The counterattack was unexpected.
Because of that, the reactions of the two seemed to be delayed.
Fortunately, Snow is a Dragon Person. Thanks to her sturdy body, she wasn’t seriously injured.
However, Rowen was different.
Though he was the boss monster of the 30th floor, his body was almost that of a normal human. He was spitting blood and in pain.
The Dravdragon looked between the two and chose Rowen for its follow-up attack.
I instinctively started to run. I poured magic into “Dimension Winter,” trying to slow the enemy’s movements even a little.
I tried to get to Rowen before the Dravdragon, but it was too late.
The position was desperately bad.
No one could save Rowen…
“—Onii-chan, Rowen! Don’t look at me!!”
Reaper’s cry reached my ears.
Then, understanding what Reaper was trying to do, I dispelled my dimensional magic. The magic power filling the throne room vanished, leaving only her magic.
I even averted my eyes from Rowen.
I must not recognize what is about to happen.
If I don’t recognize it, it will be Reaper’s solo performance.
“Please, Reaper!!”
“I understand, Onii-chan!!”
As Reaper replied, a roar echoed.
I knew the Dravdragon had lunged at where Rowen was.
After a beat, I deployed “Dimension” again.
I found Reaper and Rowen collapsed in a corner of the throne room.
Reaper had approached Rowen with her instantaneous teleportation, and it seemed she had managed to save him while she was still materialized.
“Reaper, leave the rest to me! —Magic “Dimension Winter”!!”
While averting my eyes from Rowen, I had been continuously running towards the Dravdragon.
Seeing the new enemy approaching, the Dravdragon prepared to counterattack.
I couldn’t expect support from the other three.
I had to win one-on-one.
I charged forward with my sword extended horizontally, enhanced by “Magic Ice Solidification.”
The Dravdragon shuddered, squeezing magic from the depths of its body. Then, as if to shave away its life, it took a breath and exhaled raging flames from its mouth.
“—Magic “Freeze”!”
I erected a barrier of cold air and plunged through the flames.
As someone with a deep understanding of fire, even the “Dragon’s Flame” wouldn’t be a decisive blow.
Beyond the searing flames, the Dravdragon’s claws awaited.
I used my sword to parry the attack.
Of course, simply parrying would only send me flying. Only Snow, with her immense strength, could withstand this. I used “Magic Ice Solidification” to change the shape of my sword. I widened its surface area like a shield and slid upon it. This was a feat only possible with “Magic Ice Solidification,” which Rowen couldn’t achieve with his “Magic Power Solidification.”
The ice was scraped away, scattering white sparks.
I succeeded in getting inside the Dravdragon’s guard and extended my sword again.
Naturally, my target was its neck.
With Rowen’s strike, it was close enough to be severed completely. That was the only place to aim.
I leaped over the Dravdragon’s claws and landed on its arm.
This gave me the height I needed. Now all I had to do was extend the tip of my sword to the Dravdragon’s neck, which was about to be torn off.
Sensing my intent, the Dravdragon flapped its wings.
It took flight with a gale infused with magic. It tried to shake me off by flying within the confined space of the throne room, where the ceiling was low.
However, this was an attack I could easily handle among the expected counterattacks.
The Dravdragon was using magic to manipulate the wind. It seemed to be using magic for flight as well. It was probably weaving flight magic unconsciously.
It was potent enough to affect this colossal body. It was undoubtedly a high-level magic.
But to me, it was just a weakness. “Dimension Winter” disrupted the flight magic, slightly destabilizing the Dravdragon’s posture.
It was more than enough of an opening.
As I leaped, I extended my sword to its limit with “Magic Ice Solidification” and severed the Dravdragon’s neck. My “Magic Ice Solidification” sword was inferior to Rowen’s in sharpness. However, by targeting the wound made by Rowen, the sword was able to slice through the dragon’s flesh.
The Dravdragon’s head and body separated in mid-air.
A rain of blood poured down, and the throne room, devoid of its king, was stained crimson.
The Dravdragon’s massive body fell to the ground with a thunderous roar.
As I landed, I checked the Dravdragon’s condition.
It was completely dead.
I felt no life force or magic.
However, the Dravdragon did not vanish into light.
Vanishing into light was a phenomenon exclusive to labyrinths. It seemed that such magic formulas were incorporated into the labyrinths.
