The Mysterious Child: An Adventure Tale Beginning with Numerology

The next day, we set out from the dragon capital towards the holy land.

We're traveling in a carriage prepared by the Duke.

The passengers include the Duke and his secretary, Camlock, and our entire group. It's a spacious carriage with three rows of seats, front and back.

To keep the carriage light, the roof is made of fabric, but the fabric itself is adorned with luxurious embroidery. Even at a glance, it's clearly an extravagant carriage.

No matter how light they try to make it, it's still the carriage of the country's top nobleman. It required three horses to pull it.

"Hey, look Ruruk, a volcano! It's amazing!" Saaya exclaimed excitedly, pointing at the billowing smoke visible between the mountains in the diagonal distance.

"You're right. I didn't know there were volcanoes this close to the dragon capital. I wonder if there are hot springs at the foot of the volcano?"

"Hot springs! Yes, yes! I want to go to a hot spring!" 

"Mm, want to go too."

Saaya and Elen raised their hands.

Well, can't be helped. If my companions insist, I'll ask about it. It's not like I particularly want to go, you know? I'm just being considerate of my companions, that's all.

"Guild Master, are there any hot springs?"

"There are in the holy land, but they're exclusively for dragon species."

"Exclusive? Aren't there any for humans?"

"Hot springs are precious, you know. There's no way the Dragon King would allow humans to use them."

"Damn that Dragon King, what oppression...!"

I bite my handkerchief for now.

"Hey Ruruk, we're heading to the holy land, so stop criticizing the Dragon King, even as a joke. You can't complain if you get killed."

"You heard him. Saaya, watch your mouth."

"Me!? Isn't that too much of a blame shift!?"

Well, you know, Saaya was the one who said she wanted to go to the hot springs.

"I have a skill that allows me to voice Saaya's feelings."

"What's that? Then try guessing what I'm thinking right now?"

"You need to poop."

"At least say 'picking flowers' or something!?"

"Eh~ But it's true that Saaya is holding it in..."

"How do you know that!? Wait, what, do you really have such a skill...?"

Saaya's face turns blue, half in doubt.

I stay silent for a while, then,

"...Ah, you just leaked a little, didn't you?"

"I didn't leak anything! Stop it, don't take it seriously, everyone! Why are you all slowly moving away!?"

"If you keep shouting desperately like that, you'll fart."

"My farts smell like flowers, so don't worry! ...Wait, what am I saying 'don't worry' for!? I didn't fart!"

Saaya retorts with the flow.

Has she learned a new comedy routine... as expected of her versatile growth.

As I was impressed, Camlock interjects.

"Speaking of farts, I've heard this story. Apparently, a certain nobleman developed a habit of enjoying farting in the bath, and sometimes he accidentally lets one out. So his family always makes sure to take their baths before him."

"That guy will never become a proper adult!"

"Unfortunately, he's already in his 40s."

"Make him wear diapers in the bath!"

Saaya energetically advises.

To avoid being scolded by Saaya later for showcasing her desperate retort skills, I clap my hands to end this topic.

"Let's change the subject. If we keep talking about toilets, someone might actually wet themselves. Like Seori."

"Fueh! Master!?"

"So, does anyone have another topic?"

"Wait a minute, Ruruk. I don't know about Seori wetting herself?"

"Why are you latching onto that?"

"Because I'm not satisfied with being the only one humiliated."

Saaya was honest.

Well, it's troublesome to explain, so I'll sum it up in one sentence.

"She got scared and wet herself. Twice."

"Master~!"

"Ow, that hurts."

She starts hitting me from the back seat.

"Ah~ Is that why you weren't wearing your best dress when you came back?"

"That's because she ended up naked while fighting monsters."

"What kind of situation!?"

By the way, she's back in her dress now. It turns out it was ready-made, so we stopped by Luney's shop before departing and bought it. This time we bought three just in case, so we're prepared even if one gets torn.

Also, I didn't see Seori fighting until she was in tatters, so I can't explain that.

"But Seori fought that desperately for Ruruk's sake, right?"

"Well, yeah."

"Hmm..."

Saaya puffs her cheeks. Why are you getting upset?

"Because I was the first to become Seori's friend! Ruruk stole her from me!"

"I didn't steal anyone. It was just circumstances beyond our control."

"It's not fair! I want to become closer to Seori too~"

Saying that, Saaya starts snuggling up to Seori.

Seori straightens her back and stiffens. Her face is twitching.

