Chapter 60: The Dragon Girl Recovered On Her Own
Two days after agreeing to the commission, Aria and co headed toward Renald.
As they traveled, Aria conversed with Reis about the skeleton they were hired to escort. The remains of the Earth Dragon were what became of Stella before her reincarnation.
「So only the skeleton remained, huh…」
「The skeleton is still intact because it was dismantled by a first-rate worker.」
Slightly apart from the chatting duo, Stella was looking up at what was left of her corpse.
Seeing where her eyes were fixed, Tama sent her a telepathic message.
「…」
―― Are you okay, Stella?
Tama knew beforehand that the object they had to escort was Stella’s old body.
It seemed her death left a deep trauma in her.
She had clearly been in a slump these past two days.
Even her gluttonous habits were affected, she had eaten like a normal person recently.
The sudden change began when Aria suggested Stella should stay behind with Vulcan.
Stella rejected the proposal, refusing to leave Tama’s side.
Along the way to Renald, there were monster raids and fighting was inevitable, but Stella didn’t get the chance to lift even a finger. Tama made sure to dispatch all the enemies with his 《Elemental Roar》.
―― What’s the matter, Stella?
―― …
Tama was speechless.
「By the way, Reis-san… How are you going to transport this humongous skeleton? I think it’s too heavy for the horses…」
「 Don’t worry about that, Aria-san. I’ve splurged my money to prepare this orichalcum-casted carriage and〝Lizard Carrier?to pull it.」
「I see… I can feel at ease, then.」
A Lizard Carrier was a rare reptile that was more than two meters long in length.
Smart as a horse but with a more durable body, it was the perfect animal for transporting heavy luggage for long periods.
A sudden call interrupted the conversation.
「Ooh, if it isn’t Aria-chan and Tama-chan! 」
「It’s been a while, Village Chief-san! Long time no see! 」
「Nya~n! 」
The one who appeared to greet them was none other than the Village Chief.
He had spoken to them before, back when they took the subjugation commission of demon Beryl.
He was smiling from ear to ear. After all, Tama and Aria were the heroes who had saved the village.
「You guys are as lively as ever, huh! Could it be… Were you guys the adventurers chosen to escort this dragon skeleton? 」
「That’s right. In fact, we were nominated in name by Reis-san over here.」
「Hohoho, that’s wonderful. It seems your adventurer rank has risen up too. Well, that might be the result of you guys defeating the demon race.」
As he said so, the Village Chief looked at Aria’s chest.
Aria’s adventurer tag had changed from silver to gold, indicating her rise from C-rank to B-rank adventurer.
Even though she defeated the demon race alongside Vulcan, it was still a great accomplishment. Tama defeating 4 trolls made her rank rise even further.
Naturally, Vulcan was promoted to B-rank as well.
(Hm, this Village Chief. He’s staring at my dear master’s cleavage while pretending to look at her tag. I guess he needs a little punishment for his mischief.)
Tama had already noticed the Chief’s lascivious gaze, but his master seemed to be oblivious.
Taking matters into his own paws, he jumped straight onto Aria’s melons. From his new position, he directed his adorable yet fierce gaze at the Chief’s face.
This intimidation tactic worked wonderfully.
No matter how cute its appearance was, the Chief knew that elemental cat had slaughtered an A-rank monster by itself.
Letting out a small whimper, the Village Chief quickly averted his gaze from Aria’s chest.
「T-That aside… Who is the young lady who’s out of breath over there? 」
The Chief asked Aria as he looked at Stella.
Tama had been distracted by protecting Aria from that man’s lecherous gaze and hadn’t noticed Stella’s excited state until now.
She was panting as if she was getting excited.
(T-This girl! So she really is getting excited whenever she recalls the moment I killed her!?)
Her perversion had just skyrocketed.
Stella was getting excited by the memory of being slaughtered.
Rather than being aroused by the memory of her death, she was actually thinking about other situations.
Namely, what would have become of her if Tama had approached her in his “Behemoth” form.
She was also considering that she might have been impregnated by him in one shot.
Those thoughts were something Tama was blissfully unaware of.
(Well, whatever. Anything is fine as long as she manages to conquer her fear. Now she might regain her appetite and be ready to enter a battle at any moment.)
Tama forced himself to let it go.
Meanwhile, the Village Chief invited Aria and co to spend a night in this city’s inn.
The delicious dishes and open-air bath swept away their fatigue. They were fully prepared for their job.