Dragon Raja 3; Chapter 45: Heart of the War Drum (2)

Dragon Raja 3

Just when Anjou thought the matter was over, he received a revised application. This time, the requested budget had increased because, besides the cost of waterproof construction, Director Arkadura also planned to excavate a vertical escape tunnel—but it wouldn’t lead to Anjou’s office. Instead, it would lead to the female dormitory building.

“We will name that escape tunnel ‘Eve’!” Arkadura said energetically. “This plan should be foolproof, Principal. Please give your approval!”

Anjou sighed, “Alright, alright. I promise to minimize my visits here in the future to avoid polluting your air. Now, let’s officially start the meeting. What exactly happened that made you call me back from Paris overnight? I should have been on vacation, but Director Arkadura sent me an urgent—should I say threatening—email. Honestly, when I read it, I thought you were urging me to come back and make my will.”

Every spring, Anjou went on vacation in Paris, attending the latest fashion shows, sampling fresh Périgord black truffles at familiar restaurants, and staying at the historic Le Royal Monceau. At the bar on the top floor, he would gaze out at the Eiffel Tower and chat with the elderly bartender about this year’s caviar. This spring trip was almost an unbreakable tradition. The old bartender would prepare his favorite crème de menthe in advance, waiting for that rainy day when Anjou would suddenly enter the bar, place his umbrella aside, sit by the window, and say with a smile, “How’s life treating you this year, my old friend?”

But this year, Anjou had to interrupt his trip. The email that Director Arkadura sent to urge him to return started like this: “Death is approaching you…” If Anjou didn’t know Arkadura so well, aware of his always exaggerated expressions, he would have taken it as a death threat. Yet, he still ordered the flight path changed and returned to the college, for there were only two reasons Arkadura would summon him—either Valt Alheim needed a budget increase again, or there was a crisis beyond the Gear Department’s control, requiring Anjou to make a decision.

The meeting room fell silent instantly. The madmen looked at each other with serious expressions.

“Can anyone speak up? Your seriousness will scare me,” Anjou said. “Seeing the word ‘serious’ on your faces is as unsettling as seeing the word ‘thoughtful’ on the face of an Argentine sloth.”

“I will report,” Deputy Director Carl stood up. “Before we begin, let’s listen to an audio recording.”

The sound of the ocean filled the room. If one closed their eyes, it would feel as if they were standing on a small boat in the middle of the sea. Anjou frowned slightly. It sounded like an ordinary recording of the ocean wind.

“Listen closely. This was recorded by the Moniakh in the Sea of Japan,” Deputy Director Carl said. “It’s not just the sound of the sea breeze.”

Anjou’s eyes widened abruptly. Indeed, if one listened attentively, the sea wind carried a deep, resonant sound—thump, thump, thump. The rhythm was so strong, so distinct. Once Anjou discerned the rhythm from the wind, he was captivated by it. The sound of the wind gradually faded, and the deep resonance became more pronounced—thump, thump, thump—like an ancient battlefield, where tattooed warriors struck the war drums of battle.

“This is a heartbeat,” Anjou said. He held a doctorate in medicine and was familiar with the rhythm of heartbeats, but he had never heard a heartbeat so powerful.

“This is the heartbeat of a dragon, hidden in the depths of the Japan Trench,” Deputy Director Carl said. “Principal, do you remember that sunken ship you asked us to search for? We used sonar to scan the seabed, attempting to find the shipwreck, and accidentally recorded this heartbeat. It’s clearly some kind of large organism. Though we cannot determine its size, the Japan Trench exceeds eight kilometers in depth, and this heartbeat can be heard through eight kilometers of seawater. Imagine its immense size. This heartbeat signal is neither that of a shark nor a whale, but exhibits characteristics of a reptilian heart.”

The folding knife Anjou was toying with suddenly clenched tight. The veins on the back of his hand bulged as if a warrior had heard the call to battle.

“Fortunately, it is not yet a mature dragon, but a dragon embryo, so for now, it won’t suddenly rise from the sea to attack humanity. However, its heartbeat is gradually growing stronger, and the incubation is advancing. It is only a matter of time before it hatches.”

“Can we estimate how long it will take to hatch?” Anjou asked.

“Not with certainty,” Deputy Director Carl replied. “Generally speaking, the larger the animal, the longer the gestation period. The gestation of dragons far exceeds that of humans. This embryo seems to still be in the early stages of incubation.” He thought for a moment. “At least within a year, it should be safe.”

“Can we determine the level of the target? Is it a First Generation or a Second Generation, or perhaps something from the fourth or fifth generation?”

“We can’t determine that yet. It can only be confirmed after successful hatching.”

“So it’s an unknown variable. It could potentially be a high-threat Ancient Dragon-level target.”

“Indeed, that’s why we asked you to return to headquarters immediately,” Carl said. “It’s bad news, but at least we know about it in advance.”

“Like when your doctor tells you that you have early-stage lung cancer,” added a researcher.

Deputy Director Carl shot the madman a withering glare, silencing him.

“We were searching for a sunken ship and found a dragon embryo instead. Is there a possible connection between the two?” Anjou asked.

“The most reasonable assumption is that the Ancient Dragon embryo was the cargo on that ship,” Carl said. “Although tracing the origins of the embryo is meaningful, for now, we must deal with the embryo itself. It is developing, but it won’t grow into a curvaceous young lady; it will become a troublesome monster.”

Anjou nodded. “I enjoy talking with you here in Valt Alheim, Deputy Director Carl, because in this madhouse, you’re the one with the strongest sense of logic.”

Carl displayed a look of pride.

“What does the Japanese branch think about this?” Anjou asked. “The Ganryū Research Institute under the Japanese branch is comparable to the Gear Department in terms of strength. We could have them monitor that area of the sea.”

“How can the Ganryū Research Institute compare to the Gear Department?” Carl said disdainfully. “They’ve recently made breakthroughs in alchemy research, but they are just diligent fools who work overtime without rest to compete with us. They repeat a calculation ten times for every one of ours; they try a hundred different formulas when we try one. Achievements gained through such methods are nothing. While those Japanese are burning the midnight oil, we read books, have late-night snacks, and gather to discuss science and philosophy every night.”

“I’m not quite sure what part of that you are proud of, Deputy Director Carl.”