Dragon (3)

Tuk. Tuk.

Ariel, who had walked back to where her companions were, deactivated the shield.

Ghost immediately welcomed her with a wagging tail, but Mitchel and Jenny were just awkwardly hesitating with uncomfortable expressions.

Mitchel and Jenny didn't know how to react properly.

The existence of a dragon and the tremendously powerful magic.

Ariel, who was completely unaffected by that magic...

There were more than just one or two surprising things.

Of course, Ariel didn't care about whatever reaction Mitchel and Jenny showed. She simply gently stroked Ghost.

"Ariel..."

It was Jenny who spoke first.

"You're not hurt, are you?"

Ariel slightly nodded her head at Jenny's question. Then Jenny forced a smile.

"That's a relief. Ariel, you're incredibly strong."

Jenny was feeling embarrassed inwardly.

She felt ashamed for having boasted in the morning about protecting Ariel after just dealing with a troll.

Ariel had subdued a dragon with just a flick of her finger.

Could there really be an existence like that in the Empire?

Even the Empire's greatest swordsman, William the Sword Saint, and the great mage Lygard together would not be able to withstand the dragon.

If the high-level spells the dragon had cast earlier fell on the Imperial capital, the Empire would undoubtedly suffer an irreparable blow.

Jenny found it hard to imagine just how strong Ariel was, to be completely unfazed after taking those spells head-on.

"Umm..."

Jenny quietly looked around.

The temple built by dwarves, which seemed like it would remain intact for hundreds of years, was now completely destroyed.

In fact, it could no longer be called a temple. It was just a pile of rubble.

The only intact area was where Ariel had deployed her shield, while the surrounding land was all uneven and blasted, scorched by fire, resembling a gruesome battlefield.

"H-Hey..."

Carefully stepping only on the undamaged parts of the ground, Rakia came hopping over to Ariel's side.

"M-May I know your name?"

Rakia's face as she looked at Ariel seemed like she was gazing at an object of admiration.

In fact, Rakia was admiring Ariel.

Not only had Ariel, an elf, overwhelmed herself, a dragon, but in the end, she had even shown mercy by sparing her life.

'There's a lot for me to learn from this person...'

While fighting Ariel, Rakia had painfully realized her own abilities.

Her mother's words that there would be no existence in this world capable of dealing with a dragon had been wrong.

There were strong beings like Ariel as well.

'I wasn't prepared enough.'

This time, Ariel had shown mercy, but the next opponent might not.

If the next opponent had a cruel nature like the demon race, they would be highly unlikely to spare Rakia's life.

'I need more training.'

Rakia wanted to live as long as possible. To do so, she needed to become strong enough to fend off any enemies coming for her lair.

"Ariel."

When Ariel stated her name, Rakia nodded her head in an exaggerated motion.

"So it's Ariel...! I-I'm Rakia. Um, do you remember what I said earlier? About becoming your subordinate..."

Rakia blushed and fidgeted with her fingers.

Even so, the idea of a dragon becoming a subordinate of an elf felt somehow embarrassing and awkward.

However, Rakia wanted to become Ariel's subordinate no matter what.

By following Ariel, she could learn and eventually become strong enough to claim a lair on her own.

"..."

Ariel silently gazed at Rakia.

Ariel didn't particularly need a subordinate. She didn't even remember Rakia saying anything about becoming one.

"Please!"

Seeing Ariel's lack of response, the anxious Rakia prostrated herself on the ground.

"Please take me as your subordinate, Miss Ariel! I'm still an inadequate dragon, but I'll do my utmost to serve you and be of help in any way I can!"

At that, Ariel's eyes widened.

'Dragon...?'

Rakia's outward appearance was undoubtedly that of a human child.

Ariel had thought her to be an extraordinary being after seeing her use such powerful magic earlier, but she never imagined she was a dragon.

Ariel had been completely unaware.

'A dragon...!'

A faint smile appeared on Ariel's lips.

It's impossible to imagine what Rakia looks like now, but if she is really a dragon, her true form will definitely be a large dragon with wings.

That means...

'I can ride her.'

Ariel knelt down and took Rakia's hands.

"Alright."

At Ariel's response, Rakia looked up at her with teary eyes.

"Thank you... Miss Ariel... Hic, hic...!"

In the end, Rakia burst into tears.

*

Mitchel and Jenny decided it was time to part ways.

The abandoned temple was completely destroyed by the blast, and Mitchel's mission to investigate it was over.

