Chapter 17 - Chapter 17: It is Likely Food Poisoning, I Assure You
Good day to you. I am Violia Nico Fortesia.
For some reason... I have ended up going dragon hunting with Doran Parc.
I told him that I would be perfectly fine on my own, but he would not listen.
Well, it cannot be helped. Compared to going dragon hunting with Lital, going with Doran might be easier. Though in truth, I prefer to fight alone.
Well, fine! I shall change my mood and focus on the dragon hunt!
"You two really are eccentrics."
Giovan has a half-smile on his exasperated face, but if you ask me, he is quite the eccentric himself.
"You want to hunt a dragon so badly you'd go out in the middle of the night?"
"I do."
It is a dragon, after all. Is it not the perfect opponent for a noble's elegant hunt?
"I'm leaving the place to you."
"Yeah, yeah. Well, a dragon hunt will take a while, right? Then Chesta will be off the drugs for a bit."
"Two days is enough."
"You've got to be kidding me."
The location where the dragon was sighted is less than a day's distance away. Since both Doran and I plan to go by horse, even with a margin of error, it should take two days.
"Now then... shall we head out? Violia, are you ready?"
"I am perfectly prepared."
As for my preparations, it was merely a matter of having Giovan provide me with some arrows. Almost all my luggage is inside my Spatial Bag. Once I have my bag, my preparations are complete.
We left the hideout, passed through the underground tunnels, and as usual, quietly entered the town from under the bridge of the canal.
The town at night should have been quiet... but people who looked like the self-defense force were loitering about. It seems that because of yesterday's fire incident, the self-defense force has started patrolling.
"It'll be a pain if we're spotted."
"Indeed. It is not impossible that my face has become known."
Being a wanted criminal is no joke. I really cannot show my face in public for the time being.
"Can't be helped. We'll take the long way around."
"Understood."
However, Doran seems accustomed to Elsemarin, and I used to walk the town after sneaking out of the Academy. We are both strong when it comes to shortcuts and detours.
Just getting out of town was quite an ordeal. But once we were out, it was fine. The horses were on the outskirts, so from there, we just had to ride across the night fields.
"I am glad the moon is out."
"Yeah."
Tonight is a fine starry night. Since it happened to be close to a full moon, we can ride horses across the plains even at night.
"That is right, Doran. There is one thing I wish to say beforehand."
"What?"
"During the dragon hunt, your interference is unnecessary. I can handle it alone."
When I said that, Doran made a gesture as if he were thinking for a moment.
...But he nodded quite obediently.
"Understood. That works out. I wanted to see your skill for myself anyway."
"Could it be that was your purpose for coming along this time?"
"That's part of it. The rest is surveillance. There's no guarantee you won't sell us out to someone."
I was a bit surprised.
To have it said so clearly is actually quite refreshing. I do not dislike it.
"My. You certainly have very little trust, do you not?"
"I trust you enough to take you to our base. But I'm not such an optimist that I'd trust everything unconditionally."
Well, I suppose so. In fact, if he had not shown a shred of caution, I would have been even more on guard.
...No, even so, these people took me to their base, and even if it was a separate room, they were sleeping soundly within the same base, so their caution is still quite thin after all.
"You're the same, aren't you? You don't trust us completely either."
"Yes. That is true."
But I do not mind. I have no intention of trusting everything about them either.
While I doubt it would happen, one should always act while considering the possibility of being betrayed.
Morning came just like that, and we took a break somewhere.
The dragon sighting point is still further ahead, but if we push too hard, the horses will give out before we do.
But after having a light meal during the break, we set off again. We rested again around noon and set off immediately. ...And so, we arrived at our destination past noon that day.
"We are lucky."
"Yeah."
The 'destination' was merely the point where the dragon had been sighted. It was by no means a case of having found the dragon's nest or anything of the sort.
...But we are lucky.
Illuminated by the setting sun, we could see a dragon flying in the sky.
"Now then, shall we finish this quickly?"
"No, wait."
I nocked an arrow, but Doran stopped me.
"It's heading back to its nest."
...Ah, I see. Understood.
