20 The place where the sacred dragon lives (1/2)

Rember, Knight of the Kingdom of Rox

”Good luck, Lord Renber.

The king's words weighed heavily on me.

I am a knight of the Kingdom of Rox, and if the king's orders are to be obeyed, I must obey them.

It was very, very depressing.

I leave the royal castle and walk through the streets of the city. It's night, but the streets are full of people.

Everyone must be busy preparing for the festival that starts tomorrow.

But this festival did not seem good to me at the moment.

As I was walking, I arrived at the shop.

The name of the shop is ”Shiroi Rintei”, a restaurant and bar. This is where I was supposed to find the person I was looking for.

I go into the restaurant. There were many people in the restaurant because it was dinner time.

This White Scaled Pavilion is a unique restaurant in the Kingdom of Rox. The reason why this restaurant is special is because the customers here are different from the norm.

Almost all of the customers in this restaurant are armed.

There are many demons outside the walls of this store, and even ordinary people come here with one of the blades in their possession. However, while ordinary people are armed with the minimum amount of armor necessary to protect themselves from demons, the customers of this shop are armed with armor, shields and multiple weapons that ordinary travelers do not have.

Their bodies have more muscle than one would normally expect to find in a normal life, indicating that they are human beings who live in a rough environment.

Freedom fighters, they are what they are called.

They are what they are called.

If knights are public entities, then they are civilian knights. The security of the highways connecting the nations is an important matter in every nation. Therefore, the knights exterminate the demons that appear on those roads.

However, the reality is that knights bound by the framework of a nation cannot protect the peace of the streets by themselves.

For example, the cooperation between nations does not work well, and there are financial problems.

In addition, the demands of the people passing through the streets between nations were insatiable, and it was difficult for the state to meet all of them.

That's why there is a demand for the existence of freedom fighters. They have more freedom of action than knights. A knight can't basically move without the orders of the king or country, but that's not the case with the free fighters. They can listen to the requests of other citizens or act quickly on their own will if they feel it is necessary. Knights can't move without orders, and they can only defend their own country, while free fighters will voluntarily go to defend a country other than their own if they deem it necessary.

And this White Scales Pavilion was a place where such freedom fighters gathered. In the Kingdom of Roxx, it was common for people to come to this shop if they wanted to request something from the freedom fighters.

Most of the freedom fighters present here right now were freedom fighters who had gathered at the request of the Kingdom of Roxx.

The kingdom of Roxx has been cleaning up the demons around the kingdom for three days in preparation for the festival that starts tomorrow. And today was the end of the sweeping operation. Thanks to them, those who passed through this road leading to Rox would not have to be afraid of demons for a while. And the freedom fighters had gathered in this shop to launch their work.

I walked through the shop to find the person of interest. The person I wanted was easy to find.

After all, the man is huge. He looks like a bear. Even though he was in the back seat, he stood out.

He has his back to me. I approach the man.

He was around thirty years old, with short cut black hair, a tanned face, and a myriad of muscles and scars on his bare arms that were not normal.

The man noticed that he was approaching and turned to me.

'Hey Lember, isn't it? You still look like you're in a bad economy.

''I'm sorry, senior Gallios, are you done with yesterday's injuries?''

Yeah, somehow. Dr. Nimli has cast a healing spell on me, so I can move now.

Gallios grins.

He was about to die and he's not holding back at all. Isn't a man who would be a freedom fighter afraid of death?

Gallios is a freedom fighter who lives in this kingdom of Roxx. And he's a former knight and his own senior. He almost died just yesterday in the course of his demon-slaying duties.

I approached the table where Gallios was sitting.

Suddenly you notice that someone is sitting across the table from you.

Compared to the larger Gallios, he has thinner lines.

Gallios's presence is so large that I didn't notice it when he came in.

'I see you're with us, hello Black-dono.

I bail.

Then I look at Black. He is a young man with a strange air that you don't see around here.

He has jet-black hair that seems to melt into the darkness and a very well-defined face. If you dress up a little more, the young girl won't leave you alone.

But this young man doesn't seem to have a personality that doesn't like to make too much noise.

This one was something I wanted to ask Black to do for me. It's just as well with Gallios.

