Chapter 7 - Chapter 7: Roasted Dragon One Has Slain Themselves is Exceptional
Gokigenyou. I am Violia Nico Fortesia. Though for the sake of the Guild registration, I am currently going by Ayle Kanone.
I am in quite a good mood after slaying an Ogre while passing through the Forest of Magic Beasts.
We have now arrived at a suitable post town and are currently eating.
I shot two wild birds along the way and had the inn cook them. In exchange for the cooking, I decided to give one bird to the inn. With my skill with a bow, wild birds are as plentiful as I wish, so this much is no problem. It also feels good to be thanked by the innkeeper's wife.
"I... I thought I was going to die..."
The one haggardly and sluggishly picking at the wild bird meat is Lital Pia Esclan. The noble young master from a branch family of the hateful House Clarino.
Lital is, well, nothing but dead weight. But he has connections to House Clarino. It would not be bad to have him owe me a favor. His temperament is quiet and submissive, so he seems fairly easy to manipulate.
In short, he is a good mark. If I can use him to spy on House Clarino, that would be wonderful. If I cannot... I shall either squeeze a ransom out of him or perhaps sell him off to the black market. One would have to be insane to think a naive noble beauty could wander around alone without being kidnapped or killed.
"If you're giving up at this level, a dragon is but a dream within a dream."
Lital looks like he's dying, but he hasn't actually done anything. He just got scared of one Ogre and used unnecessary magic.
"Uuu... I really don't think I can be of use..."
Lital is clutching a staff, but that staff is almost useless. It only served to get in my way.
"Is it not enough of a growth just to learn that you are useless? First, you must know your own abilities."
"You're right... I'm learning so much already."
Lital's attitude is quite humble. For a noble, even from a branch family, it is rare to be this dejected. Even though House Fortesia was not a branch of anywhere and had no backing, being a house built only on money, I have the confidence that we were more cheerful, fun, and bright in our nobility than anyone.
"U-Um, Ayle-sama."
"What is it?"
Just as I finished eating my roasted wild bird, Lital timidly asked.
"Um, when you defeated the Ogre... Ayle-sama, did you use some kind of magic?"
...He is quite observant. It is likely an inference from seeing me put blood on the arrowhead.
"Yes. I used magic to increase the power of the arrow."
"There's magic like that...! Please, teach me as well!"
"No. I have no obligation to reveal my secrets to you."
"Aww, no way."
Brushing Lital off, I quickly finished my meal.
"Eat quickly and go to bed. Tomorrow is finally the dragon hunt."
"Eh, ah, yes!"
After that, while watching Lital diligently bring food to his mouth, I shall vaguely organize my thoughts regarding the 'reward' I will demand from him.
I went to sleep quickly that day. For me, it has been a long time! A long time since I've been in a proper bed!
Considering Lital's safety, we are unfortunately in the same room. It cannot be helped. If left alone, he would be kidnapped. If that happened, I would lose my precious mark.
...Or so I thought.
"A-Ayle-sama..."
Lital fidgeted in the bed next to mine and turned toward me. What? Does he intend to make a night visit? If he even lays a finger on me, I shall snip off his fingers and everything else.
"What is it? I wish to sleep now."
"I'm sorry, it's just... I can't sleep..."
...I see.
For Lital, this might be the 'first humble bed of his life.' Combined with the excitement of the adventure, he cannot sleep.
...But for me, this is the first proper bed in half a month!
"Do you wish to be strangled into unconsciousness?"
"Strangled...!? Eh, um, no."
I politely got out of bed for once and stood before Lital, who was in his bed.
And then, I said:
"Stop whining and go to sleep. I am sleeping."
I am sleepy!
When I woke up, it was bright outside the window. It is a fine morning. A perfect day for a dragon hunt. Ah, thinking of the dragon hunt that is finally about to begin, and my achievement that will make that Pin-Hane Girl eat her words, my heart swells.
"Nn... Good morning."
"Oh, good morning, Lital. Now, get ready quickly. We are leaving at once!"
Lital still had sleepy eyes, but when I called out "Where's your answer!", he immediately replied with a "Pyai!". The training is progressing smoothly.
"This is the place."
And so, by early afternoon, we arrived in front of the cave where the dragon is said to be.
The journey here was quite enjoyable. I made a red path with the blood of monsters and bandits. Ohohohoho.
"Uuu... I'm nervous."
