Chapter 89: The Second Son of the Impoverished Viscount Household Searches for the Eye 11
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Seeing the Jewelhead Dragon that had just headbutted me, I felt relieved that it had finally appeared.
When I gathered information at the tavern over dinner yesterday, I heard that the last time it appeared was about a week ago.
According to the stories, it seems to appear at a pace of roughly once a week.
Calculating backwards from the speed at which other adventurers hunt Jewelhead Bunnies, I thought that at my pace, I might be able to make it spawn today.
Besides, although it wasn’t intentional, because I was treating adventurers with Healing Magic, the other adventurers were able to achieve more Subjugations than usual.
Even so, it didn’t appear easily, so I started getting a little impatient, and after noon, I ended up increasing my speed of hunting Jewelhead Bunnies.
It’s definitely not because I got worked up that the Jewelhead Bunnies weren’t dropping the ‘Priestess’ Eye’.
However, the Guild’s information that it comes to target those who hunt Jewelhead Bunnies seemed correct, so it wasn’t a waste.
The Jewelhead Dragon’s eyes were glaring straight at me.
Its head, covered in jewel-like Scales that seemed more dazzlingly intense than sparkling, made me think that this Monster wasn’t named Jewelhead out of simple convenience, but because there was truly no other way to name it.
Its Physique, about the size of three carriages, is on the smaller side for a Dragonkin, but the density of the Magicka rising from its Physique is definitely that of a Dragonkin.
I slowly drew my Sword from its sheath.
Towards me, Ezz shouted in a tone that seemed to say he couldn’t believe it.
“What are you doing?! Your opponent is a Dragon!?”
“You’re wrong, Ezz. That’s a jewel.”
“Huh?”
While thinking he should hurry up and do his job (evacuate), I answered Ezz.
Yes, that thing is a jewel.
According to the records remaining in the Guild, it has been subjugated four times, and it dropped the ‘Priestess’ Eye’ all four times.
Yes, in other words, the Jewelhead Dragon is a guaranteed drop for the ‘Priestess’ Eye’.
Even if it appears, it disappears after about three days, and it doesn’t pursue if you leave the forest, so apparently, its Subjugation is rare.
This thing… is guaranteed… to drop… the jewel for Erica.
Here, my theory is complete.
Relying on luck is a foolish plan.
I am of the Theory (Erica) faction.
In other words, the shortest, most direct path is simply to beat down the one that’s guaranteed to drop it.
As expected, Theory (Erica) is supreme.
“Ezz, I’ll show you that Theory (Erica) is the strongest.”
While increasing the intensity of my Physical Enhancement, I said.
“What are you saying?!”
The shouting Ezz was already distant.
I slammed my Sword into the Jewelhead Dragon’s head.
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When I learned about the Jewelhead Dragon of the Forest of Fools, I thought that the adventurers of Orclaugh must be mostly steady, reliable types.
If they could make a Monster appear that guarantees a jewel worth a fortune, wouldn’t they accept some danger, form large parties, and hunt it relentlessly? That’s what I thought.
But even I understand now.
Even though I’m merely average in Faltar, here in Orclaugh, that’s not the case.
The impact of the Monster attack incident that occurred in Hecate sixty years ago being this significant was unexpected.
In Orclaugh, even in the City of Hecate, which is the adventurers’ frontline, the number of strong individuals is small.
In that case—.
Indeed, trying to specifically target and hunt this thing might not be worth the risk.
The man who was the leader of the carriage escort party… the reason he looked exasperated when I said I came for the jewel… I understand it now.
My eyes widened at the heavy impact transmitted through the Sword I had slammed down with the intent to crush its skull.
The Jewelhead Dragon’s head bounced off the ground.
“So hard, hey!”
I hadn’t intended to call out to it, but reacting to my voice, the Jewelhead Dragon’s gaze pierced me.
Its counterattack with its foreleg, swung without a moment’s delay, I parried and deflected with my Sword.
As expected of a Dragonkin.
You’re pretty lively, aren’t ya?
Disappears in about three days, you say?
I can only fight with a Sword, you know?
You’d better be prepared to fight me for at least three days, got it?
No, no, what am I thinking, getting weak-kneed?
This is my first solo adventure in a while.
Enjoy it, me.
I felt my own cheeks curl up into a grin beneath my Mask.
“I’ll turn you into a jewel by the end of today!”
“What should I do? Masked Man.”
Slashing vertically through the jaws trying to bite me, I yelled.
—Wait, Bearded Man?!