Chapter 59 – Post-processing (事後処理) ?
「……Do you live in this area? Could you tell me the reason you’re in this sort of place?」
After restraining the self-proclaimed Demon King and calming down, the armoured man called out to me.
By the way, with the exception of me and the man in front of me, there are around twenty people in this place. Since everyone is wearing similar armour, I think they’re probably from the Chivalric Order.
In other words, could this be an interrogation?
Well, though isn’t necessary to hide anything in particular either ne.
「I’m an adventurer that accepted a Goblin subjugation commission from the Adventurers’ Guild. I’m here for the purpose of that commission.」
After giving a simple explanation (?), sure enough, the armoured man was surprised.
「From the Adventurers’ Guild…? Commission, you say, you’re an adventurer? No, but…. Come to think of it, I have heard a rumour though…」
Tsk, as expected, so it’s become like this on our first meeting huh. Although I thought I’d gotten accustomed to these exchanges, the thought of repeating the same thing over and over from now on for the rest of my life… That d.a.m.ned self-proclaimed G.o.d-sama(laugh)…!
Despite being irritated, I silently presented my adventurer’s card
「fumu…… certainly…. This confirms you’re an adventurer. Because of that, if possible, could you talk about what you know? At the time we came, the Lesser Dragon was acting violently so we immediately entered combat you see. To be honest, we don’t know anything about this man either.」
He said, while looking at the tied up and unconscious self-proclaimed Demon King.
Since there’s no need to hide this either, I answered within the scope of my understandings.
「I see, Subordination Magic huh…. That sure is a troublesome thing. However, it’s fortunate that it was stopped before it caused any large damages.」
It appears it hasn’t done any damage to humans at least ne.
Come to think of it, I wonder why the Chivalric Order is in this sort of place?
At least it doesn’t seem much time has pa.s.sed since I first discovered the dragon. If you think about it normally, even if the Chivalric Order gets contacted for an immediate subjugation, it should take a few hours getting here from the Royal Capital. Looking at the position of the sun, I believe not much time has pa.s.sed but…
When I tried asking that question, the armoured man’s response was this,
「We are the survey team for the highway and the surrounding’s subjugations. When we stopped by Aire Village, a man came rushing in. While screaming 『there’s a dragon!』. I immediately asked for the full story and came rushing here. Since I dispatched a messenger to the Royal Capital as well, I think they’ll be arriving soon. Well, it’s not necessary anymore thanks to you. More importantly though, I want to know, what are you?1 Fighting an S ranked over Lesser Dragon alone, furthermore, easily cutting off those hard scales and skin…」
n? So that means, the Chivalric Order arrived here around 30 minutes after I collapsed?
However, even if he asks what am I…… right?
「I’m just an adventurer you know?」
「There’s no way you’re just an adventurer! I saw your card just now but, you’re a D rank right? There’s no way a D ranked adventurer could fight a Lesser Dragon alone, furthermore, defeating it while being uninjured!」
「Even if you say that…. I’m re
ally just an adventurer. Besides, I wasn’t uninjured you know? I was on the verge of death from its tail’s attack.」
Ah, I feel angry after remembering it again. That d.a.m.ned self-proclaimed G.o.d-sama(laugh)…!
「Verge of death you say……. no matter how I look at it, aren’t you uninjured!? Besides, no matter how you think about it, don’t you think it’s strange? To cut off a dragon’s tail in a single blow!!」
Aー, that was…
「Perhaps, I think you wouldn’t believe me even if I said it but… When I was on the verge of death, I met a person who called himself G.o.d-sama you see. Because of that, my body got restored, and my weapon also got blessed, was what I was told.」
Also, there’s that curse in the name of a blessing as well!
Well, even if I said something like that, they’d think, ‘isn’t she insane?’ ne2. I’d also think it’s strange if I heard that.
However, the armoured man’s reaction was different.
「What? You met G.o.d? Furthermore, receiving a blessing you say…. Then, that weapon is a sacred treasure!? If that’s the case, I’d be convinced…. Could you show me that weapon!?」
Hey, please don’t get so close! Scary, it’s scary you know!?
