Kin?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar blinked, staring at Edna.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In his mind, a syllogism naturally formed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>1. Edna Sol Laplace is a dragon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>2. Therefore, her kin are dragons.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As his thoughts reached that point, Oscar’s eyes narrowed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Those bastards came down?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Naturally, his feelings toward those lizards were far from good.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Weren’t they the ones who abandoned the planet without a backward glance the moment the demon race launched their full-scale invasion?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If they had helped humanity and fought alongside them against the demons, the course of the war would have been drastically different.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Of course, non-intervention is the stance of observers in any matter….’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But that didn’t make it any less unpleasant for someone who had suffered like hell on the battlefield.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perhaps because of that, the voice that slipped out was sharper than usual.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What the hell are they doing coming here? With what face?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I-I don’t know that much either….”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hm.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why had those bastards come to this planet?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Stroking his chin, Oscar asked,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Only two came down?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So far, from what I’ve sensed, yes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Two, huh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Basically, dragons are OP by species.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It simply means the race itself is strong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From the moment they crack out of their eggs, they can chew up most mid-tier knights or mages.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ah, and by “chew up,” that’s meant literally.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A typical hatchling is a giant with a total length of 10 meters.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Location?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I don’t know their current position, but the last place their presence vanished was near Mount Tuhullin.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn’t that far.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if they were dragons, if he and Sasha brought Mad Fiend along, they could subdue them without variables.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Looking at Edna, Oscar asked carefully,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Do you want to stay here?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Do you not trust me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hey, why wouldn’t I trust you? It’s just that the scene might get a little… violent.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if they had split ways due to differing views, they were still kin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moreover, given how few dragons there were, they would inevitably be distant relatives or neighbors.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was simply being considerate, wondering if seeing them get beaten up might make Edna uncomfortable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s fine. I’m also curious why they came.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ah, if it’s about satisfying curiosity, then it can’t be helped.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>* * *\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mid-slope of the sparsely populated Mount Tuhullin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A boy with green-dyed hair took out a notebook as he looked down at the world, now fully in spring.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Let’s see… mana density, atmospheric composition, and temperature are all within standard values.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After reviewing past records, the boy nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Well, it’s only been 21 years. It wouldn’t have changed that much.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No matter how fierce a war had been, it was difficult to alter a planet’s environment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Snap.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Closing the notebook and slipping it into his chest, his eyes gleamed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then, it’s about time to begin the investigation… hm?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Strange mana signatures were approaching him at a fairly fast pace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rather than leaving, he simply watched them with shining eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh, what the—there really is someone?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What did I tell you, boss? I said I saw him.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But those clothes look pretty expensive… are you perhaps a noble?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eight rough-looking men.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Each with vicious blades at their waists, they questioned him, but the boy shook his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m not a noble.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Really? That works out nicely.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shiiing!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In an instant, the bandits drew their weapons and threatened the boy outright.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hey, kid. If you want to cross this mountain, you’ll have to pay us a toll.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“A toll?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yeah. First, strip off all the clothes you’re wearing.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hm, I see.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nodding, the boy pulled out his notebook and began writing something down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Due to the aftermath of the war… civilization is presumed to have regressed significantly… degeneration of human intelligence also likely….”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What the hell is he doing?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I-I don’t know?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At his useless subordinate’s answer, the leader clicked his tongue and jerked his chin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Boys! He’s still young, so it might be hard for him to strip himself. Help him out!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the command, the bandits approached the boy with swaggering steps.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Kid, do adults’ words sound like a joke to you? When we tell you to strip, just quietly take off your clo—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Break.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crack!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The arm of the bandit reaching for his shoulder twisted in a grotesque direction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As everyone blinked at the surreal sight,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Snap!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Closing his notebook, the green-haired boy lazily stared at the bandit leader.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’re tall?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“W-what?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I don’t like it. Something like an insect dares to look down on me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In an instant, his gaze turned cold.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Kneel.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crack! Crack!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The bandits’ legs twisted all at once, forcing them all to their knees.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only then did the leader realize he had chosen the wrong opponent, trembling as he spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“A-are you a mage? S-sorry for not recognizing you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“A mage? Hah, it’s been a while since I’ve been insulted like that.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The boy snorted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To him, mages were no different from the bandits before him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as bandits steal others’ possessions, weren’t mages the ones who stole dragons’ magic?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Listen well. I am—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment the boy’s green eyes glowed and split vertically like a reptile’s,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>the air above tore open, and a figure burst out, crashing down on top of him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ghk, what the—get off!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Despite his shout as he struggled beneath, the figure didn’t budge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘My dragon speech doesn’t work?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The boy’s pupils trembled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dragon speech—the language magic of dragons that makes the world realize phenomena simply by speaking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was clearly the origin of magic and the reason dragons were called the balancers of the world and demigods.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Well done, Mad Fiend.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The one who offered praise was a man who fell from the spatial tear right after.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man—Oscar—looked around and frowned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…So you start off by threatening innocent humans the moment you arrive.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ugh, get off me!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Translator - Night]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Proofreader - Gun]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shouting at the top of his lungs, the boy seemed to realize this wouldn’t work and widened his eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Fine. If you won’t get off on your own….”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then he would have to force him off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as he was about to undo his polymorph and return to his dragon form—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Seiro?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Edna, who had come through the portal, murmured softly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that voice, the boy’s eyes widened as he turned his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“A-Aunt Edna?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Aunt?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Aunt?