I don’t know how it ended up like this. However, once started, it’s only polite to finish the story. There’s nothing worse than a storyteller who stops halfway.
“So, you’re saying you dropped your own defenses? This guy wasn’t just any ordinary crazy person. If he had struck you down right there, wouldn’t you have died?”
“But I survived. You see, one must not think of half-dragons as creatures that eat people or such monsters. Look at her. Isn’t she just like any normal person among you?”
Alterra sat cross-legged with a rather indifferent expression, clearly not enjoying being the center of attention. Yet, she seemed to understand that this justification was necessary and didn’t complain too much.
“So, because this woman gathered expensive materials and offered them to Golsamet, things turned out this way, right? The alleys are crawling with drug addicts, not strange individuals claiming to eradicate drugs daily!”
Occasionally, though not often, I wonder if perhaps there are human-shaped insects mixed in among the people.
I had already mentioned that she didn’t understand language or monetary value from the beginning. Yet, seeing people still trying to blame her made me reflect.
“Anyway, as I’ve already said, she doesn’t know the language, so she couldn’t possibly understand prices. She grew up in the mountains and knows nothing about market trends. If we must assign blame, isn’t it Golsamet’s fault?”
“Ugh…”
While I dislike belittling others, sometimes it’s necessary for justification. In this case, it was Golsamet.
The reactions were decent, indicating my explanation resonated well. Some agreed while others growled, defending the beauty against exploitation.
…It’s fortunate Alterra doesn’t understand the language. She doesn’t enjoy being treated like a woman.
“Anyway, I think the explanation is sufficient. Now… can we go upstairs? My shoulders feel like they’re about to snap.”
I’m not sure why it was my responsibility to persuade them, but seeing the renewed commotion inside, I addressed the receptionist again.
“Yes. That’s how the story goes. So, how much does the half-dragon owe?”
“With such bravery… you’re taking on a half-dragon as a companion…! Since there’s no precedent for this case… yes. We’ll specially offer it for free! The daily rate is 40 copper coins! Meals are separate.”
For humans, it’s 10, for elves, it’s 20. So, 40 then. After greeting the receptionist, I headed upstairs.
Then, naturally, I tried to enter Akashi’s room, but he stopped me and spoke seriously.
“Hey, hey. Wait. Why are you entering my room? Shouldn’t you be with Alterra and let me go with Yuna?”
“…Why? Wouldn’t it be better for men to stick together and women separately?”
Though I’ve shared rooms before, it tends to get awkward with frequent blushing moments. But he sighed and continued.
“Oh dear, you idiot. That girl only understands you, right? How could you leave Yuna alone with her and risk her dignity? Besides, aren’t you secretly enjoying this?”
Ah. So that was the reason. Though it might seem logical, his last comment left a bitter taste.
“…Altera doesn’t talk that much─”
“She might pounce in her sleep.”
At Akashi’s remark, I quickly changed direction toward Alterra’s room. Losing my virginity unexpectedly isn’t something I desire. In my case, should I call myself a bachelor or a youth?
“Hey, Yuna. Our hero suggests we give you some space to enjoy your time. Why the face? Don’t like it? What a coincidence, huh. Me neither.”
“Hold your tongue.”
Altera tilted her head, wondering why Yuna left and I came instead, but accepted after an explanation.
“…That makes sense. The mage is sharper than I thought, isn’t he? Or is that expected from a mage…?”
After placing my bag beside the bed, I lay down first. No matter how enjoyable adventuring may be, nothing beats the happiness of resting.
And, when the body is relaxed, the mind works better. Despite her joining the party only two days ago, her power has been undeniable.
As Akashi said, the strength of killing a dragon, perhaps inherited from her father. With this kind of power, confronting her father, the Great Worm…
…Wait a moment. Something feels off. It’s as if gears are turning in my brain.
“…Altera. Let me ask you something. Your mother was human and passed away, right? And your father is a dragon who is alive?”
“…? Yeah. I told you. Dad killed mom, so I’m going to kill him.”
Hold on. Hold on. Hold on. Information is updating. The gears are spinning furiously. Why didn’t I notice something was amiss during that early morning?
Even in the dwarf village. I recruited her thinking she had the power to kill a dragon, yet according to her, her father is alive.
Dragons must settle all their affairs once their playtime ends. Her father is a dragon. She is alive.
In other words, none of us know when she might be settled with.
“…Eh… eh? That means your dad could show up anytime, right!!!!!!”
Like pieces falling into place in a falling-block puzzle, thoughts began to chain together.
Akashi and I both initially believed she had killed a dragon, but when did we naturally start helping her seek revenge?
The noise must have carried to the next room, as an irritated voice demanding silence returned, but there was no calming down now. We don’t know when a dragon might attack us.
“What, figured it out now? Such idiocy. Even stupidity has limits, but this is ridiculous, don’t you think?”
Akashi had somehow entered the room and was smirking at me. No, is now really the time to laugh?
You should have told me if you knew! W, what if the Great Worm comes?! Is there even a way to fight back?!”
“Let me answer step by step. First, I noticed when we asked for aliases in the dwarf village. But I was curious when you’d figure it out, so I kept quiet. Second, relax. What you’re worried about won’t happen.”
I desperately wanted to punch Akashi in the face, but I held back since I still needed answers from him.
“Why… is it safe…?”
“That necklace. It’s faded now, making it hard to recognize, but it used to have an incredibly high-level concealment spell. Though unclear now, seven years ago, it could have deceived even a god’s sight. And, she’s alive, right? Either he hasn’t found her or can’t find her.”
Well, if things stay this way, her father noticing will only be a matter of time. As he added this, I could only stare at him blankly.
Then… there’s no real issue, is there? Whether her father is alive or not, her strength is undeniable, and there’s no chance he’ll come looking for us.
Ah, I feel relieved. My whole body felt drained. Haha, was I the only fool here?
“…So that guy’s coming? Now? Why? What was he doing when I was weak and easy to kill?”
However, Alterra was looking at me with eyes that seemed ready to ignite flames.
“Eh, A-Altera. Calm down just a bit… Can you listen to me once?”
Fortunately, she hadn’t lost her sanity completely, allowing me to explain why I said those things.
The reason for recruiting her into the party, Akashi’s statements, and my… foolishness.
“…So, because of some absurd reasons set by gods, my mother… my life had to be trampled on…?”
Maybe I shouldn’t have said anything. Her demeanor was more menacing than when she lost control.
“…Thank you for telling me. Thinking about it, I don’t necessarily need to find him. Of course, if I do, I’ll go and kill him… But if he doesn’t find me, I’ll make him come himself.”
…Hmm. I was considering adding a healer to the party this time, but with her anger expanding its targets, that seems impossible.
Healing fundamentally relies on divine grace. She would likely go berserk if we brought a healer.
Is there anyone who can heal without using divine power…? I lamented towards the sky, knowing full well there was no such person.
In Koluscia, all healers left, claiming they were tending to the sick. For various reasons elsewhere, I couldn’t bring a healer into the party either.
“Well… yeah… Anyway, I’ll support you. By the way, Alterra, do you want to come shopping with me?”
“…What for?”
“For books you can read, food, and equipment you can use.”
“I don’t need equipment.”
Alterra insisted she didn’t need equipment and refused to wear anything. Maybe her attitude will change someday? I hope so.
“No, it’s for me. Akashi and Yuna are also coming, and I don’t want to leave you behind.”
With five gold coins, we could at least upgrade the equipment by one tier. And this leather armor, while good for defense, smells terrible.
“Then… okay. Let’s go together.”
I deeply appreciated that her anger wasn’t directed at us.
