Chapter kyaa~ – The Hero’s Appearance
Today is the third day since the dragon’s subjugation. My schedule today is to receive the dragon’s subjugation reward from the Adventurers’ Guild, and to receive payment for the materials harvested from dragon from the Chivalric Order.
I firstly headed to the Adventurers’ Guild.
When I informed and entrusted my adventurer’s card to the receptionist, I was led to the parlour from the other day.
It seems this is where the reward for the dragon’s subjugation will be handed out.
By the way, it’s already well known within the Royal Capital regarding the appearance and subjugation of the Lesser Dragon.
Well, if a wagon loaded full of materials from a Lesser Dragon runs through the Royal Capital, it’ll immediately be well known ne. It seems more or less because it’s been said that it the Chivalric Order cooperated with the adventurers to subjugate it, my name wasn’t released. So that’s the reason why the reward is being handed out secretly.
As for the reason why my name hasn’t appeared, although it’s also related to the problem of the sacred treasure, it seems there’ll be stupid people who would think of trying to gain fame by defeating the adventurer who defeated a dragon1. Of course, fights are prohibited within the town, so battles between fellow adventurers are basically prohibited. What I mean by basically, is that if you fill in an application, it’s possible to have a duel-like compet.i.tion. Well, in addition, it’s not to kill each other, but a mock battle, however. Especially a low ranked adventurer like me, the number of opponents would surely increase, so my name wasn’t released because of that.
DON!
Airi-san, who was sitting in front of me, placed a leather bag on the table packed with content.
「As a result of the Guild Master’s absence, I will be in charge instead. This is the reward for the subjugation of the dragon. Also, I’ll return your adventurer’s card ne.」
She said. When I looked at the card that was handed over, the rank was…… B!? Eh? It was D just a little while ago, right?
「For the subjugation this time, Fujino-sama’s rank has been rank-upped to B. Originally, although it’s required to take an exam for each rank to become rank B, it’s improper for a person who could subjugate a Lesser Dragon alone to be left with a low rank, and so it’s become a special rank-up without the need for an examination2. Well, since a solo Lesser Dragon subjugation is a rank S commission, it means you were judged to have sufficient ability ne.」
While looking at my suddenly ranked-up card, I said ‘hoo~‘ as I listened to the story
……Oh? Why do I have a feeling this is my first decent rank-up…?3
「The reward for the subjugation this time is 100 gold coins. Properly speaking, the case this time would be a disaster cla.s.s. For disposing of it before any damages happened, the guild also offers their grat.i.tude.」
Hundred!?
「100 gold coins you say…」
That’s 10 million j.a.panese Yen you know!? It’s an amazingly large amount!
「It’s not much considering it’s an S ranked commission, right? My apologies. There were various circ.u.mstances, so this was the best we could do this time.」
Eh? This isn’t much? Even though I thought it was too much!?
By the way, it seems the various circ.u.mstances that was sai
d was because it was officially subjugated by the Chivalric Order. Because various n.o.ble-sama’s picked a fight or something, it seems the reward for the guild from the Chivalric Order had decreased considerably4.
I nervously accepted the bag that contained the reward. When Airi-san saw that, she spoke while expressing a wry smile.
「Fujino-sama, if you don’t want to carry over a fixed amount of money, would you like to deposit it in the guild? There’s a free bank account service for guild members. It will be filled out on the deposit column on your card, and it’s possible to withdraw it no matter which guild you’re at. However, for the amount that’s deposited in the guild, if you die or go missing for over three years, the full amount will be donated to the guild. It’s a popular service for people who don’t want to carry a large amount of money with them you know?」
Eh? There was this sort of service?
「By all means, please!」
Thank goodness…. The thought of carrying such a large amount of money made me scared. If, in the case I lose it…. *tremble*
「Certainly. Well then, since 100 gold coins will be deposited, allow me to keep hold of it. I’ll need to take care of your card ne. Since it will be completed shortly, please wait on the first floor around the reception.」
Urged by Airi-san who left her seat, I headed towards the first floor.
「Let me return your card. Please confirm the note column and make sure there’s no mistakes.」
When I looked at my card that was handed over, the notes column had 「Deposit: 100」 written on it. 100?
「The minimum deposit is 1 gold coin, which is 10,000 Goualch. Furthermore, the minimum amount for both depositing and withdrawing is 1 gold coin.」
Esper!? As if my thoughts were completely read, I received a supplementary explanation.
