Chapter 2

Even if this world is just a dream, pain still hurts.

That said, the pain is not as intense as in reality; it’s more like a “ouch, that might hurt” kind of sensation. Well, if it’s only that much, I can ignore minor injuries, and otherwise, I would have given up on adventuring long ago.

“It’s quite spacious inside. I couldn’t have imagined it from the outside.”

“Yeah, even though it’s a ruin, it used to be a town. The entrance was just a sewer.”

Kazuhiko and I echo our footsteps as we explore the Nazunaz Ruins.

The structure is made of stacked stones, but I can see magical patterns here and there that enhance its strength. Thanks to these, it seems to have retained its original form even after a thousand years.

The surroundings are pitch black, but she has already summoned about five light spirits that illuminate even the high ceiling. In certain situations, they can charge at enemies and deliver intense electric shocks.

“This technology to enhance strength is amazing, isn’t it? If it can last a thousand years, can’t it be used for town buildings?”

“I doubt it. The magic is embedded in the ley lines so that it doesn’t require a constant supply of mana. The conditions have to be just right, and you’d need a famous mage. I doubt anyone could afford it.”

Hmm, I don’t understand much, but if it’s not possible, there’s nothing we can do. Living in earthquake-prone Japan, I can’t help but envy such strength-enhancing magic.

“Earthquakes are indeed scary, but they don’t happen that often, right? Where are you from, exactly?”

“Oh, a place called Japan, but it’s not on the map. It’s a very distant island nation.”

“Hmm,” she says, her face showing no clear interest.

In this world, the combination of black hair and eyes is rare, but what she’s more enthusiastic about right now is my bento. I know she came to the ruins for the bento, as she keeps glancing at my bag.

“Oh, there’s a good place to sit. Shall we have lunch?”

“That sounds great! Hehe, what’s on the menu today?”

The elf’s steps suddenly become lighter, and she eagerly helps with the preparations. For someone over a hundred years old, elves are quite a mystery. ...Well, even if it’s just for the food, a lively expression is cute.

“Okay, I’ll open it...”

“Sure, go ahead. You can’t use chopsticks, so just wash your hands and pick up the food.”

As I open the bento, her eyes shine like a child’s.

Today’s menu is inari sushi and kenchin stew with lotus root. She stuffs a juicy inari into her mouth and makes a face of pure delight.

“It’s sweet! The stew is crispy and I can’t stop eating! Hey, what’s this sweet thing? The brown one?”

“Yeah, it’s inari. It’s delicious even when cold, isn’t it?”

Marie nods and picks up another one. Despite her slender elf form, she eats with surprising gusto. Watching her toss the stew and inari into her mouth is quite entertaining.

“This juice is also delicious. Would you like to try it?”

“Mmm, it’s great to follow Kazuhiko. I always wonder, is this homemade?”

“Yeah, today it is. When it’s too much trouble, I buy it from the store.”

“Where can you buy it? Hey, is it near Sylph? Or Flax?”

Well, I can’t say “Japan.”

Scratching my head in confusion, I get a raised eyebrow and a scowl.

“But I’ll treat you anytime. Why don’t you come play when you have free time?”

“I do have studies, so I’m not always free. But occasionally, I suppose it’s fine.”

Her smile is rare for her, and I can’t help but stare. She’s usually antisocial, but it’s heartwarming to see her open up.

“Let’s go then. We want to be out by evening.”

“Yes, let’s. [Flame, Freeze]”

The fire goes out with a pop. I thought about stomping it out, but she has a high pride in her magic and spirits, so I keep quiet.

She wipes her fingers with a handkerchief and pats her knees, signaling the end of lunch.

The Nazunaz Ruins are filled with water veins, and there’s a moderate humidity wherever we go. We cross a dried-up waterway and peek into the remains of dwellings as we continue forward.

Despite being a thousand-year-old ruin, it’s underground, so the weathering is slow, and the scenes of human life still seem to float before us. It’s hard to imagine that people lived in such a dark place. As I think about this, a shadow moves.

“Wait a moment. Hello there!”

Leaving the startled Marie behind, I approach the moving shadow, which turns to face me. It has the appearance of a standing lizard, much wider than a crocodile.

It’s around level 20, a fairly dangerous monster. It’s called a lizardman. I find it a bit strange that even females are called “man,” but I’ll ignore that.

It looks at me with round eyes and bows.

“This is Kazuhiko. Are you out for a walk with an elf today? Jealous, aren’t you?”

“Yeah, I think she’s here for the bento...”

He seems unaccustomed to talking, and some parts are hard to understand. However, many monsters don’t have a language, so it’s helpful for me.

“I’m exploring the ruins with her. Is this area safe?”

“Not really. A dragon in the back is in its egg-laying period, so it’s dangerous. We’re dragonkin, you see. We guard the dragons, but some of the younger ones say, ‘We’re lizards, not dragons.’ ...Sorry, but the back is dangerous during the egg-laying period. It’s best not to go near.”

He talks quite a bit, doesn’t he?

I wave to the lizardman for the information and leave the spot.

When I return to Marie, she’s slightly wide-eyed.

“...Are you serious? You’ve learned the language of monsters? There’s no literature on it. Where did you learn it?”

