Chapter 85 – Heroes and Their Qualifications (1)
“Come to think of it, what kind of bastard is the swordsman?”
Valkvogel had asked that while we were on our way to the Dragon Kingdom.
The bastard had only fought with us, never really had a proper conversation. It seemed she was curious about the person we were going to meet next.
Especially since they were of the same dragon race.
The swordsman, Bella, may be a half-blood, but she still has dragon blood flowing through her, so it’s natural to be curious.
So why am I thinking about this now?
“I cannot grant you entry. Just so you know.”
Ah, right.
That’s what happened.
Just a moment ago.
*
The procedure to enter the Dragon Kingdom is simple.
You just need to enter with a dragon.
There’s nothing particularly additional required. Dragons may despise humans, but humans sanctioned by their kin can enter the Dragon Kingdom. They could exact indiscriminate revenge on humans, but having realized the power of humans firsthand, they chose a method that secures some benefits for themselves. That minimum condition is the recognition of their kin.
The goods and information brought by merchants are somehow put to good use, so that must be it.
Even so, your average human wouldn’t think of entering the Dragon Kingdom.
It’s a simple story.
Individually, dragons are powerful.
It’s natural to think that one might be retaliated against, which is why there are so few who seek to enter.
Perhaps that’s why there are so few pure humans in sight. At most, there are Dragonians… dragonfolk who are half-human, half-dragon. Pure humans include me and Cecilia, a man who looks like a portly merchant, and another man far off holding a sword… It’s a bit ambiguous, but if that counts, then there are a total of four.
But there’s no need to feel intimidated.
On the contrary, it’s times like these when you need to move boldly and fearlessly.
There’s really nothing to get caught on.
Wanted?
That’s fine.
As long as you’re truly accompanied by a dragon, no problems arise.
The inspection is just a formality.
They just glance over and if they see a dragon beside you, they give you something like a token and let you in.
And we do have a real dragon with us.
I had experienced this firsthand when I visited the Dragon Kingdom with Troka before. Time has passed, but the general framework probably hasn’t changed. Dragons aren’t likely to change policies so easily, after all.
Well, we are internationally famous, so who knows what kind of disaster might happen.
If that’s the case, we’ll have to sneak in with all our might.
It’ll take several times longer, but there’s no other proper way if we can’t get in.
After all,
“…Flan, it’s our turn.”
I was contemplating where to run if we ended up being chased, right around that time.
Finally, it’s our turn.
Even a cursory glance showed about thirty people ahead of us, but in just a few minutes, it was our turn.
Valkvogel was at the front, with Cecilia and me behind her.
There should be no problem.
With this, our entry into the Dragon Kingdom should be successfully concluded.
I thought there wouldn’t be anything in particular to point out, and we were about to naturally pass through when…
“I cannot grant you entry.”
That’s what happened.
*
Let’s return to the present.
“Why not? Can you at least give us a reason?”
We were denied entry into the Dragon Kingdom.
We don’t know the details, but we’re just being told we can’t enter.
How will Flan, the saintess, and the now seemingly useless lizard overcome this situation?
That story begins now!
…or so I tried to approach the conversation with that kind of excitement, hoping to calmly resolve the issue.
“No. Go back, or bring a proper dragon.”
“Look here, this creature in front of me might look small and pathetic, but if you look closely on this side, you can see traces where horns used to be, and although the tail is a bit unsightly, it’s not completely different in form, is it? If this one isn’t a dragon, then who is? Oh, should she dispel the polymorph? Then you’d have no choice but to acknowledge my point.”
“No, that’s not necessary.”
No matter what reason I ask for, the response is the same.
No matter what argument I present, it’s the same answer repeated.
Whatever I say, only mechanical responses come back.
Nothing really changes.
It’s dizzying. It’s not the piercing headache like before, but my head is just buzzing. It’s like I’m running laps around a track. Talking to a wall wouldn’t feel any different.
“That woman is not a dragon. So it doesn’t matter what evidence you present.”
And that damned gatekeeper shows no sign of taking in what we’re saying.
I mean, logically, if someone can openly transform into a dragon, what else could they be if not a dragon? Is there something I don’t know about? I pride myself on knowing a fair bit about this world.
Or am I the one who’s mistaken?
Could Valkvogel be not a dragon but a lizard wearing a human’s hood?
But then, the image of her pre-polymorph form flickers in my mind. If that ferocious appearance isn’t a dragon, nothing makes sense. Unless she’s not a complete dragon but some kind of subspecies.
Ah, could it be…
“…Hey, are you a half-blood?”
“No, no. …I’m pure-blooded.”
When I shot her a doubtful look and whispered, Valkvogel replied like that.
Her expression was genuinely flustered. She didn’t seem to be lying. Besides, she was called a monstrous dragon in the demon king’s army; the demon king’s army wouldn’t bestow the title of dragon on someone who isn’t one, right?
The confusion isn’t just mine. Cecilia beside me also has an expression that can’t hide her shock.
Ah, on closer inspection, she’s just looking at me.
Her eyes are asking how we’re going to solve this situation.
