LIGHTNOVELONLINE Book 2: Chapter19
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Chapter 19 – I Reported To The Count
After defeating the Gluttonous Dragon, I slowly descended to the ground.
“Phew…”
Perhaps it was because I had fought a very hard battle this time, I was exhausted.
The strength drained from my legs, and I sat down on the spot.
The golden light glittered around me for a while and then vanished as it ascended to the heavens.
“…Thank you.”
Although I am not sure what the light was, I should thank it for saving me.
Soon, an inorganic voice tells me, “You are now at level 108.”
Speaking of 108, I thought of the bells on New Year’s Eve… I thought to myself and then suddenly realized that it was nothing.
“Three digits level, huh?”
Apparently, level 99 is not the upper limit, but there are more levels beyond that.
The inorganic voice further announced, “[Limit Break] has been released.”
This is a skill that can be used at level 100 or above and can temporarily raise the magic capacity significantly. The effect seems to increase in proportion to the level number.
However, it cannot be used continuously and requires a cool down time of 24 hours for each use.
In other words, it is like using a special move… once a day.
Depending on how it is used, it can greatly expand the range of strategies, and as a skill, it is quite useful.
Speaking of skills, let’s also check out [Calamity Summoning].
Since we defeated the Gluttonous Dragon, I wonder if it has been added to the summoning list.
In response to my question, [Full Assist] is activated.
The control sequence of the Empty Gluttonous Dragon has failed.
It is presumed that the main body of the Gluttonous Dragon has escaped to the “outside” of the world.
Therefore, it cannot be summoned with [Calamity Summoning].
“It is rare that [Full Assist] fails.”
As I was thinking, “As expected of the Gluttonous Dragon called the Great Calamity… [Full Assist] continued.
The pursuit sequence succeeded in taking away [Spatial Manipulation] from the empty Gluttonous Dragon.
It is acquired as a skill of Kou Kousaka.
Huh?
“[Spatial Manipulation] is now my skill?”
What on earth does that mean…? I thought about it, and then detailed information flowed into my brain.
Apparently, by consuming magical power, I can perform the exact same tricks as the Gluttonous Dragon.
This skill can nullify attacks, warp over short distances, restrain enemies, and do almost anything else.
“Isn’t this extremely convenient?”
And since the Gluttonous Dragon has lost its [Spatial Manipulation], even if it challenges me to a revenge match, I will be in a better position to fight it next time.
“The results are not only favorable, but it is a win-win situation for us.”
The control sequence had failed, but somehow the profit was very large.
I felt as if I had discovered a bug in the game.
While I was thinking about this, Dest came from the opposite direction, pulling the Grand Cabin.
“Master! Thanks for the good work!”
“Did you come for me?”
“Yes! Thank you for defeating the Gluttonous Dragon!”
Dest slowed down a little and brought the Grand Cabin to a stop.
Iris, Lily, and Surara were on the roof of it. They descended to the ground using the ladder at the rear of the carriage and came running up to me.
“Kou, good job. Can you stand?”
“Yeah, somehow.”
I took a deep breath and slowly raised myself off the ground.
“I’ve killed the dragon. At least it’s a relief.”
“How do you feel now that you’ve slain your second dragon?”
“I’m tired. I just want to go home and rest.”
“Fufu, that just sounds like you?”
Iris giggled.
I get caught up in the moment, and I smile a little too.
“By the way, Kou, what were those sparkles?”
Iris was probably referring to the golden glow.
I don’t know what it is either.
Then Lily opened her mouth as we both had a question mark on our heads.
“I can make a guess. Can I have you listen to it?”
“Of course. If you have an idea, let me know.”
“Thank you.”
Lily bowed her head and began to speak.
“According to the lore of the God of War, it is said that the soul is a golden light… Perhaps that light were the souls of those who were gathered as sacrifices to the Gluttonous Dragon.”
“I think so, too.”
Surara nodded with a serious expression.
“The souls of the sacrificed people may have been freed after Master-san defeated the Elder Lich and interrupted the ritual, and they may have lent their power to repay the favor.”
“…I see.”
The golden light disappeared at the end as it soared to the heavens.
Is it safe to assume that the souls of those who were sacrificed by the Elder Lich had safely ascended…?
I looked up and saw a beautiful azure sky without a single cloud.
Then we boarded the Grand Cabin and headed back to Surier.
It was not far from the city.
While relaxing on the sofa, the Grand Cabin came to a slow stop just before the city walls.
Dest’s voice echoed from the ceiling’s magic speakers.
“Master, we have arrived in the city.”
I got out of the Grand Cabin with Iris, Lily, and Surara.
The castle gates were tightly closed.
Well, of course.
Just a few minutes ago, the Black Dragon and the Gluttonous Dragon were battling like they were in a monster movie near the town, and the town of Surier would want to fortify its defenses.
Well, if we waited here for a while, the gates would open.
I headed for Dest.
“Thank you again today. Have a good rest.”
“Yay! I’m honored to be of service! Well then, see you later!”
I nodded at Dest’s words and stowed the entire Grand Cabin in the [Item Box].
As I did so, the gates opened and a familiar face approached from inside.
It was the young guard with the magic trick.
