The formalities and minor preparations for the country were all completed by Snow.
　Or, to be more precise, the Walkers seemed to have shared in the work. In the blink of an eye, the conversation was settled, and in the morning we were to leave Lauravia and head for the western villages.

　Looking back, this is the first time I've ever left the Confederacy.
　I look out the window of the carriage for a casual glance at the scenery outside.

　I could see the white mountains in the distance against a background of young green plains. I had heard that the area outside the Confederacy was a frontier, but there was really nothing there. There were simple roads, but most of the landscape was uninhabited.

　As I rocked in the carriage, I whispered to the reaper who was taking in the scenery with me.
　The Reaper and I were forced to share a carriage with him. Snow was a little suspicious, but it was necessary.

''--Reaper. What was that about earlier ......?
What do you mean, earlier?
You looked like you were in a lot of pain. ......
Well, you know. It's just that... ......

　The Reaper is pursued, and he narrows his voice down.
　He doesn't want to be heard by the Walker family's chamberlain, who is playing the role of a groom.

'What do you call it ....... The 'murderous urge' to Rowen is that ......
You know, 'Murderous Impulse' ......?

　Hearing those boisterous words, I keep my voice down too.

'Yeah. That's what happens when you suppress the 'murderous urge': ......
Is it hard to keep it down: ......?
'My body is in so much pain I feel like it's going to twist and turn. Maybe it's because I'm denying the meaning of my existence: ......
............

　The Reaper is magic.
　It is highly likely that it was also created only to kill the existence of Lowen Alais. To resist the magic of the body is to deny the entire existence of the "shadow-loving reaper" (Grim Lim Reaper).

　The pain is unknown to my non-magical self.
　But the pain of denying oneself could not be considered light.

'It's okay, I won't lose. ......

　The Reaper laughed and acted stoutly.

'Reaper?'
I will not let 'Kill Rowen' (・・・・・) get the better of me. I will not let anyone dictate my fate. I will continue to resist the false feelings. Because I am me!

　Then he swore in a small voice, but with strong words.
　The figure did not look like a child less than a year old. He was in direct defiance of the meaning of his own existence and trying to choose his own path. I respected his or her strength of will.



　The words spilled out naturally.
　Somehow, the Reaper's oath resonated deep inside me.

'...... Hmmm, no, it's not great. It's just a passing remark.
"Sell?　Who?
I think I'm a big brother.
What ......?

　The unexpected name confuses me.
　Call me a receiver, but I don't remember preaching that to the Reapers.

'It's not a clear statement, but it just flows in. "I don't remember the words, but they just flowed in, screaming, 'Don't mess with your destiny,' 'Don't allow lies,' 'Don't make a mistake in your wishes. Those voices are more desperate, more sorrowful, more serious than anyone else's - that's why I believe in those voices.
Flowing into ......?

　I quickly put my hand to the pattern on my neck.
　If there's something flowing, it's from the 'curse' connection. If it's not just magic, but emotions are also flowing in, then I understand the meaning of the Reaper's words now.

　But apart from the question of when I had those emotions, .......

So what I'm saying is also what my brother said: ......
My words: "My words: ......

　With that, the Reaper turned his eyes back to the scene outside.
　The enlightened Reaper from earlier was gone, and it returned to its age-appropriate expression.

　I thought I could believe what she was saying, if only for a moment.
　I can't believe that the words I just said were only for the Reaper. It feels a lot more comfortable to think that the words now are those of the past me.

　The past me might be furious.

　I'm going to reevaluate my feelings.
　To tell the truth, I don't have the same strong convictions as the Reaper. It's true that I don't like lies and disorder. But I don't have the will to go that far.

　Then how did I achieve that level of will and for what reason did I say those words?

　Don't mess with your destiny. Don't allow a lie.
　And 'Don't make a mistake in your wishes'.

　I kept thinking about it until we arrived at the western village.
　I couldn't stop thinking about it.

　In the meantime, time was passing and the carriage kept going through the plains.


◆◆◆◆◆ ...


　It takes about half a day to reach the village to the west.
　It's a much more solid village than I imagined. It feels like a frontier village, but it's about the same size as the city of Lauravian.

