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Chapter 11 – Decision
Suddenly, the old man drops to his knees before us. We realize that rumors about us have been spreading rapidly—and rather embarrassingly. To make matters worse, the old man’s request is outrageous: he wants us to slay an ancient dragon. It should be a total disaster, yet most of the girls are eager to go. I have a feeling there’s no escaping this.
“I understand that we might be able to handle an ancient dragon. But why are Donatella-san and Mear-san so eager to do this?”
The old man’s face lit up at the suggestion that we could handle an ancient dragon, but that’s a topic for later.
“It’s true that ancient dragon materials are appealing, but the main reason is the significant opportunity to make a name for ourselves this time.”
Huh? Donatella-san knows that we—especially me—aren’t just uninterested in fame; we actively avoid it. So why did she come to that conclusion?
“Wataru-sama. The Toyoumi Trading Company’s Southern Continent Branch is quite literally a branch on the Southern Continent.”
“Yes, that’s correct, but what does that have to do with anything?”
Mear-san spoke up as if to confirm that, but I was already aware of that.
“With Gothenburg’s current military strength, they can fend off most interference. They’re also unlikely to betray you, Wataru-sama. That’s precisely why Gothenburg will undoubtedly be rebuilt and become economically prosperous. Once that happens, there’s no doubt they’ll be targeted by underhanded means other than military force.”
Well, there are always people who don’t like seeing outsiders act all high and mighty.
Ah, I see.
“So, you’re using that reputation to protect yourselves. If anyone tries to mess with the Toyoumi Trading Company’s Southern Continent Branch, a group that defeated an Ancient Dragon will show up.”
Our branch’s escort unit alone is strong enough to scatter the rabble in that area and even a decent-sized army. But that rumor hasn’t really spread. Even if it did, whether people would believe it is another matter entirely.
In fact, I get the feeling that the rumor about every member of the criminal slave gang being over level 150 is treated as an urban legend and isn’t believed.
If they mess with us and get beaten back, it’s their own fault. But there’s no doubt it’s easier to live here with fewer enemies.
“Yes, defeating an ancient dragon provides tangible proof in the form of materials, so unless they’re utterly reckless, they’ll likely refrain from meddling.”
In other words, it’s that old saying: “The nail that sticks out gets hammered down,” but “a nail that sticks out way above the rest is hard to hammer.”
I’d normally avoid such a strategy, but I’ve adopted the stance that, even if it draws attention on the Southern Continent, it won’t matter once we return to the Northern Continent. I’ve thus let go of some of my self-restraint, so I suppose Donatella-san chose the most efficient course of action.
I understood Donatella-san and Mear-san’s intentions.
It does feel like overkill in terms of defense, but since we’re often not on the Southern Continent, maybe a bit of overkill is just right.
The real question, then, is whether we can actually defeat the Ancient Dragon. Or, if we can’t win, can we make it back safely?
After hearing Paris’s story, I’m not entirely convinced that we can’t do it. However, I want to be clear on this point.
No matter how great the benefits might be, I’ll reject it if there’s a risk of serious injury or worse, even if people call me overprotective or the old man loses hope.
“Alessia, you said we could avoid losing, right? Does that include the possibility of serious injury or death?”
“Huh? It’s a battle, so of course it does.”
Her answer was incredibly matter-of-fact—and terrifying.
“Alessia, the way you put that will lead Wataru to misunderstand. Wataru, it’s true that we can’t rule out that possibility. But that’s the same for our daily battles. We’ve survived by taking those risks into account and devising countermeasures as best we can.”
After Alessia-san spoke, Dorothea-san made remarks that were both reassuring and unsettling.
It’s better than what Alessia-san said, but she hasn’t ruled out dying in the worst-case scenario, has she?
If someone were to say, “Well, it’s a fight to the death, so that’s only natural,” I suppose they’d have a point. But even if we can’t have the same safety margin as when we took down the bandits, I’d like to have at least half of it.
Huh? Half the safety margin of that battle? That would mean we’d easily win against an Ancient Dragon. Is that asking too much?
As much as I feel bad for the old man, fighting an Ancient Dragon is out of the question. I’d rather relocate the old man’s village than force Alessia-san and the others into danger.
It’s harsh to make them leave the place they’re used to, but my comrades are always my top priority. I’m no saint; I’m going to put my own interests first.
Besides, our chances of winning are pretty high this time, so there’s no need to worry.
“Huh? We don’t know how strong our opponent is. How can you say for sure?”
“The fact that our opponent is a Fire Dragon is a big factor. We have fire specialists—Ilma and Ines, right? Their attacks aren’t effective against a Fire Dragon, but that also means we can counter its attacks.”
Dorothea-san has already factored Ines into her strategy, but she’ll join the fight if necessary. She’s super excited about it, too.
“If we add our strength, Felicia’s barrier, and Wataru’s ship to that, it’ll be harder for us to get hurt. The only ways we might lose are if our attacks don’t work or if they do but don’t deal enough damage. The Fire Dragon isn’t stupid; it might try to run away.”
…Ah, I think I get it now. Is this scenario similar to a famous hunting game?
We have a chance of winning and definitely have the strength to pull it off. The question is whether we can wear the dragon down enough.
The first time around, the opponent was often tougher than expected, and they would often escape at the last second. I get it.
I know I shouldn’t treat this like an exact game, but I can picture it now.
