Chapter 298

298th Episode

R O D298 ? R O D

After enduring various events, we moved in the morning to exit the ancient forest.

Despite all sorts of bizarre-looking monsters lingering around us, thanks to the pelt of the little king that I wore on my head, they were not easily attacking us but were only growling.

“With the great vigor of Master Hassan, all the beasts of this forest are bowing their heads!…”

Paranoi, seeing my appearance and the appearance of the beasts, was trembling as usual with peculiar antics.

In fact, it was a daily routine to listen to half of Paranoi’s words and ignore the rest, but since the situation was what it was, I felt quite proud, as if those words seemed somewhat accurate.

It was like the feeling of being a donkey draped in a lion’s skin, though in reality, it wasn’t much different.

However, knowing all too well that the disguised donkey that exposes its real identity eventually ends in embarrassment, I couldn’t help but keep a dignified composure to avoid any unnecessary trouble.

Sssh, Sssh…

At that moment, sensing Luna constantly stroking my head and shoulders, I reluctantly opened my mouth.

“Luna, why?”

“The texture of this fur is too amazing! I’m envious!”

Ah, I see.

Apparently, Luna was quite interested in the white fur I wore draped over my head. Actually, it was Luna who figured out the true identity of this beast.

Since the strange beast called White One, which Witch Nemea keeps as a pet in her shop, and the beast whose fur I wore looked like they were of the same species.

“Hassan seems to have claimed it all for himself. I was also a little curious about getting some fur.”

“Then, would it be okay if I tore off a bit?”

“No, this is a sign of a pact. Even if I can’t keep the promise, breaking its symbol is not a good thing.”

As Luna spoke, I recalled the promise I made with Echidna.

That promise was to help her have as many children as I had killed hers. Of course, the nuance of the “assistance” was extremely awkward.

A serpent’s husband.

Gigantic snakes of the squamate order symbolize both lust and virility. That’s why wine infused with serpents are popular, regardless of gender, even at sleazy health centers.

If anything, becoming someone’s husband in this case, especially to such a massive woman, would undoubtedly lead to being squeezed to d*ath.

My escape from this d*ath trap felt like narrowly stepping away from a deadly game stick.

Of course, I’m not entirely free of this obligation.

The promise of returning to this forest in a hundred years delays this time frame.

But the average lifespan of this world does not exceed seventy. Given my current situation, struggling with hardships as a young man, I doubt I will even live to be eighty.

“Anyway, it’s such a pity!”

At Luna’s comment, Hippolyte, who had been quietly following beside us, emitted a thoughtful sigh.

“It’s true that it’d make good armor or a shield. This skin is as sturdy as finely processed titanium or mithril. Though, it is definitely heavier. Also, it could be quite difficult to process…”

Indeed, it was very heavy. The pelt I wrapped around me felt as if I were carrying a condensed and heavy military tent.

If my physical strength hadn’t reached the level of 15, which is said to be the human limit, I might have struggled just to walk a few steps under the weight.

Still, it’s incredibly sturdy. As I’ve experienced before, this fur could withstand the attack of Hippolyte’s sword infused with aura without any damage.

At least, I considered it as gaining a protective gear to shield my head, neck, and the vulnerable areas of my back. With that in mind, I could endure the weight.

“Still, it’s nice wearing beast’s fur together, so it feels like it’s paired well! When we arrive at Delphi, I’ll attach an actinic talisman for you and cast a protective spell.”

Luna, brightly called out while wearing a helmet made of skull bones on her head.

Indeed, seeing Luna wearing a strange skull and me wearing the fur, we made a couple-item kind of appearance.

Strangers might even mistake us for an unusual savage tribe who had come to the continent for an expedition or even as a married pair from some wild land.

“Aii! That Paranoi just tried to say something nasty…”

“What? Why me?”

“It seems Paranoi is jealous of Master Hassan’s newly acquired beast fur…”

“Huh? Why would I envy that thing?”

“Frankly, I am a little jealous.”

Upon hearing Hippolyte’s words, she gave me a slow nod as she carefully studied me.

“Such an excellent beast pelt is not something easily acquired. Wearing it alone can show the makings of a magnificent warrior. It could even stand as an emblem or achievement.”