　While greeting the people living in the village, we head to the mansion in the center.
　We meet our client, the village chief.

　The Walker family's attendants are playing an active role here as well. They handled everything from negotiations to contracts, so much so that I didn't feel like I was working on a request (quest) in a distant land.
　In the meantime, although I was witnessing as the party leader, there wasn't a single deficiency that I could interrupt, so I was really just standing there.

　It was immediately decided to leave for the defeat and leave the village chief's mansion.

　Near the mansion, Rowen was playing with the children again. He must have been bored while the villagers were negotiating. He showed them his sword skills and received an exclamation of "oh". Rowen was in a good mood and was repeating one technique after another.

　Leaving Rowen like that, I spread the map I was given on the ground.
　I pull the Reaper who was playing nearby and decide to check the location together.

''-- Magic 《Dimension Multiple Expansion (Multiple)!
I'm a magic dimension.

　Anyone who deals in dimensional magic doesn't need a scout.
　And it's no wonder it's so hard to get lost.

　I let my magic power penetrate the entire village, the entire nearby mountain, and even the abandoned castle I'm aiming for, and acquire information about its terrain. Working in parallel, I rewrite the old parts of the ground map with my right hand. I'll learn it once I see it, but I'll make it an accurate map for Snow and Rowen, just in case.

　The Reaper next to me groans, "Mmmmmm," as she imitates me. However, it seems that her magic doesn't allow her to search as far as I do. I guess it's as far as the foot of the mountain.

　Smiling and watching over it, I further expand the Dimension Multiple Expansion (Multiple).
　Grasping the structure, I look for the dragon that has taken up residence in the castle. The castle is bigger than I expected. It's as big as the castle in Lauravia.

　It was a castle with a huge withered garden that was distinctive.
　This garden is three times as large as the castle in Lauravian, which I had visited before. The owner of this castle may have liked greenery.

　With that in mind, I flew my magic even deeper into the depths.
　Soon the dragon was found. It had fallen asleep on its throne in an imposing manner.

　He sat down on his human throne and curled up on the top seat. There was a large amount of crops lying around the perimeter that must have been looted from the village. Nothing else is there.

　It's not a pretty sight. In fairy tales, brightly colored dragons would often be guarding the gold and silver treasures, but this one has no shiny objects at all.

　Ochre scales and a dirty body. With an abandoned castle that is about to crumble now, there are no treasures at all. The surrounding root vegetables add to its simplicity.


[Monster] Dravdragon: rank 26.


　Apparently, we can 'watch' for monsters outside the labyrinth.
　I'm relieved by the information that it has a rank of 26. If you look at it numerically, it's not my enemy, which is diving to the 30th layer of the labyrinth.

'Smoldering Dragon (Dravdragon) ......, discovered ......'

　At the same time, Dravdragon opened his eyes. It might have sensed the magical power of dimensional magic.

　However, the Dravdragon immediately closed its eyes.
　He seemed to be used to it. Perhaps it was common for him to be able to cast this kind of search magic.

''Eh, eh, big brother ....... Where, where?''

　The Reaper hears of my discovery and scurries around to ask me about it.
　I had no choice but to use my magic to help the Reaper with his Dimension. This is a trick that ordinary wizards would not be able to do with each other, but with the Reaper and I, it was possible.
　The Reaper and I are connected by a curse, and the attributes and qualities of our magic power are similar. We can at least share the 《Dimension》.

''Reaper, not that way. Spread it out to the north-northwest, ...... so and so.
Oh, this way. Oh, what a great castle!　We even found a big lizard!

　I invite the Reaper's Dimension and manage to get her to confirm the dragon as well.
　Seeing that the Reaper and I have confirmed it, Snow enthusiastically announces her departure.

'Hmm, okay. So that way. Well, let's go then. --Lowen Ares!

　Rowen stopped interacting with the children when Snow called her to stop interacting with them.
　Then, with a satisfied look on her face, she said goodbye and was sent off with a "Good luck, Shishou". Apparently, Rowen has the kids here call him 'Master' as well.　