"I see. You are free to be nervous, but make sure you do not become unable to move because of it."
Leaving the horses tied to a tree outside the cave, I immediately entered. Lital followed behind me.
"So this is a dragon's nest..."
Everything seems to be a novelty to Lital.
Well, this cave has a somewhat unusual shape. The entrance is wide, and the interior is a gaping hollow. We proceed along the rock wall as if descending a spiral staircase that goes down and down.
While proceeding along the rock wall might seem precarious, in reality, we are just walking down a natural spiral staircase. There are no magical traps, nor are there monsters swarming about. Well, it is a perfectly normal, safe cave.
"U-Um... the reason there are no monsters in this cave is..."
"Most likely because a dragon is in the back. Look at that rock wall. Those are marks where a dragon sharpened its claws."
"Hii...!"
The good thing about dragon hunting is that other monsters usually do not want to inhabit a cave where a dragon resides. It might be unsuitable for adventurers who want to earn by defeating small fry, but for someone like me who aims for a single big catch, it is the best condition.
"Lital. If it looks like the cave is going to collapse, get outside immediately."
"Y-Yes."
Lital replied obediently to my words, then peered down the spiral staircase.
...There, the dragon was.
The dragon moved its body slowly, lifted its head... and glared at us with a sharp gaze.
The match will be decided in an instant. Seeing the dragon take a deep breath, I ready my arrow.
My blood is thickly smeared on the arrow. This is a grand occasion to slay a big catch like a dragon. I shall not be stingy with just a seep.
I nock the arrow, which is firmly imbued with my power, and look down at the dragon.
The dragon looks up at us, and in order to burn us intruders away, it held the breath it had sucked in tightly within its belly.
Yes. The dragon intends to breathe fire!
Of course, it is just as I read.
At this distance, the dragon's claws and fangs, not to mention its tail and wings, cannot reach us. Therefore, it is predictable that the dragon will try to kill us by breathing fire!
"A-Ayle-sama! It's going to breathe fire! Let's run!"
"Be quiet."
While Lital was panicking, I steadily observed the dragon's movements.
The dragon held the breath it had taken firmly in its belly... and then.
"Now!"
The very moment it began to open its mouth.
My arrow flew.
An instant before the dragon breathed out its flames.
The moment its mouth opened, the arrow pierced the dragon's oral cavity.
A dragon is covered in hard scales. An arrow would normally be easily deflected.
However, the inside of the mouth is a different story. The inside of the mouth is soft mucous membrane. An arrow can pierce that.
And as long as the arrow pierces...
The dragon breathed out flames. However, those flames lost their power and weakened before reaching us... and then, the dragon suddenly began to thrash about.
"U-Uwaaaaaa!?"
"Be quiet! You'll bite your tongue!"
The earthquake caused by the dragon's thrashing shook the cave. However, I maintained my posture while lying low on the spot.
"I-I'm falling!"
"Lital! ...Oh, honestly!"
On the other hand, Lital completely lost his balance and was about to fall, so it could not be helped; I grabbed him, pulled him in, and held him, enduring the dragon's final struggle...
...And then, when the earthquake subsided and I peered down to the level below where the dragon was.
"Good. It is dead!"
The dragon was well and truly dead! Ohohohoho!
Now then.
A dragon is a wonderful creature.
First, one gains achievement just by defeating it. Wonderful.
Then, the scales, bones, claws, and fangs become very good materials that are light and hard. Wonderful.
The eyeballs and heart hide a great deal of magical power. Wonderful.
...But what is most wonderful of all is.
"It tastes wonderful!"
The taste.
The meat.
Dragon meat is the ultimate delicacy.
It has a wild quality, a rich umami, and a firm texture. A deep aroma like an aged wine or the finest spices. While it has little fat, it clings firmly to the tongue and serves to keep the umami there. And above all, the 'umami of the meat' is very intense. Yes, a dragon is the finest ingredient.
And after all, a dragon I hunted myself is the best. The satisfaction of having hunted this meat with my own power adds to it, creating the ultimate pleasure.
"As expected, a roasted dragon one has slain themselves is the best!"
Peeling the scales, pulling the claws and fangs, skinning it. And the remaining meat is mine! A grand roasted dragon!
"A-Ayle-sama, please give me a little too..."
"Be quiet. This is my prey. Do not touch it. Or do you wish to die?"
