TL/Editor: raei
Status: 5/week mon-fri
Illustrations: none
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The journey to take Longtail home was surprisingly smooth.
It couldn't have been otherwise.
"M-Monster!"
"Eek! Get out of our village, you beast!"
Longtail and Sharpteeth.
These monsters, whose mere presence triggered medieval people's panic buttons, were strolling side by side.
What madman would pick a fight with them?
"Yes, yes~ We're monsters~ Just passing through~"
Ian neatly ignored the freaking-out medieval folk and kept moving forward.
Occasionally, knights who seemed to have lost their minds blocked Longtail's path.
"Vile monster that disturbs the world! Come forth and face my blade..."
"Hello there, good sirs! Keep up the hard work!"
"???"
They were more shocked by Ian, perched on Longtail's back, than by Longtail himself.
Wait, what?! How'd you get up there???
Is this some kind of glitch?
"Oh, oh, oh no...!"
"Young man! If you're being held captive by the drake, wave your staff!"
Ian quickly shouted before Longtail could stomp the knights to death.
"Don't worry! This drake is my friend!"
"Friend...?"
"I'm the wizard Ian!"
Only then did the knights smack their helmets.
Ah, no wonder something seemed off!
Shit, it's a wizard!
In the medieval fantasy world, when something weird happens, blaming wizards is right about half the time.
"Ian Eredith Raven, at your service. Have you heard of me?"
"Wizard Raven?"
"The Black Crow Wizard!"
Ian smiled contentedly at the knights' reactions.
He'd been something of a celebrity for a while now.
This is why reputation matters.
It saves you from having to explain everything every single time!
"Truly remarkable. A wizard who commands drakes as familiars!"
"Well, I don't really command them... but think what you like."
Ian had no interest in explaining his magic to non-specialists.
Would they even understand if he explained?
Talking to people who won't understand is just a waste of words.
"Have a good journey!"
The knights let Ian pass quietly.
He heard suspicious whispers behind his back.
"To see a drake! Today must be our lucky day!"
"Haha, who'd have thought we'd see such a wonder!"
For some reason, they seemed to think of the drake as a symbol of good fortune.
Ian reached Longtail's home without any conflicts, smoothly avoiding all potential trouble.
There was one cute incident where some shocked merchants abandoned all their goods and ran away, but.
Apart from that, there were no troubles with humans whatsoever.
"I should put up a warning sign or something."
A sign that says *Caution* Drake Ahead! or something like that.
It might not be effective, but it's better than nothing.
"[Thanks for your help, Longtail.]"
[Seeing your smiling face is enough, friend.]
"[Tell your wife I said thanks too]"
[Haha, why don't you tell her yourself?]
Ian exchanged farewells with the drake couple.
He wanted to shower them with gifts, but...
Considering the terrible transport conditions of the medieval era, any gifts Ian sent would likely end up in the bellies of thieves.
"The, the drakes..."
"Ah. That guy. They're doing well. They even have a very pretty... well, I'm not sure if she's pretty, but anyway, a lizard-like wife now."
"..."
The rumors were true.
The drakes... there were two of them now!
They might even have babies soon!
"So, what have you been up to?"
Baron Kaltz asked, feeling like the sky was falling.
He had certainly provided food and support to help solve the drake problem!
"? I just went to check if they were living well."
Baron Kaltz was dumbfounded.
You crazy bastard! Did you go for a housewarming party?!
He couldn't understand the wizard's way of thinking at all.
"Then, the mountain road..."
"Ah. I told them about that. I said not to harm travelers."
"?"
Ian briefly summarized his conversation with Longtail.
In exchange for not harming travelers, he would provide alcohol and food.
"They won't harm the merchants!"
"Of course. Even if they accidentally encounter a drake, if they mention my name, the drake will let them pass."
Only then did Baron Kaltz regain his smile.
Ah, I see~ You scared me~
So the drake problem is solved after all~
As long as the mountain roads could be used freely, the baron was more than satisfied.
"Since that's settled, Baron. I'd like to request some alcohol and meat as gifts for the drakes."
"...?"
Is that... how it works?
Baron Kaltz tilted his head.
It did work that way, actually.
Ian was a wandering wizard, so he couldn't prepare gifts for the drakes.
The only option was for Baron Kaltz, who was nearby, to prepare them.
The baron was slightly worried.
"... If it's enough to satisfy a drake, won't we need to prepare quite a lot?"
"However you prepare it is up to you, Baron."
Ian said with a smile.
"If you don't take care of the drakes, I can always ask someone else."
"..."
"But since the drakes are my friends, I'd be really grateful if you could help out."
Baron Kaltz quickly did some mental calculations.
"Do we have to offer tribute every month?"
"No. I'll contact you in advance, so you can prepare then. I like Longtail, but I don't have time to visit every month."
The baron grinned.
This was definitely a profitable deal.
By just preparing some alcohol and meat, they could be completely safe from the drakes' threat, and even get help from the wizard Ian.
For example... if enemies attacked in the direction of the drakes' nest.
If they just called Ian, a great wizard + two drakes would join as allies!
Even if there were no enemies, they could use the excuse of the drakes' alcohol bill to summon Ian and ask for help.
"Since the drakes have opened the road, it's only right to repay them!"
Baron Kaltz declared magnanimously.
"I'll prepare a cart full of sweet mead and honey-cured ham!"
"Oh. Thanks for the cool deal, Baron."
And so, Baron Kaltz once again strengthened his connection with the wizard.
Ian easily secured gifts for the drake couple, and Baron Kaltz gained the ability to borrow the power of a wizard and drakes in times of need.
It was a deal that satisfied everyone.
---
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