　Thus, we walked into the mountains.
　Normally, dragon slaying would require extensive preparations, but we are also lightly armed. All of the tools needed for the expedition are in our 'belongings', so we each only have one weapon with us.
　Since we don't have any luggage, we can proceed quickly and easily.

　While walking down the mountain path, I talk to Snow to review the information on the targets to be defeated.

''At this pace, it's really going to take us a day to finish ....... Defeating Dravdragon: ......
Well, that's what I'm going for.
'But it's a wonder that a dragon this close to us hasn't been defeated until today.
''It's no wonder. It's rather natural that the Dull Dragon has not been defeated until today.
Of course you're going to ......?

　Snow doesn't stop walking and continues to speak.

''It's a dragon that's not worth it. The bounty is low anyway, despite being strong. That's why I've always had a surplus.''
Oh, really?
'Unlike other typical greedy dragons, they are not greedy anyway. It doesn't do any evil deeds other than taking the minimum amount of crops needed. The amount of that crop is also really minimal. Because of that, even if you defeat it, you'll only get a sparrow's eye reward. And yet the strength of the dragon itself doesn't change, so no one wants to defeat it.

　Apparently, there is a good reason why it remains.
　The country wants to get rid of it, but it seems to be a very low priority due to its lack of damage.

　That means--.

Smart dragon.
No. They're just being clever.

　My admiration for the dragon was denied by Snow's abhorrent voice.

'Little wise ......?'
'The other dragons are dead, so he's stuck in here with his pride. Little wise guy.
'Well, were there other dragons in the old days ......?'
''Yeah. There were three other dragons in the Confederate settlement. Well, they were all killed by brother Glenn. ......

　Finally, when I mentioned Glenn-san's name, Snow swept his eyes slightly.
　Because I was in a state of readiness for battle, the 《Dimension》 was sharpened. Because of that, I could tell that Snow had lied to me.

　But that doesn't mean I'm not going to listen again.
　It doesn't mean that my senses are one hundred percent correct, nor is it information that I particularly want to know.

'Those three animals were highly dangerous, weren't they?
'Typical greedy dragons. They burn villages, raid cities, eat people and steal treasures. They were quickly spotted and came with a large bounty. They returned many bounty hunters and knights, but they still died unceremoniously in the end.
'Man versus dragon. It's like a fairy tale: ....... No matter how strong a dragon is, it will lose at some point.
Yeah. Yeah.

　Snow nods a little sadly and goes quiet.
　Snow is a dragonborn (Dragon Newt). I wonder if the dragon's blood flowing through his body is a source of sympathy.

　I avoid the potentially dark topic and let the matter at hand simmer.

'So, how do we fight this drav dragon?　From the documents, it looks pretty strong: ......
I'll go head-to-head. Maybe it'll end one way or the other.
'No, you may be right, but ....... More, like this strategy or .......
It's best to do so since everyone in this party is the vanguard.

　Snow doesn't seem to want to go head-to-head, either.
　I scratch my head at the imbalance in the party.

I see. If possible, I'd like someone who specializes in magic--
That's not necessary.

　But my worries are quickly cut off by Snow.
　I turn to Snow in surprise.

'What? Why ......?'
Well, uh, well, that's just--

　Snow looked troubled, searching for his next words. I interrupted him with my momentum, but he didn't seem to have prepared a reason for it.

　I'm also troubled by his reaction.
　I know that Snow is planning to take me as his son-in-law. I'm sure that he wants to use me to "make it easy" for him, although I doubt that he even has any fondness for me, let alone love me.

　However, that doesn't mean he should interfere with the efficiency of the battle. So, I'll be able to assert my opinion clearly.

'Snow, don't bring your own convenience to work.
No. No?　Sorry, I didn't mean to. ...... Oh, are you mad at me?　You're not mad at me, are you?

　When I'm a little harsh, Snow's attitude changes.
　His sneering appearance is very similar to Glenn's. Although they are not related by blood, I can tell that they are brother and sister.

'No, I'm not angry. I'm not mad at you.
'Good. ....... Now, when I said you didn't need to do that earlier, I meant that there are enough good wizards in The Epic Seeker. That's right!　Shall we call Teri next?
'Yes. With Teyri in the room, the fight will be much broader: ......
Hmm, let's do it!

