Source
https://kakuyomu.jp/works/16817330657219422179/episodes/16817330657444160329
The sun, already beginning to tilt, casts its light on the road through the meadow. The shadows of sparse trees and clouds in the sky stretch across the cobblestone-paved white road.
And one long, stretched shadow in the shape of a human being.
I push my tired, heavy body to get back on the road to Buren, my base of operations, before the sun goes down. At this rate, I should be able to see the outer walls surrounding the town by now. ……
I look at the simple basket of woven ivy in my hand and manage to inspire myself to keep moving my feet. The white fangs, claws, scales, and oversized magic stone inside would surely fetch a pretty high price.
It would be good to keep some of it on hand and give it as a gift to the rest of the three people. The fangs and claws can be mixed with metal to make powerful weapons, and the scales can be used to make sturdy armor.
It was not an apology for being absent from the party for so long, but it was the least I could do to make it up to them. Adventurers are always in favor of powerful weapons. Imagining them being pleased with the items they had made from the materials of the earth dragon, they would naturally be quick to get going.
After a while, I continued on my way, passing wagons from time to time.
At last, I see the sturdy walls of the fortress appear from below the horizon, and I realize that I have returned home after a three-month absence. At one point, I was truly prepared to die, but I did not give up, and by honing my strength and finally defeating a powerful enemy, I was able to return this far.
I hurried along the road to the city, happy to see the three of them again and to be of service to the party now that I had peeled off my skin as an adventurer.
The walls of the city grew larger and larger in my view, until I finally arrived at the gateway to the city. It had been such a difficult three months that it seemed like a long time since I had last been here.
I was deeply moved as I called out to the man standing by the gate, the guardian of Bren.
“—Thank you very much for your hard work. I was out on a request a while ago, but I’m back now. May I come in?”
“Yeah, good work. Let me see your adventurer’s card.”
“Yes.”
I took out a dull-colored metal plate from around my neck and presented the engraved letters to the soldier.
“Hmmm, an iron grade tail. I confirmed that you are an adventurer. You may enter.”
“Thank you.”
“…… hmm? You are holding what looks like a …… very large fang in your hand. Are they made from the demons you killed in the commission?”
“This is ……”
As I was about to pass through the gate, I was stopped, and I thought for a moment.
Although I may say it myself, subjugating an attribute dragon was quite an accomplishment. The strength of the earth dragon is something that should be challenged by a party of high-ranking adventurers, such as those of gold rank, and is not something that an iron class, which is the second lowest rank, can do anything about.
The dragon species are extremely few in number among demons, and even fewer if they are high-ranked dragons with attributes. If it takes a great deal of skill to defeat a dragon, and in addition requires good luck to encounter it, I was hesitant to talk about my success in defeating it.
So, at first, I thought I would just say something appropriate and let it all hang in the balance. ……
–I was afraid to tell the truth, but I was afraid that I would be lying to myself after three months of hell, and I felt like I shouldn’t do that in order to be worthy of the friends waiting for me in the city. So.
I lifted my gaze, which had dropped to my hand holding the material, and told the guard, who was looking at me suspiciously, in a matter-of-fact tone of voice.
“–This is the material of the earth dragon.”
“Ha………..?”
“This is the fangs and claws, and these are the scales. The last one is this magic stone. It’s filled with powerful earth magic, and its size and purity are the best I’ve ever seen.”
“Whaa…..”
The guardian soldier froze in amazement as I explained it to him smoothly. Either his mind can’t keep up with the shocking content I’ve suddenly heard, or doubting whether what I’m saying is true.
However, as you can tell by looking at the actual thing, the material of the earth dragon has a kind of prestige that can be recognized at a glance. Powerful demons have a great deal of magical power in their bodies, and to put it crudely, they have an atmosphere even if they are a part of the body. He would know that I was not lying if he saw me directly like this.
The guardian looked at the material I showed him and at my face alternately, then opened his eyes and mouth wide and grabbed me by the shoulders.
“—-It’s a big deal!”
“——”
“Defeating the Attribute Dragon …… ‘Dragon Slayer’ ……! That’s something that hasn’t been done in this Bren for a long time. …… I can’t believe it’s such a young lad. This is a big, big deal. …… First, we need to report to the guild that has jurisdiction over the defeat of demons in the territory. …… After that, we also need to report to the Lords’ Hall. …… We have to hurry!”
