chapter 12

TheSubjugationof the Man Eating Dragon = MySubjugation

Lutoria! Its been a while. I heard you gained some more merit in the battle the other day! As expected of my childhood friend!*

While I was thinking, a loud person came over.

He cut off my train of thought, and I was glad that he came over. But i was also disgruntled because he was also really loud. But, when I see the persons clothes I bow my head in reflex.

This person, hes the prince.

I have pa.s.sed by him sometimes in the castle, but this is my first time seeing him so clearly. Or with such a large smile.

His name is LeBlanche-something-Aruvina. In his full name, instead of something he has dozens of names continuously strung together, theres no way Id remember. I think that people who can actually remember are amazing. Yup.

His eye-blinding bright blonde hair is tied in the back with a red sting, and his eyes are blue. He looks like some fairy taile prince on a white horse, straight out of a book. His clothes, while garnished with ornaments, was cut for easy movement like casual clothes. There was a dagger at his waist. I think if a commoner sold it, they could live off the money for a few years.

LeBlance

Ah, your highness.

The captain only gives a little nod. The vice-captain bows like me but also includes the knights signature hand on the chest. Its kind of cool. Maybe I could try imitating it the next time Im alone. Aye-aye sir! Hahaha

So you were here too, Adolf! You also did well.

Thank you for your kind words.

Lutoria. I came here because there was something I wanted to consult you about. Since Adolf is conveniently here too, I saved some time.

Ah, a really troublesome person came. Im not really good with higher ups. I feel like Ill get involved with some love crazy people because of them, so I dont really have many good feelings to a.s.sociate with them. Moreover, hes a prince? If I go further, hes the current heir to the throne. Hes the type of person I really do not want to get involved with. If I was seen together with the prince by one of the n.o.ble ladies, what kind of hara.s.sment would I receive Ah, its giving me a headache. Can I just leave because I dont have anything to do with the conversation now?

I quickly hid in the vice-captains large shadow and came face to face with a fire drake. Its actually surprisingly cute. What does it eat? Probably meat from animals. Although if it was a vegetarian, it would be really funny.

I want you to take on a mission.

A mission reconnaissance?

This time its different. Theres a bit of a situationso I wanted to ask you to take it up.

Wait a moment, the prince called the captain Lutoria right? Since the Vice-captain always calls the captain captain lu does that mean captains name is Lutoria? I dont know because he never introduced himself. I never heard his name from the Madam either. Somehow I suddenly feel bothered. Eh, captain is fine. Its too much of a ha.s.sle.

I want you to exterminate the man-eating dragon that lives on Vizannu Mountain east of here

Nn? Now that I think about it, he also said something about childhood friends. Maybe theyre old friends, he didnt use honorifics after all. What is there relations.h.i.+p

huh?

The rumors of a man-eating dragon has existed from a while back. Just in case I hired some mercenaries and sent them to subdue the dragon, but they havent come back. The villagers in the vicinity have discovered traces of a battle and corpses. They were all probably killed and eaten.

Eh?

Since it was too difficult for the mercenaries, I sent out some soldiers from the first knight corps recently. But, as I thought, they did not all come back. Over half of them were killed I understand the risks. Youre the only one I can rely on. Youre the Fourth Knight Corps Captain, you know what your dragon handling is compared to others, right? I cant just let it go free, leaving the villagers and general public to fear.

w-wait, I just heard something I should not miss! What!? Extermination of the man-eating dragon!? Thatcould it be m e?

Man-eating dragon Ive heard of it as well. Its rumored that its incredibly violent and its body is as large as a third of the mountain, has pointed, bloodshot eyes that with one look can paralyze your body and all moving things are pierced by its sharp jagged fangs and are eaten.

Ive heard Vice-captains story from somewhere else before but the story is seriously dramatized. If there was such a monster, even I would abandon everything and run.

I thought it might be that dragon, but its actions show low intelligence. Villagers have seen it flying so a herd of Wurms must have moved in and are rampaging.

Well sorry my intelligence is low. I was disgruntled but I kept calm.

Rutoria, you can decide the subjugation troops. Actually I would like to go to see what kind of dragon it is but Im currently being swarmed with work. Tell me about your trip later.

roger.

After saying a few words, the prince left like the storm.** However, he seemed to have noticed my presence and left with a wink in my direction. Im getting gooseb.u.mps. This is my first time seeing a man wink. Even if he is a handsome prince, so I can barely comprehend this. I think Ill have a heart attack if the Vice-captain did it. uhya, I imagined it.

Adolf, rumor details.

I dont know the specifics myself but apparently it resided on the largest mountain of the Vizannu Mountains, the one with Tienu village at the base. Apparently sometimes its cries can be heard, so its definitely there.

Tienu Village Tienu

The captain turned to me like he remembered something.

Vito, from Tienu, correct?

Ah, so he remembered that when I introduced myself I had Tienu as my last name. Im surprised. The Vice-captain also looked surprised, and muttered now that you mention it to himself.

Do you know anything about this, Vito?

I hesitated. I cant slip up and say its me.

Comparing the two before me, I pondered what to do, and in the end decided to only tell things that would do no harm.

Yes, even in my village there were some people who went into the mountains and never returned. After that everyone got scared and stopped going into the mountains.

Has anyone seen the dragon?

Not that I know of, sorry

It might have been a mistake to make Tienu Village my hometown. Apparently its become a little famous because of the man-eating dragon.

The two asked me a few questions but I never answered in detail. Maybe they believed me, but they didnt ask me any more questions after that.

I am very thankfull.

The Captain and his comrades left early the next morning.

Apparently the members of the subjugation troops were the captain and vice-captain, Rance and Stefano and a few other knights. Since theyre going there using the Fire-drakes, theyre all Dragon Riders.

When they were leaving I saw them off, and the captains braid then was really, really cute. Since long braids gets in the way of riding fire drakes, it was neatly put away. His hair is thin, so it must have been pretty easy to put together. Half of his hair is braided neatly like a farm*** and usually wild hair is tamed to a smooth wave. It kind of looks like the hairstyle of a n.o.bles daughter. It really suited him. More like it looked really cute. Hey, can you please wear a dress? A wedding dress would really suit you!

Since I saw something nice from the morning, my will to do my work increased.

Besides, there is no dragon on that mountain so I dont need to worry. Because that very dragon is here, cleaning.

So I saw them off with confidence.

I saw them off but.

Hm?

While I was wondering what Na.s.so would make for dinner today, I felt that something was off.

I wonder what it is. Something is making me anxious. I tried to think of various things, but I still couldnt figure out what it was.

Speaking of which.

I suddenly remembered something the prince said yesterday.

Since it was too difficult for the mercenaries, I sent out some soldiers from the first knight corps recently. But, as I thought, they did not all come back. Over half of them were killed.

Something is off? Since I was panicking then, I didnt notice anything weird. But now that I am calm and looking back, something is definitely weird.

Over half was killed? That mean about half of them returned alive.

When I fought against people, I didnt let even a single one escape.

I dont know what they mean by recently, but Ive been here among people for several months now.

Since I was getting hungry, I was thinking of going to a faraway place and eating someone with magical powers.

Could the recently the prince mentioned really be the other day?****

But I am not at Vizannu Mountain.

then the Man-eating dragon that mountain is?