Volume 1 - CH 3

Poisonous Demon Dragons

Translated by SoundDestiny

Edited by SoundDestiny

After leaving the Adventurers Guild with three equal rewards.

“Mm ……? A transmission from Rushia-sama?”

Suddenly, May takes out a communication stone from her armour and holds it close to her ear.

After a while, May finishes communicating and looks at me while putting the stone away.

“Ned, Rushia-sama wants you to come to the castle. She wants to ask you for a favour.”

“A favour from me?……okay, let’s go there right away.”

I was going to book an inn now, but if Her Royal Highness has summoned me, that should be my priority. Besides, there are many inns in this town. Even if I make a detour, it is unlikely to be fully booked.

“I have to go and meet my party members after this. I have to say goodbye to you both here.”

As May and I were about to head for the castle, Riese stopped.

I, too, think we should take a break today.

“Riese, thank you for your help today. If there’s anything else I can do, please let me know.”

“Riese-sama!　Thank you for giving me a valuable experience today!”

May bowed deeply next to me as I thanked Riese  lightly.

Riese smiles softly at her and turns on her heel.

“Aaa….. really, it was a priceless experience today.”

“I was quite nervous at first, I wondered how it was going to go.”

“D-don’t say that. I didn’t think I’d be that nervous.”

May says, blushing slightly.

Together, May and I then walked to the royal castle where Princess Rushia was.

The sun has already set and a chilly breeze caresses my cheeks. There are many bars in the vicinity of the Adventurers’ Guild, so noisy voices could be heard from everywhere. However, as we approach the castle, the atmosphere begins to quiet down. The royal castle seen in the daytime looked so bold and magnificent that it was no exaggeration to say that it was a symbol of authority.

“Ned, this way.”

I follow May’s lead and walk through the castle.

“Isn’t this the same room as last time?”

“Aa. I’ve been asked to show you to the audience chamber.”

This a strange thing.

The audience chamber is the place where royal authority is demonstrated to visitors. But I’ve already witnessed the true nature of Rushia-sama during my last visit. There should be no point in showing authority now……

“Excuse me.”

The majestic door opened and I entered the audience chamber with May.

It was a large room. The floor was polished to reflect the light and there were no unnecessary ornaments around. The simplicity of the scene gave it a unique sense of power. A large window, a large staircase and a large chair. All emphasised the presence of royalty sitting at the back of the room.

Armed knights stood silently on either side of the room.

The atmosphere was suddenly tense.

“You have come.”

Rushia-sama, sitting on a luxurious chair, looked at me and said.

This is the first time I saw her this stern, I felt a sense of discomfort before I even bowed.

“….Rushia-sama?”

She was different from the Rushia-sama with whom we had previously conversed throughout the night.

She looked as if she was in dire straits, as if she was barely suppressing the pain in her chest.

“I heard that you visited the Adventurers’ Guild today, did you successfully register?”

“Yes. Thanks to May’s guidance.”

“I’m glad to hear that.”

The short chit chat comes to an end.

I had a bad feeling. To have a peaceful conversation like this before the main subject. The main subject must not be peaceful at all.

“Let’s get down to business. I have a favour to ask of you.”

Rushia-sama spoked.

“Have you ever heard of a monster called the Poisonous Demon Dragon?”

“Only what I’ve heard of ……”

“Then I will explain it to you just in case.”

Lucilla-sama began to tell her story.

“The poisonous dragon was born in the northern part of the Kingdom of Enuvidia and, as its name implies, it is a dragon that possesses deadly poison. It is also the only dragon that the people of the Kingdom of ……Enuvidia do not believe in.”

Another name for the Kingdom of Enuvidia is the country that is in bond with the dragon.

The majority of the population considers dragons to be sacred. However, such people dare not believe in dragons…….

“The Poison Demon Dragon is extremely ferocious and has been laying waste to our country since ancient times. The poisoned land is a source of all kinds of diseases and crops do not grow for a long time. The damage has been so great that countless deaths have already occurred.”

With a mysterious look on his face, Rushia continues.

“The damage caused by the Poisonous Demon Dragon soon spread not only to our country but also to other countries. They may not be as deadly as the Demon King, but the Poisonous Demon Dragon is also a monster recognised as a threat worldwide.”

I’ve heard of them too, if only by name. I’m sure most people have known about it.

Even if not as well-known as the Demon King,…… it is rare to find a monster that is that well-known.

“I would like you to take on the task of defeating the Poisonous Demon Dragon.”

“Ha…..?”

The words were so unexpected that I involuntarily uttered a question.

“You can beat him, can you? That’s what I’m told.”

Lucilla-sama’s mouth was full of implied statements.

But for me it was a request that was too absurd, as  I searched the words to reply, someone jumped in.

“Rushia-sama!”

May spoke up.

“Forgive me for interrupting. But the other party is the Poisonous Demon Dragon……and no matter how hard Ned tries, it’s not something that can be handled by an individual!　Have you forgotten that a year ago, despite forming an allied force with our neighbours, we were beaten back!’”

“Of course, I remember. Still, I hear that Ned can take it down.”

Princess Rushia’s attitude remains stubborn.

A year ago,……I was on another continent. I had heard that several major battles had taken place in this area, but I had not investigated them in detail until now. Apparently, one of them was the battle over this Poisonous Demon Dragon.

“Does it look like I can defeat the Poison Demon Dragon to you, Rushia-sama?’”

“I have heard information that….you can defeat it.”

“And, who gave you this information?”

“I cannot say. I can’t tell you……”

Princess Rushia said with her eyes downcast with the answer being dodged.

“….. sorry.”

Princess Rushia apologised in a hushed voice.

“I am aware that I am saying harsh things. But……I have my own reasons for not backing down……”

Like a child holding back tears, Rushia-sama says in a trembling voice, clutching her skirt.

“Please. I beg you to slay the Poisonous Demon Dragon. If you refuse to accept the task, then I will detain you until you do so.”

Clenching her fists and shaking off the pangs of conscience, Rushia-sama stared at me with eyes moistened with tears.

At the same time as her declaration, the knights standing on either side of the room put their hands on the hilts of their swords.

If I don’t agree with what Rushia-sama says here, she intends to restrain me immediately.

“W-wait! You guys! What’s the meaning of this!?”

May asks the knights, looking puzzled.

The knights were wearing the same armour as May. In other words, they are May’s colleagues. That seems to be why May cannot understand the situation in front of her.

“May,we’ll tell you what’s going on later. So for now, you must cooperate with us and take that man into custody.”

“No, you can’t! We owe Ned!”

“Give priority to Her Highness’s orders……. Kingsguard knight May, what is your role?”

At these words, May shut her mouth.

“Kuh-u……!!!”

Between her duty as a knight and human reason, May was torn between her duty as a knight and human reason.

A single line of blood dripped from her lips as she bit down hard.

─ ─ Well.

What should I do, I thought.

May is unlikely to help. No, perhaps she would move if I asked for help, but in her current state of mind, she wouldn’t be able to fight properly.

I looked again at Princess Rushia, the source of this incident.

If I look closely, her eyes are red and swollen. She must have been crying until just before…….However, Princess Rushia, who had looked remorseful earlier, was now looking at me with eyes that held a strong will. Despite May’s dismay, Princess Rushia seems to have made up her mind.

“Princess Rushia. Unfortunately, I am one of the weaker adventurers. I can’t slay a poisonous demon dragon.”

“…… I have heard that you are a good talker.”

“…… I see.”

I laugh. It was not going to persuade her, at least not on this occasion.

But that doesn’t mean I can defeat the Poisonous Demon Dragon now, ──── which is, of course, impossible.

“I cannot agree to such a request.”

The knights nearby drew their swords at once.

It’s a quick decision. But Princess Rushia said she would restrain me. So I know, the knights have no intention of hurting me but their sword is a threat.

“I’m going to have to take a step back.”

Saying this, I took out a small sphere from inside my pouch and smashed it on the floor.

Instantly, the sphere cracks open and a large amount of white smoke shoots out from inside.

“What? A smoke screen?”

“Don’t let him get away! Make sure he doesn’t escape!”

Before the knights could surround me, I opened a nearby window and jumped out.

I took a grappling hook from my pouch and threw it at the ramparts directly in front of me. I made sure that the hook at the end caught a hollow in the wall, and landed on a distant scaffold while grabbing the rope.