Of course, I have no proper solution…
Humans without a token cannot survive in the Dragon Kingdom. The token is a tool that guarantees at least a minimum of safety, so it’s essential for survival. While entering illegally is an option, the consequences that follow come with a corresponding price.
That’s why, unlike with Myluman, I didn’t consider sneaking in.
You can enter all you want, but once you do, you’re really risking death. Facing a dragon requires a considerable resolve. Unless you’re some mad dragon hunter, you wouldn’t risk your life against such an impossible opponent.
If we were to fight this gatekeeper here…
Well, we’d probably win. My health might take a hit, but ultimately, I’d come out on top.
Even against a dragon, the blow of a holy sword is equal to all. Land one hit, and even the mightiest dragon can suffer a severe to fatal wound, or if struck well, instant death.
But the real problem comes after that.
Unlike humans, who can be outmaneuvered if you target their weaker side, even the weakest pursuer here is a dragon.
In other words, it would render any real activity in the Dragon Kingdom impossible.
Ssshhh,
“I think I’ve given you enough reasons. How about you turn back now? Otherwise… I’ll take it as an intent to engage in combat.”
The bastard had already drawn his sword.
It was a sword adorned with peculiar ornaments.
“…I have no idea what’s going on, but it seems best to step back for now.”
Cecilia pulls on Valkvogel’s clothes and starts to retreat slowly.
Valkvogel looks helplessly at the ground, her self-esteem deflated, her demeanor gloomy.
From behind, several dragonfolk are sending strange looks our way.
The two beside me are of no help in this situation.
What would the old me have done in times like this?
I’m not sure.
“Then… we will take our leave for now.”
Those words came out before I knew it.
Taking a step back is not my preferred approach. My nature is to push through until I’m satisfied.
But, it’s not a bad choice either.
There’s no need to act so drastically when the end of the journey is in sight.
You can’t ruin everything at the last moment. How unfair would it be to struggle so much and then crumble at the end?
So, even if it’s urgent, I need to be a bit more composed.
It’s a strategic retreat.
* * *
As the sun began to set, we decided to take a brief rest near a large tree. It was also a chance to discuss the events that had just transpired.
“…So, do you have any idea why that happened, any guesses?”
“No.”
“Yeah, I thought so.”
Of course, there was no progress.
“Ah… why the hell aren’t you considered a dragon? You are a dragon, aren’t you? Even if you’ve been defeated once, a dragon is still a dragon. In the past, they even called the ones left with nothing but bones ‘dragon’ and treated them as such.”
“Maybe the issue is that you died once?”
“Would you just be quiet?”
“…Could it be because of the horn?”
Valkvogel gently touched the base of her severed horn. I felt a twinge of guilt.
“But, you have a tail. And there’s still a trace of the horn.”
Indeed, the worst possible situation had unfolded until the very end.
It was a stroke of luck that the day hadn’t ended yet. Without any suitable place to stay nearby, we could end up exposed to the elements if we weren’t careful. Staying outside when we could encounter pursuers at any moment would be suicidal. And getting accommodation nearby would be madness; the options here are limited and terrible for hiding.
Unless the Emperor has lost his mind, he wouldn’t bring an army all the way to the border… But still, there’s a chance he might send a small elite detachment.
However, if we were to enter the Dragon Kingdom, we could shake off even that detachment.
Of course, we’re currently in a situation where we can’t even do that.
Considering the speed of the pursuit, it’s probably overreaching to think that a detachment would come looking for us now.
“…Sigh, I have no idea what’s going to happen.”
People are starting to thin out around us. It won’t be long before the border closes. Then we’ll have no choice but to stay outside.
“For now, let’s spend the night here nearby. We’ll think about the details tomorrow.”
Maybe by tomorrow, that damned wall-like guy will be gone, and someone more flexible will show up. So let’s rest for now.
That’s what I was thinking when I moved away from the tree, and a man came into view. It was the same man I had seen just before.
The man with the sword, who I hadn’t noticed from afar, was wearing rather stylish armor.
“Excuse me, it seems there was a problem with entering the country. If you need, may I offer my assistance?”
That armor looked familiar… but I couldn’t remember where I had seen it.
He didn’t seem particularly strong.
Is it just my imagination?
A strange feeling washed over me.
“Who are you?”
“Ha-ha, just someone who can offer some help.”
Moreover, it was suspicious.
I glanced at the man’s face and then turned to Cecilia.
…What returned was an indifferent expression.
Since Cecilia didn’t show any particular reaction, it seemed he wasn’t a demon or a villain. It was a bit suspicious that he was so eager to offer help, but since there was no immediate loss, it wouldn’t hurt to listen to what he had to say. After all, there wasn’t much we could do on our own.
Let’s hear him out.
“But what kind of help are you offering…”
That’s when it happened.
The man disappeared from my field of vision.
I couldn’t react to his movement at all.
This was something I had only experienced in front of prime demons. Even though my reaction speed had significantly increased since I became stronger, I couldn’t respond. At best, I could only track his movement with my eyes.
If I had been careless, I might have been killed.
But fortunately, what the man did was simply bow his head and throw off his helmet.
And the identity that was revealed,
“It’s been a while, but you’ve… aged quite a bit.”
“Nico, la?”
It was the face of an old friend I was glad to see.
