And now we see why Firo disobeys Naofumi
Note: This chapter is late because I wasted my day making banners.
Chapter 162: Filo Rials and Dragons
Following the Female Knight, I leave the slaves to themselves and proceed towards the Village Storehouse.
And there I find Rat with her arms crossed and an unpleasant expression on her face. Contrastingly, Taniko’s eyes are sparkling. They are both waiting for me.
“What have you called me for?” (Naofumi)
“First, look inside the storehouse.” (Female Knight)
I slowly open the door and peer inside.
Hm? There wasn’t supposed to be anything in here.
“Did you use my money to buy these things?” (Naofumi)
“What?” (Naofumi)
Inside the storehouse, I see an open wooden box.
The words, ‘To the Hero of the Shield, please give these gifts to the slaves blessed with misfortune’ are scribbled on the side in terrible handwriting.
“…?” (Naofumi)
“The reason that Rat and Taniko are here is for the eggs, right… Who is it? Who sent them?”(Naofumi)
“Is it fine for me to take them?” (Naofumi)
“All of the items sent are impossible to trace. Even the armor’s inscriptions have been destroyed. Even if we find the sender, it will be impossible to confirm it.” (Female Knight)
This is that, isn’t it. Some high up person sent it to get in my favor.
A long time ago, a certain god of manga’s irritated editor got tired of the god’s son’s mischievous pranks and finally threw him into the pond in the yard.
The truth is uncertain, but there is a high probability that something like that did happen.
It doesn’t matter who gave the gift. Now anyone can brag and call themselves a benefactor of the Hero of the Shield.
“They really sent over some troublesome things.” (Female Knight)
“They’re a wide variety from common Usapills to rare seasonal monsters.” (Female Knight)
So the contents have already been inspected.
But Rat is acting strange. She’s really mad.
“And the problem is that one. The huge egg in the back.” (Female Knight)
There is an exceptionally large egg in the back corner of the storehouse.
What could it be? Could it be on a monster on the same level as the Spirit Turtle?
“So what is it?” (Naofumi)
“It’s a flying dragon egg. It’s supposedly a kind, reliable, expensive species.” (Female Knight)
Yeah, they really did send something troublesome over.
Though I don’t know why, Rat hates dragons.
“For a dragon to live in this village… How wonderful!” (Taniko)
Taniko seems very excited.
What’s with her? Is she the opposite of Rat?
“What should we do? The sender is unknown, but should we try to find them and return these?” (Female Knight)
“Even if you say that… I never thought we would be so troubled over a gift.” (Naofumi)
I’m somehow troubled by the fact that someone sent me expensive goods. Someone may try to take advantage over me with them later.
If something bad comes of it, we just need to be ready for it.
If the package truly is from Siltwelt, then it is most likely an earnest donation to the Hero of the Shield.
“For now, let’s accept them. If someone comes to claim them later, then ignore them. By the way, will we be able to place a monster seal on the Flying Dragon?” (Naofumi)
“Hey, why do you hate Dragons so much?” (Naofumi)
“Ah, I haven’t told you yet.” (Rat)
Rat angrily glares at Taniko and begins speaking.
“High level dragons, you know. Once they go into heat, they lose all self-control.” (Rat)
“You don’t know? Most dragons begin to corrupt the land they live in. Their homes are always quite dangerous.” (Rat)
“Is that how it is?” (Naofumi)
The only dragon I know of is… the dragon that Ren defeated.
It definitely was a contaminated area.
“Dragons, you know. When they lose their self-control, they will try to violate monsters of different species. That’s why in the land that dragons live, many dragon-like monsters come into being.” (Rat)
“This is quite a dangerous topic.” (Naofumi)
Many fantasy games have half-dragon races, but is this the cause?
“Well, they do take the courtesy of setting up a territory and never leaving it, but the reason that I hate them is because they can easily screw up the ecosystem. By the way, Flying Dragons are a mix between a Dragon and some other weak monster.” (Rat)
Fumu… so that’s how it is.
