Ch.97Chapter 97 – Dragon Countermeasure Meeting

“To think I’d end up touring the royal palace in my lifetime.”

“I know, right?”

I exchanged these words with Sera as we gazed at the ornately decorated castle gate.

I had occasionally glimpsed this magnificent gate in passing when making deliveries in the past.

“Honestly, I never thought I’d have any connection to this place.”

Truthfully, how often would an adventurer like me have any business with the high-ranking individuals residing in the royal palace?

That’s why I had never paid much attention to the building before.

And now, that very building stood before my eyes.

“Hey, what are you doing? Let’s hurry inside.”

Hearing Beatrice’s voice as she walked ahead of us, I snapped back to reality and moved forward with Sera and Christina.

Thanks to Beatrice’s invitation and our letters of introduction, we had no trouble entering.

After crossing the spacious palace grounds, we arrived at a room in one corner where I spotted some familiar faces.

“You’re here.”

“Hello~”

It was Rudger and Aria, who somehow always seemed to be together whenever something major happened.

Behind them stood a plump man in expensive clothing and an elderly man with a half-bald head, engaged in conversation.

“Ah, that’s the Guild Master.”

“From the Alchemist Guild? Who?”

“There, the one with the bal—I mean, the elderly gentleman.”

Sera quickly corrected herself, realizing she was about to say something quite rude. Her choice was wise, as the man called the Guild Master seemed to have overheard her initial comment and was now looking around menacingly, trying to identify who had been talking about him.

Besides them, various other people were present, all clearly individuals of importance in this kingdom.

After briefly surveying the place, I shared my honest thoughts.

“We really don’t fit in here, do we?”

“I know, right?”

Looking around, everyone else was dressed in expensive-looking attire befitting their high status, while Sera and I had merely made an effort to look as neat as possible.

As for Christina, she wore old clothes with visible mending marks. Even now, she was trying to hide the stitches on her sleeve by gripping it with her hand.

“Don’t worry about it. Strip away the appearances, and we’re all just people.”

Aria spoke as if trying to comfort us.

Though even she had forgone her usual revealing outfit for an expensive-looking priestess robe that covered her body.

‘Would it have been better if Eve were here?’

Eve seemed like someone who would have attended gatherings with such distinguished people before.

Of course, she wasn’t here.

Suddenly, I found myself wishing I could bring her along.

-THUD!

A loud sound of something striking the floor echoed, and everyone turned toward the source.

A man entered wearing dazzling golden armor that gleamed as if made of solid gold, followed by a woman.

Upon seeing her, some people in the crowd began to bow on one knee in greeting.

“Mr. Kay!”

With a small but clear voice, Sera pushed my head down, and with tremendous force, I too found myself kneeling on one knee.

Interestingly, Christina and the other religious figures, as well as Beatrice, did not kneel.

“…Sera, do you know who that person is?”

“No idea, I just followed everyone else’s lead.”

While Sera and I were whispering, the woman clapped her hands.

It seemed to be a signal of permission, as those who had knelt quickly rose to their feet.

“Thank you all for coming.”

The woman who had clapped stepped forward.

She wore a light pink dress adorned with jewels, with golden hair.

“I am First Princess Liriel, the host of this meeting.”

So she was a princess.

If not for Sera, I might have caused a commotion by being disrespectful.

“Given the situation, even the royal family has sent someone.”

“It’s a dragon. I wouldn’t be surprised if the king himself showed up.”

Rudger whispered, and Aria quietly responded.

As they continued their hushed conversation, Princess Liriel’s voice resonated throughout the room.

“Before we begin the meeting, I would like to express my gratitude to our distinguished guests who have chosen to attend for the sake of our kingdom, despite having no obligation to the royal family.”

Liriel gave a slight curtsy, lifting the hem of her dress.

It seemed those who hadn’t knelt earlier were exempt from such formalities because they had no obligation to the royal family.

Everyone’s gaze focused on her with respect.

“As you know, this meeting is to address the dragon threat. I ask for your candid opinions.”

Her clear voice echoed through the meeting room, and everyone listened attentively, nodding their heads.

Meanwhile, the plump man and the balding Alchemist Guild Master wore expressions of distinct displeasure, as if they found the whole affair bothersome.

They seemed to want to distance themselves from the situation.

“First, we need to understand the dragon’s appearance and circumstances, so I’ve called the adventurer group that encountered the dragon.”

Liriel said this while scanning the room.

Her gaze moved from person to person until it stopped on me.

