The Day of Departure

(One Night Two Days at Most)

Gozoh, the adventurer representative, came to the village chiefs office. Putting down the unfinished Beddhist scripture, I listened to what he had to say. The first thing Gozoh opened with was this.

Im gonna rout that dragon, Kehma.

So theres really no getting around that, huh.

The villages executives had gotten together for a meeting when I was talking with Ontentoo.

Kehma, you knew?

Did you think of anything else?

No. Well have to drive the dragon away or kill it if we can, even if itll cost us dearlyso, thats why I came to ask you, our village chief, if you knew of a way to decrease the number of sacrifices therell be Wozuma said he was sure youd have a plan, but do you really have one?

I do.

I responded quickly but wait, Village Sub-Chief Wozuma, whatre you on about?

Still though, I have to be confident here.

Seriously?

However, this specific method is my secret. Id like to keep it to as small a number of people as possible so that it doesnt leak out. In truth, Id like to keep it to just me, Kuro, and Ichika. We should be plenty.

Its hard to move about with a lot of people. More so when there are secrets to keep. If possible, Id like to make it done with just us

Kehma, even if its you, theres no way. At least let Roppu and I help.

Tch, so three people taking on the dragon was stretching it too much huh.

Not trusting his figurehead of a village chief that far was probably natural, though. Particularly when the only one who could really hold their own in a straight up fight among us would be Meat. Meats the strongest adventurer in Golen a young girl being the villages strongest has got to say something about the village.

And you should get Setsuna, that part time worker of yours to help out too.

Oh, yeah, Ill have her defend the village.

Come to think of it, Setsunas a thing that exists, huh. Shes an adventurer comparable to Meat She and her sister know about dungeons and itd just get confusing and troublesome if I brought her along, so lets keep her on house-sitting duty.

And theres him too yeah? Watarus going right?

Im not planning on sending for him though?

Eh, but I saw him outside the inn a bit ago? You didnt ask him to come?

Nope, definitely think Id remember doing that.

That debtor hero, whyd you have to come so early this month

Kehma-san! I just heard, a wild dragon cropped up!?

Ah, speak of the devil. Wataru entered the room, not even bothering to knock on the door first.

So hes really here I was hoping it was a false alarm.

Oh, hey Wataru. Yeah, well, its not something you need to worry about. Its our villages problem after all.

What are you saying! I already feel like a resident here! See!? I have a Beddhist symbol!

Saying that, Wataru took out a Beddhist symbol from his breast pocket. It was the most supreme type, the gold one. I heard that some merchants and aristocrats had bought some, but you bought one too?

Are you planning on buying a matching one for Nerune too? Eh, you already did? Thanks for the patronage~

Oh, by the way, Ive also been spreading the word of Beddhism!

Oi, stop being such a busy body!

Rather, its not an exaggeration to say that I, a Gold Beddhist, am practically already a member of this villages top brass!

Gold Beddhist what? Beddhism is a religion, so youre a believer, not some gym member. We dont make distinctions between followers based on the symbol they buy.

Okay sure, but I definitely think I can help you! I may act like this, but Im a hero!

Sure, thatd normally be right, but its annoying for me if you just act on your own

If thats how youre going to be, guess its best for me to get you under my thumb at least.

Alright. Lets include you in the subjugation group then Gozoh, you agree that well be fine with just Wataru and us then yeah? A single heros got to be worth at least a hundred people.

Yeah, then let me, Roppu, and Wataru all go with your team.

Oooh, then this is Team Bacchus1 first job! Lets give it our all, Gozoh-san!

A drinking team? You get along so well. Though really, I guess Gozoh and Roppu will be joining because of that [We].

I didnt think that Gozoh and I were on such different pages with that [We]

In the end, it was decided that Hero Wataru would join the lineup Hmm, lets think about it another way. If I figure that I can push all of the merits over to Wataru when push comes to shove, its not such a bad turn of events. In fact, lets do just that.

I guess the whole [That flame dragons still a whelpling so my team should be able to handle it ourselves] plan we came up with is going to go to waste.

That strong opening and follow-up conversation flow is something only a hero could do.

*

Since forming the Flame Dragon Subjugation Group came together quickly, I decided to have us finish up our preparations and go to Tsuia Mountains summit. Using climing equipment. We wouldnt have needed to climb all the way up if it werent for Wataru and Gozoh, but oh well. Lets focus on the reality of it.

Go for it, village chief! Avenge my radishes!

The heros here too, so itll work out. Maaan, so our village chiefs gonna be a dragonslayer how prestigious.

I wonder how dragon steak tastes? Village Chief Kehma, itd be great if you brought some treats back

The villagers were waving their arms and rooting as we departed.

I cant bring any steak back Meat? Could you please stop drooling? Beef raised for food is way more delicious. Just because its huge, strong, and rare doesnt make it tasty.

Kehma! Are you alright? You didnt forget anything?

That voice quieted everyone else down right away.

But the person to do it was just Rokuko. Huh? Did something weird happen?

Hey, Kehma, did you hear me?

Huh? Yeah, I heard you, I heard you. Dont worry, Im ready.

Do you have your weapon? Food? Handkerchief that Meats using right now, right. Here, take mine.

Saying that, Rokuko took our her lacy white handkerchief from her breast pocket and pressed it against me. It smelled nice and sweet. Ichika secretly gave Rokuko a thumbs up. So shes behind this? I can see you, you know?

Really, no having an affair with other girls just because Im not there, alright?

Uh-ummm affair? Im going on a dragon subjugation though?

The surrounding villagers all started murmuring when she said affair Huh? Its not like they dont know about Rokuko, shes definitely interacted with the villagers and adventurers as the inns owner and dining hall waitress

A-Alright Kehma, set off! I-Ill g-give you a, a k-ki! Anyhow! See you soon!

Yeaow, Im off. Really, that hurts, you dont have to hit me because youre embarrassed.

The red-faced Rokuko was knocking me on the chest with her fists. Whats she doing, seriously? A goodbye kiss? I dont know who told about that, but theres no way Id do that in front of so many people.

And Ichikas dinner is now forfeit.

With all that done, we set off to climb the mountain.

By the way, once I checked with Gozoh on the mountain, the cause of everyone murmuring was, apparently, natural, since Rokuko, my legal wife gave me a warning to not have an affair since I was taking Meat with me. Apparently. Apparently.

Thats not it though!? Rokukos my partner and Meats my hug pillow though!? Im not doing anything to feel guilty about though!? Im not, really!

1. The name Hero Wataru gave the Wataru/Gozoh/Roppu drinking group after getting drunk with them many moons ago!