Chapter 12 — What's Up with This Dragon (Part 2)
"Hey! You big lizard!"
A sharp, high-pitched voice echoed through the empty valley. "Hero Elily is here! Come and meet your doom!"
The Red Dragon opened its eyes, its vertical pupils reflecting Elily's tiny human figure.
It slowly rose to its feet, stretching its enormous wings before opening its maw.
Roar——
A powerful gust of wind erupted.
Elily was blown back two steps, nearly landing on her backside.
But she stood firm, raising her rusty sword and assuming a stance that was far from proper.
"Come at me!"
Her eyes were like knives, ready to meet fire or claws head-on.
The Red Dragon opened its massive jaws; deep inside its throat, a red glow began to flicker—the precursor to its fiery breath.
At that moment, Lain stepped out from behind a boulder, hands resting on his sword hilt, quietly observing the dragon.
The dragon's gaze swept past Elily and landed on Lain. Its massive body froze instantly; the red glow in its throat vanished.
Its pupils constricted violently.
Then it saw Kraft.
The elven warrior-monk stood with arms crossed, expressionless, staring back at the dragon.
The Red Dragon's calves began to tremble. Its wings folded in, and its huge head pressed directly into the snow.
"Woof."
An absurdly submissive, dog-like sound escaped from its mouth.
Elily stood there, dumbfounded.
The once-arrogant Red Dragon—lying on the ground like a dog, even wagging its tail slightly?
Then, with a powerful flap of its wings, it kicked up a gale and shot into the sky, not once looking back.
Its speed was terrifying, as if Death itself were chasing it. In the blink of an eye, it became just a small black dot.
The valley fell silent again, save for the wind rattling the rocks.
"It… it ran away?"
Elily stood frozen, sword still raised. "I… scared it off?"
Lain walked over, smiling. "Looks like it."
"It was intimidated by your presence," Kraft said, stifling a laugh while delivering a straight-faced nonsense explanation.
"Really?"
Elily spun around, her dazed expression transforming into ecstatic joy.
"I knew it! I really have the potential to be a hero!"
"Sir Himmel must be watching from the heavens!"
"I, Elily, single-handedly scared off the Red Dragon today!"
She ran over, hugging Lain's arm and tugging at Kraft's sleeve.
"Did you see that? That big guy even barked like a dog!"
"I saw it," Lain said, pulling his arm free. "Since the job's done, let's head back."
"Wait!"
Elily blocked their way, cleared her throat, and wore a serious expression.
"Since you've witnessed the strength of your captain, I hereby officially invite you to join my adventure team!"
"That dragon flew north; it must be retreating to its lair."
"We'll pursue it and finish it off for good!"
She waved her rusty sword.
"Perfect—it's also on the way to Tour." Lain glanced at his map.
"What do you say? Great prospects awaits if you come with me!"
Elily patted Lain's shoulder—at least, she tried reaching it.
"Once my fame spreads, you'll be my right and left arms. You'll be famous too!"
Kraft looked at Lain. "What do you think?"
"Just happens to be on the way."
Lain started walking. "Then let's go together."
"Awesome!"
Elily cheered, stabbing her rusty sword back into her waist. "March! Target: Red Dragon's lair! Let our names echo across the Northern Plateau!"
The sun sank low.
Three figures cast long shadows.
The middle one bounced along, humming a tuneless song.
The other two walked at a leisurely pace.
"You sure about taking her along?" Kraft whispered.
"Makes it lively," Lain replied with a smile.
"True enough."
Kraft chuckled. "Better than staring down in silence."
Back in the village, the mayor was in tears upon hearing the dragon had fled.
Though he didn't believe his granddaughter scared it off, the result was all that mattered.
Elily packed a few clothes, her rusty sword, and a tattered copy of The Hero Himmel Chronicles.
"Grandpa, I'm off!"
At the village entrance, Elily hoisted a backpack larger than herself and waved.
"Don't cause trouble out there!"
The mayor wiped his tears. "If things go south, come back! There's still some farmland at home."
"Don't worry, Grandpa! I'll return in glory!"
Elily turned and strode ahead. "Minions! Keep up!"
"Yes, Captain," Kraft replied lazily.
Lain glanced back at the stooped mayor still standing there.
---
And so their adventure began—not with a sacred ritual, nor with grand vows.
Amid the wind and snow, their three silhouettes grew smaller and smaller.
Elily's voice floated on the wind.
"Next stop, Sessi! Then Tour! We're going for the most famous roast meat there!"
"And I'm going to buy a real sword!"
"The same model Sir Himmel used!"
Lain and Kraft exchanged glances and smiled.
