Chapter 229

The nest of the Primeval Dragon was an otherworldly sight.

Though ancient dragon nests were occasionally discovered, finding the remains of one was almost unheard of.

Most dragons, upon sensing their approaching end, chose to return their physical forms to nature.n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

The rare remains that were ever found were typically those of dragons slain by Dragon Slayers—and even those had been systematically destroyed by the last generation of ancient dragons, making them priceless artifacts.

As a result, any tangible evidence of the Primeval Dragon, the progenitor of all dragonkind, was nonexistent.

Whatever information existed was derived from myths and legends, most of which were unreliable and fragmented.

Even within Ragnar itself, while the Guardian Dragon was a fact, the existence of the Primeval Dragon remained a debated topic.

Theo had been among the skeptics.

The idea that one being could be the root of all dragonkind—including ancient dragons—seemed implausible.

For such an entity to exist, it would have had to date back tens of millions of years, an inconceivable timeframe.

But now, holding the artifact in his hands and standing in the presence of such a being, Theo knew better.

Not only had the Primeval Dragon existed, but she was far beyond what any myth or legend could have conveyed.

She wasn’t merely the progenitor of dragons.

She was the Mana Stream itself.

『That statement is misleading.』

Theo flinched at the soft voice that interrupted his thoughts.

The Primeval Dragon’s glowing eyes seemed to pierce through his very soul, as though she could read every thought he had.

『While it is true that I have influenced the Mana Stream’s cycle, I am not the Mana Stream itself. It predates even me—it is the foundation of nature itself.』

Theo could only listen in awe, overwhelmed by her presence.

『The Mana Stream is me, you, Lodbrok, every Ragnar. It is also the Holy Demon Church that you so despise.』

Her words resonated deeply.

If the state Theo had achieved was one of transcending the distinction between self and other, the Primeval Dragon embodied that concept entirely.

She was a being that constituted and governed the world itself.

Such beings were called…

Gods.

Theo’s current state, Ascension, was merely the threshold of divinity.

It was only the beginning of a journey to becoming a god.

From here, the measure of his growth would depend on how well he could understand his purpose and integrate with the Mana Stream.

But Theo’s goal was clear.

"There’s only one thing I seek."

From the moment he had accessed the Mana Stream, Theo had a singular purpose.

"You left your relics in this world for that reason, didn’t you? To pass on your teachings."

The relics of the Primeval Dragon were not mere artifacts.

Even Lodbrok, knowledgeable as she was, had little insight into their true purpose.

She had only said they were left to guide humanity.

But as Theo unraveled the secrets of these relics, it became clear they weren’t just tools for defending the world against the Nameless Lord and other outer gods.

With each trial, Theo grew—not just in power, but in understanding.

The relics provided him with strength and skills, yes, but they also broadened his perspective and offered him a chance to stand before the gates of divinity.

『Indeed. My relics are like stepping stones, guiding those who seek me to this nest.』

The Primeval Dragon’s massive head nodded slowly.

『Many chosen ones have claimed my relics, but none have reached this place. To them, the relics were…』

"Merely tools for their own desires."

『Exactly.』

"It was a mistake to entrust such power to them. Regression only breeds selfishness."

Theo’s voice carried the weight of bitter experience.

He understood all too well why Kyle and the other brothers had hunted down chosen ones.

The ability to regress twisted people, making them selfish.

At first, a regressor might have noble intentions, pursuing grand ideals.

But repeated failures wore away their resolve.

Whenever they encountered a setback, they’d reset, abandoning everything they had built.

They felt no guilt for discarding the lives they had touched or the worlds they left behind.

To them, everything was replaceable.

This hubris bred self-destruction—just as it had for the Mad Dragon.

Just as it had for Hilda.

『That was my mistake. I believed that granting multiple opportunities would deepen their understanding of my teachings.』

The Primeval Dragon’s voice carried a deep regret.

『But after a long wait, I finally found you. Many errors were made, but they were not in vain.』

Her eyes curved gently, a sign of approval.

『I have watched you, Theo Ragnar. Despite being given only one chance, you have clung to it with unwavering determination. Your sense of responsibility to Lodbrok, your loyalty to your clan, and your vision for its future—all of these were never easy burdens, yet you carried them forward.』

Theo felt a wave of relief and vindication wash over him.

The architect of all his trials had acknowledged his efforts.

"Then will you grant me my final reward?"

If everything up to this point had been a quest, then this moment was the clear completion.

『Greedy, aren’t you?』

"Without greed, I wouldn’t have made it this far."

The Primeval Dragon chuckled softly.

『Very well.』

A radiant green orb descended slowly before Theo, pulsating with an overwhelming aura.

『This is my Dragon Heart.』

"…!"

