4-7 Doze Territory
After exterminating the Lesser Demons that had been troubling Treki Village, I returned to the royal capital only to receive another extermination order.
This time, it was to defeat a dragon that had resumed its activities after a hundred years. However, this dragon wasn’t particularly large. It had apparently grown just enough to be able to fly.
As usual, the dragon had appeared in a territory on the outskirts of the kingdom. Since it wasn’t a place that would easily benefit the kingdom, dealing with it had been postponed.
This dragon also had a story of being subdued by a Saint a hundred years ago. I heard that monsters subdued or sealed by successive Saints existed all over the kingdom.
Why did they go around doing such half-measures? Thanks to that, I have to deal with unnecessary trouble.
“Saints don’t have the power to defeat monsters,”
Alice answered when I was complaining about the Saints in the carriage.
“Light magic isn’t the type that attacks opponents, it affects the mind.”
“Mental? Like illusions or charm?”
Could it be that Eleanor was using light magic to charm Lord Edward?
“It’s a bit different. Light refers to the light of the heart. You could say it’s a righteous heart. It works on that, calming the opponent’s hostility and ill intent.”
I see. So that’s why the thugs I hired to attack Eleanor in my previous life suddenly had a change of heart.
Then why didn’t Eleanor use light magic on me?
“Does light magic work on everyone, Alice?”
“No, it’s said to have no effect if there’s no conscience at all.”
…Probably because it would have been too presumptuous to use light magic on a duke’s daughter. There’s no way I have less of a good heart than monsters.
“Also, for monsters, it seems they can completely stop their activities for a certain period. It’s called ‘sealing’ magic. Saints used this magic to subdue monsters in various places. Light magic shouldn’t have anything that physically attacks the opponent.”
“Is the sealing spell easy to cast?”
“It’s not easy. You can only use it after calming the opponent’s heart to some extent using other light magic. It seems to take a lot of time to calm a monster’s heart. According to legends, it sometimes took three days and nights.”
“I see, it takes that long…”
So dialogue is the only way. It seems light magic isn’t as convenient as I thought. As expected of those called Saints. How kind. But I’m not kind. I’m different from the Saints. Be it monsters or fate, I’ll defeat them with my own power.
From the carriage window, I could see the large mountain where the dragon was said to live.
“Welcome, Lady Selina!”
The one who greeted me at the entrance of the town was Count Doze, the lord of this region. He was a thin man of about thirty. Deep wrinkles were carved on his face, and his eyes looked exhausted. His cheeks were sunken, showing signs of decline. His hair was somewhat disheveled, suggesting he didn’t have the luxury to groom himself.
“You seem to be quite troubled by the dragon, Count Doze.”
“Yes, honestly, it wouldn’t be surprising if the town was attacked at any moment. Thinking about that, I can’t even sleep. It’s shameful.”
His words were too honest for a nobleman. But it’s easier without tedious probing.
“So where is the dragon? That mountain?”
I pointed at the large mountain I saw from the carriage.
“Yes, that’s right. However, we don’t know exactly where on that mountain it is.”
It’s completely different in size from the rocky mountain where the Lesser Demons of Treki Village lived.
Even if I use magic, it would probably just scrape the mountainside a bit.
In other words, I have to actually go to the mountain to defeat it.
What? That steep mountain? I don’t want to!
“Count Doze, why do you think the dragon will attack this town?”
I hope it’s just my imagination so I can go home.
“It seems that dragon mainly feeds on animals, but humans are included among those animals. For the dragon, this town is an easy hunting ground. We’ve managed to drive it away by forming a defense squad with knights and soldiers, but that’s only a matter of time. So far, the dragon seems to be attacking playfully, but even so, our defense squad is exhausted and reaching its limit. It could fall apart at any moment.”
Well, I suppose a town is like shouting “Humans are here!” at full volume, so it must be easy hunting for the dragon. Easier than dealing with animals in forests or plains where you don’t know where they are.
So, the dragon is attacking this town in search of food.
Then, if we dangle bait in front of it, we can lure it out.
I looked at Emma. Her healthy and supple body does look delicious, if I may say so.
With her unnecessarily high physical abilities, she’s perfect as bait.
“Count Doze, where’s a good place to fight around here?”
“If that’s the case, there’s an open plain at the foot of the mountain where the dragon lives. How about that area?”
I don’t want to go that far.
“Isn’t there anywhere closer to town?”