「So, are there any mistakes in the entry?」
「T-There’s no mistake.」
I rigidly nodded my head when she reminded me of the question.
Seeing me like that, Airi-san looked at me with warm eyes.
u, what? Those eyes, what is it?
「I-If you’ll excuse me!」
Being somewhat unable to endure it, I rushed out of the guild.
「That black-haired woman over there! So you’re the Demon King huh!! Prepare for punishment!」
When I left the Adventurers’ Guild, a voice suddenly called out.
When I looked at the direction of the voice, there was a man standing there wearing an extravagant mantle, a blue tunic, glittering white trousers, and shining armour pointing in my direction.
Blond hair with golden eyes, a beauty. Somehow, I could sort of see a sparkling aura coming out of him.
Behind that man, there were four women who were also beauties. A woman with a risqué warrior-like appearance, a woman wearing a white robe, a woman with a rough appearance with a bow on her back, and a woman with a magician-like appearance. Is it that, the rumoured harem party I’ve heard of?
「You, who came out from that building just now! The black-haired black-eyed child! I know that you’re the Demon King!! This Hero-sama will defeat you!!」
When I looked around, the man raised his voice once again.
Black-eyed black-haired? That’s the same as me ne. So there were others that had it huh. Eh? It’s not about me, you know? After all, didn’t he say it was a child?
When I restlessly looked around for a black-eyed black-haired person, the man raised his voice a second time.
「Don’t ignore me! It’s you, you! Right! The one looking around restlessly, the little one over there!」
The finger of the self-proclaimed Hero, who was making a fuss, pointed at me.
Haa? Is he making fun of me saying I’m a child and small?5 Besides, wasn’t he taught that it’s wrong to point fingers at people?
Good grief, lately, there’s been a self-proclaimed G.o.d-sama(laugh) and a self-proclaimed Demon King and a self-proclaimed Hero, there’s too many self-proclaims. Although they’re just calling themselves that, is it that? Is it that 14 year old illness? Is it spreading?(note: chuunibyou)
「Hmph, I know that you’re the Demon King. And I’m the Hero. In other words, you’re destined to be defeated by me! Now, obediently become this sword’s rust!」
The self-proclaimed Hero spoke his speech on his own accord, then drew out his sword.
From behind the self-proclaimed Hero, there were shrill voices shouting things like 「Kya~! Hero-sama, how wonderful!! Beat up that Demon King~」.
The current time is just before 9 o’clock in the morning, there’s a considerable amount of pedestrians in this area. To suddenly pull out a weapon in this sort of place, could he be an idiot? Does he not understand that swinging a weapon in this place would bother others?
There’s a considerable amount of people gathered around us in a circle.
「Come, draw your sword! Or are you frightened? If that’s the case, if you cry for forgiveness, I may go easy on you, you know? Since I’m kind, you see.」
「Hero-sama~. Beat up that Demon King~!」
「No matter what kind of opponent, to show mercy towards them is…. As expected of the Hero-sama wa!」
Uwaa…, what a cheap provocation ne. It’s something I’d expect a hoodlum to say, you know?
Leaving that aside, is it no good to ignore him like this? To be honest though, it’s quite troublesome.
In the first place, what does he mean by I’m the Demon King? I don’t remember either claiming to be something like a Demon King, or calling myself that, you know?
「What’s this racket!?」
At that moment, two knights pushed their way through the people and appeared. They seem to be the Royal Capital’s patrol soldiers.
The knight looked at me and the self-proclaimed Hero, then frowned.
「What’s the meaning of this!? Fights within the town are strictly forbidden you know!」
fumu, I might be able to put this to use.
I put the strategy I thought of into effect.
「It’s him! He shouted at me then suddenly drew his weapon! He said that he’ll kill me if I don’t behave myself…! I, got afraid and couldn’t say anything…」
I hugged my own body and looked down at the ground as if I was afraid.
On one hand is a young girl trembling in fear (in appearance), on the other hand is a man with a drawn sword. It’s easy to see which side to support, right?
「To do something that cruel to such small child…! You! As a man just like me, I won’t permit it! I’ll have you come to the guardroom!!」
Just as planned, it seems the knight took my side.
The self-proclaimed Hero was in a panic.