"T-That's so mean... B-But with this amount, Ayle-sama, you can't eat it all by yourself!"
What Lital says is, well, reasonable. No matter how delicious dragon meat is, one person cannot eat an entire dragon in one night.
But that is that, and this is this.
"You go ahead and eat this wild bird. If you want to eat dragon meat, you should become strong enough to defeat one yourself someday."
Being strong is a good thing.
If you have strength, you can break out of prison, and you can even act like a bandit. And above all, you can hunt and eat as much dragon as you want!
"Uuu..."
Lital directed quite a covetous, vulgar gaze toward the dragon, but eventually began to eat the roasted wild bird as if giving up.
...Even so, it is irritating how he keeps glancing at the dragon meat.
"Honestly!"
It cannot be helped!
I cut off a piece from the tail end of the dragon meat... as far to the edge as possible, and tasted it.
...The dragon's tail was already separated from the dragon. Most likely, it broke off on its own when the dragon was thrashing about. A dragon is a delightful creature that will discard its tail on its own when its life is in danger.
And since it is such a tail, the meat from the very end of it is, well, several grades inferior compared to the thigh meat or such. But well, if I am to give it to a sweet noble piece of luggage, this is all there is.
"Honestly, it cannot be helped! You may eat just this much!"
When I put the cut meat on a leaf and offered it, Lital's face brightened considerably.
"Thank you, Ayle-sama!"
"You are welcome."
Since Lital eats the dragon meat so happily, it makes me feel like, well, it can't be helped.
"...However, be prepared."
"Eh?"
Lital, who looked up from the dragon meat, looked puzzled...
"That meat is a bit poisonous for a brat."
Well, I did warn him.
"A-Ayle-sama... I-I feel a bit tight in my chest..."
"It is none of my concern."
On the way back while riding the horses, Lital kept saying his chest was tight, he felt feverish, his head was spinning, and so on, but when I told him "If you keep complaining, I'll leave you in the Forest of Magic Beasts," he became quiet after that. Hah, honestly...
And so we stayed another night at a post town, and then took another day to leisurely return to Elsemarin.
"Ah... somehow, the scenery of the town looks different from when we left...! I feel like I've grown a bit!"
"That is good for you."
Lital is quite happy.
...Though I say so myself, I wonder if my dragon hunting is of any reference at all? But well, it is fine. If Lital is satisfied with this, then it is fine. If he is satisfied, he will surely pay the price properly!
Well, first is the Guild. The Pin-Hane Girl. I shall make her eat her words!
"Gokigenyou!"
Entering the Guild, I looked around the reception and found the counter where that receptionist was, then proceeded straight there.
And then.
Thud.
I slammed the dragon's head firmly onto the counter!
"Request completed."
She did not exactly say 'Gafun,' but the receptionist was sufficiently terrified. Fufun, it is quite a good sight!
"Now then. You will pay the reward in full, will you not!? Well!?"
"W-Wait a moment, I'll check now..."
Check!? What is there to check at this point!?
But since the receptionist said that and fled to the back, there is nothing I can do.
Well, fine. With the dragon's head right here, my achievement is certain. There is no way the receptionist can skim off this!
"Um, sorry to keep you waiting... I checked, but... for a single person, and a Rank 4 adventurer at that, to have hunted a dragon... it lacks credibility... so..."
...
"The amount we can pay... is this."
What appeared on the counter were 30 gold coins.
It was unexpected. Her trashiness was beyond my imagination. This receptionist is still trying to skim even at this point!
No, perhaps it is not just this receptionist, but the Guild itself that promotes skimming! Either way! I cannot allow this!
I will! Make them pay! In full!
"So you had such doubts. Then I shall explain. ...Lital-'sama', please come here?"
"Eh? Ah, y-yes!"
When I called out gently, Lital, who had been waiting near the entrance, came trotting over to me.
And then I showed Lital off to the receptionist and said:
"Regarding this dragon subjugation, I received assistance from Lital Pia Esclan-sama here."
"Eh...?"
"E-Eeh...?"
Both the Pin-Hane Girl and Lital are naturally in total confusion. Of course they are. But go ahead and stay confused. I shall push through everything with momentum!
"Are you listening? Lital-sama is a son of House Esclan. And House Esclan is a branch of one of this country's most prestigious families, House Clarino. In other words, Lital-sama is a person of very noble lineage."
