Chapter 10

It has been six days since I started chasing the dragon.

Currently, I am walking through the forest. Passing through the dense beech grove, I keep going deeper and deeper. Gradually, the ground is covered more and more with poisonous purple soil, and the green leaves of the beech trees turn into the purple leaves of the magic trees. This is proof that the surrounding magical elements have become more concentrated, indicating that I have entered a dangerous area.

Still, I cannot stop.

The compass eye still points forward...

“...Will I find it today?”

The time limit for the compass eye is tomorrow morning.

If I don’t find the cursed equipment by then, I will die as the price. There is no time to waste anymore.

“Well, no problem. We know it’s in this forest.”

Jujyu, lying on the hood of the cloak like a hammock, yawns and says.

Irresponsible or something... Even though the life of the wearer is at stake, he is quite relaxed. He has been drinking juice in one go and shouting, “This is why I live!” It’s too relaxed for this situation.

But, if you think about it, it’s true that we have some leeway.

During these six days, it’s not that we haven’t made any progress.

We have obtained reliable information about the dragon. Apparently, a dragon appeared in the religious city of Sampur. According to eyewitnesses, it was the same pure white dragon I saw in Geits town, and after kidnapping the holy maiden of Sampur, it flew toward this forest.

It seems that there is a nest in this forest.

I don’t have definitive proof that it’s the same dragon I’m chasing, but it’s almost certain. It’s unlikely that multiple dragons with the same appearance would appear in an area where dragons don’t usually live.

So, if I enter the dragon’s nest, I should be able to find the cursed equipment.

“Show me any C-rank or higher monsters within a 30-meter radius.”

As insurance for walking through the forest, I give the compass eye an additional instruction. A new needle appears in my left eye’s field of vision and starts to spin. Since the needle isn’t pointing to a specific point, it seems there are no dangerous monsters nearby for now.

Although using the compass eye carries risks, given my current low HP and defense, I want to avoid any unexpected attacks from monsters.

Especially since there should be a dragon in this forest.

Even though I’m after the dragon’s treasure, the risk of fighting a dragon is still too high. Even if I can one-shot it with an attack, the same applies to the dragon. Besides, there’s no guarantee I can hit a dragon with well-balanced stats. I need to be cautious.

If possible, I’d like to sneak into the nest and take the cursed equipment.

I need to avoid encountering the dragon at all costs...

Just as I’m walking cautiously.

“...Ah.”

I’ve already found the dragon.

It’s like the saying, “Speak of the devil...”

As soon as I see the dragon, I can’t help but gasp. It’s a beautiful pure white dragon. Its white scales reflect the dappled sunlight, shining brightly even in the dark forest. The dragon exudes an aura of dominance, and just looking at it instills a sense of awe.

And the dragon is...

“Gyaah! Gyaah! Gyaah!”

“Hiiin! It hurts! Stop it!”

...being bullied by goblins.

The goblins are hitting the dragon, which is crouching and holding its head, with wooden sticks.

“Mercy! I’ll do anything!”

Hmm... What is this?

It’s such an absurd scene.

Why is a dragon being bullied by goblins? And why is the dragon talking? I’m so confused that my mind isn’t working.

But I need to be cautious, as it might be a trap. Monsters that can mimic human voices are often carnivorous. There’s no benefit in mimicking human voices other than luring and eating humans.

It’s probably best not to get involved with that dragon.

In any case, this is a chance. I should head to the nest and get the cursed equipment while I can.

Thinking this, I try to sneak away from the dragon.

“Uu... sniff... Why must I suffer like this...”

Finally, the dragon starts to cry softly.

I stop my feet, which were about to leave the scene.

“Should I help?”

“Help the goblins?”

“No, the dragon. Why are you trying to take advantage of the situation?”

“But, don’t you want to try eating a dragon? They say it tastes like chicken, but is it true?”

“Is that all you think about?”

More importantly, I need to deal with the dragon. It’s hard to leave a crying dragon. It doesn’t seem to be a bad dragon, and we might be able to negotiate.

The problem is how to drive away the goblins...

“Should I try this?”

I take a deep breath and draw Blood Licker. The sensation of the blade being exposed to the air, the pulse transmitted through the hilt.

However, it doesn’t go into a frenzy.

The surface of my mind remains calm.

It seems the experiment was correct. This could be the loophole in the price of Blood Licker. I overlooked it because it was too simple, but thinking about the premise that “there is a loophole in the price of cursed equipment” made it easy to find.

While there are some restrictions on using Blood Licker, it’s fine to just release a shockwave.

I point the tip of the sword downward and lightly stab the ground.

The forest shakes with a thud. The sounds of birds and monsters fleeing can be heard.

“...Phew.”

After a moment, I sheathe Blood Licker.

I notice that the ground around me has caved in.

The goblins seem to have fled, and there are none around. Well, goblins are just mischievous and not particularly harmful. Driving them away is enough.

Now, about the dragon...

“Hiii... What’s happening...”

