Chapter 137: Side Story: Touring Memorable Places – Final Chapter
After thoroughly enjoying returning the favor in my Black Cat form, I changed into a Dragon and headed for the Holy Kingdom where Katarina was.
“!? Lord Holy Dragon is here! Report! Report to the Pope-sama, the Saint-sama, and Katarina-sama!”
As I approached the Holy Kingdom in my White Dragon form, the Holy Knight on watch shouted loudly, slightly panicked. At the same time, it seemed the people of the Holy Kingdom had also spotted me, as most of them were clasping their hands before their chests as if in prayer.
I flew over the main gate of the Holy Kingdom and headed directly towards the large Cathedral in the center. Since they call me Lord Holy Dragon, it should be fine, probably.
Just as I landed on the Cathedral grounds, Sayaka and Katarina were coming out from inside. And for some reason, Hayato even appeared from behind them. What’s more, he looks like he’s fawning over the two beautiful girls. Damn it! You should go back to the Demon Lord’s kingdom!
“Hey! Why am I the only one you call without an honorific!?”
As soon as I spoke to everyone, Hayato immediately complained. Honestly, it seems he’s forgotten what he did when we first met. Maybe I should remind him a little.
“Eek!? M-My bad. Calling me without an honorific is fine. No, please call me without one.”
When I intimidated him a bit strongly, reminding him of that time, he seemed to buckle at the knees. Sayaka-san also looks pale, and Katarina-san is… wait, isn’t that an expression of ecstasy? She’s drooling too…
It’s a bit scary to talk to her, but I came today to thank Katarina-san, so I mustered my courage and spoke.
“You certainly say some outrageous things out of the blue. I’m curious about the Evil God and the Majin, but more importantly, punching the Goddess-sama… as the Saint, is this a matter I should just overlook?”
Oops, I was thanking Katarina-san, but Sayaka-san reacted. As expected, telling the Saint of the Goddess religion that I punched the Goddess was probably a bad idea.
“Everything Lord Holy Dragon does is correct. If I was able to play even a small part in assisting you, there is no greater happiness.”
Katarina-san is acting like someone who’s way too into religion, it’s a little scary…
Also, I wish she’d wipe away the drool marks…
“That’s right, Katarina. Since this is a good opportunity, why don’t you ask him for that?”
From Katarina-san’s demeanor, I thought she didn’t have any particular requests, but Sayaka-san’s words suddenly made Katarina-san start fidgeting. What is it, does she have something she wants to ask?
“In that case, marry m—”
“Not that one!”
What, what? Sayaka-san cut Katarina-san off, so I couldn’t hear clearly. Besides, if it’s “not that one,” does that mean there’s another request?
“Ahem. My true feelings almost slipped out. Lord Holy Dragon. There is indeed something I wished to ask of you.”
Katarina-san turned towards me, straightened her posture, and made her request in a formal tone.
“Actually, few among the believers have witnessed Lord Holy Dragon’s valiant figure, so we would be most grateful if you could show us your heroic form…”
Come to think of it, the only time I visited here was when I fought the Pope. If the number of believers increased after that, there might be many people who haven’t even seen my form, let alone seen me fight. Or rather, how did you manage to gain so many believers under those circumstances? Katarina-san is quite amazing.
Since this is also partly to show my gratitude, I agreed without hesitation.
“Well then, let’s have a brief meeting…”
I transformed into a small, fluffy dragon and followed behind Katarina-san and the others, flapping through the air. I was almost pounced on by Katarina-san and Sayaka-san, but I managed to avoid disaster by quickly gaining altitude.
During the subsequent meeting, I learned that a Monster had recently settled in the forest east of the Holy Kingdom. It sounded awfully convenient, but apparently, Hayato had actually been dispatched to subjugate it. The type of Monster was a ‘Death Worm’. It was said to be a giant worm-type Monster.
It usually seemed to lurk underground but occasionally came to the surface seeking prey. Because it was so huge, half-hearted attacks were completely ineffective, and above all, its regeneration was incredible, allowing it to recover quickly from minor damage. It also apparently had a habit of escaping underground when in danger.
In other words, to defeat this Death Worm, it needed to be taken down with a single powerful blow before it had a chance to escape.
Now that I knew what needed to be done, the conversation shifted to when to do it.
“This Death Worm appears on a weekly cycle, devouring the creatures on the surface. For now, it’s just animals and Monsters, but it’s only a matter of time before humans become its target. We predict it will next appear tomorrow. Please, show the believers the power of Lord Holy Dragon.”
According to Katarina-san’s information, tomorrow just happened to be the day it would appear. What incredibly good timing for my arrival. I decided to wait in the forest from early tomorrow morning for the Death Worm.
Rumble rumble rumble!
The next day, after waiting for two hours in the forest near the Holy Kingdom. Suddenly, a sound like the rumbling of the earth echoed, and just as the scene seemed to reach a climax, a monster resembling a giant earthworm appeared. It was 5 meters in diameter, with at least 20 meters visible above ground, and had a mouth lined with spikes at its tip.
“Everyone, Lord Holy Dragon will now vanquish the abominable Death Worm. Burn that gallant figure into your eyes!”
This time, hundreds of believers led by Katarina-san were following behind me. Apparently, they would later disperse to various regions as storytellers.
It was a system Katarina-san had devised to increase the number of believers. I see. So that was the trick behind the unusually rapid increase in believers in such a short time.
Oops, while I was admiring Katarina-san’s skill, the Death Worm seemed to have completely identified me as an enemy and entered a combat stance.
Incidentally, I was waiting in my adult dragon form. It charged headfirst with its enormous body. A body this huge would surely pack quite a punch, and even if dodged, it could escape directly into the ground. Truly an attack combining offense and defense. As long as it wasn’t blocked, that is.
I erected a Barrier in front of myself and met the Death Worm’s charge head-on.
DOOM!
A dull sound echoed as the Death Worm slammed into the Barrier. However, the Barrier I created didn’t even budge, stopping the Death Worm’s massive body. Its momentum completely halted, the Death Worm now had most of its enormous body exposed above ground. I immediately used Gravity Magic and lifted its massive form into the air.
The Death Worm thrashed and wriggled its worm-like body, which must have been at least 30 meters long. However, suspended in mid-air, there was nothing else it could do, reduced to nothing more than a large target.
I could hear the astonished cries of the believers behind me.
To defeat the Death Worm in a single blow, I used Fire Magic to create three flame dragons.
Behind me, the believers’ astonishment turned into cheers.
ROOOOAAAAR!
The three flame dragons assaulted the Death Worm from three directions, and without any chance to resist, the Death Worm was instantly incinerated. Even though I did it myself, I get the feeling I overdid it…
The surrounding temperature shot up, and the believers seemed to be sweating quite a bit.
“Everyone, did you see that? This is the power of Lord Holy Dragon. Let us all offer prayers to Lord Holy Dragon’s mercy.”
Katarina-san, the only one looking cool and composed, addressed the believers. Hearing her words, the believers knelt and prayed towards me with clasped hands.
What is this? It’s kinda scary.
It wouldn’t be long before this event was spread by the believers who became storytellers as the tale known as ‘The Giant Worm and the Three Flame Dragons’.