>>40083
>The Dragonian Territories: A Dungeon Introduction
Sure, it’s not so bad checking out the capital city, but if you’re coming to Dragonia to do some sightseeing, you’re seriously missing out if you aren’t exploring the natural beauty of the Dragonian Territories! Throughout all these untamed forests, you can see all of the rare and unique plants that can only grow because of all of our dragon mana, and if you go even deeper into the wilderness you can look out over the breathtakingly beautiful Lake Ryuusen, or Dragonia Falls— it’ll knock you off your feet just like the breath of a great dragon!
When afternoon rolls around, I really recommend popping into one of the little bistros that the farmer couples out in the prairies run. You can take in the great outdoors while eating lunch with the freshest monster veggies the Territories have to offer! And at dusk, you can see Dragonia’s untouched landscape, all of the fields are dyed gold by the evening sun! Don’t forget about nighttime, either! Sitting on top of a little hill, looking out over all the lampflowers in full bloom— it’s an unmissable date spot… or something like that. Y’know, everyone always talks about the stuff in Dragonia Empire, but the Dragonian Territories have a ton of sightseeing spots that make use of the unique charms of nature.
Weeell, if I’m trying to sell you on the Territories, I have to let you know it’s… “as is”. Sure, there are wild dragons around… and it’s usually just a liiittle bit dangerous for an adventurer to go poking around by themselves… but! That’s exactly where we tour guides come in ♥ As long as one of us is here, your odds of getting attacked by a wild dragon go way down, and even if you’re in an area with terrain that’s too harsh to push through by yourself, we can join forces and overcome it together!
So, are you all ready for an adventure? From here on out, it’ll be just me and you ♥ The moment you enter a dungeon, there’s no telling what could be inside! ♥
~DTB Newbie Guide Lyra~
>■ Ruins of the Dragei Empire
Danger level: ★★★
Inhabited by (dragons): Lizardmen, dragons, etc.
Inhabited by (other monsters): Succubus, witch, living doll, etc.
Most dangerous monster1: Dragon
Primary collectibles: Mysterious dragonslag2, precious metals, dragon scales, etc.
○ One can see the ancient vestiges of the once-flourishing Dragei Empire in the Dragonian Territories. The villas and guest homes of the former aristocracy that dot the landscape, even in their ruined states, still boast timeless architectural beauty, speaking eloquently to just how much luxury they enjoyed at the time. However, in the current age, the new masters of these lands are the dragons, wielding fearsome might. Though it is said that there are still countless treasures lying in wait in the ruins, breaking into a dragon’s manor, possibly inhabited by yet more monsters, causes some trepidation even among the most reckless thieves.
【Mysterious Dragonslag】
These oddly-shaped curios, usually made of iron or bronze, can be found relatively easily in the ruins. What they actually are are the results of wild dragons releasing their fiery breath on a whim, the blast hitting a structure and melting it down, and as such, are not particularly valuable in and of themselves. However, among these melted masses, there are rarely those that possess incredibly artistic forms, and are traded at a high price among some enthusiastic “dragonslag collectors”. Perhaps there is a certain romance to the notion that these were created by a dragon’s breath. It’s not something we dragons quite understand ourselves, but there appear to be many tourists who take them home as a sort of lucky charm.
【Dragon Scales】
Out of the items that one can find in the Dragonian Territories, dragon scales may be among the most valuable. Even though they’ve fallen out, the scales still contain dragon mana, and see frequent use, especially among human warriors, as protective talismans, and even as symbols of power. It’s quite often the case that during the yearly Grand Tournament of Dragonia, men who possess one of these scale talismans have a fateful reunion with the dragon who originally owned it ♥
Translation Notes:
1: The most literal way to translate this would have been more like "monsters to watch out for" or "monsters requiring (particular) caution", but this honestly felt more natural to the format.
2: My translation of 竜塊, another novel compound. 塊 means "mass" or "clump", but I went with "slag" because it produces a pleasant rhythm with "dragon", and it's also a mostly useless byproduct of mining and smelting, so I found it fitting.
>■ Underground Waterways of Dragonia Falls
Danger level: ★★★
Inhabited by (dragons): Lizardman, etc.
Inhabited by (other monsters): Queen slime, sahuagin, bubble slime
Most dangerous monster: Queen slime
Primary collectibles: Sahuagin scales, slidra jelly, water dragon scales, etc.