The dragon circled in the sky, lowered its altitude, and we saw it land in the distance. It seems the nest is over there.
"Speaking of a dragon's nest..."
"It might be hoarding treasure. There might be other dragons, and if there are eggs, it will be a grand success!"
Dragon eggs are the ultimate delicacy! While they have no egginess at all, a faint scent like the finest brandy wafts from them, and above all, that rich, thick flavor! The white has a taste similar to a normal egg yolk! And as for the yolk of a dragon egg... even on its own, it tastes as if one is eating custard cream...!
Ufufufu, I look forward to it! Very much! I look forward to it!
With my heart bouncing in excitement, we headed toward the dragon's landing point. We left the horses behind. If they were caught up in the battle, we would lose our way home.
"It is here."
What we found at the end of our trek was a cave. It was a very ordinary cave, shaped like a hole popped into the side of a rocky mountain. However, the entrance was wide enough for a single dragon to wriggle its way inside. And it is expected that the interior is even wider.
"May I enter now?"
"...You can make the call."
"Understood. Then, we charge."
Waiting is not in my nature. When I think it is time, I move.
Holding my bow with an arrow already nocked, I quietly slipped into the cave.
...I hesitated for a moment, but I have smeared thick blood onto the arrowhead. It is annoying how Doran is staring and observing me, but well, it cannot be helped. I do not have the leeway to hold back when facing an unknown number of dragons.
"...There they are."
When I whispered, I felt Doran nod.
Ahead of our gaze, there were dragons... and to my surprise.
Five of them.
Five dragons...!
From what I can see, there is one male and four females. A harem. There seem to be no children... but seeing how the female dragons are curled up, there are likely eggs beneath those bellies!
"It is perfect."
The more dragons there are, the better. That much more to eat. If I skin them, they will sell for a high price, and above all, they are delicious. That is it. That is the true essence of dragon hunting!
"...Can you do it?"
Doran looks a bit worried. Indeed, with five dragons, the story changes.
"Yes. I am sufficient alone..."
I thought that I could probably handle five of them somehow. ...However.
"Actually, would you mind lending a hand?"
"Of course. Five would be tough, after all."
"It is not that. Since there are five of them, I wish to see your skill as well."
If Doran wants to see my skill, I want to see Doran's skill as well.
"...My way of fighting isn't interesting or anything."
"Whether it is interesting or not is for me to decide. ...Then, I shall take down that male first. After that, I shall handle the two on the right. May I leave the two on the left to you?"
"Understood."
Now that I have Doran's agreement, I shall begin the slaughter immediately.
I prepared three arrows stained with blood. With this, I am ready.
I drew my bow and aimed steadily at the male dragon.
...And the moment the dragon turned around and its eye became visible, I loosed the arrow.
The arrow flew straight and hit the dragon's eye. With an arrow stained with blood all the way to the shaft driven squarely into its eyeball, there is no way the dragon could be fine.
Before the dragon could struggle and go on a rampage, I loosed the next strike.
The next strike pierced the eye of a female dragon in the same way.
...At that moment, Doran dashed forward. Shall I observe him?
Doran ran with his usual monster-like physical ability and... punched a female dragon.
That is a rather shocking sight, is it not? What does it even mean to punch a dragon?
My head is getting confused. I shall take down one more dragon in the meantime. I shot an arrow into the mouth of a female dragon that was about to breathe fire, and rolled on the ground to avoid the flames that were spat out a moment too late.
...In the time it took to do that, Doran had magnificently punched one dragon to death.
Is this guy truly a monster? What is he?
Then Doran threw another dragon (I truly do not understand what is happening anymore!), and successfully defeated two dragons.
Avoiding flames, dodging dragon attacks, and even grabbing the jaw of a dragon that came to bite him and throwing it just like that—he performed quite a few things that were far beyond human. I can no longer see him as a human being.
"Is it over?"
"It is over. ...What on earth are you? Are you truly a genuine monster?"
"Maybe."
Doran gave a smirk, looking quite pleased, and went to look at the dragon corpses I had defeated.