“Yeah, I learned it the hard way. I’ve been attacked countless times, and it took about three years to master. Like how I learned Elvish from you.”

“Ah, the hard way... I feel sorry for the monsters now.”

Even for an elf who lives for nearly infinite time, my way of life is hard to understand. She presses her index finger to her forehead, a gesture of exasperation.

Well, it would be fun to be able to talk to monsters and elves.

The language of monsters is diverse, classified from Group A to Group E. I wonder what kind of face she’d make if I told her I know up to Group C.

“But it’s convenient. Would you like to learn it, Marie?”

“...I’m a bit interested, which is troubling. How about we try tomorrow if I have time?”

“Sure, I’d be happy to. It’s the first time I’ve planned something with you, and I’m a bit excited.”

She gives me a suspicious look, as if I’m trying to flirt.

Well, in the real world, when you turn 25, cute girls are really rare, and just being with them is a joy. If I said that, I’d probably get a “pervert” look, so I keep it to myself.

“Still, it’s the dragon’s egg-laying period. I want to see it.”

“...There you go again. Are you planning to make some weird dish?”

“No, not at all. Reptile eggs can be jelly-like, shelled, or even soft. I’ve heard dragon eggs are greasy. Hehe, I guess you have to eat them to know.”

She gives me a “that’s not it” look...

Still, I’d like to see a dragon’s egg. I have no intention of eating it, but I’d like to see what a dragon’s egg looks like.

Marie, who looks clearly uninterested, is dragged along as we head deeper into the ruins.

---

We’ve reached the deepest part.

I pull the hood of my concealment cloak over my head, and next to me, Marie’s beautiful eyes await. Her pale purple eyes are mesmerizing, but now is dangerous, so we can’t make a sound.

From the rocky platform, a dark space awaits. From the depths, a deep, resonant breathing sound indicates that an ancient dragon is sleeping. However, I can only see the darkness.

(Stay still. I’ll cast dark vision on you, Kazuhiko.)

(Oh, thank you. You’re always reliable, Marie.)

Marie is indeed dependable.

In the dim light, her fingers glow faintly and press against my forehead. This amplifies the surrounding light, and the area glows, giving me a clear view.

Looking again, I can clearly see the large dragon.

It’s huge... I doubt I’ll ever see a legendary creature of this size. It might be over level 1000. At level 72, I stand no chance.

(That’s big. Do you know what kind of dragon it is?)

(The color is black, and the magic is dense... It might be a magic dragon. Look, the runes on its body are moving. It’s true that it generates magic with each breath.)

Marie, who was initially hesitant, now has her eyes sparkling with curiosity.

However, this is... troublesome. The cloak isn’t that big, so she’s hugging my arm tightly. Despite being slender, she’s a girl, and the sensation of her chest pressing against me...

(Are you listening, Kazuhiko? If it’s a magic dragon, it’s a big deal. It’s only seen once every thousand years during the egg-laying period. Even a single scale... no, a drop of saliva is worth a fortune. Oh, I’m getting excited.)

(That’s not very elf-like, Marie. You might be called materialistic.)

She turns her pale purple eyes to me, long lashes and fair skin making her look doll-like.

However, when she glares coldly, I can’t just admire her.

(It’s your fault. If it weren’t for Kazuhiko, I wouldn’t be interested in the human world. The town is full of stimulation, and there are so many things I want to buy.)

(What, my fault? I never said anything about taking you out...)

I’ve been to the elf village a few times and played with her, but I don’t remember inviting her out.

More importantly, the problem is that she’s hugging me tighter, and I can feel her chest. My mental age is that of an adult, but Marie should be a bit more reserved... No, well, I’m happy...

But that’s not the issue right now.

The magic dragon’s eyes are open, and a deep roar echoes through the cave.

(Do you think it noticed us? Look, its eyes are open...)

(Yes, it’s looking at us. But don’t worry. I’ve secured an escape route...)

Behind us is a small cave, too small for a child to pass through, let alone a dragon.

Crash!

But right before us, an iron grate drops, and we freeze.

It can’t be... a no-escape event!? So it is a legendary creature...

The music that follows signals the start of battle, a heavy, ominous tune indicating a super-strong enemy. For us, it means certain death, and we can only tremble in each other’s arms.

A massive claw lands on the platform, and glowing eyes appear. Determined to protect her, I hold her close as the dragon’s mouth opens like a volcano.

Ah, I’m going to die again today... I think as I’m enveloped in a fierce black breath. The dragon, satisfied that nothing remains, lets out a contented “pfff” and returns to its nest.

---

A yawn.

The room is dark, and the clock reads 3:00 AM.

Ah, I was able to go on an adventure with Marie, but I woke up too early. I scratch my head.

Still, I slept for a solid 8 hours, which is quite healthy.

The empty water bottle and bento box by my pillow are the most mysterious part of my life. To think I can digest food in a dream... Well, I can’t brag about it to anyone.

“Hmm, maybe I’ll go to the bathroom.”

I sit up in bed, and a white object catches my eye. I turn to the side and my sleepiness vanishes instantly.

“M-Marie...!?”

In my bed, another elf girl is sleeping soundly.

This is the most mysterious thing that has ever happened to me. The dream has become reality, and an elf has appeared in my room. This is... no, quite a strange event.