Chapter 11 – What's Up with This Dragon? (Part 1)
The next morning, the wind and snow hadn't let up.
Lain and Kraft left Grayat, heading north toward Tur. The wind howled past their ears as they trudged through snow that didn't reach even their calves.
Kraft walked in front, breaking the trail, a layer of snow resting on his head, his breath freezing into frost along his eyebrows.
"Lain, how much farther?"
Kraft paused, tugging open the collar of his monk robes to reveal a solid chest.
This guy really had abnormal stamina—sweating in this weather was no small feat.
Lain brushed the snow off his shoulders and glanced at the map. "Just over this hill, and we'll be there."
The journey had been unusually uneventful. Aside from a few curious young snow wolves, not a single monster had appeared to make things interesting.
Soon, thin wisps of smoke appeared in a mountain hollow ahead.
Several low stone houses huddled together in a wind-sheltered spot, looking as if they could be buried by the snowfall at any moment.
"That's Rem Village. Let's find somewhere to warm up first."
Lain put away the map.
Before they reached the village, a clear, slightly airy voice floated toward them with the wind:
"Recruiting mages! Recruiting warriors!
If you have courage! If you have strength! You can join the greatest adventuring team of this century!
Our goal is to defeat the Red Dragon! The reward is my autograph!"
Lain rubbed his ear and looked over. At the village entrance stood a purple-haired girl.
She looked no older than fifteen or sixteen, wearing armor clearly too big for her. She swung a wooden sword with fierce energy, though completely without technique.
As Lain and Kraft approached, the girl spotted them.
She jumped down from the rock she was standing on—too forcefully, nearly twisting her ankle.
"Travelers!"
She steadied herself and struck a pose she thought was heroic, pointing her wooden sword at the sky.
"I'm Elily! The future Great Hero! You two look strong—want to join my team?"
Lain glanced at the wooden sword. The hilt had uneven letters carved into it: Himmel II.
"No thanks."
Kraft, hands tucked into his robe sleeves like a leisurely old master, simply walked past her into the village.
"Wait!"
Elily chased after them, blocking their path.
"The Red Dragon is a menace in these parts! It burned down the cow sheds, ate the snow sheep! Don't you want to fight for justice, as men?"
"No."
Lain's answer was curt.
"I have money!"
Elily gritted her teeth, pulling a shriveled pouch from her chest and slapping it into her hand. "Here's the deposit!"
The pouch jiggled. Inside were maybe three copper coins—no more.
Lain sighed inwardly, wondering how Himmel would've handled a situation like this.
At that moment, an elderly man with a cane hurried over.
"Elily! Stop fooling around!"
He grabbed her arm. "Apologize to these travelers this instant!"
"Grandpa! I'm recruiting teammates!"
Elily struggled. "The Red Dragon is still sleeping on the mountain—that's the best chance to strike!"
"Your pathetic skills aren't enough to even scratch the dragon's teeth!"
The old man scolded his granddaughter, then turned to Lain and Kraft and bowed deeply.
"My apologies. My granddaughter has been obsessed with hero stories and caused you trouble. I'm the village chief of Rem. If you don't mind, come inside for some hot tea to warm up."
Inside, the fire burned brightly.
Elily was shut out, still banging on the door with her wooden sword.
"Is there really a Red Dragon nearby?" Lain asked playfully.
"Yes."
The chief added a log to the fire, frowning. "It arrived a month ago, settled on a cliff to the north. Every few days it swoops down for livestock. The village next door was burned to the ground. Our hunters went to slay it, but none returned. Even with bounties posted, few dare challenge this dragon."
Kraft, holding a cup of tea, said seriously, "So that's why your granddaughter wants to kill it."
"She's delusional."
The chief sighed. "Growing up hearing the stories of Hero Himmel, she's been yelling about becoming a hero every day. A few days ago, she even secretly took the kitchen knife to sharpen it, claiming she'd forge a divine weapon."
Lain put down his cup. "Where's the dragon's lair?"
The chief froze. "You… want to take the job?"
"Since we're passing by, we might as well clean it up."
Lain stood. "Besides, we need travel expenses."
Kraft also stood, stretching his neck. "Perfect timing—my body's stiff from the walk."
Outside the door, Elily pressed against the wood, eavesdropping.
Hearing the conversation, she burst in with a "Bang!"
"I knew it!"
Her cheeks flushed with excitement. "I knew I could tell at a glance! You really are brave warriors!"
"Don't get the wrong idea."
Lain shot her a glance. "We're just here for the money."
"That's fine, that's fine!"
Elily waved her hand. "As long as we defeat the Red Dragon, the reason doesn't matter! I'm the captain, you're the members—no problem, right?"
"Suit yourself."
Lain didn't care.
Kraft chuckled, his ancient elven hands tucked in his sleeves. Watching the reckless granddaughter of his kindred, he said, "Alright, captain, but when we fight, you better lead from the front."
"Leave it to me!"
Elily patted her chest, the armor clanging.
…
The northern mountains were a blade of wind.
The snow barely reached their ankles, each step a small effort.
Elily led the way.
She had switched to a real sword once wielded by her grandfather in his youth—a rusty blade, chipped along the edge.
"Listen up, here's the plan."
Panting as she climbed the slope, she outlined her tactics. "I'll draw fire from the front, the big guy attacks the left flank, and the dual-swordsman takes the right. As long as we coordinate, we'll win!"
Lain and Kraft trailed behind, keeping five meters of distance.
"So much energy."
Kraft watched her wobbling steps. "She can barely hold that sword."
Lain shook his head. "You'll need to keep an eye on her when the fight starts."
Kraft nodded. This feeling of bringing along a rookie reminded him of long ago.
The Red Dragon wasn't rare in the northern plateau. Its scales were hard, it could breathe scorching fire—a disaster for ordinary people.
"We're here!"
Elily suddenly stopped, crouching behind a huge rock.
Ahead, on a wind-sheltered plateau, a massive dark-red shape lay dozing, its hot breath melting the surrounding snow.
Elily swallowed nervously, her hands shaking on the sword.
"Scared?"
Lain leaned closer.
"W-who's scared!"
Elily straightened up. "This is tactical trembling! To keep the muscles alert!"
With that, the girl leapt from cover. If there were background music, it would've been tragic and heroic.