The Coward

"What?"

I couldn't help but exclaim in ignorance and surprise.

This is the first I've heard of it, for Audar to by the looks of it.

He had only just gotten back from vacation.

"The Wild Fang is the only readily available high-ranking adventurer party at the moment."

Gramps reemphasized calmly and in response, Audar furrowed his brows and became pensive.

"How absurd is that? It makes no sense!"

I questioned, demanding an answer before continuing my interrogation.

"This is the capital of the Linbert Empire, not some no-name, backwater country. Even if we don't take into account any significantly formidable forces like the Imperial Knight Orders, there should always be stationary powers to ensure the safety of the people."

Nodding, Gramps intervened and continued from then.

"Yes, but due to the extensive size of countries like the Linbert Empire, the Knights aren't able to cover every inch of land where the people reside, particularly villages and small towns on the outskirts."

Pausing for a moment, Gramps got up and headed towards a shelf on which he procured a map. Setting aside the cups of tea, he spread out the large map and started his explanation once again.

"Since the Knights also spend a considerable amount of time training, it would only add to their burdens if they had to cover more ground. That's where adventurers come in. Commissions are accepted in large amounts daily and their location of activity is spread throughout the Empire. Ultimately, adventurers can protect areas which the Knights can't reach by offering their services in fending off monsters or just gathering herbs."

Gramps explained extensively while pointing to small populated areas in the outskirts whose geographical location would hinder their development to some extent. The residents there would find it difficult to protect themselves without a third party assisting in some way.

Seeing as how he went out of his way to explain in such depth, Gramps must be taking the opportunity to teach me.

I would've been glad if he wasn't so keen on telling me so many useless things. While he does take it upon himself to teach some helpful stuff occasionally, their numbers are far inferior to the amount of times he does otherwise.

This just so happens to be one of the rare moments he taps into his extensive experience and knowledge. If nothing else, Gramps knows a lot, way more than me but only shares some of it.

Those tad bits of knowledge he does teach and are helpful do prove their worth... once every few months or so.

Thinking about it made me slightly irritated and not wanting to stay seated listening to his stories for several hours, I was planning to cut him off from getting any more sidetracked until Audar beat me to it.

"So, what happened to the other parties?"

He asked, seemingly having listened attentively for the most part before losing a bit of patience.

Gramps continued with his story for a bit before finally getting into the crux of the issue.

"Adventurers are, in this way. another form of enforcing public order and security. Of course, lacking in both discipline and systematic training, they are still lacking compared to the Imperial Knights as a whole. However, recently there have been increased sightings of magical beasts, not to mention a few troublemakers who have taken it upon themselves to stir up some troubles further."

"Who are they?"

I asked curiously, intent on subduing them should I encounter any.

Instead of answering immediately, Gramps shared a mysterious glance with Audar for a moment and the two reciprocated those glances as if they were talking with their eyes. It was only for a moment but it caught my attention.

"Those troublemakers have been attacking indiscriminately and have proved to be quite the headache. Despite that, the higher-ups have kept their identities secretive for unknown reasons."

"How suspicious," I added

"It seems they've caused a lot of damage indirectly to them and have some sort of relation with the nobility. Those pretentious and contemptuous folk wouldn't respond properly to my inquiries so I'm unsure of the details."

Gramps answered and appeared to have mixed in some lies and truths.

I'm more than aware of his abilities and the power he holds. If he wanted to, there was no way the nobles could hide much from him, and even if they could, it wouldn't be for long. I'm planning to find out who they were, these unidentified assailants, after resolving the main issue at hand.

"The higher-ups secretly commissioned several A and S rank adventurers available not too long ago to resolve the conflict. On the surface, these guys are taking breaks to visit family, friends, or other personal affairs. Normally, they aren't the type to involve themselves with these kinds of requests but I heard the compensation was simply too attractive to give up."

Gramps explained as I thought about it. While uncommon, it isn't rare for multiple high-ranked adventurers to be away concurrently, leaving the branch office depleted of its most formidable force. Dangers are abundant in this world, and the number of helpless people against them is even more so.

That's why being an adventurer, a more systematic form of mercenary, can be so lucrative for those who are high-ranked. The amount of dangers is usually equally as high as the rewards.

While there are countless low-ranked adventurers, there are even more commissions corresponding to them. The same applies to the strong who are few in numbers but have much to potentially accomplish.

Even if they weren't away to address the unknown assailants, they would be for the stockpile of unresolved threatening commissions.