“Kou-dono, are you safe? Oh, thank goodness…”
“Thank you. Is there any damage to the city?”
“Yes, don’t worry about that. In the first place, what exactly was going on? I was watching from the top of the city walls a few minutes ago, and to tell the truth; I don’t know what’s happening…”
The guard’s face showed a look of confusion.
While I was pondering where to begin explaining… the guard came to his senses and said.
“Oh, I beg your pardon. Actually, Count Maillard is waiting for you and would like to talk to you and your friends about this matter. If you don’t mind, I would like to ask you to come to the guardroom.”
“I don’t mind. What about you guys?”
“I’m fine too. We were originally commissioned by the Count to defeat the Elder Lich, so we need to report back to the client.”
“I think it would be better to explain about the Gluttonous Dragon too.”
“I hope Count-san is feeling better.”
“I don’t see any objections. ─Well then, please take me to the Count.”
“Understood! Thank you for your cooperation!”
The guard gave a brilliant salute as he said this.
* * *
We were escorted by the guard toward the guardroom.
We entered the building and headed straight down the hallway, eventually arriving at a lounge in the back.
“The Count is this way. Come on in.”
The guard said and opened the door for us.
We entered the lounge, and there was Count Maillard.
He got up from the sofa and welcomed us.
“Oh, Kou-dono! You’re back! I’m glad you’re alright. Please sit down.”
“Thank you very much. Sorry to bother you.”
I sat down on the sofa, Iris sat next to me on my left, and Lily and Surara sat next to me on my right.
When I looked at the door, the guard said, “Well, I will take my leave now,” and bowed to me before leaving the room.
Speaking of Count Maillard, his complexion is still a little pale, but he does not seem to be in bad shape.
The curse of the Black Death had been lifted, and his body was probably feeling better.
“First of all, let me thank you, Kou-dono. Thanks for defeating the Elder Lich. Without you, not only I but also the people of Surier would have lost their lives. I thank you from the bottom of my heart. Thank you.”
Count Maillard bowed his head deeply as he said this.
When he thanked me so deeply, I felt somewhat embarrassed.
“I only did what I was supposed to do. …Moreover, let me report on this matter.”
“Oh, of course, of course. I’d love to hear about how you defeated the Elder Lich.”
Count Maillard nodded with a curious expression on his face.
“If you know more about the tentacled monster that was rampaging outside the city and the Black Dragon that appeared later, please let me know. As a lord, I must know exactly what is going on.”
“I understand. I will tell you everything in order.”
I explained the events that had taken place since our departure from Surier one by one.
When I told him that I had discovered an underground labyrinthine with a place of worship in the mountains, Count Maillard looked surprised.
“My goodness, I had no idea such a thing existed in our territory… I am very grateful to you, Kou-dono, for finding it.”
“No, this time, it was just a coincidence. I would have overlooked it under normal circumstances.”
“You are a very humble man, aren’t you? Umu. I like you more and more.”
Count Maillard smiled.
“Oops, I interrupted you. I’m sorry. What kind of place was the underground labyrinthine worship center?”
I began with a brief explanation of the structure of the labyrinthine worship center, followed by a description of how I conquered each floor.
“The first floor was a huge labyrinth, but we got through it quickly. As for the specific method…”
“We proceeded by using hammers to smash through the walls.”
Iris used both hands and made a gesture as if she were making a rice cake with her floppy hands.
“Hahaha, that’s very interesting.”
Count Maillard laughed and began to imitate Iris’s movements and began to make the rice cake motion.
…It’s a somewhat surreal sight.
“I have explored the labyrinths of ancient civilizations in my youth. I got lost that time and had a hard time, but if Kou-dono was there, you could have easily conquered it.”
“I have no doubt about that.”
Lily nodded.
“The traps on the second floor were also easy thanks to Kou-san.”
“The third floor was crawling with undead, but Master-san got rid of them all!”
“As expected of Kou-dono, you have done as good a job as they say. Did you use the same momentum to defeat the Elder Lich on the fourth floor?”
“No, the Elder Lich was quite a formidable foe. I don’t think I could have won without everyone’s cooperation.”
I explained the process from the start of the battle to the completion of the defeat.
Now, I would like to say that my report is complete… but there are still some important details left.
The resurrection of the Gluttonous Dragon and its defeat.
Looking back on it, I think it was a last-minute victory.
If the wheels of fate had shifted even slightly, I don’t know what would have happened.
In that sense, I guess I am very lucky. I am truly grateful for that.
After we finished our report on the case, Count Maillard muttered to me with a deepened expression on his face.
“Leaving the details aside, it means that Kou-dono has protected this city from the Gluttonous Dragon. I will have to increase your reward. I’ll have the calculations done and an estimate delivered by tomorrow evening. Is that alright with you?”
“Yes, that’s fine.”
Tomorrow, we will still be in Surier.
If we get the estimate delivered to the inn, we will be able to confirm it at night.
Count Maillard smiled at me and said at last.
“Without you, the Gluttonous Dragon would have made a complete revival, and many of us would have been sacrificed. I will never forget this favor. If you ever have any trouble in the future, please do not hesitate to rely on my family. We will always be here to help you.”