To the Mountain Where the Dragon Dwells

The Three Hour Walk to the Summit

Maaan Kehma-san, Rokuko-san sure does love you huh.

Oi, Wataru. Dont say anything about that to Haku-san okay? Seriously, dont. Like, not a peep.

Well, setting that aside, we began to ascend the mountain.

There was pretty much no trail to use at all, so we were just walking uphill and over the rocky terrain toward the summit. Even using my golem assist, it felt like I was going through one of those dreaded leg days. Talk about tiring.

Oh yeah, Ill say this so this isnt misunderstood. I called us a subjugation group, but our goal is solely to prevent damage from happening to the village. We dont have to defeat it.

I see. So in other words Kehma-san will think of something!

Eh? Ah, yeah. Well, something like that.

Maaan, I didnt even need to be here then huh!

I had no clue why, but Wataru suddenly started acting like he could rely on me for stuff.

Though him not needing to be here is true.

You can head back if you want.

No way! I have to see Kehma-sans secret plan with my own two eyes!

Which if why this sucks. Oh well then. Guess Ill have to think up a better way for this hero to not be a witness.

I cant go with what wed come up with in that meeting with Igni. Me coming up with a secret plan in time is a definite probable kind of maybe wish Yeah.

Im getting pretty worn out here, can we take a break?

I proposed a rest to everyone around halfway up the mountain.

Kehma, weve not even been going for an hour Well, I figured as much. Youre strong, but you have no endurance eh oi, Wataru, carry him with this wood shoulder rack here.

Sure. Oh, hey, is that why you invited me?

Heeeh. Now thats a luxurious way to use a Hero-sama, haha!

Course not, chief jokes a lot. Now Wataru, please.

Your village is so great, neither Kehma-san nor me get preferential treatment.

Wataru was smiling. Was he an M? Maybe that traits why he supports women (Nerune).

With that, he started carrying me on his back like a stack of firewood. Aaah, so comfortable.

Gozoh, glancing over to me as I started to think about the preparatory meeting Id had about this while I was being carried, sighed.

Youre really just going to let him carry you, Kehma? Dont you feel like youll lose something as an adventurer?

Eh? Gozoh, youre the one that suggested it though? The slowest one among us was me anyway. To put it another way, this is the most efficient way we can travel. How logical. As expected of one of our villages adventurers.

Seriously, Kehma. Whatre you doing, having our strongest person do something like that to be honest, I prepared that to carry back an injured or dead person.

Thats fine. Well just make it so that no one dies or gets injured, then I can do it on the way back too.

But the ladies, Ichika and Kuro, are walking

Ahahaha, whatre ya sayin Gozoh? Isnt slaves walkin beside their master the way of it? More like shouldnt Goshujin-sama be on my back?

Ichika spoke up, followed by Meat nodding in agreement.

Come to think of it, my party members are all slaves huh. I half forgot about that.

Oi, Wataru, you say something.

Kehma-sans light, its fine. I mean, wont we get there by noon if we go with it?

Really. Roppu, what about you?

I would not want to as an adventurer, but if Kehma-san is fine with it, shouldnt we just let it go?

Haah, is it just me then?

As Wataru said, at this pace, wed make it to the summit by noon. I really was slowing everyone down.

Maybe I should train a bit? I mean, I am more or less a hero now, so I should get stronger if I train still though

Lets not. Too bothersome.

I can just keep sleeping in the inn, theres no reason for me to train at all. Ill just keep pushing the annoying stuff and the adventures to Wataru.

Sleeping in my dungeon master-esque room really agrees with me.

*

Like that, we made it to the summit.

Looking around to make sure that the flame dragon wasnt there, I saw traces of something big entering the dungeon [Flame Cavern].

Id asked Igni to make sure she left marks beforehand, so I guess she did it.

Looks like its not here? Did it hide somewhere? We can try luring it out, but I guess its definitely in there.

Yeah. Theres no doubt about it, those marks appear as though its gone in and out several times. Thats what I think as a hero.

[Flame Cavern] huh well, I had a feeling that might be the case, so we came prepared.

We would rush into [Flame Cavern] though before that, we decided to take a break next to the entrance first.

Heres your lunch, and your lunch Kinues lunches are great~

You wont be getting any food tonight, so make sure you enjoy it yeah?

Why!? I was just wantin to help out Rokuko-sama and Goshujin-samas relationship though!

Hahahah, Ichika, you said you want red pepper paste to drink? Thats what you said, right?

Dont take my drinks tooooo!? Please forgive meeee, Goshujin-samaaaa!

We ate our sandwiches as we talked. As expected of Kinue-sans sandwiches, the vegetables still had a freshness to them.

The suns still high up, we should be able to make it back before night.

Oi Kehma, theres no way we could yeah? Looking for the flame dragon inside [Flame Cavern] then actually slaying it will take a good bit of time.

Oooh, yeah, I guess.

Whoops, I was careless. I was thinking this would be done and over before the days end since I actually know where Igni is and can just have a talk with her, but Gozoh and the others didnt know about that.

But since delaying my return might cause a bit of that, lets take the initiative here.

Well, Im already used to [Flame Cavern]. There arent many traps in the upper floors, so I already have a rough idea of where the dragons going to be. Leave it to me.

Oi oi. Watarus been carrying you this whole time yeah? You barely even leave your room, how could you coming here enough to be accustomed to it already?

Gozon had a point I mean, hes right. Who would want to leave their room?

Please wait, Gozoh-san. How Kehma-san is used to [Flame Cavern] is something I believe I know!

Eh

I felt a chill go down my back. No way, did me knowing Ontentoo get leaked no, theres no way, but Wataru, what are you going to say?

Please, recall this. [Flame Cavern] is connected to the dungeon in Golen, [Cave of Desires]! Kehma must have used that connection to secretly scout it out!

Y-Yeah. Right. Wataru, you figured it out, huh?

Reeeeally? Hmm, well, if thats the case, I guess it does make sense, but

That was close, seriously. I was so surprised Guess Ill have to say some excuse now.

Well, in truth, I purchased information about this dungeon from the construction mage1. After confirming whether the information was accurate with Kuro and Ichika using the route Wataru mentioned, it turned out to be very accurate.

I see, so in addition to that masterful mages information, the two ladies are experienced in exploring it? If thats how it is, alright.

Looks like Gozoh was able to come to an understanding, so thats great. I pat Meat on the head.

Mm? Ichika, you want me to pat you too? Eeeh, you want me to cancel your dinner ban instead? Sure, Ill consider it. Make sure youre useful during this farce of a dungeon delve.

Once we finished our lunch break, we entered [Flame Cavern].

1. Narikin! The Definitely-Not-Kehma Inn-Building Mage of Overnight Construction!