Chapter 11

Three days after the request was made to my guild, Timis and the other two received an explanation of the fire dragon extermination operation from Verlene, prepared in advance, and successfully discussed the virtual operation recreated using a map and pieces on the table.

"Who knew there was such a way to prepare for an operation... It's like playing snakes and ladders."

"More like a war game board. I was able to internalize the patterns of how the fire dragon moves. However, I wonder if it will actually work..."

Mackinley plays a crucial role in the operation. While the hit rate of a B-rank archer is not absolute, he will enter the sniping point, and Timis will draw the fire dragon's attention to provoke specific actions, allowing him to shoot a special projectile from a distance with an arbalest—this is the crux of the operation.

"If the fire dragon doesn't move as expected, prioritize protecting the young lady. I don't want all the research and information we've gathered to be in vain..."

"No, don't think of me as special. If I don't, I'll just be a burden... The more I hear about how strong the fire dragon is, the more I realize it. It's a different league from the orcs and low-level monsters I've defeated... But even if I defeat ten thousand orcs, I..."

While defeating ten thousand orcs might get you promoted to a centurion, it might not be enough. After defeating a thousand, an Orc Lord would appear, and even a B-rank Timis would face a tough battle. But with Lya, it shouldn't be a problem.

"Milady Timis, may I ask you something? Why are you so fixated on the fire dragon?"

"…It's the knight order's regulation. You can't take the deputy knight order leader promotion exam unless you defeat a fire dragon. The current knight order leader is guaranteed the position permanently, so it's almost impossible for other knights to become the leader. Therefore, the ultimate goal for us knights is to become the deputy knight order leader."

"Position... Is that what you're after? What do you plan to do once you become the deputy knight order leader?"

"…There's someone I want to meet. Someone I can't approach directly, but I respect deeply."

Could it be a love affair—well, it's not surprising for a girl her age. It's a delicate time when they're easily swayed by adolescent impulses.

"Milady, I want to meet Mana-Rina at her knighthood ceremony... She held the right to the throne, wielded a sword, and defeated a duke who challenged her to a duel over marriage, in a beautiful manner..."

I thought the person Timis wanted to meet was a man, but that was quickly dispelled. I thought it might be Cordy, but it seems Cordy has a mysterious lack of connection with women.

Timis is Mana-Rina's half-sister. I thought Timis might have complex feelings about Mana-Rina, the daughter of the main wife, but it seems she respects her deeply.

"…I haven't hidden the fact that I'm Mana-Rina's half-sister. My mother is a commoner who is under the king's protection, but she is envied by other noble-born concubines. I want to change that situation by achieving unshakable merit."

The second reason is a resolve that matches the determination to achieve merit by defeating the fire dragon.

If Timis wants to meet her sister, I can arrange it. However, changing the situation surrounding Timis's mother won't be easy—though not impossible.

"Milady Timis, your resolve is clear. The operation will commence tomorrow. Take a good rest today and prepare for the departure. I wish you good luck."

"Yes, sir! …No, I mean, the receptionist!"

"Oh, milady... You were trying to act like a knight, but that effort is... "

"Haha, it's fine. I felt like I was back in class for the first time in a while."

When I asked Timis's age, she was 14—still young. It's impressive that she's a centurion at that age, and if she doesn't stumble on the fire dragon extermination, she'll surely become a great knight.

After this job, I want to scout Lya and Mackinley—though Lya is so attached to Timis, it might be difficult.

—And I almost forgot. I tapped the counter twice with my finger without the three noticing. Verlene, noticing the signal, came over to me.

I pretended to give her an order slip and entrusted her with 'a certain magic.' Verlene blushed when I touched her hand but acted as if nothing happened, serving me drinks and snacks before returning to Timis and the others.

"Cough. Milady Timis, there's one last thing to do before the fire dragon extermination. Can I inscribe runes on your body?"

"Runes... Will they be effective against the fire dragon?"

"Yes. For a specific reason, I need to inscribe them near your chest. There's a dedicated room for this. Can you come with me?"

"…Is it really necessary? If you do anything strange..."

"Lya, it's fine. It's not that embarrassing between women."

It might tickle with the pen, but it will be quick, Verlene explained, and she took Timis away.

"…Do Lya and I need to be there?"

