We've continued to clear the Proline Dungeon for a little over a month.

　We've already collected all the necessary mithril.

　It was done with considerable leeway, so this is the result. I can't help but to say it was easy.

　The experience we acc.u.mulated was so much too.

　I got the most, still, Silvia and Eko have almost raised their existing skills to Grade 9.

　Yukari has also raised 《Manufacture》 and 《Bestowal Magic》 up to Grade 9. 《Manufacture》 is a skill that can be called a synonymous of Blacksmith, used to make equipment out of materials. Also, for Bestowal, once Yukari's 《Disa.s.sembly》 skill has gone to a higher rank, I'll start to carefully consider it. Manufacture, Bestowal and Disa.s.sembly, you're not able to properly dabble in Bestowal without having these three. That was common sense in my previous life.

————————–

　Well then.

　Since we've come this far and we're free now, this is a good opportunity. Therefore, I finally decided to let them know what's next.

“Since we have the chance, let's learn the most we can.”

　After I told the group, Eko and Silvia nodded with a sense of tension.

　Learn the most we can――That means, using the skills learned up until now, we'll now be learning Dragon Horse and Dragon King.

　For Silvia, that would be 《Dragon Horse Archery》 and 《Dragon King Archery》. And in the case of Eko, 《Dragon Horse s.h.i.+eldmans.h.i.+p》 and 《Dragon King s.h.i.+eldmans.h.i.+p》. And for me, in addition to 《Dragon Horse Archery》 and 《Dragon King Archery》, there's also 《Dragon Horse Swordsmans.h.i.+p》 and 《Dragon King Swordsmans.h.i.+p》.

　However, since it's troublesome to rank them all the way up, for the moment I'll just settle for learning them and stop at the 16th Cla.s.s. But I'll raise 《Dragon King Swordsmans.h.i.+p》 all the way up since that is a practical skill.

“Tell me, Second-dono. What is the method of acquiring them? “

　Silvia asked that question with an excited face. Those are the only 【Archery】 skills she has left to learn, so she's really enthusiastic.

“Firstly, I'll explain about Dragon Horse Archery. To put it simply, you just have to defeat a dragon.”

“D-D-D-DRA……!? “

　Nice reaction. However, since the talk won't advance like this, I just continued speaking.

“What's important is how you defeat it. In the case of Dragon Horse Archery, the last blow has to be done using Bishop Archery. Until then, you need to attack using each and every archery skill, from Soldier to Rook, at least once.”

“……Master. Is such a thoughtless action even possible while fighting a dragon? “

　Yukari asked a naive question. But it was expected.

“Ahh, once you know how to do it, it's easy. Besides, this alone isn't enough to learn Dragon Horse Archery.”

“WHAT!?　There's still more!? “

　Silvia looked at the sky as if asking for a break. She didn't think there was more to the Dragon Horse explanation.

“If you do what I say against five different dragons, you'll learn it.”

“　“

　You could see the shock on her face, and even almost hear it. Not only Silvia, but the tension had also spread to Yukari and Eko.

　Well, it's bothersome. In Mobius, there isn't just one kind of dragon. From beginning to end, there are more than 20 varieties. But if we find five of the weaker varieties and meet the condition that way, it won't be that much trouble. When you think about it, Dragon King is a bit better to get.

“In the case of Dragon King Archery, all you need to do is kill 10 dragons of any type using just Rook Archery. Well, that way is easier.”

“TH-TH-TH-TH-THERE'S NO WAY THAT'S EASIER!! “

　Silvia yelled. She wondered, “Isn't this just a dream!? “, then she continued, “That's right, I'm sure I'm just unconscious……” and held her head in her hands. I might have broken her spirit a bit too much. Oops.

“Oh, Swordsmans.h.i.+p has the same conditions. In other words, you and I will be hunting dragons for a while, Silvia. I'll help you, so it's okay, don't worry.”

　As a response to my follow up, Silvia said “Re-Really? “, then she raised her face, looked at me and asked “You'll not just throw me into the dragon's nest, right? “, in doubt. What does she think I am? There's no way I'll do that (flag).

“And me?　And me? “

“Your case is a bit special, Eko. For Dragon Horse s.h.i.+eldmans.h.i.+p, it's enough to have protected a team member with Soldier s.h.i.+eldmans.h.i.+p ～ Rook s.h.i.+eldmans.h.i.+p at least once, who kills the dragon. And do that with 5 different dragons. Dragon King s.h.i.+eldmans.h.i.+p, however, is to consecutively parry a dragon's attack using Rook s.h.i.+eldmans.h.i.+p 100 times. It's a bit difficult, but I'll show you how.”

“Got itー!　I'll do my bestー! “

“Yeah, let's do our best.”

　Eko was full of energy, and okay with the challenge.

“And while we're out dragon hunting, can I ask you to take care of things regarding the Earl, Yukari? “

“Yes. Please leave that to me, Master.”

　Yukari was as expressionless as ever, but she had this slightly triumphant look. I'm a bit happy that I can now somehow read that cold expression of hers little by little as we spend more time together.

“Alright. Let's start with the plan then.”

　Thus, the curtain was closed on our Proline clears.

———————————-

“Where are the dragons? “

　Along the way, Eko came asking.

　We're moving north from Badgordo. And our destination is the ‘canyon'.

“There are a lot in the Metio Dungeon.”

“Heeー."

　The intermediate cla.s.s dungeon, 『Metio』 is an outdoor dungeon. It has the shape of a canyon, and inside of it, seven different types of dragons appear, including the boss. It's a den of dragons, so to speak.

“Wait. Did you just say Metio? “

“Yeah.”

“……But it hasn't been captured yet, right? “

“I can tell.”

　The Metio Dungeon is the most difficult of the intermediate cla.s.s dungeons. That's why I thought that if Proline was still uncaptured, Metio would be the same. It might be even harder than the Algin Dungeon, the easiest of the Upper-Cla.s.s Dungeons, if you just consider the monsters' difficulty.

“We're going to such a dangerous place?　We?　To defeat a dragon? “

“That's correct.”

“Are…… are we going to be alright? “

“It's alright. There is a small number of monsters in Metio, so we can always go three against one.”

　In exchange for that, only dragons appear. However, quality is better than quant.i.ty, and each one of them has considerable strength.

“I-I see.”

“You worry too much, you won't die.”

　Silvia seems to be quite nervous. She just responded with a “U-Umu”, and returned her sight to the front, but I could still feel her restlessness. Does she have any bad memories of dragons?　When I asked her that, her reply implied that was not the case. Then what is it?

“I've been dealing against nothing but golems for a while. I would be lying if I said I wasn't anxious about my first battle against something new. Furthermore, dragons are monsters who are the symbols of strength. It's weird not to be nervous…… But even if I say that, I think there isn't such a word in your dictionary, Second-dono! “

　I see. Leaving the anxiousness aside, it's good that she's tense and focused on her first-time fight. Telling her “You're admirable”, I gave her a thumbs up. Silvia laughed at her own dismay saying “I'm starting to feel stupid for being this nervous.”

　Eko, on the other hand, was completely normal. Is it because she has a leeway thanks to her high VIT? Or is it just her personality? In any case, it's good that she's reliable. I also gave her a thumbs up.

＜Status Details＞

Named after shogi pieces (The word in bold is the one being used in this translation). From easier to acquire to harder.

Swordsmans.h.i.+p

s.h.i.+eldmans.h.i.+p

Archery

They use the “Form” or “step” system of martial arts. From lower to higher.

From lower to higher, then it changes to the “Dan” system of martial arts, which means Grade.