''Hello, Lord Rember.

Black also looks at me and bails.

Black is not a freedom fighter, but he is in this shop.

I met Black last night.

His wife, my sister, told me that Gallios, who had gone on a demon-slaying mission last night, hadn't come back.

Many demons are nocturnal, whereas humans are not able to see at night, and if you spend the night outside the walls of the city, it's the same as death. It was the same for even the most skilled warriors.

Just as I was wondering on the city walls whether I should go looking for Gallios or not, Black appeared, carrying Gallios on his back.

Gallios had apparently fallen off a small cliff around noon today and hurt his leg during a battle with goblins and orcs.

He tried to get back to his feet, but he couldn't move his legs, and it was getting dark in the evening. He was rescued by Black, who happened to be passing by.

The fact that Garios was saved made her sister very happy.

Black took him to Dr. Nimri, who was able to use healing magic, and healed him.

Black's body is very thin, even in this country. He is one of the biggest men in the country, and it's not as if he can walk through the forest on a bad footing. According to Gallios, he walked through the forest at night with no lights on without getting lost.

According to Nimli, Kuro may be able to use night vision magic. This is why this young man Kuro might be a magician.

If you're not sure about this, it's not surprising that he was able to walk through the forest with a much larger Garious on his back than me. He must have carried Gallios using a magic I didn't know existed.

The presence of a sorcerer is valuable. If Black is a sorcerer, I hope he'll be able to live in this country. The only person you can call a magician in this country now is Dr. Nimli. Also, the medicine woman who has been living in this town for the past two weeks also seems to have some magical powers, but not enough to be called a magician.

Mr. and Mrs. Gallios are taking care of Black, who has saved their lives while he is staying in this country.

Black doesn't seem to be extravagant, so it's easy for them to take care of him. In fact, Black prefers to keep things simple. They are still eating, but the food is commonplace. And while Gallios drinks ale, Black drinks herbal tea. I tried to buy him a drink to thank him for saving Gallios yesterday, but he doesn't seem to drink because he is a Mycenaenen.

I don't know what Misenen is, but is it a commandment of some kind?

I thought he was like an ascetic monk.

The way he walked was seamless, and he must have had some training.

Today at noon, Kuro and other freedom fighters went along with the other freedom fighters to slay demons. As a knight of the realm, I was able to join the freedom fighters, but Kuro's fighting skills were excellent. I didn't think you could fight that well with just one stiletto. Even if you use magic, I don't think it's possible to move like that. He must have learned some kind of fighting technique from his behavior.

I'm sure you'll be able to find out what's going on in the world.

I'm sure you'll be able to find out what's going on here. You're not off duty today.

Gallios interjects a question.

The guards would maintain security within the walls, but some of the knights would have to pack the royal castle in case of an emergency. Originally, I should have been the one who had to stay in the royal castle.

''Actually, I have a favor to ask senior Gallios for a folded request: ......

I'll cut to the chase here.

Well, from the looks of it, you're no stranger to trouble. Okay, tell me.

Then Black stands up.

”If it's complicated, I'll excuse myself, sir?

Black is smart.

''No, I'd like to ask Black-dono to do something for me as well: ......

You're doing this to yourself?

Yes, and Mr. Black.

When he says that, Black sits down again.

A quizzical look appears on Kuro's face.

However, he continues to talk without a care in the world.

''All I'm asking for is the protection of a certain person.

An escort?

Yes, it has been decided that a group of men will come to this country at great speed. I was ordered by His Majesty to be their escort, but I was a little nervous about being alone. I would like to ask for the help of my seniors.

A man?　Foreign royalty or something?

I shake my head at Gallios' words. Thinking about the person who is coming, some royalty is still better.

'No, no, but. It's someone comparable to that.''

Hmm. Who is that?

Gallios asks quizzically.

''Actually, the heroic Rage-sama and his wives will be coming tomorrow ......, Black-dono, what has happened to you?

Suddenly, Black blew out the tea that he had been holding in his mouth.

The tea that was blown out hit Gallios in front of him.

''Su...... sorry Gallios-dono ......''

Black apologizes to Gallios.

'No, not really, but ...... what's up, Lord Black?'