When I told the Pin-Hane Girl that, she stared intently at Lital's face and made a face like 'he certainly looks like a noble.' Of course he does. On the other hand, Lital, unable to read the situation at all, is just looking up at the Pin-Hane Girl with an angelic smile!
"See? You understand, do you not? With such a person of noble lineage accompanying me, surely there is no way the credibility of the dragon subjugation could fall, right?"
In short, I am implicitly saying, 'Are you prepared to pick a fight with a noble?' It seems even the Pin-Hane Girl realized the meaning, as her complexion began to worsen.
"Now, bring out the proper reward. The proper amount should be 100 gold coins, should it not?"
I press the Pin-Hane Girl.
"A-Ah, I ask of you as well!"
Furthermore, the angelic, useless young master who doesn't quite understand also joins in.
"B-But..."
Even so, the Pin-Hane Girl lingeringly shows no sign of letting go of the bag that likely contains the difference of 70 gold coins... so I have finally reached the limit of my patience.
"I am telling you to hand over the money! Just bring it out already!"
"Iyaaaaaaaa!? Y-Yes! Here it is!"
...And so, after terrifying the Pin-Hane Girl a little, I successfully made her bring out the full 100 gold coins! Ohohohoho!
Counting them carefully, the 100 gold coins are indeed here. Furthermore, I still have the dragon materials I haven't sold yet! With this, I will not be troubled for living expenses for the time being! Of course, one can never have too much money for activity funds, so I intend to keep earning.
"Now then, Lital. You were useful too."
"W-Was I useful!?"
Lital, who apparently couldn't understand the situation after all, was quite happy when I praised him. Looking at him like this, he is quite cute.
"Now, about the price."
"Y-Yes."
But no matter how cute he is, I shall do this properly. When I brought up the price again, Lital straightened his posture.
...He has become somewhat more dignified than when we left town. At this rate, I feel he might become useful.
"Listen well, Lital."
Bending down slightly to meet Lital's eyes, I say seriously:
"Become strong. Strong enough to help someone. And in the future, if I ever find myself in need of your help, then, help me."
"...Heh?"
"That is the price I demand of you."
Lital was stunned, but it seems the meaning gradually dawned on him. His eyes widened, his cheeks gradually flushed, and he nodded repeatedly.
"It is a promise."
"Y-Yes! I promise! I, Lital Pia Esclan! I will surely become a strong, fine man... and one day, I will be able to help Ayle-sama!"
How honest of him.
...He probably hasn't realized that he has been forced into 'cooperation' as a 'price.' For Lital, it probably feels like the 'price is practically free.'
Well, fine. The money I could get by blackmailing a noble sweet summer child like this is negligible. And selling him to the black market would be too easy to trace. It shouldn't be a bad choice to invest in him on the off chance. He was just something I picked up, after all.
"I see. Then take this."
And so, to Lital who had firmly 'promised,' I offered a dragon scale and a dragon fang.
I had selected a single scale that was well-shaped and beautiful in color. The fang was small, about the size of a human finger, but a top-quality item with no chips.
Scales and fangs of this quality are quite valuable, but well, for me who can defeat a dragon with almost no external injuries, they are cheap.
"Keep them."
"Eh... i-is it okay?"
"It is a parting gift for a warrior who will one day become strong. And, as a proof of our promise."
As if overcome with emotion, Lital squeezed my hand along with the dragon scale and fang.
"Ayle-sama...! I, I will surely become strong enough to protect you! So, p-please wait for me!"
He says such cute things. I placed the scale and fang in Lital's hand, made him grip them, and told him:
"I decline. Why should I have to wait for you?"
"Ah..."
When I let go of his hand, Lital made a very disappointed face. He really is a child who cannot read between the lines...
"...I will not stop. So do your best to catch up. Then, Lital-sama. Gokigenyou."
Saying so with a laugh and giving a graceful bow at the end, Lital's disappointed face instantly turned into a shining smile.
"Y... Yes! Surely! I will surely catch up!"
...He was a young master who made me worry about many things, but well, I can at least be kind to him at the moment of parting.
I waved my hand over my shoulder and decided to part ways with Lital.
Now then.
The Guild's Pin-Hane Girl has been punished. I have parted ways cleanly with Lital.
And what remains is!
"Fun shopping at the black market...!"
The dark side of Elsemarin. The dim and shady back alleys. My fun there awaits!