The fourteen of us proceeded through the forest of "Manryu's Mountain".

　Feeling the cool early morning air, we walked through the land surrounded by green trees.

　And then.

　knuckle dragging

(What?)

　I suddenly almost tripped over the hollow in the ground by my feet.

　

(Phew....)

　I took a breath and asked myself, why is this part of me dented?　And he looked back at his feet.

Oh.

　I realized the meaning of that depression.

　-- it was a footprint.

　They were about two inches deep.

　Its size was larger than my two feet combined, and they continued to the bushes at equal intervals at the back.

(...........)

　Maybe it's a dragon's footprint.

　At this size, it looks like it's about 10 meters long.......

　Gokuoku!

　I gulp down a spit.

　It means that in this vicinity, dragons of this size are usually strutting around.

　Zawa Zawa.

　The forest around them swayed the treetops eerily in the breeze that blew.

'Hmm, where are you?'

　Solstice, next to me, calls out to me as my legs slow down.

　I let out a breath.

Nope.

　He immediately turned his head forward and started walking.


　◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇


　Thanks to Mr. Gelfonberg's scouting, we had been able to move through the forest without encountering any dragons.

　But there were many traces of the dragon in the forest.

　For example, many of the trees in the forest we were walking through were as tall as I was tall and had large scars on them.

　The hard bark on their trunks had been scraped off and turned white.

What are these scars?

　At my muttering, Illtimina-san told me.

'It's a wound caused by a dragon.'
The dragon?
'Yes. With these wounds, I'm making a statement: 'This is my territory.'

　Oh, really?

(Hmm, wait a minute?)

...Does that mean we're in that dragon's territory now?
I'm sure you will.
..........

　Is it okay?

'It's not all right, but every part of this forest is probably dragon territory of some sort. There's no point in worrying about it.

　Ms. Illtimina replies with clarity.

(Yeah, right...)

Well, the sooner you get there, the better.

　I wondered if he had heard the conversation, and Mr. Kilt said comfortably.

　Hmmm.

　Both of you are indeed Golden Mark Demon Hunters.

(I can afford it.)

　As I was thinking about this, the girl next to me suddenly bent down and picked up something that had fallen to the ground.

　Huh?

What are you doing, Solstice?

　The girl replied.

'Pocket money.'

　...What?

　I was puzzled, but she showed me the object she held in her hand and said, "Here.

　It was an oval-shaped green disk.

　It was shiny and about 10 to 20 cm in size.

'What's that?'
Scales of a dragon.
'Scales?　The dragon?
Yeah.

　There are about three of them in the girl's hand.

　She gazed at them, enthralled.

Sometimes the old dragon scales come off when the dragon rubs its body against the tree to scar its territory.
Heh.
These sell for about 100 rides a piece in this size.

　Oh?

(Which means Solstice just picked up $30,000!)

　Nah, how delicious.........

　The girl laughed and put it away in her backpack as she laughed, "Mufufufu♪".

　Rapt, who was watching behind her, muttered as if she was dumbfounded.

''I'm so frustrated.
Mmm-hmm.

　Solstice snickered.

You don't understand that you live in the god world, but the world of man is hard to know. This kind of 'wasteful spirit' is very important.
"Sayaka.
Oh, right.

　Rapt and Recto Alice, the two 'Divine Fangirls' are smiling.

　Scurrying.

　I, too, can't help but stare at the base of the wounded tree.

　And.

"I know how you feel, Lord Marle, but this is a dangerous forest. I don't think it's right for you to be so concerned with your feet.

　Ugu.........

　The black knight's sister gave me a troubling warning.

''I'm sorry.''

　Ha, I'm so embarrassed........

　Everyone was laughing bitterly at me, and Solstice was the only one who had retrieved the dragon scale, laughing loudly.


　◇ ◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇


　A few hours passed as we continued through the woods.

　We are now walking on a cliff, about three or four meds away.

　There's a riverbed at the bottom of the cliffs, and a stream. We're following the river up the cliffs.

(Hmm?)

　Suddenly, Gelfonberg, who is walking at the front, stops.

　He makes a gesture toward us, palms down.

　We all lower our posture.

　I crouch down too.

(...What's going on?)

　And with that in mind.

　bang-bang

　He poked me on the back.