"What are you expecting? Mackinley, if you imagine milady writing the runes, I'll cut you down."

"No... I was just a bit curious. Don't glare at me like that."

I understand Mackinley's feelings. I imagined the elf maid with a seductive aura drawing runes on the young, innocent knight's skin with a pen—a mysterious and elegant scene.

The runes are drawn with a special paint that disappears after a few days, so there's no problem. Even though I instructed it, I worry—though I promised, so it can't be helped.

I promised not to let Timis die. The runes are insurance to keep that promise. If the operation goes as planned, they won't be necessary. But humans make mistakes.

Even the Demon Lord extermination team made mistakes and found themselves in dire straits—so I don't fully trust others. It's not that I distrust humans, but it's natural to follow up and ensure success, considering their potential for error.

"But... who is that guy who always gives us drinks from that seat at the counter? Who is he, really?"

"…I even thought he might be Duke Solver, but that's ridiculous. He's just a curious person."

"Duke... What? I don't know that name. Well, you guys seem to have a lot going on, so I'll give you another round for free."

"Really? I won't hesitate to take you up on that."

"…Of course not. He's just a generous drinker. But I'm worried about milady... That elf sometimes doesn't smile in her eyes... I hope she doesn't have strange tastes..."

Lya is shaking her legs—she's so worried about Timis that she's fidgeting. I wonder why she's so attached to Timis, but she seems to have some regrets.

If you're Duke, I thought it would be fun to be called that, but since I didn't get caught, I missed the chance to reveal my true identity—though it's fine that way. I'm just a drinker, as Lya said, and that's fine.

By the way, I can use magic to hear the conversation in the treatment room, so I want to listen in a bit.

"..."

"Don't move. This paint can't be removed once it touches the skin until a certain time has passed... Yes, you're a good girl..."

"…It's embarrassing, receptionist... I, unlike you, am a knight, so I have muscles..."

"Strength is necessary to become stronger. It's impressive that you've worked so hard at this young age. Even with the tendency for women to have less muscle, you've done well. And despite the fact that exercise can make your chest sag, yours are well-developed."

"I don't want them to get any bigger because they get in the way when I swing a sword... Do you accept such consultations here at the guild?"

"My master is known for making things bigger, but I don't know how to make them smaller."

"R-Really? How do you make things bigger?"

"The technique called 'God's Right Hand, Devil's Left Hand' is used. During the process of enlarging, women are driven into a state of ecstasy, so my master is known as 'The Fifth Ecstasy'..."

"Amazing... Such a person is in this guild. Duke and the others are quite impressive..."

The Demon Lord, thinking I wasn't there, continued to feed Timis nonsense. I'll have to make him confess where he got such fantasies later, but that's another story.

◆◇◆

The next day. As Timis and the others began the fire dragon extermination, I was at the bar counter.

It was 6:30 AM, and there was still time before opening. Verlene, while preparing for the opening, placed a black ale in front of me. It's a higher-quality black ale than the regular one, but it's rare, so it can only be had when it's available.

I took a sip, letting the cold ale and foam slide down my throat. To me, alcohol is like water—thanks to medical magic.

"…Phew."

"Master, you seem to have prepared thoroughly again this time."

To make the effects of the enhancement magic on Timis's body last, she was given Behemoth's milk daily. It's valuable, so I couldn't give it to the other two—accepting a request and spending too much is against my principles. Completing the job while maintaining a profit margin is a professional's duty.

"Guiding the operation is one thing, but the effects of the food are equally important. The rest is up to the three of them."

"…Master, your magic power seems significantly reduced compared to last night. Is it just my imagination?"

Verlene, a former Demon Lord, can immediately notice changes in magic power. I laughed and didn't answer.

"Five years since I fought you... The 'Miracle Children' are truly terrifying. Even with the reduced magic power, I..."

"…Verlene, listen. I'm 'drinking as usual.' 'In an hour,' come back and talk to me."

The elf with flaxen hair understood the meaning of my words a bit later—then she smiled.

"Don't worry, even if Master is 'distracted,' I won't steal the talisman."

"…Yeah. I trust you..."

"…I might play a trick, though. Until the shop opens, it's just you and me."

"Moderate it... to a level where I won't be shocked..."

It's just a moment of unconsciousness from drinking.