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar and Sasha stared at Edna in shock.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even Mad Fiend, seemingly interested, slightly turned his head while still sitting on top of the boy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes. He is my older sister’s son.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Aunt! Stop just watching and help me!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the dragon called Seiro shouted, Edna quietly folded her arms.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I have severed ties with the clan. We are no longer relatives.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Th-that….”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“And first, I will ask one thing. Why were you harassing humans?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I wasn’t harassing them! Those guys told me to take off my clothes first!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Is that true?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Edna looked toward Oscar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Reading the flow of the surrounding wind, he nodded reluctantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Well, doesn’t seem like a lie.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then….”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Edna looked at the bandits with a contemptuous gaze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“They are worse than beasts—deviants driven by base desires.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“T-that’s a misunderstanding! We’re just honest bandits!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Startled, the leader hurriedly explained.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“His clothes looked expensive, so we just planned to take what he had and chase him off. Please believe us.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hoo.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That too was true.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Letting out a faint sigh, Oscar waved his hand lightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that, the kneeling bandits vanished in an instant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had tossed them one by one near the mountain entrance, so they wouldn’t die.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar bent down slightly and looked at Seiro.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What brings a dragon here?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only then did Seiro properly look at the humans, including Oscar, and his body trembled slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘T-these humans… are strange.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had learned that dragons were superior to humans, and thus stronger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But among the three present, there wasn’t a single one weaker than him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Among them, the woman standing farthest back—who looked smaller than him—was especially monstrous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hm. I don’t like that dragon’s gaze.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Really?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes. It feels like he’s looking down on me… anyway.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Surrounded by humans who were hostile to him, Seiro swallowed hard and raised both hands.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I-I surrender. I’ll tell you everything, just don’t kill me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’re easy to talk to. Mad Fiend.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At Oscar’s gesture, Mad Fiend finally got up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Freed, the boy cautiously straightened his upper body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So, what do you want from me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“First, a question. Why did you come here?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar asked in a serious tone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>More than anything else, determining the purpose of the dragon’s visit was the top priority.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Glancing at Edna, Seiro carefully opened his mouth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…It’s just a reconnaissance mission. I was told to check whether the war has ended.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hah.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Letting out a hollow laugh, Oscar snapped without thinking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why the hell would you care whether it’s over? If it is, were you planning to send a gift to the winning side?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“D-don’t mock me. I don’t know that much either.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now the target of pure anger, Seiro shrank his shoulders and muttered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching him, Oscar calmed his boiling emotions and asked,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Edna told me you came with a companion. Where is he?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Uh, I got separated from Elder Valterion while breaking through the atmosphere.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He pointed north.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“He went that way. From the start, our mission was to check both north and south.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“….”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If it’s north, does that mean he went to the Demon Realm?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s right. We each check our assigned areas and regroup where I am in two days.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Two days, huh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar nodded, looking at the young dragon before him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Good. Until then, you move with us.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>* * *\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A fortress filled with ash-gray in every direction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At its highest watchtower, a man stood with his hands clasped behind his back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’re late….”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But only for a moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>KWA-A-A-A-ANG!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A massive dragon descended from the sky, crushing the castle walls as it appeared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet, there was no commotion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because the only demon in this fortress was the man.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-A demon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The red dragon, staring at him with yellow eyes, muttered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-The aura you give off is considerable. Who are you?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Emperor.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-Nonsense. The Emperor I know did not look like you.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ah, that’s probably the first one. He’s dead. I’m the second.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-…….\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That overwhelmingly powerful Emperor was dead?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unable to believe it, the dragon asked,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-Who on earth killed him?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“He died together with the White Mage.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-Oscar Sage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The White Tower Master of that time had not possessed such skill.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Which meant that through the war, he had ascended to an unfathomable peak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The dragon slowly nodded and spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-Then, has the war ended?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“To be precise, it’s a ceasefire. For 21 years.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-Hm… then do you perhaps know of the pact our clan made with the first Emperor?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I heard about it from the counts.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-That’s fortunate. We have kept our promise, and our clan will soon return to duty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Return to duty? Ah, you mean observing and recording all things in the world?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Emperor smirked and nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Do as you like. But can I ask you one thing?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-What is it?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If it weren’t for the pact with the first Emperor, whose side do you think you would have taken?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-We are observers of the world. Our principle is not to intervene in any matter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I know, I know it well. But according to a rumor I heard, you were planning to side with humanity. Isn’t that right?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-…….\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The dragon was silent for a moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-At the time, opinions within the clan were divided. One thing is certain—by far the majority believed we should not intervene, in accordance with our original stance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“And the next largest opinion was to side with humanity?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-……Why do you ask that?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Guess I’m right, since you can’t answer.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Emperor smirked and muttered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hm. But that’s a problem. Even if you return, it doesn’t really benefit us, does it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-Whether you benefit or lose is irrelevant. We have fulfilled the pact, so we will return.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sure. Coming back is your choice. But….”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Srrrk! A strange sound rang out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Like a massive tree being cut down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-Wha, you—.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The dragon’s shocked voice cut off weakly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thud!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The red dragon’s head fell to the ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Eliminating variables is my choice as well, isn’t it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Emperor smiled faintly as he looked at the severed head of the dragon he had just been speaking with.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Translator - Night]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Proofreader - Gun]\u003C\u002Fp>",2093,"2026-06-05T20:00:10.790Z",1,"novelbin.me","6bd69076694a7c71eb4735a069aeb38edfaaf273b6e8c407b09748db9655bd82","the-problematic-child-of-the-magic-tower-chapter-352",null,375,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-problematic-child-of-the-magic-tower-cover.jpg"]