　I turned around to see Ms. Colontude with her index finger to her lips and her other hand pointing down the cliff.　

　When I looked, I saw Poe next to her looking in that direction, too.

(?)

　I look down the cliff, trying to stay down.

　The only thing at the bottom of the cliff is a bed of grass and gravel and a flowing stream.

　It was an unremarkable view, except for a large rock about five meds high lying near the creek.

　And then.

　with a swoosh

(Ah.....

　Through the grass at the back, three bipedal dragons as long as two meds in length emerged.

''Gyua.''
GUAA
"Giguiui.

　They exchanged cries as they headed for the creek.

　I stare at them.

An ash dragon.

　Illtimina-san, who was behind me, told me in a small voice.

　That's an ash dragon.

　It was a small dragon with gray skin, just like its name.

　Perhaps because it walked on two legs, its legs were very thick, and the claws that grew out of them were nearly thirty centimeters long.

　On the contrary, its arms are thin.

　But it also had fingers that looked like thumbs, so it looked like it could hold things and other things with dexterity.

　And.

All three dogs are hurt.

　It was a long tail, or a thigh, or a laceration on his face.

　Purple blood is flowing from there.

(Could it be........the ash dragon that Garun-san chased away?)

　I thought so.

"Is it a stray dragon?

　Iltimina mutters.

'A stray dragon?'
A dragon that has been separated from its flock or driven out.
..........
Those dragons may have been thrown out of the herd as a liability because of their injuries.

　Hmmm.

(Does that happen in the dragon world too?)

　The three ash dragons didn't seem to notice us.

　Apparently, they had come for a drink of water?

　Dragging their injured legs, the ash dragons moved closer to the creek.　

　Two of them were wary of their surroundings, while one lowered its face to the water.

　Plop! Plop!

　Drinking water with his long tongue.

　That was the moment.

　Suddenly, the large rock by my side that was about five meds long moved and collided with three ash dragons.

(Huh?)

　For a moment, I didn't know what had happened.

　But I soon realized that the large rock had grown limbs, and its arms were trampling two ash dragons, and its rocky head was biting the ash dragons that were drinking water.

(Wha...?!)

　It's not a rock. It's a dragon!

　It was a giant dragon with an outer skin like a rock!

That's a rock dragon.

　Illtimina also rolled her red eyes in surprise.

　Beki, bokikic.

　The bitten ash dragon seemed to have already died out, making bone cracking sounds as it was swallowed into the huge mouth of the rock dragon.

''Gahhhh!''
GUAA

　The two ash dragons that were being trampled on are flailing about, desperately trying to escape.

　Gakin, giggles.

　But the long, sharp claws only made a dull sound and spark as they were played against the outer skin of the rock dragon.

　Mekki........

　Blood foamed from their mouths as the weight of their massive bodies was put on them.

　Their movements slowed down.

　To that dying one, the rock dragon bit into the dying one.

　Snap! Bokin!

　It was swallowed into his mouth.

　Eventually, the other one left behind suffered the same fate as the first two.

''.........''
..........
..........

　We watched the spectacle, breathlessly.

　Eventually, the rocky dragon curled its limbs on the spot and retracted its head as well, and stopped moving.

　The tiny eyeballs on its rock-like skin slowly closed.

　The eyelids were also like rocks.

(............)

　What was there was just a big rock.

　It's so hard to believe that it was a dragon, even though I'd seen it moving before.

　A ridiculous mimicry ability.

''It's a dragon that preys on its prey that comes close to it like that.

　Dr. Illtimina says.

'Some types of dragons mimic trees and rocks like that one. Marle, if you find an unnatural rock or tree, too, watch out for it, okay?
..........

　Yeah.....

　But honestly, I'm not sure I can tell them apart.

(Dragons are really scary...)

　I couldn't help but shudder.

　Eventually, after checking the signs around us, we resumed our movement.

　--I'm going to have to wait a bit longer to get out of this dragon filled forest.


　◇ ◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇


　That night, we were to camp in a large, rotten, hollowed-out fallen tree.

　We would build a fire and nibble on portable food.

　And

I didn't expect things to go so smoothly.

　Frederica, the Black Knight, said something like that.

　Everyone's eyes were drawn to her.

　As she looked back at us.

'To be honest, I expected to have a few more battles with the dragons. I want to apologize for underestimating the abilities of your people.　