“Closer to town? Well… if possible, I’d prefer if you could fight away from the town…”
Count Doze shrugged apologetically.
“What are you saying, Count Doze!”
It was Isabel who rebuked him.
“Lady Selina is someone who wouldn’t be fazed even if she had to fight in that mountain. If she’s choosing to defeat it near the town, there must be a reason!”
“A reason?”
Despite being spoken to so presumptuously by my servant, Count Doze didn’t seem to mind much. I’m more nervous about it.
“It’s to give the townspeople a sense of involvement. It’s important for them to feel that peace is not easily obtained. Threats are not limited to dragons. We don’t know what will happen in the future. However, if we defeat the dragon in a place they can’t see or hear, they might misunderstand that peace can be easily obtained. Lady Selina is concerned about this complacency. She will certainly defeat the dragon. But in the end, it’s necessary for them to have the spirit to protect their town themselves.”
Count Doze’s face lit up at Isabel’s words. The faces of the knights he brought also changed. And my expression probably changed too. Because I hadn’t thought of any of that.
As expected of Isabel. Her way with words shows her experience in managing girls at the orphanage.
I just didn’t want to go all the way to the mountain.
“I understand! Indeed, we may have been thinking selfishly to let only young people like Lady Selina and her companions fight. We too should be prepared to fight when necessary. Let’s lure the dragon to a place near the town!”
A light kindled in Count Doze’s exhausted eyes. He’s easily swayed. It must be hard for him to survive in noble society.
The newly designated battlefield was a plain close to the town. That’s not a significant distance to travel, so it’s acceptable to me.
“Now, Emma. I want you to lure the dragon here.”
“Understood! We’re going to race with the dragon, aren’t we? How exciting!”
Impressive, this girl. Even though her life is at stake in this race, she seems genuinely excited.
“Listen, Emma. Take off your armor. It’s better to wear as little clothing as possible.”
I ordered Emma to remove the armor she was wearing.
“Understood!”
Without hesitation, Emma removed her armor and took off her outer clothes, leaving her in something like underwear.
“I see. Dragon’s breath would be hardly effective even with armor on. Rather than that, by removing the armor to become lighter, you’re aiming to increase speed!”
Louis nodded repeatedly, looking impressed.
Huh? Well, isn’t it because the dragon will find exposed skin more appetizing? If she’s wearing hard armor, the dragon might not come to eat her.
Though she’s not a well-developed child and lacks feminine charm, she should appear attractive as bait.
“I’m off then!”
Emma gave a crisp salute and dashed off towards the mountain as nimbly as a wild monkey.
READ THE ORIGINAL TRANSLATION AT GADGETIZEDPANDA.COM
I was drinking tea after moving to the plain that would become the battlefield. It was because I had time to kill until the dragon arrived.
In the town of Duke Doze behind us, knights and soldiers were fortifying their defenses. The townspeople had come out near the plain, watching the proceedings with bated breath.
I think it would be fine if they ran away. They’re in the way. But after Isabel said those things, I can’t very well tell them to “go somewhere else” now.
Just as I was taking a sip of my third cup of tea, I saw something flying from the mountain.
“The dragon is coming. Emma is also safe.”
Oscar confirmed the situation with a telescope and reported Emma’s safety.
The dragon seems to be breathing fire towards the forest with a roar, so Emma must be around there.
At this distance and that size, the dragon is fairly large.
After a while, I could see something like a flea hopping towards us.
That must be Emma.
“All hands, prepare for battle.”
“Sir, yes sir!”
At my voice, the attendants responded, readying their weapons.
“It’ll be troublesome if it escapes, so we’ll strike it down after luring it in sufficiently. Alice and I will attack with magic when Emma arrives here. Richard, Oscar, and Isabel will engage in close combat where it falls. Louis, cast God’s protection on Richard and the others beforehand. Ah, on me too, please.”
“Understood.”
Louis, the priest, began praying for God’s protection. This should make us able to withstand the dragon’s flame at least once. It won’t reach Emma, but she should be fine, probably.
Emma’s figure finally became visible. She was sprinting across the plain at an incredible speed.
The dragon was persistently chasing Emma. It didn’t seem to notice anything else. It seems to have taken quite a liking to her. So that’s its type?
The dragon entered the airspace above the plain. I raised both hands and began chanting magic.
