Chapter 129: The Dragon’s Lair Part 4

-Slice!

-Thud!

-Slice!

-Thump!

With each swing of Lloyd's sword, the black veins were effortlessly severed. Overwhelmed by his strength, the mass of black slime retreated further and further. After a powerful swing, Lloyd took a brief moment to throw a small bottle at me.

It was the potion I had made for him earlier. Wait, he hadn't taken it until now? He's scarier than the monster…

-Gulp, gulp.

I was saved thanks to him. I quickly drank the potion. As its effects started to take hold, my blurred vision cleared. Meanwhile, Lloyd fiercely drove the creature back. The severed black veins twitched on the ground before bursting and spewing mud-like liquid.

I drew my bow and notched an arrow. The light yet sturdy silverwood arrow fit perfectly against my fingers. I pulled back with all my strength and aimed at the black mass. As if on cue, Lloyd sliced off one of its legs.

-Squish!!!

Just like the black veins, mud-like liquid spewed out. Should we consider that a type of undead? While it staggered, I aimed an arrow at Rubaf's face which emerged from the black slime.

-Whoosh!!!

-Splat!

Just before the arrow struck, Rubaf's face vanished into the black slime. The arrow pierced through the slime and embedded itself into the wall. Damn it. I clicked my tongue and notched another arrow.

-Whoosh!!!

Again, I aimed for Rubaf's face, but he disappeared into the slime just in time. This time, however, the arrow lodged itself in the slime instead of passing through. That was enough. I used the [Blessing of the Forest]. The white dischidia embedded in the arrowhead began to grow rapidly. The purifying vines spread out like a net and trapped the black slime. Rubaf's face wouldn't appear where the dischidia spread.

-Slash!

Lloyd severed one of its arms as well. With the area now smaller, I was certain to hit my target next time. I fritted my teeth and notched another arrow. Magical power gathered in the taut string.

-Whoosh!!!

-Thud!

It hit the mark.

As the arrow struck the center of Rubaf's forehead, he began to vomit a rotten, mud-like substance. Gurgle, splat, gurgle, splat, the disgusting substance poured out endlessly. I shot another arrow at the mass. As the White dischidia sprouted, the writhing black mud started to dry up.

– Ah… no, no… No, it can't be…

Rubaf was screaming along with the black slime. I slowly moved forward and then stood in front of his face which had slumped to the ground. He glared at me with bloodshot eyes.

-Gurrr… Gek… Gehhek…

"…The crows used you to obtain the fragment."

-Sh, gurrr… shu, up…

Rubaf must have already known.

However, he couldn't give up.

The chance to reclaim Sherpa's glory and his wife.

How tragic.

The crows were a cunning bunch.

Just as Grizel had touched the fragment to save his village, Rubaf too had touched it for his people and his wife.

The crows exploited desperate people.

Desperate people would literally do "anything".

They're vile.

I lowered my bow and spoke to Rubaf.

"Now, return the fragment. Then you can have a peaceful end."

-Gurgle …

"Become a bird and go to meet your wife."

Rubaf shed silent black tears. They streamed down without mixing with the black slime. And then.

– It's… too late…

-Phuaaaah!!!

Rubaf's face completely disappeared, and the black slime began to bubble as if it were about to explode. I let out a deep sigh and threw down my bow. Beepy who had been waiting in my arms fluttered onto my hand. Soon, a brilliant five-colored light spread out.

"…So, that's your choice."

-Bubbling!!!

"It can't be helped then."

I gripped the sturdy five-colored bow and pulled back the transparent string deeply. As the black slime boiled and took on a massive form, the light in my hand gradually gathered into the shape of a sharp arrow.

-Piyooooo!!!

With a sound like a wail tearing through the wind, the arrow shot out while spewing out a halo of light. Swoosh!!! As soon as the arrow touched the black slime, it swirled and scattered in all directions. The arrow burned those unholy things,

-Flaash!!!

And split the arrow lodged in the center of Rubaf's forehead in half before passing entirely through his skull.

-Splat!

-Splat!

-Splat!

With the complete annihilation of Rubaf, the black slime that had been entangled quickly spilled onto the floor. It was terrifying to see it wriggling along the ground as if it were searching for its next host. I immediately used [Blessing of the Forest]. The purifying white dischidia spread out and burned them away.

-Pi…iiiii…

I thought I heard the sorrowful chirping of a bird from somewhere. Could it be the soul of Rubaf's wife, who had become a bird, the one he so longed to see?