She extended her hand with a smile.

“Brave ones, would you please come forward and testify?”

This was why we had come, after all.

I nodded and stepped forward with Sera and Christina.

+

After my testimony and some supplementary explanations from Sera and Christina, the room fell silent for a moment.

“Lies.”

The plump man spoke as if he refused to believe what he had heard.

“As the head of the Merchant Guild, I must say this is an utterly preposterous claim that I cannot accept. Even so…”

“Guild Master. Our royal family has accepted this testimony as fact, with the endorsement of both the Adventurer’s Guild and the Magic Tower.”

So that plump man was the head of the Merchant Guild.

Of course, despite his title, he was merely a high-ranking official in one of the kingdom’s influential organizations, apparently outranked by the princess. He couldn’t argue with her words and instead began to look uncomfortable.

As if to drive the point home, Liriel smiled and continued.

“Furthermore, according to information sent to the Knights by an anonymous merchant company, several villages and cities have already disappeared. Guild Master, weren’t you already aware of this?”

“Well, that’s…”

The Guild Master began to shift his eyes nervously.

He might have already known about the disappearance of those villages and cities.

There was something intriguing in Liriel’s words, though.

‘An anonymous merchant company, huh.’

For some reason, one particular company came to mind.

I might have to question them about this later.

“The Knights’ own investigation confirmed that the report was accurate, and thanks to the dragon’s appearance, we now know the cause.”

“Any survivors?”

“No survivors have been identified yet. We believe the reason news of the dragon’s appearance hasn’t properly spread is because everyone who encountered it was sacrificed.”

Liriel spoke quietly.

At her words, some people recognized the gravity of the situation and accepted it with serious expressions.

Others, despite recognizing the severity, denied the reality.

“Mage from the Magic Tower, if I may ask, what position does the Tower hold on this matter?”

Receiving Liriel’s gaze, Beatrice stood up.

Small gasps of admiration suggested that people were impressed by Beatrice’s appearance.

Seemingly unfazed by the attention, Beatrice’s voice carried throughout the room.

“I apologize, but the Magic Tower will not take a frontline position. Following the long-standing rules of our Tower, we have decided to maintain our policy of not directly confronting dragons.”

As she finished speaking, Beatrice gave a slight bow.

It was a gesture of respect, expressing regret.

Everyone in the meeting room widened their eyes slightly at Beatrice’s words and actions.

“Is this true?”

“Yes. The Seven Masters have already discussed this matter.”

“But, even so…”

“I apologize, but the Tower’s position on this matter will not change. The Magic Tower will observe from behind.”

Beatrice cut off the Alchemist Guild Master’s words and bowed slightly once more.

‘This is honestly surprising.’

I hadn’t expected Beatrice to act this way.

Of course, considering her position, it made sense.

Right now, she wasn’t the woman usually lost in alcohol and tobacco, but a representative of the Magic Tower.

Her statements were effectively the Tower’s statements.

After quietly listening to Beatrice, Liriel spoke.

“You said the Magic Tower won’t take a frontline position, but does that mean we can expect other forms of support?”

“We will provide what support we can. However, our mages cannot participate in the defense against the dragon.”

“Not even one?”

Beatrice shook her head at Liriel’s question.

“The Master of the Green Tower has delegated this matter to me. And I intend to stand at the front when fighting the dragon.”

“You mentioned earlier that the Tower’s rule is to not directly confront dragons. Will this be acceptable?”

“The Master of the Green Tower believes that while upholding traditions and rules is important, he has no intention of turning a blind eye to people suffering before him. I also intend to follow that opinion.”

Beatrice’s words were resolute.

Liriel nodded, seemingly satisfied.

Then the man in golden armor stepped forward.

“Is that all?”

“Currently, I am the only confirmed participant. The Master of the Green Tower’s authority only extends to dispatching me.”

At Beatrice’s words, the man stepped back.

Perhaps he realized there was no point in continuing the conversation.

As the man retreated, Beatrice looked around once more and spoke again.

“On behalf of the Green Tower, I deeply apologize for not being able to promise sufficient assistance.”

With those words, Beatrice placed her hand on her left chest and bowed slightly.

Liriel nodded with a smile at the gesture.

“I understand that you have not abandoned us and have made efforts. On behalf of our royal family, I express gratitude for the Green Tower’s friendship.”

Liriel also bowed to Beatrice, who returned the gesture.

With that, their exchange seemed to conclude, and both women sat down.

