Chapter 37

“I’m home—!”

It had been a while since I was last back. The only things different from usual were that mountain and the looks on everyone’s faces.

“Ryu, Ril, welcome back. Who is this little one?”

“This is Karin. She’s a Garuda and my familiar.”

“H-hello… I’m Karin…”

Karin had shifted into her eagle form and was huddled in my arms.

It seemed that when Karin was around someone stronger than herself, her usual innocence was replaced by stiff nervousness. Not that I minded her acting a bit more reserved for once.

“Nice to meet you. I am Ril’s mother. I hope you’re getting along well with her?”

“Big sis—I mean, Lady Ril is always very kind to me.”

“I see. Please continue to be good friends with her.”

“Y-yes, ma’am!”

For now, it looked like she’d get along with the Mistress.

“So, Madam. What’s the deal with that thing over there that’s as big as a mountain?”

“That is Lord Midgardsormr. He is one of Father’s sworn brothers. However, it seems he’s here for a specific reason this time…”

So there really was a problem.

“And the details?”

“Father is hearing them now. It doesn’t sound like good news, though.”

I wondered what it could be. The entire pack was radiating an aura of unease.

“Oh, Ryu. You have returned.”

“I’m back, Grandfather. Looks like some trouble cropped up.”

“Indeed. It seems a most troublesome fellow is on the verge of waking.”

A troublesome fellow? For Grandfather to call a monster “troublesome,” it had to be a real beast…

“What species is it?”

“It is Azi Dahaka, the Evil Sage Dragon. It has three heads, a colossal chalk-white body, and possesses the incredibly annoying ability to use every form of sorcery from across the ages.”

…Whoa.

When a legend calls something “troublesome,” that thing is a legend in its own right.

Azi Dahaka—even among the Evil Dragons, it was considered particularly nasty. Long ago, when some hero or champion tried to slay it, they found that harming it only caused its flesh and blood to spawn minions, while the dragon itself unleashed wide-scale magic attacks. In the end, it was a true monster that could only be dealt with by sealing it away.

To put it in perspective, if Grandfather was a being specialized in fangs and claws, then Dahaka was a cheat-tier specialized mage. Seriously, an enemy that multiplies every time you wound it? No wonder they just sealed it.

“So, where is this monster coming from?”

“Apparently, it resides in the Sealed Cave near the Dragon Empire, but they are looking to gather as much fighting force as possible.”

“Wait, I heard that monsters and dragons don’t get along. Can they actually fight together?”

“Hmm? Whatever are you talking about? There is no particular animosity between us.”

Wait, really? That was common knowledge on the human side, though.

“Fine then. So, how much more military strength do they need?”

“Given the opponent, they simply want as many as possible; there is no fixed number.”

This was starting to sound like a full-scale war.

“…Then, do they have a rough plan of attack?”

“We will have to ask the Dragon Emperor about that.”

Hmm… so they really just came here to recruit fighters.

“How rare… a Fenrir speaking with a human…”

A voice suddenly drifted down from above. Looking up, I saw the head of a gargantuan dragon.

“And who might you be…?”

This dragon sounded remarkably laid-back. This was Midgardsormr, Grandfather’s sworn brother. His massive eyes locked onto me.

“Nice to meet you. I’m Ryu. I’m… something like Grandfather’s disciple.”

“Disciple…? Is that so, Fenrir?”

“More like a disciple who is also my granddaughter’s husband.”

“Heh~, that girl’s husband, eh? I’m surprised her father allowed it.”

“He didn’t. I’m the one who gave the approval, so it’s fine.”

“Hmm… well, if it’s fine with you, Fenrir, then it’s fine with me. Can I take this boy along as one of our fighters?”

Wait! I have to go too?! I just got back!!

“Indeed. We will likely need a human anyway.”

“Then I shall come back to fetch you tomorrow. Bye-bye, Fenrir.”

“I’m counting on you tomorrow, Midgardsormr.”

And with that, Midgardsormr slowly uncoiled his massive body and began to depart. Even so, it took a significant amount of time before the tip of his tail finally disappeared from view…

“…Do I really have to go?”

“You must. This opponent is truly that troublesome.”

Yeah, yeah, I get it. I’ll go along, dammit.

“So, besides me and you, Grandfather, who else is going?”

“Only the males, excluding the youngsters and the females.”

That would put the number at roughly ten or so.

“This is seriously dangerous. How much force has gathered at the Dragon Empire?”

“Who knows? Midgardsormr mentioned that most of them are Draconewts.”

Huh. I thought the Dragon Empire was full of pure-blooded dragons. So there are people in human form there too.

“Though they are far stronger than ordinary humans.”

Oh, shut up. I’m just an “ordinary human” anyway.

“In any case, we depart tomorrow. Make your preparations thorough.”

“Got it. I’ll do my best not to die.”

“That is all I ask.”

Good grief… the “events” just never stop finding me, dammit!!