　And he bows his head.

　I was a bit surprised.

　But it's true that the only battle we've had since we entered this forest was the one where Garun-san drove away the ash dragon.

　Although we stopped, bypassed, and hid.

(Nothing else happened.)

　My gaze turns to one party.

　Mr. Gelfonberg Lidworth and his three fellow female adventurers.

　I think they're most responsible for the peaceful journey so far.

　As a professional labyrinthian 'true treasure house', he had an excellent sense of direction, never lost his way, and was able to detect the presence of enemies in unseen places and lead us to the correct route.

　If it weren't for him?

(...we could have been in battle with a dragon many times.)

　He narrowed his eyes.

No, no, no, there's nothing like this for my darling Fiddy.

　And smiled sweetly.

　But with his hands holding three of his fellow women.

　............

(Indeed, he's an amazing person worthy of the 'Golden Seal'.........................

　I'm not sure if I'm going to learn from them.

　Ms. Frederica has a subtle look on her face.

　Mr. Kilt sighs.

　Then she turns her face toward the forest outside the fallen tree.

But it won't be the same tomorrow, I'm afraid.

　I muttered.

(Huh?)

　Everyone's eyes are on Mr. Kilt.

'We'll be through this forest tomorrow. Then there will be nothing to hide but a mountainside that can't be hidden until the summit.
..........
"To the dragons in the sky, they will look good.

　...Oh.

(I see.)

　The forest is only at the foot of "Manryu's Mountain".

　After that, there are fewer and fewer trees, and the slopes are bare earth and rocks.

　Come to think of it.

(There were a lot of dragons in the sky that I saw before we went into the woods.)

　...................

　When we get through the forest, we're going to be attacked by that thing.

　When I imagined it, I felt heavy.

"I don't mind if you just want to fight, that I don't mind, but if you add the condition of 'unkillable' to that, it's a tough one, that it is.

　Garun-san nodded with a grave voice.

　Iltimina-san and Solstice also have a difficult look on their faces.

''But we have to do it.

　Ms. Kilt announced in an iron voice.

　She looks at the two women.

'Recto Alice, Colon, your two 'divine wards' are your best bet when it comes to defense. I leave it to you.
Yeah, I get it.
I'll try my best.

The beauties of 'Divine Fangra' and 'Golden Seal Demonologist' nodded.

　

　....................

　Then we finished our meal and went to bed.

(Tomorrow is the day to come.........)

　With that resolve, I fell asleep in a huge fallen tree.


　◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇.


　The next day was a downpour of rain.

　Raindrops broke through the umbrellas of leaves that had been gathered and fell to the ground.

　We walked through them, wearing our rainproof robes.

(I can't see very well.)

　The forest was gray with a curtain of rain.

　Moreover, even the ground was muddy.

　Furthermore, the sound of rain hitting the branches and leaves drowned out the sounds of the surroundings.

(Is it okay?)

　I can't help but stare at Gelfonberg's back as he walks at the front.

　Sure enough, the day's pace was more than twice as slow as it had been yesterday.

'Scouting,'

　He stops several times to give instructions to his three companions.

　The girls reported back to him to check on what was going on ahead, and then he proceeded to make his way forward.

　He was cautious.

　Honestly, it was so frustrating.

　But maybe that was why they never encountered a dragon, even though it was so rainy and they couldn't see any sign of their surroundings.

(Awesome.)

　It's a true professional job.

　And then Mr. Quilts suddenly looked up above him.

Hmm. This could be a blessing.

　I muttered.

(Grace...?)

　The rain?

　I didn't know what that meant to me.

　Eventually, after lunch, the trees in the forest were gone.

　They were not entirely gone, but they were shorter and the ground was more bare of dirt.

　We were through the forest.

　With a throbbing heart, I suddenly look at the sky.

(...Ah...)

　Then I noticed.

　Maybe it was raining, but there were no dragons flying in the sky.

　Maybe it's lost in the rain clouds above.

　But either way, that's how much rain we're getting.

(Maybe the dragon is having a hard time seeing us, too!)

　Then I realized.

　I see, so this is what Kirt-san was talking about, the 'blessed rain'.

　Mr. Gelfonberg also lightly lifted his hood, looking up at the rain-drenched sky.

