Chapter 38: Dragon Slaying
We returned home once.
When I told Dorothy about what was happening in town right now, I received an unexpected reply.
“Wha…!? Loin… Did you just say Demon Lord Army Executive Delormeria…?”
“Yeah… I did… Do you know her…!?”
After all, Dorothy had been living in this castle as a ghost for a very long time.
So, it wouldn’t be surprising if she possessed some information.
“That’s… the same one who killed my family…!”
“What did you say…!?”
Come to think of it, Dorothy did tell me about her past…
But I never imagined the one who attacked Dorothy and her family was from that Demon Lord Army.
“It was 500 years ago… Back then, too, they came from the Demon Realm. They established a base on the surface and eventually began to trample over people…!”
“Is that so…”
“By the time the Hero drove them back, it was already all over… My family had been killed…”
“Alright…! Let’s avenge them together!”
I decided to take Dorothy with me to subjugate Delormeria…!
She must be holding onto a lot of regret.
Because of that, she hadn’t been able to pass on all this time.
I hope this can help her, even a little.
“B-But… how? It seems I can’t leave this castle…”
“Like this…!”
I once again sealed Dorothy inside the Hand Mirror.
Then, holding it, I Teleported outside the castle.
“Wow…! I’m outside…”
“See…? This way, I can take you to Delormeria! Let’s defeat her together!”
“Loin… thank you… truly.”
Inside the mirror, Dorothy turned away, holding back tears.
This gives me yet another reason to defeat that Demon Lord Army Executive.
I want to defeat her, no matter what.
◇
“But, please be really careful, Loin-san…”
“I know, Salina-san. I’ll definitely come back!”
I gave Salina-san one last hug.
Then, taking Claris and Dorothy, I Teleported!
“《Teleport》–!”
The destination I chose was the town closest to Dragon’s Peak.
I could have gone directly to Dragon’s Peak, but I wanted to check the situation first.
“Whoa… This is quite a mess…”
The town at the foot of Dragon’s Peak—Dragonea.
It had turned into a battlefield…
Many soldiers and adventurers were fighting against dragons.
There were many injured people around.
“It might have been the right call to stop here first…”
It’s not like I’m trying to become a Hero or anything.
But I’m not such scum that I’d abandon people in trouble right in front of me.
“Alright…! First, let’s clean up the dragons in this town!”
“That’s right, Loin! Let’s do something about it!”
Claris and I stood back-to-back.
Each of us readied our sword and shield–!
–Guooooooo!!!!
A dragon that immediately noticed us came running this way.
I’ve hunted down plenty of Red Dragons, but this one seems to be a different type.
But it’s no match for us.
“Hey! You guys, it’s dangerous!”
Someone on the battlefield shouted that at us.
However, there’s no problem at all.
Because we have brand-new armor and weapons!
–Buooooooo!!!!
The White Dragon in front of us unleashed a White Dragon Breath!
Unlike scorching flames, it’s a Dragon-attribute attack–!
However, our armor repelled it with ease!
“As expected of that armorer. They do good work…!”
And just like that, Claris and I entered the dragon’s range!
It seems that, unlike Red Dragons, White Dragons have a weak spot on their underbelly.
Aiming for the dragon’s defenseless belly, one strike!
“Air Slash–!”
“Shield Beam–!”
–Zudooooooon!!!!
Our attacks exploded with more power than ever before.
The Demon’s Blade Kai is a super-premium item enhanced with three Dragon Orbs.
Critical Hit Rate 60%…!
Just as the Critical Hit Rate suggested, my attack landed a magnificent critical hit!
“Amazing… One hit.”
The dragon was already down on the ground, unmoving.
《White Dragon’s Dragon Orb》
Rarity ★×9
Drop Rate 0.02%
Description: A material with different effects from a Red Dragon’s Dragon Orb.
“Oh, this is a new material!”
I quickly stored it in my Item Box.
Dragon’s Peak is famous for being home to many dragons.
I’d heard they were usually docile and rarely showed themselves to people.
Well, encountering a dragon itself is rare.
But it seems that with Delormeria establishing a base on Dragon’s Peak, those dragons have started to rampage.
Because of that, they’re ravaging the town like this.
This must be their strategy…
While this is happening, they must be gathering magical power at their base and preparing for an invasion.
“Looks like I’ll be getting a lot of rare dragon drops…!”
It seems I was smiling inappropriately…
“Oh… Loin…”
Claris looked exasperated.
While that was happening, a crowd had formed around me.
It seemed the adventurers and soldiers who had been struggling with that White Dragon until just now had gathered.
“H-Hey… You… Who are you…!?”
“Yeah, to defeat the White Dragon we were struggling so much with in an instant…”
“Come to think of it… Someone said they went to call the Hero…”
“Could it be… You’re the Hero-sama!?”
“Thank goodness… Thank goodness…!”
Oh my… It seems they’re misunderstanding something.
I don’t want to be lumped in with those Heroes…
Or rather, where are those Heroes and what are they doing right now?
“No, unfortunately, I’m not a Hero…”
I firmly denied it.
“Is that so… But it’s fine even if you’re not the Hero! Rather than the Hero who still hasn’t shown up, it’s the unknown adventurer right here…!”
“That’s right, that’s right! You’re the true Hero!”
“Will you fight with us…!?”
It feels like everyone’s put me on a pedestal…
Well, if it boosts morale, I guess that’s fine.
“Yeah, I won’t go to Delormeria until I’ve defeated all the dragons—and finished collecting their rare drops, of course—!”
I declared loudly.
“Uoooooooooh!!!! You’re the captain! Everyone, follow him…!”
And so, within a few hours, we finished off the dragons remaining in the town.
My Item Box was filled with many dragon-type materials.
“Thank you, thank you! For saving this town…!”
I even got thanked by someone who looked like the mayor…
I want to go defeat Delormeria quickly, though…
“We’ll never forget you. We’ll pass down your story forever in this town…! Loin, the Dragon Killer…!”
“That’s such an exaggeration… And what’s with that title…!?”
I ended up being given a grand send-off by the townspeople.
And then, leaving the town, I headed for–
The Demon Lord Army Executive Delormeria’s stronghold, Dragon’s Peak!