36 『Road to E-Rantel』 (2/2)

Enri nodded with now a rather serious expression on her face. She could see the carnage from here, it seemed to be a group of under ranked adventurers in over their head against larger beasts.

Taking a gilded flute from within his item box, he handed it to Enri. It was another summoning item, one that summons a trio of angels. Retrieving, she nodded to him once again, before he left the wagon and phased into his dragonic form.

In the distance was a group of four Adventurers. There were a number of dead goblins surrounding them, but there were plenty of living ones as well.

It seemed they had come from the mineral deposits and mines that his subordinates pushed them out of. It was clear now that they were resorting to attacking the town.

How unfortunate.

Vertum was now flying well above the the group from on high, his wings reflecting light down towards them. With his keen senses of smell and sight, he counted three men and one female, though his eyes were seeing a crossdresser.

A small chuckle escaped his lips, especially as they looked up to see his form once his shadow passed over. It was clear they had no idea what kind of dragon he was. Though they didn't stay too distracted by him and returned to their fight.

Circling downward, he spread his mane of colorful feathers, his sharp teeth bared into a predatory smile. And as he landed on all fours, he came trotting on over from behind the Ogres who hardly noticed him.

”What kind of dragon is that!?” One of the men shouted, he was short blonde hair and blue eyes. He seemed to be the leader of the group.

”I'm-I'm not sure! I don't have any notes on any that have feathers...” A humbly anxious voice squeaked in return, the crossdresser with brown hair and blue eyes.

Another, one which was armed with a bow shouted, ”Do I shoot it!?”

Vertum's gaze just drifted to the bowman, closing his mouth and sitting on his hind legs.

The last man in the group was a bit wide but well built, raised a brow as his eyes centered on the Dragon. ”I think he heard you...”

Vertum could see that all three of the men seemed to be protecting the small female in the center of their triangular formation. This would only lead to their deaths and her suffering.

His eyes then rested on the girl who was firing magical bolts towards the Goblins which were closing in on them. He watched as those creatures fell dead at their feet.

”Silver ranked adventurers...” Vertum sighed as he picked at his teeth with his clawed hand, his eyes dancing over towards the massive clubs the ogres seemed to be equipped with. It was unlikely they'd survive if those things all ganged up on them at once. ”What will you give me if I help you?”

”Give you?!” Their leader yelled out in confusion, what could he possibly give to a dragon? What would a dragon want from them? Flailing his sword about, he struck down another Goblin.

The man wielding a mace used a spell to tangle one of goblins with blades of grass. ”We do not have treasure for you my fair dragon friend! But you will have our gratitude.”

Raising a brow at the big man's words, he could only chuckle lightly. Oh they had a treasure, though he doubted they would part with it. His eyes were on the brunette with exceptionally short hair. He could see the knowledge in her eyes, a talent for magic he couldn't quite identify.

The brunette's blue eyes narrowed on the Dragon after she laid out another goblin that was closing in on the group. They were cornered, they needed to spread out, but the goblins constant flanking impaired the ability to do so.

They needed reinforcements.

That was when she noticed, his eyes had been on her for the majority of the time. Though he had addressed them all as Silver ranked adventurers, it was now clear he was asking her, not them.

”You're not asking them, are you...?” A dragon with keen senses would likely be able to tell what she was, even though she was hiding her true sex from her friends.

”Intelligent,” yawning Vertum looked over the Ogres who were quickly encroaching on the adventurers. It wouldn't be long before they were dead, unless they came up with something.

The three boys looked to their smallest friend.

”Ninya, what are you going to offer him?” Their leader asked, concerned, knowing there wasn't much their compatriot could offer either.

A faint panicked smile of not knowing how to answer spread across her lips, ”I... I don't know Peter, I don't know...”

”Then it's better if you ran for town, we'll hold them off as best we can. Get help.” Peter nodded to his young friend, knowing their condition and having the noble goal of saving their sister.

Hearing the words leave her leader's face, she could hardly stop herself from looking horrified at the idea of leaving them behind. They were her friends, the people she had been living with for months, their trust was with one another.

Ninya's eyes darted to the dragon, ”Wha... What-t do you want...?” She stuttered, not being able to predict what a dragon would possibly want with her.

”A life debt would suffice,” The dragon's head tilted to the side slightly.

As her friends were battling monsters that surrounded them, it was becoming even more difficult to think about or be picky with her answer.

”Ninya, just run!” Peter advised against it.

”You don't have to think about it, Ninya! Just go! Think about your freedom, your sister!” The bowman said as he peered over his shoulder towards his friend.

Ninya's head drifted to each one of her friends before looking to the dragon once more. Her lips quivered slightly and she nodded to the beast.