　He agrees with Snow, who is desperately trying to make up for it.
　Hearing that, Snow nodded happily. He's happy that he and I are in agreement.

　I can't stop giggling.
　I know that this flirtatious attitude I sometimes see is Snow's own approach. But that attitude is what I hate most about it.
　I'm not sure if I should tell her that explicitly.

　But if I say it strongly enough, she might say something weird again, like the night of the ball.

　As for Snow, he would have to cut the problem off from its source to solve it.
　An engagement with a nobleman. The responsibilities of House Walker. Snow's weakness. No, the root of the problem, which will be there before that - the root of the problem.

Huh. ......

　I sigh.
　My problems aren't even cleaned up, not even for free.
　There are a lot of problems on top of that, and my heartache is only getting worse.

'Kanami ......, are you okay?　What's wrong?

　Snow cuddles up to me with a worried look on her face.
　Her appearance, which is the complete opposite of when I first met her, is truly dainty and girlish. However, I feel a strong sense of discomfort in her appearance.

　To put it simply, pretty Snow is not like Snow.
　To me, Snow is more languid, cocky and uninhibited.

　More importantly, the Snow of that time seemed happier.
　Now Snow is pushing it. His smile is too sneaky to watch. Maybe that's the main reason why I can't accept the Snow now.

'It's okay. Instead, let's work on the plan for the Dravdragon battle a bit more.''
Okay, all right. So...

　As I stewed over the plan with Snow, I thought about different things in parallel.
　How can I get Snow back on track?

　As long as I get the engagement issue out of the way, Snow's breathing room will return to normal.

　But it's a difficult problem for me, as I'm not familiar with the workings of the aristocracy in this world. The only thing I can think of is for me to pose as my fiancé to buy time.
　But I can't judge whether that is effective or not. There's a chance that she'll be forced to marry Snow in a heartbeat.

　Pretending to be a fiancée is a last resort.
　As I talk to Snow, I try to think of something else to do.

　But instead of coming up with a new, better idea, we ended up in an abandoned castle where Dravdragon was waiting.

　It's a steep mountain path, but we're not tired.
　The four of us are of unusual physical strength, and we're used to a much tougher labyrinth. The Reaper is not resting, but rather excitedly flying around.

　He seems to have no patience in the face of the atmospheric abandoned castle.

　I take the Reaper out of my sight, hold him by the scruff of his neck, and walk into the castle grounds.
　After a short walk, I reach the huge garden as an example.

　There isn't a single brightly colored flower in sight. It's green from one end to the other. However, there was a unique beauty to the garden, which was a mixture of various greens ranging from faded dark green to bright yellowish green.
　Although it was desolate, there was a strange unity to it.

　It tickled the bottom of my heart somehow - and evoked feelings of nostalgia.

'Hey, is this ......?'

　The Reaper looked around the gardens and muttered.

'Reaper, what's wrong?'
Uh-uh. It's nothing. It's just ......, I just feel a little nostalgic for .......
I miss .......

　Apparently, the Reapers felt the same way I did.
　Maybe this green garden is easy to evoke nostalgia.

　But Rowen seems to have come to a different conclusion than I did.

'I miss the Reaper ......?　--What's the name of this castle, Mr. Snow?
'Name ......?　It has no name. It is an 'abandoned castle with no name,' so to speak. If there is a name, it's just the name of the region that comes to mind.
Then do you know what this castle was built for?
I don't know. This is a legacy of the far past on the frontier. I think it was built in a lost era.
'Well ....... A legacy of the past or .......

　Rowen's face remains difficult and thoughtful.
　However, her expression quickly falters and she begins to walk forward.

'-No, it doesn't matter. More importantly, it's a dragon now, dragon. Kanami, are you sure you want to keep going straight?
I'll keep it straight. That dragon is lying proudly on his throne.
All right, then, let's move on. Well, then, let's move on. We are here to slay the dragon, you know.

　We follow behind Rowen, who is ahead of us.

　Through a world of lush greenery, we arrive at the entrance to the castle. The huge gates of the castle have been destroyed, allowing even dravdragons to enter and exit the castle.