“W-what an escape for your life, ……, you’re already surrounded…..!”

“Shit! Chase him!”

The bustle of knights can be heard in the distance.

I’m confident in my running skill. I would almost certainly be defeated if I had to fight alone. So I always have several ways to escape from this kind of situation.

However, I couldn’t  master escape techniques, so I decided to use my connections.

I take out a communication stone from my pouch and contact someone I can rely on.

“Riese, I have an emergency. Please help me.”

“『Understood』”

Riese briefly expressed his cooperation.

“Thanks. In times like this, you really are a reliable partner.”

“『Where are you?』”

“Just outside the back door of the royal castle. I’m heading towards the guild.”

As I passed through a narrow alleyway, I heard a knight shout from behind me, [There he is!]  came a knight’s shout.

This is no time to worry about being seen. I went out onto the main street and ran straight through the streets lined with many stalls. Passers-by were astonished to see me.

The composition is not good. I’m being chased by a knight, like a criminal on the run. I’m afraid that a righteous citizen might jump out at any moment.

Anyway, I have to get out of this situation as soon as possible.

“『Ned. Is the enemy an entity that can be defeated?』”

I was a little troubled by that question, which I heard from the communication stone.

The opponents are the knights of the Kingdom of Enuvidia. however, the 『White Dragon Chivalric Order』are an adventurer party based in this country. ……It would only be a loss for both sides if the kingdom and the 『White Dragon Chivalric Order』 were to become enemies.

“….keep it under control. And leave as little evidence as possible that Riese did it.”

“『Understood. It seems like a sticky situation.』”

“Thank you for understanding so quickly.”

I agree with Riese. This case is really fishy. The attitude of Princess Rushia is also worrying, and the fact that it happened at this time is also worrying.

“『Seven seconds later, bow your head.』”

I heard Riese’s voice.

I put the comms stone back in the pouch and stopped.

“o,o-kay….., we managed to catch up with you…..!”

“Don’t resist, ……! Stay put, stay still ……!”

The two knights approach.

They must have run all the way here. I feel a little sorry for them, with sweat dripping from their chins and breathing on their shoulders – but…

“You’d better grit your teeth.”

“Ha?”

A moment after the knights tilted their heads, a flashlight slashes flashed behind them.

The two knights, blown away with great force, pass right over me as I bow my head, and finally crash into the wall, motionless.

“Thank God.”

“It’s no trouble.”

I thanked Riese, who was coming leisurely from in front of me.

“Ned, are you sure you’re not in trouble?”

“Aaa.”

“Were you scared? Did you miss me?”

“I’m not scared nor lonely. ………Oi, don’t casually pat my head.’”

“It’s all right. I missed you, by the way.”

I don’t know, I would say……,but as a person who has been helped, I would like to reward her somewhat.

I decided to stop resisting and let her pat my head for a while. The beautiful blonde hair grazes the tip of my nose and tickles me. When I breathed in, I could smell the faintest hint of sweet perfume.

Riese’s movements, which had been gently stroking my head, gradually became more intense.

Eventually, Riese sniffs and looks excited – and then…

“No, I can’t take it anymore. Let me just hold you a little longer.”

“Don’t. You once said that and you didn’t let go of me all day.”

I pushed her shoulders and Riese looked disappointed.

“But……weren’t those guys who were chasing Ned earlier the knights of this country? What happened to them?’

“I don’t know either, ……”

The first thing I did was to tell Riese what Princess Rushia talked about.

However, Riese does not seem to have any idea of Princess Rushia’s leopard-change attitude, and she looks at me strangely.

“You’re still a troublemaker.”

“….. don’t make it sound like it’s my fault.”

I’m certainly aware that I’m a troublemaker, but that can’t be helped as I come into contact with all sorts of people.

I am used to trouble. However, this time there are many unexplained points and it is impossible to move without being careless.

“To ask a single Ned to take down a poisonous demon dragon is not an ordinary thought by any stretch of the imagination. There must be a reason for this.”

“..I agree.”

I nod my head in agreement to Riese’s words.

“During the brief conversation, it seems that Princess Rushia doesn’t believe that I can defeat the Poison Demon Dragon.”

“Hm. Despite that, she forced you to slay the Poisonous Demon Dragon?”

“Yes. In other words…..her real purpose is something else.”

If the goal is to defeat a poisonous demon dragon, it should be left to someone more trustworthy than me. That is exactly what the 『White Dragon Chivalric Order』, the proud adventurer party of the Kingdom of Enuvidia, should be doing.

However, Princess Rushia did not do so.

“The objective…is to put me up against the Poison Demon Dragon.”

Me and the Poison Demon Dragon fighting.

Perhaps that is the objective in itself.

“I don’t understand. Why would Princess Rushia do such a thing to you?”

“I don’t know. If we can figure that out, we might find some possibilities for persuasion……”

“Did you do something wrong?　You didn’t force her into skinship, did you?”

“Don’t put me the same you”

I would never do that.

The other party is royalty. I was having a nice conversation and I was trying to be considerate on top of that.

‘Cool your head Ned.’

Why does Princess Rushia want me to fight the Poison Demon Dragon?

Or, better still – agree to defeat the Poisonous Demon Dragon.

“……Riese . If we mobilise the entire 『White Dragon Chivalric Order』, can we defeat the poisonous dragon?”

“Impossible.”

The answer is immediate.

“We are good at physical attacks, but poison dragons are a bad match for us. It’s an impregnable fortress, and even approaching it you’ll be hit by a deadly poison.”

“…… You speak as if you’ve fought one before.”

“Yes, I have. In fact, I fought there a year ago.”

Riese goes on to explain.

“A coalition army was formed from volunteers from neighbouring countries to defeat the Poisonous Demon Dragon. The 『White Dragon Chivalric Order』 also took part in that battle.”

Just like May said. They formed a coalition army and took on the Poisonous Demon Dragon, but were beaten back. ……Riese seems to have taken part in that battle.

“We were very close, but we received more damage than we expected, so we had to retreat….That was quite a hell. Hallucinations, auditory hallucinations, paralysis and excruciating pain. Some had sores on their skin, others vomited blood endlessly. Some were left with permanent injuries. I realised that……poisoning is such a terrible thing.”

“……I wouldn’t want to experience that for the rest of my life if I could.”

The description is graphic. These are the words of someone who has really witnessed the scene.

I don’t think I could stand it.

“Whatever it is, first I want to know what Princess Rushia’s intentions are. The quickest way to do that is to talk to her directly, but…..now that this has happened, it’s difficult to go and see her, so what should I do……”

I organise my thoughts out loud.

At that moment, Riese opened her mouth as if she had thought of something.

“Ned. I’ve got an odd idea…..or rather I remembered”

Riese tells me.

“Meet our collaborators.”

“…… collaborator?”

“Actually, there’s someone in that castle that you once saved……He once came all the way to the『White Dragon Chivalric Order』 to thank you for saving him.”

“……that happened?”

Someone I saved in the past. I can’t remember who the other person is from that information alone, but it’s deeply moving to know that my past actions are helping me now.

If he is in the castle, he might be able to help me meet with Princess Rushia.

This is a proposal I should get on board with.

“Alright, introduce me.”

“Understood”

◆

On the way to the castle again, Riese was talking to her collaborators on the communication stone.

I asked her to give me a rundown of when and where  we would meet up, what the security situation was in the castle, and so on. Eventually, Riese  put the communication stone inside her armour and looked at me.

“The arrangements have been made. The rendezvous point is in the kitchen of the castle’s main dining hall. It can be reached quickly by using the servants’ entrance.”

“I understand. Just don’t go in there carelessly or we’ll definitely get caught ……”

Riese smiled wryly, as if she had guessed what I was trying to say.

“I guess that’s where I come in.”

“…..Aaa. I’ll leave it to you.”

The division of roles was done naturally. Since we had known each other for a long time, communication was smooth and easy.

Walking through a narrow alleyway, trying not to be spotted by the surrounding knights, I found a small stall. It seems to be a shop specialising in clothing. The royal city has many tourists, so there must be a high demand for goods useful for travelling.

“Riese, I need you to be on the lookout. I’d like to stop by that shop for a while”.

“A shop? Wouldn’t it be safer if I went there to buy something?”

“Riese won’t do it.”

I told her shortly and headed for the shop.

The owner, who has a scruffy beard, immediately notices I entered.

“Welcome, Onii-san.”

