The 5000-year-old Herbivorous Dragon Chapter 7

Translator: Luk2048

As soon as the sun went up, a great number of adventurers went outside the walls and departed on their journeys. It appears to be an everyday sight in this town, but today their number is especially large. That's because most of the town got damaged in last night's fire. The moment rootless adventurers understood that the environment for their long stay is gone, they quickly gave up and left in a hurry.

"How heartless."

"Such is life. Only people living here for a long time are interested in restoring it. Fortunately thanks to you the last night's damage was somewhat reduced. It won't take that long to restore it. Rēvendia, let me thank you once more. And you, kin girl."

While gazing at the formed line of pack horses becoming distant on the gra.s.slands, I lightly touched the hand Ariante held out with the tip of my claw. I planned to shake hands in reconciliation, but from the side Rēko was glaring with dissatisfaction. While stuffing her cheeks with the brought for breakfast bread, she was staring fixedly at Ariante with narrowed eyes.

"What's up Rēko? Are you still mulling over that dream?"

After loudly munching and swallowing with a gulp,

"I feel like that knight committed a severe blasphemy towards the Evil Dragon Lord. I have the memory of her pointing a sword at you."

"If it was like that we wouldn't be shaking hands this way. You were probably just tired and saw a bad dream."

"Since Evil Dragon Lord is saying so I will regard it as the truth, but for some reason I'm not pleased with it."

"Don't fret over this so much Rēko. Here, you can also have my bread, cheer up."

I don't really like bread either way. When I pushed the lying on the ground tray to Rēko, she started eating it with vigour as if she was starving. It looks like she won't hold back.

"Munch, also Evil Dragon Lord, why did you a.s.sume this form? Of course even if the Evil Dragon Lord became small there's no difference to your greatness but… there isn't but…"

"There are still bits of food on your face. Wipe it first and drink some water."

After wiping face with her arms, she drained a whole jug of water in one go.

"And then, for what kind of reason?"

I'm troubled, since I can't tell her truthfully that it's easier to hide and run away.

"First of, as I told you yesterday my power has declined. If we fight with the Devil King like that our odds are slim. That's why I intended to join hands with humans, but it seems my ill reputation as an evil dragon won't permit the alliance. That being the case, I thought of reverting to my youthful body and once again developing my strength from scratch."

"Then, before attacking the Devil King you first intend to hunt suitable enemies, is that right?"

"Yeah, it helps that you understood it fast. That's right, first we start with appropriate enemies. For example, the living close ——"

"Which Devil King's executive are we crus.h.i.+ng first? Or do we start with erasing a devil's dungeon from the map?"

Since our definitions of "suitable" seem to be fundamentally different, I couldn't hide my unrest. It seems that everything besides the Devil King falls in the appropriate category.

"You know that if we suddenly make such a flashy move it'll leak out to the Devil King? The basics lay in steadiness. I think that starting like the ordinary adventurers from the low grade dungeons and slowly regaining my fighting sense is the best policy. Besides, this way you also will be able to learn many different things, like pacing yourself in a fight."

"Oh… I see. In other words the reason that Evil Dragon Lord is choosing this safe approach, is because of my lack of ability, is that right ——

With a sorrowful face Rēko clenched her teeth. It seems she has various misunderstandings, but for the time being looks like she agreed. Moreover Ariante lent a helping hand.

"In human practices there's also something like heavy-load training. It's to purposely increase the difficulty of combat by wielding a sword heavier than normal, or a staff with awful magic power consumption. In addition to the wonderful rejuvenation medicine effect, Evil Dragon Rēvendia himself sealed his own vast magic power. Originally, his ability was such that even if he'd defeat the Devil King's executive he wouldn't acc.u.mulate any experience, but in the state where he drastically lowered his strength, even if it was a weak monster it'll still become experience in its own way. It can be said it's a clever way."

