I focused all my concentration on maintaining the magical shell enveloping the surface, circulating mana through my body. From the heart to the lungs, past the elbows to the fingertips, and back again from the fingertips to the heart.
Compared to the usual speed at which I circulated mana when using my abilities, this was absurdly slow. Still, it was just right for now.
If I sped up any further, the mana forming the invisible shell would be disrupted as well. Nevertheless, this was a significant improvement from a few days ago.
Back then, no matter how slowly I moved, I couldn’t maintain the shell. This progress was truly remarkable, especially considering I had reached this point without anyone teaching me.
Yeah. I did it all by myself. I even humbled myself enough to ask Akashi if he could teach me how to handle mana, but he said he didn’t know.
When I asked if there wasn’t anything he knew, he replied that my question was like asking a bird how humans could fly.
He said it was something I had to figure out on my own since he didn’t know how to do it either. Thanks to that, at least I didn’t have to endure the humiliation of calling him “teacher”… But this is taking too long to be practical.
There’s no one I can turn to for help anyway. At least my father, who could teach me how to control mana… Let’s not talk about that. It’s frustrating that I have to settle for such slow progress.
So, I lay down on the carriage with my arms crossed behind my head. I thought looking at the sky might ease this suffocating feeling. However, what I saw yesterday came to mind.
The sword emanating an ominous light, and Myungho gazing meaningfully at that sword. It feels good that he’s grown stronger, but… it’s awkward.
No matter how positively I try to think about it, something feels off. The color, its effects… A sword that extracts souls—truly worthy of being called a demon blade.
“…Huuuum, geez. Nothing’s going right.”
Could the necklace be the culprit? I should investigate, but the carriage might get involved if I do. Ultimately, there’s nothing I can do while we’re moving.
I have a vague idea why Myungho suddenly changed like that. He probably reacted after seeing me almost die in that pit.
He told me not to get hurt. Maybe the dragon should’ve been left alone. I feel uneasy as if I’ve done something wrong.
Nothing ever seems to go smoothly. Just when I thought I saw some hope, they say the dragon I killed once was the weakest among dragons, and I keep getting entangled in strange situations.
Trying to shake off these gloomy thoughts, I skillfully maneuvered my body on top of the carriage and entered through the door. Yuna was nodding off inside, and Myungho fell over in surprise when he saw me suddenly appear above.
As soon as he saw me, Akashi declared that today’s lesson was over and slammed his book shut. Come to think of it, I’ve been seeing that grimoire in his hands more often lately.
He used to only let me use it when absolutely necessary. As I sat next to Myungho, I casually asked why he was so surprised.
“A-ah, no. It’s just that you suddenly appeared from above… I was just startled for a moment!”
Something felt off, but I decided not to press the issue since we’re friends. Asking what he was doing before I showed up would probably be futile anyway.
“So, worm. Do you understand anything yet?”
Akashi smirked and asked if I understood anything. With exaggerated hostility, I replied that I already got the gist of it, to which he responded that it was only natural.
“Don’t get cocky over something so obvious.”
Myungho seemed annoyed by Akashi’s attitude and told him to speak more politely. Whether he wanted to impress Myungho or not, Akashi backed down immediately, much to my amusement.
“Hehe. You two seem to have a great relationship. Are you maybe a couple?”
The coachman must’ve been bored because he jokingly asked if we were a couple. After closing his eyes briefly and remaining silent, Myungho corrected him.
“No, we’re not a couple. But… she is my girlfriend. Right, Alterra?”
Uh…
Yeah, that’s right. He’s allowed to call me that. Definitely. But now that he really does, I don’t know how to respond—it’s embarrassing.
Still, denying it now would be against the principle that “a single word from a gentleman is worth four horses.” Though I’m technically a woman now, I was once a man, so I refuse to take back what I’ve said.
“…Y-yeah… girlfriend… yeah…”
Right. A female friend. Girlfriend. There’s nothing strange about it, right? I tried to rationalize it to myself, but my face still flushed with embarrassment.
Should I call him boyfriend then? That thought crossed my mind, but fortunately, I managed to refrain from saying it aloud.
It must be the heat affecting me. That’s it.