“I need one of these black outer coats.”

“This one? I think it’s a bit big for you…..”

“Here you go. I’ll leave the money here.”

I couldn’t waste my time, so I got what I wanted and left the shop as soon as possible.

Then I met up with Riese again.

“Riese, put this on.”

“That’s fine, but……why?”

“You’re the leader of the 『White Dragon Chivalric Order』, you can’t just go out and fight the castle knights, can you?”

“Aaa, I see what you mean. I forgot about it.”

If Riese bought it directly, it would be traced back to me, so I took the risk and bought it myself just now. This kind of clean-up is highly recommended for my job, so I’m going to take care of it now.

“…..Wait. Come to think of it, isn’t this the first time you’ve received a gift from Ned?”

“……..come to think of it, it might be.”

“As expected it’s complicated. I’ll demand a do-over when things are done.”

“All right, all right. I’ll do whatever you want.”

“Did you say anything?　Does that mean I can ask you to sleep with me?”

“Goods only. We’ll discuss this later.”

I’m tired. Not…..my body, but my mind.

Basically, S-level adventurers can beat most enemies, and many of them have a low sense of urgency. Strictly speaking, they are more insensitive than lacking a sense of crisis. For those who have overcome all kinds of hardships, crises that cause them to panic rarely occur.

In this royal city, where the night’s curtains have fallen, Riese and I approach the castle under our breaths.

Security was sparse the closer one got to the castle. It’s no wonder. No one would think that I, on the run, would ever return to the castle again.

“Riese, stay here. In 30 seconds, the operation will begin.”

“Understood. Good luck.”

“That’s my line.”

At any rate, I can’t fight.

I always leave the fighting to someone else.

-Operation starts.

Thirty seconds had passed when we went to the back door of the castle.

A powerful sound of destruction was heard at the main gate.

Riese’s role is a diversion. She is to concentrate on luring out and neutralising the knights in the castle.

While She’s doing that, I’ll go inside the castle.

Using a grappling rope, I quickly crossed the ramparts. While the knights in the vicinity are running towards the main gate, I head for the rendezvous point.

“This way, Ned-sama.”

As I pass through the door, which had been unlocked beforehand, I hear a voice from somewhere.

At the end of the corridor, a woman beckons from inside it. I make my way to that room without making a sound.

“Are you the collaborator Riese mentioned?”

“Yes, I am. My name is Hersha, and I work as a servant here at the castle.”

After closing the kitchen door, the woman who introduced herself as Hersha bowed solemnly.

She was probably in her mid-twenties. She is tall and has a rather beautiful face with an interesting atmosphere. Her deep red hair is tied back, giving her a clean look. Her hairstyle is called a Gibson tuck. She was dressed in a black-and-white maid’s uniform with frills, which gave her a graceful appearance that would not look out of place working in a castle.

“I don’t think Ned-sama remembers me…”

“…. No, I do recognise you.”

As I stared into Hersha’s face, I searched the memories in my head.

“It was about two years ago, I believe. It was a small village within a horse-drawn carriage ride of this royal capital……”

“….Amazning..you’re right, you visited the village where I lived two years ago and killed the monsters that used to haunt the area. We only saw each other for a few seconds, but I never thought you would remember …… me.”

“I am good at remembering people’s faces.”

When I told her this, Hersha smiled softly.

“But two years ago, that’s not when I was active as …… the 『Stardust Light』, is it?

“Yup. Before you became『Stardust Light』……,it was  when you were one big shining mass, we were indebted to you.”

“……I see.”

In those days,I had a wide range of activities.

I might have visited Hersha’s village and killed the monsters.

“I’m sorry to bother you in your haste, but I just have one question….are you hiding your true identity?”

Hersha asked me with a serious look on her face, while I was scratching the back of my hair.

“I’m just being modest. I’m not that desperate.”

Right. Not that I’m desperate – but…

“It’s just that I’ve had enough of playing…..the big, stupid tame tax.”

“…..our hearts go out to you.”

Hersha bowed her head reverently.

I’m not very good at this subject. It’s time to get moving.

“I know you’ve heard from Riese, but I want to meet Princess Rushia. Can you do it for me?”

“Of course. I’m also the head maid.”

The woman who told me in such a calm tone made me open my eyes wide.

“You have come a long way from being a villager.”

“All of us who have witnessed your exploits had our ambitions shaken in no small scale…..I am one of them.”

I can’t decide whether it was a good influence or a bad influence, but at least for Hersha it seemed to be a good influence.

“Well, let me show you the way.”

◆

“I shall leave you here.”

Hersha slowly bows her head.

She leads me to a place in front of the private chambers of Her Highness Princess Rushia. I should go alone from here onwards. I bow my head and express my gratitude.

“If it’s Ned-sama, you might be able to melt the frozen heart of Her Highness Princess Lucilla.”

“…..? What does that mean?”

“I cannot answer your questions from my own mouth. For further information, please ask Her Highness or…. the Kingsguard Knight May.”

Saying this, Hersha turned on her heel.

As she quietly left, I suddenly heard a voice from inside.

“…..nn, ah!”

It was the girl’s…..painful voice that I heard from behind the door.

In the quiet corridor, only that voice echoes.

“Uuu……naaah! Ha..h..aha..ha……Aaan!”

Oi, oi,oi,oi────.

A frozen heart, did Hersha mean that kind of frustrated heart?

I’m not strong enough to melt such a heart.

For a moment, I almost stopped thinking, but now I’m being chased. This is no time to sit on my hands.

“Oi.”

I knock on the door.

“nAah? Wh-who’s there?!”

“It’s me, Ned.”

“W-wait, wait-nanojya! Wait-nanojya!!!!!”

A slamming, noisy noise could be heard from behind the door.

I waited for about thirty seconds, but I could still hear the busy noise.

─ ─ It would be troublesome if she escaped.

As long as I don’t know what is being done behind the door, I can’t wait too long. If the knights of the castle found me, I’m back to square one.

I opened the door with all my might.

“I’m going in.”

“Fuiiwaa?”

The first thing I saw was a startled girl on the bed.

Her face was upturned, and her breasts and the bottoms of her feet were exposed due to her dishevelled clothing. Sweat was floating on her pure white skin.

“Wh-wh-wa-what, what do you want ……? And how did you get here?”

Princess Rushia asked, standing up and pointing at me.

But she soon realised how she was dressed and hurriedly straightened her dishevelled clothes.

“I’ll have to keep quiet about how I got here. The…… matter is, of course, about the defeat of the Poisonous Demon Dragon.”

“I have nothing to say!　Whether or not you’re willing to take on the job, that’s all that matters!”

“There’s always two sides of the same coin.

Saying that, I tried to get closer to her, but…

“Waawh!? Wait, I’m against violence-jyaa!”

Princess Rushia looked exaggeratedly frightened.

“Don’t come any closer! Don’t be violent.!”

Princess Rushia tells me while holding one of her hands to her chest.

Speaking of which, Princess Rushia said she is not good at fighting and conflict. So this situation is probably the most frightening situation for her. I understand that, but her attitude is too obvious.

“Are you pretending….?”

“I’m not pretending!　I mean, you!　You’re being rude!”

“And, you have no courtesy to show a man whom you suddenly try to restrain.”

“Ugh……”

Princess Rushia was at a loss for words to reply, perhaps acknowledging that it was a good argument.

“I’m sorry, but I’ll do exactly what I have to do, even if it’s against royalty.”

Having said this, I approached Princess Rushia.

“I’m going to punish any child who causes trouble for others. I’ll..”

“Nyogo!?”

He dropped a hand chop on her head.

Of course, I’m taking it easy on her. My Existence Power Level 1, so I shouldn’t be that strong – but..

“U,uu…..”

Princess Rushia’s beautiful eyes filled with tears as she looked at me.

“Uwaaーーーーーーnn!!! Mayーーー!! Mayーーー!! Come here ーーー!!”

Princess Rushia’s sobs echoed in the room.

◆

Five minutes had passed since May rushed to Princess Rushia’s cry.

Understanding the situation, May put her hand to her forehead.

“You’re bolder than …… I thought you’d be, beating up royalty.”

“The trick to get in terms with nobility and royalty is not to overplay your hand. You have to be very clear about what you need to say.”

“…..sounds like you have a point, but you’re probably the only one who can dismiss it.”

May let out a deep sigh.

