“— Fire Dragon King’s Lair”
“You’re late! You’re both too late!”
Sera, standing rigidly at the base of a volcano far larger than the others, awaited us. Judging by her puffed-out cheeks, she had been waiting quite a while since Sera and Ange arrived. Looking at the other members, it seemed everyone except us had already reached the goal. Even though we intentionally came late, being in last place was not ideal.
“Efil-chan, was it fun?”
“Huh? Um, well… Y-yes…”
Ange, teasing Efil, seemed to have understood my intentions perfectly. Efil blushing was a sight for sore eyes, but I wished she would show that older-sisterly demeanor towards me too.
“I got a bit too absorbed in hunting. It seems the route we took overlapped with the Fire Dragon’s nest. It was a joyous scream, I got excited with Efil.”
“Oh, really? Hmm, then it can’t be helped! But we were still the ones who won, so we expect a heartfelt gift!”
Now that Sera seemed convinced, let’s get to the main topic. Before us is the true ‘Fire Dragon King’s Lair,’ a giant volcano. It looked like a giant dragon was opening its mouth towards the sky, about to unleash its breath as it erupted. The volcano, shaped like a distorted dragon’s face, was surprisingly not man-made but a natural formation. Truly a mystery of nature.
“Still, it’s an interesting shape for a volcano, isn’t it? That part looks just like the dragon’s eye. I’ll sketch it as a souvenir.”
“Wow…! Lion-chan, you’re so good at drawing. You’ve already finished.”
That’s Rion’s picture diary, which she started as a way to practice writing. The discrepancy between the quality of her writing and her drawings is astonishing, as is well-known among me and Efil, who are her teachers. The diary’s content is age-appropriate, but her drawings are at a level that resembles photographs. Ah, I’m drifting off topic again.
“The crater at the summit of this volcano—’Inferno Flame Mouth’—connects to the Underworld, right?”
I reconfirmed with Melfina-sensei.
“To be precise, there’s a device that connects to the Underworld, like a transfer gate. Unlike the transfer gates managed by the country, this one requires no qualifications or permission, so anyone can use it.”
“If you can reach the gate, that is, right?”
Normally, the idea of jumping into a crater swirling with lava would only come from someone suicidal. This alone is dangerous enough, but this volcano is also, as its name suggests, the dwelling place of the Fire Dragon King. Even fire dragons of the same kin avoid getting close to the crater. It truly lives up to its reputation as the most ferocious among Dragon Kings.
“If it were usable by anyone and in an easily accessible place, the surface would have had more inhabitants from the Underworld than it does now.”
“Well, I haven’t met any demons other than Sera and Victor.”
Except for Bel Baal, Sera’s candidate for younger sister.
“Incidentally, the ‘Amatsukisengen’ that Silvia and the others headed to is of similar danger level.”
“About the same as here? Silvia and Emma seem fine, but I’m a little worried about Touya and the others. And Nagua too.”
“Amatsukisengen is under the jurisdiction of the Water Dragon King. He and Silvia have a connection, so you probably don’t need to worry too much?”
“Even if their abilities are sufficient, Touya has that kind of physique, right? Setsuna’s mental anguish, Nagua’s suffering… there seem to be many things, don’t you think?”
“Ah, I understand. I can only pray that Setsuna’s frowns don’t deepen.”
“Nagua, live strong…!”
The Goddess prayed, and Dahak clenched his fist while looking up at the sky. Yeah, separating from the Hero is really relaxing. Good luck to everyone else! Though I’m powerless and can do nothing, I’m rooting for them in spirit!
“By the way, Kelvin. Based on the presence within the volcano, it seems the Fire Dragon King isn’t in his lair right now.”
“What, really, Ange? I rushed here to give my thanks.”
“You weren’t rushing, Kelvin. *I* and Ange were the ones who worked hard!”
“By the way, second place was me and Shutra-chan!”
“I was just reading a book in the shadows with Alex… It was surprisingly comfortable.”
“Master, third place was me. It was third place because of the slow Dahak. To heal this suffering, I desire Sister’s sweets.”
“What are you talking about, this area is a treasure trove of rare plants and flowers. I can’t just ignore it! And I want extra cut vegetables too!”
“Yes, yes, I understand how hard each of you worked.”
It seems each pair managed to clear it in their own way. The serious competitors, Sera and Ange, were straightforward, simply kicking aside the enemies before them with full force. Rion and Shutra won with strategy. Shutra hid in the shadows using Alex’s power, and Rion, who is the fastest, ran. The Dragon siblings, well… if they managed to reinforce their power along the way, the result is all that matters.
“—Hmm? Then, was fourth place Mel and Gerard?”
“Because I’m a heavy knight, you see…”
“And because I had already eaten…”
Gerard rubbed his head, and Melfina rubbed her stomach. Both their job and their meal seem irrelevant in this case. Even the two prominent figures representing the party must have their weaknesses, but the future in the Underworld is a little concerning. Even though I’m saying this being in last place!
—Grrrumble.
Immediately after, a stomach rumbled.
“Hey, Mel. Didn’t you just eat?”
“I-it wasn’t me! It’s a false accusation!”
What? If that’s the case, the remaining gluttons are—
“Master wishes to assert his innocence. Humanoids have better fuel efficiency than dragon forms.”
“Ah, that’s true. Brother, Mud’s stomach wasn’t rumbling either.”
Nor is it Mudoph’s. Though I had a general idea from where the sound came, I confirmed it just in case, as it’s unusual. I looked again at the culprits, Sera and Ange.
“Y-yeah, I think I just overdid it a little.”
“This is also proof that I’ve surpassed my limits! …I’m hungry.”
How serious were you guys?
“…Come to think of it, it’s mealtime. Well, let’s eat first.”
***
A dining area was created at the base of the volcano, an application of the Improbable Black Fortress, resembling the barbecue space found in a campground. The base was made high, so the magma flowing from the volcano posed no problem. A simple outdoor roof was also attached, making it resistant to fiery rain from the sky. Furthermore, Melfina’s Ice Empress’s Thorns covered the exterior, blocking any transmitted shock or heat. The finishing touch was a refreshing domain, completing the comfortable space. Outside, the volcanic eruption served as fireworks, a sort of summer tradition. Hehehe, it’s more comfortable than any banquet hall. And—
“Older Kel, you were late because you were making this, weren’t you?”
“Th-this is the legendary Lava Grill…!”
Mel’s eyes shone with admiration at the sight of a large, rectangular lava plate. Even though I was in last place, I wasn’t just goofing around with Efil. We selected high-quality lava rocks using Efil’s ‘Appraisal’ skill, and I processed them into this brand-new creation.
“Beginning the ignition.”
” ” “Ooh…!” ” ”
When Efil moved the flame she held in her hand beneath the plate, cheers erupted from somewhere.
You’ve probably guessed by now. Yes, we’re barbecuing! Sera secured the seafood, Dahak procured the vegetables, and they’re in Kuro’s storage. We also hunted plenty of dragon meat along the way. The lineup of ingredients is perfect. It *should* be perfect. But I hope the Fire Dragon King returns before we run out.
“This is a skirmish before the battle with the Fire Dragon King. Everyone, let’s eat!”
” ” “Ooooh!” ” ”
Well, it might serve as a warm-up for Efil.
