Chapter 25: The Mechanic Who Became A Dragonslayer

Chapter 25: The Mechanic Who Became A Dragonslayer

Daniel didn't lead the happiest or most luxurious life on Earth. He didn't have much to lose, so he's not in hurry much to go back. He was summoned by humans to destroy their enemies. And yet, even with all of what he could give, he was exiled, and he ended up helping some of the enemies very that tried to destroy the fortress he was exiled to.

Daniel is still in no hurry to go back to Earth. There are good people in this world, and they have a certain charm. All of that said, he's thankful he came from Earth with his knowledge of ancient troubles and advancements of technology. Even simple baseline knowledge, like what he's had from years of browsing the internet and going down rabbit-holes of knowledge, proves to be incredibly valuable to a variety of cultures that either rely on magic, or are being manipulated by powerful magic beings.

In this case, it was obvious the moment he was able to see the first and worst patients; it was definitely scurvy, down to the yellowing of their eyes and skin and losing teeth. He shows the healthy how to make juices out of fruits and vegetables, which are much easier to feed to their people. The trickiest part, though, is convincing them that it's necessary. It's not an instant-cure, like the magical potions that the demons and demon allies use. And, the dragons have utilized a full social experiment on the Dattakoriens, convincing them that fruits and vegetables are hazardous to their health -the exact opposite of the truth-. While not immediately apparent, this forced a reliance on the dragons, who then controlled 'the cure', allowing them to manipulate the Dattakoriens.

Unfortunately, the territory belonging to the tigerfolk is not what Daniel expected. It’s a lot less forest, and more of a mountainous valley. There are plenty of animals to hunt, most of which feed on the grasses and small shrubs that grow in the valley. But, unless cultivated, no fruit seems to be capable of growing in the valley where the Dattakoriens live. Fortunately, there is abundant water and means to fertilize soil, so he shows them how to grow the various plants that he has seeds or seeding portions of thanks to the rations he captured from his victory.

It only takes two days, however, to prove Daniel’s wisdom. All of the sickest of the Dattakoriens have recovered enough strength to eat solid foods and even participate in normal work. While the tiger-like hunters and gatherers aren’t ironsmiths by any stretch, they are capable of using simple tools, since they make stone-arrow heads from various hard materials. Daniel shows them how to make some simple utensils to make it easier for those who lost their teeth to tenderize and cut their food. Fortunately, the majority of their teeth -and the first ones lost in most cases- are sharp like a typical feline’s, which aren’t intended as much for chewing.

After the first two days have passed, Baeka pulls Daniel aside alone after the usual checkups result in countless thanks and offers of gifts for Daniel, which he does his best to insist on gifts that are much less valuable, such as meat or drink that can be spared, simple wooden trinkets, or other cultural artwork; things that have more meaning than value.

Once alone, Baeka begins to form a question, “Daniel... I’ve been wondering...”

“What is it?”

“What you told Lady Kera’tai and Aoloan... Is it true?”

“Which thing are you asking about?”

She fidgets a little, looking away. “That... That you’re attracted... to males...”

“Oh... that...” Daniel chuckles. “Worked pretty well, didn’t it? Or, well enough. I don’t think Aoloan bought it.”

She looks at him, not satisfied by his answer and needing more clarification. He rubs his neck, adding softly, “It wasn’t true. But,... Listen, I don’t have an easy time trusting people. Women, even less so. It comes from my...” He halts, quickly shifting what he says. “From my hometown. I had a really bad experience in the past, and...” He takes a breath and sighs. “I focus on my purpose now. Things that I can accomplish without the need of anyone else’s input, if possible. Or, limited to entirely straightforward assistance, I suppose. The last few months haven’t changed my mind. I end up friends with a noblewoman in the Kingdom of Mornistae, and I get banished for HOW I saved the second Princess’s life. I worked diligently at the base where... we, uh, ‘met’, and I was treated rather poorly. I know why, but it didn’t instill a trust in any of the women I was getting close to there, either. Kera’tai believes I’m more powerful than I am, and wants access to that. Aoloan sees a weak-willed target, which isn’t far from the truth. I’m glad I could help your people, truly. I’m more glad it was something I knew how to help with. But, until I know I can trust someone, I’m not actively looking for an intimacy with anyone. Man or woman.”

Baeka looks down for a moment as she ponders what he just said. She replies softly, “You feel like those around you merely use you?”

Daniel knows it sounds a little insecure, but he nods. “ I do. It’s been that way since I was a child. I’m easily manipulated by women. Those with ability but no willpower are easily used and discarded. I LIKE being helpful, I like using my abilities. I just hate being discarded. So, I instead keep it on my terms and leave as soon as I can. An opportunity arose for me to leave the kingdom that was gearing up to hate me for doing what I thought was right, so I took it. An opportunity to uphold my duty as a person stationed at Fort Peony and leave that environment at the same time arose, so I did what I had to do. An opportunity arose to escape Kera’tai’s advances and Aoloan’s dangerous personality, so I took those escapes as well. Soon enough, I’ll leave here as well. I know what I’m waiting for. It should be only another few days at most, if my estimation is correct.”