I hurriedly nodded and handed over the katana.
「Ooh…, so this is a sacred treasure huh…. I never would’ve thought, the day I could lay my eyes on it would come…!」
He was awfully moved.
Well, it is a sacred treasure nee…. Although I’m not happy since it’s that self-proclaimed G.o.d-sama’s blessing. Well, it should certainly be sharp, right?3
A sacred treasure is, well, just like its name, is said to be a weapon blessed by G.o.d-sama, or a magic tool created by G.o.d-sama.
Although it’s said there are twenty-three of them on this continent, all of their existences are nothing but rumors, so no one knows whether it’s the truth or not. That’s because, the items that are referred to as sacred treasures are stored as national treasures so they can’t be verified. Exhibition of sacred treasures are rarely done, but of course, let alone touching, getting close to one is difficult, much less something like the ability to verify them, it’s absurd4.
In the first place, it’s said that sacred treasures chooses its user, if a person other than the chosen uses it, it turns into an ordinary trash.
And its number one feature is…… a curse. Although it’s said to be a curse, if the proper user possesses it, there’s no problem in using it. However, it’s said if an unrecognized person tries to use its ability by force, or if they steal it from the owner, a calamity will befall upon them. Although I don’t know much are truths since they’re rumors, there are stories such as a person who tried to steal one suddenly got run over by a carriage, or tripping over a roadside pebble then falling down and dying from a hitting their head. Also, when a certain country tried to possess a sacred treasure and prepared for war, before the start of the war, an epidemic attacked that country and half the soldiers died, furthermore, they even received serious damages from droughts and floods. Well, it’s a suspicious legend though…
Although I don’t know whether they’re true or not, the fact is there have been large conflicts that have occurred concerning sacred treasures during history and the truth hasn’t remained.5
Furthermore, once it recognizes an owner, it seems it’s impossible to part with the sacred treasure until you die.
Even if its thrown away, it seems it’ll return to your hands before you know it, and of course, it’s the same if its stolen. Because it’s a famous story, it seems that not to mention buying and selling sacred treasures, there is no one foolish enough to steal them.
What I mean by ‘it seems’, is that from the records, the last owner of a sacred treasure was around two hundred years ago.
By the way, it’s said if you try to abuse the power of a sacred treasure, or if you use a sacred treasure to commit crimes, a calamity will fall upon the owner.
Aah, it’s incredibly troublesome, don’t you think? It’s somewhat unpleasant nee…
「I want to throw it away… (mumble)」
Maybe he heard the mumbling that I unintentionally leaked out, the armoured man added another thing.
「I think you know this since it’s a famous story, but there’s never been a case of a sacred treasure being lost. Even if it’s stolen, even if it’s thrown away, since it’s said it’ll return to its proper owner, it’s surely impossible to part with it.」
Well, no matter how you see it, it’s like a cursed item. It’s similar to something from a ghost story I’ve heard…. A cursed doll, was it?
That self-proclaimed G.o.d-sama (laugh), how is it a blessing? The weapon, the eternal youth, I think they’re all curses. Aah, the next time we meet, I’ll tear out all the hair on his head and use it to plant a lawn (lolololol) in exchange6. And then I’ll call him hair-sama (lol). fufufu…. (note: a pun, hair can be p.r.o.nounced as ‘kami’, the same as G.o.d (kami))
I ended up unintentionally using the internet slang my elder brother taught me as I thought of the self-proclaimed G.o.d-sama(laugh)’s retribution.
Ahem, when I calmed down, the armoured man returned the katana to me.
When I received the katana, for some reason or another, I made sure to hold it between my fingers, I think it can’t be helped.
Ah…, which reminds me, the Goblin subjugation, what should I do about it…?
More or less, there’s a rule where you have to take with you the body parts as verification for the subjugation commission, but… No matter how you look at it, I won’t be able to obtain it, don’t you think…? Besides, it was the dragon that defeated them…
Would this time’s commission turn into a failure?