This journey was unlikely to be boring.
...
Two days later, traveling by carriage, Lain and the group arrived at Sessi City.
Sessi was a fortress city.
High walls bristling with ballistae and catapults, black banners snapping in the wind.
A long line formed at the city gate, guards checking each person.
"Name, occupation, purpose of entry."
A guard's hand rested on his gleaming sword, his expression stern.
"Elily! Occupation: Hero! Purpose: To eliminate the scattered Demon Lord armies!"
Elily puffed up her chest and raised her voice so all nearby turned to look.
The guard frowned and quickly wrote a few words on parchment: "Unemployed."
"What?! Unemployed?!"
Elily protested. "I scared off the Red Dragon…"
"Next."
The guard ignored her and turned to Lain.
"Lain, Adventurer."
He handed over two silver coins. "Here's the city tax."
The guard's expression softened, took the coins, and waved them through.
Inside the city, streets were lined with weapon and armor shops.
The clanging of hammers rang in the air, mingling with the smell of coal and iron.
"This is Sessi!"
Elily, curious as ever, gawked around.
"So many weapons! That sword looks awesome!"
She pressed her face to a shop window, drooling.
"That's a Mithril Sword; you couldn't buy it even if you sold yourself," Lain broke her fantasy coldly.
"Hmph, don't bully a poor girl!"
Elily straightened. "After a few major quests, I'll buy two! One for chopping people, one for slicing apples!"
"Let's find a place to stay first," Kraft suggested, glancing at the sky.
"I heard the 'Hero's Inn' here is famous."
Elily pulled out a wrinkled notebook. "It says Sir Himmel once stayed there!"
"Then that's where we'll go."
Kraft wanted a comfortable place for some drinks as well.
The Hero's Inn was in the city center.
A sign read: The Hero Himmel once rested here.
The lobby was packed, mostly with adventurers drawn by the inn's fame.
"Boss! Three rooms, please!"
Elily slammed her coin pouch on the counter.
The plump owner smiled and took the coins, gesturing upstairs. "This way, please!"
After settling in, the three went downstairs to the tavern.
It was even livelier than outside. A bard played a harp in the corner, singing an unknown tune.
Several drunken men were competing in drinking games, loudly boasting of their exploits.
"Have you heard? A big shot just arrived in town."
One man whispered to his companions.
"What big shot?"
"The heir of the Southern Hero!"
Lain froze mid-sip, listening.
"Seriously?"
"Legend says the Southern Hero defeated the Seven Sages of destruction; it's been over a hundred years, how could there be an heir?" his friend doubted.
"Absolutely! That person wields dual blades, mastery beyond belief! A few days ago, in the forest outside the city, they alone defeated a group of ogres!"
The man's description was vivid.
"That impressive?"
"Of course! Even the city lord treats him as an honored guest!"
Elily's ears perked up. She immediately ran to Lain, staring at the twin blades at his waist.
"Lain, you use dual blades too! Are you that heir?"
"The real one is over there."
Lain took a sip, tilting his chin.
At the tavern door, a commotion broke out.
The crowd parted, revealing a man in ornate armor entering.
Golden hair, blue eyes, handsome face, two gem-encrusted longswords at his waist, followed by bowing attendants.
"That's the Southern Hero's heir, Lord Leo!" someone exclaimed.
Leo smiled politely, waving to the crowd.
"So handsome…"
Elily's eyes turned into hearts. "Such a strong aura!"
Leo sat at a central table, immediately served the finest wine by a maid.
"Lord Leo, I heard you're forming an expedition to clear the ruins north of Sessi?"
A young swordsman approached.
"Yes," Leo replied elegantly, raising his cup. "An ancient monster occupies those ruins. For the safety of Sessi, I cannot shirk my duty."
"No wonder he's the hero's heir!"
The surrounding crowd cheered.
"I want to go too!"
Elily jumped to her feet.
"Sit down," Lain said, pressing her shoulder.
"What?! This is a chance to meet a strong warrior!"
Elily struggled.
"The ruins could be dangerous," Lain said seriously.
"Dangerous? That's exactly why we should go!"
Elily ignored him, pushed past the crowd, and ran to Leo. "Lord Leo! I'm Elily! I want to join the expedition too!"
Leo looked her over and smiled.
"Little one, it's dangerous there. But since you have the courage, you may come along."
"Yay!"
Elily blushed with excitement and ran back, grinning at Lain and Kraft.
"They agreed! Are you coming? If not, I'll go alone!"
Kraft sighed and looked at Lain. "What now?"
Lain drained his cup, stood, and adjusted his collar.
"If it were the Southern Hero, he definitely wouldn't leave her behind."