“The biggest problem is the purebred dragons. They really have absolutely no distinction, and will even violate human women.” (Rat)
It seems like quite a troublesome species.
Hm? Taniko is glaring at us.
“They do have dignity!” (Taniko)
Why are you angry? She’s acting like someone directly related to the topic.
She takes turns with Rat managing the various monsters.
“There’s already a race of Dragon Demi-Humans. The Dragonewts.” (Taniko)
I think I’ve heard something about Dragon Demi-humans before.
“Of course, even if Dragons don’t go into heat, that race will continue to exist, and they’re quite a docile people. But the only ones who can withstand a Dragon’s lust are the Filo Rials.” (Rat)
“Yes, the Filo rials often have Turf wars with the dragons.” (Rat)
… Firo pops up in my mind.
That gluttonous demon bird doesn’t seem like such a high-class race to me.
“And because that egg holds a Dragon, will you hate it?” (Naofumi)
“Yeah, kinda. I believe the Monster seal has an option that controls sexual lust, so make sure to check that box. Or else this area’s monster population will be corrupted.” (Rat)
What is this feeling?
In the hunting games I’ve played before, I’ve had to hunt dragon couples before. From the amount of children they had, I’ve always wondered why they didn’t just go and wipe out humanity already.
“The Dragon Emperor-sama won’t allow such behavior!” (Taniko)
Taniko calls out.
Why is she that knowledgeable on monster matters?
Is that just how she was raised? I don’t care enough to ask.
“Yes, yes. The legendary King of Dragons. I believe he was at war with the Filo Rial Queen.” (Rat)
“It’s only a legend. Both of their existences are subject to doubt.” (Rat)
… Well, I’ve met one of them before.
Anyways, I assume the story is something along the lines of the Legendary Dragon King threatening the lives of many civilians and the Holy Filo Rial Queen driving him out.
Or something about how both sides were continuously at war with one another.
“But… If they have such reproductive capability, why have I never met a live one?” (Naofumi)
“They usually live in very remote areas. Has the Count ever ventured that far?” (Rat)
I’ve only ever used the merchant roads for peddling… I’ve barely ever entered caves or mountains.
So that’s why…
“So that’s why.” (Naofumi)
“I see. Anyways, I have a policy of using what I can, so I’ll keep and raise the dragon.” (Naofumi)
“Yes, yes.” (Naofumi)
As long as it has a monster seal, I should be able to manage. If anything bad happens, I can feed it to firo.
As if she can read my mind, Taniko’s glare intensifies.
“Don’t fall for a newly hatched dragon.” (Rat)
(TL: The actual text is don’t open your legs to, but let’s preserve the innocent children)
Does she know what she’s saying?
“Please stop your vulgar conversation.” (Naofumi)
Rat lets out a sigh.
Female Knight… Is staring at us with an amazed expression.
“Training a flying dragon is difficult. People who accomplish it are called Dragon Knights.” (Rat)
“Ah, I remember seeing some when we were fighting the Spirit Turtle.” (Naofumi)
They didn’t really help out, though.
Most of them fell to the ground screaming after taking attacks from the Spirit Turtle’s familiars.
“There’s a danger of falling off. And the dragons themselves are not particularly strong.” (Rat)
“I don’t know what will happen if the Count raises it. It might turn out like your Filo Rial.” (Rat)
“Mu… You’re right. I’ll be careful.” (Naofumi)
And so it was decided that we were going to keep the Flying Dragon Egg.
Rat goes back to her lab with a disappointed expression.
The Bioplant research has continued, and it seems that Rat has finally completed a prototype that can grow medicinal herbs. However right now it can only produce herbs that can be found anywhere on the side of the road. But still, the research has progressed.
“Why do I have to carry around the egg!” (Naofumi)
For some reason, I have been tasked with keeping the Flying Dragon egg warm.
