Chapter 13

### Evening at the Dragon Den

Louise, as usual, had quickly retreated to her slime bed, while I was facing Colette alone.

"Wait a moment."

Colette said this and then, jingle jingle—she spat out dozens of copper coins from her mouth one after another.

Colette is a Mushifushu type.

Mushifushu types have a distinctive feature that other dragons lack: they have four stomachs.

Three of these stomachs have no digestive capabilities and are only used for storing things.

In exchange, these stomachs can expand indefinitely, and with them, Colette's body can swell to about twice its size.

Colette had been using her stomachs as a purse, and she had brought back today's earnings.

I picked up the copper coins and counted them.

"Sixty, sixty-one, sixty-two... a total of sixty-two reals. Is that all?"

"Yes, I've brought it all out. Oh, and I've also paid off the installment."

"Good job, thank you."

"How much is that, really?"

"How much?"

"Yes."

Colette looked at me intently.

I pondered how to answer the question about how much we had earned.

Of course, it wasn't a bad earning.

It's said that an adult male earns about 1,000 reals a month.

So, sixty-two reals in a day—especially after paying off an installment loan—means this is about 1.5 times what an average man earns in a day.

Thinking about it that way, it's impressive, and frankly, Colette is earning enough to feed all three of us.

I summarized this in my head and was about to tell Colette.

"..."

In that instant, I swallowed the words that had almost reached my throat.

I saw Colette's expression.

Many people can't tell the difference in dragon expressions, but I, who can understand their language, can also somewhat read their expressions.

Colette's expression right now was one of expectation.

It was similar to the look a puppy gives when it's wagging its tail and expecting something.

Thinking about what she was expecting, any explanations or comparisons were completely unnecessary.

"You did great, Colette. Just as I expected."

"!! Hmph. Of course, this is nothing for me."

Colette said this, but her face was brimming with joy that she couldn't hide.

That was the right answer.

It didn't matter how much sixty-two reals were, or the installment, or how much an adult male earns.

None of that mattered; the right thing to do was to praise her.

Praised, Colette looked delighted.

At the same time, the ribbon she wore as a fashion accessory—her dragon gauge—rippled slightly and glowed faintly.

At the same time, the guild card in my pocket also glowed.

Maybe, that's how it is.

☆

The next day, after sending Colette to the Milleaf Mountains, I went to the town hall with Louise.

After leaving the house, I rode on Louise's back, and she carried me.

While being carried by Louise, I looked at the guild map.

The guild map showed Colette heading to the Milleaf Mountains.

The guild map, a function we got when we established our guild, I had been experimenting with it since we got it.

After trying various things, I learned a few things.

First, the guild map can center on me, but it can also center on other guild members—Louise and Colette.

Right now, I was looking at Colette.

Colette, who had entered the Milleaf Mountains, was moving around inside.

"She's so restless. It's still morning; she should take it easy."

I muttered this after seeing Colette's movements.

Even from just the map and the light points, I could tell how restless she was.

I thought she didn't need to be that diligent.

"I want to get results from my work."

"Hmm."

"Last night, she was giggling and it was scary."

"Giggling?"

What was that, I wondered, tilting my head on Louise's back.

"It's a laugh of reminiscence. She was giggling, remembering being praised by you."

"Is that so?"

"Praising her is good, but if you overdo it, she'll giggle all night and be noisy. So, keep it moderate."

"Hmm, I don't think that's a good idea either."

I smiled wryly.

I didn't know how much "giggling" was, but from Louise's tone, it seemed like a normal happy reaction.

Being praised makes one happy.

If she was told to hold back, it would be a bit sad.

If being praised makes her happy, I want to praise her when she does well.

Louise finding it creepy—

"Give me some time to think about it."

"…It's fine. She'll get used to it eventually."

"Is that so?"

"It's because you want to keep praising her, right?"

"Yes."

"I'm also allowed to sleep as much as I want, so I'm fine with it."

"…You're a good girl."

"What, all of a sudden?"

"Being considerate like that is impressive."

"…It's not a big deal."

Louise said this nonchalantly, but it was really helpful.

