I Became the Porter of a Somewhat Strange Hero Party

33 – Dragon Education (3)

Yong-ok, you say?

“Oh, you recognize it! Indeed, true to our noble Elven nature!”

…Earlier, wasn’t that pointy-eared nuisance bothering me with that ‘insignificant topic’? Their attitude has changed drastically, like flipping a palm.

But more than that, everyone’s attention shifted at the mention of Yong-ok.

“Is it really Yong-ok?”

“It seems right. I can feel tremendous magical power from the bead.”

“That’s right! If you spare my life, I’ll give you this dragonstone but if you try to take my life away, I’ll use all my last breath to destroy the dragonstone!”

There was a reason why it had to be that way.

When a dragon sleeps for a long time, it periodically sheds tears so its eyes don’t dry out. Those tears that are shed have solidified into beads and that’s what a dragonstone is made of.

Although it cannot be eaten, as an artifact that contains inherent magical powers, it holds tremendous value. A dragon whose whole body itself is overflowing with magical powers creates this tear, so with just a build-up of tears, it becomes a device with considerable magical powers.

An artifact with such magic can be used separately from one’s total amount of magical power. Thus, not only wizards but also anyone who possesses magical power craved for it deeply.

If you think about the fact that a dragonstone as small as a human thumb is worth ten gold coins…

“What exactly is the value of a stone this size?”

Freymar, who claimed to have an ill-fated connection with dragons, was estimating the size and value of the dragon’s gemstone, speaking as if possessed.

“I will give you this if you spare me!”

It was a considerable sum of money, maybe too much to refuse.

But how could a low-level dragon possess something like this?

“But, is this really yours?”

“Yes!”

“A dragon who has recently transcended the hatchling stage, how can it possess a gemstone of this magnitude? Isn’t this a scam?”

“As I left my nest, I secretly took my father’s gemstone.”

“…?”

“Besides, my father is a great being who wouldn’t even mind if a couple of insignificant treasures like this went missing. So, I brought one with me.”

I see a dragon even behind the walls that stand tall.

General Bell Griff urgently spoke as the situation became delicate.

“Hey, warriors! What are you hesitating for? To think you’re only worrying about such things…!”

“To say it’s just ‘such things,’ it’s enough to conquer the kingdom’s castle. Not just a mere castle, but a mighty fortress.”

“Well… no, still, he’s the one who harmed people! How can we spare his life!!”

That’s true.

Although it’s someone who harmed people, it would be quite absurd for a party of warriors to receive payment and set them free.

“The humans haven’t been harmed yet! They only caused some damage to the building!”

Really?

Lieutenant, instead of the excited Commander Ben Griff, explained to us.

“…There are only a few injured from the collapsing building. However, the additional damages are considerable.”

“If we consider the cost of repairing the building and compensating the merchants…”

“Isn’t it advantageous to receive sapphires?”

“But where is the guarantee that this arrogant man won’t do it again!?”

That’s right, even this old man keeps choosing his words carefully since earlier.

Later, time may pass by tremendously, and it could be a return of past vengeance. If we save him for no reason, we might just end up being treated as fools in the future.

However, Leticia said,

“Although that’s true, by then, we would all be old and gone.”

“……Yes?”

“Usually, at least Warm level is required to reach the point of being able to destroy a small country. But it takes about 1000 years to go from Young level to Warm level… By then, it’s doubtful if the Bastian Kingdom will still exist.”

So, what it meant was that there would be no danger while we’re alive. 1000 years is also a sufficient time for one dynasty to change.

There are few countries in reality that have lasted for a thousand years. Maybe the Roman Empire…?

“The age of dragons is so long that they often forget trivial grudges.”

“…”

At this point, Commander Ben Griff seemed to be contemplating as well. Is it inevitable to surrender in the face of overwhelming wealth?

By the way, if I save him, I might get into trouble. I can’t create the elixir I’m trying to make right now.

However, it wasn’t easy to give up on the prosperity that an opal like this could bring. Even if I split it fifty-fifty with the kingdom, I could live in only the finest inns and eat delicious food from now on.

There’s no need to worry about money anymore.

How can we both get it?

“…You know.”

“Yeah?”

“Sure, it’s a lot of money, but it’s not a good picture for the Heroes’ Party to accept this proposal because of the money.”

After thinking, I spoke.

“Is it better to kill after all?”

