Chapter 35

Thank you for the bookmark rating.

"Th-this is a dragon..."

Indeed, right before our eyes is an unmistakable 'dragon.'

Clad in deep crimson scales, the dragon exudes an absolute presence, and I instinctively understand that there is an insurmountable gap between us and it.

I had been so preoccupied with searching for firewood that I hadn't noticed it was already within arm's reach.

Trying to move away as quickly as possible, I made sure to avoid making any noise.

However, this seemed to irritate the dragon, and it began to lift its massive talons.

Then, with a speed unimaginable for its size, it swung them down at me.

I could barely keep up with the speed of the dragon's arm as it swung down, and my arm began to react.

...Could it be that I might even be able to defeat a dragon?

My arm, which had killed many monsters on its own, started to move...

But that thought was short-lived.

The moment my arm and the dragon's talon clashed, it was my arm that was sent flying through the air.

In that instant, I realized how naive I had been.

Comparing a 'dragon' to other monsters was a mistake. The difference between a dragon, which can overwhelm its surroundings just by being there, and a mere monster is as vast as the difference between heaven and earth.

"N-Nest!!"

I was momentarily stunned by the events, but Vais's voice brought me back to my senses.

"Heal!!"

I immediately cast a healing spell on my arm and focused solely on escaping.

"N-Nest!? Y-your arm is growing back!!"

"Yeah, I'll explain later, but for now, let's just run!!"

What we needed to do was escape from the dragon. Even now, it was shaking its massive body and chasing after us, right...?

When I turned back, there was nothing there, and the dragon was still in the same spot, watching us.

"Huh, it's not chasing us..."

In the darkening sky, I stared intently at the dragon.

"Maybe the dragon can't chase us, not that it doesn't want to?"

The dragon seemed to be repeatedly trying to stand up and then sitting back down.

"Y-Yeah, maybe. We're safe..."

Vais, relieved, sat down on the spot.

However, to be honest, that wasn't the most pressing concern at the moment. What was on my mind was something Gail had said.

"Ah, but I've heard stories of intelligent ancient dragons carrying their benefactors, the adventurers, and flying through the sky."

In other words...

If I heal the dragon, I can fly, right?

After that, I asked Aura about what ancient dragons are.

Apparently, 'ancient dragons' are dragons that have gained wisdom over a long period of time.

I had never seen a dragon before, but this one was clearly too large.

It must have lived for a very long time.

Living for a long time means it must have at least some intelligence.

The conditions are all in place.

"Hehehe"

The corners of my mouth curved up at the possibility of flying.

"N-Nest? What's up, all of a sudden?"

"I'm going to try flying now."

Leaving those words behind, I walked toward the dragon. I could hear Vais's panicked voice from behind, but I didn't care.

I'm going to fly!!

When I got close to the dragon, I carefully observed its movements and noticed that it seemed to have an injured wing, which was why it couldn't fly.

Don't worry, I'll heal you right away!!

"Heeeeeeal!!!!"

It might have been the most powerful heal I've ever cast.

But if it means I can fly, it's worth it!!

The dragon started to notice the changes in its body and began to move its wings.

After confirming something, the dragon stared at me intently.

Since it seems to have intelligence, it must have realized that I healed it.

Then, it finally stood up.

It flapped its wings a few times and turned its back to me.

"Get on my back, you... Gah!!??"

---

I am flying now.

The distance from the ground feels a bit close, but I won't complain too much.

As long as I can fly, that's all that matters.

Even if it's because I was blown off by the dragon's tail.

The fun time is over, and I'm rolling on the ground.

I immediately cast a heal and ran back to where Vais was.

"Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha"

--- It doesn't matter how I fly. Even if I was blown off by the dragon's tail, I still flew, didn't I? ---

"There's no way!!"

Where's the flying in that!?

When I say flying, I mean something more like this!

If I can escape from a dragon chasing me through the sky, I'll punch Gail once.

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