　If there is a wizard who specializes in attacking magic, he can use Dimension to attack from here, but there isn't, so we have to enter the castle normally.

　Finally, we confirm the formation and take out the anti-dragon tools from the 'belongings'. It's just a log. Snow has two and I have one.

　Having made preparations, we invade the castle with caution.
　We go past the moldy and moss-covered entrance, up the grand staircase, and into the throne room.

　Then we encounter the Drav Dragon.

　As soon as we enter the throne room, the Dravdragon spreads its wings.

　The Dravdragon was awake at the time we entered the castle. From this, we could tell that it had keen senses. The Dravdragon seemed to be trying to meet us here.

　Its huge physique intimidates me.
　I've fought all sorts of monsters in my life, but this is the first time I've ever seen a monster this big. It looks just like a dragon from a western fairy tale, a giant lizard with wings. It's about fifteen meters long, but its huge wingspan gives it a presence that exceeds its numbers. It is covered in hard ochre scales and has old wounds all over its body. It could see from its appearance that it had survived numerous death rays.

　Then, the dravdragon slowly turned its head towards us.
　It's a huge head. The head alone is so big that it could swallow four of us whole.

　The eyes of the reptilian-like Dravdragon meet mine.
　Then my gaze shifts a bit and turns to the Reaper next to me.

　Me and the Reaper.
　These two beings were showing a strong interest in me.

　Dravdragon rumbles in the back of his throat. It makes a sound that sounds like a series of percussion instruments (timpani) and keeps looking only at me and the Reaper.

What ......?

　I didn't feel any hostility.
　On the contrary, I could sense a certain intelligence in the dragon's twin eyes.
　This dragon, the Reaper and I--

Kanami!

　Snow's reprimand flew at me as I stood there in a daze.
　Rowen, who was at the very front, had already pulled out the sword at her waist. I hurriedly throw away the log in my hand and take out the Straight Sword of Crescent Pectrazi from my 'possessions'.

　If things went according to plan, me and Rowen were going to be the first to rush in. Snow and Reaper would come from behind them, aiming for a surprise attack.

　Dravdragon's expression changes when he sees us taking out our weapons. Its intelligent eyes change to ruthless and fierce eyes, and it opens its huge mouth.
　Then it lets out a roar as if it had sounded a cymbal.

　In time with the roar, I run forward to the left. Rowen is right in front.
　The Dravdragon created a wind by flapping its wings wide against us as we ran out.
　That wind is not just a wind. It's the wind created by the highest ranking monster, the Dragon Wind. A gust of wind containing an enormous amount of magical power slammed into his entire body.

　If this wind was made up of nothing more than mechanical energy, I wouldn't have been able to do anything about it. However, if there is magic power added to it - I can handle it.

''--Dimensional Winter (Di Winter)!

　I shift the magic power contained in the gust of wind (...).
　Dravdragon's magic power management looks messy, but in fact, it's precise. Even if it just flaps its wings, it has elaborate wind magic woven into it. The quintessential dragon mystery, but against me, it's just the opposite effect.

　The finer the work is, the greater the price to be paid when it is shifted (・・・・・).
　The 'dragon's wind' becomes 'just wind' and I can withstand the gusts with just my body's muscle power.

　Rowen on the other side couldn't cope and was blown away. After all, it seems that there's nothing you can do about being attacked by magic.

　But even so, Rowen is 'the strongest swordsman in history'. She kicked the stone pillars and walls in the throne room, refusing to be pushed backwards with her superhuman physical abilities.

　Dravdragon swings his claws at us as we weather the wind.
　Me and Rowen dodge the claws, which are ridden with murderous physical strength, body by body.

　Without a moment's pause, the Dravdragon's tail is swept away, knocking over a stone pillar. My target is Rowen. Only, he places his hand on the tail approaching at high speed for a moment and leaps over it as if he were climbing over a fence.

　The first move - the first turn - is over.
　And our formation is complete. From the Dravdragon's perspective, Snow in front, me on the right side, Rowen on the left side, and the back--

I got your back!

　The reaper's scythe rips through the dragon's back.
　But it is shallow.