"...One arrow, huh. I wonder what the trick is."
"That is my line. What on earth is this? Ah, ah, ah, this dragon's skull is crushed! Is your fist enough to crush a dragon's bone!? Dragon bones are materials used for armor, are they not!?"
Doran seems curious about the secret on my side, but I am so curious about this side that I cannot help myself!
Well, fine. I have a general idea about Doran's idiotic strength. Even I graduated with excellent grades from the Magic Academy. I can understand this to some extent.
However... even so, it is quite an impossible thing.
After all, I have never seen an example of a human being able to use 'Physical Reinforcement Magic' to this extent.
But there is no other explanation. There are things that pique my curiosity... well, regardless of the 'process of reinforcement,' I have learned that Doran can 'punch a dragon to death with his bare hands,' and I have learned well enough that Doran's weapon is his fists.
"More importantly, it is time for dragon meat!"
Yes! What is important now is not that, but this! Roasted dragon!
"...Are you going to eat a whole one?"
"I certainly will not eat it all. Whatever I cannot finish, the beasts can eat as they please."
I am reminded of the time I spoke with Lital.
These are smaller dragons than that time, but there is no doubt they are worth eating. Naturally, I cannot eat it all by myself, but even so, I shall roast the dragon whole.
"Ah. You should eat the dragon you took down. This one is my prey, you see?"
"...I see."
Doran has a strange look on his face, but I ignore him and begin carving and eating the roasted dragon meat.
As expected, dragon meat is the ultimate delicacy!
Especially this time, since there are dragon eggs afterward! Ah, dragon hunting truly is wonderful entertainment!
"I'll take some."
...Or so I thought!
Doran! Before I knew it! Was trying to eat! The dragon I took down! The roasted dragon I cooked!
"Stop that! Do you wish to die!?"
I hurriedly tried to stop him... but Doran had already eaten the meat.
"Spit it out! Spit it out right now! Come on!"
"Calm down."
"How! Can I! Be calm! At a time like this! I am telling you to spit it out! Spit it out!"
"I'm telling you to calm down."
Doran tries to soothe me! But! How! Can I! Be calm! At a time like this!
"...Ugh."
See! Now Doran is grimacing and clutching his stomach! I told you so!
"Spit it out immediately! Please! Spit it out!"
I shoved my fingers into the mouth of the crouching Doran and stimulated the back of his throat repeatedly, and he finally threw up. Even a muscle monster vomits when fingers are shoved into his mouth. I have become a bit calmer now.
"Here. Drink some water. Once you have drunk all of this, you must vomit again immediately."
Doran drank the water I provided without any protest and then vomited it out again. After vomiting, more water!
...While we were doing that, Doran eventually collapsed from exhaustion. Yes, I understand. Drinking and vomiting, drinking and vomiting—what we were doing was essentially torture.
"...Haha."
Letting out a dry laugh while collapsed, Doran turned only his gaze toward me.
"It was worth putting my body on the line."
"That was absolutely a waste of effort just now."
Could it be that this guy has gone a bit crazy? I have become a little worried...
"I've figured out your ability."
...
"...I wonder what you are talking about?"
"Don't you think it's difficult to play dumb?"
Doran finally sat up and stared straight at me.
"A dragon dies in one hit just by smearing blood on it. And then, this happens just by eating a small amount of that dragon's meat. ...Come to think of it, you avoided being touched by me when you were injured, didn't you? Was that not because you were avoiding the wound, but because you were avoiding having me touch your blood?"
"I am a maiden, after all. Do I need a reason to not want to be touched by a man? And as for the dragon, I accurately pierced its brain with the arrow. One arrow is enough to kill. Smearing blood was just reinforcement through magic."
"And what about what happened after I ate the dragon meat?"
"It was likely that. Food poisoning. Yes."
"...That's a pretty weak excuse."
No. It is food poisoning. The dragon meat was likely rotten. That might have been a dragon zombie. Ohohohoho.
...But as expected, Doran is not going to be fooled.
"Your blood seems to be a bit unusual, doesn't it?"
"I've never seen a poison like this before."