“Even so, without the Tower’s support…”

“It’s not that we have no support from the Tower at all. But still…”

The room grew somewhat noisy.

Beatrice’s statement had people exchanging anxious glances.

“Princess, however…”

The man in golden armor spoke up, and I listened carefully.

Liriel shook her head with closed eyes.

“Royal Guard Captain. Compared to not participating at all, this is much better.”

“But…”

“Enough. Pushing further would only antagonize the Tower. The Master of the Green Tower seems to have done his best, and that’s sufficient.”

Liriel raised her hand to stop the man who seemed about to say more.

It was clear she didn’t want to hear any further objections.

Then she stood up again and spoke.

“Will the Jeolei Order and Hati Order participate?”

“Many of our followers consider this kingdom their home, so we will participate.”

“The same applies to us.”

Rudger and Aria responded respectfully, and Liriel nodded with satisfaction.

“First Princess. If I may, I have a question.”

“Please speak.”

When Beatrice suddenly spoke, Liriel nodded.

Beatrice then narrowed her eyes sharply and asked.

“Did the Emiris Order say they wouldn’t participate?”

“No. They said they wouldn’t attend the meeting but would participate.”

Liriel replied with a smile.

“They only informed us that the Dragon Slayer and Holy Maiden from the New Kingdom would be participating.”

“I see.”

Beatrice nodded, seemingly satisfied.

Soon, her expression darkened.

“Oh, the Dragon Slayer!”

“When? When will they arrive?”

The Guild Master and Merchant Guild Master asked Liriel with hopeful faces.

Liriel smiled and replied.

“I was told they would arrive soon.”

“That’s a relief. At least the capital will be safe. And business…”

The Merchant Guild Master stopped mid-sentence and cleared his throat.

Perhaps even he realized that worrying about business in this situation was inappropriate.

“Yes, as the Guild Master said, we should be fine. As a precaution, we plan to evacuate the capital’s residents on the day the dragon is expected to arrive.”

After saying this, Liriel smiled.

However, her eyes had grown cold when looking at the Merchant Guild Master.

“With the New Kingdom’s Dragon Slayer coming, I believe we have nothing to fear.”

“In that case…”

Hope began to shine on the faces of those in the meeting room.

The mere news that the Dragon Slayer was coming made them feel as if victory was already assured.

Aria and Rudger looked displeased, while Beatrice darkened her expression, sitting quietly in the meeting room.

“…They’re all so gullible.”

“Are you dissatisfied?”

I responded to Beatrice’s comment.

She snorted and said.

“I don’t like how they’re not even cautious about a foreign powerhouse entering freely.”

“That’s true.”

As Beatrice pointed out, the princess’s announcement meant that individuals with tremendous power would be entering the kingdom.

It would be reasonable to show some caution, but no one in this room seemed to be wary of this Dragon Slayer.

Or perhaps they simply weren’t showing it here…

“Well, it’s not my concern.”

Beatrice shook her head as if she didn’t want to discuss it further.

Normally, she might have leaned back in her chair, but given the formal setting, she simply sat quietly.

“Everyone’s faces suddenly brightened up.”

“That’s because the Dragon Slayer’s valor is so remarkable. I’ve heard they’re revered like a hero in the New Kingdom.”

Sera and Christina conversed with each other.

“Dragon Slayer, huh.”

“Do you admire them?”

I shook my head at Sera’s question.

“It’s not admiration, more like curiosity.”

“About what?”

“I wonder how they managed to defeat such monsters.”

That black dragon’s scales were so tough that it was nearly impossible to inflict critical damage.

How did someone manage to slay such creatures?

Lost in these thoughts, I looked around the meeting room.

The voices of the attendees grew louder.

Having found hope against the nightmare of the dragon’s appearance, they were now actively offering opinions.

“…Something doesn’t feel right.”

“What bothers you?”

“Just… I don’t like how people who didn’t even think about doing anything themselves suddenly became proactive just because the Dragon Slayer is coming.”

Sera looked at me as if she didn’t understand what I meant.

“Besides, I’m worried we might be betrayed if we rely too much on this Dragon Slayer.”

Some might simply think I’m jealous if they heard me.

As the meeting I found so disagreeable continued, Liriel, who had been listening to various opinions, declared:

“Then, based on your collective input, we will proceed with the operation as follows.”

Everyone cheered at her words.

“I don’t like this.”

Looking at people cheering for a Dragon Slayer who hadn’t even shown their face yet,

I muttered quietly to myself.