However, it was a barefaced lie. She's probably aware it's a poor excuse. Nevertheless, Rēko answered with "I see, as one would expect from the Evil Dragon Lord's keen insight", without showing a doubt of distrust.

"That's right. To sum it up I'm now intentionally restricting my power for the sake of practice. Even if I'll be having a hard time with weak monsters, it's simply all part of the training, you understand? Don't get disillusioned, okay?"

"Something like getting disillusioned in the Evil Dragon Lord, even if the heaven and earth flip upside down, it would never happen."

Rēko's mood dropped a bit and she became sulky. I wonder what would happen if she learned I'm not an evil dragon in the first place, though no matter what I won't say anything.

"It seems you've decided. Well then, come to my dojo. It was hastily rebuilt in one night, but we still have gathered some quite excellent tools."

"… Been a while since I was last tired."

After they gathered their equipment, Ariante saw them off from the wall and wiped off her sweat. That was a startling bunch. It wasn't a simple matter of strength. The problem in the uncertain future is the involved grave bomb without a visible fuse. If it was possible I'd want to raise her for the sake of humanity. However, to be able to control that much power with ordinary means, a few decades of training is necessary. In that time, it's much more likely that the girl will become aware of Rēvendia's true form, resulting in her breakdown.

If that's the case.

"A misunderstanding is fine. At least, please become strong enough to not hold her back, being of a.s.sistance to humanity."

I prayed, which is unlike me. While praying, I started thinking in self-mockery, that it was safer to cut them down last night. If I really am thinking about the well-being of humanity, for the sake of eliminating unnecessary risk I should have killed them both. If I got Rēvendia's head, I could also indulge myself in the bounty prize.

It appears that the gambling habit from my young days, which I thought I've rejected, has relapsed here. To look for hope in people I don't even know.

"Please do your best, Evil Dragon Lord."

While she was smiling, the dojo's door carried a loud clanging sound. When she fixed her expression sealing her lips, she took off the latch opening the door. Standing in front was a young lad with short blonde hair.

"What's your business, lad? I haven't seen your face here before."

"You, you're the owner of the most remarkable dojo in this city, right? Please teach me."

"I don't know what reasons you've, but I'm not that free to teach a kid like you. Just looking at you, whether it's your magical or physical capabilities, they're just of an average child. You don't have any battle experience either."

"But, I've to stop him. I've heard from the gatekeeper, he was here last night, right? The one from our village, that s.h.i.+tty and annoying evil dragon b.a.s.t.a.r.d —— taking Rēko away."

"You, could you really be a person from Rēvendia's village?"

Behaving like he's acquainted with Rēko. And an extraordinary anger towards the evil dragon. It can't be.

"Give me your hand."

"Ha? Never mind that, quickly train —"

"That's enough, your hand."

Ariante grasped the lad's hand. She didn't tell it to Rēvendia and Rēko till the end, but, essentially Ariante isn't a swordsman, she's a sorceress who polished her art. This specific magic allows her to discern truth from shaking someone's hand.

"That girl's — the daggers Rēko carried were yours?"

"You met Rēko?! Is she fine?"

"As of now, at least."

While responding curtly, Ariante felt her frown deepening. This boy is probably the only person with whom that girl formerly had a normal interaction. I've no idea what amount of emotional attachment she still has for him now, but by careless contact, it's possible that he'll awaken her from her wrong a.s.sumptions.

"Hey! Please, I have to defeat him. If I've no talent I'll work two or even three times as hard. If I need money I'll do all the ch.o.r.es in the dojo. I beg you, teach me!"

"… I'm in a bind."

If I send him away, he'll probably in one way or another try to catch up with them. And if he hurries, in a few hours he will. After all, the current Rēvendia is far slower than a horse walking, and they also just left the town.

Ariante cleared her throat.

"It'll be a long and harsh training. Lad, what's your name?"

"… Ah! It's Raiotto. I'm in your care, teacher."

For the time being, I'll hold this brat down for about half a year.