As soon as she saw me, Kiel burst into laughter.
“If you don’t do this, you won’t be able to imprint yourself as the parent. If you don’t start out with this, it may ignore your commands later!” (Rat)
Rat seems fed up.
Are Flying Dragons really this troublesome to deal with? I regret my decision to raise it already.
“Is that how it is?” (Naofumi)
“I’m having a hard time believing because you’re the one saying it…” (Naofumi)
“Understood. I didn’t say anything.” (Naofumi)
This is a pain.
“AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! Naofumi, what are you doing?” (Melty)
Melty appears, riding Firo. She points her finger at me and starts laughing.
“Shut it, second princess!” (Naofumi)
“Then don’t laugh, idiot!” (Naofumi) (TL: Yes, he says Baka)
“Idiot!? Who are you calling an idiot!?” (Melty)
Ah, it seems that playing with Firo has caused her to forget her original objective.
“Um… You look… peculiar… Naofumi-sama.” (Rafatalia)
Rafatalia is trying to choose her words. I don’t need her sympathy.
“Damn.. Just go off peddling already! This time, Me, Rafatalia and Firo will have to go alone.” (Naofumi)
I can’t be seen like this by all of the villagers. I’ll have to send them out.
“You’re running away from the issue~!” (Melty)
“Shut it.” (Naofumi)
Melty is being overly obnoxious.
“Well, you’ll have to keep this up for two to three days. After that, it should hatch.” (Rat)
“If you need anything done in the adjacent village, leave it to me. Otherwise you’re going to slip out of this duty and head over, right?” (Melty)
“…!” (Naofumi)
Melty hit the mark right on.
For now… should I hide with it in the carriage?
“Master, are you carrying an egg?” (Firo)
“Hmm… Can Firo warm it?” (Firo)
Right, Firo is a bird so her body is quite warm.
Should I leave it with Firo?
“No.” (Rat)
“No!” (Firo)
As soon as she hears Rat’s warning, Firo runs off.
Does she really hate her that much?
“As I said before, Filo Rials and Dragons don’t get along. You can’t let her warm it.” (Rat)
“… I see…” (Naofumi)
I though I could push my troubles onto her…
Could I give it to Rafatalia?
“It’s your dragon, right? You can’t give it to someone else.” (Rat)
“Damn!” (Naofumi)
How is she able to read my thoughts?
And like that, I go peddling to run away from my troubles.
I am wearing a cloak to hide the embarrassing egg on my back.
“It’s been a while since we went out peddling with just the three of us.” (Rafatalia)
“Now that I think about it, you’re right.” (Naofumi)
The last time I went peddling with just Rafatalia and Firo was a long time ago.
Now we’re always surrounded by Kiel and the other villagers. Before the matter with the Spirit Turtle, we were always running around by ourselves.
“A flying dragon. I wonder what sort of child it will grow up to be.” (Rafatalia)
“Will Firo still be pulling the carriage?” (Firo)
“Of course.” (Naofumi)
It seems Firo holds a strange sense of Pride. But I don’t think a Flying Dragon can pull a carriage in the first place.
“Firo will always be Master’s legs!” (Firo)
“I wonder.” (Naofumi)
The ability to fly will be quite advantageous. If he turns out to be more efficient than the ground-bound Firo, then I’ll use him instead.
Only one person can ride it at a time. I’ll only use it if I have to go in a hurry by myself.
Or so Rat told me.
“Mu…” (Firo)
“But Master said…” (Firo)
“… Really?” (Firo)
“Naofumi-sama, please be quiet for a second.” (Rafatalia)
I guess there’s a limit to teasing Firo.
She’s getting a little too conceited over her leg power.
“Firo will work hard!” (Firo)
“Yeah!” (Firo)
“Now then, I guess I should get to making some medicine to sell.” (Naofumi)
I also need to think of what jobs to give the slaves later on.
And… the first day of peddling went by with no problems.