Between an Ally and an Enemy (5)

For a moment, we stood facing each other in an empty space.

Mr. Dragon burst into a hearty laughter.

“Hahaha! I wondered when you would come, and finally I got to see you today! Do you know how surprised I was when I heard that you came back alive?”

The all-too-familiar greeting I’d been hearing from everyone since I returned was almost enough to make my ears bleed.

Of course, my response was the usual.

“Ah, sorry. I meant to come earlier, but I’ve been so busy.”

“It seems you’ve been involved in a lot of troublesome matters. I know the circumstances to some extent, so don’t worry too much.”

Oh, really.

But I wondered just how much ‘some extent’ is.

As I was thinking this, Mr. Dragon added in a subtle voice.

“Anyway, it’s good to see you. My daughter was so upset when she heard you were dead. Ah, can I call her now? I’m sure she’ll want to see you.”

“After we finish talking.”

“Talk? So, it’s not just a casual visit, huh.”

“Didn’t Ravien tell you anything?”

“My eldest daughter just said you wanted to see me and that when the paper tore, I should call you in. That’s all.”

Judging by the curious look in Mr. Dragon’s eyes, it didn’t seem to be a lie.

So she really didn’t tell him anything?

My trust in Ravien suddenly increased.

“If you’re not here for a casual visit, then… what brings you here?”

“Before I say, I need you to promise me one thing.”

“A promise?”

“That you won’t disclose anything that happens today to anyone else.”

Even if that ‘anyone’ is the king of this country.

When I added that, Mr. Dragon, sensing the gravity of the situation, tensed a bit, though he coolly agreed to my request.

“I swear upon the soul contained in my name, ‘Pirsearidorumus.’’

It was the minimum safety measure.

I didn’t understand the significance of his lengthy and hard-to-pronounce name, but at least the Dragon people value promises made in their name.

“Now, if that’s alright with you, Can I hear it”?

It would be faster to show rather than explain.

I took a box out of my sub space and showed him its contents.

As soon as he saw the stony surface of the heart, resembling a tropical fruit, Mr. Dragon’s eyes sharpened.

Well, he was the leader of the dragon tribe, so he recognized it immediately.

“A dragon tribe heart. Could it be the heart of the one I think it is?”

“Yes. It belongs to the dragon slayer, Regal Vagos.”

“…Really, that’s…”

Mr. Dragon made an indescribable expression, the muscles around his eyes twitching.

He must have suspected as much, but hearing it confirmed was clearly something else.

But as befits a tribe leader, he recovered quickly.

“…Honestly, I’m deeply perplexed, but let me say this first.”

Mr. Dragon—head of the dragon tribe—bowed to me.

“Bjorn, son of Jandel. On behalf of my tribe and as a father myself, I sincerely thank you.”

The moment I saw his attitude, I knew it: it wouldn’t have mattered if I hadn’t been the baron or the tribe chief of the barbarians. He would have reacted the same way.

This wasn’t a bad development.

It meant there was a slightly higher chance he might accept my request later.

“…So what happened? I’ve heard no word of the dragon slayer’s death. Did you meet him recently?”

“No, I killed the dragon slayer in Ice Rock.”

“You mean on that expedition?”

“How much do you know about that expedition?”

“Only what was made public. Even Ravien told me the same.”

“Then I’ll start at the beginning.”

I explained everything that had happened during the expedition, and Mr. Dragon listened intently until he finally grasped the full picture.

The core issue of that day’s expedition wasn’t the pursuit by Noark, nor was it being abandoned by the royal family, or even the death of the dragon slayer—.

“You killed the Rose Knights…”

Killing the Rose Knights.

In other words, openly defying the royal family.

“Now I understand why you put so much emphasis on secrecy from the start, and why that girl couldn’t tell me anything.”

“So don’t be upset. The reason I’m only coming to you now with the heart is because of that.”

“…I understand. I’m grateful that you still came… but despite that.”

As expected of someone responsible for an entire race, Mr. Dragon followed the conversation well.

“What is it you want from me?”

Now it was time to get to the point.

****

If the dragon tribe’s highest authority could grant you one favor, what would it be?

The answer would vary from person to person.

With their small numbers and ridiculous lifespan, the dragons are the second most wealthy race after humans, and they have the ability to give you whatever you ask for.

However…

“I want the dragon tribe’s unconditional support and cooperation.”

The moment I stated my desire, Mr. Dragon flinched and raised his voice.

“That’s an absurd demand.”

“Well, it’s not like I’m asking for money or treasures.”

“It would have been preferable if you had. But this request of yours… it could lead our entire tribe to ruin!”

Mr Dragon repeatedly stressed that he was truly grateful and tried to persuade me to ask for anything else.

So, I activated my barbarian negotiation mode.

“Just do it! Don’t act like you’ll grant me anything, then change your mind!”

“Even after becoming a baron, you haven’t changed a bit.”

“Come on, just do it! Otherwise, I won’t give you the heart!”