「W-Wait a minute! I haven’t done anything yet, you know!? You were deceived! I’m the Hero you know!?」
「Silent! You haven’t done anything ‘yet’, which means you plan on doing something right!? I’ll have you tell me the full story in the guardroom. Come now!」
With his sword seized, the self-proclaimed Hero was grasped from both sides by the knights.
「Hey, let go! Do you think you can do this sort of thing to the Hero!? Oi!」
「Wait a minute, what do you think you’re doing to the Hero-sama? Release your hands!」
「Hero-sama~!」
The self-proclaimed Hero was taken along by the knights as if he was being dragged.
「Hmph, that’s your reward for harshly calling people children and small. You should reflect upon it.」6
Good grief, just because you’re slightly tall and beautiful…. To make matters worse, what’s with those lackeys? Having both nice tall figures and large chests…. Seriously, I’m enviー…… it’s outrageous7. Shall I pick off a little the next time we meet?
Now then, since the weirdo has left, shall I go to the Chivalric Order?
Hey, 120 gold coins, they said!
What is it, you say? It’s the dragon’s materials you see! I’m surprised you know!?
Altogether, there were forty scales and twelve fangs, including the skin and meat, it seems it reached that price with just that much.
Uwaa…, dragons sure are incredibly profitable ne!
Ah, of course, I received five scales and two fangs for my own use, and a little bit of its remaining skin.
I’ve become a rich person in a single go just from today!
Aah, but even if I save up money, I’ve lost my original goal ne…
Although it’s aggravating to believe in that self-proclaimed G.o.d-sama, he was persuasive more or less…
Not being able to return to j.a.pan anymore, what should my goal be from now on?
Originally, I understood there was a low possibility of returning but…. Now that I’ve understood I can’t return, I don’t know what I should do anymore ne…
Aー, geez! It’s not like me to hesitate and worry!8 Delicious meals are needed at a time like this! That’s right, let’s also make a dessert today as well! A cake would be good ne. A fluffy sponge cake with plenty of fresh cream on it…. Since it’s currently the season for fruits, something like kiwis would be good. Since I’ve decided, let’s go shopping at once!
「I’ve finally found you, you d.a.m.ned Demon King! How dare you do that to me this morning! That’s not going to happen this time!!」
While I was purchasing from the grocery store, the self-proclaimed Hero made an appearance once again.
「Who might you be?」
「The Hero! H・E・R・O! Even though we met this morning! Don’t forget!」
No, I didn’t forget though ne.
「What business could this Hero need from me?」
I’m busy you know. If you have business, then please quickly get it over with.
「I also said it this morning though! Demon King, I came here for the sake for defeating you! Now, fight me!」
「I decline.」
「Don’t decline it!!」
What an annoying person ne. Could he not quieten down a little? Look, aren’t the curious onlookers gathering again?
「To have a meaningless fight, isn’t that troublesome? In the first place, who are you calling a Demon King? I’m not a Demon King you know?」
「Lies! My investigations points that you’re the Demon King!」9
「Wouldn’t it be fine even if you don’t shout so much? You sure are a hot-tempered person…. Is it calcium deficiency? Are you eating your meals properly? Do you know? Besides calcium deficiency, which can also make a person easily irritable, it seems hunger or a bad balance of meals can cause people to be hot-tempered you know? It’s important to eat you know?」
「Those sorts of things don’t matter! Everything will end if you fight against me!! Hurry up and fight!」
Good grief, someone who doesn’t accept a person’s kindness is completely useless ne.
「Haa…, you want to fight here?」
Different from this morning, the self-proclaimed Hero didn’t draw his sword.
「Hmph, since soldiers will come again if I draw my weapon here. Let’s go outside town, come!」
Saying that, the self-proclaimed Hero turned his back on me and walked towards the eastern gate.
Of course, together with his female lackey group.
I wonder why these types of people don’t listen to what others say?
And I wonder why they think things will go according to their thoughts?
「Haa…」
I breathed out a sigh, then carried the items I bought from the grocery store and started walking.
……In the opposite direction of the self-proclaimed Hero.
Now then, next is the milk store. A small amount is necessary in order to make fresh cream.
I’ll also need to go to Graham-san’s place and have him make a cake frame or else…
Aah, so many things to do.
While receiving the gazes of the silent curious onlookers, I headed towards the milk store.