The battle between me and the rampaging dragon thus came to an end without anyone knowing ...... it was over.

　When I returned to the city of Surie, even though it was late at night, it was a big deal.

　Well, that's no surprise.

　I want you to remember this battle.
　I fired a series of demonic spears like missiles, resulting in a super-duper crater.

　The roar and tremor reached the city of Surie, and people jumped up in surprise.
　When they walked out of their homes to see what on earth had happened, they found a heaven-scorching blast of fire in the west.

　It would be strange not to make a big deal out of it.

　I went immediately to Count Mayard and explained the situation.
　It was late in the evening, but the Count had woken up with a flash and was listening to me with great interest.

''...... So, you mean that Lord Ko has once again accomplished the slaying of the dragon!　As expected of the Dragon Slayer, this is no wonder they call it the Dragon Slayer, hahahahahaha!

　Hearing my explanation, Count Mayard laughed very painfully.

''However, I'm really glad that Lord Ko is in this city. If that dragon had gone on a rampage, the damage would have been catastrophic. I would have died too.

　The chances of that happening were extremely high.
　If the rampaging dragon had gone on a rampage, the city of Surie would have been destroyed in less than an hour.

''Thank you. Let me thank you from the bottom of my heart, thank you.''

　The Earl bowed his head, deeply and profoundly.

I've always been indebted to you, Ko-dono," he said. I'm going to offer you a reward this time as well, but that's not enough to make me feel better. ...... Ummm, what is to be done?
'Never mind that, Count. The bounty is enough.
'What a great ......!　Lord Coe is truly selfless: ......!

　No, I'm not unselfish at all.
　I'm trying to get my reward exactly right.

　But Count Mayard seemed to be completely impressed by my response and continued in a feverish tone of voice.

I'm sure you'll be able to rely on me for any future problems you may have. I swear to you that I will give my life to help you, even if it means dying for you.

　I don't really need to get that worked up about it.
　Anyway, in the future, if I'm ever in trouble with a nobleman, I'll feel free to ask for help.



　* *



　From the next day, I had to stay in Surie for a while.
　The reason for this is that there were more matters to take care of.

　I reported to the Adventurer's Guild about the battle against Mobius and the tyrannical dragon.
　I was there to inspect the battlefield.
　I was invited to be the guest of honor at a city-wide victory celebration party that was held.

　Well, it was a hectic day.

　After people had settled down, I decided to leave the city of Surie with Iris.

　To head to the royal capital, as I had originally planned.

　Lily will also return to the King's Capital with Lily and return to the Academy of Magic.
　Since the destination is the same anyway, so I suggested that we should move together from here.

I'm not going to be the only one who can do that. I'm not in the way, is it ......?
It's all right, Lily. Isn't that right, Ko?
Yeah.

　I nodded.

'I don't see why we should bother to separate. ...... And besides, I'm worried about Lily.

　Lily is still a child, and she looks dainty or rather frail on the outside.
　There's an air of being noticed by troublesome people, and in fact, when I first met Lily, she was tangled up with a pair of sorcerers.

　The same kind of trouble could happen on the way back to King's Landing.
　If that's the case, it would be better for the three of them to travel together, including Lily.

''Wow, I understand ......!　Yo, nice to meet you. ......!
It's nice to meet you too, lily.
It's good to see you, lily.

　When we had done so, we got into the carriage.
　The Earl of Mayard had arranged it for us, and it was a comfortable ride, and it was just the three of us.

　We are given a lot of luxury, but I like to think that it works ...... well for us.



　The journey by carriage lasted a few days and we arrived in the port city.
　From here it's a boat trip.

　Speaking of boat trips in the fantasy world, it's standard to run into pirates and sea dragons, but now, what will happen?

　Hopefully, we will be able to go to the capital without any problems.