When I thought about it this way, I found some comfort in knowing that these situations aren't entirely unreasonable. It doesn't help, though, that such a dangerous commission is left with us just because there is no one else at the moment.

Audar no longer pressed on this topic, bringing our attention back to the dragon.

"I'm left with no choice if that's the case. The reward is rather attractive too, as is the potential fame but for my party to attack the Elder Crimson Dragon, Cerise..."

Audar still seemed reluctant, of which I am of the same mind. At this rate, we'll be left off without having to risk our lives! Woohoo!

Gramps isn't the type of person to force such dangers onto others and besides, the Imperial Knight Order is more than capable of forcing the named dragon to leave should we refuse.

There were definitely powerful individuals capable of acting and dealing with the dragon with confidence in the capital at the moment. Naturally, against such a foe, it wouldn't be without its fair share of peril. Who would want to take such a risk when the Empire has already had a hand in the matter to settle things? But if even that falls through, someone will step up.

Noticing his reluctance, Gramps finally brought out his trump card as a final attempt at persuasion.

"Even though Cerise is the oldest of the Elder Dragons, her combat prowess is not as prominent as the others. What makes her stand out the most is her intelligence and substantial knowledge. While this might be more disadvantageous in some ways, it can be easier to fend off someone smarter who knows when to retreat."

"Retreat? That doesn't go hand in hand with the prideful dragons who would much rather die than do so."

I couldn't help but remark in doubt.

Thankfully, Gramps answered those doubts immediately.

"While that may be the case for most dragons, it doesn't apply to the oldest, Cerise. Although it isn't widely known, there's a tale that tells why."

Intent on learning more, I listened attentively, a tale of dragons I more than welcome.

"The specifics are unknown but to sum up the story, Cerise had once made a mistake and in response, the gods gave her a punishment. It also happened to be the first time Cerise ever felt pain and, it was so excruciating that she became a coward thus forth."

I gawked momentarily after listening, the absurd nature of the short story Gramps was telling further solidified my doubts to some extent.

"Don't look at me like that. When it was revealed that Cerise was the mysterious dragon that suddenly appeared, I applied for the classified grade documents from headquarters and they agreed due to the urgent nature of this event. It has been verified in those documented records that encounters with Cerise ended with her fleeing the moment she received a wound of a certain degree."

Seeing as how Gramps went so far as to mention classified documents from the Headquarters of the Adventurers guild, I felt inclined to believe him but one can't help but agree with my suspicions.

A cowardly dragon? Not to mention a named one? The oldest of the Elder Dragons, which is said to boast strength and wisdom incomparable to a regular dragon, is scared of a single wound.

Noticing my doubts, Gramps continued his stories.

Utterly risible.

"In the most recent documented battle with Cerise several decades ago, she was engaged in conflict with a Grandmaster, and the fight was said to have continued for less than 10 minutes before she fled. Moments prior, Cerise took on the full brunt attack of the Grandmaster who was said to be unaware of the cowardly nature of his opponent. Thus, the attack centered around a dragon's weakness was said to be especially fatal. Recovery unlikely even now, rendering her abilities impaired."

Noticing the unusual seriousness in Gramps' tone and eyes, I could tell he was speaking honestly, at least if only at this moment.

Recounting what he just said, I felt strangely reinvigorated, my morale boosted learning of a chance to acquire a once-in-a-lifetime fame and riches beyond imagination.

If we were to be able to successfully force an Elder Dragon to retreat, wouldn't that mean collectively, we were on par with a Grandmaster for instance?

Of course, it's rather far-fetched but the main point is that recognition of my abilities is soon to be plastered all over the news should I contribute significantly!

I felt like my previous assurance of overwhelming defeat had all been wiped away.

We have a chance!

If what Gramps says is true, which is likely to be so since he doesn't joke around during serious cases, then we truly have a chance unlike no other!

The dragon was still quite far off from the capital, but the distance was not unbearable for the sake of my cherished dreams!

As I was fantasizing about the glory that awaited me, I noticed out of the corner of my eye that Audar, although significantly less worried, was still reluctant.

Being as experienced as he is, Audar is usually quite cautious, even in day-to-day life, which is simply comical.

He probably believes that while Cerise may be severely injured, her strength is still a force to reckon with.

But Gramps wouldn't suggest this commission if our party was incapable of inflicting even a single wound. Naturally, with my talents in addition to the abilities of my seniors, we'll be able to force the dragon into fleeing!

Ecstatic, I jumped out of my seat, nearly knocking down the tea cups, and shouted enthusiastically.

"Let's go!!!"