Baeka fidgets with her hands. “Is... Is there any way I could get to know you? The you that... isn’t defined by your abilities? What do you like? What is your favorite food?”

Daniel smiles softly. “I understand that you’re being sincere. Truly. But, I know I have to go. First and foremost, I have to figure out why I’m here. I have to find my purpose and complete it. Once it’s complete, I hope we can meet then, when I’m free to entertain personal freedoms.”

She cocks her head in confusion. “I... I don’t understand... What mission do you have that you are so bound to?”

“I was tasked with destroying the enemies of the Kingdom of Mornistae. At a glance, that would be the Demon Queen. But, I don’t think she’s the enemy they thought she was. I want to see what this side of the world looks like, and learn who the real enemy is.”

Again, Baeka is confused. “You... speak like you aren’t a subject of your kingdom...”

Daniel smirks. “You’re probably right. I killed a dragon. I have no interest in power or ruling. But, I doubt I need to fear anyone who fears dragons, do I?”

She scoffs, and then she begins laughing as it sinks in. Daniel’s not usually arrogant, at least not intentionally, but every now and then, even he can acknowledge what advantages he carries.

Baeka admits softly after she calms down, “Daniel... I hope you know... not everyone confesses an admiration of you out of desire to manipulate you.”

With a smile, he replies gently, “I know that. But, a smile shared between casual friends is much better than a smile that leads to betrayal.”

She sighs quietly. “You’re strange, Daniel. Mysterious. I think that’s part of your charm. But, you should be mindful that those that want you now can’t wait forever.”

“I encourage you not to.” Daniel looks towards the village. “Looks like today’s the day.”

She cocks her head, and her ears twitch as she listens. “H-... How did you hear that?”

“I didn’t. The birds and bugs stopped making noise a minute or so ago. And, I can see some of the villagers congregating.”

Daniel withdraws his rifle from his magic bag, and Baeka asks, “That staff... Is that...?”

He confirms confidently, “This is the source of my power. Let’s go greet our guest.” Daniel walks with the rifle like it’s a staff, which disarms most people of the world. It flags him as a sorcerer, but it also grants the illusion that close range to him is safe; casting spells takes time and chanting.

Daniel just has to aim and pull a trigger.

The villagers kneel before the large presence that is entering the village from the southwest. While not as large as the one Daniel killed already, it is easy to identify the shimmering green being as a dragon. It shares most of the appearance of the red dragon, but this one’s wings seem more transparent, like a dragonfly’s wings, shimmering as light is refracted through the chitinous material of the wings. Additionally, its scales seem to hang more loosely, like leaves on a tree, rather than hardened armor as the red dragon’s did. Regardless, Daniel suspects that the chainmail-like scales are just as difficult to penetrate as the red dragon’s relative plate armor.

Daniel whispers to Baeka as she nervously grips his sleeve, “Do dragons understand the eastern common language?”

Baeka answers as she worriedly watches the path ahead. “Yes. To my knowledge, all demons, dragons, and the Chi’rinnis do. Though, dragons only because they passively have the effects of language comprehension active.” She tugs his sleeve, “You should hide, Daniel. If he sees you...”

“You’re exaggerating. I specialize in killing dragons. If other enemies attacked me, I probably would be in trouble.”

He notices Paet whispering, and he points, “Hey! Don’t translate right now. You’re going to worsen the exaggerated impression they have of me.”

Paet squeaks, “B-But it’s all true, My Lord. You are the Feldrok sorcerer who killed the Red Knight, and now, the Green Sage. And, with only a single attack.”

“Right. And I did so with the element of surprise. If the others are able to prepare for me, I stand virtually no chance. Do you understand? I’d rather hunt them, rather than they hunt me.”

She nods reluctantly, and he turns his gaze back on Baeka. “Continue, Baeka. What is a Feldrok sorcerer, and why does everyone keep insisting that I am?”

She sits up on her knees, saying softly, “A Feldrok sorcerer is a mage capable of using omni-affinity magic, and having learned to use the four elements of nature in battle, as well as the two divine elements. Feldroks are the only beings in history known to be able to kill a dragon in one on one combat, and a Feldrok sorcerer is a mortal’s attempt to attain that power.”

“Feldroks are a creature? What are they?”

She cocks her head. She points at Daniel’s shoulder, and he looks. He’s still wearing a simple jacket he got from Wenlianna. It depicts a dragon-like creature on the shoulder section at the top of his bicep. It has two triangular horns rising from its head, great majestic wings with wedges like feathers, and a spiky, pointed tail. It’s the sigil of the Stalvaltan Arch-Duchy, which they called a ‘Soul-wyrm’.