He and Gallios were surprised by Black's condition. Black's condition was no ordinary matter.

'No, I'm sorry ...... just sobbing. ...... Please continue the conversation.

Black coughs and apologizes.

Oh, let's get back to the subject, why are the brave men coming again? Are you going to watch the festival tomorrow?

Gallios asks, wiping his face with a cloth.

''I heard that's part of it, ...... Garrios-senpai. You know that the brave Rage-sama was injured, right?

''Yeah, I heard you were beaten by a very strong dark knight as I recall. I honestly thought that only God could give that brave man a wound, but it's a big world.

''I thought so too. That's why Master Rage is coming to this Rox to heal the injuries inflicted by that dark knight.

This Rox Kingdom is famous for its hot springs. Tourism from those hot springs is the main source of income for this country.

''And that's where I need the two of you to help me guard the brave men.

Then he looked at their expressions.

Gallios and Black had a delicate look on their faces.

''That Lember-dono. Why do you need an escort?　Ray...... I've heard that the brave men are very strong.

Black must have heard of the brave men too, he seemed to know how strong the brave men were. However, it would be more difficult to find someone who doesn't know about the brave men and women.

''Certainly Black-dono's question is also valid ....... The only person who can do harm to the heroes, apart from the gods, would be some dark knight.

Then why?

''Actually, I'm only calling it escorting, but I'm trying to keep the brave wives away from anyone who might be causing strange feelings for them. ......

All of the women in the company of the brave Rage are beautiful. I'm not sure if this is the case or not.

It's a good idea to have a good time with them.

''We can't cause discomfort and displeasure to the heroes. We can't let the walls of the city be destroyed any more. ......

I'm going to say what I really think.

'I see.'

No, I kind of get it: ......

Gallios nodded. Black also seemed to have guessed something.

The western wall of the Roxx Kingdom is currently half broken.

The cause is due to a powerful attack magic.

To begin with, this is the second time the brave men and women have visited this country.

The last time I was here, some foolish person messed with a brave woman, so the angry woman used her magic to break it down.

I've heard that similar incidents have happened in the St. Renaria Republic where the brave men are based, and while the brave men are in the city, the knights of the Temple of Raina are always on the brave men's guard.

In order to prevent a similar incident from happening, my country has also decided to provide a guard for the brave men and women. I'm the one in charge of that.

However, although the great country of St. Renaria Republic would be able to have as many knights as they want, our kingdom of Roxx has no more than 20 knights. Considering the security of the roads that I regularly conduct and the command of security for the festival that begins tomorrow, I don't avoid a large number of people. The guards are recruited from the citizens, and even if they are just ordinary people, they are no match for those with some skill. The guards should be skilled and trustworthy as much as possible.

That's why it was decided to select a skilled freedom fighter to guard the area.

The criterion for selection was that they should not be hostile to the heroes, and that they should not feel uncomfortable looking at the heroes' women.

Gallios is trustworthy after many years of being friends. I'm sure you'll be pleased to know that I'm not the only one who's been around for a while, but I'm sure you'll be happy to know that I'm not the only one who's been around for a while, and that I'm not the only one who's been around for a while.

So, I'd love for these two to help me out.

''So, please. Would you be willing to help us?''

I bow to them both.

'I'm not too keen on it. ......

Gallios says.

”I don't think I can handle you in the first place.

Gallios has the same attitude towards any opponent. He speaks in the same tone of voice as he speaks to himself, even if he is royalty from another country. His Majesty King Roxx doesn't care much about such things, but in other countries, he is quite rude.

If it's not done well, it could cause displeasure to the brave men.

You'll be able to find out more about the fact that you're not going to be able to get your hands on any of them. We will guard the heroes from a distance so that no strange person comes near them.

I'll tell you the arrangements.

When you say princess, you mean Lady Alumina?

I nodded at Gallios' question. Princess Armina is the youngest princess of Roxx Kingdom and will be 17 years old this year.

I've heard that the brave men are sweet to women, and I've decided that the same woman wouldn't cause any strange feelings to the brave women, so the princess, who has perfect manners, is supposed to take care of the brave men.

'I see. I see.

Gallios says with a smirk.

