Chapter 1-57 : The Girl And The Dark Elf Return To The City
After he made a contract with Elle, Flamberge told her to call him whenever she needed him and disappeared.
「He made an appearance all of a sudden and then disappeared like a storm.」(Elle)
「Yeah, what an unexpected turn of events. Still can’t believe the former hero is now part of our team.」(Ingrid)
Flamberge seemed to be able to appear and disappear at will. Elle was relieved that she didn’t have to carry him around all the time.
「We’re planning to keep going, but… Elle, you’re tired, aren’t you?」(Ingrid)
Elle tried to hide it, but Ingrid noticed that Elle was tired judging from the way she was breathing.
She used a lot of energy when she fought the ogre with her magic stones. She almost ran out of stamina.
「I am, but…」(Elle)
「Elle, I think we shall turn back for now. We probably won’t encounter any enemies stronger than that ogre, but you need to rest. We camp for the night and continue tomorrow. Sounds good?」(Ingrid)
Camping in the middle of the forest could be dangerous, but since they had a fire dragon protecting them, surely there would be no monsters daring to get near them.
「…Alright. Sounds good.」(Elle)
Thinking it would be foolish to continue with so little energy, Elle accepted Ingrid’s suggestion.
However, when they were about to turn around, Elle noticed something on the ground.
「Ingrid, wait!」(Elle)
「Hm?」(Ingrid)
「You see that stalactite?」(Elle)
Elle pointed at one of the stalactites that fell from the ceiling after the battle.
「What about it?」(Ingrid)
「I feel something from it.」(Elle)
「Really? Could it beー」(Ingrid)
「Un! It could be!」(Elle)
Elle immediately crouched down, took out her chisel and hammer from her bag, and extracted what was inside the stalactite.
「I knew it!」(Elle)
As she expected, inside the stalactite was what she had been looking for, a crystal magic ore.
It hadn’t been processed into a crystal magic stone, but it already looked beautiful. Just like its name, it was as clear as crystal.
「Wow! Well done, Elle! You found it! I didn’t even notice it. You’re amazing!」(Ingrid)
Being complimented by Ingrid, Elle smiled and silently scratched her cheek with her index finger.
「So they’re on the ceiling, huh? …Hm?」(Ingrid)
Looking at the stalactites on the ceiling of the cave, Ingrid noticed an invisible magical barrier covering the ceiling all the way deep into the cave. It seemed to be preventing people’s magical sense from reaching the stalactites.
People who relied solely on their senses to find crystal magic ores wouldn’t be able to find them.
「I see now. That’s why magic ore miners have been having a hard time finding these ores.」(Ingrid)
「But, who in the world cast a magical barrier up there?」(Elle)
「Probably someone greedy who wanted to keep all those crystal magic ores for themselves. I don’t know. Anyway, we’re lucky some of the stalactites fell off.」(Ingrid)
「Yeah.」(Elle)
If the fight never happened and none of the stalactites fell off, there would be a high chance Elle and Ingrid would end up exploring the cave forever and never find any crystal magic ores.
「A lot happened, but with this ore, we can save Neige.」(Elle)
「Yup! Mission accomplished!」(Ingrid)
「Thank you, Ingrid. I was able to find it thanks to you.」(Elle)
「No, no. I’ve done nothing. You found it all thanks to your efforts.」(Ingrid)
「That’s not true. Thanks for coming with me.」(Elle)
Ingrid replied to Elle with a gentle stroke on her head.
「Well, let’s just leave it at that. Shall we return now?」(Ingrid)
「Un.」(Elle)
Elle put the crystal magic ore she found into her bag and followed Ingrid heading in the direction where they came from.
◇◇◇
As soon as they came out of the cave, they were greeted by fresh forest-smelling air and a happy fire dragon.
「Grauuu~!」(Fire Dragon)
「This guy’s really waiting for us.」(Ingrid)
「That means your fishing rod magic tool is extremely effective.」(Elle)
「No, it’s not because of my Big Catch Ver. 3. This guy waited for us on its own will.」(Ingrid)
The magical contract from Ingrid’s fishing rod was over the moment the fire dragon dropped them off at the entrance of the cave. The dragon was free to go, but it chose to wait for them.