The guard shouted excitedly. The people waiting to be examined by the gatekeepers around them were also buoyed up, as if something terrible had happened, although they didn’t know what was going on.
The guard I spoke to left the gate guard to the guard on the other side and hurriedly tried to run into town. But then, as if remembering something, he stopped and looked back at me.
“You say your name is Tale right! I’m hurrying to the guild, but can I expect you to follow soon after?!”
“I’m already very tired, so I thought I’d head to the inn today and go to the guild tomorrow. ……”
“You are not badly hurt by the looks of it, are you? In that case, I’m sorry to say you’re tired, but could you please head to the guild today? As I’m sure you understand, subjugating an attribute dragon is such a big deal. If possible, you should let everyone know today!”
“Today?”
I was a little troubled by the guardian’s words. The truth is, I was planning to head to the inn right away to meet up with my friends and family. For that purpose, I even subjugated the earth dragon.
But of course, I understand the guardian’s point of view. As the one in charge of the city, he would want to grasp any major events as soon as possible and act accordingly.
If I didn’t nod my head, I might get into trouble with the guardians, and if I left without any reason, I might be punished in some way as a matter of responsibility.
I had no choice. My mind has already turned to Anri, Ur, and Rietta, but it seems that I have no choice but to get the trouble over with first.
I said to the guard who was waiting for my answer.
“I understand. Well, I’m heading to the guild now, too.”
“I see! I’m sorry you’re tired. I’ll go ahead and get them ready to accept you. You too, don’t stop and come!”
After saying that, the guard turned around and ran away.
I was a little taken aback by the hustle and bustle of the situation, but I belatedly realized that I might have done just that.
I followed the running guard into town, receiving a heated stare from the other remaining guard. Mingling with the people on the street, I proceeded down the main street extending from the gate.
It had been a long time since I had been back here.
As this is an adventurer’s town, many of the people on the street are adventurers wearing weapons and armor. Also, many stalls with delicious aromas lined the sidewalks, catering to adventurers on their way home from missions. Our party used to pass by these stalls on our way home from a mission, eating and drinking.
I hearts were filled with nostalgic feelings as I walked quickly up the street.
A short walk later. I see a large building standing on the side of the main street. This brick building is the Buren branch of the Adventurers’ Guild.
There are several other important organizations in Bren, but the Adventurers’ Guild is located not far from the city gates. Adventurers who use the guild are often out on business, and it is easier and more convenient for them to get around. The guild used to be located in the center of town, but it was relocated to a new location out of consideration for adventurers, as this is an adventurer’s town.
I approached the Adventurers’ Guild through a street I had used many times before and was familiar with. Standing in front of the double-opening door that served as the entrance, I pulled the handle to open the door and stepped into the building.
“——!”
–And then I stopped at the gazes from all around me.
At this time of the day, the Adventurers’ Guild is full of adventurers who report the completion of their requests at the end of the day. The number of resident guild employees is also quite large.
And all of them are staring at me in the same way. I was not surprised that I was so overwhelmed by the intense heat in their gazes, without exception.
The guard I had talked to at the gate and a male guild official were standing at the entrance, so perhaps the guard had told them what had happened and they had heard about it, and then turned their attention to me as I came inside.
I tried to approach them to talk to the staff member.
And that’s when it happened.
–I was hit by an intense rush of emotions that sent shivers down my spine.
How on earth can I describe it? Strong affection, friendship, infatuation, and obsession—- were all mixed up in a jumble, and it was as if I was hit with a lump of all these diverse emotions.
I look around for the source, and then I find it. There are three girls in front of me. Gold, black, and flaxen, the three familiar hair colors.
–Oh, that. There is no way I could have mistaken them.That is definitely …… Anri, Ur, and Rietta …….
The sight of my irreplaceable companions, whom I had longed for many times at the bottom of the valley, made me quickly forget the sensations I had just experienced. Instead, I was flooded with a strong, choking feeling.
I immediately tried to speak up, but before I could do so—-
“Tale ——!”
“Tale-kun–!”
I could see my precious childhood friends running through the crowd.
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