Five minutes ago. May rushed to the room and closed the door the moment she saw a sobbing Rushia  and me next to her….May has decided to protect me. Ostensibly I am still wanted, but at least she can be trusted.

May looks at Princess Rushia  who has finally stopped crying with her eyes bright red and swollen, with sympathy.

“Rushia-sama. If you don’t mind, let me give Ned an explanation from my mouth…..”

“….. No, I will explain. Now that it has come to this, it is quicker to tell Ned everything.”

Princess Rushia then slowly looks up.

Princess Rushia looked at me with eyes filled with resignation.

“Remember I told you that the damage caused by the Poisonous Demon Dragon was not limited to the Kingdom of Enuvidia, but extended to other countries as well?”

“Yes.”

“The nest of the poisonous dragons is in the Kingdom of Enubidia. So, normally, when the poisonous dragons cross over to other countries, they don’t stay there for long periods of time. But……there has been one exception in the past.”

In a quiet voice, Princess Rushia said.

“A few years ago, the Poison Dragon Demon invaded the Kingdom of Intil, where it carried out its tyranny for about a month. The damage was so great that it has still not recovered……and the Kingdom of Enuvidia was  held accountable.”

Princess Rushia spoke with a sombre face.

“….. I remember, about four or five years ago, there was a story about a rural town in the middle of nowhere that was completely destroyed by monsters. You’re talking about that, by any chance?”

“That’s the one. Why didn’t you remember that until now, …… on the contrary, why didn’t you remember it?”

Maybe I was in another country at the time.

I actively collect information about people, but also other information. I suppose because I often travel to other countries, I was fortunate enough not to have been involved in the Poisonous Demon Dragon case. I never imagined that ….it would have such a big impact.

“But monsters are like natural disasters, aren’t they? Is the Kingdom really supposed to be held responsible for that?”

“There are circumstances. …… You, too, know the alias of the Kingdom of Enuvidia, don’t you?””

I knew what Princess Rushia  meant by that question.

“The land that bonded with dragons….?”

“Yes. The……poison demon dragon is a monster that was born in this country, so it is understandable they are distrusted. And in fact, the Kingdom of Enuvidia sometimes carries out dragon protection activities. If they say that the Poisonous Demon Dragon is the only exception, they won’t be convinced.”

In other words, is the Kingdom of Enuvidia deliberately leaving the poisonous demon dragons unattended? It is suspected. It is not thought that they are protecting the dragon, but the kingdom may be judged reluctant to defeat it.

“Poisonous demon dragons are rampant in all countries, though not as rampant as in the Intail Kingdom. It is only natural that the countries that have suffered….. should take the brunt of the anger. In this case, the Kingdom of Enuvidia is truly under siege from all sides.”

Princess Rushia continued that there are no other countries that are on her side. They say they are to take the brunt of the anger, but strictly speaking, the other countries are probably thinking to the extent that [if the Kingdom of Enuvidia pays reparations, they will be the beneficiaries]. This is an extremely unreasonable claim, but because it is the majority opinion, it is a situation that cannot be easily brushed off.

I see. Certainly Kingdom of Enuvidia in a tight corner.

“Now, here’s the important thing….. the Kingdom of Intail has been demanding reparations from our country for some time now. But the other day, their king reversed his opinion.”

“Reversed……?”

When I asked her back, Princess Rushia nodded her head.

“According to father, the king of the kingdom of Intail said……[A few moments ago, a highly skilled adventurer called Net went to the Kingdom of Aenebidia. Ask him to defeat the poisonous demon dragon. If he succeeds, the matter of compensation will be withdrawn].”

“…..he named me?”

Princess Rushia nodded her head and continued.

“If Enuvidia can’t defeat it, they’re going to go ahead in earnest with the compensation case, which has been postponed until now……. At the very least, they won’t be convinced if I don’t send Ned into the fight.”

“….What the hell”

I realise that I’m not the only one to be put on such blatant conditions.

That idiot king…… has been after me from the start.

The fact that they are making a compromise is also disgusting. In short, they are saying that if they let me join the fight, they will leave room for negotiation. From the perspective of the Kingdom of Enuvidia, if they said such a thing, it is obvious that they would bite.

“I know it’s a dubious proposition. But…..father seems to have accepted this proposal. It is a no-lose proposition for our country. …..”

“…… Well, that’s true.”

If I can defeat the Poisonous Demon Dragon, it will be profitable.

If I fail and I die, relations between the two countries can be maintained as before for the time being.

“The compensation offered is so huge that it is impossible not to accept, considering the position our country is in. I am sorry…….I am really, really sorry. I have succumbed to pressure.”

If it is rejected, the Kingdom of Enuvidia will be perceived as having no intention of accepting any blame for the Poisonous Demon Dragon. This could lead to a diplomatic issue.

“Ned, let me clear up one misunderstanding.”

May says in a clear voice.

“Her Highness was dismissive of the matter from the outset. While we were fulfilling the Guild’s request, Her Highness tried desperately to persuade her father. But still His Majesty did not understand, so Her Highness had no choice but to try to detain you with her own hands before His Majesty did…..because if we restrain you, it will only be for show. But if His Majesty moves, it will be rough.”

“….. I didn’t realise that.”

No wonder it was a hasty move.

Princess Rushia was in a hurry to protect me. She must have felt she had to take me into her own hands before the king could make his move.

Princess Rushia  couldn’t explain what happened, probably because His Majesty the Idiot of the Kingdom of Intail had asked to keep quiet about the matter. Well, it doesn’t matter what they explained to me anyway. I’m not stupid enough to say [I understand] when someone says [I won’t do anything wrong, just let me restrain you] and I’m not stupid enough to hold out my hands.

“Princess Rushia, I’m sorry I hit you”

“No, it’s okay. It was me, s who was at fault….., but it hurt so much. I thought I was going to die…….Uuu.”

I don’t remember hitting her that hard.

It was just a light chop. It was almost the same force as when I knocked on the door.

“It’s not Princess Rushia’s fault……or rather, this case also involves my circumstances.”

“….. your circumstances?”

Princess Rushia tilted her head at me as I said with a sigh.

“The reason I left the Kingdom of Intil was because I had a disagreement with His Majesty in that country. As a matter of fact…”

I tell Princess Rushia and May about the connection between me and His Majesty the Idiot.

When I finished telling them everything, they looked at me with their eyes wide open.

“You’ve been expelled from the hero party…..?”

“Aa. As a result, the current hero party is often run amok……and perhaps that’s what made them target me.”

“So I feel like I’m the one who started this whole thing. It’s my fault for getting you two involved. I’m sorry.”

I bowed my head.

This time, maybe it wouldn’t have happened if I hadn’t come to the Kingdom of Enuvidia.

“Ned is not to blame. That king is quite a dark lord, if you ask me.”

“Umu……May is right, it is their king who is unreasonable……And originally, the matter of the Poisonous Demon Dragon has been struggling behind the scenes for a long time. It may have started because of Ned, but sooner or later these problems would eventually come.”

This may indeed be the case. In fact, the Kingdom of Intail is currently suffering massive damage from the heroic parties. It is possible that they are just trying to squeeze money out of the Kingdom of Enuvidia to recover from that.

“The bad guy… is the king of the Kingdom of Intail.”

If only that idiotic king could be dealt with, this matter would be settled.

The policy is set.

If I’m gonna deal with poison demon dragons, I know some people, there’s still a way to do it.

“Do you have a deadline for the slaying of the poisonous dragon?”

“…… by the end of the week.”

“Again, absurd.”

I can’t help but laugh.

That idiot Majesty, he really is too blatant. The Poisonous Demon Dragon is such a threat that even if I formed a coalition force, I would have retreated. There is no way I can prepare a decent force in a week. In short, he’s probably telling me to die.

─ ─ Will I manage to get it sorted out this week?

In a way, this is a good opportunity.

If I’m thinking about the future, it’s better to cut ties with His Majesty the Idiot as soon as possible.

“Princess Rushia, I want you to let me stay at the royal castle tonight.”

“……?”

“For appearances’ sake, it’s better to be restrained, isn’t it? I want to calm down and think things over, so I’ll just accept it for now.”

When I said this, Princess Rushia smiled unreliably and looked at May.

“May, restrain Ned…… lock him up in a nice room.”

“I understand.”

◆

The room I was taken to in the name of restraint was a luxurious guest room.