This was my first time looking closely at a monster’s corpse.
There was a definite aura of death. Proof that life had been extinguished.
With the enemy gone, I turned my attention to the safety of my companions.
“Kanami, are you okay?”
Snow walked towards me first.
“Yeah, I’m fine. Unscathed.”
“As expected of Kanami. Unscathed even against a dragon.”
Snow looked at me with melting eyes.
Eyes like she was looking at a “Hero.” I wished she would stop looking at me like that.
However, at this moment, I had something more important to say to Snow.
“…Hey, Snow. Did you, by any chance, communicate with that dragon?”
Hearing my words, the dragon seemed to grow angry.
“…Huh? N-no. I can’t do that.”
Snow shook her head in response.
“I see…”
I almost strengthened “Dimension” to check if she was lying, but stopped myself. I wouldn’t do that to a companion, and confirming it wouldn’t change anything.
The dragon was already dead.
After finishing my conversation with Snow, I went to check on Reaper and Rowen.
“That’s a relief… Rowen…”
Reaper was at the edge of the throne room, rejoicing in Rowen’s safety.
But–
“R-Reaper, why did you go so far for me—”
–Reaper’s right leg was gone from the knee down.
With a chill running down my spine, I ran towards Reaper.
“Why? …Rowen taught me. He told me to ‘decide for myself.’ So, I decided. To save Rowen.”
“Save me…?”
“My mission to ‘kill Rowen’ is to be ignored, ignored! My mission is to ‘save Rowen,’ I decided that! So, as promised, I’ll save him even if it costs me my life! Rowen is my precious playmate!”
“Reaper…”
Reaper laughed.
Because of our “Connection,” I could vaguely understand her condition.
Reaper was a magic being based on a human girl. She was modeled so faithfully after humans that she felt pain just like us. In other words, Reaper was smiling for Rowen while enduring the pain of losing her leg.
I ran towards Reaper, shouting.
“Reaper, are you okay! Can you use magic to reattach your leg?!”
“Yeah, I’m fine. It’ll be back to normal after a little while. It’s easier because Onii-chan is giving me so much magic.”
I pushed the magic supply to Reaper to its limit.
Though I was relieved to know her life was not in danger, the pain transmitted to me through our “Connection” was considerable.
Beside her, Rowen, stumbling, reached out a hand towards Reaper.
But his hand couldn’t even touch Reaper’s body.
“Gah, pathetic… Even though this body is weak, how pathetically weak…!!”
Rowen muttered bitterly, placing his hands on the ground where they had passed through.
Indeed, his earlier behavior was unlike Rowen.
Even though Rowen specialized in combat against individuals, it was strange that he couldn’t react to such a surprise attack from a dragon.
When we trained together, he had precognitive abilities akin to future prediction.
The repeated resolutions of his “Lingering Desires” over the past few days might have affected Rowen’s condition more than I realized.
Regretting my lenient judgment this morning, I began to heal Reaper and Rowen.
And while healing them, I noticed. Rowen’s continuous muttering of something unusual–
“…I almost died. If I had died, I would have ‘monstered,’ and everyone, everyone!”
Rowen clenched his fist on the ground. Cracks appeared in the stone floor, and abnormal magic surged from his body.
It was a terrifying pressure.
Even though I knew he wasn’t an enemy, cold sweat broke out.
I could feel Rowen’s weakened power returning.
This meant that Rowen was now regretting it to the point of becoming a “Lingering Desire.”
“R-Rowen, you don’t need to worry so much. Things like this happen.”
“No, it was a fatal mistake! My ‘Monsterization’ isn’t just my problem!”
Rowen interrupted my words and continued.
“When I first ‘monsterize,’ I have no reason. You could say I become a monster itself. If I had ‘monsterized’ here, it would have become even more terrifying…!”
Rowen continued to blame himself for his mistake.
After pounding the ground a few times, he covered his face with both hands.
Reaper gently accepted Rowen’s state.
“Rowen, you worry too much… Even if Rowen ‘monsterizes,’ we would be able to stop him. We’re friends, so trust us a little.”
“Reaper…”
Upon hearing those words, Rowen fell silent.
It seemed he decided not to show any more weakness, not even for Reaper’s sake. He closed his mouth and watched Reaper recover.
Then, silence fell upon the throne room.
