episode_0072

Three days passed.

Juul had already started a reinvestigation two days ago, fully prepared, and caught Ramrat, who had committed cannibalism. Even then, there seemed to be time left. Of the bailiffs, only Elicia and Claudia said goodbye to me.

It is said that Bass returned home immediately after the incident was resolved. To humans, 20 years may be young, but from Ramrat’s perspective, 20 years of age is middle age. In that respect, Bath was a faithful family man.

“What will be the verdict at Ymir’s tomb?”

“Well? It may depend on how it goes, but what you did deserves the death penalty.”

···Isn’t the death penalty the highest punishment?

No matter how much the crime is reduced, it seems like he would have to be imprisoned for life or at least 30 years in prison. Should I ask Grace to take me and run away?

“Don’t be scared. Originally, all slaves were sentenced to death the moment they committed a crime. However, slaves are like objects, so if you defend yourself well, you can often be found not guilty.”

“······.”

This means that since slaves are not treated as people, the law does not stand on the same lines as people. They were treated like animals, like pet dogs. If Amor had not blocked my path and shot me with the arrow, I might have been killed already.

There is a big difference between an animal that attacks a person and an animal that threatens a person.

I always hoped that the southern demi-humans would treat humans like humans, but I’m really glad that they didn’t do that this time.

“The good news is that, thanks to your merits, we were able to persuade the consul to some extent. Humans cannot be imprisoned in the prison of the party’s union.”

“Why?”

“Because it’s a waste to feed them.”

It’s a finish that adds confidence to my thoughts.

In a country governed by law, even vagrants who commit a crime must be imprisoned even if it costs taxpayers money.

“Completely recovered.”

Grace’s finger, which was attached to my chest like a stethoscope, fell off.

“Thank you.”

“If you have any trouble, you can come to the communication center and find me. If you visit Horus later and show the ring I gave you to public institutions, they will be able to find me. If the trial goes wrong, I will pay bail───.”

“That doesn’t happen.”

Jules cut off Grace.

Grace looked at Jules, and Jules looked at Grace. Even though he knew that Grace had spoken to him and helped him in advance, Jules was wary of her.

Why on earth do you do that?

“Then, I hope you all have a comfortable journey home.”

Grace bows her head in greeting.

“Thank you for your help. Please take care of yourselves.”

After exchanging greetings, I parted ways with Grace.

As expected, Grace silently walks away without looking back.

My backpack, which was light when I arrived, has now become quite heavy.

Inside the backpack were several large honey mushrooms, nearly thousands of sheets of paper, and a wick about 1 meter long. I was able to buy two cans of ink and two stylish fountain pens.

I was planning to buy a fountain pen as simple as the Earth, but Juul bought a fancy fountain pen with feathers at the same time.

Not only is it expensive, but there is a risk of the feathers bending or breaking. Thanks to this, I had to put it in a box and carry it with me.

Plus, Jules carried me around while pretending to be a cripple, so the torture was even worse.

“Are you going to stop by Julias’ residence?”

” That’s how it should be.”

The rainy season predicted by Grace is now about 7 to 11 days away.

There will be a lot of rain this rainy season. Jules’ expression as he looked at the sky was extremely confusing. Since their sense of smell is so good, they can tell the difference between the rainy season by the humidity and the smell before it rains.

The clouds that should have been dark by now suddenly disappeared. Probably, as soon as the rainy season ends, I will go to Ymir’s tomb—Hmm?

“Didn’t the people who came before say they came from Ymir’s tomb?”

“That’s right.”

“A week from here… You have to go from the ogre’s nest for a week to reach Ymir’s tomb. Is it possible to get here in that short of time?”

“I am on dispatched duty. I work here for six months and then go back and rest for a month.”

Jules’ expression as he looked at the sky was unusual.

As if he was annoyed. I pretended not to know and confronted him.

“It’s going to rain a lot this time.”

“···The problem in our village is that the river’s rapids become too strong every time it rains. The bridge needs to be built, and the ditch needs to be dug deep. I have to go back right away and get ready.”

