Chapter 66

It was the morning of the departure for Misra.

I headed towards the designated meeting place.

When I arrived at an uninhabited spot on the outskirts of the capital, it was still dim, but I could see a small figure already standing there.

That's...

"You're early, Rin."

"Yes. I was too nervous to sleep, so I came a bit early."

She was dressed in the same kind of easy-to-move-around outfit as usual, looking no different from before.

"By the way, it feels like it's been a while since we last met like this, Rin."

"Yes, it has. Since the measurement for the clothes you'll wear in Misra, I think."

"Right... It's been that long, huh."

Rin and a few men came to my place about two months ago to measure the size of the costume she would wear in Misra.

We really haven't seen each other in a while.

Maybe because I was enjoying the training with Gilbert, time seemed to fly by.

"Lolo also seems to have arrived."

When I looked in the direction Rin was looking, I could see a boy I knew walking towards us.

But I felt something strange about his appearance.

As he gradually approached, I realized what was different.

"...? Lolo... Have you grown a bit?"

"...Yeah, a little."

"I think it's only been about two months since we last met... You've really grown."

"Yeah, I've been eating well."

"I see."

As we exchanged casual greetings, a woman in silver armor, which glinted even in the dim light, with golden hair, approached us.

She walked straight to Rin and bowed slightly.

"Rinneburg. The carriage is ready.

They say they will head this way as soon as the cargo is loaded."

"Thank you, Ines."

After giving a brief report to Rin, Ines turned to me.

I felt a friendly atmosphere, which put me at ease, and Ines also showed a slight smile.

"Lord Noll. I will be relying on you again this time... Please take care of me."

"Sure. I'll rely on you too, Ines. I'm counting on you."

"Right... I will also rely on you.

I have some more preparations to make, so I'll take my leave. See you later."

"Sure, see you later."

I watched Ines leave with a slight sense of relief.

Actually, last night, I was quite worried that we might have to go on that dragon, but it seems that was just a false alarm.

"... So, we're not going on that dragon this time?"

"... Lala?"

"... Lala?"

Hearing the unfamiliar word, I asked, and Lolo reacted with surprise.

"... 'Lala' is the name of that dragon.

I think Noll gave it that name... Don't you remember?

Since 'Demon Dragon' is hard to call, we decided to give it a shorter, easier name. She was really happy when I told her the name..."

"... I do remember that."

We decided to give the dragon a name, and since Lolo was taking care of it, I suggested a similar name on a whim... I didn't expect it to be adopted as is.

Well, if the dragon likes it, that's fine.

"Does that mean the dragon is female?"

"... No, dragons don't have clear gender distinctions like humans... But she prefers to be called that. Otherwise, she gets in a bad mood suddenly."

"I see... Dragons have various preferences, huh?"

Rin, who had been listening to our conversation, joined in to provide more information.

"It seems that the dragon can lay eggs.

From a human perspective, it would be considered female.

Also, as Mr. Noll mentioned, there was a possibility of riding Lala, but her large size is quite intimidating and would draw too much attention. She is currently resting at another location."

"... I see."

Was it really an option...?

Well, it would be fast, and flying in the sky would mean no worries about being attacked by monsters. Thinking about it that way, it could be a good means of transportation... But I'm not good with heights.

... I can't afford to faint just thinking about it.

I need to change the topic.

"... By the way, are we really going just the four of us?"

There was no one else at this meeting place besides us.

"Yes, it's just me, Ines, Mr. Noll, and Lolo.

Ines will drive the carriage as before.

Having too many people could be a hindrance in an emergency.

Both my brother and father agreed that a small, elite group would be best."

"... I see. That makes sense."

Despite some unease, I was reaching the conclusion that it would be fine since Rin is with us, when suddenly a voice came from above.

Looking up, I saw a strange figure approaching from high in the sky.

The figure, which looked like an old man, was floating and seemed suspicious.

He was flying straight towards us... Should I throw a rock to knock him down?

"Ah, there you are!

Hohoh! I just barely made it!"

"Mr. Oaken?"

The suspicious old man was the magic instructor.

The instructor landed softly on the ground and handed one of the two leather bags he was carrying to Rin.

"Here, miss. It's a parting gift. Take it with you."

Rin, who received a bag from the magic instructor, opened it and gasped in surprise.