“W-What!! Then I won’t give you this dragon! I will destroy and kill it with my own hands…!”

“Sure, the picture’s not good as they say~ But isn’t it a waste to kill it?”

Erin pointed at the jade. It seems like a waste even for a warrior to have such an expensive thing.

“…So here’s what I’m saying.”

Of course, I also feel regretful about the jade. I didn’t really mean to kill anyone.

If I were to really try to kill, the dragon could easily destroy the jade and die, so it wouldn’t be possible to plunder.

So I tried to suggest another way. A way to obtain a large jade and the materials I need.

“But I can’t just let him go. Let’s make him our pet.”

“What?”

“…Huh?”

“Are you going to make a dragon your servant through a contract? Once you become the contracted owner, everything about it will belong to us, so we can have the dragon gem too. And when we ride it… we might not need to ride uncomfortable carriages anymore, right?”

In a nutshell, it meant “mount.” If we were talking about RPG games, it referred to the various kinds of pets commonly found.

When it comes to mounts, there are various types, including the basics. And if you were to choose the coolest mount among them, it would undoubtedly be a dragon, right?

Of course, it wasn’t just because dragons are cool; there was a reasonable justification behind it.

“The hero party subdued an arrogant dragon and tamed it. Then they used the treasures obtained from the dragon to resolve the capital’s damages. It’s not a bad picture, is it?”

By enslaving it through a contract, we could naturally obtain the dragon gem and other rewards. We didn’t even kill it, so how could we obtain rewards?

Scales can be easily peeled off, and if you ask for their claws or teeth, they will give them to you. It may be easier to get the necessary materials than

At the words of the dragon, we all became surprised.

Actually, I didn’t really know why they were surprised, but I pretended to be surprised with them. It felt like something really important. If it was Dragon Heart, then it must have been something very important. Like when parents ask you to do something, it’s the most trustworthy…

“Dragons make contracts with humans because they value their lives?”

My guess seemed to be correct. Frey said with a hint of incomprehension.

“Dragons are a race that is tired of the emptiness of life and has no fear of death…”

“That’s something old people say! It’s only been a year since I left my father’s nest! I still have a lot to see and enjoy!”

Why would he cause such a mess by coming to the capital city and staying still…?

Having the same question, Fray spoke with a tone of not understanding.

“Then why did you do such a thing? You must have known that this is the capital of the human nation. Did you really think it would be okay?”

“…I couldn’t control my strength. I thought I could subjugate at least the kingdom of humans…”

…This is really like terminal chunibyo, this.

The dragon lowered its head heavily to the ground.

“But now I’ve just realized…! I will never belittle humans again…!”

It may seem too humble, but it feels like it’s because Fray’s summoned spear of light is still aimed at the dragon’s head.

It’s a matter of life and death right now, so being humble is the problem.

“Then, are you really accepting to be dependent on us~?”

“Well, after all, human life is not short. Just as long as you’re bound during that time…”

Is it not bad as a price to guarantee a long lifespan?

I don’t know if that’s true. To dragons who live for eons, human life is just a fleeting moment.

Even if this guy is treated as a young dragon, judging by the absolute duration, they’ve lived longer than us…

The concept of the time we have left to live is different.

“What do you think, Commander?”

Upon Erin’s question, Commander Ben Griff hesitated for a moment. Then Erin spoke.

“I’ll donate half of the money from selling Yong-ok to the restoration and investment of the country~.”

“If fighting on behalf of humans as a dragon servant is what you want, then it’s not necessarily a bad choice.”

This man’s response became faster.

“Permission granted. Then the deal is sealed~♡”

“…What?”

“You were the one who proposed it, right?”

But still…

“Shouldn’t the party leader decide?”

“I don’t care if I die as I am, or if I’m raised as a dog, as Heojeop wishes~♡”

“…You were concerned about losing Yong-ok, so how can you say it doesn’t matter?”

When I pierced the core, Erin avoided my gaze and spoke.

“…Men who talk a lot are disgusting~♡”

She only does that when it’s detrimental to herself.

“If we make a deal, who will be the one to make the contract?”

“That’s Erin’s job…”

“I don’t want to.”

“What?”

Why do you dislike it, damn woman.

“I just don’t want to be involved with that reptile.~♡”

“… Ah, I see.”

Then who should sign the contract?

“Well, this person here seems suitable to the naked eye.”

“… What?”

Me?