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“Dragon… you mean the dragon?”
“What? You guys have dragons in your world too?”
“No, we don’t. They’re just creatures from fairy tales.”
“That’s enviable—sounds like a pretty peaceful world you’ve got there.”

As she scratched her cheek, looking barely aware of the gravity of the situation, it was clear she wasn’t joking. Even after a thousand years, dragons were still an ongoing issue—just hearing about them was enough to weigh down my spirits.

“Excuse me! I have a basic question, if you don’t mind!”
“Sure, what is it, missy?”
“So, um, what’s the difference between a wyvern and a dragon?”
“A wyvern is a sub-dragon. Put simply, it mimics a dragon to scare off predators.”
“They have similar traits, but they’re not in the same league. Compared to a dragon, a wyvern’s basically a lizard with wings.”
“So it’s like a dragon lookalike? But, for something to want to mimic dragons… they must be pretty strong…”
“Missy, don’t think of those things as living creatures. Dragons are walking calamities.”

Nova leaned in close to Momo, as if to hammer home the point. And it wasn’t an exaggeration in the least.

Pure-blooded dragons sat at the very peak of this world’s entire ecosystem.

“For one thing, dragons have no lifespan. They live for well over a thousand years. Technically speaking, their lives usually end before they can reach the natural limit, so their maximum lifespan remains unknown.”
“They die of illness or something?”

“Yeah, most dragons die from injuries sustained in battle—territorial disputes with other dragons, usually. Just the fallout from their fights alters the weather and reduces the surrounding land to scorched earth.”
“We’re talking more than just redrawing the map—a whole region would be wiped blank. Nothing left behind.”

“That’s… insanely dangerous!”
“That’s what I’m saying, missy.”
“Dragons vary widely in personality and temperament, but they’re often very territorial. Set foot in their mountains, and you’re as good as dead.”

If you angered a dragon, you could safely assume you wouldn’t survive. Their size, magic, and sheer biological makeup were on an entirely different level from humans. Their rage wouldn’t subside until their target had been reduced to dust.

“That said, if you somehow provoked a dragon, wouldn’t this whole city end up getting caught in the destruction? No matter how much they want you to atone, I don’t think it’s worth the risk.”
“Right? I don’t know all the details myself, but supposedly it’ll be fine. So, you know… they’re telling me to go on and die with peace of mind.”
“Huh…? Well, in that case, I’ll at least prepare a grave for you.”
“Hey, I don’t actually want to die! That’s why I came to you, practically begging for help!”
“You really put it out there.”

He was practically at the point of prostrating himself, with no concern for pride or appearance. With his life at stake, it was clear he wouldn’t back down so easily.

If he kept going, though, and insisted on investigating this wyvern mystery by trekking into the mountains, Nova would be dead nine times out of ten.

The Saint had agreed to heal Momo in exchange for me helping him, but even if I provided him with some makeshift training, it wouldn’t be enough to handle a dragon.

“Master… in that case, I’ll help too! I’ll climb the mountain with Mr. Nova!”
“What is this fool of a girl even saying?”
“Your thoughts are slipping out, Sis.”
“Apologies, my honest feelings slipped out.”
“Master, do you just think you can say whatever you want to me?”
“Nope, just an honest assessment. You’re always saying the most outlandish things.”

Nova’s abilities didn’t stand a chance against a dragon. Even if there were 5,000 of him, the power gap would be painfully clear.

Leaving Momo to face such a hopeless situation alone would do no good either. Her physical abilities were outstanding, but against a dragon, they were still just a drop in the bucket.

“But Master, Nova only got roped into this reckless task because of me! I have to take responsibility!”
“Momo… so you were aware of that.”
“Well, you’ve yelled at me about it plenty of times, so… mumble, mumble…”
“Still, even with that sense of responsibility, the risk of bringing you along is too great. At the very least, come up with some kind of plan.”
“I don’t have a plan. But I’m confident I can run away!”
“…Hoh?”

That was the correct answer. Trying to plan an attack against a dragon was like an ant trying to take down a horse. Stealth and quick retreat at the first sign of danger were the best strategies for staying alive.

From a dragon’s perspective, humans were insignificant little creatures. With some luck, Momo’s speed might just get her out before she triggered its wrath.

“I understand the logic, but do you think the Astraea bunch will even let you accompany him? They’re strict about following rules.”
“Then I’ll go ask them! Just wait here for a sec!”
“Huh? Wait, Momo—hey!”

Before anyone could stop her, Momo dashed out of the guild, nearly smashing through the swinging doors on her way.

Calling it quick decision-making would be generous; really, she was just a thoughtless fool. She was definitely getting another lecture when she returned.

“…I see, so you’ve had your share of struggles too, eh, Sis?”
“Don’t call me ‘Sis.’ And should you really be sitting around so leisurely? You might be dead soon, you know.”
“Haha! It’s too late to panic now. Nothing’s gonna change the fact that a dragon’s a dragon! Better to drink than waste time worrying.”

With a boisterous laugh, he downed another drink he’d apparently ordered at some point. The stack of empty mugs at the table was already on its third. Drinking was all well and good, but who was paying for all this?

“So, you’ve resigned yourself, then? If you don’t want to stain your final moments, that’s one way to go.”
“Nah, but… for some reason, when you’re willing to lend a hand, I feel like I’m not gonna die.”
“…You’re overestimating me. I’m just a feeble wizard, as you can see.”
“Then what does that make us, who lost to you? Don’t insult me. I trust my own judgment.”

With a solid thump, another empty mug hit the table. His breath reeked of alcohol, but his gaze was steady, unaffected by the drink.

“Sure, we’re just thugs, and I always thought it wouldn’t matter if I dropped dead anytime. But after losing to you… for the first time, I didn’t want to die.”
“You said something similar in court, if I recall.”
“Yeah. I felt like I finally caught a glimpse of what lies at the end of magecraft.”
“……”

Nova’s history was a textbook case of a wizard gone astray. He had let his talent go to his head, abandoned the pursuit of skill, and cast aside the pride of a wizard, letting himself fall into unsavory paths.

I had no respect for people like him—those who neither created nor honed anything, who only thought of taking from others. To me, they were hopeless fools.

“…Nova. You…”

If he hadn’t been saved by someone else but had chosen, on his own, to change…

And if I had somehow been a part of that decision, then—

“Masterrr!! Where was the Astraea Church again?”
“——…”
“……missy, your timing couldn’t be worse.”
“Momo, on your knees.”
“W-why…?”
“What do you mean, ‘why’?! Nova, go home for today! You’ve still got some time, don’t you?”
“Yeah, I’ll leave if I’m in the way, but, uh… We’re flat broke, you know?”

Nova pointed sheepishly at the stack of mugs on the table, looking guilty. Of course, it made sense. The Astraea bunch wouldn’t give charity to someone who hadn’t yet atoned for his crimes.

So this guy had been drinking on my tab from the start, huh?

“…Haaah… I’ve changed my mind. All of you, on your knees.”
“Huh, Sis? Even us…?”
“Of course, that includes all of your cronies! Now that you’re out, it’s time to set you straight!”

To take revenge for getting lectured over the Stell incident, I lined up the gang of ex-convicts—plus my foolish disciple—in neat rows on the guild floor.

The sight of these grown men, led by a girl who looked barely more than a child, being sternly scolded was probably quite a treat for the other patrons enjoying their drinks.

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