“Hmph.”

Elpride seemed to have many things to say, but with the unflattering opinions around her, she could do nothing but give a small smirk and hold her tongue.

“Aii! That strange Paranoi is up to no good… hiding something in his robes…”

“But why does everyone target me?”

“I’ll leave the continent if it continues…! This land belongs to the nymphs…! Anyway, someone has concealed something quite suspicious…”

Paranoi’s constant loud ranting was causing the monsters around us to growl increasingly louder.

Yesterday, Echidna had cast a peculiar spell to silence Paranoi, but now, I regretted not learning something similar as a precaution.

Before my thoughts could go further, Luna spoke.

“Should we try the long-awaited silent sleep?”

“…”

With that, Paranoi immediately shut his mouth as if nothing had happened. The moment he became quiet, the silence enveloped the whole forest.

Knowing exactly what Luna referred to by “silent sleep,” Paranoi trembled in apparent fear.

Upon reflection, there was no need for high-level things like spells or magic to silence him.

“So, what did you hide?”

Satisfied with Paranoi silencing, Luna soon turned the topic back to Elpride.

With a sigh indicating resignation, Elpride reluctantly took something out of her trouser pocket and quickly shoved it forward toward us.

It was a white and small pebble-like object.

What’s that?

Just as I started to feel curious about that, Hippolyte spoke.

“It appears to be a beast’s magical stone. And it seems to be of quite high purity. It looks like something recovered from the cremation ground earlier?”

“Yes.”

“I’ve heard that flame wizards burn beasts to extract these magical stones, so I guess it’s true.”

A magical stone, huh.

At that moment, my memory returned to the earlier times when I adventured with Elpride. Often, Elpride would burn the carcasses of beasts she had defeated, turning them to ashes.

I had assumed it was just Elpride’s habit of enjoying arson.

But it turns out she was doing it to procure magical stones.

I already knew a lot about magical stones from my adventurer days – objects imbued with power, often treated as gems by mages.

Like small stones formed after burning bodies, similar to relics.

“Ah?! When did you collect that? I’m envious! Give me one!”

Luna looked at the stone in Elpride’s hand with an envious gaze.

Elpride, who usually showed weakness in front of Luna, surprised us by clenching the stone tightly in her fist and quickly putting it back in her pocket.

“Sorry, but this one is mine. I plan to make a necklace with it. It would be a fine artifact worthy of mention, much like that fur hood.”

“That Paranoi seems to be planning to wear something made from the same material as Master Hassan…”

“That’s not true…”

Elpride twitched her ears as if greatly flustered. Looking annoyed by such false accusations, she glanced around nervously before going quiet.

All of us have strong opinions, so there’s nothing peaceful about our group.

It makes me understand why idol groups tend to disband and go their separate ways once they start making money.

When the forest was about to end and the fields were coming into view, Isbaron, the blue dragon, who had been walking silently all this time, spoke.

I will soar through the skies once more. Board the carriage. And you, Juvenile Hassan.

Hearing the dragon calling me, I looked up. A large blue pupil stared down at me as if piercing through.

My heart raced. But it seemed all the same to the dragon how I felt.

If you truly wish, you may ride on my back once.

“That’s unreasonable!”

Surprisingly, Elpride was the one who answered for me.

“You’d let someone ride on your back? For what reason?”

Because it entertained me. It seems like I could let you on once.

I wasn’t sure what behavior of mine during the struggle for survival had impressed this blue dragon.

So, if you entertain it, you get a ride.

I mentally added a note about the importance of a ‘sense of humor’ when it came to these gargantuan reptilian beings known as dragons.

Anyway, riding on a dragon’s back seemed to be an unprecedented experience, given the reactions. This was a rare event, even in a world of magic, sorcery, and curses.

“Alright, how about it then? I can ride, but it would be lonely by myself. Would it be possible to take another person with me? Would it be too heavy?”

Too heavy? Your weight on my back will mean nothing. Fine, one more person. But, I won’t be responsible if you fall.

I must’ve struck a chord with the blue dragon’s pride, as my casual question earned an unexpected concession.

“To anyone here who’d like to join me on the dragon’s back?”

