I took the kids with me as we walked through the huge cave.

　The light in my hand illuminates the walls and ceiling of the pitch-black cave, but it's not enough because the cave itself is so vast, and a little further on, it's pitch-black and you can't see any further.

　But in terms of the depth of the cave, since my voice had reached the entrance, at least the dragon's location was not too far away.

　And indeed, as I walked a little further, I began to hear a sound like the roar of wind coming from deep within.

　The sound of the wind rumbling and roaring regularly in a steady rhythm is probably the sound of the dragon breathing through its nose or something.

I'm sure you'll be fine,......?

　The huge body of the werewolf hugs Rio's small body as if it is scared.

　You'll be able to get a lot more than that. I've got a brother too," he said, patting the beastman on the shoulder, who was much bigger than him.

　As we continued on, we eventually came to a place.

　It was a particularly large hall in the huge cave.

　At the back of the large, high-ceilinged hall, a giant creature was huddled.
　A dragon.

Its figure, illuminated by the light of the [Light] lamp, is so huge that it is incomparable to a horse or a cow, and is so large that it reminds one of a single-story dwelling.

　Its scales are brown with a metallic sheen, reminiscent of copper.

　It is appropriate to classify it as a copper dragon that breathes acid breath, and its age as a typical young dragon.

　Since it matches the information I had heard from the heroes' guild beforehand, there is no doubt that this is the dragon in question.

　The dragon, on the other hand, slowly leans its head back and rises in front of us as we enter its den.

　Then it opened its big mouth and started to speak.

"Well, welcome to my roost, humans. I've been a little bored lately, so you're welcome - as long as you're not thieves trying to steal my treasure.

　Despite the weight of his voice, the dragon spoke softly.

　But the pressure that emanates from his body is enough to make an ordinary hero tremble.

　The children, however, were quite unconcerned, except for the werewolf, who was shaking and hugging Rio.

　The werewolf monster is generally as strong as an ordinary hero, so it's not surprising that Ur is trembling.

　Incidentally, it is said that dragons generally have a hobby of collecting gold, silver and treasure.
　These treasures are their collections, and they are furious if someone takes them away from them.

　With that in mind, I reply to the dragon.

"Of course, I'm not here for your treasure. I'm not here for your treasure, of course, but I'm also not here to make friends.

Hmm. So, what do you want me to do for you, ......?

That's about it. I'd like to mine the 'moon ore' in your territory, so I thought I'd say hello.

　As soon as I said that, the dragon stopped moving.
　It's my territory.

"So you're saying that you're going to take what's in my territory?

　I secretly chuckled at his response.

　Apparently, this dragon doesn't like it when people take things out of his territory.

　But then again, it was a good thing that I had come to say hello.

　Dragons are somehow sensitive about what happens in their territory.
　If I had tried to take it on my own, it's not unlikely that I would have been noticed and gotten into trouble.

　I reply to the dragon.

"Yes. We need the moon ore now for a reason. It was originally mined by the humans of Ravilton before you came to live here. We humans have a right to mine there, don't you think?

　I said, taking a step further.
　Severe negotiations may be necessary.

　To be frank, we have the upper hand when it comes to force.
　If we use force, it will be quicker.

　But that is a last resort.
　Trying to force your demands through violence is not something that any brave person would do.

　If you can win concessions by means other than hardball, there's nothing better than that...

　In the meantime, the dragon replied with a slightly dissatisfied voice.

I'm sure you're right, but ...... I don't like the idea of someone taking something that belongs to my territory without a fight. Hmmm .......

　The dragon then clasps one of its forelimbs to its chin in a thoughtful gesture.
　What a dexterous move. ...... Surreal. .......

　The dragon was silent for a while after that.
　But if you wait patiently, it will eventually open its mouth again.

　The dragon proposes this.

"Here's what I'll do. If any of you entertain me, I'll allow you to mine my territory. I love the entertainment that humans create. Play a musical instrument, draw a picture, whatever. Please satisfy me.

「「「「 "What?" 」」」」

　All five of us in the room, including me, screamed in surprise.

　What the heck is ...... entertainment ......?
　To be honest, I didn't expect it to come from that angle at all.

　However, if you ask me, I seem to remember reading in a monsterology textbook that copper dragons tend to have a strong interest in the culture and entertainment created by humans.

　But that's...

""Jeez..."

　Rio, Iris, and Maifa stared at me as if they were expecting something.
　Apparently, they're expecting me to do something about it.

　But wait a minute.

No, ......, I'm not very good at that kind of thing, .......

　I'll confess in front of my students.

　I've been a demon hunter and a hero educator all my life, so I have almost no background in entertainment or anything like that.

　I'm not sure if this is a good idea or not, but it's a good idea.



　Some of you may be doing something as a hobby, but unfortunately, I haven't been doing anything like that.

　I've never done anything like that.　Rio is complaining, "Oh, my brother can't do it either? No one can do it then," but I want to tell him that I am not completely compatible with you in every way.

　But then....

　But then, like a savior, someone stepped in front of the dragon.
　Maifa.

"...... I can't help it. ...... I'm going to have to perform a trick of my own.

　The girl then smirked.

　I'm not sure what to say.
　I'm sure you'll be pleased to know that I'm not the only one who's a little confused.

"So, Maifa. What kind of tricks are you going to do?

I'm sure you'll be happy to hear that. I'm not sure if you've heard of it, but I'm sure you've heard of it. ...... I've memorized every single one of my mother's s*xually explicit novels in which knights are subjected to terrible treatment by orcs. I'm sure you'll be able to figure it out. You'll be able to get a lot more than just a few of them.　I'm not sure what to do, but I'm going to do it.

　I was chopping the back of Maifa's head from behind.

　I chopped Maifa in the back of the head from behind. Maifa turned and stared at me with tears in her eyes.

"...... What are you doing, brother? I'm sorry for starting in the middle of the ...... excitement. ......?

No!　I'm sure you're aware of that.　I'm not sure why you're memorizing all that stuff, though.

I'm sure you've read that ...... a million times. ...... Don't make me say it again, it's embarrassing.

　Yeah, that's definitely embarrassing. .......
　I'm sorry I made you say that.

　I'm not saying that.

I'm sorry I made you say it. Is there anything else you can tell me?

"...... Unfortunately. It's the only thing I've read that's even remotely ...... interesting.

Okay. ....... I'm sorry. I'm sorry.

　It was a peek into Mayfa's black history.
　No, she doesn't seem to think she's black.

　Anyway, that being the case...

　I turn my gaze to Iris.
　Then Iris shook her head.

　You know, .......
　It's not every day you get to show off your skills to someone.

　I'm in trouble.
　In this case, the only way is to use force,......, but that is not .......

　You'll be able to get a lot more out of it.

　And that's when I was troubled.
　The other person in the room shouted with determination.

I'll do it!

　With that, the werewolf next to Rio stepped forward in front of the dragon.