955: Anomaly and Dragonkin

I get why you came to this continent now, but let me warn you about one thing.

What is it?

You shouldnt stay here for long. This is no place for someone like you, someone with a future.

Izario muttered with a solemn look on his face. I could see that those words came from the bottom of his heart.

Fran, however, was not convinced.

But youre here all the time.

Were different. Like I said before, Im just an ordinary guy with a divine sword.

Izario seems to have really low self-esteem, though I can understand why after listening to his story.

But after fighting on this continent for a decade, Im sure hes become strong enough to deserve his Rank S t.i.tle by now I guess its hard to get people to change their minds after so long.

Izario was constantly calling himself Talentless and acting out the role of the useless old drunkard. Well, maybe hes only half acting. Anyways, the reason why he acts so useless in public may be because he felt like thats how things should have been, in a world where he never found the sword.

I also noticed the similarity between the wielders chosen by Gaia and Ignis. Perhaps these blades only selected those who wouldnt grow arrogant after obtaining them. Rather, they chose people who even disrespected the blade itself.

As a result, such a person would be less likely to abuse the sword for personal gain. Thats probably not the only factor, but Im pretty sure that particular mindset is important.

Well, thats enough for a break. Lets get going now.

Nn.

Fran nodded and stood up. I attempted to use the antidote spell on Izario, but he applied it to himself before I had the chance.

Wait, he could use healing magic?

Magic?

A must have for heavy drinkers, no?

No, what!? Learning magic for the sake of drinking?! Maybe this guys got no talent with a sword, but what about everything else? As I recall, there werent many people capable of using healing magic.

Is that okay? Wont you get weaker if you get rid of the alcohol?

Oh, uh, Ill be fine! I mean, the request was just for investigation, so I wont be needing any alcohol. Were better off without the smell too, right?

With the alcohol drained from his body, Izario gave a panicked defense. Seems like he still has a hard time admitting to his lie. Hes so desperate that Im starting to feel little sorry for him. Guess I can give him a little hand.

Fran, Izario has a point. The enemy might find us if he smells of alcohol.

I see. Okay then.

Y-Yeah! You get what I mean, right?

He somehow seemed pitiful despite being so much stronger than us. I thought he was acting useless half the time earlier, by maybe only 20% of it was an act.

We set out again for the investigation, but we were soon confronted with a strange situation. Izarios face seemed have gotten a bit serious too.

Oh, that theres a squad of dragonkin.

Nn. About 30 of them.

Hmmm. According to the guild, no dragonkin should have been dispatched to this region

We discovered a squad of dragonkin who shouldnt be here. Could they be working for the Dragon King?

That said, this area was not off-limits, aside from Trismegistus castle. If they came all the way here for some reason, it wouldnt be a crime.

Guess we have no choice. We gotta try making contact with them. If its those rebel dragonkin weve been hearing about, we might have a fight on our hands.

Im looking forward to it.

You sure seem happy.

Izario shrugged his shoulders in a teasing manner, but his eyes were not smiling. He must have noticed the almost deadly fighting spirit emanating from Fran.

Weve already informed the guild about how the Dragon King took over the illegal slave trafficking ring. Naturally, Izario must have heard about it too.

Combined with the story of Frans history, he should easily be able to infer how Fran would feel about the ones under the Dragon Kings command.

Just in case, dont do anything until they strike first, okay? If they turn hostile, youre free to go wild.

Nn!

Please, Im counting on you.

Three minutes later.

The dragonkin noticed the approaching Fran and Izario. Right after, they suddenly rushed up to us.

Urus.h.i.+ was hiding in the shadows just in case. If the need arose, hes in charge of the surprise attack to disrupt our opponents.

Stop right there!

Name yourselves!

Many of the dragonkin were very young, and they seemed rebellious too. Like, the kind that would probably grow up into hoodlums.

Combat-wise, they were below average for dragonkin, so they seemed to have no idea what we were capable of. Yet, they did not seem to doubt their own superiority.

Except for the few who were trying to intimidate us, all of them were smirking and sneering.

Oh, so scary. Anyways, which reservation are you dragonkin from?

We dont answer to you. This area is off limits. Leave quietly, and well let you go.

Huh? Off-limits? Were here on a mission from the Adventurers Guild, you know? Why doesnt the guild know about this off-limits stuff? Who in the world decided this?

Tch.

The leader of the delinquents clicked his tongue at Izarios unfrightened demeanor. He also seemed to realize the troublesome fact in Izarios words.

He must have thought we were just ordinary adventurers hunting down antidemons. Now that he knew we were officially a.s.signed by the guild, they could not legally interfere with us.

But the dragonkin remained defiant.

This continent belongs to us dragonkin! What we decide becomes law!

Hmm? When did we agree to that? Arent you guys the ones who destroyed Gordicia in the first place? And now youre gonna claim owners.h.i.+p?

Izario spoke provocatively, as if he wanted to get on the dragonkins nerves. This was clearly a taunt.

He may be trying to cloud the mans judgment in order to squeeze more information out of him. Or, maybe trying to anger the guy into a fight, so that we could claim self-defense.

At any rate, he had already decided that there was no point in a proper discussion.

Come on, you naughty boys should just go home before you get hurt. Say youre sorry and Ill let you off the hook.

Son of a b.i.t.c.h! Dont treat us like children!

If thats all you can say, you really are a kid. Right, wittle dwagon?

Kill this f.u.c.king geezer!