If everyone could take a step back for each other, the world would be more peaceful, I thought.

By the time we reached the town hall, I had jumped off Louise's back.

"I'll go get some work. Wait here for a bit."

"I'll wait here, sleeping."

"Alright."

I smiled and entered the town hall, leaving Louise behind.

Louise put on an eye mask and curled up to sleep.

Inside the town hall, I stood in front of the bulletin board in the first-floor lobby, checking for any new requests.

"Hmm?"

It wasn't a request.

I stood in front of the bulletin board and stared at an unfamiliar notice.

It was an award for the guild "Lindworm."

It listed Lindworm's achievements over the past year and praised it as an exemplary guild by the kingdom.

"They really are impressive in this regard."

I muttered.

I couldn't agree with their policies, but I think it's truly impressive that Lindworm has achieved so much.

A guild with a track record is reassuring for clients.

Knowing that they can handle things is quite important.

"We need to work hard to get an award like that someday."

"Heh, no way."

I turned around.

There stood Lou, the leader of Lindworm, with a smug look on his face.

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"Wanting an award isn't something a solo guild should say. Spouting such nonsense will make you a laughingstock."

"…Is that so?"

I was about to say that setting goals is important, but it would be pointless to say that to Lou, so I swallowed my words.

"Besides, you don't need it."

"Don't need it?"

"Yes. Since receiving this award, five dragon knights have applied to join Lindworm in just one day."

"Really?"

That many?

"Many of them are quite capable. There were even B-rank and C-rank knights with over ten years of experience."

"That's quite impressive."

I genuinely thought it was impressive.

Not just for the guild, but for dragon knights, being recognized by the kingdom based on their work and achievements is significant.

B-rank and C-rank knights are well-known names who work on the front lines.

If knights of that caliber are lining up to join Lindworm, it's truly impressive.

"You should consider joining us for a bit longer."

Lou said this with a smug smile.

"No, that's fine."

"Are you just being stubborn? It's okay to admit if you're frustrated. If you had stuck with us a bit longer—"

"I'm not being stubborn."

I smiled wryly.

I was a bit taken aback.

In Lou's mind, I must be like that.

Absolutely not, I'm not being stubborn.

I feel relieved to have left Lindworm.

Their policies are too different from mine.

It's impressive that Lindworm has been awarded, but I have no desire to return or stay there any longer.

"Hah, I'll take that as a no."

But Lou didn't understand at all.

He was convinced I was being stubborn.

If that's how he sees it, I'll just play along.

In the end, I realized that Lou and Lindworm would never see eye to eye with me.

☆

In the evening, after completing a job with Louise, we returned to the city of Boarsel.

The city was as lively as usual, but something seemed off.

It was more than lively; it was a bit chaotic.

"Did something happen?"

I jumped off Louise's back and asked a passerby.

"A dragon escaped."

"Escaped?"

"It's causing a commotion, and they're having a hard time catching it."

"Wow… an escaped dragon, huh."

That's not something you hear every day.

While I don't, dragons are usually well-trained by breeders and dragon knights.

Escapes are almost unheard of—actually, I've never heard of one before.

I was a bit curious.

"Master…"

"Hmm? Oh."

Louise looked sleepy.

Her eyelids were almost closed, and her body was swaying.

She's reaching her limit.

"If you're sleepy, you can go home first."

"Mmm… I can manage a bit longer…"

"Alright."

Even though she said she was fine, she looked very sleepy.

I was curious about the escaped dragon, but I couldn't push Louise in this state.

I decided to take her to the town hall first, report, and close the job.

When we arrived at the town hall—thud!—something collided with us.

I was tackled and fell backward, landing on my butt.

"Ouch… what was that?"

"Please, help me!"

"Huh?"

This voice, these words—dragon!?

I regained my composure and looked at the one who tackled me.

It was a dragon.

I recognized it; it was a dragon from Lindworm.

"I can't stand it there anymore!"

"…!"

I furrowed my brow.

A dragon had escaped from the guild that veteran dragon knights were competing to join and was now seeking my help.