　The weapon was too small for the huge body of the drav dragon.
　Still, damage was damage. The Dravdragon turned around, choking with anger.

''Heehee, you turned around (・・・・・・)!　Then you are the prey of the Grim Reaper.　-- Magic, Dimension Black Bubble (Nightmare), Magic, Form Abyss (Depth)!

　The Reaper used an unseen dimensional magic to cling black magic to the scythe. Before I knew it, the Reaper seemed to have grown up. I'm gripped by the desire to analyze it, but I'm in the middle of a boss fight right now, so I'll hold back.

　The Dravdragon uses its claws and tail to attack the Reaper behind me, but I can't catch her as she repeatedly moves at a moment's notice. In the first place, as far as I can see with Dimension, the Reaper has no substance. Even if I take a direct hit, it does no damage. However, there is no way that Dravdragon would know about the characteristics of the Reaper and repeat the attack.

''--Magic [Impulse Break].

　Then, seeing that the front and back of the Dravdragon have completely replaced the front and back of the Dravdragon, Snow launches his best magic.
　However, he only throws a log clad in vibrating magic in the air.

　Compared to the elaborate magic of the Drav Dragon, it's quite primitive.
　However, because it's primitive, it has a solid and powerful force. The log released by Snow's foolishness was powerful enough to shake Dravdragon's huge body.

　Exploiting an opening in my stance, me and Rowen cut at it.

''-- Magic 《Magic icing》''
The Skill of Magical Materialization.

　In order to deliver an effective strike to the massive Drav Dragon, he extends the length of his sword blade. And with its long sword, it slashes at the enemy's arms and legs.

　The Dravdragon was helpless against the coordinated attacks from all sides.

　And then, as if to say a thud, the reaper swings the scythe covered in black magic power. Only in that moment do I stop chasing the Reaper with Dimension.

　The Dravdragon's back is ripped open. The wound has reached the left wing, and it's so deep that the wing is almost shredded off.

''--Gaaaaaah!

　The Dravdragon collapsed with a scream.
　And then it just cowered and repeated its shallow breathing.

　Judging that we have inflicted a fatal wound, we relax our attack.

　Of course, we haven't loosened our battle posture. However, since the formation was one in which those behind it were taking advantage of the gap as the opponent moved, there was no more time to make a move.

　A silence filled the throne room.

　The dravdragon moves its head slightly, still breathing shallowly.
　Then it turns its twin eyes to me.

　It stares only at me, barking something faintly in the back of its throat.

　This dragon is trying to tell me something. I had the feeling that he was trying to tell me something.
　But I have no idea.
　Even if you have superior skills and observation abilities, you cannot understand the dragon's words here and now.

　Nevertheless, I lower my sword point and take a step closer to get the dragon's will.
　I try to get closer.

　If.
　If.
　If there is a way to accomplish the request (quest) without killing this dragon, that is--.

No. There is no way to reach out to a mongrel dragon without pride.

　Snow's cold voice echoed in the throne room.

　-- the voice sounded as if it was speaking to the Dravdragon.

　Raising a huge axe, it was now trying to toss the Dravdragon.
　Hearing that pronouncement, Dravdragon's killing spirit increased.

''Oh, wait, I'll take the dragon's head!　I will be the Dragonslayer--!

　Rowen stepped forward with her sword, hoping to get the dragon's token role.

　And the Reaper - and only the Reaper was different.
　Like me, he lowered his weapon and stared at the drav dragon with a divine face.

　What's the difference?

　I wanted to communicate with the dragon just a little more to find out.
　But all is too late.

　Snow and Rowen's attack reaches the drav dragon.
　A great axe is driven into its head and its skull is shattered. A sword digs into his neck and a large amount of blood gushes out.

　This causes the Dravdragon to die - but not before.
　It's a horrible life force, and it's still alive.

　The Dravdragon swings its head around and pushes Snow away as the great axe is struck.

''--Guggh!

　He also moved his wings and blew Loewen away, even though his neck was about to be torn to shreds.

''--Nothing!

　Snow and Rowen were hit directly by the Dravdragon's attack and were slammed into the walls and floor without mercy.