Now Ariel would head towards the dwarven mountains in the west, while Mitchel and Jenny had to return the way they came.

Since their paths diverged, there was no need to travel together anymore.

"Well then, take care. Ariel, let's meet again someday."

"Ariel, I hope our connections allow us to cross paths again."

Ariel quietly waved at Mitchel and Jenny, who spoke with regretful expressions.

Would they really meet again?

It's possible. If they continue adventuring, they may cross paths again someday.

And even if not, the time spent together will remain a small memory.

"Farewell."

Ariel muttered softly, then turned around.

Ghost and Rakia followed the departing Ariel, while Mitchel and Jenny smiled faintly as they saw her off.

Once Ariel's figure completely disappeared, Mitchel spoke up.

"Quite a lot happened in a short time..."

"Yeah... I haven't seen a dragon since I was a kid and saw one flying in the sky from afar."

"Same for me. Although it had the appearance of a human child, its magical power was second to none. The stories of dragons reducing entire kingdoms to ashes in a single day were no exaggeration."

"I thought the world was ending. If not for the shield Ariel deployed, not even our corpses would have remained."

"The dragon was one thing, but... just what is Ariel?"

"..."

Mitchel and Jenny fell silent, lost in thought.

"Let's just say... she's an extremely powerful elf."

"Yeah..."

An elf powerful enough to overwhelm even a dragon. No other description comes to mind.

"Anyway, I'll never forget Ariel. Her chubby cheeks, her shy behavior, it was all so adorable. Heh, I want to see her again."

Jenny started walking, and Mitchel quietly followed with a smile.

"We'll definitely meet her again someday."

The direction the two were heading was the opposite of where Ariel had gone.

*

"...I see. So Miss Ariel is on an adventure. Thank you for allowing me to join Miss Ariel's adventure. I'll do my best."

"Your best..."

Ariel quietly repeated Rakia's words.

Did she really need to 'do her best' for an adventure? Shouldn't she just enjoy it?

"Then Ghost, let's get along from now on. I may be a dragon and you're just a wolf, but I won't look down on you. We're comrades now, so we should rely on each other. Say, can I pet you once? Thanks. Ah, wow, you're so soft. You're amazing."

Watching Rakia happily pet Ghost, Ariel felt like she had forgotten something.

Was this the whole group originally?

'Ah.'

At that moment, Ariel abruptly stopped in her tracks.

Ever since a while ago, she felt something was missing, and it was because Lu was not here.

"What's wrong, Miss Ariel?"

"...Lu is not here."

"Lu? Who is Lu... Oh, now that you mention it, there was a fairy in our group, was there?"

Ariel quickly turned her head and looked back the way they had come.

Then, she saw a shimmering life form quickly flying toward them from afar.

"Sister!!"

It was Lu.

"How could you leave me behind!!"

Lu flew at the speed of light and clung tightly to Ariel's face.

"That's too much, really!"

Ariel turned her body again and started walking.

She had almost forgotten, but since Lu found his way back, they could just continue on their journey.

Lu opened his mouth.

"Did Jenny and Mitchel leave? No, more importantly, that human girl we encountered at the temple earlier! She was definitely not human. She was clearly a dragon. Damn, a dragon! I was so worried when I woke up and saw the surroundings in ruins. I thought something might have happened to you, sister. But seeing you safe like this, that dragon must have..."

Suddenly, Lu stopped speaking and looked at Rakia.

Lu's face gradually turned pale, and Rakia smiled faintly at him.

"Hello. From today, I've decided to serve Miss Ariel. I've become Miss Ariel's subordinate."

"Wh...what is this..."

Lu made a disbelieving expression.

No matter how strong Ariel was said to be, her opponent was a dragon.

He had never heard of a dragon becoming a subordinate of an elf.

"You, your name is Lu, right? I'm Rakia. Let's get along from now on."

Seeing the lively Rakia extending her hand, Lu didn't know how to react.

But he couldn't ignore a dragon offering her hand.

In the end, Lu reluctantly approached and shook Rakia's hand.

"W-Well then, I'm in your care, Dragon..."

"Just call me Rakia. We're comrades now, aren't we?"

"Ra...Rakia..."

Originally, dragons were an extremely arrogant race.

The strongest life form on land and an absolute existence.

A terrifying being that would reduce any other race that invaded their lair to ashes.

For such a being to act so friendly, Lu could only quietly ponder.

Was this because Ariel was amazing, or was this dragon strange?

"..."

No matter how much he thought about it, he couldn't find a clear answer.