“…Snow?”
“Yes, I’m alright.”
Aria called out to me with a curious look, as I had been staring at the direction the Fire Dragon had flown off to.
In truth, I was captivated by the Fire Dragon. Certainly, its crimson scales and the sight of it soaring with its wings spread wide were beautiful enough to inspire awe, but that wasn’t it.
I was captivated by the power emanating from the Fire Dragon, the Fire-attribute Mana Particles I had lost… a power that seemed capable of destroying everything.
Heh. Do I still have destructive impulses within me? Or was it just nostalgia?
However, it’s certain that there’s something I want to destroy.
After that, we returned to the carriage and reported to Dolton and the others. Well, Aria was the one who reported, but the topic of discussion was the Hero’s party’s combat strength. Hero Klein, whose combat ability remained unseen. Douglas, the heavy warrior, and Nighthalt, the swordsman.
“So, can the Hero’s party defeat the Elemental Dragon?”
“Probably, I think there won’t be any problems.”
Aria nodded, though with some hesitation, to Feld’s question.
As expected, it’s troublesome not knowing their combat strength. It’s just a guideline, and their true strength won’t be known until we fight them, but it’s a clear indicator. Still, perhaps sensing something, Aria thought that the Heroes could hunt the Elemental Dragon without any problems.
The Fire Dragon is probably above Rank 7. I’ve heard that even the Dark Dragon that Aria and the others fought desperately to defeat was barely Rank 7, and they only won because it didn’t fly into the sky due to its hatred for humans.
Aria and Kitty and I defeated a Rank 7 Chimera, but it had almost no combat experience and, in the first place, no intelligence.
But the Fire Dragon is different. It has spent many years as an Elemental Dragon and possesses intelligence.
No one on this continent has tried to take it on. Maybe some have, but they’re probably dead.
“Then, let’s proceed with caution. In various ways.”
After discussing for about a quarter of an hour, the Hero’s party and the Temple Knights were told to depart, and we were also told to move our carriage by Dolton’s command.
Caution is necessary, isn’t it? In truly “various” ways…
Because there’s no knowing what choices those three will make.
After that, we entered the Zentol Kingdom, the country closest to the “Dragon Hunting Grounds,” without any problems. The “no problems” part is that no one came to greet the Hero when they entered the country. Apparently, the Hero disliked the hassle and deliberately didn’t contact the Zentol Kingdom.
If the Zentol Kingdom knew that the Holy Church’s Hero was coming, they would have given a grand welcome and held a soirée.
And if they knew that the Hero had come to defeat the Fire Dragon, they might have sent out their own army to seize the “Dragon Hunting Grounds” in order to steal the credit.
That’s how much the Zentol Kingdom wants fertile grasslands. Even before entering this country, the flat roads had decreased, and although there were many forests, there were clearly fewer plains suitable for farming and animal husbandry.
If that was the case, they should have focused on specialty products that could grow even in such land, but what they chose was plunder through conflict.
“Well, that doesn’t matter to me, though.”
“That’s right.”
“Aren’t you two being too indifferent?”
Jesha, who had taken over as driver from Feld, gave Aria and me a look of exasperation.
It’s fine. To me, everyone except Aria is truly irrelevant.
“The Hero intends to head straight to the ‘Dragon Hunting Grounds.'”
While we were taking a meal at an inn along the way, Vincent, a Temple Knight, appeared and told us that. Of course, the Heroes and we are staying at separate inns. It’s a hassle.
Even so… Vincent. Isn’t this person a high-ranking member of the Holy Church? Why is he doing errands like this?
Well, he himself seems displeased, perhaps because it’s against his will. He must be serious at heart.
I liked this flat-baked grain called buckwheat, so I wasn’t listening to the conversation very much.
Vincent doesn’t think very highly of the Hero. To be precise, he respects the title of “Hero,” but he doesn’t like that “Klein” is the one who bears that name.
As long as Klein has the backing of the Holy Church, he shouldn’t be able to take strange actions while Vincent is watching… but Klein’s principles are so different from ours that it’s impossible to predict what he’ll do.
Vincent seems to want to say something to us, but I don’t understand what religious people are thinking.
Several days later, we passed almost straight through the Zentol Kingdom and headed to the great grassland “Dragon Hunting Grounds,” where the Fire Dragon is said to be.
It takes more than ten days from the Zentol Kingdom. There are hardly any roads in the grassland, and the carriage moves slowly. It’s very troublesome, but we don’t mind simple meals, and it might be better to be able to sleep in the carriage than the Temple Knights.
“Snow.”
“Not yet.”
There’s no way I can easily use Light Magic [Purify (Clean)] for a toilet.
Still, we’re better off. But, aside from the nonchalant Hero Klein, the Hero’s companions… especially the swordsman Nighthalt, who seems to be of noble birth, seemed irritated by this pointless journey.
“Klein, let’s get this over with quickly!”
“Isn’t it better not to rush too much?”
“Shut up, let’s go!”
As soon as they arrived at their destination, Nighthalt finished his preparations alone and urged those around him to hurry. Klein shrugged at him, and when he looked at the warrior Douglas for agreement, Douglas remained silent and sullen.
Even though they’ve arrived at their destination, they’re not just standing in the middle of the grassland.
The Fire Dragon’s dwelling is said to be on Mount Curios, and the Fire Dragon only uses these rocks as a temporary home when it hunts big game.
If we stay here for a few days, the Fire Dragon will definitely appear… or so it should be.
“It’s here.”
“Yeah.”
The air around the rocky mountain is different. There was talk that there were Wyverns in addition to the Fire Dragon, but they weren’t visible.
As if they were in awe of some powerful existence…
As everyone was preparing to walk, Klein suddenly said something unexpected.
“Well then, we’ll go ahead, but Aria-san, I’d like you to move into our party.”
At those words, Aria frowned, and even Nighthalt turned around.
“Klein! Are you really going to make that woman a member of our party?”
“Wasn’t that the plan from the start?”
“I haven’t agreed to it.”
When Aria calmly interrupted Nighthalt and Klein, who had started arguing, Klein smiled and narrowed his eyes.
“This time, I just want you to prove that you can properly fight a Dragon. If you don’t have a certain level of power, you’ll be charred to a crisp by the Dragon’s breath, but are you still going to put your companions in front?”
“…”
Dolton and the others aren’t weak. But if they’re hit by a breath attack on a rocky mountain with no escape, there’s a chance that everyone except the heavily armored Dolton will die. If strong people go to the front, the back will be safer, but this is like taking hostages.
Aria probably can’t refuse. That’s why—
“In that case, would you mind if I joined too?”
Klein’s smile deepened as I stepped forward and said that.
“…Yes. I was thinking of inviting you as well.”
I knew from that battle in the forest that he wouldn’t refuse my participation.
Aria is looking at me with a subtle expression, but I’m sorry, Aria… I hate being manipulated by someone else’s intentions.
Next time, the battle with the Fire Dragon.