It was probably a room reserved for a nobleman. The room is spacious, the furnishings are all of high quality and there is even a separate room for the squires to relax and unwind.

After a quick look at the interior of the room, I stepped out onto the balcony and a cool breeze lifted my fringes.

Just right for cooling my head. Let’s do some thinking here.

“…… First, I need to find out what that asshole His Majesty is after.”

His Majesty’s purpose is to clash me with the Poisonous Demon Dragon.

What could be the reason for this?……There are two candidates.

The first is to spite me.

I know from the newspapers that the heroes’ party is going out of control. If they just want to make me feel bad about it, they may be able to get away with it by simply passing on the information to His Majesty that they are suffering because of me. If it’s really just a case of spite, then they probably aren’t that serious about compensation either.

Secondly, they are seriously trying to kill me.

They don’t have any reason to hold a grudge against me, Unless,they think killing me is going to stop the hero party from running amok? If that’s the case, even if I defeat the Poison Demon Dragon, they could send further assassination after me. If I don’t take some action to break His Majesty’s thinking, I’ll be a target for a long time.

“…This is becoming a hassle.”

I brushed his hair back lightly.

Why not just prepare shadow warriors and have them fight the poisonous demon dragon and fake my death? ….. not very realistic. If the disguise is discovered, the position of the Kingdom of Enuvidia will become even worse, and in the first place, disguising death is not something that can be continued for a long time. In the future, when I come into contact with a celebrity like Riese, I will inevitably stand out. It would be impossible to keep the information that I am alive secret.

In any case, there is no doubt what triggered….was the outburst of the heroic party. If so, would His Majesty the Idiot withdraw his proposal if I stopped their outburst?

‘As much as it pains me to say it…..should I ask the hero party to hold their own for a moment?’

With a communication stone, I try to contact the heroes.

But no matter how long I waited, the communication did not connect.

“I knew it, they must have taken the…..communication stone.”

His Majesty the Idiot. Do you realise that you are strangling yourself?

With the exception of Julius, every member of the heroic party had a communication stone with my contact details registered on it. But they probably took it away. Thanks to this, I am now unable to contact each of them.

“….. Let’s put this one on hold, shall we?”

The deadline is this week. I have to get some kind of result by then.

However, apart from the Poisonous Demon Dragon matter, there was one other thing that was on my mind.

“The frozen heart of Princess Rushia…..”

These were the words uttered by the head maid, Hersha.

When I asked her what she meant, she replied that I should ask Princess Rushia herself or May…… Does these two have some kind of secret thing going on?

─ ─ Princess Rushia’s attitude was a little strange.

I remember, just after I entered her room.

Princess Rushia, who had been appealing against violence, had her hand on her chest, but …… I couldn’t help but notice the way she was moving.

It was not so much that she was afraid of me approaching her, but……it was a movement as if she was desperately trying to restrain herself from putting out her hands.

It was a little different from the behaviour of a frightened person.

She was acting as if she was more afraid of herself – who didn’t know what she was going to do – than of me, who was right in front of her.

“…… no good. It’s incomprehensible speculation.”

I don’t even know if this has anything to do with the Poisonous Dragon.

I had a light headache from overthinking. Fatigue has reached its limit. Thinking about it, today is quite a hard schedule, fighting monsters and being chased by the castle knights. It’s a tough day for me, who has an existence power of 1, let alone Riese, who has an existence power of 6.

“….. hmm?”

Suddenly, I realise that the soles of my feet felt uncomfortable.

I looked and saw that there was something strange stuck in the sole of my shoe.

“What’s this? A white …… gem?”

I picked up the object in my hand, shone it in the moonlight and observed it.

The pure white stone was light, flat and looked like a piece of something.

When I was doing the guild’s requests and walking around the castle with Hersha, I didn’t feel any discomfort in the soles of my feet. If that is the case, this was caught in the sole of my shoe afterwards…. after I entered Princess Rushia’s room.

“Is this from Princess Rushia’s room?　But where have I seen it before….”

It gets caught strangely. It just didn’t seem like a jewel.

Let’s check it out, shall we?……So I put the white stone in my pouch and went back to the room.

◆

Next morning.

As I was changing from my nightgown in the closet into my going-out clothes, there was a knock on the door and a blue-haired girl walked in.

“May, good morning.”

“Oh, good morning.”

May, wearing her armour as usual, looks at me with a complicated expression.

“…… you didn’t run away, did you?”

In a small voice, May said.

She had apparently anticipated that I might flee the castle last night. I’d be lying if I said I hadn’t thought about that, but it would only jeopardise the position of Princess Rushia and the others.

“Meir and Princess Rushia told me that it wasn’t my fault for what happened,…..but even so, it was definitely me who triggered it. I’m not going to run away until I take responsibility for that.”

“I see…….I knew you would say that.”

“You trust me?”

“I think I know you well enough from our association over the last few days to know that you are a righteous man.”

May says with a smile.

“By the way, Ned. If you’re getting dressed, does that mean you’re going out now?”

“Yeah. I’m going to make a quick stop.”

“Then I’ll accompany you.”

May smiles apologetically.

“Surveillance…..just in case.”

I see, I’m convinced.

Princess Rushia’s concern can be seen in the fact that she has chosen May to act as her watchdog.

“May, can I have breakfast first?”

“Sure. To tell you the truth, I haven’t eaten yet either, so this is good.”

It was just right.

After leaving the castle we go into a suitable restaurant and order a light meal.

“So, Ned. What are you going to do about the poison demon dragon?”

I thought about it before opening my mouth to May, who asked me with a mysterious look on her face.

“I’m still struggling to think. Defeating the Poisonous Demon Dragon is difficult, but……this case is ultimately caused by the king of the Intail Kingdom, isn’t it?　Then I might be able to do something if I seize that king’s weakness and negotiate with him.”

“……You think you can even hold the weakness of the king of a country?”

“If I wanted to.”

May looks surprised and disbelieving at what I’ve said.

“But I just don’t want to use my contacts in that way if I can help it.”

“….. why?”

“Because it’s dangerous.”

Communicate clearly.

“My contacts can turn into a devil’s weapon if they’re used the wrong way. Such..threat could be the first step.”

Surely, if I wanted to, I could take on the weakness of any person, old or young.

From village girl to the king of a country, and even the S-class adventurers with existence power 7, of which there are only ten in the world, I am sure that I can blackmail countless people. I’m proud to say that I have that much information network.

But I have never wanted that kind of power.

Above all, I don’t want my friends, who are important to me and on whom I rely, to be part of such force.

“If I use my contacts for dirty things, I’ll also be defiling the way of life of the people who help me. That doesn’t make me feel very good. I don’t want to act in a way that will harm my friends. That’s why I try to avoid blackmail, fraud, and injustice…..as much as possible.”

When I looked at May after explaining that much, she had a serious expression on her face.

I may have spoken too seriously. To soften the air that had somehow become tense, I gave her a small smile.

“Well, when I say avoid, I mean to the extent of not taking the easy way out…….they say that a life is a kind of thing, and maybe this is a time when I need that kind of power.”

I tipped the cup on the table with my mouth.

As I quenches my throat with sweet tea, May, sitting opposite me, smiles.

“…… I’m starting to get to know you, somehow.”

Staring me in the face, May said.

“It’s not just about being righteous. Deep down…… you respect someone who is willing to help you”

“…Somehow..”

They can all do things I could never do. They are walking a way of life that I could not walk.

I didn’t want to just twist their way of life. I want to keep admiring them forever.

“Let’s get back to the story.”

I said, putting my cup on the table.

“I’m in a situation where I’m having a lot of trouble defeating the poisonous demon dragon, as I’ve just explained. I’d like to ask you, just for..reference, what do you want me to do, May?”

“…… I know it’s a bit pushing, but the ideal is still to defeat them. At any rate, the poisonous demon dragons are nothing but a blight on our country.”

Staring at the cup in her hand, May says.

“Actually, there is no queen in this country. Do you know why?”

I shook my head at the question.

“The queen was killed in an attack by a poisonous dragon when she left the capital for a festive event. It was right in front of the young Princess Rushia’s eyes. Since then, she has hated fighting……”

“……She had such a past?”

“Yes.   If we put aside diplomatic gains and losses and the pressure of our position,……I’m sure she is genuinely waiting for someone to avenge her mother.”

For Princess Rushia, the Poison Demon Dragon is also the killer of her mother.

“Ned….you can do something about it, right?”