As I stubbornly persisted, Mr. Dragon broke into a cold sweat. But as time went on, he gradually got used to it and changed his approach.

“Didn’t you promise? You said you’d agree to anything!”

“A promise? Strictly speaking, there was no promise of a reward!” He argued back “No, in this case, it’s more accurate to say that I trusted you and gave you a reward in advance! Isn’t that right?”

In exchange for bringing the Dragon Slaying Sword, I was given the opportunity to receive a reward, and I received the ‘Dragon’s Blessing’ on the condition that I would bring back the heart of the Dragon Slayer.

“…So you’re just going to let it go at that? Even though this is the only way to save your daughter?”

“That’s why I keep saying it! I truly am grateful… but I can’t grant that request. Please ask for something else.”

In the end, I had no choice but to concede.

No matter how long I persisted in my barbarian negotiation mode, it would be difficult to change Mr. Dragon’s mind.

‘Well, it’s not like he’d give in to stubbornness over such an important matter.’

It was time to stop joking around and have a sincere conversation.

“Rapir.”

“…?”

“The reason you can’t accept my demand is because of the royal family, isn’t it?”

“…I won’t deny it. You might not fully understand yet, but the king is truly a fearsome being.”

Everyone keeps saying the same thing.

It’s so frustrating that I should hurry up and see the king’s face for myself.

Only then can I refute those words or do something about it.

As I chuckled to myself, Mr. Dragon asked me in a subtle tone,

“…If you limit your demand for unconditional support to situations where the king is not involved, 

I might be able to agree to that. How about it?”

It was a significant compromise, a big step back.

Just hearing it made me realize how truly grateful Mr. Dragon was to me.

After all, supporting me in all cases except those involving the king?

That made sense. Even excluding the king, it meant he would give me his full support in conflicts with marquises, dukes or other races.

 If something turned into a military clash, there might be conditions, but—

“If you have the justification, any unfair attack on you would be considered an attack on me as well.”

I thought about it.

Normally, negotiations are about both sides moving towards a middle ground.

But…

“This is probably the best offer.”

This negotiation was different.

Mr. Dragon skipped the whole process and offered the maximum terms right away.

It wasn’t because he didn’t know how to negotiate.

It was simply a sign of gratitude and goodwill toward me.

‘Let’s stop here.’

Getting support in conflicts with other tribes was already a sufficient gain.

As Mr. Dragon said earlier, the original quest reward was just the ‘Dragon’s Blessing.’

“…Really, I can’t go any further—”

I cut off Mr Dragon, who was trying to persuade me again with a worried look on his face, and handed him the box.

“That is enough. Take it.”

I didn’t forget to add words of gratitude.

“And thank you sincerely. For indulging my unreasonable demands.”

“…Huh, I didn’t expect this situation.”

“I was desperate because I had things I needed to protect, but I’ll make sure you’re not put in a difficult position.”

“Enough. My daughter is involved in this matter too.”

Ah, Ravien is his daughter, isn’t she?

So that’s why. No wonder the conditions were so favorable.

“Anyway, since we’re done, let’s talk a bit more. What did you do during the time you were gone? Were you really on a secret mission as the Marquis announced?”

After that, the atmosphere relaxed, and we continued to chat about various things.

And after some time had passed…

“Ah, and now that you’ve agreed to support me, could you testify at the trial with Count Alminas?”

“In that trial… as a witness?”

“Why, you’re the leader of the dragonfolk, aren’t you? It would really boost my credibility if you stood by me.”

“…Credibility?”

“Ha! Just kidding, just kidding!”

Mr. Dragon has also a good sense of humour, it seems.

“Oh, I’ve had so much fun talking that it’s already this late. There’s an elders’ meeting soon, so I should get going

“Hmm, is that so?”

“If you’re leaving right now, let me know. I’ll use the dragon speech immediately.”

“No, since I’m here, I might as well meet Fen and Ravien before I go.”

“Hehe, that’s good to hear. She’ll be happy. I won’t take too long, so have some tea with the girls and wait. I’ll be back soon.”

With that, Mr. Dragon told me where Pen and Ravien were,

With those words, Mr. Dragon pointed me in the direction where Pen and Ravien were, and I slowly made my way there.

Step, step.

The marble floor echoed with each step.

Before I turned down the hallway, I stopped and looked back over my shoulder.

“Is there something else you wanted to say?” Mr. Dragon asked

“I think I should ask this before I go.”

Mr. Dragon shrugged as if to say, go ahead.

“If, just if.”

My voice carried through the space between us.

“If I become stronger and the forces supporting me increase.”

“…”

“And so you decide—maybe, just maybe—it’s worth a shot.”

“…”

“You think it might not be complete suicide anymore. If you ever feel that way—”

I asked, omitting the part that considered Mr. Dragon’s position.

“Would you help me then?”

The answer came after a long pause.

“…If that time comes, I’ll consider it positively.”

“Yeah, I see.”

I turned my back and continued my steps.

Step, step.

That was enough for today.