The Time-Stop Breeding Uncle Want’s to Retire

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Fortunately, the cave still contained some Orcish supplies, including ropes and nets. Hans used these to secure the dragon’s remains.

As in many stories and games, a dragon’s corpse was an invaluable resource, a treasure trove of rare materials.

This world was no different.

Hunting a dragon yielded materials of exceptional quality.

However, the dragons themselves often retrieved the bodies of their fallen kin, making these materials difficult to acquire.

It was fortunate that Zaerkan was an outcast among dragons. If it had been a respected dragon, its kin would have surely appeared and reclaimed the body.

Knowing this, Hans decided to use Zaerkan’s remains as a bargaining chip. But first, he had to put on a show for the Orcs.

He secured the dragon’s body within the nets and ropes, attaching it to his wyvern before taking flight.

“You’ve returned sooner than expected.”

“Indeed. And I brought a gift. What do you think? Do you like it?”

“Hmm! I’ve never received such a wonderful gift!”

“I won’t give it to you just yet. You’ll have to wait.”

“What? Why?!”

Sharaka, for the first time, appeared flustered, her youthful nature showing through.

She quickly regained her composure, clearing her throat, but Hans chuckled.

“I hear you’ve been having some territorial disputes with the 12 Tribes.”

“I intended to negotiate. We must coexist, whether we like it or not.”

“Admirable. But words alone are not enough.”

“I-I know that! Actions speak louder than words!”

Sharaka’s outburst made Hans smile inwardly.

He could finally mediate between the Orcs and the 12 Tribes. Though they were enemies, the current situation demanded cooperation.

Even Zaerkan had allied with the demons.

That damned lizard.

It was fortunate he had dealt with the dragon quickly. A dragon’s power was immense.

He had managed to defeat Zaerkan in a swift, decisive battle, but if the dragon had been allowed to unleash its full power, the consequences would have been devastating. ŖаŊo͍ΒЁs̩

Imagine a dragon raining fire from the sky in the midst of a battle.

They would have to dedicate Yuren to counter it, leaving a gap in their defenses.

‘And the demons wouldn’t just stand by and watch.’

The demons weren’t fools.

They wouldn’t let such a powerful weapon go to waste. They would surely protect Zaerkan, increasing the casualties.

The thought sent shivers down Hans’s spine. It was a worst-case scenario, but the potential damage was immense.

Therefore, Hans was determined to mediate between the Orcs and the 12 Tribes.

He hadn’t been able to do so properly before, due to the Warrior’s Festival.

He had to prevent them from preying on each other. With that decided, Hans and Helia ascended into the sky on their wyverns.

“Helia, are you feeling better?”

“Teacher…”

“I know you were upset by Sharaka’s words. And I understand why.”

Hans looked at Helia.

There was no pity in his gaze. He wasn’t so careless as to pity someone else’s life, especially Helia’s.

[Don’t pity me!]

[Who are you to pity me?]

[I can’t take this. I’ll kill them all.]

In the original game, there were options to sympathize with or understand Helia. In most dating sims, these would increase her affection.

Unfortunately, with Helia, they were landmines, triggering her trauma.

Not only would her affection decrease, but the wrong choices could lead to her betrayal.

Yet, other choices, offering comfort and support, were the ones that increased her affection.

Helia wasn’t considered a villain without reason. The seemingly correct choices were often traps, and her reactions were inconsistent.

But now, Hans understood her.

“Everyone lives differently, child. Don’t burden yourself with the struggles of others. It will only bring you pain.”

“Teacher, I don’t understand. Shouldn’t we do everything to protect what’s precious to us?”

“That’s what most would think. But they live differently than we do. We can’t judge them for it.”

“But her only family died!”

“…”

“How can she be so calm? I don’t understand…”

Helia’s red eyes blazed with intensity.

Hans averted his gaze. Helia interpreted this as a lesson.

Think for yourself, make your own judgments.

A sharp pain stabbed at Helia’s chest.

Was she feeling guilt?

She shook her head.

‘No, I don’t regret it.’

‘I won’t regret it.’

‘Even if I become a monster.’

‘I won’t lose anyone again.’

Looking at Hans’s back, Helia renewed her resolve.

‘Damn, that’s a scary look.’

Hans, however, had simply turned away because he was intimidated.

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Yuyeong, leader of the 12 Tribes, hastily arranged a meeting upon hearing of the successful mediation.

She had been right to entrust this to the Royal Knights. The Orcs had arrived.

The leaders of the Orcs and the 12 Tribes sat facing each other on Maple Mountain.

Hans occupied the seat of honor.

Under his mediation, the negotiations began.

But both sides were distracted. Behind Hans lay the dragon’s corpse. Not just any dragon, but a true dragon.

Its value was immeasurable.

“If you agree to the terms, I’ll divide it fairly between you.”

Hans’s declaration silenced both parties. @@novelbin@@

The 12 Tribes couldn’t argue with the spoils of a battle they hadn’t fought, and the Orcs knew Hans had slain the dragon himself.

The negotiations proceeded.

Sharaka, the Orc chieftain, planned to use this opportunity to relocate her tribe from the mountains to the plains. It was a necessary step for the Orcs’ prosperity.

They had secluded themselves in the mountains for strategic advantage, creating an impenetrable fortress.

However, this had also hindered their development.

She intended to establish a village in the plains below, fostering growth and advancement. But this posed a threat to the 12 Tribes.

“How can we trust you won’t attack us? It would be more advantageous to strike now.”

“Hmm? You want to fight? Fine, I’ll accept your…”

“I hear a dragon’s scales make the finest armor, capable of deflecting anything. Isn’t that right?”

“…”

“…”

Whenever the negotiations became heated, Hans intervened, using the dragon’s corpse as leverage. It was a necessary tactic.

He had slain the dragon.

He could have kept it all for himself, but he had offered to share it. The dragon’s remains held immense value.

A treasure worth more than a thousand years of progress. Even sworn enemies couldn’t ignore such a prize.

The negotiations concluded successfully.

“Alright, I’ll divide the remains equally between you.”

“Where’s the dragon heart?”

“I destroyed it. It wouldn’t die otherwise.”

“I…see. Understood.”

The absence of the dragon heart was disappointing, but the bones, muscles, and scales were a significant boon.

It was said they could advance their technology by a century.

“Wait, you destroyed the dragon heart?”

“Yes. Is there a problem?”

“There’s a legend among the Orcs. The dragon heart is indestructible. It simply disappears, seeking a new owner.”

“That’s just a legend.”

Hans dismissed Sharaka’s words.

If the legend were true…it meant his own heart had been replaced by the dragon heart.

But Hans felt no different.

At least, not yet.

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[Translator Notes]