Farwells and Greetings
A wyvern falls from the sky.
On a steep slope, a wyvern was thrown down. With its neck half-severed, it tumbled down the incline several times, finally hitting the ground with a squelchy sound, turning into a lump of flesh. Seconds later, three more wyverns followed, blooming red flowers upon the earth.
Thud,
A woman landed atop the red-stained ground.
Red hair and mossy eyes.
It was Bella.
“Four this time, still not quite enough…”
Bella’s voice echoed through the tranquil mountains. She had hunted several wyverns just today, yet she sighed as if something was still lacking. At the sound of Bella’s voice, the creatures of the mountain held their breath, observing her actions.
Bella was on the hunt.
Eliminating wyverns that threatened the people, she tore through their necks with the skill she always had. Despite feeling weary from the endless wyverns that kept appearing from nowhere, her blade did not stop. As if entranced, she mechanically slaughtered the wyverns. Perhaps it was because she had been hunting without rest for days, already hundreds of wyverns had disappeared between the gorges.
Such was the routine that had continued for over a year.
When a hunter goes hunting, the beasts must hold their breath.
“Another one coming… Well, good.”
But there are always beasts that don’t know their place.
Beasts that can’t stand the fact that their territory has been invaded, even though they foresee their own death.
Several wyverns charge at Bella as she catches her breath. They think they might have a chance since she must be exhausted from fighting her kin, after battling for days and nights, even a predator might see an opportunity.
If one were to face a wyvern’s claws head-on, even a half-dragon would have to risk a fatal wound. Their claws are as fierce and sharp as those of a dragon.
However, Bella drew her sword once more with a sense of familiarity, or perhaps boredom.
And soon, the sound of claws clashing with the sword filled the air.
Thus, another day in the uncharted wilderness deepens.
*
People live even in uncharted territories.
The ones who settled in that barren land were the half-dragons, scorned within the Dragon Kingdom, and the descendants of the first Dragon King who once ruled over the Dragon Kingdom. Even for those who were essentially exiled under the guise of pioneering, a certain level of society had been established.
The main task of the pioneers was to explore the mountain ranges.
Specifically, it involved subduing wyverns and earth dragons.
Most pioneers couldn’t stand against wyverns and earth dragons. The half-dragons, mere half-breeds, and the toothless royal descendants did not possess bodies suited for battle. However, the quotas demanded by the Dragon Kingdom increased day by day, and too many lives were lost when they went hunting.
Therefore, the pioneers chose to borrow external strength.
If someone hunted wyverns and earth dragons, they would dismantle the carcasses and exchange them for money. It wasn’t much, but it was better than nothing.
But who in their right mind would risk their life for such dangerous hunting?
At best, they’d earn enough for a few drinks after a life-or-death struggle with wyverns.
Only a fool, lost in some ideal, would volunteer.
No one would sign up unless they were a madman who found pleasure in killing.
That’s what everyone thought, but there existed a madwoman who joined such hunts. A woman consumed by her ideals, heedless of danger.
It was Bella.
“Today, yeah. It seems like they’re not around much, maybe they’re breeding in their nests or something.”
An office that seemed poorly managed. The place, looking like an abandoned house, was where the rewards for wyvern hunting were exchanged.
Lately, it was a place Bella frequented.
She placed a pouch on the worn desk.
Dark blood dripped from the pouch, due to the wyvern eyeballs inside. The wyvern’s eyes, the clearest proof of their death. The pouch, filled with dozens of eyeballs, emitted a foul stench.
The woman at the desk grimaced at the smell but forced a smile.
Gratitude had to be properly expressed.
Especially since she was catching wyverns for free, it would be unseemly to show any distaste.
The receptionist, the woman at the desk, kept a bright smile as she emptied the entire contents of the pouch. Eighteen pairs of eyeballs. The texture was revolting to touch, but she couldn’t bring herself to grimace in front of Bella.
“Eight, nine… Ah, yes! Thank you so much for today as well.”
“It’s nothing.”
Ignoring the receptionist’s bright smile, Bella slipped the empty pouch into her pocket.
Her wyvern hunting was proceeding splendidly.
What must one do to become a hero?
That, of course, is to defeat a formidable enemy.
To topple an evil that no one can defeat, to save oppressed citizens—becoming a hero means killing a powerful and wicked enemy, like the Demon King or the first Dragon King. That’s the only way to become a hero. Unfortunately, such renowned and mighty foes are already dead. So, even if it’s not particularly appealing, one must start with these minor tasks.
At first, she sought out surviving subordinates of the Demon King’s army. With the most powerful enemy gone, she aimed to kill those beneath him to gain honor. However, a woman in her dreams told her that if she went to the northern part of the Dragon Kingdom, she would find an opportunity to defeat a greater evil. It was obviously a fanciful tale, but there was something familiar about the dream woman’s words, and ultimately, she followed them to the north.
That’s how her wyvern hunting, the first step as a hero, began.
Life here is simple.
Spend time at a nearby lodging, catch a bit of sleep, and then head back out to the wyverns.
Today was no different.
Just a slight whim, a desire to drink, nothing that would lead to an incident.
