Chapter 1 (1/2)

Translator: Luk2048                                              Editor: Nefarian

”Please enjoy me as your meal, Evil Dragon Lord.”

”Even if you say it like that, it won't work. I'm herbivorous.”

In an extensive stalact.i.te cavern deep in the mountains, there was only one torch shedding light. The flame was hoisted above a young maiden girl who looked to be around 10 years of age, she was clothed in a thin silk garment.

”You do not find me to your liking?”

”It's not a matter of liking or disliking. I'm no good with meat. Neither fish. I like eating bamboo sprouts though.”

”Although I am unworthy, I pride myself in my meat being very soft. Please savour me once.”

”No, no, no. Aren't you weird? If I'll eat you, naturally you'll die.”

”I have resolved myself from the start.”

”Okay… Why do you've such a resolve? I don't think there's any benefit in getting eaten by me.”

The kneeling maiden raised her head.

”I beg you; do not speak such words, Evil Dragon Lord. If a being of such greatness as you would greedily devour me, it can only bring me satisfaction. However, for the exchange of my life, I implore you for a.s.sistance in defeating the Devil King. You are reigning now as an executive of the Devil King's army, but you carry the reputation that your true power surpa.s.ses even him. Bearing my life, I would like to ask you to borrow your strength for humanity.”

”What? I've become an executive of the Devil King's army?”

Even though I've only been eating plants for around 5000 years?

Well, I know my body is big and when meeting animals or humans I clearly cause their trepidation, but it doesn't mean I possess a terrifying power. If I had to say, I've a timid nature, so far I've lived keeping distance from the opponents I'm no match for. If anything, only my power of insight in identifying the strength of the opponent might be great.

”Please, lend us your strength. Whatever happens to this body of mine, I will not have any regrets.”

”Well, I understand your feelings. But I'm not much of a monstrous being. Although a dragon, I'm no different from an oversized lizard with longevity, you know? I've heard little, but the Devil King's army is strong, right? Fighting them, I'd just quickly wind up dead. You are still young, so don't treat yourself so poorly and go home. Your parents must be worried.

”Because I do not have a single relative, there is no one to grieve me. Supposing I would return to the Yos.h.i.+nba village, I know very well the future of a sacrifice that deserted her duty. At any rate, there is only death waiting for me, so I would like to become the Evil Dragon Lord's nourishment.”

”I've been telling you I don't eat meat, besides I'm not evil either. I'd have been much happier if you'd have given me a pot of sweet sap.”

”I understand. I will return after smearing my body with sap.”

”There's really no need to smear your body with it… Or rather, even if you bring me sap I can't help you out with suppressing the Devil King.”

While stirring greatly inside the cave, I stretched my neck and piled up the bamboo sprouts before the maiden.

”Look. This is my favourite meal. I've no interest in eating you.”

”So you are saying you will not eat this body of mine?”

”Yeah, that's what I'm saying. If they will get mad at you returning like that, I don't mind escorting you back. Anyway, I won't do any fighting or-”

”In that case, instead of my body you would rather savour my soul, right?”

”Your train of thought is pretty mind blowing, you know that? I can't even imagine how the soul could be eaten.”

At this point, I steadily watched the face of the maiden which was being illuminated by the torch. Probably because she's used as a sacrifice, from her cleansed white skin wafts a faint scent of incense. However, maybe as a result of having no relatives, her eyes are filled with vacant darkness.

I can see how strength is useless; since her presence is emitting magic power, she probably had some slight attainments. I think it's such a waste. Surely if she wasn't made a sacrifice and instead acc.u.mulated training, she could have become a sorceress. That said, most humans probably can't feel this glimpse of magic power yet.

While I was looking, the maiden pulled out from her clothes a dagger decorated with jewels, but I didn't sense any hostility. While I was relieved, thinking it looked more like an offering of some kind rather than a weapon, she suddenly pointed the dagger at her throat.

”I will now sever my life and offer you my soul. Please wait for a short while.”

”Wait! Wait a minute. You really don't have to do this.”

”However, if I do not sever my life, I cannot offer you my soul.”

”I've said it many times already; I won't eat such a thing. You'll just trouble me with the disposal of your corpse.”

”Do not worry. If it is like that, I will dig a pit and die inside.”

”How's it possible for you to progress the conversation solely on the premise of dying? It's the first time I'm so baffled in my 5000-year long life.”