Yet, no one eagerly volunteered.

“Riding on the back, and if you fall down, you’ll end up even worse than a broken egg…!”

Paranoi was right. Upon reflection, riding the back of a dragon flapping its wings at high speed, without a safety harness, seemed even riskier than riding a motorcycle on a highway without a helmet.

Thinking about it, I too felt it’d be wiser to just stay in the carriage.

My good intentions aren’t accepted. This is a matter of Isbaron’s pride.

But the blue dragon blocked my retreat, reading my mind. What a trouble.

Now I had to point out someone who’d be willing to d*e alongside me. At this moment, I was the epitome of Clyde’s d*ath flight.

Either ride or d*e.

And so, the one whom I pointed to, was…

Hang on tightly. If you fall, I won’t be responsible. It’s been quite a while since I’ve carried anyone on my back, and it feels unfamiliar.

“What? Just what exactly do I hang on to?”

Figure it out yourself.

Climbing on the dragon’s back filled me with trepidation. His back was entirely covered with sleek scales so tightly packed that there was no grip anywhere.

There was nothing to hold on to.

What was I supposed to hold onto?

At that moment, a rather calm voice came from behind me.

“Idiot, stop panicking. Dragons along with griffins are masters of flight. You won’t fall unless you make unnecessary movements.”

It was Elpride, who climbed on behind me. I chose her to accompany me because, firstly, she seemed fond of dragons and riding on this expansive back would’ve been a dream for her.

I tried to suppress my fear and spoke with a hint of bravado.

“So, now that you’ve accomplished your wish to ride a dragon, thanks to me, how does it feel?”

“What do you mean? No one else wanted to ride, and it seemed pitiful to see you all alone, trembling up high, so I’m here to help.”

“Alright, I understand.”

I did notice a slight tremor in Elpride’s voice as well.

It wasn’t out of fear like mine, but rather a mild excitement like a child eagerly waiting to ride their favorite amusement park ride. Her pointed ears were also noticeably red.

Alright, then let’s fly.

Flap!

With an authoritative flapping of wings, our bodies rose gracefully into the air.

“Haaah!”

At the same time, Elpride, who earlier sounded so composed, let out an uncharacteristic high-pitched scream and clung tightly to my back.

“What are you doing, scaring like that?”

“Sh, be quiet.”

We’re accelerating. We need to reach Delphi by today.

Flap! Flap!

The powerful flapping of wings sent wind rushing into my face.

Elpride had mentioned that dragons were skilled flyers, but with this incredible speed, I couldn’t help but feel like I would be blown off. Therefore, I had no time to admire the landscape or reflect on the oddity of the experience, so I merely bowed my head.

Was Elpride the same?

The moment we took to the skies, the words from her diminished significantly.

Up ahead, there’s turbulence. We may shake a bit, grab onto something.

“Huh? So what exactly should I grab onto?”

I was going insane. Turbulence. That term alone sounded terrifying as life’s winds.

Are we going to crash?

What should I hold onto?

When I was slightly flustered by these thoughts, I suddenly felt something gripping tightly around my waist. There was no need to ask or confirm. It was Elpride, who had clung to me from behind.

“What if you grab onto me? If either of us falls, we both d*e.”

“What are you so afraid of? In the end, it’s either ride or d*e. There aren’t many options. Just enjoy the wind.”

“What to enjoy? You might be fine because I’m blocking the wind for you, but-”

Whoosh!

Due to the intense wind swirling in from all sides, my body trembled violently.

The tighter my sides were gripped, the more Elpride’s grip on me tightened, eventually wrapping around my waist like a seat belt.

Clatter, Clatter…

We were being shaken like a car in a collision, but I had no time for that.

On the contrary, the grip around my waist from Elpride gave me an unexpected sense of stability, despite having no real effect.

Of course, I didn’t voice that out loud.

There was no need to.

After being roughly shaken by the turbulence for a while, we finally emerged from the clouds into an open sky, with many mountain ranges visible below us.

Even though I had been scared just moments ago, I felt truly awed by this scenic panorama.

At that moment, the person tightly gripping my waist, Elpride, said something.

“I didn’t think I’d end up here again. Do you still remember?”

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