[Great wind, answer my call. Blade of wind, sword of gale, vortex of storm. Shake the atmosphere, split the heavens. Wind, oh wind, become the power to slash the enemy, wind dwelling in my hands, now I shall release you]
My target is the dragon’s right wing.
Alice is chanting the same magic, aiming her hands towards the dragon’s left wing.
[Slash, bearer of the storm!]
The two wind magics that manifested became powerful vacuum blades, slicing through both of the dragon’s wings.
This magic wouldn’t work on the scales covering the dragon’s main body, but it’s extremely effective on the thin skin-like wings.
The dragon, having lost its wings, let out a death cry and crashed.
Without delay, Richard and the others ran towards the crash site. Emma, who had quickly returned and put on her armor, followed suit. In close combat, she probably judged that having armor would be better after all. She may seem clueless, but her judgment in such matters is accurate.
“I’m going too. Alice and Louis, please provide support.”
“Sir, yes sir!”
I didn’t particularly want to go to the front lines, but it would look bad if I just watched from a high place while my attendants fought. This is a battle for me to gain fame. There are many spectators. I must demonstrate my power here.
The crashed dragon was already trying to stand up. As expected of the strongest species among magical beasts. It won’t fall from just the damage of a fall.
Richard swung his great sword like an axe, aiming for its legs.
“Oraaaah!”
Blood sprayed as he cut through the scales, and the dragon’s body, as tall as our mansion, swayed.
The ferocious monster opened its mouth, trying to aim its flame breath at Richard, but Oscar, who had circled around, cleverly attacked its tail, diverting the enemy’s attention.
Furthermore, Isabel was slashing at the belly not covered by scales.
The enraged dragon switched to attacking with the sharp claws on its hands and feet.
Emma joined the battle as well. With Alice and Louis in the rear occasionally launching attack magic and recovery magic, we had the upper hand.
I infused my sword with magical power. This magic sword is a treasured blade of the ducal family. The more magical power infused, the more its power increases. It’s a perfect sword for me.
As the dragon’s head gradually began to lower, I swung my sword, pouring all the magical power I could muster.
“Thank you so much, Lady Selina!”
Duke Doze thanked me with tears in his eyes.
Next to me lay the severed head of the dragon. What thoughts lingered behind those vacant eyes?
Surely, this monster must have had things it wanted to say too. Just like I once did.
Probably, the dragon had made this area its lair first, and humans had later expanded into the territory.
“Is something the matter?”
Duke Doze looked at me inquiringly, as if wondering if some discourtesy had occurred.
“No, it’s nothing.”
I shook off the slight pity I felt for the dragon and faced Duke Doze.
Behind him were not only knights and soldiers but also many residents gathered.
“The dragon that has been troubling this land has been slain by Selina Rosenberg!”
I raised my voice.
“What I have demonstrated by defeating this dragon is that with courage, unity, and belief, we can face and overcome any enemy, no matter how formidable. This battle was not merely physical, but a battle of heart and soul. I advanced without fearing the enemy, trusting in my companions. It is because of this conviction that we achieved victory! This victory belongs not just to us, but to all the people who dwell in this land. Through this experience, we can learn and transform this land into a stronger, better place. Engrave this day in your hearts and never forget it. Let us walk together on the path to the future!”
I’m not even sure what I’m saying myself, but thanks to the daily practice of giving speeches during the period when I was training my attendants, I’ve become accustomed to this kind of stirring talk.
A battle of heart and soul? Even I don’t understand what I’m saying. It’s simply a victory of strength. Defeating the dragon is nothing more than the military achievement of myself and my attendants. After all, the people here didn’t do anything.
However, speaking like this tends to be well-received.
“Long live Selina Rosenberg!”
Someone shouted.
Triggered by this, the residents began to shout praises for me in unison.
Some were even crying. No, Duke Doze in front of me was crying.
It’s probably because he had been worrying for so long about his domain being threatened by the dragon.
I can somewhat understand those feelings.
My attendants also look very satisfied, having been able to demonstrate their strength.
Although I had thought the subjugation mission would be such a bother, strangely, I felt a sense of fulfillment.
TLNOTE : While waiting, I implore you dear readers to read other masterpiece novels that also written by the same author :
- When the Monster Meat I Ate Led Me to the Throne
- Who killed the Hero?
- The Suspects of Necromancy
- The Exiled Merchant Saves the World with the Power of Gold (translated by my friend meerkat)
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