The dragon is crouched on the ground, trembling and repeating, “Mercy... Mercy...” It doesn’t seem to have realized it’s been saved yet.

I thought about leaving silently, but I can’t just leave it.

“It’s okay now.”

I call out to the dragon.

“...?”

The dragon cautiously raises its head and looks at me curiously.

“I’ve driven the goblins away.”

“Ah...”

The dragon finally realizes the goblins are gone. After a moment of shock, tears well up in its already swollen eyes.

“Thank you! You are my savior!”

“Don’t be so dramatic.”

“By the way, who are you...?”

“Me? I’m Noroa. I’m an adventurer.”

“Lord Noroa...”

For some reason, the dragon’s face turns red.

However, when it sees Jujyu crawling out of the hood, its face turns pale.

“And I am Jujyu! My favorite sandwich filling is prosciutto!”

“Hii! A strange monster spoke!”

“Who’s a strange monster! I’m obviously a super cute girl!”

“Spoke again!?”

“Grr! I’ll make you my sandwich filling!”

“Mercy...!”

The dragon, thoroughly frightened, starts to tremble, hugging its head.

Poor thing, being harassed by a strange monster. Or rather, the image of a huge dragon being scared by a small doll is quite absurd.

“Hmph, well, it’s fine. If you hand over all your treasures, I’ll forgive you.”

“Treasures...? I don’t have any.”

“Huh? What?”

That’s strange. I thought this dragon was the type that collects treasures. Moreover, if it has the cursed equipment, it should be the type that collects treasures.

Maybe it’s the wrong dragon...

I remember that only male dragons have the habit of collecting treasures. Some male dragons collect “beautiful things” from various places to decorate their nests and court females. The fact that the dragon took the holy maiden and the cursed equipment suggests that it found them beautiful. So, if this dragon is female, it’s likely a different individual from the one we’re chasing.

Let’s check.

“Can I ask you something?”

“Yes?”

I move behind the dragon and slightly lift its tail.

“I see, it’s a female.”

“...!? W-What are you doing! That’s indecent!”

“Why!?”

I’m sent flying by a full swing of the tail.

...I thought I was going to die. Checking the dragon’s gender shouldn’t result in this.

“Huuu!”

The dragon opens its eyes wide and growls. It looks like “I’ll kill you, human...” It’s terrifying.

Maybe I touched a sore spot.

In any case, this dragon is female.

So, is it the wrong dragon...?

“Hmm?”

I notice that the direction of the compass eye’s needle has changed. Before I moved behind the dragon, the needle was almost fixed.

Has the position of the cursed equipment moved significantly in this short time?

That’s ridiculous. So, this is... Could it be...?

I move a little, and the needle changes direction again.

It’s as if I’m being drawn to the dragon in front of me.

“Hey, you.”

“...What?”

The dragon, with teary eyes, glares at me a bit. I might have made it a bit wary. Oh well.

“Do you... by any chance, have the cursed equipment?”

When I ask directly, the dragon flinches.

It’s a reaction like a child whose mischief has been discovered. It’s quite obvious.

“...No, I don’t have it.”

“Really?”

I hold Jujyu up to the dragon’s face.

“Look, look.”

“Hii! Don’t bring that thing close! I’ll tell you everything!”

“Hey! What’s this treatment!?”

Jujyu starts to struggle in protest.

The dragon, even more frightened by the struggling Jujyu, seems to give up and speaks.

“...Actually, I do have the cursed equipment. It’s this.”

The dragon points to its head with its front claws. There, hidden by the horns, is a small white rose hair accessory.

Upon closer inspection, I can immediately tell it’s the cursed equipment.

It’s far too cute to be a normal piece of equipment. It’s incredibly cute. Just looking at it makes me feel drawn to it. It’s pure and virtuous, exuding a delicate and fragile elegance. This piece of equipment embodies the ideal of what a man would want to marry. Any man would fantasize about putting this equipment in a wedding dress and having a ceremony in a chapel. Among the equipment I’ve seen, this is the one I most want to protect as a man.

“...I found it.”

As I mutter, the needle in my left eye disappears, as if confirming the answer.

It seems I was chasing the right cursed equipment.

This resolves the price of the compass eye. It’s settled.

Now, I just need to negotiate with this dragon and somehow get the cursed equipment...

“By the way... why is a dragon wearing cursed equipment?”

I ask, out of curiosity. It’s not uncommon for monsters to wear equipment, but there are restrictions. For example, a monster without hair can’t wear a hair accessory. So, a dragon shouldn’t be able to wear a human hair accessory.

“That’s...”

The dragon hesitates but then decides to speak.

“Actually... I was a human.”

“...Was it a dream?”

“No! I really was a human! Truly, truly!”

The dragon clenches its front claws and shakes them.

It’s a very human-like gesture. I don’t sense any malicious intent.

So, maybe...?

As if sensing my doubt, the dragon nods.

“Yes... I seem to have turned into a dragon...”