97 96. Last time.txt (2/2)

''Well, wait, Rowen. That black sword over there--''

It's okay. I can override this much with 'sensitivity'.

It's a good thing that you're not going to be able to find a way to get a good deal more than just a few hundred dollars.

It's not just a matter of time before you get to the point where you'll be able to see the miasma.

”You're a tattered mess, you ......

Rowen accepts that mental pollution with a wry smile.

I get the general idea of the situation and ask.

'Have you ever seen that sword before in your lifetime ......?'

Yeah, that's right. I know both of them. I've missed them and I'm a little stunned.

He propped up the sword he was looking at and continued talking as if he were talking about the old days.

''--The treasure sword over here has been used in my lifetime. There is absolutely no mistaking it for something else. And this one, I believe, was the 'Ruf Bringer'. I've sliced and diced with this sword a few times ....... It's a fond memory. Kanami, where on earth did you get this?

Well, um, I think it's a labyrinth: ......

I answer without confidence. The Rufbringer is fresh in my mind, but I have no idea what to make of The Treasure Sword of the House of Alais. At the moment, the only person I know of with the surname Aleiss is Rowen.

I see. I see. I never thought I'd see the time when these swords would come together again: ......

Do you need that sword?

I could sense the attachment in his narrative and suggested to Rowen.

'Are you sure?'

'Of course. It's just that they can't fix it, so apparently it's less than a namakra. ......

It's all a matter of ingenuity. That's where the blacksmith gets his chance. --Alibers, I'm talking to you.

Rowen's face lit up and she called out to Mr. Alibers.

'Oh, what is it?'

Don't tell the master, so lend me your ear for a moment.

Then, he leaves me alone and starts talking in private.

The fact that he went out of his way to say ”secret” means that he doesn't want me to use the 《Dimension》. I respond to my best friend's trust by canceling all of the Dimension.

Sensing this, Rowen smiles and ears Alibers-san with a smirk.

''-- Eh, what?　Rowen, is that all you've got?

Mr. Alibers was surprised to hear that.

It seemed to be an unthinkable suggestion from a blacksmith's standpoint.

''Ah, the 'Treasure Sword of the Aleis Family' should do that. As for the 'Ruf Bringer', I'm sure the scabbard will be special, but good luck with that.

'No, the sheath isn't the problem ....... Well, if that's what Rowen wants to do, I will, .......

Okay, we have a deal. You can come back for your money later.

'This won't take a day, you can come back tomorrow.

Apparently, the deal is set.

In a voice that I can hear, we set a date for the handover.

Sorry I'm late, Kanami. Well, let's get back to the office.

What the hell did you suggest ......?

It's a secret. It's just a little surprise.

Rowen smiled happily. It was a smile that seemed to disappear even now.

In front of that expression, I can't probe deeply.

I'm not going to be able to get it right. Then I'll be looking forward to it.

I laugh, too, and respond to that.

Then we head to the office where Snow is waiting.

On the way there, I think back to Rowen's smile and my heart buzzes a little.

◆◆◆◆◆ ...

”Lowen Alais, are you interested in 'Dragonslayer'?

I have. Let's do it.

Hmm. Decision. I've already prepared my material, just in case you're wondering.

Arriving in the Oval Office, Snow asked Rowen at the opening.

He answered immediately without any hesitation.

Snow prompts Rowen for the dragon slaying document he has spread out on his desk.

He skimmed through the document and answered immediately.

''I see, a stray dragon that attacks a remote village. ...... This is unforgivable. We have to go save the village as soon as possible.

'Hmm, decision. I thought you'd say that, but I've finished getting ready to leave. The Walkers' carriage is waiting outside.

'Oh, let's go ....... Dragon slayer ......, not bad!

As it is, Snow and Rowen try to get out.

No, no, no.

”Wait, wait, wait. You're early. Were you two in a meeting?

I freeze the doorway with Di Winter (Di Winter), Last Frost (Frost) and stop their departure.

''Hmm ......?　Nope. But I knew this glorious idiot would do this.

There's no reason to refuse. Isn't 'dragon slayer' the greatest 'honor' of all? It's frustrating, but Snow-kun's suggestion doesn't leave me with an inch to spare.

The two of them answer my question with a friendly and bad exchange.

Loewen ......, you're even going to say that there's not a minute's worth of gaps in your explanation now .......

It's more like a gap. ......

'That might be fine for you two, but not for me. I'd like to do a more benign request (quest) if possible.

But, Kanami. 'Dragonslayer', 'dragonslayer'.

'Yeah, I know you were attracted to that nice word, so settle down and go to ......'

But...

I ask the question of my fears.

It's something I've been feeling especially since I saw Rowen's back teaching the kids earlier.

'Rowen, you've been looking very vulnerable lately, haven't you?　Are you okay with a dragon or something?

”Ugh ......, I'm sure I'm weak ....... But when it comes to 'dragon slayers', you'll want to do one or two reckless things .......

Rowen's life on earth has weakened her, and her magical power is far less than it was when they met on the 30th layer. It has even affected her physical abilities.

However, it seems that Rowen still wants to 'kill the dragon'. She has been caught in Snow's food more than I can imagine.

If Rowen seemed to be having this much fun, I was afraid to stop it. My goal is to get rid of Rowen in the first place. However, as a goal, but ...... best friend, I would like to see her come to fruition, hopefully not with the disappearance of defeat, but with satisfaction.

Are you sure you're okay with that?

Yeah, I'll be fine. Let me do this. Alaeis swordsmen are no match for dragons.

Rowen nodded with a serious face.