Living against nature also means that we must prepare for natural disasters. The farming tools, such as shovels and rubber scoops, that were next to Deberg’s workshop were made to scoop up dirt.

“Hurry and go help.”

“Then take the shortcut again───.”

“I’m not going.”

*

Not taking a shortcut meant that you had to pass through Naga territory. Thanks to this, I had to face their stinging stares again. I miss shortcuts for no reason. I didn’t miss the rough terrain.

“But why is the terrain of the shortcut shaped like that?”

“Terrain?”

“The land was split and a cliff was exposed. As if there was an earthquake there.”

If it hadn’t been so damn bad, I would have gone there.

“It is a mark of the sea god Ouroboros scratching.”

“Yes? Ouroboros is a dragon that lives in the sea.”

“I don’t know the details either. Ouroboros sometimes turns Pangea upside down.”

This is absurd.

What kind of sea dragon is overturning the land?

Grumble!

Water droplets rose in the wetland.

They were out.

In terms of body size and body alone, it is bigger than Juul or Terub. Those teeth are less ugly than those of a kobold, but I also know that it has an even more ugly grip than that.

Maybe that’s why I never wanted to approach him.

“Hey.”

ah? who is this?

Someone calls Jules in the water. ···One naga was underwater with only his head out.

“Why are you doing that?”

“There is a huge Amphitier in front. It would be best to go back to the side street.”

“Are you trying to hunt a dragon?”

Naga laughs.

“Do you think we are warts? You can’t hunt dragons.”

“Thank you for the advice, but I don’t have time.”

“I gave clear advice.”

Naga disappeared beneath the surface of the water as if he had nothing more to do.

──Empitier.

It is an animal that only heard words from the priest. I’ve heard that they live in wetlands and lakes, but I don’t know what they look like.

“What does Ampitier look like?”

“Hmm, it’s similar to a winged snake. It has two pairs of wings, with hind wings on its hind legs as long as its body. The front legs have hands. Among dragons, they tend to be gentle. Just don’t make eye contact.”

Don’t make eye contact?

“Does eye contact have any meaning? Are you attacking me?”

“No, the dragon is interested. If you keep running into them, they might catch you.”

I have no idea what kind of interest Jules is talking about.

“So, you mean to catch and eat it?”

“Naughty guys sometimes eat Ajin or throw them out in the air. You can even be treated to a meal. Not only Amphitier, but the dragons themselves are all unruly. Like Ain.”

I came to my senses when I heard that I would be hosting a meal.

Could it be that Amphitier is also a demi-human?

“I’d like to see what it looks like.”

“Amphitire likes to spread its wings and float in the water like a water strider. It’s so big that you don’t want to see it, but you can see it—oh, it’s right in front of you! ···Huh?”

I looked in the direction Jules was pointing to.

There, a huge dragon spreads its wings and looks this way――this way.

I immediately lowered my gaze. But, I hear the sound of people walking out on land. The vibration it creates as it approaches.

“···Aren’t you looking this way?”

“You’re looking at me. It’s a dragon I know.”

“Which way?”

“In a good way.”

You know dragons?

“How do you know the dragon? It’s not Ain.”

“It’s not that the dragon is not a demi-human, it’s that the dragon refuses to be a demi-human. I hate being compared. The dragon’s words are also different.”

Doesn’t that mean I can talk to dragons too?

I’m looking forward to it, but I’m reluctant to get close because I think I’m getting attention.

I’m just scared that I might get eaten.

In the first place, if dragons had normal conversations with humans, they wouldn’t have been stigmatized as unpleasant beings. The fact that higher species harass lower species also means that there is no concept of animal protection like on Earth.

If someone found an abandoned dog speaking human language, wouldn’t they immediately snatch it up?

“Anyway, it’s not a bad dragon.”

······It’s okay, right?

I lowered my eyes and glanced at Amphitier’s location.

“Look here.”

A neutral voice was heard from afar.

This is Amphitier’s side.

“Don’t look.”

My head froze at the sound of Jules’ voice.

“···Ssaksu sings without change. Isn’t it time to turn blue now?”

“Your territory is not here.”