"This...! Mr. Oaken, are you sure it's okay?"

"It's just a charm.

Take it with you.

Well, it's best not to use it if you can."

"... Thank you. I'll take it."

Rin thanked him and put the item she received in her chest.

"And Lolo, this is for you."

"... For me?"

"Yes. Actually, this is the main thing today."

"Ring...? Could this be..."

Lolo took the small ring offered by the instructor.

"Yes... It's that.

Take it with you. ... Do you know how to use it?"

"... Yes."

"Of course, I assume you know, but this is not something to show others. Keep it in this bag until you need to use it."

"... Yes. Thank you, Mr. Oaken."

The instructor, who was thanked by Lolo, gave a thumbs up and smiled.

Lolo put the ring she received from the instructor into a small leather bag and tied it around her waist.

"Mr. Oaken? What is that?"

"Hohoh, I can't keep it a secret from you, miss...

But you mustn't tell anyone else... Absolutely not...?

... If it's discovered over there, it could be quite serious."

The instructor whispered in Rin's ear, and Rin looked up in surprise.

"...! You mean, really...?"

"Hohoh, of course.

After all, I'm a genius...?

Well, the original idea and order came from Rain, but there's no one else in the world who could implement such a crazy request in such a short time. I'm even scared of my own talent these days!"

"... Despite that, it took quite a while.

You came to me in tears a week ago, saying it wouldn't be ready in time for the departure."

"... Mr. Sain?"

When we turned to the direction of the new voice, there stood the gentle smiling monk instructor, along with a few other people I knew.

"... Sain... You know...

Can't you say things a bit more gently...?

At least let me look good in front of my students...?"

"No. Lying is not good.

Besides, wasn't it supposed to be delivered yesterday?

When I heard about it, I worked hard to help... Why is it so last-minute?"

"Well... Well...!

I had to make some better improvements, you know?

That's my pride as a magic tool engineer...

Besides, it's more exciting to give it at the last minute, you know? It's a subtle consideration... Understand?"

"I don't understand. In fact, how many times have we been in danger because of your unnecessary considerations?"

The magic instructor, who was being questioned by the smiling monk instructor, was teary-eyed and defensive. It was clear that the magic instructor was at a disadvantage, almost being scolded.

... Is the monk instructor really that scary...?

"Well, it's fine, Sain. It's all good now, right?"

"Be lenient. It's just like him."

"... I guess it's just like him, then."

"Mr. Dandarg, Mr. Sig. Mr. Kalu... You're here too?"

"Just to see you off. We have no other business."

"Yes, thank you."

It seems the warrior instructor, swordsman instructor, and thief instructor came to see us off.

And when I noticed, there were more people, including Rin's brother.

"Rin, I need to talk to you about the ring.

Including the 'schedule' after you arrive.

It's last-minute, but please come over here for a moment."

"... Yes, I understand."

Rin followed her brother, and they seemed to be discussing some documents.

Since I had nothing to do, I watched them, and the magic instructor walked over to me.

... Maybe he was driven away by the monk instructor.

"... Do you need something?"

"Do you need something? That's cold. I came to see you off.

By the way, Noll, I have nothing to give you. If you were expecting something, I'm sorry."

"No, it's fine. I wasn't expecting anything."

"... Really, you have no charm at all...?

Well, you already have that.

I can't give you anything better than that."

The instructor narrowed his eyes and looked at the black sword I was holding.

"... Anyway... I heard about it.

You used that 'black sword' for some kind of construction work.

That sword is not something to be used so roughly.

Well, the user has the freedom to use it as they see fit.

But it's quite valuable, you know?"

"Yeah, I take good care of it."

No matter how I use it, it doesn't show any signs of damage, but I always clean it after use.

Recently, I even took it to a public bath in the capital and cleaned it thoroughly before soaking in the bathtub with it.

"Well, that's good.

It's not something that gets damaged easily, you know."

While we were chatting, the large carriage we would use for the journey arrived, and the preparations for departure were complete.

I thought we were ready to board...

"... What's that...?"

Suddenly, a strange, ominous sound, like a cry, came from the sky in the direction we were heading. A small, distant shadow appeared in the sky.

Upon closer inspection, it seemed to be a creature with wings, flapping and flying towards us. It looked like a flock of birds, but... it was much larger than a bird.