"Come on, don't be so tense. You must be tired, right? I'll give you a massage."

"This is starting to sound like how creepy old men communicate."

"How rude! I'm still a fresh 10-year-old!"

"Your words have zero persuasive power when you're touching Seori's thighs."

I sigh at the sight of a 10-year-old girl caressing a 14-year-old beauty's thighs.

From the back seat, Nagi speaks to me.

"But it's surprising. Nagi thought for sure that Ruruk and Seori were an item."

There was no need for Nagi to accompany us on this trip to the holy land, but apparently it's going to be a week-long journey one way. It seemed pitiful to leave her alone in the inn in a city she doesn't know, so we got permission to bring her along.

Even Camlock, who was wary of demons, seemed relieved to have her where he could keep an eye on her and readily agreed.

"Me and Seori? Why?"

"...Nagi was forced to witness your flirting many times during the journey."

"Ruruk, you didn't make a move on Seori, did you!?"

"Mm, cheating."

"I didn't!"

"Hey Nagi, did he really not do anything? You were with them the whole time, right?"

Nagi, when asked, thought for a moment as if recalling something.

"Well... once, while driving a vehicle, they gazed at each other and were about to kiss."

"Guilty! Guilty!"

"Guilty."

"We didn't! Well, maybe for a moment the mood kind of went that way, but we definitely didn't! Hey Seori, tell them we didn't kiss!"

"......"

"Why are you silent!? Huh, did I do something!? Why are you blushing!? Hey!"

"Ru~ruk~?"

"Mm... death penalty."

"Wait a minute! Someone call a lawyer! I'm innocent-- Ow! No, not there! Ow ow ow!"

I end up being punished by Saaya and Elen.

Watching our noisy group, Camlock smiles wryly, and Duke Smasrick, sitting quietly in the front seat of the carriage, mutters softly.

"...They look like nothing but children."

The carriage slowly continues its journey.

The week-long horse journey progressed smoothly.

We stopped at towns twice and camped four times.

Since about ten guards from the Duke's household were accompanying us, we didn't encounter any monsters and the journey proceeded mostly as planned, approaching the holy land.

The holy land refers to a massive mountain range, and apparently the Dragon King's dwelling is on the middle slopes of the highest mountain. The reason it's in the middle is because even in Bargia's stable climate, the top of the mountain range is cold.

Well, reptiles are weak to cold, so it can't be helped.

As we approached the foot of the holy land, what we encountered was a small dragon species - wyverns.

They're the lowest-ranked individuals among dragon species, only a few meters wide even with wings spread. However, they fly swiftly through the sky, breathe fire and wind, and have reflexes that can dodge arrows after seeing them.

Dragon scales are already hard and difficult to damage, and the mere fact that they can fly gives them a huge advantage in battle. Even the lowest-ranked wyverns are treated as B-rank monsters or higher.

Moreover, these wyverns were moving in a group.

"Don't get too close! Watch out for their claws and keep your guard up! Use lightning or ice magic!"

"It's no use, Captain! Our magic is barely affecting them! We should retreat!"

"We can't do that! The audience is by the Dragon King's order! We can't back down here--"

"But at this rate, the carriage will be targeted! We can't protect the Duke!"

"Damn it... Duke! Permission to retreat!"

The guard captain hurried back, completely outmatched.

The average level of the guard soldiers is around 35. In Bargia, where monsters are scarce, it's almost impossible to level up without entering dungeons. Inevitably, the guards' levels are lower than in other countries.

At level 35, there's no way they could match a group of wyverns.

The Duke made a face as if he had bitten into something sour, apparently not having expected to be interfered with by wyverns.

"...It can't be helped. Ruruk, I know it's troublesome for you, the Dragon King's guests, but could I ask you to subjugate these wyverns?"

"Subjugate? But wyverns are dragon species too, is it okay to defeat them?"

"The Dragon King fundamentally holds the principle of survival of the fittest, so whether lower or higher ranked, there's no concern about fighting or defeating them. That is, if you can."

"I see. Then--"

"Wait, Ruruk."

Saaya stopped me as I was about to exit the carriage. She sat firmly on my lap, crossing her arms and glaring at Duke Smasrick. Why is she sitting on my lap?

"Duke, are you asking us, [Rozewill], to subjugate the wyverns?"

"What are you saying? If you don't subjugate them, you'll be targeted too."

"That's true. But in that case, shouldn't we just protect ourselves? We don't need to protect the Duke and his guards, do we?"