May asked with a clinging look on her face.

I reply, thinking of a few people I know in my head.

“As far as I know, there are six people who could defeat the…..Poison Demon Dragon.”

“Hou, really?　Then, if you ask those people to help..”

“But just because they can defeat it doesn’t mean they will.”

I said to May, who was in a hurry to come to a conclusion, in a slightly more forceful tone.

“All six of them are far away and their positions are complicated…….Wwe should expect to wait a few years, not this week.”

“…. years, huh?”

May bites her lip at my words.

Riese could not win even if she took on the challenge together with her friends from the 『White Dragon Chivalric Order』. If I want to defeat such an opponent, I need an existence force of seven. In other words, I need a hero, one of no more than ten in the world….

I have the candidate, but I am not ready to prepare for it right now.

“There is precisely one person who is close by, but due to bad timing, I can’t get in touch with him at the moment. If I don’t stick to the deadline of……this week, it’s not impossible to take it down. I could give him a shout when this is over..”

Defeating the poisonous demon dragon is an extremely difficult problem, but it is not impossible if I take my time. I told her so, but…..May’s expression remained downcast.

The way she looks, I have my doubts.

“I’m only introducing the people to you, but you could be a bit more pleased. Even though it’s going to take a few years, you’re going to be able to slay a poisonous demon dragon that’s been on the loose for a while now.”

“……Yes, it is. It’s certainly a delight. I’m thrilled.”

With a forced, made-up smile, May said.

“But……a few years? I hope I can keep it until then. ….. Haha, if only I’d met you long before this,….. or maybe that’s a wish I don’t have….”

With a self-mocking smile, May mumbled something.

Keep it…..? What does she mean?

“….Sorry. My head was a bit confused.”

May apologises briefly.

After regaining her composure, May looks at me with a calm face.

“Ned is right, it would be very gratifying to be able to defeat the poisonous demon dragons, even if it takes a long time……But doesn’t that solve the problems that are happening now?”

“Well, yes.”

May is right.

It might be better to separate the matter of the Poisonous Demon Dragon from the matter of His Majesty the Idiot. I am now facing the latter problem.

When I’m putting my head together like this, I can’t help but remember something.

It was the words that Hersha had uttered last night.

“May. I’m going to change the subject, but……is Princess Rushia  hiding anything from me?!

“…… hiding things?”

“It’s just a curiosity, I’m not forcing you to answer, but I thought …… you might know something about Princess Rushia. Do you know anything?”

I’m also concerned about May’s current behaviour and Princess Rushia’s attitude last night.

Maybe there’s some important secrets about this case that I don’t know about.

“….. I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

May says, looking straight at me.

She sounded as confident as she always does but I knew she was lying.

She probably thought she couldn’t look away from me. That’s why she decided to look straight into my eyes, but that’s not natural.

Apparently, May’s mouth is tight.

Then I have to find it by myself.

“It’s time we left the restaurant……Is there an Appraisers’ Guild in this town?”

I ask, straightening my back lightly after eating my breakfast.

“There is.”

“Well, then, show me the way. I have something I’d like to appraise.”

I said, remembering the white gemstone in my pouch.

◆

There is a profession known as appraisers.

Their job is to analyse the details and value of any item. Due to the nature of their work, they often have a vast amount of knowledge and many of them are scholars.

They are organised by an organisation called the Appraisers Guild.

The Guild of Appraisers and the Adventurers Guild have a close relationship. When adventurers bring back items from their adventures, they often find strange plants and minerals mixed in. In such cases, it is the turn of the appraisers’ guild to mediate.

In towns where adventurers are active, appraisers are also active.

The Appraisers Guild in the royal capital of Enuvidia was a large, clean building.

“This is the Guild of Appraisers.”

May, the guide says.

“By the way, what are you appraising?”

“I don’t know what it is, so I’m having it appraised.”

“Muu, sure.”

I thought I would try to mislead her, but somehow May is convinced.

We entered the building and headed for the reception desk. A young young man noticed us and responded.

“Welcome. Are you requesting an appraisal?”

“Yes. I need an appraisal of some minerals……and a some kind of jewellery.”

“I’m sorry, we can’t do an appraisal on any minerals. We are busy at the moment and the waiting time will be half a day.

Appraisals takes time.

I was willing to wait an hour or two, but…..half a day is a long time.

“As I recall, the Guild of Appraisers also works with guilds in other countries, right?”

“Yes. Unlike adventurers, appraisers are small in number. We have to share information frequently to get by, so we work well together.”

“Then use this..”

I took a card out of my pouch.

“I should be registered as a priority guide. Now you can give me an early result.”

“…..I understand. Please wait a moment.”

The young man at reception looked slightly startled but quickly got down to business.

The young man takes the card and goes to work in the back room.

“Ned……What was that about?　You said you were a priority guide……?”

“It’s sort of a perk of being a preferred guide. You get it for requesting an appraisal of a thousand items or more.”

“It’s sort of a perk for being a good customer. You get it for requesting over a thousand appraisals.”

“A-a thousand items? Isn’t that a lot of stuff to appraise?!”

“When you’re adventuring in uncharted territory, everything you see is an unknown object and if you’re working with frontline adventurers, you’re going to get over a thousand points pretty quickly”

“A-mazing, being an adventurer……”

May gave a drawn-out smile.

“Sorry to keep you waiting. You must be Ned-sama, our priority guide.”

The receptionist returns to the counter after the confirmation process.

“……,just to confirm, there are a total of seven of these cards issued, and they are shared in the same name by more than one person, correct?”

“Aa,as it should be.”

“…..Recently, several items were appraised in the Republic of Luxent in the name of Ned-sama. Also, last month,was the Valreid Empire and the Holy Place Kingdom. Three months ago, it was the Kakusen Empire and the Ingrid Empire…….it seems that Ned-sama’s name is being used all over the world…… Do you have any idea what’s going on?”

“…..Aaa”

Apparently, he is concerned that my name is being misused by a stranger.

However, I have a vague idea, so I’m confident it is not being misused.

‘They’re…… still using my name.’

I have told them to re-register it in their own name if they felt like it, but apparently none of them felt like doing it. They’re still as lax as ever.

The card certifying the priority guide has no deposit or withdrawal functions. Therefore, there were no separate security issues.

“Well then, we will be with you shortly, but if you use the Guild’s services as a….. priority guide, you will not be able to bring a companion with you. Please be patient.”

The young man at the reception desk looked at May and said.

I nodded my head.

“May wait here, please.”

“Okay.”

May nodded quickly. She doesn’t seem to think I’m going to run anymore.

The receptionist guides me to the appraiser.

Each appraiser often had their own equipment, hence the large number of workrooms within the guild. We proceeded down an intricate corridor until we reached a square room.

“I’m Rezac, the appraiser. Let me see the goods first.”

A bearded man in a chair holds out one hand.

I took out the white stone.

“This white gemstone….”

“The texture, the shape, it’s unique…… Well, since it is brought to us by a priority guide, one of only ten in the world. Let’s check it out a bit more carefully.”

“Please.”

I explained to May that if she works with first-class adventurers, she can easily become a priority guide, but there aren’t many first-class adventurers to begin with, so less than ten is an acceptable number. Incidentally, my card is divided into seven cards, but since it is in my name alone, I am treated as one person.

“Hm?…… Oi,oi customer.”

Rezac, who was appraising the stones with a loupe, speaks up.

“This guy ain’t no stone.”

“…. not a stone?”

Then what is that white object?

“It’s a scale.”

I tilted my head and Rezac explained.

“I’ve never seen this kind before, but I’m sure of it. These are the scales of a dragon……Sometimes people mistake dragon scales for gemstones. They both look alike.”

The moment I heard that description, it outlined the discomfort I had in my head.

For a long time, I thought the stone looked familiar. Now that I know that they are dragon scales,……I can clearly remember where I have seen them in the past.

“What do you want to do now?　I’m a mineral appraiser, so if you want to know more about this guy, I can refer you to another appraiser…..”

“…… No, thanks. I’ve got what I need to know.”

I take the scales from Rezac’s hand.

“Thank you, you’ve been a great help.”

With that, I turned on my heel.

I leave the guild with haste.

◆

After leaving the Guild of Appraisers, I headed for the Royal Castle.

May, who was waiting near the entrance, was surprised to see me walking without looking back.

“Oi,wait, wait! Ned! Where are you going?”

