Meeting Up

Geh, ageh! Oh, guess it worked out.

Waiting outside the boss rooms door, Ichika spoke after her collar tightened twice.

It had surprised her a little, but it had only tightened slightly as was promised.

It took a good bit of time, but as expected of Kehma-san.

Yeah. These fire rat skins turned out pretty good too, lets head in.

The party had been hunting nearby fire rats while Kehma was fighting in the boss room. They were inedible, but their fire resistant fur was decently profitable.

Stopping their side task of earning funds, they opened the closed door to the boss room and met up with Kehma.

Hey, you two safe?

Yeah. Were fine.

When they opened the door to the boss room, they saw Kehma and Meat looking relaxed inside. Beside them was a push cart large enough to carry a dragon on it.

And yet there wasnt a dragon on it.

Sooo, Kehma? Wheres the flame dragon?

Shes on the cart.

However, there was no dragon on the cart Kehma pointed to. Instead, there was a girl with red dragon-looking hands, feet, and tail sleeping on it.

Moreover, she smelled like alcohol More like, Team Bacchus and Ichika all instantly realized that it was the smell of a really high quality alcohol.

Youre saying this girls the flame dragon? No way

Heading closer to the cart, Gozoh felt a pressure weigh down on him. Why hadnt he felt it before getting this close?

Had there been a unique sort of barrier erected around her? He hadnt even felt it this strongly when hed looked in from outside the boss room before.

Gozoh felt a cold sweat down his back at the magnitude of power coming from the childs body.

He also noticed that Kehma was composed after going head on with it.

Wataru probably would have been able to win in physical strength. Magical power, however, was another story altogether.

To put it in terms of water, Gozohs magical power would fill a cup. Watarus would be like the inns bath. This thing before him was like a rainstorm. A dragon with a specialized attribute wasnt just for show.

Furthermore, Kehma was unfathomable, like a fog.

Taking a good look about, there were signs of an intense fight.

Claw marks had gouged the walls and floor, leaving spiderweb-like cracks.

There was even an area where the floor had vitrified due to intense heat, likely the dragons breath.

Kehma-san, you made her drink alcohol?

Dont make it sound like I made a young girl drink. Shes a great drinker though, youd all get along.

Kehma spoke, returning a wry smile to Watarus. He could tell just by looking that she wasnt just a young girl.

Even so, Wataru wasnt sure he would even be able to take the girl out without coming out uninjured.

Having to deal with someone like that and still coming out unhurt would be harsh. Moreover, to be able to have that person drink alcohol Kehma really wasnt an ordinary person.

Wataru once again rose his evaluation of Kehma. Though Meat had also taken part in the fight, of course.

Looks like there was a fierce fight.

Ah, well, yeah. I guess. The fight was hard. Lets wait for her to wake up.

It might be safer for us to put an end to her now, Kehma-san.

Wataru, are you being serious?

Kehma looked at Wataru as if hed just said something impossible.

Taking the villages safety into account, its the quickest way. Even I would take the chance with such a dubious enemy.

Y-Yeah but come on, just look at her. Doesnt she make you hesitate?

It would make my heart ache somewhat, but it would be bad if she goes on to destroy the village. She burned the villages fields unprovoked, remember?

No but like, shes just a child. It definitely had to just be some kind of prank. Shell surely understand if we just talk with her.

That would be nice if we were confident we could win if it went bad Kehma-san, do you have a method to suppress this dragon from rampaging if push comes to shove?

Kehma thought for a moment before answering clearly.

I will settle this through negotiation. End of discussion.

Alright.

Hearing Kehma say it as firmly as he did, Wataru put some faith in him and withdrew.

Although he did still have some reservations about it, Kehma had managed to capture the dragon intact in the first place. He did use alcohol to make it happen, but a dragons a dragon. Even if it looked like a human child.

What surprised him when he made the proposal to finish it was Kehmas attitude, it seemed to say that theyd all be safe even if they didnt kill the dragon.

Then, when asked about when hed be able to handle the dragon, he seemed to be worried about [What excuse can I give?] and [How much of my hand should I show?].

In other words, hed come to the conclusion that he wouldnt have to borrow Watarus strength at all. Hed originally planned to do this without Wataru there at all, so it could be said to be natural.

To Kehma, this dragon might only look to him like a little girl.

Truly, Kehma-san. Youve managed to hide more that a little of your strength from us, huh?

I have no clue what youre on about, are you alright?

Seeing Kehma play it off like he had no idea what he meant, Wataru smiled.

*

I seriously didnt expect Wataru to see a young girl and ask if we should kill her.

Meats expectation was off the mark. It was unexpected for me too.

Is she something you need to be that wary off? I can only see her as a sleeping, cosplaying, young girl. One stinking of alcohol, but still.

So shes might be an opponent that not even Wataru could beat hm? But Rin was an opponent Wataru had an easy time with?

Though maybe it was because of it having to do those negotiations

Just then, Igni stirred. Did she wake up?

Nnfu huh cant move right mmm

Hey, dont move Remember getting drunk?

Fueh?

I spoke too late. Crap, she already snapped some of the ropes. Oh well.

I pushed the switch Id hidden. Immediately following that, a sticky material that resembled birdlime dropped onto the cart and restrained Igni. It was the trap Id asked Ontentoo for.

Wah!?

The mysterious white substance made it so that Igni couldnt move. According to Ontentoo, it was his anti-Igni restraint and would last two turns. By two turns, I guess he meant it would last through two times of Igni trying to get out of it?

O-oi, what the heck? I just saw the dragon move and somethin fell down!

Yeeeah, that was me. Dont ask.

Oh, you did it? Eh, so it woke up? Guess were leaving the talkin to you, Kehma?

Satisfied with the answer, Gozoh withdrew. Hed brandished his weapon, but I guess its fine? Wataru had gripped his swords handle as well.

Either way, neither Wataru nor Gozoh seemed to have the nerve to attack Igni head on. I wonder whats got them so jumpy? Maybe its that strong aura thing I cant feel?

It kind of feels like Im getting left out of something.

U-Unc

I quickly pressed the switch a second time.

Badunk!

A stone fell from the ceiling and crashed right into the top of Ignis head. The stone cracked in half.

Igni let out a voice that sounded like shed been poked. Even though it wouldve ended in my skull cracking instead if it were me Well, her father played a role in the trap, so I guess shell be alright?

O-Oi! What was that this time!?

That was me. Dont ask.

R-Really?

Gozoh, you overreact way too much. It was just a rock.

Now then, flame dragon. Are you up for negotiating with us?

Eh? So standoff-ish Call me by my name, Uncl

Pressing the switch a third time let loose an iron ball. It didnt cause any damage to her either though. Ontentoo, are you holding back since shes your daughter? Well, I guess this was also adjusted to give her only as much damage as a poke would.

Gozoh just kept staring at me this time.

Now then. What should I call you? Please tell this big brother of yours.

Big brother. I. Am Igni.

Right. So your names Igni huh?

Her response was awfully monotone, but lets hold off on pressing the switch for the fourth time.