"Ugh... that's true, but..."

"To begin with, only Ruruk was summoned by the Dragon King this time. Apart from the Guild Master, who is like our superior, the Duke came along for his own reasons, right? Do you think unrelated people who tagged along can have adventurers protect them for free?"

Oh, Saaya's really saying it.

It was quite a bold statement, but there's nothing wrong with what she's saying. Duke Smasrick's accompaniment is purely a political action as a Bargia nobleman. He's coming along to declare that he and the people of the dragon capital are unrelated to me if I incur the Dragon King's wrath.

The guard soldiers are gradually retreating. There are already injured. It's only a matter of time before there are casualties... The Duke spat out:

"...What reward do you want?"

"One favor. This is purely a 'favor,' okay?"

Saaya smiles sweetly.

Sparks are flying between Saaya and the Duke.

It seems like they didn't get along from the start.

"It can't be helped. I'll make the request."

"Much obliged."

Saaya said this and jumped off my lap.

"It's settled, Ruruk."

"Alright. Then, who wants to do it?"

"Mm."

"Me, me!"

Elen and Punisuke raised their hands. Well, as expected.

I take out a copper coin and flip it.

"Which side?"

"Mm, heads."

"Then I'll be tails!"

Now, the result is...

"It's tails."

"Yay! I'm going~"

"Too bad."

Punisuke bounces out of the carriage happily.

In the sky, there were more than a dozen wyverns. They were closing in their encirclement, as if cornering their prey - the soldiers.

Duke Smasrick's face showed an expression of shock as the weakest monster, a slime, jumped defenseless into the fray.

"Ruruk, surely you don't intend to leave this to your familiar slime instead of Miss Elenora?"

"That's exactly what I intend to do."

"I can't believe this is sane. The opponents are dragon species, even if they're lower-ranked."

"Now, now. Just watch."

Well, if you just look at the species, I suppose that's true.

"Mode whip, cold blade! Here I go~!"

With a light, carefree voice, Punisuke grew a whip and swung it swiftly.

While it looks like an ordinary slime, its core is mithril.

In the next instant, all the wyverns' necks were cleanly severed.

The wyverns fell unceremoniously.

Of course, they were all dead.

Duke Smasrick and the guard soldiers seemed too stunned to close their gaping mouths.

"Master~! Should I make them into materials~?"

"I heard wyverns aren't edible, so just the skin is fine~"

"Understood~"

Punisuke replied and then began to skin the wyverns, changing its tentacles into knife-like shapes. It was working on more than a dozen bodies simultaneously.

Its dexterity far surpasses mine. Its knife skills are already at a master level.

After skinning only the hides, Punisuke loaded them onto the carriage and gathered up the wyvern bodies.

"I'll eat the meat~"

It enlarged its body and swallowed them all at once.

Punisuke digested them in an instant. As expected, it didn't level up from just a dozen or so wyverns.

Ignoring the still dumbfounded Duke and his entourage, Punisuke bounced back.

"That was fun~"

"Good job, well done."

"Wow, Punisuke has really gotten strong~"

Saaya's face softened as she poked Punisuke, who was trembling in my arms.

"Geez, you guys are really something else... Duke, we should depart before other dragon species get involved."

"Ah, yes..."

The carriage started moving again, with the Duke and guards creating a somewhat awkward atmosphere.

We didn't encounter any more dragon species after that.

Strictly speaking, we could see a few dragon species in the distant sky, but they only looked down at the carriage from afar without approaching.

We arrived at a place that looked like a huge castle on the middle slope of the mountain.

"This is the Dragon King's dwelling - Drachenstein Castle."

"It's huge, it's huge... It's too huge."

All my vocabulary died.

That's how enormous the castle was. Clearly not human-sized.

A gate left wide open that looked like you could drive a whole house through it, a front yard that seemed as large as a school playground. The yard was just grass with no fountains or trees, only emphasizing its vastness.

The castle itself was of course gigantic and towering, but its construction was rough and wild, giving off an atmosphere of "We completely ignored building codes when putting this together!"

To be honest, it looks quite old-fashioned.

However, there doesn't seem to be any worry about it collapsing. It's old but without a single crack, probably having remained intact for at least several hundred years. A sturdy dragon castle. That was Drachenstein Castle.

Seeing the Dragon King's castle, Seori muttered under her breath.

"...I don't want to go back."

"Now of all times? Do you have some unpleasant memories?"

