8-Episode 8: Dragon Armor and Easy Training

My name is John.

I'm Viscount Grimoire's capable steward.

I have come to the Adventurer's Guild once again to scout for the mysterious adventurer who defeated the dragon.

My master, Viscount Grimoire, is returning from the auction held in King's Landing.

So, I need to scout out some adventurers before then or else I'll be in serious trouble.

No, I'm a capable and indispensable person for the Viscount family.

It's only to the extent that it makes the Lord look bad.

It's true.

However, my pride won't allow any more delays.

After entering the guild building, I head straight for the reception desk.

Normally it would be easy to summon a commoner if I mention the name of the Viscount family, but the fact that my previous invitation to dinner was rejected made it difficult to do so.

Basically, the Adventurer's Guild is friendly to the lords.

If they weren't, it would be difficult to mediate adventurers in the territory.

So when the lord asks, the guild will act as an intermediary and inform the adventurers of our invitation.

But if an adventurer refuses an offer from a nobleman, the guild will refuse to mediate with that adventurer from next time onwards.

And of course, the disclosure of information.

This is so that the organization can protect the adventurer, a being with a unique fighting power.

They say that adventurers must be free.

Therefore, they must not bow to tyrannical powers.

Although it is a statement that could be accused of impunity, it is said that the first head of the Adventurer's Guild, an outstanding man who protected the people from the global disaster that occurred in the past, said it.

Against this backdrop, the nations allowed the Adventurer's Guild the right to veto unreasonable orders from the state and to protect the adventurers.

In other words, they can't use the power of the nobility to summon them, so they have no choice but to go out and negotiate directly with the person in question.

It's a total pain in the ass.

I head to the usual receptionist and ask if the adventurer in question is there.

'Welcome to the Adventurer's Guild, Master John,'

Say no more. Is that adventurer there?

This receptionist is Elma, a beautiful woman who doesn't look out of place in an adventurer's guild where rogues hang out.

I'm sure you've been in charge of this case ever since I asked her to be my adventurer's liaison.

Yes, just in time. It's a good time to be here.

Oh, finally we get to meet the adventurer who took down the dragon!

I can't tell you how many times I've walked in here.

I looked at the lobby to see who was this dragon slayer.

And then I noticed a large crowd of people in the middle of it.

"If it's him, it's just a request...

No problem. I understand.

There he is, in the middle of that throng, the dragonslayer.

"Oh, hey, Master John!

I immediately sprang into action.

What kind of person is this dragonslayer?

Are you a warrior, a wizard, or a group of adventurers?

All sorts of questions were bubbling up in my head.

The guild did not answer any of my questions since they refused me once.

That's why I was uncharacteristically excited to finally see the rumored dragon slayer.

''Excuse me.''

Weaving my way through the crowd, I made my way to the center.

Then I saw a man in his pale green, brilliant armor.

I saw a man dressed in gorgeous, light-green armor.

I'm convinced that this man is the dragon slayer they say he is.

''How do you like that shine, this isn't going to happen with ordinary armor.''

Apparently, the Dragonslayer Lord was showing off his magnificent armor.

He seems to have a surprisingly mundane character.

Indeed, that's not just any armor. It's not just a piece of armor, it's a piece of shining armor that even a non-adventurous person like me would be interested in seeing.

"Excuse me, if you don't mind?

'Oh?　Who are you?

The Dragon Slayer Lord, who was interrupted by the conversation, looks at me unhappily.

His gaze is impassive and his poor upbringing is obvious.

But upbringing isn't everything when it comes to a person's strength, because this man is actually defeating dragons.

''Excuse me. I'm at the service of Viscount Grimoire, the master of this town, my name is John.

''Viscount Grimoire!''

Not only the Dragonslayer-dono but also the surrounding adventurers shouted in surprise.

No wonder they are surprised. It's no wonder that they are surprised, because a mere adventurer is not usually approached by a nobleman.

I'm sure you'll be able to tell me your name, if you don't mind.

Oh, me?

Yeah.

I am an ogre an ogre. So what is it about the nobility that makes you so...?

Dragonslayer-dono, or rather, Aug-dono, asks me why he has spoken to me.

His language is crude, but he seems to have respect for the nobility to the extent that he corrects his tone on the way.

''As a matter of fact, I was looking for an adventurer who was worthy of the conditions that were ordered by Viscount Grimoire-sama.

"An adventurer who meets certain criteria?

Yes, for example, a man of ability to wear such fine armor.

"Armor?

Lord Org turns his attention to his armor.

''That armor looks like quite a work of art. Even an ordinary person like me can see that it's quite a piece of work.

I mean this.

I don't understand the quality of weapons and armor, but since I've been entrusted with the management of Viscount Grimoire's art, I have a fair amount of confidence in my aesthetic eye.

My eyes tell me that this armor is made by a top-notch craftsman.

''Huh, do you understand?　This is a special piece of armor created by that master, Gordov.

Goldof?　I've heard of him. He is one of the finest armsmiths in the land, one of the finest in the neighbouring countries.

Of course, Viscount Grimoire owns a Goldov sword.

Naturally, Viscount Grimoire also possesses Goldov's sword, which is a masterpiece of art, adorned with wonderfully beautiful decorations.