I appreciate that.

　He smiled.

'Alright then, let's go.'

　Under Kirto's command, we began to climb the slope of Manryu's Mountain.


　◇ ◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇


(Phew, phew.)

　The air is getting thinner and I'm out of breath.

　It had been about two hours since we left the forest.

　We hadn't been attacked by a dragon since then, and we were climbing steadily up the mountain.

(Are we past the sixth station already?)

　I think.

　But the rain was intensifying, visibility was poor, and it was dim, even though it was noon.

　Gagaan.

　And it's lightning.

　Occasionally, the sky is glowing.

(...wasn't lightning on an empty mountainside a bad idea?)

　I'm a little nervous.　

　Everyone's walking a little slower.

"Wha?

　The Solstice next to me slipped on the wet ground.

'Yes~'
Are you okay?

　I lent a hand and helped her stand up.

　Very cold hands.

　The rain has made them cold.

"I'm sorry. Thanks, Merle.
Nope.

　When she was so stubborn, she felt the girl's fatigue when she thanked him honestly.

　...........

(Should we take a break?)

　But if the blessed rain stops, I'm sure the dragon will attack me.

　Should we hurry after all?

　But to be honest, I was feeling tired too.

(Would I be able to make it to the top at this pace?)

　I'm okay for now, but if something goes wrong down the road, I may not have enough energy left to deal with it.

　What should I do?

　I feel lost and go on.

　I look up and see the summit.

　The summit is still far away, hidden by the black rain clouds.

　Large raindrops were dripping wet on my face.

　And then, at that moment.

　BANG!

　In the sky, lightning flashed again.

　In that light, I thought I saw some large shadow.

(Hmm?)

　It was a moment, so I'm not sure.

'What's up, Merle?'

　As I stopped in my tracks, Illtimina-san calls out to me.

　I point to the sky ahead of me.

I thought I saw something in there.
What?

　Mr. Illtimina looks up, too.

　There are curtains of rain and thick gray clouds, and, on the tips of her fingers, there seems to be nothing to see.

　But.

　bang

　The sky glowed with lightning again.

(Ah.)

　No doubt.

　There was something huge flying there.

　Illtimina's expression grew stronger as she witnessed the same thing.

''Kilt!　It's a storm dragon!

　Suddenly a loud voice.

　Everyone stopped in their tracks.

'What was that?'

　Mr. Kilt also took off his hood and stared at the sky with his golden eyes.

　Everyone else looked at the sky as well.

　Gagaan.

　Lightning struck and the sky glowed.

　There was the shadow of a huge flying object that looked bigger than before.

(Huge!)

　It looked pretty big, even though it should still be a distance away.

　Twenty mades?

　No, maybe more than that?

Shit. The rain clouds must have blown in on you.

　Mr. Gelfonberg said with an expression of regret I hadn't seen before.

　Mr. Kilt also snorted, 'Nuh-uh.

'Everybody hurry up!　We must hurry on to the summit!

　So shouted everyone.

　Mr. Illtimina shouted back.

'I can't!　We've already been captured by that dragon!

　The air is urgent.

　Solstice is also pale.

''Is a storm dragon bad?''

　I asked.

　The girl replied in a firm voice.

'This is not good. It is the highest species among the flying dragons. There have been cases where the 'Golden Mark Demon Hunters' who were asked to defeat them were turned back.

The Golden Mark is back!

　I was stunned.

　Frederica shouted.

'They're coming!'

　You no longer have to have a thunderbolt to recognize its huge body.

　Gogoh-oh!

(Whoa!)

　It passed over us.

　The gusts of wind generated by those wings nearly blew us away.

(Hey, if you count the wings, that's 30 meds!)

　The wind is dancing hard.

　It's like a gust of wind is blowing just around that dragon.

　That storm dragon circled in the sky and approached us again.

　Gagaan.

　The sky glowed.

　What was projected there was a beautiful and huge flying dragon with a silvery mottled pattern on its black outer skin.

　Its majesty even gave me a sense of holiness.

(I have to fight that thing!

　And that's with the handicap of not killing...?

　I'm stunned.

I'll be back!

　Illtimina's scream is the spirit of the trees.

The fierce and huge storm dragon attacks us from the raging rainy sky as we head for the summit of the "Ten Thousand Dragon Mountain".