Summer is approaching, after all. It’s pretty hot already. Or maybe it’s just the proximity. I felt like smoke was rising from my head.
Why am I reacting so strongly to just being called a girlfriend? Worse yet, why did I ever agree to such a title?
“…You said it was fine to call you that last time, didn’t you, Alterra? If you don’t like it, we can change it.”
Myungho offered to change it like last time, but how could I possibly speak casually about this? Saying it out loud would only lead to endless embarrassment.
“It’s… it’s fine!”
In the end, gathering all my courage, I pretended it didn’t bother me. That was all I could do.
“In that case, I’ll assume it’s fine and tell others the same.”
“G-got it.”
Myungho gave a slightly teasing smile, scratching my pride lightly. Since I couldn’t back down, I challenged him to go ahead and try. This feels like I’m losing out, though.
Still, I can’t act shamelessly now, can I? Another thing to worry about.
…Nothing’s going right. Really.
—
Humans change quickly. Even in this country where I enjoy pretending to be human, I’m always amazed by what they can accomplish in such short periods of time.
Until seven years ago, Golsamet was nothing more than a small mining village. If not for that wretched woman Alteina stealing my seed, it would’ve remained insignificant and unnoticed.
Such a place has developed thanks to the money spent by those hunting it and the proceeds from selling what they hunted.
“…It must be destroyed.”
Since its development stems from my mistake, it would be best to erase it. Though it’s pitiful for the inhabitants here.
Still, there’s information left to gather, so I climbed the walls. The material used for the walls appears flashy but lacks durability, cracking with each step.
If the outer wall can’t even guarantee safety, there’s no need to inspect the inside. Striding confidently, I reached the top of the wall, but there wasn’t a single guard in sight.
Rumors of criminal organizations infiltrating the area must be true. Given the presence of drugs, their arrival was inevitable, so I jumped off the wall without much concern.
Even the most oblivious humans would panic at someone suddenly falling from the wall, screaming and fleeing or calling guards whose location they don’t even know.
Truly fragile and meaningless creatures. They die easily from even minor injuries, weaker than the animals they despise.
Walking along the now quiet streets, I headed toward the Adventurers’ Guild building, which that creature frequented often. Surprisingly large, it rivaled the lord’s palace in size, making it easy to find.
The receptionist greeted me with a polite smile and asked why I had come. Since they approached formally, I reciprocated by stating that I was searching for information on the half-dragon who frequently visited here.
“…So, you’re looking for information on Miss Alterra? I’m sorry, but as a gold-ranked adventurer, her information cannot be disclosed. My apologies.”
I heard she made quite a profit here, but it seems they consider her one of their own now and won’t betray her.
“How much would it cost?”
“We can provide information on monsters or targets for extermination, but we do not sell personal information about adventurers.”
The receptionist firmly refused to sell the information. I’ve seen people like this before—those who won’t change their minds no matter how much money you offer.
Using the metals within my body, I forged them into gold coins. They multiplied rapidly on my palm until they overflowed onto the floor.
“How much will it take?”
The receptionist stared blankly at the growing pile of gold, her eyes trembling as she struggled between duty and desire.
“…According to our principles, we don’t sell adventurers’ personal information… But with the amount you’re offering, things could be different.”
Ultimately, humans are still humans. The employee succumbed to greed, fumbling through the files until she handed me one.
I tossed the overflowing gold coins into the air, and the surrounding humans, drooling, scrambled to claim them as their own.
Since they love gold so much, how could I deny them?
Taking in the view of the city that would soon vanish, I looked at the paper containing Alterra’s information. As expected, there was nothing particularly important.
It doesn’t matter. We’ll meet eventually.
Circulating mana, I created a massive stone barrier encompassing all of Golsamet. The ground trembled violently, causing chaos among the humans, but the towering stone wall, higher than the original fortifications, blocked everything from leaving.
Releasing mana into the sky, I opened a dimensional portal leading to my treasure vault. Regrettably, since this place was born from my mistake, it’s only fitting that I end it myself.
“…Fall apart.”
Channeling mana into my horn, I melted all the treasures pouring out.
A rain of molten gold poured down upon Golsamet.
