Chapter 7 (1/2)

Translator: Luk2048

As soon as the sun went up, a great number of adventurers went outside the walls and departed on their journeys. It appears to be an everyday sight in this town, but today their number is especially large. That's because most of the town got damaged in last night's fire. The moment rootless adventurers understood that the environment for their long stay is gone, they quickly gave up and left in a hurry.

”How heartless.”

”Such is life. Only people living here for a long time are interested in restoring it. Fortunately thanks to you the last night's damage was somewhat reduced. It won't take that long to restore it. Rēvendia, let me thank you once more. And you, kin girl.”

While gazing at the formed line of pack horses becoming distant on the gra.s.slands, I lightly touched the hand Ariante held out with the tip of my claw. I planned to shake hands in reconciliation, but from the side Rēko was glaring with dissatisfaction. While stuffing her cheeks with the brought for breakfast bread, she was staring fixedly at Ariante with narrowed eyes.

”What's up Rēko? Are you still mulling over that dream?”

After loudly munching and swallowing with a gulp,

”I feel like that knight committed a severe blasphemy towards the Evil Dragon Lord. I have the memory of her pointing a sword at you.”

”If it was like that we wouldn't be shaking hands this way. You were probably just tired and saw a bad dream.”

”Since Evil Dragon Lord is saying so I will regard it as the truth, but for some reason I'm not pleased with it.”

”Don't fret over this so much Rēko. Here, you can also have my bread, cheer up.”

I don't really like bread either way. When I pushed the lying on the ground tray to Rēko, she started eating it with vigour as if she was starving. It looks like she won't hold back.

”Munch, also Evil Dragon Lord, why did you a.s.sume this form? Of course even if the Evil Dragon Lord became small there's no difference to your greatness but… there isn't but…”

”There are still bits of food on your face. Wipe it first and drink some water.”

After wiping face with her arms, she drained a whole jug of water in one go.

”And then, for what kind of reason?”

I'm troubled, since I can't tell her truthfully that it's easier to hide and run away.

”First of, as I told you yesterday my power has declined. If we fight with the Devil King like that our odds are slim. That's why I intended to join hands with humans, but it seems my ill reputation as an evil dragon won't permit the alliance. That being the case, I thought of reverting to my youthful body and once again developing my strength from scratch.”

”Then, before attacking the Devil King you first intend to hunt suitable enemies, is that right?”

”Yeah, it helps that you understood it fast. That's right, first we start with appropriate enemies. For example, the living close ——”

”Which Devil King's executive are we crus.h.i.+ng first? Or do we start with erasing a devil's dungeon from the map?”

Since our definitions of ”suitable” seem to be fundamentally different, I couldn't hide my unrest. It seems that everything besides the Devil King falls in the appropriate category.

”You know that if we suddenly make such a flashy move it'll leak out to the Devil King? The basics lay in steadiness. I think that starting like the ordinary adventurers from the low grade dungeons and slowly regaining my fighting sense is the best policy. Besides, this way you also will be able to learn many different things, like pacing yourself in a fight.”

”Oh… I see. In other words the reason that Evil Dragon Lord is choosing this safe approach, is because of my lack of ability, is that right ——

With a sorrowful face Rēko clenched her teeth. It seems she has various misunderstandings, but for the time being looks like she agreed. Moreover Ariante lent a helping hand.

”In human practices there's also something like heavy-load training. It's to purposely increase the difficulty of combat by wielding a sword heavier than normal, or a staff with awful magic power consumption. In addition to the wonderful rejuvenation medicine effect, Evil Dragon Rēvendia himself sealed his own vast magic power. Originally, his ability was such that even if he'd defeat the Devil King's executive he wouldn't acc.u.mulate any experience, but in the state where he drastically lowered his strength, even if it was a weak monster it'll still become experience in its own way. It can be said it's a clever way.”

However, it was a barefaced lie. She's probably aware it's a poor excuse. Nevertheless, Rēko answered with ”I see, as one would expect from the Evil Dragon Lord's keen insight”, without showing a doubt of distrust.

”That's right. To sum it up I'm now intentionally restricting my power for the sake of practice. Even if I'll be having a hard time with weak monsters, it's simply all part of the training, you understand? Don't get disillusioned, okay?”

”Something like getting disillusioned in the Evil Dragon Lord, even if the heaven and earth flip upside down, it would never happen.”

Rēko's mood dropped a bit and she became sulky. I wonder what would happen if she learned I'm not an evil dragon in the first place, though no matter what I won't say anything.

”It seems you've decided. Well then, come to my dojo. It was hastily rebuilt in one night, but we still have gathered some quite excellent tools.”