Even if it coincides with the time Timis and the others start the fire dragon extermination—just a coincidence.

◆◇◆

—The morning of the fire dragon extermination team starts early.

Timis and the others, visiting the Bellphone Forest, marveled at the terrain matching their notes but quickly focused and headed to the starting point of the operation.

(I remember the contents of the notes and the board exercises. I will definitely succeed.)

Timis reassured herself as she moved through the forest. Lya and Mackinley had been silent for a while, the knowledge that this was the fire dragon's habitat making even the battle-experienced ones tense.

As they approached their destination, Timis recalled the contents of Duke Solver's notes.

During the breeding season, male fire dragons leave the forest to check on their nests in the volcanic zone. This is the current period, and only the female fire dragon remains in the forest.

The female fire dragon builds a nest in a cave in the forest and lays eggs. The eggs hatch immediately after being laid, and young dragons are born. Fire dragons incubate the eggs internally and lay them just before hatching.

The mother dragon hunts forest animals to recover her strength after laying eggs and feeds the young dragons. The young dragons' back feathers open after about three months, allowing them to fly short distances and ride on their parents' backs. By then, the food shortage in the volcanic zone ends, and they return there.

Fire dragons act based on instinct. However, to prevent humans from being driven out of their living space, sometimes fighting is necessary.

(Capturing... repelling a fire dragon, which is difficult even to capture. But I'll show them...!)

6:34 AM.

At this time, the fire dragon leaves the cave to forage and drink water.

6:36 AM, the fire dragon arrives at the water source. Timis and the others had already reached a position where they could see the water source, wearing camouflage cloaks and hiding in the bushes.

At that moment, Timis felt a strange sensation in her chest—then something small flew out from under her armor.

"Kyaa... What...?"

"…A firefly? They live in the forest, but did it get inside milady's armor?"

"Inside my chest... How envious... Ah, no, never mind."

Mackinley almost let it slip and was glared at by Lya. Timis watched the small, glowing insect float for a while but decided not to worry about it.

—And, as the notes stated. A fire dragon descended from the sky, flapping its wings.

With a heavy thud, the fire dragon, about five times the size of a human, landed and stretched its neck to drink from the pool of water that had collected between the rocks.

"Really came... What a size. Can we really... with just the three of us..."

"Mackinley, don't make too much noise. The fire dragon will notice."

"I'll go out first and draw the fire dragon's attention. Mackinley, follow the plan."

"Understood. Milady, I'll do my best, but please be careful."

The three nodded. Timis, after moistening her dry throat with water from Lya, stepped out of the bushes as she had practiced in the notes.

—The fire dragon noticed and turned around. After spotting Timis with her spear, it opened its mouth wide—about to roar and announce the presence of an enemy to the forest.

"—Mackinley, now!"

Mackinley was already aiming his arbalest, adjusting the trajectory based on experience, and pulled the trigger—!

Timis stepped to the side to clear the line of fire. The projectile, unimpeded, hit the fire dragon's mouth.

"Guah... Gah, Gah!"

Mackinley had fired one of several projectiles entrusted to him at the 'Silver Water Bottle Inn.' It contained a 'Silence Bullet'—a bullet to silence the fire dragon's roar.

The enormous fire dragon, towering over them, was thrown off by a single bullet. By then, Lya had already rushed out—moving with the speed of a predator and slashing with her sword.

"—Haaa!"

Her target was the legs. The fire dragon's wings were covered in thick scales, making them too tough for a sword to cut—but the legs were different.

"Guooo...!"

Lya's strike shaved off scales, and the fire dragon stumbled. Sensing danger, the fire dragon flapped its wings to rise—its powerful wind pressure forcing Lya to step back.

The battle had just begun, but the three gained confidence in their ability to handle the fire dragon.

Feeling threatened by the sudden attack, the fire dragon flew and changed its position. Timis looked up to see the fire dragon make a right turn and head toward its destination.

Normally, it would be impossible to chase a fire dragon from the ground. But if you know where it's going, it's a different story.

"Milady, if the fire dragon makes a right turn, its destination is..."

"Yes, as written in the notes... Let's hurry, both of you!"

The three nodded and ran.

Behind them, the glowing thing that had flown out of Timis's chest followed, floating in the air.