We live at the foothills of Dragon Peak.
Adventurers of Dragon Peak
Due to various circumstances, the collapsed suspension bridge has been postponed in rebuilding due to various complications. Therefore, it is still not complete. Perhaps restoration work will begin around the summer this year.
For this reason, if you go down normally, it ends at a deep valley.
However, we knew there was no suspension bridge before we left, so we chose a detour from the start. We plan to travel up the valley and cross another bridge.
Depending on the path we take, unfortunately, we won’t be able to stop by the Chicken Dragon’s nest. That place is near the suspension bridge, so the path is different.
Going down the mountain, climbing the valley, and crossing the pass. Little by little, we descend Dragon Peak. Then, the snow, which was deep at first, gradually thinned, and a faint green began to increase. It repelled the snow, and new shoots eagerly emerged, trying hard to usher in spring.
I also took a step-by-step approach, not to be outdone by the difficult mountain road.
After about four days of descending Dragon Peak.
Deep in the forest, we unexpectedly met people.
“Are you alright?”
I spoke to what looked like exhausted and worn-out adventurers.
A group of four male adventurers. A black-haired man with a thick, attack-oriented longsword. A small, nimble-looking red-haired boy. A tall man with an intelligent aura. And a burly, tough-looking bearded man.
“You guys… Are you Dragon Race?”
Just by being asked that by the tall, gentle man, I was able to immediately recognize them as Human Race adventurers.
If these people were Dragon Race, they could tell our race just by looking at me and Ares-chan.
“No, we’re not. I’m Human Race too.”
My introduction surprised the four of them.
It’s understandable. They probably can’t believe that a Human being is traveling alone in this dangerous Dragon Peak. However, they seemed to be relieved and unsurprised, as if it didn’t matter whether I was Dragon Race or Human Race.
And for good reason.
One of the four, a small boy, was clutching his leg and crouched down, while the remaining three surrounded him worriedly.
And all four looked exhausted and troubled.
They are definitely Human Race adventurers. And their actions in this area at this time of year suggest they are quite skilled.
In the Capital City, Sefina is leading the way, blocking the reckless adventurers who try to enter Dragon Peak. Nevertheless, I know there are those who misjudge their own abilities and try to sneak past the watchful eyes and enter Dragon Peak.
However, those who lack such skill usually fall prey to magic beasts in the first forest.
But these people, who have passed the first hurdle, the forest at the foothills and the villages where caravans gather, and have entered the depths of Dragon Peak, are adventurers with solid abilities and extensive knowledge and experience of adventure.
And yet, they appear worn out, carrying an injured party member. Even though I introduced myself as Human Race, their faces lit up with relief, which is proof that they were in a desperate situation.
“Is he injured?”
Even though he is a boy, he is definitely older than me. He was small but had well-developed muscles, and his appearance suggested he had experienced many adventures.
I approached cautiously, wondering if they were wary of me. However, there was no sign of rejection, so I approached the crouching small boy and looked at his leg, which he was holding.
His ankle was swollen and bright red.
Looking at the painful sight, I judged that he wouldn’t be able to walk like this.
“We were attacked by a monster. He fell off a ledge over there and twisted it.”
The bearded man explained, even though I didn’t ask.
“I don’t think it’s broken. But if he can’t move like this…”
I, who was also traveling on Dragon Peak, fully understood what they meant.
The sun was setting. If night fell, it would be the time for the magic beasts.
They probably wanted to leave this place quickly. And they wanted to secure a safe campsite.
But their tired appearance…
The battle with the monsters must have been quite fierce. In fact, besides the crouching boy, the other three also had injuries if you looked closely.
Injured and exhausted, they were at a loss here.
Since he is a small boy, someone could carry him. However, in the rugged wilderness, carrying a person, even a small one, would be a great hardship. Moreover, they were injured and at the limit of their stamina.
It may be a cruel and heartless thought, but one idea must have crossed their minds.
Should they abandon the injured, immobile boy and leave?
In life-or-death adventures, one is sometimes forced to make cruel choices. Do you put everyone in danger for the sake of one person?
If deemed a hindrance, or if sacrifice is deemed unavoidable, the remaining party members are forced to make their own painful choices.
And they, too, might have been facing this unbearable choice, confronting the ruthless reality.
Perhaps that’s why they all looked so exhausted and troubled, and saw a glimmer of hope in my appearance.
“Did you come from beyond the forest? Was there a safe place around here?”
There was no safe place on the path they had taken. Perhaps they thought there might be a village or a safe place on the path I came from.
After all, I am with a young girl, Ares-chan.
Normally, people don’t go on long trips with small children. Moreover, in the dangerous Dragon Peak, it’s easy to misunderstand.
“I’m sorry. We were also looking for a place to camp while walking.”
“So, you’re not out for a walk or collecting wild vegetables…”
“Yes. We are on our way down Dragon Peak towards the Capital City.”
“You, a Human, and a little girl? Isn’t there a Dragon Race person who’s like a guardian?”
“Unfortunately, it’s just us.”
The adventurers, who had pinned their hopes on me, quickly lost their vitality.
