Chapter 5 (1/2)
Translator: Luk2048
After defeating the monsters mages devoted themselves to extinguis.h.i.+ng fire with water magic, so the whole process went smoothly. Everyone was trying to save at least a portion of their belongings from the burning houses, while fretting how to make ends meet from now on.
On the other hand, we were made to wait at the artillery spot on the wall. The adventurers' perspective was that, ”Until we hear your full story and goals, we can't let you wander around”. Personally, I think it's a very reasonable claim. If we loitered around and got attacked we couldn't even complain, so I ordered Rēko to keep still.
However.
”It's fine, I don't mind… Oh, could you borrow me a blanket or something though? You might think it's thoughtless of me saying such a thing when the town is in trouble, but this child has been going at it since morning. I want to let her settle down and sleep a bit.”
Rēko, who just finished her air battle, was drowsily shaking her head while rubbing her eyes. Although she might seem composed, her burden must've been substantial. Instead of a nap while dozing off, I want to let her have a proper rest.
The watch-keeping soldiers —— several dozen of adventurers exchanged glances, and in the end one of them went down to the guardroom. From the air they emitted, each and every one of them was a first-cla.s.s warrior. Just by showing any sign of hostility, a herbivorous dragon like me would probably be killed in a few seconds. I've absolutely no intention of going against them though.
Then, the soldier who just went down came back with a blanket.
”Here, a blanket. However, worrying about the kin girl's physical condition is different from the stories I heard, quite compa.s.sionate indeed.”
”Just out of curiosity, what stories spread around?”
”Scorching towns for fun, when starved you make rivers of flesh and blood run just to satiate your hunger.”
”I've never done such a thing, really. My staple food is gra.s.s or trees. Bamboo shoots are my favourite.”
Everyone got nervous, with their faces saying they won't get deceived. I secretly expected somebody would believe me and give me some bamboo shoots, but it seems unlikely.
”Rēko, town's people have lent us a blanket. Sleep for now and let your body recover.”
”But — leaving the Evil Dragon Lord unattended and sleeping soundly is…”
”I don't mind. You have to be tired. Now it's your task to rest.”
”… As you wish.”
Rēko who properly wrapped her body in a blanket jumped on my back with a light leap.
”Well then, pardon me for having a rest before you.”
”You dislike going to sleep first, but you absolutely don't mind jumping on my back. Not that I mind though.”
Without a reply, I already felt a soft lump lying on my back.
”Rēvendia, are you fine like that? If it's necessary, I'll prepare even a hundred blankets.”
”I'm not really sleepy.”
My body and spirit couldn't be more tired. However, I'm not that thick skinned to sleep in the middle of this hostility coming towards me. Supposedly even if we both were to go to sleep, we might suffer an all-out attack and die. Since I felt like I was suffocating, I raised the main issue in a small voice so as not to wake up Rēko.
”Look, I've got an earnest question for you guys, could I leave this child in your care? As a matter of fact, this child isn't my kin or anything; she's just an ordinary human. If you guys raise her properly, I think she'll become a helpful and splendid sorceress.”
”… What's your aim?” An archer took a deep breath and answered.
”No, I've no hidden motives, it's literally as I said.”
”That story is utterly unbelievable. The magical power that girl emits isn't human, it's of a devil's nature. What's more, it's especially nefarious. You who gave her that power should understand it the most, shouldn't you?”
”It might be unbelievable, but in fact it's true.”
”Stop lying.”
”This is troubling…”
I'm at a loss.
The route of acting as a respectable tamer's dragon has already disappeared; regaining my peaceful life doesn't seem likely. If it goes on like this I'll forever be a babysitter, with a straight line for subjugating the Devil King. And then midway I'll probably get killed by a stray bullet.
”I kept you waiting.”
When I was brooding over my situation, from behind the soldiers keeping watch appeared the female knight Ariante, who not long ago was commanding them. It seems she was finis.h.i.+ng off the remnants until now.
”You guys may stand down. It'll be easier to talk with fewer people, for both of us.”
”Elder sister, are you sure you're going to be okay?”
”Yes, I don't mind. Anyway if that thing starts to rampage, whether it's me alone or all of the town's warriors gathered together, probably everyone will be annihilated. In that case setting up the grounds for dialogue even a little bit seems like the best plan.”