Chapter 51

I couldn’t believe I ended up spending an entire Great Gold Coin. As expected, a luxury shop is a terrifying place.

“I never imagined you would be carrying a Great Gold Coin. When did you earn so much?”

“I just made a killing back in Fall Crown.”

It was true. During the few months I lived in Fall Crown, I assisted Mark with his business and sold monster materials at the guild. I’d even sold the iron that protected the bodies of the birds we often ate directly to Dowal, and before I knew it, that had turned into a significant amount of money.

“Are you simply lucky as well?”

“I think my luck is pretty good. After all, it led me to meet Ril and Karin.”

“…That is hard to argue with.”

The Princess wore a look of utter exhaustion. Is she really that afraid of Karin?

“What shall we do next? Surely you aren’t finishing the day just by buying souvenirs.”

“No, I’m headed back to the castle for now. I’m hungry, and I want to drop these gifts off in my room.”

“You should eat at a shop here. Is that not part of the fun of sightseeing?”

“I guess. But Tiamat’s cooking is great, so I’m fine with that.”

“Indeed. Please return at once; lunch is already prepared.”

“Grandmother! Why are you here?!”

She appeared after all—the master caretaker, Tiamat.

“I’m coming now.”

“Then please return before it gets cold.”

And then, she vanished as if she had never been there.

“Are all Head Maids capable of that kind of thing?”

“No, I believe Grandmother is simply too extraordinary.”

“I see. Well, let’s run so we can eat before the food gets cold.”

“Ah, right.”

After we managed to finish our meal while it was still warm, the afternoon… what should we do?

“Hey, Ryu. How much of the world do you actually know?”

The Princess suddenly lobbed a question at me.

“Who knows? I think my world is probably quite small. This is only the third country I’ve ever visited.”

“The second was Fall Crown, so what was the first?”

“The country where I was born. Though, I really only know the town where I grew up. It wasn’t a castle town like this one; just a small place with no famous products or major industries. That’s the country I know.”

I’m sure the capital or the castle towns had some sort of industry, but I was a commoner with no real ambition. I didn’t know what we excelled at or what we relied on other nations for. Since I didn’t know any better, the “country” I knew was limited to my hometown. That’s just how it was.

“Do you not love your motherland? I thought everyone loved the place of their birth.”

“It’s not like I hate it. But from the country’s perspective, I was just one of countless commoners.”

I didn’t have any particular attachment to it. In fact, it would be more accurate to say there was nothing there for me.

“……What about close friends?”

“Who knows? I wonder what they’re up to these days. I heard a rumor that one of my old childhood friends became the Hero, and the other is a Sage supporting them.”

“That bloodthirsty, atrocious Hero was a friend of yours?!”

“Atrocious, huh? Even so, from a human perspective, she’s a perfect Hero. A ‘Great Hero’ beloved only by humans.”

“Can you really not do something about that person? My father said that if he tries to deal with Azi Dahaka, that mad Hero might actually stab him in the back. To us monsters (beings of this side), she is far too terrifying.”

Good for you, Thea. It looks like your existence is making plenty of monsters tremble in their boots.

“Even if you say that… she didn’t hate monsters that much in the beginning. I don’t know what caused it, so there’s nothing I can do.”

“You are a ‘Tamer’, aren’t you?! Find a way to tame her!”

“Isn’t that a bit harsh?! She’s a human like me! I can’t do that!”

“Did you not say your principle was to beat sense into them by force?!”

“You remembered that?! I’m more surprised by your memory.”

We bickered back and forth loudly for a while until we reached a temporary ceasefire.

“Ah—my throat hurts.”

“I’ll go get some water…”

“There is water right here.”

Tiamat appeared yet again. I mean, I’m grateful, but since she pops up so frequently, I’m starting to wonder where she’s watching us from. Regardless, my throat was parched, so I took the water gladly.

“A bit of a troublesome matter has arisen.”

“Is it about Azi Dahaka?”

“Yes. The ritual formula sealing that evil dragon is unraveling faster than anticipated. There is a high probability that the battle will begin sooner than scheduled.”

That was some pretty nasty news. Damn Sage from back then—you should’ve made the seal tighter.

“At this rate, it may appear within the day. Please prepare yourselves now.”

Wait, today?! That’s way too sudden!

“It’s starting already…?”

The Princess’s face tightened with nerves. I guess it was time for me to gear up and get serious, too.

“Tiamat, is it possible to go to the cave where it’s sealed?”

“…What do you intend to do?”

“Just curiosity. I want to see exactly where the opponent is coming from.”

“If that is the case, I can provide the documents—”

“I won’t be satisfied with that. Being at the actual location will tell me exactly how dangerous this thing is.”

If I didn’t see it with my own eyes, I wouldn’t know the scale of the threat. If it was impossible, I’d honestly just make my escape.

“…I shall accompany you. Is that acceptable?”

“I was going to ask for exactly that. Please.”

“Then I shall go as well—”

“No. You are the future of this nation. You understand that much, surely.”

The Princess tried to jump in, but Tiamat shut her down instantly. It made sense. No one wants to send their precious granddaughter into a danger zone.

“Well then, Mr. Ryu. I shall come for you shortly.”

The time was near. The legendary evil dragon that even other legends found troublesome was about to show its face.