It Seems That the Slave Girl Is Actually a Count's Daughter. - Episode 37: Red Dragon

Episode 37: Red Dragon

After we finished breakfast, we arrived at the outer edge of the forest. From here, we have to proceed inside the forest. It would probably be impossible to go further by horse.

However, conveniently enough, the suspicious individuals are not located deep in the forest. We should be able to reach them without too much difficulty.

As soon as I deployed a detection spell, the location of the suspicious people became clear. The place with an abnormally high density of people is probably their hideout. There were also other responses that seemed to be lookouts.

Of course, we’ll deal with the lookouts. But the problem is our number of people. We have too many to take them by surprise. Although we probably won’t let them escape thanks to the detection magic, capturing them will take time. And more importantly, it’ll be troublesome. Ideally, I’d like to catch them all in one sweep.

“I’ve figured out the location of the suspicious ones. I’ll write down the approximate location and number of people on paper. So go and inform the town’s guards. Ask them to prepare carriages to bring them back. Also, have a few people stay here to watch over the horses and carriages we came with. Monsters might come out of the forest, after all.”

The guards and servants nodded in reply. With this, we were able to reduce our numbers a little. After that, if we assign people to deal with each lookout, we should somehow manage.

“The ground is rough. Pamela, ride on Orto to move.”

“Understood.”

That’s good. If something happens, Orto will take Pamela and flee just like that. Orto gave a strong nod in response.

“Shiro, don’t leave Pamela’s side.”

I handed Shiro to Pamela, who was riding Orto. Pamela hugged Shiro tightly and nodded. You’re in a good spot, Shiro. If I could trade places with you, I would.

While thinking such carefree things, we quietly proceeded into the forest.

This forest isn’t a “demonic region” where many monsters live—it’s what you’d call an ordinary forest. Herbs used for medicine bloomed here and there underfoot, and the light filtering through the lush trees brightly lit the forest interior.

Given that they built a hideout in such a bright forest, it’s probably underground. If they had built a cabin above ground, I’d actually respect them in a way.

We approached the location where the lookout’s response was. Upon carefully observing the place, I saw a large rock. It seemed like the lookout was watching from the shadow of that rock.

The simplest way to neutralize an enemy is to rob them of consciousness. The spell best suited for that is the sleep spell. It’s impossible to resist unless you’re quite skilled.

I quietly cast the sleep spell [Sleeping Beauty] around the area near the rock. The response that had been moving earlier suddenly stopped. Seems like it worked.

I signaled to the guards and carefully approached the rocky area. There, I saw a masked person sleeping soundly. They were well-groomed and had good equipment. Apparently, they’re not your average bandit. In that case, it’s almost certain they’re backed by some noble or wealthy individual.

“Someone, tie up this one’s hands and feet and carry them. Once we return to town, hand them over to the guards and squeeze out information.”

“Hah!” 

They replied, and several guards handled it. Repeating this process, we neutralized their watch network. And at last, we reached their hideout.

“As expected, it looks like they dug a hole underground. Also, there’s a strong magical reaction nearby. That must be their trump card.”

“Trump card… Could it be a Red Dragon?” 

Pamela said with trembling lips.

“Most likely.”

“But how did they manage to tame a Red Dragon? I’ve never heard of Dragons becoming attached to humans.”

Pamela furrowed her brow and began thinking deeply. I know the trick behind it, but I can’t say it. If possible, I’d like to retrieve the item and settle things without anyone else finding out.

“The sleep spell will probably only reach the ones guarding the entrance. We’ll have to fight the rest. The total number is twelve people. And one Dragon. After we neutralize the ones at the entrance, we’ll throw tear gas bombs into the hole.”

The tear gas bombs made in our country are excellent. Blended with red chili, white pepper, habanero, and wasabi. I can already imagine them suffering.

“El-sama, you look like you’re having fun…”

Oops, it seems it showed on my face. I tightened my expression and cast the sleep spell near the entrance.

Right after, I approached the entrance and opened the wooden door. I then threw several tear gas bombs inside and shut the door. I gestured for everyone to back away, and white smoke began to leak from the cracks of the door.

Without a moment’s delay, men jumped out from inside. All of them were coughing violently, and tears were streaming down from their eyes. The pain was so intense that they couldn’t even run away. They were writhing in agony right where they came out.