After a long while, she stops by a tavern to enjoy Myluman’s ale, which she hasn’t had in ages. There’s a lot of noise about the hero’s misdeeds, but the world is returning to normal. That’s probably why Myluman’s ale is available again.
She can taste the ale she once received from Chloe.
That’s why Bella sought out the tavern.
As she was tilting her glass, reminiscing about the past, a trivial rumor suddenly reached her ears. Normally, she wouldn’t have spared the time to pay attention to such trivial matters.
Even with a half-dragon’s body, hunting wyverns that run rampant in all directions is quite a burden. It’s not an easy task to juggle while paying attention to other events. Even with her abilities, there might be some leeway, but… as a hero, one should not be swayed by petty rumors and must steadfastly walk their own path. Bella thought such trivial rumors could be ignored.
After all, she had set aside this time to reflect on the past.
Being swayed by rumors is not befitting of a great hero.
It was content that didn’t warrant attention.
However, that was until she heard that the subject of the rumor was a certain human male.
And that this man’s face bore countless scars.
* * *
The battle with Flan had ended.
“Cough, agh… cough, hack… ah, dust in my throat…”
My throat hurts.
Not because I took a hit from him.
I’ve never been hit by him, not even once.
Even if Flan came at me with all his might… Ah, that sword was a bit of an unexpected factor, but still, there’s no way I would lose to him. It’s been that way up to now, and it will continue to be so.
It wouldn’t make a difference if he had two or three incredibly strong allies with him.
I’ve never met a high-ranking subordinate of the Demon King’s army in person, but… according to what Flan told me, they’re within my ability to defeat. That’s why I wasn’t too concerned when I heard he was accompanied by two high-ranking strong ones.
After all, the outcome of the battle wouldn’t change.
I almost won, actually.
He couldn’t even properly react to the first strike and got blown away.
But the result was my defeat.
It’s a cliché found in every tale: the arrogant villain who doesn’t look after anyone loses to the side of justice that employs every means necessary. It’s the perfect cliché to describe the current situation.
If he withstands the first hit, I’ll let him go; if not, I’ll capture him. That was the plan when I launched my fastest strike. Flan managed to withstand that attack. It was a bit shaky, but he withstood it. Well, if I had sliced him, he would have died. It seems I didn’t put enough strength into it since I sliced it with the back… but still, he withstood it.
So, I intended to let him go.
The dust was thick in the air, the first strike was blocked. From a distance, it might look like an even match, so I could naturally lose. It was a perfect strategy where only Flan would realize my true intent.
But if I showed too much emotions, he’d obviously catch on, so I was planning to strike a pose and then swing at the air…
But then that madman attacked with all his might…
I understand, but…
So, I had no choice but to go all out and aim for his back.
Of course, the strike he launched didn’t reach me.
It just so happened that the area around Flan was clear of dust. In a space where visibility was clear and I didn’t swing my sword, who knows what could have happened.
So, it was unavoidable.
I’m sorry.
With that thought, I swung my sword down.
Luckily, someone attacked from behind, so I didn’t have to kill Flan.
Of course, I ended up crashing into a building.
But that’s a small price to pay.
The girl who delivered a slash to my back… must be quite a strong character. Even when I was initially knocked down, I thought the impact felt insufficient. It turned out to be a feint. Perhaps she’s on the level of a high-ranking subordinate.
While I was assessing the girl’s strength, she approached me.
It seemed she had come to finish me off.
If I hadn’t handed her the letter with such vigor, she would have surely attacked. Given her fierce eyes, she seemed closely connected to Flan… but that’s none of my business.
After all, I lost.
I intended to let myself be defeated, but in the end, Flan managed to escape without my help.
No one would have expected that girl. If she had aimed for my neck, she would have bought enough time for an escape. Even if I had dodged, I would have been seriously injured.
It’s a relief it ended with just a shove; had I made a mistake…
Well, anyway, I’ve finished what I had to do.
I fought Flan, and in the end, I lost.
I’m not so young as to belittle the power of a comrade. I must acknowledge what deserves recognition.
He won, and that’s how we parted ways.
Last time, I sent him off with just a strange dagger, but this time, I handed over an important letter… and maybe because I also entrusted him with that item, I feel at ease. I don’t know about him, but I feel refreshed.
That bastard, is he opening the letter about now?
Ah, no, he’s probably still knocked out.
Well, I’ve had such uncharacteristic thoughts.
The mental shock from my first defeat at the hands of Flan seems significant. After all, I never even imagined losing to him, so it hits harder.
Since I won’t be meeting that guy again, it’s time to stop worrying about it. This is a fitting goodbye. And he’s not so weak anymore, he’ll manage on his own.
I might get a little scolded from above… but so what.
I’m the one who lost the fight.
The prime minister, who came to supervise, probably didn’t see anything important due to the thick dust, so there’s no real issue to speak of.
“Ah, damn it. That really hurts.”
I gripped my neck and started walking.
The first defeat was surprisingly refreshing.
“……Farewell.”
As I emerged from the building I had crashed into, the dust that had been thick in the air had already settled.
