Stronger Than A Goblin, At Least

Watching Orphe munch away at the raisins with little mokyu-mokyu sounds… well, staring at her would just make her angry, so Kikori sat down on the ground and looked up at the sky.

When he wore this Dragonewt Mail, he strangely found it harder to feel either heat or cold.

It was probably the power of the armor, but thanks to that, he no longer needed a cloak.

“…A dungeon, huh.”

By now, quite a lot of people had probably already entered it.

The Kobold Plains had seemed like a pretty troublesome place, but if a huge number of adventurers poured in, they might even be able to conquer it.

What about the wyverns? It might be impossible, but it might be possible too.

There were plenty of adventurers much stronger than Kikori.

Strength.

Power.

How could he become stronger?

His weapons and armor had both become stronger.

He had even learned two spells. He could even apply them in practical ways.

He should have grown much more accustomed to how to move his body as well.

And apparently, there was even some power called Dragon Crown inside him.

Laying all of that out like this made it seem as though Kikori had become one of the strong.

But what was the reality?

Even with the cooperation of the fairies, all he had been able to do was flee pathetically from the wyvern.

“…I’m weak.”

“It’s okay. You’re stronger than a goblin, at least.”

Orphe gave him those words, probably meant as encouragement.

Stronger than a goblin.

That probably was something to be happy about.

Because it was proof that Kikori really had become at least somewhat stronger.

“What’s with that lukewarm face? Are you the type who gets all gloomy when left alone?”

“Ah… I wonder. Maybe I am.”

“So gloomy.”

Orphe wiped the hand she had been using to grab raisins on the bag, then shot Kikori a glare.

“If you’re weak, then just get stronger. Did you forget your promise to help me kill the wyverns?”

“I didn’t forget. That’s why I was worrying about how to become stronger.”

“How to become stronger, huh… maybe evolve or something?”

“…Can humans even do that?”

“How should I know?”

What she meant was probably that thing where goblins became hobgoblins or generals.

If humans could do that, then every strong adventurer would probably have evolved already.

“Well, the quickest way would be Dragon Crown, wouldn’t it?”

“But mine’s an inferior version, right?”

“Then doesn’t that just mean it should get stronger?”

Strengthening Dragon Crown.

At those words, Kikori felt his heart begin to pound.

The proof that dragons were the strongest.

If that could be strengthened… then yes, that really would…

“H-how do I do that?”

“How would I know?”

“…That again?”

“Ah, you’re pissing me off!”

With an expression that clearly showed she was in a foul mood, Orphe started kicking Kikori.

“That’s no way to treat someone who was nice enough to listen to your problems!”

“Then give me a slightly more constructive opinion!”

“Ohhh!? Fine then, I’ll give you one, so listen carefully!”

“Yeah!”

“How about training every single day?”

Kikori thought about that for a moment.

“…I was wrong.”

“As long as you understand.”

Unable to offer any rebuttal at all, he bowed his head to Orphe.