○ Behind Dragonia Falls, there is a series of underground waterways that lead to a massive floodgate once controlled by the Dragei Empire. At the time, the Empire had a grand and ambitious plan, one that flew in the face of the very spirits of the land, to control nature itself through the use of these floodgates. The colossal water wheels that still turn deep in the heart of the waterways, marking the eternal passage of time with each revolution, tell the story of this empty dream, of ambitions vanishing into the frothing water. Now, these subterranean passages are nothing short of a kingdom for those monsters who prefer the murky gloom of the water’s edges. According to a certain rumor, the water wheels are said to still be properly maintained to this day by “water dragons” who lurk in the waterways, bringing abundant blessings of water to the Dragonian Territories. Whether or not such tales are true, though, seems to mean little to those who visit these tunnels and end up becoming subjects of its kingdom.
【Slidra Jelly】
A kind of slime jelly that can only be obtained from the “dragon” division of a queen slime inhabiting the waterways. Slidra jelly is infused with dragon mana, albeit only a small amount, and it is characterized by its popping texture and a refreshingly sweet flavor that fills one’s mouth. Due to the incredibly limited avenues to acquire it and its phenomenally addictive properties, slidra jelly has been dubbed a “legendary flavor1”, and is one of the mamono realm delicacies that is hardly ever available on the market. Queen slimes are rather intelligent, and quite social, so negotiating for jelly is relatively easy. That being said, the dragon divisions are extremely true to their sexual instincts, which makes direct negotiation in this circumstance a challenge.
Translation Notes:
"Slidra" sounds a bit like "hydra". I think that's cute. Fitting, to boot.
1: 幻 literally means "phantom", but it can also mean, as it does here, something particularly rare/fabled.
>■ Outer Reaches of Ryuusen
Danger level: ★★★
Inhabited by (dragons): Ryuu
Inhabited by (other monsters): –
Most dangerous monster: Ryuu
Primary collectibles: Salamaranth, ryuusenite, etc.
On the outskirts of Ryuusen Village, in the remaining Eastern Wastes that are perpetually cloaked in a veil of steam, there still remains the untouched “source” of Ryuusen’s springs that has never been made into a resort. The waters of its hidden open-air baths known as “secret springs” are said to grant to all those who bathe in them the happiest days in their lives, and to all those who drink, the power of the dragons themselves. Lured in by these stories, year after year many adventurers disappear into the steam of the hinterlands of Ryuusen. Perhaps the last thing these adventurers saw was the fabled secret springs. Or, perhaps, it was the naked body of a ryuu enjoying a bath herself. There’s nobody around who can say for sure.
【Ryuusenite】
An ore primarily mined around Ryuusen Village’s spring source, even chunks of rock around the size of pebbles contain a high concentration of ryuusenite. A particular property of ryuusenite is its friability— it crumbles easily when strong force is applied to it, and by putting these small pieces into a bathtub filled with hot water, the mineral properties of Ryuusen within the ore dissolve and create a simple dragon spring. For that reason, ryuusenite allows guests to enjoy the benefits of a dragon spring in their very own homes, and has become the ultimate staple of Ryuusen Village souvenirs. There are many monster couples who come to the village every year to stock up on ryuusenite stones in order to make their bathtimes particularly obscene.
>■ The Pillar of Heaven
Spoiler
Danger level: ★★★★
Inhabited by (dragons): Wyvern
Inhabited by (other monsters): Gryphon, thunderbird, harpy, black harpy
Most dangerous monsters: Wyvern
Primary collectibles: Dragon lampflowers
○ The most eye-catching structure in all of the Dragonian Territories is the Pillar of Heaven, towering over its surroundings and piercing the clouds. For Dragonia’s dragoons, known for their bravery, scaling the tower with one’s mount is the qualification to lead a unit. When happening upon such impassable sights as the tower’s crumbling staircases, the only way to overcome them is on dragonback. Even if he were to be attacked by a ferocious wyvern who had made her home there, a dragoon would continue to strive to communicate with dragons and connect with them on a deep level as he strives to reach the top. Conquering the tower is a perilous undertaking even for experienced dragoons— the average adventurer attempting to do the same would be, from any perspective, an act of folly tantamount to suicide. Yet still, more and more of them head towards the Pillar of Heaven, for at the top is the Bell of Happiness, said to have the power to grant any wish.