”It is because I have to carry my duty as a sacrifice, by all means necessary. It is the role bestowed upon me by the villagers. I have to be eaten.”

A great one came, I'm amazed. Naturally, I've no intention to eat her. Even so, if she kills herself here, it'll leave a bad aftertaste. After thinking it through, I said.

”Aah okay, I understand. I just ate it. When one becomes a high ranked dragon like me, one can even eat a soul of a living being. I just ate a little of your soul and I'm satisfied. You can explain it like that to those village guys, so be at ease and quickly go back.”

”Really? You have eaten it?”

”Yes. You don't have to worry. I only ate about two days of your lifespan. Your soul was extremely delicious, so just that much was enough.”

”You ate it… That means I have become a member of the Evil Dragon Lord's household, right?”

”Huh?”

I tilted my long neck. I don't really get the logical structure of her thoughts.

”Y-yes, you can say it like that. In any case, let's send you back to the village. You might get hurt walking barefoot, so you can ride on my back.”

”How could I? To cause such trouble for the Evil Dragon Lord… Ah, I see. Since I have become your kin, we are one of body and soul. Considering my body is already in Evil Dragon Lord's possession, there is no need for concern, right?”

”That's it, you understand it well.”

While laying down my body on the floor so she could climb easier, the maiden moved her body agilely and lightly on my back, sitting seiza-style.

”Well then, let us depart Evil Dragon Lord.”

”Where was the village again? Guide me appropriately.”

I left the cavern along with the thudding sounds of my feet, and went down the mountain trail to the human settlement. The beasts seeing me were divided between running away and prostrating, there were also some carnivorous animals trying to make an offering or leaving their prey.

Even though I won't eat it…

I think my steps might sound like earth tremors. The moment I've seen the village entrance, I witnessed a large ma.s.s of men gathering, like a reception. Well, rather than reception, in reality it's probably more of a vigilant readiness for combat with me, the evil dragon. At least that's how they call me.

I can see they're secretly holding bows and arrows. If all of them shot at once, I probably wouldn't die, but I would receive a serious injury. It's bad to reveal frightened behaviour, so I purposely arrived at the entrance arrogantly and br.i.m.m.i.n.g with an aura of confidence.

”Are you the ones who've delivered this sacrifice?”

An old man with white hair, looking like a village chief bowed his head reverently.

”T-That is so. Evil Dragon Lord, since you have not yet enjoyed your meal, is there anything lacking? If that is the case, we will immediately prepare a different sacrifice…”

”No need. I've already eaten her soul. It was the most delicious thing in the world. Since I want to enjoy the lingering aftertaste, be aware that my tongue won't relish in vulgar tastes anymore.”

”I-I have understood clearly. In that case, will you lend us your a.s.sistance in subjugating the Devil King, is that what-”

My expression strained. I'm covered in scales, therefore humans can't notice, but I was quite nervous.

”W-well, let's think about this matter step by step, but at the very least I can promise that I won't bring you harm.”

If I'd unskillfully suggested about bringing them harm, they could've just turned the tables on me. The villagers noisily exchanged glances for a while, but when they understood that at the very least the sacrifice brought some results, as if they were connected, the expressions of relief spread out.

At that moment, out of nowhere a stone came flying and hit me in the temple with a thump sound. In reality it hurt quite a lot and I was on the verge of tears, but if I showed a weak spot here I'd noticeably become full of holes, so I endured firmly while playing a big-shot and faced a direction the stone came from.

”You monster, how could you've eaten Rēko! Eat this!”

There was a figure of a young lad, holding a wooden stick like a sword charging at me. His attire was first-cla.s.s, with neatly arranged golden hair. He had to be from a good family among the village.

But more importantly, if I get hit with that stick I'll undoubtedly flinch. When that happens, I'll quickly be full of holes, just like a swiss cheese.

However, before I could make my escape, adults one after another leapt upon the lad and pushed him to the ground.

”I-I am incredibly sorry, Evil Dragon Lord! We will behead this impudent brat at once, so…”

”It's fine, really. You can stop brandis.h.i.+ng your hatchet over his head like that. I'm not mad at all. Since being hit by such a small pebble felt like a soft breeze of wind.”

Actually it hurt quite a lot though.

”Incidentally young lad, is Rēko the name of this sacrifice?

When I inquired, the lad answered while being pushed down.

”Yes! You b.a.s.t.a.r.d, I'll never forgive you! You ate her soul and made her into an empty sh.e.l.l, didn't you?!”