“Back to the castle.”

I told her briefly, stopped once and showed May what was in my hand.

“May. Is this what you were hiding?”

“T-that’s…….”

May’s eyes widened when she saw the white gem or rather, the dragon scales in my palm.

She clearly knew what this was, and reacted accordingly.

“Moreover, I’m a grade A adventurer. I think I know some about these scales…..I’ll ask her for an explanation. May, is that okay?”

“Aa..”

May nodded as if in contemplation.

The two of us went straight back to the castle.

Our destination is the place I snuck into last night – Princess Rushia’s room.

Normally, guests are not allowed to enter this area, but I  was not stopped by the knights as I was escorted by May. After climbing the stairs and proceeding down the corridor for a while, we eventually see a door at the end of the corridor that leads to Princess Rushia’s room.

“This is where you stop, May.”

Once I stop and I say.

“I’d like a moment alone with Rushia.”

“…..I understand.”

May nodded her head with a mysterious look on her face.

I walked down the corridor alone, approaching Princess Rushia’s room

Last night, I did not notice when I was being shown around by Hersha, but there were no knights standing by near Princess Rushia’s room. For security reasons, they should have a few knights stationed around the front of the room, but there are reasons why this is not possible for…..Rushia.

I was about to touch the door, when.

A girl’s voice was heard from the room.

“Uu….aa! Kuu..nn..Haa!..NnaaA!

I hear Rushia’s charming voice, the same as last night.

But if I listen carefully, I can hear it.

This is… the sound of suffering.

Knowing it was rude, I opened the door without knocking.

Then Rushia, who was sitting on the bed, looked back at me with great energy.

“Ne, Ned…!”

Princess Rushia was astonished when she saw me appear suddenly.

In contrast, I calmly observe her.

She has long silver hair damp with sweat and flushed cheeks. Her dishevelled clothes and soggy bed.

These are all scenes I saw last night, but there are two things that are different.

One is that Princess Rushia has a bitter, agonised expression on her face.

“The other is the large white wings growing out of Princess Rushia’s slender back.”

“What are you doing here Ne—Gu…ahhhHH!!?”

With a crackling sound, Rushia’s wings enlarge.

Pure white scales were eroding the surface of herslender, small body. The hardened scales were like armour, and from the elbows of both arms it looked as if it was wearing sturdy cage hands.

“Look, don’t ……! Don’t look at ……! Don’t look!!!”

Rushia’s pupils split vertically. It was as if she were a reptile.

Instantly, a weighty pressure that did not seem to belong to a human being was released. The glass in the room cracked all at once and I felt as if my heart had been grabbed by an eagle.

The feeling of helpless fear in the face of an absolute power.

The pressure, which I had not felt for a long time, caused me to break out in a cold sweat.

“Calm down.”

I called out to the confused Rushia  as calmly as I could.

I am weak. I am not a person who would normally be able to bear this kind of pressure.

But, I’ve done this many times before.

In order not to provoke Rushia, I slowly approach her and open the pouch.

From inside, I take out a small bottle of medicine.

“It’s an elixir of all-purpose elixirs. It will temporarily suppress your symptoms.”

It is a rare drug that can be used to treat any condition.

It is so expensive that it should not normally be owned by private individuals. Princess Rushia was clearly suspicious of it, but, realising that she pushed it away, she picked up the vial and fearfully sipped the liquid inside.

After a while, Princess Rushia’s bloating body subsided.

The constant creaking of bones stopped and the white scales covering her body began to peel off.

I picked up one of the peeled off scales.

There is no doubt. What I had mistaken for a gem earlier was this.

“Rushia……”

Unintentionally, I called out her name.

Poisonous Demon Dragons harbour a deadly poison. Perhaps I should have anticipated the situation when I heard her explanation.

“These symptoms lead to…… dragonization disease.”

When I asked, Princess Rushia silently cast her eyes down.

Dragonification disease is literally a disease that causes people to turn into dragons.

Some monsters called dragons wear something like a poison called miasma. Prolonged exposure to such a miasma can lead to the onset of the dragonisation disease.

Patients with dragonisation disease can normally spend time in a human body. However, from time to time, in the form of seizures, the body transforms into that of a dragon. When the seizures end, the body returns to that of a human, but as the disease progresses, the intervals between seizures become shorter and shorter, and eventually the patient is in a state of constant seizures – in other words, unable to return from the body of a dragon.

“……The poison demon dragon got to you, didn’t it?”

I asked Princess Rushia, who was sitting up in bed.

Having taken the medicine, Princess Rushia had returned to a human body. Looking at her white, slender body, I almost thought that the scene I had just seen was a dream. However, the countless white scales scattered at her feet tells me the scene was real.

“I have heard the story from May. I heard that when Queen……was killed by a poisonous demon dragon, Princess Rushia was also by her side. Is that when you contracted the dragonisation disease?”

Princess Rushia says nothing.

Her silence means an affirmation.

“…..Why didn’t you tell me such an important thing?”

I tell her, suppressing my emotions.

“The dragonisation disease will continue to progress unless the dragon that caused the disease is defeated. In other words…..if you don’t defeat the poisonous demon dragon, Princess Rushia will eventually quit being human.”

At these words, Princess Rushia reacted with a small twitch.

“What do you mean…..by saying that?”

A trembling voice spun.

The Poisonous Demon Dragon is a genuine monster that could not be defeated even if a coalition army was organised. Even if…..I reveal that I’m suffering from dragonification disease,it does not mean that more force will be gathered.

Indeed, it may be.

But the Dragonisation Disease it’s not just a disease.

“……Dragonisation disease is also known as the disease of heroes”

Perhaps Princess Rushia knows about it. But I dared to explain it, to confront her with that fact once more.

“The symptoms of the Dragons Disease can be said to be that a human being is imbued with the power of a dragon…….So the dragonisation disease is a curse and a blessing at the same time.”

In fact, I know of several people who have listed dragon disease as a blessing on their guild’s registration form.

“The power of the dragon can be a tremendous asset if a person knows how to use it. So much so that they can even slay dragons that have become the pathogens. ….. So patients with dragon sickness often go on to use the dragon power in their bodies to slay the dragon that has become pathogenic by themselves…..This is the common cure for dragonisation disease, and hence it is also called the disease of heroes.”

I tell Princess Rushia, who looks down.

“Princess Rushia should be no exception. If you can master the power of that dragon, you might be able to defeat….the Poisonous Demon Dragon.”

Beforeher body turns into a full dragon, she must use her power and go to defeat the dragon that is causing the disease. That is the general treatment for dragonisation disease.

“Indeed, you are right, the dragon disease is also known as the disease of heroes. There are many fairy tales in the world about the mortal struggle between the human who has the power of the dragon and the dragon who gave him that power…..”

Princess Rushia says with an unreliable smile.

“The problem is that ……I cannot be the hero of such fairy tales.”

“What do you mean…..?”

“I’m afraid.”

Short but clear voice.

“I told you….I hate fighting. I am a coward who won’t even touch a weapon……”

This statement reminded me of a story I heard from May.

Princess Rushia’s mother was killed by a poisonous demon dragon in front of her eyes. She is probably traumatised by that memory. However…

“Certainly, for Princess Rushia, fighting may be something that brings back bad memories. But this is no longer the time to be thinking about such things..”

“──I’ve tried it before.”

Princess Rushia interrupts me.

“Even I was not this weak-kneed from the start. In the past, I also tried to use the power of this dragon to avenge my mother’s death. …… but as a result of using this dragon’s power..”

Princess Rushia squeezes the sheet in her hand.

“……hell was born right in front of me. It was like a scene after the rampage of a poisonous demon dragon.”

Princess Rushia, whose mother was killed by a poisonous demon dragon, naturally remembers the view vividly. And when she herself unleashed the dragon’s power, the exact same view was created before her eyes……. What emotions were swirling in Princess Rushia’s heart at that time? It is not difficult to…… imagine.

“I don’t want to use …..that kind of power. With that, instead of defeating the Poisonous Demon Dragon, …… I would also become a Poisonous Demon Dragon. That …… is also the most terrifying thing for me.”

Princess Rushia says in a trembling voice.

“I remember the terrified eyes of all the……people when Mother was killed by the Poison Demon Dragon. I don’t want……to look like that,….I’m not a poison demon dragon……!”

Princess Rushia says, spilling tears.