【Dragon Lampflowers】
A kind of lampflower that can only be found growing in the highest reaches of the Pillar of Heaven. Perhaps because the only nutrients available to them in such thin air is the mana of dragons, they are distinguished from ordinary lampflowers by their red petals and a slightly more intense glow at night. Here in Dragonia, dragon lampflowers are used as bouquets in the pair-bonding ceremony, as well as, by being planted on rooftops, guiding lights and waypoints for dragons on nighttime flights so that they won’t lose sight of their destinations. In addition, they also see use as magic tools that witches and dark mages attach to the ends of their brooms; while an ordinary lampflower emits a faint glow inside a lantern, the dragon lampflower’s light is stronger, making it a popular item among those who are passionate and proactive about love.
【Paintings of Temptation】
The Pillar of Heaven has stood since the age of the former Mamono Lords, but in truth it is still unclear exactly when, by whom, and for what purpose it was built. Nonetheless, when one considers the many paintings still left intact within the tower of knights on dragonback, it could very well be that at one time, long before even the Dragei Empire, dragons and humans coexisted just like they do now. More importantly, perhaps, is that these paintings are known to be magic— if one gazes upon them for a long time, a desire to become a dragoon just like what is depicted erupts inside of them. There seems to be no small number of adventurers who endeavor to reach the top of the tower in search of treasure who end up wishing to enlist as dragoons instead after they have been captivated by one of these paintings, and as such, they’ve become indispensable advertising for the Dragoon Corps. To that end, it is said that as a theft prevention measure, the Corps has enlisted the aid of the wyverns living in the Pillar to keep watch over the paintings at all times. If some scoundrel were to choose to make off with such a painting, he will be immediately pounced upon by single wyverns.
Translation Notes:
N/A
>■ The Dragon’s Graveyard
Spoiler
Danger level: ★★★★★★
Inhabited by (dragons): Dragon zombie
Inhabited by (other monsters): Zombie, lich, wight, etc.
Most dangerous monsters: Dragon zombie, wight
Primary collectibles: Dragonnuts, dragonium, dragon claws, etc.
○ In the age of the Dragei Empire, countless dragons lost their lives to the oppressive powers of the time, and their bodies were buried in a wasteland far to the west by humans who feared the dragon’s curse. This wasteland, which still exists to this day in the Dragonian Territories, has become the Dragon’s Graveyard by the dragon zombies there, fallen dragons from the old Empire who were reborn from their powerful feelings of regret. The regret that brought the dragon zombies back into this world is not a desire for revenge or deep resentment against humans. Rather, it’s a sense of remorse, so intense as to call single-minded, that they could not find mutual understanding with humans, which led the Dragei Empire to its doom. Nevertheless, because of the deep love they hold for humans, dragon zombies are known as extremely dangerous members of dragonkind. Once a man steps foot into the Dragon’s Graveyard, they’ll inevitably become the prey of a dragon zombie who, to atone for their previous life, adores humans and seeks to reproduce through mating.
【Dragon Claws】
In the Dragon’s Graveyard, one may spot the shed claws of dragon zombies. These claws, which continue to contain dragon mana, are prized as an exceptionally efficient ingredient in aphrodisiacs, so they fetch a high price among monster merchants. However, if a human man wishing to make an easy sack of gold gets his hands on a dragon claw, the mana still dwelling within will act as a dread compass, guiding his feet towards the very dragons that shed them.
Of course, if a man can bring himself to surrender the claw right away, he may be able to shake off the dragon zombie and escape the Graveyard, but parting with such a valuable treasure that was acquired at such great pains may be easier said than done.
Translation Notes:
N/A
>■ Lair of the Grandwurm
Spoiler
Danger level: ★★★★
Inhabited by (dragons): Wurm
Inhabited by (other monsters): Aka oni, dwarf, satyros
Most dangerous monsters: Wurm
Primary collectibles: Satyros wine, inebriation fruit1, drasco glasses2, etc.