Baeka states, “That looks to be a depiction of a Feldrok, though I’ve never seen one myself. They’re said to emanate the aura of death, and if one kills you, your soul is devoured, never to become a part of the world, and instead, fuel their most evil magic spells, which only the Feldroks have ever known.”

“The people I got this jacket from called this thing a ‘Soul-wyrm’. I assumed it was a species or relative of dragons.”

Baeka shakes her head. “We’re told they’re monsters, though they’re extinct now.”

Weya adds, “Elders tell of them to children so they behave and don’t run off on their own. They’re so powerful, no one would be able to save you from them.”

Daniel sighs. “Why am I being compared to something so scary? I’m just a human. I’m not even as strong as a normal human in this world. My power comes from my staff, and it’s meant for dragons. That’s all.” Daniel doesn’t want to find out what one of his approximately twenty millimeter diameter rounds does to a human-sized body. He knows a close-range shot from a .50 caliber, which is approximately 12.5 millimeters, does a significant amount of gruesome damage to a human body, and his twenty millimeter rounds are approaching double the size and powder.

He doesn’t really want to test it, but he does wonder if his rounds could pierce the dragon’s scales. Now that he has two corpses, he could test it for comparison, and he probably should. He has forty seven bullets remaining for the rifle, and he still has all one hundred of his revolver rounds. It’s unlikely he’ll live long enough to kill forty seven more dragons, though he’ll likely need to kill at least one more. That said, he’ll still try to be conservative for now.

Baeka replies to Daniel’s query, “I don’t know how to satisfy you, My Lord Daniel... You killed a dragon by yourself... You MUST be a Feldrok sorcerer, if not a Feldrok. That’s all we know.”

Daniel hesitates, rubbing his neck. He asks cautiously, “What about an otherworlder?”

Baeka springs to her feet, shock filling her expression, while Weya and Paet glance at her for guidance. Baeka asks, “Y-You’re... You’re a magical summon?”

Daniel nods in confirmation. “They call it ‘divine summon’, though I was just sitting alone in my home when I suddenly appeared in a castle in this world. I never met any divine beings.”

She trots over to him, inspecting him. “Y-... You look so... human!”

Daniel scoffs. “I am human. Or, at least, I’m my world’s version of human.”

The Mikadresselle suddenly gasps. “THAT’S why you don’t have loyalty to that kingdom! And, why you’re willing to help us!”

Daniel explains as his confirmation. “I have no patriotic loyalty to anywhere in this world. If a god or goddess WAS involved in my summoning here, I’d like to think there’s a higher purpose than to try to assassinate the Demon Queen. The dragons just got in my way. And, it seems...” Daniel looks at the other villagers, who still longingly look upon him with respect and fear. “They’re a little too tyrannical for most people’s tastes.”

Baeka nods in agreement, tears renewing in her eyes. “We could never do anything...” She gasps. “The Green Sage! I-If... If he doesn’t return...”

“I assume he extorts more than just you, correct?”

She again gives a subtle nod of confirmation.

“Good. That means there’s some time. That said, you and your people should go into hiding until word of the Dragon Lord perishing reaches you. If it doesn’t, do what it takes to survive, even if it means lying or condemning me. Just give me a head start.”

She stares at him, whispering, “Y-... You intend to fight the Dragon Lord!?”

Daniel knows it’s crazy, but he confirms it. “Yep. He’s a war monger and an extortionist. I haven’t heard a fraction of the bad things about the Demon Queen as I hear about the Dragon Lord. If anyone is the reason I’m here, it sounds like him. And, the Demon Queen is a convenient scapegoat, which is why she’s the ‘Queen’, and he’s NOT the ‘king’.”

She stares at him in disbelief. He shrugs, “Or, she’s pulling the strings and I’ll deal with her in time. For now,... Which way to the Dragon Lord?”

Baeka remains speechless, and Daniel points ambiguously over his shoulder, “If I saw correctly, Mr. Green came from that way, so that’s the direction I’ll head. Thanks for all your help, Baeka. Paet, Weya, please continue to serve your Mikadresselle well.”

As Daniel departs, Baeka and the other two jog after him. “Wait!”

He pauses and turns to look at them. “Yes?”

“Y-... You’re leaving? Right now?”

Daniel confirms with a nod of his head. “Word of my existence is going to spread quickly, which means I can’t stay in one place long. Not until my most dangerous foes give up or are dead. If the Dragon Lord is anything like I expect, he’ll have a pathological NEED to kill me, because I represent a threat to him. If he gets the drop on me, it’s over. Baeka, Weya, Paet; thank you for not killing me. I’ll be going now. Farewell.”

He continues on his way, leaving the villagers behind in stunned silence.

***