Through dragon assault and brute force, Lasse successfully accomplished the task.

Now shall we take our reward jewels and go?

Yeah, I guess so.

　Only Zeldo, who was the sole client of the company, wasn't convinced, but he couldn't say anything strong about it, since the goal of defeating the enemy and reclaiming his homeland at the hands of the lizardman was accomplished.
　It's not a good idea to complain, because the demon is already defeated and will not listen to a second attempt.

Our village is just ahead, on a rocky outcrop. Follow me.

　After regaining his composure, Zerdo will lead Lasse and the others ahead of him.

　◇

　The lizardmen's settlement was built on land in the middle of the swamp.
　The houses were made of wood that had been growing from the beginning as the main pillars, and thin wood and straw were added to them to form the house.
　As far as wood was concerned, it was used as a pillar for the four sides of the house, and the straw tied with a string and made into a sheet was wrapped around the pillar to make a wall, and the bundled straw was tied to the wood to make a roof.
　And it was used to fix the wall?　A stone and earthen frame protruded 30 centimeters above the ground to enclose the house, and a ditch 30 centimeters deep was dug on the outside of the frame, which led in all directions to the swamp.

It's an unusual architectural style.

For me, I like the way you use the tree as it is.

　The dryads, the plant demons, seemed to like the architectural philosophy of the lizardmen who did not cut down trees.

"But what is that ditch?

"What, nothing!

　Rise and the others were observing the Lizardmen's village with great interest when they heard Zeldo's shout as he entered the chief's house to bring the reward jewel.

'What's going on?'

I have a bad feeling about this.

Let's just go in. What's going on, Mr. Zeld?

　As Lasse and the others entered, the full extent of the lizardman's architecture, which was not visible from the outside, came into view.
　The lizardman's house seems to have been dug out to make space underneath, and the soil around the trees was descended by a staircase made of stone and earth.
　There are natural shelves embedded with stones and wood around the earthen walls.

It's interesting that the ground is made to look like the wall of the building. The outer frame is meant to prevent flooding. And the ditch was meant to channel water into the swamp?

　By looking inside, he learned the meaning of the outer structure of Lasse.
　As a wizard, he was also curious about the demons' unique knowledge and skills.

"But I have a client, my master.

"Oops, that was it.

What's going on, Mr. Zeld!

　As Lasse and the others descended to the bottom, I saw Geld rummaging frantically in the cupboard behind the pillar tree.

'Not here, not here!　I don't have any jewelry~!

Seriously?

　From Zeldo's words, Lasse, who had roughly figured out what had happened, let out a sigh.

''No, no!　This is no way to pay Mr. Lasse!　What the hell do I do!

　But Zeldo, in his haste, didn't seem to notice Lasse and the others.

"Mr. Zerdo, Mr. Zerdo,

"What!　I'm busy right now ...... and this is Mr. Rise!　What in the world do you want?　Well, the reward will be soon: ......

"No, you can't find the jewelry, can you?

"Ugh!

　Apparently, he now realizes that he was being asked everything.

This is going to happen!

　Zelda suddenly stands up and turns to face Lasse and the others.
　The dryad stepped in front of Lasse to defend him, which was so uncanny.
　Ivy can already be seen through the skirt-like petals, ready to restrain Zerdo at any moment.

(Don't tell me you're going to defeat my request?　Yes, that was a bit aggressive, but there are dragons out there!

　Zeld's body is moving.

　The dryad's ivy stretches out to restrain Zeld, but the action comes up empty.
　The dryad doesn't have Zeldo at the location the dryad envisioned for him, and it's lost him.

!

　!" A shivering dryad.
　In all his years of fighting with Lasse, the dryad had never missed the enemy's attack predictions.

I'm sorry!

　That voice comes from the dryad's feet.
　A moment later, the dryad holds Lasse protectively as he presses his ivy to the ground, sending their bodies diagonally backward. There's a tree directly behind you, a pillar.

......?

　And the dryads will be surprised again.
　There was no pursuit of Zerdo. It couldn't be. 　
　And now Zeldo was on his knees on the floor.

What?　What?

　The dryad is puzzled by the sudden action.

"I'm sorry, Mister Lasse!　We don't know why, but all the jewelry we owned was gone!　Hence, the reward is no longer payable!　I'm so sorry!

　The dryads must be wrong in predicting Zeldo's behavior.


　He didn't have to go into battle in the first place.