For the time being, I’ll ask the armoured man since he knows more than me.
「Umm, it might be strange to hear this sort of thing but…. Although I received a Goblin subjugation commission, what happens this time? At the time I came, the Goblins had been annihilated, is this a failed commission as expected, or…?」
From my words, although the armoured man had an astonished expression, he immediately began laughing.
「Hahahaha, I was thinking about what you were about to say, so it was that huh. Aah, I’m sorry. It’s fine. Perhaps the Goblin subjugation has surely failed, but an irregular, which was the Lesser Dragon, appeared. Rather than failing in these sorts of extreme cases, the commission gets cancelled. On the contrary, a reward for the subjugation of a Lesser Dragon will probably be given. Since the Chivalric Order will also talk to the guild about it, you can be relieved.」
Oh, is that so? Thank goodness.
Since I haven’t had a failure up until now, if possible, it’s better to not have something like a black mark.
「Leaving that aside, what will you do about the Lesser Dragon’s materials? All these are valuable things, I think it’ll turn into a considerable amount of money but…. If possible, I can have the Chivalric Order purchase them, how about it?」
Materials…? Aah, like the scales and fangs. Let me see…
「Could you purchase the majority of it? I’d like to have a few scales and some fangs7. And also, is it okay if I have a little bit of its meat?」
Dragon scales and skin are armour materials, and its fangs can be a material for magic tools and weapons. As for the meat…… it’s ranked as one of the top cla.s.s ingredients. Well, even if I receive a large amount, there’s not much I can do with just myself ne8.
By the way, there are usable parts for both the scales and skin as materials9. For the parts, the scales that are on its legs and around its neck, and the skin that are on its tail and back will become materials. Other than those parts, they’re either too hard, or they’re unsuitable to be processed into armour. Nevertheless, this Lesser Dragon has an overall length of nearly 15 meters, I believe a considerable amount can be harvested.
The dismantling of the dragon was left to the other knights, it seems because the armoured man has to go report and escort the self-proclaimed Demon King, he’s returning to the Royal Capital. Incidentally, he also let me get on the carriage together, so I gratefully took that opportunity.
By the way, it appears that the dismantling of the dragon, its transportation to the Royal Capital (it seems it needs to use three carts), and the verification of the materials will take around two days.
It was said that the payment of the materials will be given after that.
We temporarily returned to the village and the village mayor was told that the Goblins and the dragon are gone, then we headed towards the Royal Capital. It seems it’s possible to return by evening at this rate.
By the way, it appears the armoured man is called Grove-san. Although it’s a bit late, don’t you think!?
Although the self-proclaimed Demon King woke up midway, Grove-san forced him back to sleep since he started struggling.
We arrived at the Royal Capital in the evening, then headed towards the Adventurers’ Guild without stopping.
The carriage was then temporarily stopped, I headed towards the receptionist together with Grove-san.
I told the whole story at the reception and explained why the Goblin subjugation couldn’t be done. Although the part about the Lesser Dragon made an uproar, Grove-san skilfully calmed them. But, the part about me defeating the dragon surprised them again, then Grove-san explained the fine details (up until the matter of G.o.d-sama and the sacred treasure) and created an even bigger uproar.
……It seems bringing along Grove-san was a mistake.
Could it be fortunate that there wasn’t any other adventurers here? Nevertheless, the reason for the uproar was because of the staff members, who were surprised about the Lesser Dragon and sacred treasure, called out other staff members, then those staff members caused an uproar and again called out other staff members…… and that chain reaction kept going. Especially when the story about the sacred treasure came out, the staff members came out one by one. I wonder where so many came from? It was to the extent where the reception area was surrounded by staff members.
This situation, what should I do?
「Quiet down! So noisy!!」
Suddenly, a loud roar came from the reception.
When I looked, a well-built, perhaps over 50 years old(?), well-dressed man glared in this direction.
And from behind him, was Airi-san’s face peeking out.
Although there might’ve been some people who may have forgotten, Airi-san is the receptionist onee-san that always takes care of me.
