Chapter 37 (1/2)
Translator: Luk2048
Editor: Ghost Ape
Hearing the festival's uproar from a distance was somewhat dull. Still, it wasn't a big deal if the situation would be resolved in exchange for just a little boredom.
After Lady Saintess drew an impromptu waterway encircling the silver dragon, we were just continuously observing him while yawning mindlessly.
”Peaceful, isn't it?”
”Yes. I made sure with my fist he won't wake up the whole day.”
”I see.”
Peace was built on a n.o.ble sacrifice. I offered a silent prayer, wis.h.i.+ng for the silver dragon's peace.
”Ahh, I'm really relieved you're here, Lady Rēko. No matter what frightening demon comes along, it's no biggie. How about it? If that's alright with you, would you like to live in this town?”
”Don't spout rubbish. We're in the middle of a journey to defeat the Demon King. We don't have the leisure to spend our time carefree in such a backwater village.”
”Is that so―. That's a shame.”
The Lady Saintess' grateful request was flatly refused by Rēko. Well, even if she didn't reject that, I would have. When it came to a long-term stay, I felt like sooner or later Lady Saintess would have once again touched Rēko's ”reverse scale”.
When that happened, I wouldn't be able to take responsibility for the townspeople's inevitable suffering.
After leisurely keeping an eye on him, as soon as Ariante returns I intended to leave it all to her and depart this town.
”Lady Saintess, how are the surroundings?”
”There's absolutely no demon presence. However, the possibility of the town's guards coming here may be a worry. Although it looks like everyone is still busy drinking.”
”Right, if they were to find a big demon like that lying around, the festival would be ruined.”
Then, Rēko made a karate chop motion and proposed one of her wonderful ideas.
”Before it happens, should I put all of those people to sleep? Just like this dragon.”
”That's called putting the cart before the horse.”
A grand bonfire, serving as a hurriedly constructed altar for offering the town's harvest as a sacrifice. The whole town painted vibrantly by the brocade clothes along with a long table laid out with an astounding feast. There, amidst such brilliant scenery, all the residents faint, falling flat on the ground.
Since the gap was too large, that scene coming to pa.s.s would invoke nothing but terror. I felt that if some pa.s.sing travellers were to come by, they'd mistake it for a wicked ritual that had somehow gone terribly wrong, sucking out everyone's souls.
”It should be fine. If there will be anyone coming here, I'll stop them. Please look.”
Br.i.m.m.i.n.g with confidence, Lady Saintess puffed out her chest and enveloped her body with water. What appeared shortly after the water was blown away was the same figure of a child I had met first.
”Surprised, aren't you? I was the little girl who showed you the way all along!”
”Waaa, I'm so surprised.”
”Somehow your reaction is weaker than I expected…? Well, whatever. If the guards draw near, I'll say I'm lost or something. This way I'll be able to lead them back to town.”
”Okay, I'm counting on you.”
Lady Saintess, happy she could be of use, turned her face to Rēko grinning widely.
”Say, Lady Rēko. I can change my shape freely like this. After all, water doesn't have any settled form. I can change into anything you like, so do you have any requests―?”
”Anything…?”
Didn't expect that. For some reason, Rēko showed an interested expression. I thought she'd brush her aside with a ”You're loud, shut up” at best, but did she also possess the innocence appropriate for her age?
Then Rēko turned to me abruptly.
”Evil Dragon Lord, I'd like to discuss something.”
”Hm?”
”If you were to forgive the act of imitating your divine appearance, could this water demon copy your genuine form?”
What's her aim, I wondered. Doesn't she always see my figure, whether it's small or big?
”I don't mind, but for what reason?”
”To tell you the truth, I thought of it just now, when I saw the festival's play. If the likes of that water demon have a play conveying their history, it'd be strange if there wasn't a saga propagating the Evil Dragon Lord's grand feats.”
”Okay, I'm starting to have a bad feeling about this.”
As a dreamy, enthralled smile blossomed on her face, Rēko continued.
”Therefore―― I am thinking of drilling into this water demon the Evil Dragon Lord's whole 5000 years-long lifetime and turning her into an actress. You can rest easy, knowing I will guide her personally.”
I shook my head in a solemn manner. That was because I saw Lady Saintess turn into an undefined, mushy-like form from the excessive unrest she felt.
”You see, my lifetime isn't something to be played out by mere strangers.”
”… As I thought, it's not allowed. Could you at least consider having a small part re-enacted?”
”It's fine, it's fine. As long as it was properly conveyed to you, I'm satisfied.”
As a matter of fact, it had gotten conveyed to Rēko the least though.