Well, uh, that's troubling.

　Inwardly, Lasse, impatient that Zerdo might overpay his commission, has mixed feelings about Zerdo's honest apology.

I'm so sorry!　Because the reward will be paid!　Please forgive me!

"Hmm. ......

　Lasse ponders at Zeldo's words.

(It's true that there is no reward, but the lizardman's gems were originally from around here. So I guess it will be more profitable in the end if I'm rewarded with what I'm going to get, rather than what I'm supposed to get now.

　Because of Zerdo's character, Lasse decided that he would be paid more than he should have been if he were paid later.

(Then it would be a better way to show a good impression by agreeing to pay for it later.

I understand. And as for your reward, if you mine for gems in the future, you will continue to pay us until we have paid you what you are owed.

"Oh!　Thank God!　We'll definitely pay you in full!

　Zeldo screams with joy at being able to accept the deferred payment and be let in.

Then until the payment is made, I will be your squire and will do the spear work for you, Mr. Rise!

"What?

　Suddenly, Zeldo says something strange.

"I've heard that humans have collateral in the world!　Therefore, I will temporarily withdraw from my role as chief and promise to work as a squire for Lord Reiss!

"Well, uh, that would be a problem for the Lizardmen, wouldn't it? It would be a problem for the chief to become a human squire.

"No!　Lord Lasse is our benefactor!　And the one to whom Master Dragon is loyal!　So it's a given that I will obey Lasse-sama!

(Yay, yay!　(If we don't, we'll have a hot mess coming into our house.

　Lasse isn't following anyone. He recruits them based on their abilities and personalities.
　There were demons like this Zerdo who was a salesman.

Let's talk about it when we get back to town. We'll have to discuss this with everyone over there.

Hmm, you're right. There will be no need for consultation, but the chief will have to take over, even if only temporarily, since he is stepping down.

　Lasse's words make sense to me.

"Then let us return, Mister Lasse!

"Yes, make it quick.

　The only sound was the dragon's dismay from outside the house.

　　.

Yes, Mr. Zeld.

　As it turned out, the Lizardmen took Zeldo at his word.
　They didn't raise a single objection.

"Well, is that okay, then?　This guy is the chief?

　Vivauder shakes his head in puzzlement at Lasse.

"Even with Lasse's help, Zerdo is the only one who defeated an opponent we couldn't beat even with a bunch of us. That proves that he has grown into a man worthy of his position as chief.

"...... Yeah, maybe.

　For some reason, Zeldo gives an iridescent reply while looking into the distance.
　The actual battle is mostly left to the dragons, and the results of the battle just pressed against the hand of the dragon.
He couldn't say he'd given it away.

"Then we will only trust Master Zerdo's decision!

That's right!

Hail, Mr. Zeld!

Hey, guys, don't get too excited.

　Guilt makes Zerdo taste his friends.

Oh, how humble!

Certainly, many of our people have sacrificed their lives. It's hard not to rejoice for them, isn't it?

But to be so thoughtful, Master Zerdo deserves a new chief!

""Hurray, Master Zeld!

"Ohhhhh ......

　Zeldo's green scales turned red with shame and guilt.
　Later in the Jujiki swamp, this day would be passed down as a warrior's day in honor of Zeldo, and each time it would bring him to his knees in agony.
　But because of this, he learned moderation and humility, and became more like a chief, which led to a negative spiral of praise from his friends.

　◇

　A few days later .

"Lise!　I heard the devil was out and came over in a hurry!

　And the one who burst into the office in a loud voice was Kara, the girl who once hired Lasse to work for her.

'Now that I'm here, you can relax!　I will seal the demon with this charm given to me by the priest!

　And confidently pull out a stained bill from his pocket.

"Oh, the devil is defeated now.

　Lasse answers without hesitation while carrying the luggage.

"Huh?

You don't have to worry about the devil anymore, you can go home.



"...... Yeah, ～～～～～～?　What does that mean?

　Carla gets upset when she hears that you've come all this way and there's nothing to do.

(That's a hassle. ...... Oh, yeah.)

You'll have to ask the demon's slayer for details. A lizardman named Zeldo, who fishes the River Weillus, defeated the demon.

"Gotcha!　You are Mr. Zeld!

　As soon as she hears it, Kara runs out of the store.

"Whew, it's so quiet now.

　And then Lasse suddenly asked a question.

"The devil reminds me, what did I end up losing my reward jewels for?