「I am the master of this guild, Gallop Shishtory. Could I have you tell me the full story in a different location?」
An authoritative voice, shall I say? From that person’s shout, this incredibly noisy place was quietened down. Judging from the situation, it seems he was called by Airi-san and came? Naisu, Airi-san. (note: Sakura says ‘nice’ in English)
「Well then, please follow me. Not a word about what happened here. Everyone, if you understand, then return to work.」
From those words, the staff members, who were scattered around, each returned to their positions.
The place Gallop-san brought us to was a parlour-like location on the third floor of the guild.
As we were offered to sit on the sofa of a lounge suite placed in the centre of the room, Gallop-san sat on the sofa across the table.10
「Once again, I am the master of this guild, Gallop Shishtory.」
Gallop-san introduced himself, then we each introduced ourselves as well.
「Member of the Fourth Chivalric Order, Grove Ol Sinbart.」
「Sakura Fujino. D ranked adventurer.」
After saying that, I lightly bowed my head.
「Although it’s prompt, can I hear the story? I’ve heard a summary of the story, but I’d like to hear it directly from the person concerned.」
Although his words were polite, there was no room for yes or no.11
I made a sidelong glance towards Grove-san, and decided to leave it all to him.
Maybe Grove-san noticed it, he nodded once then began to speak.
「……And that’s what happened.」
When Grove-san finished his explanation, Gallop-san spoke with a groan.
「……I don’t believe it. No, it’s not as if I don’t believe what you said but…. If everything is true, then it’s become considerably troublesome though…. That Subordination Magic is the problem you see. As for the investigation regarding that, I’ll leave it to the Chivalric Order, Sakura Fujino, so it’s you huh, that’s the sword that received a blessing from G.o.d?」
He said, then looked at the katana leaning besides me.
「That’s right.」
Although it actually wasn’t just the katana ne! I won’t say it though!
「fumu…. Judging from the stories, it seems there’s no mistake that it’s a sacred treasure. The Chivalric Order wouldn’t possibly lie about this na. Well, it would be better not to talk about it too much. I’m sure there are people who haven’t heard of the rumors regarding sacred treasures, there are also people who don’t believe in the rumors itself. It would be better to avoid unnecessary trouble you see. However, to easily cut and toss away a Lesser Dragon, just like the rumors, the power of a sacred treasure sure is tremendous.」
Uーn…, even if it’s said to be that self-proclaimed G.o.d-sama(laugh)’s blessing, it has no value for me…
「Anyway, I’d say it’s fortunate that it was disposed of before any sort of damage was caused. Sakura Fujino, think of a reward regarding this matter properly. Let me see…… you should decide on a reward after two days. I’ll have someone from here call for you after that. Will that be fine?」
I nodded for the time being.
Actually, this is just a confirmation, it doesn’t matter even if I say no ne.12
「Well then, we should end it with that. Knight-dono as well, thank you very much for going out of your way to explain.」
It appears that’s the end.
Although, other than my introduction, I hardly spoke…
Since Gallop-san stood up, we also stood up and left the room.
We left the guild just like that, since Grove-san said he needed to return to the Chivalric Order, we separated there.
If I also don’t hurry up and return to prepare dinner… No matter what, today will be dragon steak. Ufufufu, I wonder what kind of taste it has? I look forward to it.
Conclusion: it wasn’t tasty. Rather, it was unpleasant.
How should I say it…, it tasted sort of like sea urchin and natto and bamboo shoots (before removing the dry taste) divided by three13… However, the Prince ate it with pleasure. Could it be my sense of taste that’s strange? After having an expectation, it became an incredibly disappointing dinner…
(Explanatory note) The meat of a dragon is one of the top cla.s.s ingredients, it’s a ‘delicacy’. The meat of a dragon stiffens up one week after its death, it then becomes useless as an ingredient (Preservation Magic Tools have no effect either). Because of its rarity and the unique taste, it seems the gourmets (strange item enthusiasts) of the world and rich people (upstarts) pursue this ingredient.