Even if I were to reveal myself as the Dragon King here, it wouldn’t energize them. Besides, I don’t know if they even know what a Dragon King is, and even if a boy like me confidently thumped his chest and said “It’s alright,” it would be like pouring water on a scorched stone.
Words were unlikely to be of much use to those facing such despair.
“Alright then.”
“Wh-what are you…!?”
Instead of wasting time exchanging words here, I decided to act. Please overlook it if it’s a bit forceful, as long as it saves them.
So, I picked up the boy in a princess carry without further ado.
…I’m carrying luggage on my back, so this is the only way.
The four adventurers were surprised that I, who looked frail, could easily lift the boy, who was small but muscular.
“Everyone, let’s hang in there a little longer. I’m sure there’s a safe campsite somewhere.”
Saying that, I looked at Ares-chan without confirming with the adventurers.
“This way, this way.”
Ares-chan understood my intention and pointed into the depths of the forest, leading the way down a pathless path. I followed Ares-chan.
“Meow.”
At Nimia’s meow from above my head, the three of them hurriedly followed.
“Are you alright?”
“Isn’t it heavy?”
“What’s over here?”
The three behind me called out anxiously, but I was focused on what was in front of me.
When Ares-chan walks through the forest, obstructing bushes and branches naturally move aside. I also benefited from this, making it easier to walk, but it seemed that no mercy was extended to the three behind us.
The branches that passed me returned to their original positions, and the path through the bushes quickly disappeared.
So, I walked while slightly cutting branches and smoothing the path to make it easier for the three exhausted people behind me to walk.
Of course, all with Dragon Arts.
I cut off obstructing branches with a small blade of Dragon Energy. A faint breeze arose around me, parting the bushes.
The three behind me followed with anxious words and actions, but only the boy, who got to witness my Dragon Arts up close, looked around with wide eyes.
“Don’t cut us!”
As I followed Ares-chan, complaints came from the surrounding trees and grass.
“Then, please make it easy for the three people behind us to pass too,” I mumbled in my heart. “I don’t like being considerate of humans,” they seemed to say, but still, because it was my request, some consideration from nature began to extend to the three behind me.
The three behind me began to breathe heavily after walking only a short distance, and their walking speed visibly slowed down.
They were truly at their limit.
The forest also had steep slopes, large rocks, and muddy patches. Even walking a short distance felt strenuous, and fatigue accumulated.
The four adventurers had entered Dragon Peak and walked with great difficulty. Then they were attacked by monsters, injured, and in a desperate situation.
That’s when I appeared.
Although I’m told not to get involved in troubles, helping people is different.
“Meow.”
By the way, they still haven’t noticed Nimia’s true identity. They don’t even have the余裕 to pay attention to that.
However, I don’t want unnecessary commotion after my identity is revealed.
Nimia, I’m sorry, but please hide in my luggage for a while. Nimia, who read my mind, obediently hid in the luggage on my back.
Now, how far will we walk?
Following Ares-chan, who walked silently, we proceeded deep into the forest.
Then, before sunset, we arrived at a cave hidden by bushes.
“Everyone, let’s camp here tonight.”
As I parted the bushes, a small entrance appeared. I carefully searched for any presence deep in the cave, but found nothing suspicious.
Well, Ares-chan led me here, so it must be absolutely safe.
Finally reaching a place where we could rest, the four of them let out deep sighs of relief.
The entrance was narrow, so we decided to enter the cave one by one. First, I, carrying the injured person.
Crossing the bushes that covered the entrance, the ground changed from decaying leaves to a hard, rocky surface.
And as I entered, I let out a sigh of admiration.
“Wow, this is…”
Near the entrance, it was just a cave.
But in the narrow passage leading deeper, a sparkling starry sky spread out.
Oh no, that’s not right.
There couldn’t be a starry sky inside a cave.
The walls of the dark cave were adorned with the glow of multi-colored crystals.
The boy I was carrying also gasped and gazed into the depths of the cave. The three who had followed behind also forgot their fatigue and the pain of their wounds, mesmerized by the brilliance of the starry sky created by the crystals within the cave.
“I never thought there would be a gem mine in a place like this.”
The bearded man exclaimed with joy.
A gem mine? I don’t really understand, but this isn’t the time to ask.
I gently set the boy down in a suitable spot.
“Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
The three, who had managed to walk on their own, seemed to have forgotten about the injured boy as they peered into the crystals deep within the cave.
Well, well, they get energized when treasure appears right before them; they’re so materialistic.
I don’t understand the value of crystals at all, but perhaps they, who have had many adventures, can see their worth. However, shouldn’t they prioritize themselves and their companions first?
The boy, like me, seemed to not understand the value of the crystals and gave a wry smile at the excitement of the other three.
Although we’ve arrived at a calm place, the boy’s swollen ankle is still painful, and I can’t feel excited about treasure.
The boy took out some medicinal herb leaves from his luggage and began to rub them, so I decided to prepare for camping.
The three of them would probably collapse from exhaustion soon, even if they were excited now, so I had to take action.
“I’ll go get some branches for the bonfire and snow to cool the swelling.”
I told the boy, and Ares-chan and I left the cave.
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