98 - A dragon sleeping in the crystal and an old woman who doesn't feel any sign.






 It was very easy to walk in the village.

 As might be expected from a place blessed with fire.



 As we walked along the mountain from the outskirts of the village, we found the entrance to a small cave on the side of the magical land of Suiju.

 It was covered with plants and trees, perhaps intentionally concealed, so that at first glance it was impossible to tell that there was a cave there.



Please be careful when you enter the cave. The entrance is slightly lowered.

"Thank you very much."



The chief is very kind.

I always try to be nice to women.



 We followed the chief into the cave, where we found a number of light crystals that brightened the inside of the cave. These crystals alone were rare in the capital, and could be sold for good money.



 Looking down at my feet, I wondered if children came in and out of the cave, and I noticed small footprints.

"Mr. Locke, we will be arriving soon, but the person we are about to meet is a descendant of the Ice and Snow clan, which has special powers unlike ours. Please don't do anything to offend them. They are called the Cursed Clan from their ancestors, and they are the ones who are here to bring misfortune to this village."



"Don't worry. I don't mean to cause any trouble. What about the cursed family?"

Oh ...... it's nothing. I know I've said more than I should have, but that's just the way things are in the countryside. If you see the dragons quietly, please leave quietly. Domorte-san can take his time and watch.



 The chief's tone had changed since Domorte had appeared, and it seemed he didn't want to take me with him.



 But that doesn't mean I can't give him the magic stone without checking.

 I feel the wind on my cheeks as I walk through the cave.

 It seems that there is more than one entrance. I follow the chief and he stops in the middle of the path and points in the distance.



Mr. Locke, you see it over there?"

 The chief points to what appears to be a beautiful red jewel-like dragon trapped in a crystal-like place. We are still very far from the dragon.

 Yes, it is a dragon, but it is too far away to see well.



"Is that a ...... dragon?"

"I don't know the details, but it seems to be a kind of flame dragon. The magic leaking from that dragon warms the ground and keeps the snow from piling up. Well then, I kept my promise. Locke, you wait here. I'll give the stone to the old woman here."



 Apparently the chief wants to leave without showing them around.

 Well, now that we know there really are dragons, I'm not going to do anything more about it.



 We'll just report it to the guild and be done with it, even if there's no danger at the moment.

Domorte, what do you see of that seal?

"It's hard to see from a distance, but it's pretty well sealed. But ...... it seems to be weakening a little due to lack of magical power. I had never heard of the Ice and Snow family, but it's romantic to think that a family that could make such a strong seal lived quietly in such a rural area.



"Sorry about the countryside. I'll seal you up in there with Rich, huh? Ha-ha-ha."

 The old woman was standing there after us.



"When did you do that?"

 I quickly reached for my sword, but the old woman jumped on top of my sword handle.



"You don't have to pull that thing out, you know. It's not that unusual for a rich man. Did you bring the magic stone?

"Yes. The chief said he's bringing it now.



Then I'll go with you to the chief. Then I'll go with you to the chief.

 The old woman jumped down lightly and started walking away.



"You want me to follow you, right?"

"...... I guess so."



 It was amazing that she could recognize Domorte as a rich man in an instant, but she also had a way of moving that was unimaginable from her appearance.

 We walk along behind the old woman.



"I'm sorry you had to come all the way to the countryside with a magic stone.

No,......,......,......,......,......,......,......,......,......,......,......,......,.......



I am Margret of the Ice and Snow Clan, the hated one of this village.

Mr. Margret, this is Locke. This is Domorte.

What an interesting combination. The Dark Lord working with a holy wizard... it's the end of the world. It's a combination that wouldn't have been possible in the old days.



How did you know Domorte was rich?

That's right. I'm not a waste of time either. I made those wards myself. There are many people like me in the world besides those who have left their names in the world.



"That's true. I was called a wise man too, but I guess the world is still a big place.

"You shouldn't talk about things based on the standards of a small world. You learned a lot from being rich, didn't you? Ha-ha-ha.

"Thank you, sir."



 He was a very lovable man. There is a lot going on in this village, but for someone who claims to be hated, he doesn't seem to have such a twisted personality.



 I followed Margret into the cave, and a large dragon appeared in front of me.

 It looked beautiful from afar, but the scales of the dragon shone like jewels.

"How is this thing sealed?"

"What, you've never heard of crystal warding, Mr. Rich?"



"I've never heard of it ...... and I'm still learning about this new magic ......."

"I see. Well, I'll be happy to tell you about it. Then come see me in front of the crystal.

Rock, can I go now?

Sure. Some people don't like to learn, but learning new things is really fun. If you limit that joy, you'll be afraid of what comes after.



"I'm not afraid at all. I'm going.




 Domorte's eyes flashed suspiciously.

 What's that feature? If an unknowing child sees it, it's scary enough to traumatize them.

 Domorte followed Margrethe around to the back side of the crystal and began to teach her something about ward magic.



 I was left completely unattended.

 I wonder where the chief went to look for him.

 The large dragon in front of me was sleeping quietly in the crystal with its eyes closed.