“The king wants to meet you.”

thud!

The voice came closer, accompanied by the sound of loud footsteps.

“I’ll go when I have time.”

“Anyway, you’re carrying something interesting with you, right? We can speak our language, I can feel the energy of the Precious Blood.”

“─────?!”

I recognized Amor’s blood without even looking!

How did you notice?!

“No matter what the Precious Blood is, it is none of your business.”

Amphitier’s shadow, paying no heed to Jules words, approached me. One of the Empitier’s front paws is lowered and you can see it in front of you. ···One fingernail is as long as my arm.

“Kid.”

A voice comes from right in front of you.

“···Yes.”

“Beware of Immortals. Since their evil forces are spreading to the south as well, it would be best to use the Precious Blood with caution.”

Immortal?! How do you do that…?!

“And···.”

Amphitier’s big fingers grab my chin and lift my head up. I thought it would be rough, but surprisingly it was as soft as a cat’s hand.

“When you have a conversation with someone you have met for the first time, you do it face to face.”

“······.”

───Flower Dragon.

Amphitheater was as colorful and beautiful as a flower.

The round pupils of diurnal animals, extended scales like those of a tree viper, hind wings that stand on the ground like those of a pterosaur, and the long tail and wing sheaths are connected to each other.

That doesn’t mean it doesn’t have hands; it has four hands, including wings.

Five colors were mixed together, like the wings of a butterfly, and the skin was also mixed with blue. Horns protruded from its head like a dragon. The shape of the horns is similar to that of a deer.

Even though its body has many colors, it looks as beautiful as a swallowtail butterfly thanks to the appropriately distributed color patterns.

What kind of snake is this?! It looks like some kind of Suzaku phantom species! My head turned at the sudden sound of Jules sighing.

“If I thought you were here, I would have turned to the side.”

“If that were the case, I would have chased after you.”

“I have to go. And I have no intention of going back yet.”

Empiter’s huge hand wraps around my body.

“Billion-?!”

Rather than wrapping it around exactly, it felt like the hand had been wrapped and trapped inside.

“Even if it’s like this?”

Wasn’t he an acquaintance of Jules?!

“You hate that kind of thing.”

“Maybe not, right?”

The corners of Amphitier’s mouth rise slyly.

“Grandfather will never die alone. I’ll only be there for a moment anyway, so I don’t know why he wants to see me.”

“I’m curious about the story outside. You know that too, right?”

“···Okay. I’ll stop by within a year.”

“Good.”

Amphitier’s hand leaves my body.

······I don’t think it’s that bad of a dragon. I also couldn’t help but have questions about this dragon.

“How do you know about Precious Blood?”

Amphitier’s head slowly turns towards me.

“Because I was Amor’s friend.”

···You were a friend.

I never thought that the troll would become friends with a dragon. ···I’m sorry, but it would be right to convey the news of the deceased’s death.

“Amor is dead.”

“Amor will not die.”

Do you not believe it?

He was a person who never seemed like he would die. Because he is a person who survives even if his head is cut off.

“No. I killed him.”

Amphitier stares at my face.

“You do not know the weight of the name Amor.”

“······.”

The weight of the name Amor?

What is the weight of a name when conveying news of a deceased person’s bereavement? I don’t know what you’re thinking. Empitier suddenly withdrew his gaze from me.

“I have to go now. The young guy who took over got so scared because of me.”

“Next time, visit politely.”

“I hope you listen to me politely.”

After saying those words, Amphitier slowly seeps into the water.

How much did it fall like that? Amphitier spread its large membrane and began to flap its wings.

The wind pressure of the wings, which was incomparable to that of a siren, shook the wetland, and leaves and water droplets flew in all directions.

The wetland water overflows and washes away, as if a wave is crashing.

It was tremendous power.

So much so that even a troll would be swept away and fall.

If Jules hadn’t stopped him, he would have definitely fallen. As I was covered in leaves and water droplets filled with such force, I could not see forward and had no choice but to turn my head back.

Amphitier, accompanied by strong winds like a typhoon, disappeared beyond the sky.