With a face like that, I can't stop.

Only, behind her, Snow said, ”It took you! I didn't like the bad look on his face that he seemed to be thinking in his mind.

'So, Snow ....... Why are you doing this all of a sudden ......?

''Hmm, the only person in Lauravia right now who has the title of 'Dragon Slayer' is Brother Glenn. I thought Kanami needed it too. Killing this dragon will make you a household name.

No, I mean, I'm not making a name for myself...

--I don't want to be.

But saying that would be the same as saying that I want to quit as a guildmaster. Besides, I'm afraid that Snow's face in front of me will be clouded, and I stammer.

With the situation in front of me, I decide to add a new factor to the mix.

'Oh, yeah. I wonder what the Reaper is doing. It's going to be a bit more complicated if he's not one of us, so I'll get him.

Hmm ......, what can I do? ......

I make sure Snow nods and I look for the Reaper.

If the Reaper disagrees with me, I can successfully take it in a more conciliatory direction.

It's Rowen who should get the glory, not me by any means.

I spread the Dimension across the streets of Lauravia.

I turn my attention to the shops where the Reapers are likely to be and make sure they aren't walking around eating sweets. The rest is a hangout for kids of the same age. I often see them pretending to be kid overlords, so I expand to open spaces and the river. But they're not there.

I don't have a choice, but to spread out a strong Dimension Multiple and...

-- finds a reaper cowering on the roof of a house.

He was shaking.

Painfully (・・・・・), he was shaking, holding his own neck and shaking.

'--What?'

As soon as I confirm this, the Reaper realizes my magic.

I noticed - even though we were miles apart and across several walls, me and the Reaper looked at each other.

And then the Reaper smiled at me.

The Reaper wipes the abnormal sweat dripping on his forehead and uses Dimension Black Bubble (Nightmare). Then, after several warps, he enters this office.

''I'm sorry!

With a black mist, the Reaper emerges from nothing.

There is no expression of anguish on his face as he had earlier. It's his usual innocent, innocent smile.

When the Reaper appears, Rowen speaks to it first.

You're here, Reaper. I'm going to slay the dragon now, do you want to go with me?　It will be a good shoulder to lean on before the 'Dancing Competition'. Maybe there will be a dragon in the 'Battle Event'.

'A dragon?　Ooh, nice!　That's the kind of stuff you see in picture books and stuff!

Yeah, that dragon. Maybe if Kanami and I were here, we wouldn't be in any danger. What do you think?

Let's go!　It's going to be fun!

As soon as the Reaper answered, he jumped to Snow's back.

Snow acknowledges the Reaper's participation with a smile.

But I--

Reaper?　Are you sure you're okay with this?

Double check.

'Yeah, I'm fine.'

In response, the Reaper responded with a smile and a reverse flow of magic power.

The backflowing magic power tells me through the pattern on my neck.

Warm magic power. It's the kind of magic that says, ”Don't worry.

'Ya, you shouldn't do that, shouldn't you ......?　At least I'm not on board: ......

But I don't feel safe.

Earlier, the Reaper seemed to be suffering alone and without much pain .......

I don't know why.

I don't know, but I can't leave it alone.

”Kanami really isn't into it, ....... Then me, Reaper and Snow-kun can go with you .......

Rowen senses how serious I am and tries to remove me from the party.

It's not. That's not it.

”No. This is a quest for Kanami. I need to know I can trust you to do this. It can only be done by the Kanami, who played an active role in The Epic Seeker.

Putting aside my impatience, Snow and Rowen discuss it.

'Wouldn't it be easier if you were here, Snow?

Not that I wouldn't, but ......--

The Reaper watches the two of them with warm eyes.

Then he turns those eyes on me and smiles.

I can tell from his eyes that he wants me to forget about what happened earlier.

Maybe he doesn't want Rowen to worry about him.

After being terribly confused, I decide to take in the Reaper's wishes.

However, because I've pumped them out, I can't leave them alone.

I'm going to go too, after all. If everyone else is going to go, it's a good time to go.

I'll never leave the Reaper's side and ask him why at the first opportunity.

I have no choice but to accept the request to defeat the dragon.

I'm glad to hear that. Thank you, Kanami.

It was Snow who was most pleased.

He shook my hand with a big smile on his face.

'Mm, I'd appreciate it if Kanami would come. I guess that solves the problem.

'A dragon... I wonder if it's big. I wonder if it's edible.

I carefully watch the Reaper as he talks to Rowen.

However, even with the Dimension, I don't sense anything unusual.

I guess I'll have to ask him directly.

As I focus on the Reaper, Snow tightens her grip on it.

”Kanami, let's go right now then. --Oh, don't forget to put the Connection in this room. I'll be relying on dimensional magic on the way back.

'Oh, yeah. Okay. ......

I set up the Connection at the back of the office as I'm told.

As it is, he takes me by the hand and walks out.

Rowen and the Reaper follow behind me.

There were several luxurious carriages parked outside the ”Epic Seeker”. Some of the carriages belonged to the Walker family, as they had gone to the ball.

This had never happened before.

Snow hated having his house interfere with his work. No, he had been reluctant to be bothered. But here he is actively trying to use the house's power.

I'm sure it's .......

It's to make me a 'hero' .......

Snow is smiling and motivated, but behind the scenes you can see that he is full of subterfuge.

That's why I was reluctant to participate in The Dragonslayer.

When Snow backs off, I don't put all my strength into it, and we head off to slay the dragon.

Snow's change of heart.

Rowen's weakening.

Reaper's anguish.

Much anxiety. ......