This elderly woman was Brynhildr's previous contractor?
"This is... a bit unexpected."
Ziger examined the departed old woman.
"I thought your contractors would be like me..."
[The Dragon Slayer System has been operational for 7956 years. There have been 52 contractors, with an average contract duration of 153 years per contractor. Among them, the contractor with the longest contract duration was the 43rd, who contracted with the Dragon Slayer System for 874 years, 11 months, and 23 days. The shortest was the 4th contractor, who contracted for only 1 month and 3 days.]
[This elderly woman is the 52nd contractor, named Alice. She contracted with the Dragon Slayer System for 72 years, died at age 99. Her recorded dragon-slaying experiences total 15 times, eliminating a total of 20 dragons.]
"...Huh?"
Ziger immediately frowned.
In 72 years, she only experienced dragon slaying 15 times? And only 20 dragons eliminated in those 15 times combined?
This battle record...
(I've probably killed close to 20 Lower Dragons just tonight...)
[Does it feel incredible? But among the many contractors, this is a fairly high-ranking achievement.]
As she spoke, Brynhildr operated the central console a few times. The control room, which had been somewhat dim due to the impact, brightened slightly. A somewhat illusory light screen also abruptly appeared mid-air, displaying a scene Ziger had never seen before.
[First, allow me to explain the composition of the world.]
[Perhaps in your view, the world is the world you live in, this land, even this country. But if one continuously flies upward into the sky, eventually one enters a space called the cosmos.]
[The cosmos is boundless. Even flying at superluminal speeds cannot reach the edge of the universe. To the entire universe, the land beneath our feet is merely a part of a celestial body called a planet. The difference is like a grain of sand compared to the ocean.]
As Brynhildr explained, the imagery on the light screen also shifted, but Ziger completely couldn't understand it, only instinctively feeling she was explaining something very advanced and profound.
[To put it simply, every planet in the universe is a separate world. Each world has its own unique laws. These laws cause each planet to develop civilizations with individual characteristics. However, even in the vast universe, not every planet has dragons.]
"Other planets... have no dragons?"
Ziger was somewhat astonished.
Worlds actually existed without dragons? Then humans living in such worlds must be much more relaxed and happier than those in this world, right? With no natural enemy like dragons, they could probably try doing all sorts of things.
[The *Kriemhild* has stayed on 1092 planets so far. Among them, planets confirmed to have dragons number only 107. On the remaining planets, even if dragon rumors exist, their truth is either myths and stories or entities that cannot be called dragons at all.]
[Among the total 52 contractors, only 37 have dragon-slaying experience, eliminating a total of 872 dragons. The contractor with the most dragons slain was the 25th, who eliminated 256 dragons in 103 years and holds the record for completely exterminating all dragonkind on one planet.]
(Completely exterminating all dragonkind on a planet... someone actually did that.)
(Wait—)
"It's... more lenient than I expected, this Dragon Slayer System." Ziger said. "You always insist on slaying dragons. I thought you and your former contractors had killed tens of thousands of dragons. But the result... clearly many contractors didn't slay dragons, yet you still formed contracts with them."
"Is dragon slaying not mandatory?"
[Correct.]
Brynhildr nodded.
[Although the Dragon Slayer System's core directive is to eliminate all dragons, the universe is vast and boundless. It is truly difficult to encounter planets with dragons. Not every contractor can even meet dragons, much less slay them.]
[That is why I am so eager to contract with you—this planet seems to be one overrun with dragonkind. The Dragon Slayer System can undoubtedly fully utilize its capabilities here. And you, who so efficiently slaughter dragon groups, are undoubtedly the most suitable contractor.]
Brynhildr spoke earnestly and bowed her head to Ziger once more.
[The Dragon Slayer System will not force you to slay dragons. I will also not make any decisions contrary to your personal will.]
[Whether to exterminate these dragons, and how to exterminate them, all depends on your own will. If you are willing to actively slay dragons until the dragons on this planet are completely exterminated, then the Dragon Slayer System and I will contribute our power unreservedly, providing you with the utmost support.]
[If you only want self-preservation, or do not wish to slay dragons, the contract will not be dissolved. It will only leave you on the day you reach your life's limit, like Alice. During that time, you can freely use the *Kriemhild* and the Dragon Slayer System's abilities as you wish.]
Conditions that were truly too lenient, practically a giveaway.
What Brynhildr and the Dragon Slayer System needed was merely a contractor, someone to allow it to continue operating. Whether that contractor would slay dragons was entirely up to them. If a contractor had that intention, they could simply sign the contract and then immediately abandon dragon slaying, effectively getting this miraculous starship and a beautiful goddess like Brynhildr for free.
"...Were there such people before?"
After pondering for a moment, Ziger asked.
"People who, despite signing the contract, completely did not slay dragons."
[Yes.]
[The most recent was the 49th contractor. During his 139-year contract, he continuously resided on his original planet. Using the *Kriemhild*'s power, he went from a powerless little prince to become the king of a nation. After that, he became immersed in power and desire and proposed to me multiple times.]
"Pro-proposed?!"
Ziger was dumbfounded.
"You... you can marry people?"
[Of course not.]
[Although continuing the bloodline is also an important part of dragon slaying, unfortunately, I am merely a support AI. I do not possess many of the physiological functions of a human. Therefore, I cannot assist contractors in completing the mission of propagating the species.]
"..."
For some reason, Ziger breathed a sigh of relief.
Thinking about it, Brynhildr's looks surpassed any woman in the world. Even calling her a supreme beauty goddess wouldn't be an issue. Few men could likely resist being attracted to her appearance.
But... it seems one really could completely avoid slaying dragons after contracting.
In that case, it seems signing the contract isn't a problem? It even has many benefits?
"...Miss Brynhildr, if everything you've said is true, then I can contract with the Dragon Slayer System. But I cannot guarantee I will always slay dragons."
[No problem. Dragon slaying is not a mandatory act.]
[Then, please give me your hand.]
Ziger obediently extended his hands. Brynhildr took them, intertwining her fingers with his until their hands were tightly clasped together.
[Registering data of new user.]
A mechanical voice sounded from Brynhildr.
[Confirming all user information. Uploaded to central core. User authority transfer complete. Full permissions granted. All restrictions on Support AI Brynhildr lifted.]
[53rd Dragon Slayer, please confirm your name.]
"Ziger... Ziger Phil."
[Lord Ziger Phil, as of today, you are the 53rd contractor of this system.]
[This system will fully support all your dragon-slaying actions until the contract is dissolved upon your death.]
Accompanying Brynhildr's voice, a deep blue insignia gradually appeared on the back of Ziger's hand—an insignia of a dragon's body pierced by a longsword.
[This is the proof of the Dragon Slayer System contractor.]
[May the world, through your efforts, one day become a pure land where dragonkind is extinct.]