"… May you rest in peace now."

I closed Rubaf's eyes and picked up the fragment of Earte that had fallen beside him. The brightly shining fragment of Earte fit perfectly into the groove of the bow once again.

With this, I've safely obtained the second fragment.

The bow disappeared with a sparkle, and in my hands lay Beepy who seemed to be sleeping soundly from exhaustion. A white feather which was the same color as this fragment of Earte had grown on Beepy's tail.

"You did well this time too, Beepy."

I tucked the sleeping bird back into my arms and stood up. Lloyd who had been standing by my side supported my battered body.

"Thank you."

"I'll try not to be late next time…"

"Haha, you appeared at just the right moment."

And quite spectacularly too. I patted Lloyd's shoulder reassuringly and began to walk.

[…Child of Lynshaka.]

Just as I was about to exit, a thunderous voice came from the darkness.

Tondra.

Fortunately, this time Tondra seemed to be controlling the power of its Dragon Tongue, and I didn't feel the gut-wrenching pain. All I felt was a profound sense of awe towards this great being.

I raised my hand to show Lloyd I was okay, then turned back, got on one knee, and paid my respects to Tondra.

"…Lord of the Silver Mountains."

[The sedative you made tasted absolutely dreadful.]

"Medicine is supposed to taste bitter."

[I think I've heard that from someone before…]

"Is that so?"

[You seem to resemble her.]

Was it talking about the old woman? It wouldn't be surprising if that old woman had met a dragon. I gave a slight nod and looked up at Tondra. The dragon's glacial blue eyes were gazing deeply at me.

[There seems to be no point in asking what you really are.]

"I am a druid named Theodore."

[That's not what I'm asking. What I want to know is the history of your 'soul'…]

"..."

[But I won't ask. A soul with many secrets is a beautiful thing.]

"Thank you."

[The thanks should be from my side. We usually don't feel the need to express gratitude, but what you have done deserves a proper expression of thanks.]

-Buzzzzzz…!

A light flash enveloped my body. It was Tondra's magic. As the sparkling light swept over my entire body, I felt refreshed as if I had been washed clean. No fatigue, no pain. Dragon magic is truly amazing.

[If it weren't for you, I don't want to imagine what would have happened to the Silver Mountains. Thank you, 'Agent'.]

Agent?

That's the first time I've heard that.

Is Tondra mistaken about something?

Or…

Do the dragons know a truth that I don't?

I calmly met Tondra's gaze.

"…Now that the Guardian has awakened from his deep sleep, I believe the Silver Mountains will regain their peace."

[Since the worries about the great fragment have lessened, it should be so.]

"We also need to drive out the rats hiding in the mountains."

[Driving them out is not enough.]

Tondra's eyes flashed at that moment. It seemed Tondra also harbored deep anger toward the crows who had turned things into such a mess. This was good for me. Adding a dragon's power to the fight against the crows could not be better.

"May I tell you about what happened while you were asleep? Also, I have some questions I would like to ask."

[Oh, of course. I too am eager to hear…

-Rumble!

At that moment, a thunderous sound shook the entire space. Could it be another attack?! I looked around in confusion.

"What is this… Are there still crows left? Lloyd, what about outside?"

"That can't be. I took care of all of them…"

[Ahem, ahem…]

While Lloyd and I were talking, we heard a cough from above. Tondra was smiling with its blue eyes half-open and her fearsome teeth lined up like icicles. Could that be an embarrassed smile? It looked incredibly fierce!

[I have been starving for too long…]

So, that loud noise just now was Tondra's stomach growling.

A dragon is definitely different. Its stomach growl was actually louder than thunder itself …

It was only natural that Tondra felt hungry since she had been sealed with the fragments of Earte and had slept for much longer than expected.

Of course, I knew that would happen and had something prepared.

Finally, the time had come to cook for a dragon. I knew this would happen. I thought of the goats and various ingredients I had prepared outside and smiled at Tondra.

"Don't worry."

[…]

"I have everything ready."

[Ready?]

"I figured you would want to eat once you woke up. After all, you have been asleep for a very long time."

[Oh?]

"Just trust me and follow along. I'll prepare a splendid meal for you."

Tondra's eyes sparkled with a mix of doubt and anticipation. I started walking ahead with a confident smile on my face.

Kukuku, I'll give you an extraordinary meal…!