'Don't make fun of me, senior.

In fact, Princess Alumina is my childhood friend and fiancée.

It's good for you and Princess Alumina. I'll help you if you don't want to be a direct partner to the brave men.

Gallios laughs and agrees. Then he looks at Black.

'Black, what about you?'

To be honest, Black had a look of unwillingness on his face.

But it would help a lot if Kuro, who could use magic and was very skilled, would help him.

''Kuro-dono, please, please help me too!

He bowed deeply to Black.

'Well, if you don't want to deal with the brave men directly, you can go to ......

Black reluctantly agreed.

Now we have the cooperation of the two of them.

I hope the matter of the brave man can be worked out as well.

I had a bad feeling about the suddenly decided visit of the brave man.

Dark Knight Kuroki.

I thought it was a strange thing to do.

I didn't think that I, who was summoned to defeat a brave man, would end up being the brave man's bodyguard.

I accepted Renbar's request because I had made an acquaintance other than Nargol and I wanted to take care of that.

It's not that we're going to meet in person, according to Lember, we're just going to be escorted from the outside without much of a problem, so it's okay, I think it won't be too much of a problem.

The reason I came to this vicinity of the Kingdom of Roxx is to gather materials for the creation of the Goddess.

I remember the exchange I had with Modes on the way here.

I need a dragon's horn. And it must have dragon king grade horns to create a goddess.

Modes said that when I asked for a reward.

I was expecting to be able to get it made right away, but that's not the case.

However, it seems that in order to create a goddess, you need special materials, without which she cannot be created.

The silver holy dragon called the White Dragon King lives near the kingdom of Roxx, and its horns can definitely create a goddess. Incidentally, it seems that Morna was created using the horn of a dragon king called the Jet-Black Demon Dragon King. Perhaps that's why Moona's hair is a beautiful black color, unlike Raina's.

Even so, fetching the dragon king's horn is a rather difficult task, isn't it?

From what I have found out, a dragon that is so strong that it is called the Dragon King is ridiculously strong, and I didn't think it would be easy to get him to take it.

Modes says that as if he is asking for a child's errand.

Or maybe he thought it would be easy because he seemed to be quite strong in this world.

And I didn't want to hurt the dragon for my own desires.

I think about Glorious.

I rode Glorious to this Rox Kingdom. Originally, if someone without permission flew through the air, they would have gotten into a fight with the Holy Knights of Elyos, but those Holy Knights had been destroyed by me.

To be honest, I regret that I went too far. I was in a rough spot that night, and without thinking too much about it, I thoroughly knocked down anyone who was coming at me. When I found out, I had apparently decimated the Holy Knights. I've heard of the devastation, but how much damage did it cause? I still can't check it out.

Well, that's why I was able to skip Glorious because of the absence of the Holy Knights.

Compared to the skies of Nargol, the normal skies of this world were as blue and clear and beautiful as the world I was in.

It's very fun to fly in the blue sky on a dragon.

You can fly with the magic of flying, but I still think that if you want to fly in the sky, riding a dragon is a better way to feel good.

If someone selfishly stole Glorious' horns that made me feel that good, I wouldn't forgive them.

Maybe that's why I wasn't too keen on taking the same dragon horns as Glorious.

Still, I came here because I had nothing else to do.

I thought it was better to do something than nothing, so I rode Glorious here for now. By the way, Nat wasn't with us this time.

We couldn't enter the city with Glorious, so we left him in a tower in the forest.

The tower seems to have been abandoned and no one seems to live there. The top of the tower was hollow, perfect for hiding Glorious.

I went to check on him earlier, but Glorious seemed to be in good health.

According to Lugas, when a dragon eats, it eats, and when it doesn't eat anything, it doesn't eat anything, and Glorious doesn't seem to be eating anything right now either.

Thinking that far, I find myself shoulder deep in hot water.

I'm in a public hot spring facility in the Kingdom of Roxx.

I'm sure you'll be able to find a lot of people in the same baths as me who are bathing.

I am not inclined to take the horn of the Dragon King, but this hot spring was quite good. For that matter, I'm glad I came.

The hot spring facilities at Roxx are not very elaborate, with a simple stone structure.