“Hey boss— got a good lead for us. There’s this place way underground Dragonia Empire, a citadel from the old era, still sitting there just the way it was from back then. The whole thing’s ruled by the wurm queen, and she’s just as strong as the Queen of the Empire herself. They all call her “Grandmother”, and it’s become a massive nest, crawling with wurms. It’s real dangerous, yeah, but in the underground fortress in the heart of the nest, there’s something called the “Queen’s wine cellar”, where rare booze from all over the world is just sitting there for the taking. Of course, if you get caught by a wurm down there, you’ll end up getting dragged to this terrifying interrogation chamber and broken like a horse. But, I’ve heard that there’s some truly godly stuff in that cellar, the kind that, if you sell it, even your kids’ kids will be livin’ the high life… what do you think? Is it worth the risk?”3
The man who relayed this information is now working as a wine cellar guard together with a wurm, so it’s rather hard to tell that he was once an adventurer.
【Inebriation Fruit】
A mamono realm fruit that is spotted all over the Lair of the Grandwurm. It bears a remarkably similar appearance to the “intoxication fruit”, also known as mamono realm grapes, but inebriation fruits are characterized by their slightly irregularly-sized berries and a slightly sweet scent, similar to that of mamono realm wine, that it fills the air with. Dropping the fruit directly into an alcoholic beverage has the effect of strengthening the intoxication it brings. It’s used as a secret ingredient by monsters who love to drink to add extra depth to their beverages, but for humans with no tolerance for mana, just the smell alone can cause powerful feelings of drunkenness. Supposing one were to be tempted by the inebriation fruit’s sweet aroma and actually sample it, they will immediately become as besotted as they’d be if they’d been having an all-day bender, and even walking becomes a difficult task. If a man in that state were to stagger into a nest of lusty wurms, needless to say, it’s not hard to imagine what happens next.
【Drasco Glass】
A magic tool used in the Wurm Queen’s castle in the heart of the Lair. They are wooden drinking vessels made from “earth-dragon ivy”, the plant which bears inebriation fruits, imbued with the Wurm Queen’s own mana. Anything poured into this vessel is infused with intoxication mana; even ordinary water takes on the rich flavor and feelings of pleasant intoxication of a mamono realm wine. To put it simply, this is a near-holy treasure that can turn water into wine.
There is a problem, however. The earth-dragon ivy that the cup is made from subsists off of the wurm mana found in abundant supply in the Lair of the Grandwurm, and by extension, can only grow there. If any being other than a wurm attempts to take one to the surface from where it belongs, the very cup itself will wither away.
>■ The Ancient Castle of Dragrinde
Danger level: ★★★★★★
Inhabited by (dragons): Dragon, lizardman, wurm, etc.
Inhabited by (other monsters): Gargoyle, cursed sword, demon, devil, dullahan, living armor, etc.
Most dangerous monsters: Demon, dragon
Primary collectibles: Magic gems, precious metals, works of monster art
○ With the fall of the Dragei Empire, this land was left in ruins, but before the dust could even settle, the mighty dragons began to live there. The dungeon that is permeated with the strongest mana even among the ruins, that became a dark mamono realm before any others, is none other than Dragrinde Castle, built by the richest royal family of the old Empire. The enormous castle, actually consisting of four castles grouped together within its towering ramparts, has become the most dangerous place in the Dragonian Territories, inhabited by not only wild dragons, but even monsters of the Radical Faction such as demons.
Nevertheless, the Order’s private army will dispatch units to the castle fairly regularly, in vain hopes of defeating the Radical Faction housed there. This implies that within the citadel’s walls, there still lies something of great importance to the Order, despite the fact that it is now a mamono realm.
There has never been a single case in Dragonian history of Order soldiers charging towards the mana-rich fog that shrouds the ramparts of Dragrinde Castle returning home safely. However, perhaps it is precisely that reason that drives dream-chasers to come to such a wicked place, even knowing the dangers that lie within.
Addendum from an apprentice monster scholar
Dragrinde, the noblewoman who once owned this crumbling castle, was by all reports a strong-willed woman, possessing grit enough to be a passionate critic of the Empire’s class system of the Voli and the Gradi, and even oppose King Dragei to his very face.
Records speak of her being perhaps the most beloved aristocrat in the Dragei Empire, possessing both tremendous economic power and the magnanimity to often distribute her own wealth among the poor. However, after the collapse of the Empire, when many of the Voli fled the land, there is strangely no record that Dragrinde was among them.
Dragrinde was the sole member of the nobility who did not desert their lands, and her noble spirit was recognized to be the very same as that of a dragon— even now, she lives on in her ancient castle in this new form. It seems to be a rather frequently-told tale in Dragonia.
Translation Notes:
N/A