Chapter 240: The Gap Between People
Borch galloped forward for dozens of meters, then dismounted, slapping his horse's rump hard to send it away.
He clenched his fists, crossing them over his chest.
The next moment, blinding golden light erupted from his body.
The dazzling golden radiance enveloped his entire form.
He bent over, crouching on the ground.
His body inflated rapidly like an air-filled balloon.
Finally, he transformed into a colossal dragon, the size of a small mountain.
Even without considering its appearance, one could discern the elegant aura of a true dragon, distinct from draconic creatures.
Looking at this beautiful golden dragon, Lynn suddenly understood why the dragon-hunting party in the original novels, risking incineration by dragon fire or being swallowed whole, would still fight dangerous dragons to vie for the seemingly ethereal title of "Dragon Slayer."
"This is my true form, Lord Lynn. My name is Villentretenmerth, which in your language means Three Jackdaws."
"As you can see, I am a golden dragon, a creature once believed by the world not to exist."
"Just as you witnessed, my scales are golden; though not literal gold, their value surpasses it."
"Well, Lord Lynn, as a monster expert, don't you wish to add a golden dragon's head to your collection of trophies?"
This was the final test.
Although Borch had told Lynn his true form was a dragon, he had concealed the fact that he was a golden dragon.
Revealing his true form directly in front of Lynn would have a greater impact.
Borch had never revealed his true form to anyone outside of the Zerrikanians. This was not only because true dragons were now an endangered species, but also because golden dragons were even rarer and more precious.
If there was anything Borch had gained from centuries of wandering the continent, it was disappointment in the inherent greed of sentient beings.
Yes, sentient beings, not just the human race, but all intelligent creatures, including elves, dwarves, and gnomes.
Borch knew that in this era, many elves... especially younger ones, often complained that humans were encroaching on their living space, stealing the lands their ancestors had relied on for generations.
But before humans set foot on this land, elves were equally enthusiastic about encroaching on other races' living spaces.
Indeed, the decline in the true dragon population to a point where they were now even rarer than Witchers was entirely due to the "Dragon Poetry Wars" initiated by the elves.
Therefore, Borch felt no sympathy for the elves' current diminished status.
It was merely the law of nature: survival of the fittest, the strong preying on the weak.
But Witchers... they were monster slayers.
They were created to protect humans.
Just as a cat's hunting instinct is activated at the sight of a bird, Witchers also had hunting blood flowing within them.
Borch wasn't looking down on Lynn. It was just that those who could fight against their inherent nature, let alone conquer it, were incredibly few.
"Lord Borch, that joke isn't funny. I've already said, I only eliminate necessary evils; I won't act on my personal desires or greed."
Lynn extended his hands forward.
Keeping his hands away from any weapons.
Signaling he held no ill will.
"Moreover, I strongly dislike being tested."
"My apologies, Lord Lynn. It was presumptuous of me to project my own small-mindedness onto a gentleman like yourself. I offer you my sincere apologies."
The golden dragon bowed its head deeply.
Now that everything was out in the open, Lynn no longer needed to hide what he had already known.
"I accept... So, I've been traveling with a dragon all this time? Then, Lord Borch, your request for me to escort you to Holopole, was that also for the dragon that was poisoned?"
The golden dragon nodded very human-like.
"Precisely. Her name is Myrgtabrakke, and she summoned me to help her eliminate the evil forces threatening her."
"As for inviting you to travel with us, that was purely on a whim."
"Ever since Gezras of Redania, all the Witchers I've encountered have maintained that monsters must be eliminated—including dragons, or even unicorns and phoenixes, all listed for extermination."
"But you, Lord Lynn, are different from all of them. Although you are also a Witcher, your attitude and thoughts on everything are unique."
"It was out of a desire to understand what kind of person you are that I concealed my true identity during our journey. I apologize once more for that."
"However, now that you know my true identity and my purpose, Lord Lynn, I hope you will accept the commission I am about to offer."
"Join me, and let us go to Myrgtabrakke's lair, to help her, to protect her."
"She has promised to give me all the treasure in her lair as payment, and if you agree, I am willing to share half with you, as compensation for deceiving you for so long."
For short-lived humans, no one can avoid pursuing material wealth. Even nobles desire more land, more riches, more people, and greater power. Even kings hope to unite with other countries, expanding their own territories.
But all of this, in the eyes of the long-lived Borch, was merely fleeting smoke. Money, status, power... he already possessed all of these. He couldn't even cast them away if he wanted to.
Once, he told the King of Zerrikania that he didn't need special protection or a large sum from the royal treasury each year. The King of Zerrikania, upon hearing this, was grief-stricken, believing their worshipped dragon was abandoning them.
The King of Zerrikania was distraught to the point of threatening to kill his wife and children, and then hang himself from an old crooked tree to atone to his people.
This left Borch quite speechless.
Finally, after much earnest persuasion from a host of Zerrikanian ministers, he had no choice but to go back and find the King of Zerrikania, telling him that his previous words were merely a joke, and only then did the farce end.
In Zerrikania, Borch was revered above all others; he was a god.
But because of this, he was also very lonely.
Because he had no friends.
So, for Borch, the treasures Myrgtabrakke paid him were of no interest.
What he valued was Lynn, as a friend.
"Half the treasure?"
Lynn thought to himself, Borch is truly worthy of being the dragon worshipped by Zerrikania, willing to give away half his treasure so readily.
Thinking of most impoverished Witchers, toiling in the mud, working themselves to death for mere pennies.
The gap between humans is truly greater than the gap between humans and dogs.
Wait, Borch isn't human...
Then never mind.
Since Borch was offering half the treasure, Lynn naturally couldn't refuse.
As for the deception...
Borch had no idea that Lynn already knew his true identity, so it wasn't really a deception at all.
....
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