Since it would be troublesome if they recovered and escaped, I decided to silence them with a sleep spell. But before that, from a slightly distant part of the ground, a massive body appeared.

Ignoring that, I cast the spell and silenced the men.

When I turned my eyes toward where the sound had come from earlier, a Dragon with a magma-like red color was glaring at me. It was a Red Dragon.

Apparently, they used a monster-controlling item when trying to escape. Something like, “Protect us,” must’ve been the order they gave. Which means someone among them likely has that item… There it is! A bell, dimly glowing gold, had fallen nearby.

I tried using that bell to see if I could command the Red Dragon. But it seemed the Dragon had already been completely brainwashed by them. It didn’t listen to me at all.

Giving up, I stored the bell inside the space magic [Abyssal Pit]. I had already anticipated that we’d have to fight. I just need to defeat it like usual.

The Red Dragon let out a roar of rage. I heard the sound of the guards taking a step back at the murderous tone in its voice. I could tell Pamela, who was with the guards, was clinging to Orto and trembling.

Shiro was caught between Pamela and Orto. He was nearly crushed physically but still deployed a defense barrier. A softly golden-glowing shield gently wrapped around Pamela and the others.

If I let Pamela and the others escape now, it might chase after them. First, I need to draw the Red Dragon’s attention here. I approached the Red Dragon while using random magic.

The magic was repelled by the Dragon’s scales and bounced off. Even so, I kept casting magic without caring.

“E-El-sama…”

“It’s okay, Pamela. I’m just provoking it to make it focus on me.”

“Shiro-chan!? Is that okay!?”

They were arguing about something over there. It’s a bit distracting, you know.

Perhaps irritated by my spells, the Red Dragon swung its arm, trying to slash with claws as sharp as spears. I dodged it with ease. It’s easy to avoid the attacks of a monster that’s lost its composure.

When sharp claws swept past right in front of me, I heard a cute little scream—“Kyah!”

Not good. That’s really distracting. Maybe noticing my distraction, the Red Dragon swung its tail, which had knife-like sharp spikes.

It swung it low near the ground. But I jumped up to dodge it. That must’ve been what it was aiming for. The Red Dragon launched another deadly claw attack.

It probably thought I couldn’t dodge in mid-air. The Red Dragon’s face twisted, certain of its victory.

I effortlessly cut off the Red Dragon’s arm with a sword of light. Its eyes opened wide in disbelief. Then it let out a scream of pain with a look of agony.

It tilted its mouth high upward. That was the stance for Dragon breath. A Red Dragon’s breath is fire. If it fired, the entire area would be reduced to ashes.

Of course, I had no intention of letting that happen. I sliced off its defenseless neck. The sword of light, which can cut anything in this world, lopped off the Red Dragon’s head as if slicing pudding.

With a thud, the head fell into the grass. Right after, the massive body collapsed with a thunderous rumble. Pamela and the others stood frozen, staring at the scene as if time had stopped.

“Good work, Master. How was it? Did you enjoy it a little?”

“Hmm, well, it had a bit more bite than the Earth Dragon, I guess.”

“Ah, y-you’ve fought an Earth Dragon too!?” 

Pamela let out a voice like a scream. Her face had turned pale. It seems that, in Pamela’s mind, Dragons are feared as terrifying and immortal beings, like those that appear in fairy tales. Even though that’s not really the case.

Dragons are living creatures too. If their head and body are separated, they die. And if their brain or heart is destroyed, they can be defeated. It’s just that their scales are a bit tough, and magic doesn’t work well on them.

When I said that to Pamela, she looked exasperated.

“Really! You’re probably the only one who would say something like that, El-sama. If it were a normal person, they would immediately run away upon encountering a Dragon.”

While going “moo moo moo” like a cow, Pamela lightly patted my chest repeatedly. It seemed I’d made her quite worried. I’ll accept that without complaint.

While Pamela and I were playing around like that, the guards were tying up the culprits with ropes. After confirming that everyone had been restrained, I stored the Red Dragon in the space magic [Abyssal Pit] and returned to town.

The captured culprits were all sent together to Count Reinach. Before long, one of them will probably reveal who the mastermind is.

The remaining procedures should be handled responsibly by the Count. After all, it was his own territory that got disturbed. He’s not likely to stay silent about it.