But because of this, the armor made by Goldov is very expensive for a commoner.

Since you can buy them, this man must be quite skilled as an adventurer after all.

It's not just that. This armor is made from the scales of a dragon!

Scales of the Dragon?

I knew it!

The dragon material had just been put up for auction in King's Landing, too fast for it to flow to the public.

If that's the case, then there's only one way to obtain them, hunting dragons yourself!

I didn't expect you to own dragon scales and where did you get them?

How do you respond?　An ogre, or a dragonslayer?

Yeah, no, it's just that I happened to get it by accident while I was adventuring. Yeah, it was a stroke of luck.

It's a very painful excuse.

But there is no doubt that this man is the dragon killer.

Probably, for some reason, he doesn't want you to know who he is.

I've heard that there are many adventurers who want to hide their identities.

I'm not going to be the only one who can do that.

I'm sure you'll be able to find a great deal more than just a few of them.

I distantly kama that you must be the one who slayed the dragon.

'Hmm, well, well,'

I admit it!　So this is the dragonslayer himself, isn't he?

"I wonder, would you be so kind as to come and meet my Lord?　My Lord looks for skilled warriors. If you wish, you could have him knight me.

A knight?　Me?

You can't help but feel a little thirsty.

I'm sure you'll be able to find a good deal more than you'd like.

It's a good idea to have a few of them in your collection.

Hmm, does this mean that you should guess that I refused Viscount Grimoire's invitation?

"Don't worry. If you wish, I'm sure my master can accommodate you in various ways. You don't have to give a quick answer. If you want, you can have a meal with my Lord.

With a hint that I can at least get him assigned to an inconspicuous department, I propose an audience with Viscount Grimoire by way of a meal.

''Meal, sir?''

Yes, I'm sure we'll have a lot of good food for you.

Food, or at least that's the extent of it...

Alright, I've made my promise.

All we have to do now is to get a deal to become Viscount Grimoire's vassal between meals.

There are many ways to win over a man of skill.

Then I'll come back to you later when I'm ready, so I'll take my leave for now.

Oh, yeah.

Phew, I've managed to secure a deal with the Dragonslayer before Viscount Grimoire's return.

Now, Viscount Grimoire's domain is safe and sound.

◆.

When the nobleman who was talking with Aug-san left, a buzz returned to the guild that had been quiet.

Everyone couldn't help but swallow with bated breath as they listened to Aug's conversation.

But after all, Org-san is amazing.

Only an A-ranked adventurer would be able to be scouted by the lord's knights!

Hey, you can't look at a guy like that in front of your brother, man.

It was Jairo-kun who irritably brushed off the words, "You can't say that," he said.

''You can't say that. You can't say that, because you were recruited by the lord's knights on merit.

'What are you talking about, brother? He was called out to me because he was wearing armor made of dragon scales. He's not great.

'No, I don't think so. That man saw what Mr. Aug was capable of and called on him. The armor was just a start.

The dragon scales I gave away to Mr. Org are the scales of a green dragon. I'm sure no one would consider armor made of such materials to be a work of art.

I'm sure you're not the only one who's interested in this type of armor.

You will be able to use the scales I gave him in exchange for the armor he made for you.

So that armor is just a prototype made for Mr. Goldov's practice.

Who would think someone wearing such armor is amazing?

I don't know, my brother's so slow on everything, I'm afraid you've got it all wrong.

No, not at all. More importantly, you're going to practice your sword today, right?　We need to get a request to take them out for that.

'That's right!　Today's the day you get to teach your brother how to use a sword!

''Yes, Jairo, if you practice hard enough, you could become a knight like Mr. Org!

''Well I don't agree with you there, do I?

Yeah?　I think Jairo could become a knight if he works hard.

I'm sure you'll be a knight if you work hard.

So let's start there then.

Jairo and his team of dragon slayers came with us to a plain near the forest where we met before.

So, what are we doing?　Are you going to pretend?　Or are you going to teach me some secret techniques?

Fool, a bottom-feeder like you can't possibly teach me anything.

"What?!

I pull off Jairo-kun and Mina, who were about to start a fight, and I begin to explain.

''The first thing we'll teach you is the basics, simple body strengthening magic.

Yes, body enhancement is the most basic of all warriors.

''Body strengthening magic?　But I can't use magic!

Gyro-kun says he can't use magic because he's a warrior.

I know it's common for beginners, but I have to correct this mistake first.

'Just because I'm a warrior doesn't mean I can't use magic.

I'll explain to Jairo-kun while actually showing him how to do it.

"The human body is always filled with magical power. And although the amount of magic power varies from person to person, there is no one who has no magic power at all.

I focus my magic power on my right arm.

I'm concentrating my magic on my right arm now. Everyone's watching.

And then he struck the ground with his right arm.

Boom!

With such a sound, the ground pops up, creating a crater about five meters wide.

This is the basis of body strengthening magic. It is a useful technique not only for warriors, but also for wizards and priests, because if the body is covered with magic power, muscle strength, agility, defense, and all the power related to the body will be enhanced.

And after a brief explanation, I turn to Gyro-kun and the others.

''Hey?　Isn't it easy?

""No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no."

Strangely enough, for some reason, he denied it at all costs.