To the Mountain Where the Dragon Dwells (Three Hour Walk to the Summit)

"Maaan, Rokuko-san really loves you, doesn't she, Kehma-san?"

Hey, Wataru, don't go telling Haku-san anything unnecessary, okay? Seriously, don't. This is not a bit.

Well, setting that aside, we began our climb.

There was basically no path, just walking uphill over rocky terrain toward the summit. Even with Golem Assist, it felt like doing high-knee exercises. Deceptively tiring.

"Ah, let me make one thing clear so there's no misunderstanding. I called it a subjugation group, but this time our goal is just to prevent damage to the village. We don't need to defeat it."

"I see. In other words… Kehma-san will figure something out!"

"Eh? Ah, yeah. Well, something like that."

"Maaan, I might have been unnecessary then!"

For some reason, Wataru suddenly did a complete turnaround and started relying on me.

Not "might have been." You definitely are unnecessary.

"You can go home if you want, you know?"

"No way. I have to see Kehma-san's secret plan with my own eyes."

… That's exactly why I didn't want him here. Oh well. A hero also doubles as the best possible witness, so let me think about this positively.

The arrangement with Igni is a one-time setup that can't be reused elsewhere anyway. Even if they see the "secret plan" this time, it should have absolutely… well, not much… probably… maybe no impact… I hope… I want to believe… Yeah.

"I'm getting tired, can we take a break?"

I proposed a break about halfway up the mountain.

"Kehma, we haven't even been walking for an hour… Well, I expected this. You've got strength but no stamina, huh… Hey, Wataru, carry him with this carrying frame."

"Sure. Oh, is that why you invited me?"

"Heh. That's quite a luxurious use of a hero, haha."

"As if, you numbskull of a village chief. Right then, Wataru, I'm counting on you."

"This village is really great. Starting with Kehma-san, nobody here treats me any differently."

Wataru was smiling. Is this guy a masochist? Given how he throws money at a woman, he might have that tendency.

And so I was carried on his back like firewood using a Ninomiya Kinjiro-style carrying frame. Aah, so comfortable, so easy.

While being carried and recalling the planning meeting, Gozoh sighed while looking at me being carried by Wataru.

"You're really going to be carried, Kehma? Don't you feel pathetic as an adventurer?"

"Eh? You're the one who suggested it, Gozoh. Besides, I'm the slowest one here. In other words, this is the fastest formation. Logical, isn't it? As expected of our village's adventurer representative."

"Seriously, Kehma. Making our main combat force do something like this… honestly, I prepared this to carry injured or dead people on the way back, you know?"

"That's fine. If no one gets injured or dies, I can ride it on the way back too."

"But the ladies, Ichika and Kuro, are walking…"

"Ahahaha, what are you saying, Gozoh? Slaves can't make their master walk while they rest, right? Rather, we should be carrying Goshujin-sama on our backs, you know?"

Ichika spoke up, and Niku nodded along.

Oh right, my party members are all slaves. I half forgot.

"Oi, Wataru, say something."

"Kehma-san is light, so it's fine. Besides, won't we reach the summit by afternoon at this pace?"

"… Geez. Roppu, what about you?"

"As an adventurer, I'm not so sure, but if Kehma-san is fine with it, shouldn't we just let it go?"

"Ahh, am I the strange one here?"

As Wataru said, at this pace, we'd easily reach the summit by afternoon. I really was holding everyone back.

… Maybe I should train a bit? I'm technically a hero too, so if I trained, I'd probably build up some stamina… but…

Let's not. Too much of a hassle.

I just need to sleep at the inn, so there's no need to train myself at all. I'll leave the troublesome, difficult, dangerous adventures to Wataru or whoever.

Holing up in my room like a proper Dungeon Master and sleeping suits me best.

*

And so, we arrived at the summit.

After confirming that the flame dragon wasn't on the summit and investigating the area, there were traces of something large entering the dungeon [Flame Cavern].

I had asked Igni to leave fresh tracks beforehand, and she did exactly as requested.

"… Doesn't seem to be on the summit? Is it hiding somewhere… still, nine out of ten it's in there."

"Right. No doubt about it. There are marks like it's been going in and out several times. I'll stake my hero's word on it."

"[Flame Cavern], huh… well, I had a feeling, so we came properly equipped."

We would charge into [Flame Cavern]… but before that, we decided to take a proper break away from the entrance first.

"Lunch, lunch～ We've got Kinue's boxed lunches～"

"Ichika, you don't get dinner tonight, so make sure to eat well now, okay?"

"Why!? I was just trying to help Rokuko-sama and Goshujin-sama's relationship!"

"Hahaha, Ichika, red pepper paste works as your drink, right?"

"That's not even liquid! Please forgive me, Goshujin-samaaa!"

We ate sandwiches while chatting. As expected of Kinue-san's sandwiches, the vegetables are still fresh and delicious.

"… The sun's still high. If things go well, we might be able to make it a day trip."

"Oi, Kehma, that's pushing it, isn't it? Exploring [Flame Cavern], locating the flame dragon, and then subjugating it. That's going to take quite a while."

"Ah, right."

Oops, that was careless. Actually, since I know where Igni is and we've already planned things out, I think we can make it a day trip without any problem, but Gozoh and the others don't know that.

But if the return gets delayed, things might get awkward, so let me take the lead here.

"… Well, I'm familiar with [Flame Cavern]. There aren't many traps on the upper floors, and I have a rough idea of where the dragon might be. Leave it to me."

"Oi, oi. You were carried by Wataru all the way to the entrance, weren't you? You normally don't even like leaving your house, so how could you be familiar enough to have come here often?"

Gozoh had a point… Well, that's true. Who wants to leave their room anyway?

"Please wait, Gozoh-san. Why Kehma-san is familiar with [Flame Cavern]… I think I figured it out!"

"Eh?"

A chill ran down my spine. No way, did my relationship with Ittetsu get exposed… no, that can't be, but what are you going to say, Wataru…?

"Please recall. [Flame Cavern] is connected to the dungeon in Golen Village, [Cave of Desires]! Kehma must have secretly scouted it out using that route!"

"Y-Yeah. That's right. Wataru, you figured it out, huh?"

"Reeeeally? Hmm, well, if that's the case, it does make sense, but…"

That was close, seriously. I was startled… Now I need to add another excuse.

"… Well, to be honest, I also purchased information about this dungeon from that architect mage. After having Kuro and Ichika verify it using the route Wataru mentioned, it turned out to be quite accurate."

"I see, so in addition to information from that skilled mage, Ichika and Kuro are experienced in exploring here. If that's the case, I'm convinced."

Looks like Gozoh accepted it, so that's good. I patted Niku on the head.

Hm? Ichika wants to be patted too? Eh, you'd rather have the dinner ban lifted? … Alright, I'll consider it. Make yourself useful during this farce of an exploration.

Once we finished our lunch break, we entered [Flame Cavern].