『Though it is not the same as the one I possessed in life, it contains the condensed essence of spiritual and natural energy. It will aid you greatly in purification.』

Purification?

Theo looked at her questioningly.

The Primeval Dragon hesitated briefly before speaking.

『Let me tell you one thing. The Nameless Lord has a keen interest in you. Far more than I ever expected.』

"Because I was the first since the Founder to resist him?"

『No. It is because he believes you have the potential to become his name.』

"His name?"

"Do you know what the true name (Jinmyeong) of Mangshin is?"

“Isn't it The Nameless Lord?”

"No. That, like the name 'Mangshin,' is merely an alias. Its true name is unknown. Not even the other outer gods, its kin, know it."

Theo’s eyes widened slightly at the revelation. It was an unexpected truth.

"The reason Mangshin voluntarily became the vanguard of this world and bound itself in 'shackles' is precisely that. It believes its 'name' resides in this world."

The true purpose of The Nameless Lord was something Theo was hearing for the first time.

Until now, he had believed that The Nameless Lord's goal was to seize control of this world, nothing more. He hadn’t given it much thought.

But if its real purpose was something else entirely, it changed everything.

It meant there was a chance to intercept its plans.

But now, the revelation: it considered Theo its "name"?

“What happens if The Nameless Lord finds its 'name'?”

"No one knows."

“What?”

"It has never happened before."

“...”

"However, one thing is certain. A disaster greater than anything we’ve seen so far will undoubtedly strike. Up until now, the 'shackles' allowed the world to reset itself, but if that moment comes, those very 'shackles' may break entirely..."

“That... definitely sounds serious.”

"Indeed. That’s why the fact that Mangshin regards you as a candidate for its 'name' is so troubling. If 'name' simply meant a vessel for operating in this world, it would have found many candidates already. It could have easily chosen one of its apostles to embody it."

“Do you think it’s trying to take the Ragnar lineage’s abilities for itself?”

"If that were the case, why would it merely make the Mad Dragon Emperor one of its apostles? That’s strange in itself."

“I really can’t figure it out.”

"Neither can I. There may be some specific qualification that is required. Regardless, the fact that Mangshin is fixated on you is no mere coincidence or curiosity."

The Mad Dragon Emperor’s obsession with Theo likely stemmed from the same root.

"In that sense, the remnant thought you harbor is akin to poison. While much of it has been assimilated into your own being, it still has its foundations in the Mad Dragon Emperor. Mangshin could exploit it in unpredictable ways."

Theo suddenly understood why the Primeval Dragon had insisted on “purification.”

She regarded the remnants of the Mad Dragon Emperor’s power—especially Theo’s evolved Future Sight—as toxic.

Being the antithesis of The Nameless Lord, the Primeval Dragon’s power could completely erase the Mad Dragon Emperor’s lingering influence.

“If I consume this, my Future Sight will disappear, won’t it?”

"It will inconvenience you in the short term, yes. I am well aware of how much you rely on it. But there’s no need to carry a ticking time bomb within yourself, is there?"

Theo fell silent, deep in thought. After a moment, he shook his head and pushed the Dragon Heart away.

“No. If that’s the case, I’ll refuse.”

"…Why? If it’s about losing power—"

“That’s not it. It’s not a simple matter of power.”

"Then what is it?"

“If I rid myself of this, then The Nameless Lord will lose interest in me, won’t it?”

"What?"

“I’ve made up my mind. The Nameless Lord is my ultimate enemy. The Holy Church must be eradicated as well. If that’s the case, why not use its own power against it?”

"…!"

The idea of using The Nameless Lord’s power to destroy The Nameless Lord left the Primeval Dragon momentarily speechless.

‘...It’s hard to find words to argue against that.’

She studied Theo’s unwavering gaze and, despite herself, found her head nodding in agreement.

Whatever the reason—serendipity, luck, or sheer will—this was the one individual who had managed to reach this far.

‘That’s right. In the end, I too couldn’t face Mangshin alone and sought to create successors in the Ragnar bloodline. Perhaps it’s time I stopped judging by my own limited understanding.’

At last, the Primeval Dragon sighed and nodded.

"If that is your will, then so be it. My role is to offer guidance; the choice of how to proceed belongs to you, the one who lives in this era."

The Primeval Dragon closed her eyes in solemnity.

"Seeker. Successor. Please, I beg you—end this accursed cycle of imprisonment with your own hands."

Theo reached out once again.

The Dragon Heart descended, its luminous green glow brushing against his fingertips. As it melted into him, warmth flooded his body.

Then—

Crack. Crack. CRACK.

The change began.

No—this was more than change. It was evolution.

Awakening.

Rebirth.

His very essence, down to his core, was undergoing a transformation.

The final legacy of the Primeval Dragon had begun to take root.

Theo’s ascension was nearing its completion.