Thus, we completed the dragon subjugation quest.
◆◆◆◆◆
After finishing the healing of Reaper and Rowen, we descended to the village.
As proof, Snow and I carried the Dravdragon’s head. It was larger than I expected, and it couldn’t fit into my “Inventory,” which was an unforeseen miscalculation. Honestly, descending the mountain was more tiring than fighting the Dravdragon.
When we displayed the Dravdragon’s head in the center of the village, the villagers began to gather one after another.
They opened their mouths in surprise and voiced their joy. Some even started dancing, which made it clear how much this dragon had tormented the village.
The villagers surrounded us, offering words of gratitude continuously.
Villagers of all ages, with tears in their eyes, praised us.
Their voices merged into a chorus, echoing throughout the village. It was a roaring flood, but it felt as pleasant as an orchestra. Caught in its center, we were overwhelmed by its fervor.
“Is this how ‘Heroes’ are treated…”
“Mm, Kanami is the ‘Hero’ of the ‘Epic Seekers’… Alright—”
Rowen and Snow smiled and responded to the villagers.
Then, Snow seized the opportunity to start her promotion.
“—The Dravdragon that was plaguing your village was slain by our ‘Epic Seeker’ Guild Master, Kanami Aikawa! He is the ‘Dragon Slayer,’ a true ‘Hero’! Please give our ‘Hero’ a round of applause for his hard work!!”
Snow, utilizing her Dragon Person lunges, shouted so everyone could hear.
Upon hearing this, the villagers became even more excited and began to praise my name.
“Kanami! Kanami! Kanami!”
“Is that the Guild Master of ‘Epic Seeker’?”
“To be a ‘Dragon Slayer’ at such a young age, truly a ‘Hero’!!”
All eyes were on me. The intensity of their gaze made me feel dizzy.
It felt similar to when I dealt with nobles and merchants at balls. Even though there were no insidious calculations happening behind the scenes, I felt nervous in the face of such excessive expectations and praise.
It seemed I was fundamentally unsuited for such things.
Or perhaps, I simply felt it was undeserved. I could accept it if it were the result of my own diligent efforts. However, that was not the case. This “power” that killed the dragon was a “power” I obtained by coming to this “Another World.” That was the biggest sticking point.
I smiled an ingratiating smile and waved at the villagers.
Then, wanting to leave this place immediately, I headed to the village’s responsible party to report the dragon subjugation.
Pushing my way through villagers who tried to embrace me, I hurried towards the village chief’s mansion. Snow and the others followed behind me.
I reprimanded Snow in a low voice.
“—Snow, that kind of promotion was unnecessary. It would have been better if Rowen had taken the title of ‘Dragon Slayer’…”
Snow and Rowen immediately replied.
“That won’t do, Kanami. That’s necessary.”
“You were the one who severed the dragon’s head. I made a mistake and only caused trouble for Reaper. Unfortunately, the title of ‘Dragon Slayer’ belongs to Kanami…”
It seemed both of them were determined to make me the “Hero” and “Dragon Slayer.”
Realizing that anything I said would be futile, I continued walking with a sigh.
Behind me, Snow and Rowen called out to me.
“…Kanami, act more like a ‘Hero.’ It’ll be for everyone’s sake.”
“This glory belongs to Kanami this time… However, next time, I will be the one to attain glory…!”
I left the two eager companions behind and entered the village chief’s mansion.
The members of the Walker family were lined up there. Sensing the results of our endeavor with our appearance, they immediately began to settle the payment for the quest.
As usual, they were efficient.
Thanks to that, I was once again just standing there.
After the confirmation of subjugation and the handover of the reward were completed, the village chief informed me that a feast would be held. He invited me to attend if I wished.
I intended to decline, but since the other three desired to participate, attendance was decided.
Thus, the village hastily began preparations for the feast, becoming bustling with activity.
Snow sequestered herself in a carriage, saying she had to think of a speech for the promotion, while Rowen and Reaper went to play with the children.
With nothing to do, I offered to help with the feast preparations, but was politely refused.
Upon reflection, it was only natural that I, the guest of honor, would not be allowed to help.
With no other choice, I went for a walk in the nearby mountains until nightfall. In times like these, dimensional magic is convenient as it prevents me from getting lost.
Then, I spent my time dealing with monsters outside the labyrinth.
