The Plan

"Still, Kehma-san. Don't you think you could become an S-Rank adventurer?"

"No thanks, alright? If I became S-Rank, I'd end up getting stuck with ridiculous requests like this. I just want to laze around and nap at home."

We successfully defeated the Yamata-no-Orochi, but at this rate, all the credit would fall on me.

I'd love to shove the achievements onto Wataru somehow, but with lie detection magic tools, I can't exactly give credit to someone who didn't do anything.

I stored the corpse of the Yamata-no-Orochi in my [Storage] and, while I was pondering what to do, I ended up returning to the village without coming up with a good idea.

I reported our success to the village chief.

"Oh! You actually defeated the Yamata-no-Orochi! Thank you so much! As expected of a hero!"

"Oh no, it was Kehma-san here who took care of it in a single blow."

"What!? This hero over here!?"

"No, no, I'm just a regular mage."

At that moment, I had an idea.

It's not that I'm amazing—it's that the other side wasn't all that amazing to begin with.

"It must've still been in its juvenile stage. Just a little magic was enough to finish it off. Bit of a letdown, right? Don't you think so, Hero Wataru?"

"Huh? Ah, yeah, I suppose so."

"Can you believe it was that weak? Maybe there wasn't even a need to summon a hero all the way from the Empire. Or wait—maybe the real goal was just to lure the hero out?"

"N-No, no way! We just couldn't deal with it ourselves, that's all!"

Yeah, I know. But let's go with the story that I wasn't actually that impressive, okay?

"But yeah, going back after only this feels a bit bad. Chief, if there's anything we can help with, just let me know. Like removing rubble—we've got that covered."

"Hey, I'm not helping, you know?"

"That's okay, Kehma-san. You've already done your part. I'll help out on my own."

But if you're not there, I'll have to walk all the way back by myself.

No telling how many days that would take unless you carry me. I guess I'll have to wait for Wataru.

"Well, I'm gonna go and head to sleep. Nighty-night."

"Okay. So Chief, is it alright if I just blow away all the rubble?"

"Ah, well… we'd like to reuse any intact wood or foundations, so maybe not all of it…"

With that, I decided to nap at the village chief's house until Wataru finished helping out. Got myself into a bedroll, pulled up the blanket, and said goodnight.

 

＊ ＊ ＊

 

"Uwaaaahhh!! What the hell is going on!?!?"

"Hmm?"

Ah, that was a good nap. Morning already? As I lay on my back, a red tail approached me—and got repelled soundlessly by a barrier.

… Oh, would you look at that. A red serpent. And it talks.

"Fyaaaah… ahh… good morning?"

"G-G-Good morning, my tail! What the hell is wrong with you!?!"

This should be the village chief's house… so what's a talking serpent doing in the middle of the village?

"You! You're the Master of Dungeon Core Number 695, aren't you!? What were you thinking barging into someone else's territory like this!?"

"Ohhh…"

Looking closer, I recognized this snake.

Yeah, from back in third dungeon battle—the one near the imperial capital on the beach. From that chaotic three-way fight, this one was part of the Dragon King's team, the first one to be eliminated.

"Uhh… you were one of those from 650 to 652, right?"

"That's right! I'm Dungeon Core Number 650! I've been trying to wake you up forever! You didn't budge at all! Not even a twitch when I smacked you! And I couldn't even touch you to move you! What kind of nonsense is this!?"

I was sleeping with the [Divine Blanket], after all. Excellent defense stats. Seems like it blocked all the noise until I woke up, too.

"Ah—looks like it's dark outside. I probably should've set an alarm."

"What the hell is wrong with you!? I'm angry here!!"

The red serpent, Core Number 650, smacked the floor with her tail in frustration.

"Well, it's been a while, hasn't it? How many years has it been? Though I don't think we ever actually talked directly before?"

"Right. I just remembered seeing you in the background behind Core 695 and nearly freaked out… Anyway! Because of you, my Yamata-no-Orochi was taken out before it could fully grow! I'm running a massive deficit now!!"

She thumped the floor again with her tail. Isn't that going to break something? Is the floor okay?

"Hey, come on. I was just doing a job as an adventurer. Even if I hadn't done anything, my buddy the hero would've taken care of it. Honestly, you should be glad I didn't push forward and capture your Dungeon Core."

"Ugh! You traitorous Master of the Betrayer Faction!"

Is it really okay for this supposedly betrayed core to just casually show up in front of the 'traitor'?

"Speaking of which, where did Wataru go? My buddy, the hero?"

"Huh? Oh, that guy? I got him drunk at the party and he passed out. Geez."

So the hero came to slay the Yamata-no-Orochi and ended up getting drunk and put to sleep?

… That's backwards, isn't it? But whatever. Probably couldn't wake me up anyway. Really should've set that alarm.

"Wait, hold on—is this village part of your domain?"

"Of course it is. Normally, I'd have you relax in the village and then hit you with a venomous snake while you're off guard. But since we're acquaintances, I let it slide this time."

… Honestly, she was probably just scared of retaliation.

"Then why'd you send the Yamata-no-Orochi to attack the village?"

"Because there were people who wouldn't believe me unless there were signs of an actual attack! Luckily, it got dealt with, but still—normally, you'd rest in the village for a night before doing anything!!"

Core Number 650 was fuming with rage.

"Argh, this was the perfect plan I got from the Dragon King! I finally managed to build a proper village, you know!?"

"Huh, so this entire village was your setup?"

I see. So it was an idea from the Dragon King—Core Number 5. Figures. The plan was bound to collapse unless they had seriously high power levels, which just screams 'prideful dragon' to me.

Honestly, we probably saved them by taking it down first.

"It was a solid plan, I'll give you that. But it was doomed to fail eventually. I mean, look—a hero got sent in. If you don't have the power to take one down, that strategy's basically busted from the start."

"Ughh…"

Core Number 650 twisted her face in frustration. Even with her reptilian features, I could still read her expressions clearly—thanks to being used to Ontentoo.

"… Oh! I just had a great idea. Can't you spawn another Yamata-no-Orochi?"

"Huh? Why?"

"If Wataru takes it down, I'll get less credit. And if we say it wasn't actually dead in the first place, that'll lower my achievement even more. Win-win."

"…??? You want your achievements lowered? What is wrong with you? Are you stupid?"

I mean, being important is just more trouble.

"Fine, whatever. If you really want that, I'll do it—if you supply the DP. Full-grown, if possible."

"… Hmm. I don't really wanna go that far."

I didn't have enough DP for even a juvenile Yamata-no-Orochi. And even if I went back to the village to get more, it's not something I can spend without checking with Rokuko.

"… Then how about I use a cheat to make the Yamata-no-Orochi into a zombie-like thing and transfer it to you? Just let it get conveniently taken out by the hero."

"… Uhh. And how exactly does that benefit me?"

"If you'd rather not, I could always have the hero attack your dungeon. I mean, the guy hasn't done anything yet—he needs to earn some credit, right?"

"Fine, fine! I'll cooperate!!"

Okay, now that's what I'm talking about.