The Day of Departure (One Night Two Days at Most)

Gozoh, the adventurer representative, came to the village chief's office. I put away the half-written Beddhist scripture and listened to him. The first thing Gozoh said was this:

"We're going to subjugate that dragon, Kehma."

"… Yeah, I figured that was the only option."

While I was meeting with Ittetsu, the village executives had apparently reached a conclusion.

"What, you knew, Kehma?"

"Was there any other way?"

"No. So basically, we have no choice but to drive off or kill the dragon even if we take some casualties—and so, I came to ask our village chief if there's a way to minimize the sacrifices… Wozuma said you'd definitely have a plan, so… do you really?"

"I do."

I answered easily… Wait, Deputy Village Chief Wozuma, what are you on about?

But I need to act confident here.

"Seriously, Kehma?"

"However, this plan also involves my secret techniques. I want to keep the group small so my secrets don't leak out. Honestly, just me, Kuro, and Ichika would be more than enough."

After all, it's hard to move with a large group. If I have a secret plan, they should allow a small group. If possible, I'd like to just go with the three of us and come back saying we drove it off successfully.

"Even for you, Kehma, that's pushing it. Roppu and I will go too."

Tch, so they won't allow just three people going against a dragon.

It's only natural they wouldn't trust a figurehead village chief that far. Especially since the only one guaranteed to be able to fight properly among us is Niku. Niku is Golen Village's strongest adventurer… what kind of village has a little girl as its strongest, though.

"I'd also like to bring Setsuna from your part-timers."

"… Ah, let's have Setsuna guard the village instead."

Oh right, Setsuna exists. An adventurer on par with Niku… But those guys are dungeon insiders, so things would get complicated if they came along. Too troublesome; I'll have them hold down the fort.

"And there's that guy, right? Wataru's coming too, isn't he?"

"… No, I wasn't planning to call Wataru though?"

"Eh, I saw him entering the inn earlier. You didn't contact him, Kehma?"

I have no memory of that. That debtor hero, why did he have to come so early this month—

"Kehma-san! I just heard, a wild dragon has appeared!"

—And speak of the devil, Wataru entered the village chief's office without even knocking.

So he really was here… I was hoping it was a false alarm.

"Ah, Wataru. Yeah, but well, it's not something you need to worry about. This is our village's problem after all."

"Don't be so cold! At this point, I feel like I'm already a resident here! See, I even have a Beddhism holy symbol!"

Saying that, Wataru pulled out a Beddhism holy symbol from his chest. The most expensive gold one for sale. I heard some merchant or noble bought one, but you bought one too?

… Want to buy a matching one for Nerune? Eh, you already did? Thanks for your patronage～

"Oh, and I've been properly promoting Beddhism too!"

Hey, stop that, things will get busy!

"Rather, as a Beddhism Gold Member, I'm practically already one of this village's executives, wouldn't you say?"

"Gold Member? What's that. Beddhism is a religion, so you're a believer, not a member. We don't distinguish between believers based on what symbol they bought."

"Well, sure, but I should definitely be of use! I may act like this, but I'm a hero!"

Normally that would be right, but it's troublesome if you act on your own…

… Then maybe it's better to just bring him under my command.

"Understood. Then let's add Wataru to the subjugation group… Gozoh, isn't just us and Wataru enough? With a hero, we're worth a hundred people."

"Yeah, then let's have your party, and me, Roppu, and Wataru go together."

"Oh, so this is Team Bacchus's first job! Let's do our best, Gozoh-san!"

A drinking team, huh. You guys really get along. And apparently Gozoh and Roppu were included in that "us" without me noticing. I didn't realize there was such a difference in understanding between Gozoh and me.

In the end, Hero Wataru ended up joining the lineup… Hmm, but let me think about it differently. If push comes to shove, I can push the credit onto Wataru, so it's not all bad. Actually, let's do that.

… Looks like I'll have to discard the "this flame dragon is still a child so our party could drive it off" plan from the planning meeting.

The plan of coming in strong at first and then winging the rest wouldn't really work with a hero watching.

*

The Flame Dragon Subjugation Group was formed quickly, so we immediately prepared and headed for the summit of Tsuia Mountain. With climbing gear. We wouldn't need to actually climb if not for Wataru and Gozoh, but oh well. Let's think of it as adding realism.

"We're counting on you, Village Chief! Avenge my daikon!"

"With the hero here, it should be fine. Man, so our village chief is gonna be a dragonslayer… that's prestigious."

"Hey, is dragon steak delicious? Village Chief Kehma, if possible, bring some as a souvenir…"

Just before departure, we received warm cheers from the villagers.

No dragon steak… Niku? Hey, wipe your drool. Beef raised for food is probably tastier. Just because it's big, strong, and rare doesn't mean it's delicious.

"Kehma! Are you okay? Did you forget anything?"

At that voice, the surroundings rustled and then suddenly went quiet.

But it was just Rokuko there. Hm? Did something strange happen?

"Hey, Kehma, are you listening?"

"Hm? Yeah, I'm listening. Don't worry, I haven't forgotten anything."

"Do you have your weapon? Food? Handkerchief… Niku's using it now, I see. Here, take mine."

Saying that, Rokuko pulled a white lace-trimmed handkerchief from her chest and pressed it into my hands. It had a nice, sweet scent. I spotted Ichika secretly giving Rokuko a thumbs-up. So this was your doing, huh? I can see you, you know.

"Honestly, don't go having affairs with other girls just because I'm not there, okay?"

"Um… affairs? I'm going dragon subjugating though?"

When she said "affairs," the villagers started murmuring again… Hm? It's not like they don't know Rokuko. She's interacted with villagers and adventurers as the inn's owner and dining hall waitress…

"Then off you go, Kehma, do your best! … A-And, um, a g-goodbye k-ki… mmm… A-Anyway! Take care!"

"Yeah, I'm o-ow, I'm off. Ow, that hurts, stop hitting me just because you're embarrassed."

Red-faced Rokuko was pounding my chest. What is she doing. A goodbye kiss, huh. I don't know who told her about that, but there's no way I'd do that in front of so many people. Ichika's dinner is forfeit tonight.

And so, we set off to climb the mountain while being seen off.

By the way, when I checked with Gozoh during the climb, the reason for the murmuring was apparently obvious. My legal wife Rokuko came out to see me off and told me not to cheat when I had Niku with me. So of course they'd react. Apparently.

That's not it though!? Rokuko is my partner and Niku is my hug pillow!? I'm not doing anything wrong!? … I'm really not!?