"That's a flock of flying dragons. It shouldn't be far from the natural spawning period, but... there are a lot of them."

The swordsman instructor answered my question, followed by the warrior instructor, who peered through a large pair of binoculars.

"... Oh, oh, that flock is in bad shape.

They seem to have been affected by [Aggression].

It would be a disaster if they reach the city... This welcome is a bit too much, isn't it?"

"I thought it was unusually quiet... Is it a coincidence that it happens today...?"

"... It's several times the usual number.

It's hard to believe it's natural... I'm sorry, there seems to be a hole in my security network."

"Hohoh... You don't need to apologize, Kalu.

Hmph, that woman would do something like this.

She starts a fire in someone else's house and then uses it as a sales pitch for her 'barrier.' She hasn't changed a bit since the old days.

... I still don't like her."

The flock of flying dragons was getting closer.

They were not as large as the demon dragon, but they looked much larger than from a distance.

There were a lot of them.

The sky was being covered by countless ominous shadows.

"At this height, swords won't reach."

"... Where is Mianne? Let's have her take care of them all."

"She's at home. She's babysitting and can't leave. She won't make it in time."

"... So..."

"... There's no choice... We have to rely on Oaken."

"... Seriously...!"

The instructors all looked at the magic instructor next to me with worried expressions, and the old man smiled quietly. Then, he leaned close to my ear and whispered.

"By the way... 'Twelve.' That's what I am now."

It was so sudden that I didn't understand what he was talking about.

What is this old man saying all of a sudden...?

... He's old... Maybe he's gone senile from the shock of the approaching flying dragons.

"... Twelve? ... What are you talking about?"

"Hmph, don't play dumb... I know.

Listen, I can easily do 'ten' if I try a bit.

Just because I advanced a bit faster... don't get too cocky, okay?"

The instructor said this and leaned in even closer.

... I'm even more confused.

"Listen, Noll.

I'm known as the [Ninth Demon] in the streets... but that's not my limit, not at all.

... In fact, I was lonely because no one could catch up for a while. It's not dignified to get so worked up anymore, you know?

I was just holding back out of consideration... Really.

... As proof, if I get a bit serious, look."

The moment the instructor raised one hand, six small balls that emitted tiny lightning bolts appeared. Then, when he waved his other hand, another six appeared, and they flew towards the flock of flying dragons as if they had a will of their own.

"Hohoh, watch this. This is my [Fusion Magic]."

The instructor raised both hands to the sky, and the twelve orbs of light mixed and exploded in the air.

Suddenly, black clouds gathered in the clear sky, and the black clouds quickly grew, covering the entire sky with countless lightning bolts, coiling like snakes.

Immediately, a fierce thunderstorm enveloped the area.

... The weather changed in an instant.

It was an incredible sight.

The magic instructor, drenched in the large raindrops that fell like a waterfall, lowered his raised hands towards the ground.

"[Thunderstorm]"

... The entire area turned white.

In an instant, I could see a line of light, like a giant tree, standing in the blinding flash.

I realized it was an incredibly large bolt of lightning that had struck the ground.

At the same time, a deafening sound and shock wave.

The earth shook, and the sky trembled.

The flock of flying dragons, caught in the catastrophic lightning strike, disappeared.

Some barely retained their shape, but they fell to the ground, charred black.

"... Amazing."

Rin was captivated by the scene, speechless.

I was also speechless.

"Hohoh... This is just a simple thing."

The moment the huge lightning bolt pierced the flock of flying dragons, the black clouds dissipated quickly.

The morning sun, which had appeared at some point, shone through, and a large rainbow formed due to the heavy rain that had just fallen.

"Well, that woman will probably launch a lot of such harassment on the capital in the future... but you can go to Misra without any worries.

... The protection of the capital is our responsibility, so don't worry about it."

Saying this, the magic instructor gave us a thumbs up and smiled happily.

The reactions of the other [Six Saints] ↓

S: "... I thought the frequency of lightning strikes had increased recently. So that's what it was."

Sh: "The skin and bones of flying dragons are valuable resources for weapons and armor... but they can't be used now."

K: "The pavement is beautifully gouged... I just finished repairing it."

D: "... Damn...!! If only Mianne were here...!!"