Chapter 22

No Life King.

The king of the undead.

In this world, he is one of the two great evils, alongside dragons.

That means the greatest evils in the world are gathered in front of my house...!

What’s going on!?

『I apologize, Holy One.』

My teacher calls me "Holy One."

I find it embarrassing, so I’d like him to stop using such a grand title, but even after gently correcting him several times, he hasn’t listened.

I guess I have no choice but to give up.

『The last time we met was a hundred years ago, wasn’t it? I deeply regret that our reunion has taken this form.』

It wasn’t a hundred years ago.

We parted ways in your dungeon just a month ago.

For an undead being that has existed for over a thousand years, the sense of time is completely different from that of the living, right? Is this what they call an "undead joke"?

“...No, I don’t know what to say when you apologize like that. By the way, Teacher, can you leave your dungeon?”

『With this withered body, I need to go outside and get some sun from time to time to prevent mold from growing.』

“Hahaha...!”

It’s an undead joke.

It’s really hard to tell if it’s a joke or not...!

『And the reason for my apology...』

“Yes?”

『It was I who provoked the dragon over there.』

“Huh?”

The dragon had already lost all will to fight, overwhelmed by my threats and the appearance of No Life King, my teacher.

It stood there, completely motionless.

“Provoked? So, you sent this dragon to me?”

『In the end, that’s how it turned out. I apologize again.』

In the end... That’s a very suspicious way of putting it.

It’s as if he’s inviting me to ask for more details.

Since there was no other choice, I decided to ask for more details.

It turned out to be something like this.

No Life King and this dragon have been enemies for a long time, having had several minor conflicts.

Given how close their dungeons are, it’s only natural that they became enemies.

In this power dynamic, the dragon’s mountain dungeon was recently ravaged by someone.

Upon further inquiry, it turned out that the dragon was taking a nap at the time and only realized the attack after waking up.

Enraged, the dragon immediately identified the culprit in his mind.

The top suspect was my teacher, who lived in a nearby dungeon.

There was no one else.

“...So, you immediately attacked the teacher’s dungeon?”

『Yes, he suddenly burst in, shouting, “How dare you ravage my territory!” I was completely baffled, as I had no idea what he was talking about.』

For the teacher, it was a baseless accusation.

However, considering the local geopolitics, there was no one else who could have ravaged the dragon’s territory.

The culprit was right there! But there was only one suspect.

But that was in the past.

A new resident had recently joined this land.

“Me?”

『The moment I remembered your name, I blurted it out. Before I could think, “Oh no,” this young girl had already rushed out.』

“Ah...”

So, Teacher, you hurriedly followed her?

You’re as conscientious as ever.

“I understand the story, but it’s not your fault to apologize. We were the ones who actually ravaged the dragon’s dungeon...”

『Indeed. ...However, you should not be blamed for that.』

The teacher stated firmly.

『As a former human, I understand. Dungeons are a vital source of livelihood for humans. They produce a variety of valuable materials, from food and building materials to clothing and tools.』

That’s why humans organize adventurers to challenge dungeons.

『For the master of a dungeon, intruders are a daily occurrence. When challenged, one should stand up to them. However, getting enraged over a little damage to the shallow areas—let’s call it the “base” for a mountain dungeon—and chasing them out of the dungeon is rash.』

The teacher’s dried-up face glared sharply at the dragon.

『Viel, the Glintzel Dragon. Your actions are too narrow-minded and immature for a strong being. Do you think you can succeed as the successor to the Geyzard Dragon with such behavior?』

『Ugh...!』

The giant dragon hung its head, like a scolded child.

『A true ruler of a dungeon should laugh off small intruders and only take action when they reach the deepest part. That’s the measure of a strong being.』

As a senior dungeon master, he was teaching his junior.

...Something like that?

『To get angry and chase intruders out of the dungeon only reveals your lack of capacity. Especially considering that the Holy One here is far stronger than any ordinary adventurer. Challenging him recklessly would only result in a wasted life and a reputation for being shortsighted.』

『Ugh...!』

The dragon looked regretful but couldn’t say anything in response.

『Hey, corpse-like being. Who is that human? He split my ultimate fire breath with a sword. Can any human do that?』

『Hmm...?』

I thought I saw the teacher smirk, but I don’t have enough experience to read expressions on an undead’s dried-up face.

『It’s possible. With the power of a holy sword.』

『Holy sword!?』

The dragon’s gaze focused on the blade in my hand.

『T-That’s the Evil Holy Sword Drei Schwartz!?』

“Is that the name of this sword?”

That’s a bit too much of a name.

『What do you mean, corpse-like being! That sword was the one my father ordered me to take from you!! How could you give it to a mere human!?』

『The holy sword chose its own wielder. There’s nothing I can do about it.』

He said it firmly.

『Moreover, you’ve been failing to complete your mission for so long. Isn’t it your own fault for being afraid to face me directly and just observing? That’s why you’re still the master of a mountain dungeon.』

『Ugh...!?』

『Let me make it clear. I intend to serve this person, whom the holy sword has recognized. If you try to harm him, I will become your enemy.』

『Ugh...!?』

Unable to respond, the dragon spread its large wings.

It was preparing to flee.

『I’ll let you off today! Remember this!!』

It was a typical villain’s line.

As the dragon tried to fly away...

“Wait a moment.”

I stopped it by grabbing its tail.

Or rather, I did.

I think the ability of the ‘Bearer of the Supreme’ allowed me to restrain the dragon’s massive body with just one hand.

This ability lets me control anything I touch as I wish.

『W-What!? My body being controlled by a mere human!?』

The dragon (if it can be called that) was also very surprised.

“There’s no need to rush back.”

I said.

“Since you’re here, why don’t you join me for a meal?”