When I entered this room, Princess Rushia’s cry of [Don’t look!] reminds me of it.

“So that’s why you’re hiding the Dragonisation Disease?”

“…..Yes. Only May knows about the dragonisation disease.”

Princess Rushia’s concealment about this matter was greater than I had imagined.

However, the symptoms of dragon sickness are difficult to keep a secret. The head maid, Hersha, must have found out about this by accident. And then she tried to confide this information to me.

I hear that the timing of the seizure is uncontrollable. And I’ve also heard that if you try to hold it in, you’ll be in tremendous…..pain.

That is why there are no knights guarding Princess Rushia’s room. This is because in the event of a seizure, the knights might hear the anguish leaking from the room and rush to the scene.

Now that I think about it, that’s probably why the security in the….big bathroom was so thin.

“How often do you dragonise?”

“Every three days at the most. The shortest is…..one day.”

“How have you managed to keep it under wraps at such short intervals?”

“I have confidence in my endurance. I’ve been holding back during the day, and then late at night or early in the morning, I’d dragonise in the castle gardens.”

The explanation reminded me of a huge shadow I had seen in the morning mist.

It seems that the shadow I witnessed during my walk in the castle gardens was the……dragonised Princess Rushia.

“You’ve already …… progressed quite a bit.”

The intervals between seizures have become short.

At this rate, Princess Rushia’s dragonisation disease must have progressed considerably.

─three months if she keeps this up.

That’s a rough estimate.

Worst case scenario, …… it won’t last a month.

“Why didn’t you tell me that……?”

I asked, running my hand over my forehead.

“Didn’t you even think to tell me about your…… dragonisation disease when you first tried to restrain me?　Princess Rushia would have had the option of appealing to compassion.”

“…..I have already answered that question. It doesn’t matter what I say, and …… I don’t want to see people get hurt because of me”

Princess Rushia lowered her gaze and said.

“You don’t have to overdo it”

With that, Princess Rushia picked up a small stone on the desk.

“Ned, do you know what this is?”

“The …… communication stone?”

“Yes. I’ve had this and the stone in communication with May all day today.”

The fact that they are communicating means that…my conversation was overheard.

Apparently, Princess Rushia had been eavesdropping on the conversation between me and Meir.

“I have already heard your conversation….. defeating the Poisonous Demon Dragon will be tough, won’t it?”

Princess Rushia barely formed a smile.

“You intend to settle this matter by blackmailing the Kingdom of Intail, don’t you? ……That’s all right. There is no need to think about anything more than that”

“…… but then what about Princess Rushia’s dragonisation disease?”

“You don’t have to take it that far……Originally, the poisonous demon dragons is the problem of the Kingdom of Enuvidia.”

I turned my head to Princess Rushia, who smiled fleetingly at me.

I’m not going to be so heartless as to nod so easily here. Princess Rushia has three months at the most. If I start acting now, I won’t make it in time.

“I wanted to keep it a secret because of this …… atmosphere.”

Princess Rushia tells me with a sigh.

It was a cheerful tone of voice, but it was definitely emphatic.

“It may be difficult to prepare a new force now. But if ……Princess Rushia fights with me, we might have a chance of winning.”

“…. I will not fight. It is enough if I can live out the rest of my life as a human being to the end.”

Princess Rushia tells me with a dejected look on her face, as if her tears have run dry.

“Don’t worry, I’m going to finish this by myself before I turn into a full-blown dragon. If I use…..such monstrous power, I will be so hated by the people…… that I won’t be able to live.”

As if it was her destiny.

Princess Rushia told her in a tone of realisation.

◆

The sky was tinged with sunset when I realised.

I was alone in the guest room of the royal castle, silently thinking, when I saw the orange-green sunlight illuminating the roofs of the castle town and finally realised the progress of time.

It seems that several hours have passed since the discovery of Princess Rushia’s dragonisation disease.

As I let out an involuntary sigh, a figure suddenly appeared on the balcony.

“Ned.”

There she was, Riese.

Somewhat surprised by her sudden appearance, I open the balcony door and invite Lese into the room.

“…. where did you come from?”

“I could have come in from the front, but I thought it would be quicker this way.”

Riese then took a communication stone from inside his armour.

“I’ll give it back to you.”

“……Aaa.”

I took the communication stone that was thrown to me and put it in my pouch.

Princess Rushia seemed to have been eavesdropping on our conversation by giving May a communication stone But, Riese and I were doing the same thing.

Last night, before we stormed into the castle, I put a communication stone in Riese’s hand.

I had arranged for her to be in constant communication with me while I was at the castle, so that if I was in danger, she would come to me immediately.

Fortunately, I was not in danger, but Riese, who had eavesdropped on the……conversation, must have known.

That Princess Rushia’s body was being consumed by the dragonisation disease.

“But……This composition looks like I’ve come to crawl in the night. It’s still evening.”

“…… You’re a carefree woman, Oi.”

“It’s better than both of us not being able to be together.”

Riese is right, I thought.

She can see that I’m not in a good state of mind.

“So, what are you going to do? Are you going to go ahead and blackmail the king of the Kingdom of Intil as planned and call it a day?”

Riese asked in an indifferent tone of voice.

I am not accusing her of anything, nor am I urging her to do anything. I am sure that whatever answer I give here, Riese will nod and respect it, saying, [I see].

That is why I’m having a hard time talking.

The fact that any decision I make is respected means that I have to decide, all by myself, what is right and what is wrong.

“Aa—shit!”

I no longer had the energy to put on a façade of composure.

I brushed my hair back.

“Really, why do I always, always …… always have to go through this? This….is the role of stronger guys like you …. “

What I think about on a daily basis just spills out of my mouth.

“I’m just an ordinary guy……and all these guys, they’re the ones that got all this messy stuff…..”

“I guess that’s your destiny.”

“You’re so noisy.”

In my heart, anger and feelings of helplessness are mixed up in my veins.

“…….Well, the interests are aligned.”

From the outset, threats are a means of creating havoc.

Besides not wanting to use my friends to do dirty things, it’s a method I want to avoid as much as possible. As I was trying to convince myself by such reasoning, Riese gave me a warm look, as if she were watching over a child.

“I like that about you, you know. You’re a man who can stand up for someone.”

“Don’t be ridiculous.”

“I’m not joking. That’s the best thing about you.”

Riese  looks me straight in the eye and tells me.

“You didn’t set out to be a hero, did you?”

“……Don’t say that.”

It was a past I didn’t want to poke too much into, so I looked away.

Seeing me like this, Riese smiles gently.

“But what do we do?　I somehow know what you’re thinking, but perhaps the key is Her Highness Rushia? You can take the……horses to the water, but you can’t get them to drink water.”

I know what Riese means.

It is up to the owner to take the horse to the water, but it is up to the horse to decide whether or not to drink water there. Even if…… they are forced to take them somewhere, what they do there can only be left to them. However—

“Unfortunately ….. my job is always to get that horse to drink water.”

“…… I suppose you could say that.”

Riese nodded in agreement.

“However, one horse is definitely not enough of a force….”

Let’s leave the role of filling that strength to the adventurers in front of me.

“Riese. I need you to lend me the 『White Dragon Chivalric Order』.”

“…..it’s a request from none other than you. I have no reason to refuse.”

Riese immediately shook his head.

Then, for some reason, she looked behind her…

“Right, guys?”

Riese asks, looking towards the balcony.

Before I knew it, a large number of armoured women appeared, kneeling on one knee, waiting. They all look familiar. They are members of the …..『White Dragon Chivalric Order』.

“….. you brought them with you?”

‘I knew this was going to happen…..I really would have liked to rush in during the day, but it took a little longer to convene”

“No, I mean, this is……the Royal Castle.”

If we’re not careful,we would all be caught trespassing.

“Hello,Ned-san, long time no see…”

“Hello—”

“You’re still the same troublemaker, aren’t you?”

The members were as fluent as Riese.

From the looks of it, they apparently have a firm understanding of what I’m about to do.

I let out a sigh and went out onto the balcony with Riese.

The women in armour were crammed tightly together. I thought they must be very annoyed, having been forced to visit such a place at the whim of their leader but… For some reason, their expressions look somewhat proud.

“…..Please. Everyone, I need your help.”

I bowed my head to the famous adventurers.

Riese , their leader, knelt down in front of me.

“Twelve members of the『White Dragon Chivalric Order』will now swing their swords for you.”