「Mr. Fire Dragon, thank you for waiting.」(Elle)
「Grau~」(Fire Dragon)
Elle stroked the dragon’s snout. It looked so happy.
「Would you take us back to the city?」(Elle)
「Grau!」(Fire Dragon)
「Nice. We don’t have to fish another ride.」(Ingrid)
The dragon lay on the ground and let them get onto its back.
It then soared into the sky and flew toward the royal capital.
Thanks to the dragon, they reached the city before dark. It dropped Elle and Ingrid in an open area near the city gate.
「Thank you, Mr. Fire Dragon.」(Elle)
「You’re such a good dragon. Stay safe out there.」(Ingrid)
Elle and Ingrid thanked the dragon for the last time and headed toward the city, but after just taking a couple steps, they heard the dragon crying.
「Graauuu! Grauuuu!!」(Fire Dragon)
「Eh?」(Elle)
Instead of taking off and flying into the sky, the dragon stayed.
It was wagging its tail and looking at the two with puppy eyes.
「Oh, no. I think it wants to go with us.」(Ingrid)
「Uhh… Do you want to go with us?」(Elle)
「Grau!」(Fire Dragon)
It nodded.
It seemed to have attached to Elle and Ingrid and didn’t want them to leave it alone.
「Umm… Ingrid, can we keep it?」(Elle)
「Hahh… I knew you would say that. Well, it’s not impossible to keep this guy in my backyard, but as you know, it’s full of overgrown weeds.」(Ingrid)
「I will clean the entire place.」(Elle)
「Alright, but how do we take it into the city? A dragon this big will surely catch people’s attention.」(Ingrid)
「…You’re right. People would be panicked. But, we can’t leave it alone.」(Elle)
「Then how about you make a contract with it? That way, you can call it whenever you need it.」(Ingrid)
「Eh? Me?」(Elle)
「It’s the dragon you caught, right?」(Ingrid)
「Umm… Make a contract with a dragon…」(Elle)
Elle had never made a pact with a magical beast, especially a powerful one like a dragon. She wasn’t really sure.
「Do you want to make a contract with me?」(Elle)
「Grau!」(Fire Dragon)
However, the dragon nodded without hesitation.
「What do you want in return?」(Elle)
「Grau~ Grau~」(Fire Dragon)
「Haha! I think it wants your cookies.」(Ingrid)
「Grau! Grau! Grau!」(Fire Dragon)
The dragon nodded firmly a few times in response to Ingrid.
「Fufu, I see. I guess I’ll have Yoyo teach me how to make those delicious cookies later. Alright, then.」(Elle)
「Grauuuuu~!」(Fire Dragon)
It looked so happy that Elle agreed. It wagged its tail wildly and extended its right hand toward Elle.
「So I just have to shake your hand?」(Elle)
「Grau.」(Fire Dragon)
Elle’s hand was so small compared to the dragon’s. She could only grab one of its fingers with her whole hand.
After she injected a little bit of her mana into the dragon’s finger, the entire body of the dragon started to glow. It was so bright that Elle and Ingrid had to close their eyes.
「Whoa, it looks like it’s changing shape just like Flamberge.」(Ingrid)
「I hope it won’t grow any bigger and stand out even more.」(Elle)
「Yeah, that would be quite troublesome.」(Ingrid)
After glowing for a few seconds, the contract was completed.
The light subsided, but when Elle opened her eyes, the dragon had disappeared from her sight.
「Hm? Where is it?」(Elle)
「Umm, Elle, look at your feet.」(Ingrid)
「Eh?」(Elle)
Elle shifted her gaze toward the ground and saw the fire dragon, who had shrunk greatly to the size of a cat, clinging to her legs.
「Kyaauu~」(Fire Dragon)
You can gain access to [Early Access] page and read up to ten chapters ahead by supporting me on [Patreon]