"Because--"

Just as she was about to say something:

"The--o--ry--chan!"

Bang! The castle door flew open dramatically, and a man came flying out at incredible speed.

Dazzlingly bright golden slicked-back hair. Slightly tanned dark skin with a jangling gold necklace around his neck. Wearing a patterned shirt like an aloha shirt open wide at the chest, shorts, and sandals - a very casual outfit.

While not particularly tall, he had a solid build with bulging muscles all over his body. He wore many glittering rings on both hands and had a face that would suit sunglasses.

He flew straight towards Seori.

Literally, in a straight line ignoring gravity.

"Eep!"

Seori crouched down in the carriage reflexively. The blonde man passed right over her.

Several pillars of the carriage broke and the roof tilted. The man continued to roll on the ground but suddenly stopped and stood up as if nothing had happened.

"Huh? Didn't you notice Papa? Well, never mind, welcome back Seori-chan!"

"Eek!"

The man spread both arms wide - well, there's no need for introductions anymore, this surfer-like guy in flashy clothes is undoubtedly Seori's father, Dragon King Vasky = Bargiria.

The Dragon King tilted his head, seeing Seori hiding behind me.

"Huh~? Did you forget about Papa after so long? Or do you prefer that piss-smelling brat over there to Papa? Well, that can't be... Right, should I kill that brat and make sure?"

"Please wait, Dragon King!"

The one who stopped the Dragon King as he started cracking his knuckles was an elderly man who came out of the castle.

"Huh? What is it, Radon? If you're interrupting my reunion with my daughter, I'll kill you."

"You may kill me as many times as you like. However, Dragon King, if I may be so bold, didn't you summon this guest for that plan? At this rate, all the preparations will be for naught."

"Ah, right. I forgot. Okay, let's do a quick redo."

Saying that, the Dragon King hurriedly went back.

...What was that just now?

I feel like I've been run over by a toddler's tricycle at a crossroads.

As we stood there dumbfounded, the elderly man called Radon bowed politely.

"I apologize for the commotion. I am Radon, a subordinate of the Dragon King. Princess, it is wonderful to have you back."

"U-um... yes..."

"And who might these be?"

"We are deeply honored to be granted an audience. I am Ema = Smasrick, representing the humans in the dragon capital Foosu. Next to me is Mr. Camlock, representing the Adventurers' Guild. And the young man behind is the adventurer Ruruk, who was summoned today."

"Thank you for the introduction. Then, Ruruk, the Dragon King is calling for you, so please come this way. The rest of you are welcome to join if you'd like."

"Ah, yes."

I got off the carriage first and was guided.

This butler-like elderly man, Radon, seemed intent on pretending the earlier incident never happened. Well, if that were the Dragon King's first impression, there wouldn't be much dignity left.

We entered the castle and were led straight to the room in front. As expected, the inside was unnecessarily large too. The doors were giant-sized.

Although the doors themselves must be quite heavy, Radon opened them effortlessly with one hand. Well, that's to be expected from a high-ranking dragon species who has maxed out their level - and a heavy attribute type at that.

Earlier, I was too shocked to check the Dragon King's status. I'm not so dumbfounded now to worry about personal information, so I'll make sure to look next time.

"This is the Dragon King's chamber. Please mind your manners."

Radon said this as he pushed open the doors and led us inside.

The Dragon King's chamber was, as the name suggests, a room for having an audience with the Dragon King. At the far end of the spacious room, there was a single rugged stone chair.

Of course, the Dragon King was sitting there.

His clothes were the same as before, but he was sitting with a truly regal air.

"Prostrate yourselves."

A force of compulsion worked on us, like when using [Word Soul].

Amidst the intense pressure, everyone except me and Elen couldn't withstand the pressure and lowered their heads. Camlock, the Duke, Saaya, Seori, and Nagi all had pale faces.

"Oh? You won't obey my words? You lot, state your names."

"I'm Ruruk."

"Elenora."

"...I see! So you're Ruruk after all! Listen well, boy!"

The Dragon King stood up.

I quickly switched my vision. I activated appraisal to peek at the Dragon King's status and immediately shifted to a battle stance, ready to protect myself at any moment--

"I won't give my daughter to the likes of you!"

"...Huh?"

I was dumbfounded.

The Dragon King looked oddly satisfied.

A deathly silence spread through the Dragon King's chamber.

...What's with this atmosphere?

Amidst this atmosphere, Radon shook his head with a "good grief" expression.