Chapter 128 (2/2)
“I know!”
Beside Drill-chan, the long-haired man whispered something into her ear.
What is it that she knows?
“Oooooooooooooohohohohoho~!”
I think her shrill howl is going to cause my ears to bleed.
“Shouldn’t you be begging for peace right now?”
I can understand the reason Drill-chan is laughing. The Penny Empire’s army has been completely devastated. With victory all but assured, it’s not surprising to see the general of the army come to the front so she can gloat. However, it seems like she’s hesitating on the last step. If I had to guess, the reason for this is our last encounter in the forest.
This is the only chance I see of us getting out of here alive.
“I’m sure your reason for entering the heart of our camp is so you can witness our army scattering before you. However, even if everyone else runs, I’ll stay and stop you. Are you really willing to sacrifice the lives of your soldiers in order to satisfy your own ego?”
“Ooooooohohoho! Did you not see your own soldiers running away scared for their lives at my sheer presence?”
“and yet I’m still standing here.”
“You’ll regret ever underestimating the power of the Pussy Republic.”
Was there a double meaning to her words just now?
I shouldn’t think too deeply about it. Instead, I should focus on getting out of here alive. But I really am in a disadvantageous position. I’m lacking the information a commander would have to use to negotiate.
I don’t think it can be helped at this point.
I’m going to have to resort to using my fireballs.
“Well, don’t expect me to go down without a fight.”
And that was supposed to be what happened.
“Sorry about this, human.”
“eh?”
Just behind me, I could hear the Dark Elf’s voice.
At the same time, I could see her raise something large above her head.
The sound of cold steel slicing through the air rang passed my ear.
“whatare.”
My vision began spinning and my hands and feet were no longer responding to me.
In the corner of my vision, I could see the Dark Elf holding her body-length sword in front of her.
And a fresh streak of blood ran down it.
A few moments later, someone’s headless body entered my vision.
As I looked closer, I could see that it was my body.
“They told me they’d free me from the bonds of slavery. There was only one choice for me.”
“IIsee.”
I was finally able to understand. The Dark Elf had cut my head off.
***
[Sophichan’s point of view]
It’s been about half a day since we found out Tanaksan was no longer at that camp. We’ve now returned to the castle in Tricklis. Just like before, after we arrived Ester-sama and Fahren-sama entered the drawing room to exchange information.
“Eh, seriously?”
“The soldiers still at the camp said as much. Do you have any more information for us?”
“J-Just give me a moment! I’ll see what I can find out!”
Because Tanaksan is involved, Ester-sama seemed motivated. At the same time, Fahren-sama has become increasingly more impatient. These two are surprisingly compatible.
Ester-sama ran out of the room in a hurry.
The only other people besides me in the room are Fahren-sama and the Dragon. In fact, I don’t remember seeing a single person on the way here. They must have been all called into an important meeting. My heart is racing.
A simple town girl like me being allowed to listen in on important discussions like this. When I return home, I can boast to Mischan, who works at the second-hand shop near our restaurant, about all these amazing things I’ve experienced. Mischan, what have you been doing this entire time? If possible, I’d like you to replace me for the rest of this journey.
“Do they know where he is?”
“They’re trying to track his movements. I’m sure it’s only a matter of time.”
“I hate having to interact with this many humans.”
The Dragon spoke rather bluntly.
It’s something she has repeated several times now.
Due to this, Fahren-sama nervously chewed on his lip.
“I understand that dragons are exceptional beings. However, that doesn’t mean that human beings are inferior to your species.”
“is that so? Im sure this will be amusing. Please, continue.”
“Before that, there’s something I wish to know.”
“What?”
“I’ve heard that a Red Dragon will only give birth to one or two children in their lifetime. How many children will you have, Ancient Dragon?”
“I will have children only when I wish to. However, nowadays there are very few males that draw my interest. Our existence on this planet will be troubled if things are like this for other females.”
Even in the world of dragons, the females are all looking for males that have specific characteristics that they desire. I can understand the desire to want to be with someone you love rather than whoever is available.
“I see. But do you have an idea of the general number?”
“Male Ancient Dragons have very low fertility. Even if a male were to mate with hundreds of partners, I doubt more than a few children would be born.”
“As I expected.”
“what is that supposed to mean?”
The Dragon’s voice caused a chill to run down my spine.
Even though she has the voice of a little girl, I couldn’t stop myself from trembling.
“I’ve heard that a dragon that is only a few years old is wiser than any man. I’m sure you can understand my meaning without me explaining it to you.”
“Just say it already.”
“Humans are certainly weak as individuals. They can’t even be compared to dragons. However, even though our lives are shorter, a single human could give birth to over ten children.”
“No matter what their number, the children of a small fish will still be small fish.”
“In addition, the average lifespan of a human is only several decades. It’s incredibly rare for a human to live over one hundred years. The offspring of a dragon will live on for hundreds or even over a thousand years. While us lowly humans will only live for a few decades.”
“.”
“Our shorter lives have led us to develop our civilization at a remarkable speed. The culture we’ve developed is far superior to that of any individual human and our civilization can be a powerful force as a whole.”
Fahren-sama is getting fired up.
His blood must be boiling.
He held a clenched fist out at the Dragon.
“What’s your point?”
“I’d like to know how many individual Ancient Dragons there are in this world.”
“Individual dragons?”
“How many of you are there in this world?”
Fahren-sama’s eyes were shining brightly.
I can understand it without him even saying.
Fahren-sama is trying to learn more about Ancient Dragons.
“Like I’d know. We don’t fly around in giant flocks.”
“I see.”
“No matter how many humans there are here, if I decided to attack, you’d be unable to stop me.”
“Of that, I have no doubt. However, there will certainly be survivors. Like trying to hold water in your hands. A few droplets will escape and join the main body once more. And they’ll continue to develop our civilization.”
“And what will they live on to accomplish? Continue to live their insignificant lives?”
“And what if I were to tell you that they’d continue those insignificant lives and eventually prosper?”
“hou~”
They’re staring.
Fahren-sama and the Dragon are staring intensely at each other.
“Would you like me to kill you, human?”
“If you kill me here, you’ll never meet that man again. Would you be okay with that?”
The Dragon’s golden eyes reflected the light and appeared to be on fire.
This combined with the black area of her eyes was incredibly scary.
“.”
“.”
Ah, I really need to run to the bathroom. Why though? It hasn’t been that long since I let it leak out. Have I developed a bad habit? Ester-sama, please let me go home soon.
As if in response to my request, the door to the drawing room was slammed open.
“I’m back!”
How convenient. Ester-sama has returned.
She was carrying a bundle of paper in her hands.
I’m sure they’re documents related to this conflict and the troop movements.
“What have you found, Richard’s daughter?”
“I’ve collected all the documents I’ve received over the past month!”
She set the mountain of papers down on the table between us.
There’s so many. Even if I compare it to the book we have at home that keeps track of our customers, it’s more than we’d collect over an entire month. The lord must really have to work hard to get through all of this. And that’s not even everything they have to do. Amazing. I could never do that job.
“Alright, let’s see.”
“Will you help me?”
“There’s not much else I can do.”
Fahren-sama reached out and grabbed one of the documents.
Ester-sama sat down on the sofa and did the same.
It seems like it’s time to start our investigation. But I can’t even do anything to help them. All I can do is sit here and watch. Tanaksan, where did you go?