I’m not sure if using a game analogy is the best way to approach a life-or-death situation, but I’m starting to feel like we can do this. I’ve decided to give it a shot this time.
As for Ship Summoning’s defense, it has the Creator God-sama’s seal of approval. Since it deflected God’s attack, whether the opponent is an Ancient Dragon or just a dragon… Hmm?
It’s a punchline where the old men’s misunderstanding turns an ancient dragon into just a dragon. Well, if that’s the case, it might work out in our favor. If we’re up against an ancient dragon, we should be able to settle things through negotiation.
“If we’re going to make thorough preparations, shall we give it a try?”
“Yay! Old man, let’s get right to it—tell us everything you know!”
The girls’ spirits soared. Even though this is a battle against an ancient dragon, an event with maximum danger, the girls’ faces beam. So that’s what adventurers are like.
Well, Donatella-san and Mear-san aren’t actually adventurers, though.
“Alessia, the old man needs some rest. Let’s start gathering information tomorrow.”
“Oh, that’s right. I’m sorry, Old Man.”
“No, I’d like you to come up with a plan as soon as possible. Rest can wait. I really want to talk to you.”
Seeing how determined the old man was, Claretta-san reluctantly nodded. Well, if we delay by even a day and the ancient dragon starts moving in the meantime, it’d be a disaster.
＊＊＊
“I never thought I’d get to ride a magic-powered vehicle at my age. I could die at any moment now.”
The old man’s voice echoed with wonder through the cabin of the Ranger. Given his age and health, this is no laughing matter, so I wish he would stop.
Two days after the “old man’s kneeling incident,” we finally set out to slay the ancient dragon.
Although the delay was only two days, the old man seemed impatient. As expected, however, we were all pretty busy, so leaving the next day was out of the question.
Between helping Claretta-san and Rimu leave the hospital, transporting more monsters for dismantling, and restocking goods at the temporary shop, we managed to set out in two days despite the grueling workload. I think we did a pretty good job.
It would have been counterproductive to neglect the hospital, as it would have meant letting the people of Gothenburg die just to save the village.
We worked really hard, but even so, the schedule ended up being incredibly tight.
On top of that, Donatella-san decided that, since we were doing this anyway, she would come up with a flashy plan. This took time to prepare, making things even more difficult.
Well, when I heard the details, I found out that the old man’s itinerary was truly grueling.
The old man’s itinerary was…
He traveled from the village at the foot of the mountain to the capital of the domain where he lived. A journey that normally took five days, he covered in just two.
Treated with utter ruthlessness and in the depths of despair, he heard rumors about us in Gothenburg. He covered a seven-day journey in just three days. After repeating this cycle—riding in a carriage whenever possible, walking when no carriages were available, and occasionally sleeping briefly under the open sky—he arrived in Gothenburg.
It’s no wonder he was exhausted—he was pushing himself to the limit.
After providing the information, it’s no wonder he fell asleep as if he’d fainted from relief. In fact, I don’t think he fell asleep; I think he fainted.
It wouldn’t be funny if such an old man were to mutter, “I could die at any moment.” Since the old man dragged us into this, I want him to confirm the results of the ancient dragon hunt properly, at least.
I don’t want to celebrate the ancient dragon’s extermination and hold the old man’s funeral at the same time.
Even in that situation, Donatella-san and Mear-san pressed him about the reward. The old man was on the verge of death again, but they thought it was unthinkable to not receive a reward for slaying an ancient dragon.
They aren’t monsters, though. They’re the kind of people who carefully consider the balance with the wider world, even when business is involved. They didn’t demand a reward that would leave the village broke and starving.
Since the old man’s village is a logging community at the foot of the mountains, they were able to strike a deal that benefits both the Southern Continent Branch of the Toyoumi Trading Company, which is short on supplies, and Gothenburg.
According to their plan, they would use the Southern Continent Branch’s well-trained escort unit as the core, borrow criminal slaves from Gothenburg, and integrate the old man’s village into the distribution network.
This would mean connecting with other territories, but they were determined to push it through. They were backed by the favor they had earned from the lord for subduing the ancient dragon, a feat the lord had previously ignored, and by their proven capability to carry it out.
I was concerned about drawing attention by connecting with other territories, but I had no choice but to accept that we couldn’t remain inconspicuous after subduing an ancient dragon.
The old man accepted all of our proposals. He decided to entrust the distribution of the village’s timber entirely to the Southern Continent Branch.
It felt like handing over a blank check, so I was worried about the old man’s decision. However, Donatella-san and Mear-san had carefully structured the contract through the God of Commerce-sama to ensure that it would not become a burden to the old man’s village.
I did wonder if it was okay for the old man to enter into such a contract on his own authority, but he was the village chief. He was pushing his aging body to the limit to protect the village.
To honor the old man and make it in time before he dies, I step on the ranger’s accelerator.
Since the village is on the opposite side of the capital, it would take twelve days by conventional means.
However, even though the Ranger isn’t strictly a land vehicle, it’s still a car. If it takes 12 days to reach the village by walking and horse-drawn carriages, I think we could reach it in just 1 day by driving.
The thought of driving all night on unpaved, rough roads already makes me feel weary. But if we don’t get there, defeat the dragon, and return quickly, Gothenburg’s nascent economy will grind to a halt. I guess I’ll just have to do my best.
I see. So I’ll be driving all night on the way back too. In my case, driving might be tougher than defeating the ancient dragon. Plus, I have other missions to handle on the way back.
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