There were days when a random whim led to unexpected luck. For Amelia Reinvales, today was just such a day.

Who would have thought that when she climbed into the castle on a whim to relieve her frustrated mind, she would meet this man?

— Regal Vagos.

The member of Orcules, who had divided this cursed city into two halves, and among them the one she wanted to kill the most, lay unconscious on the floor in this desolate place with a wounded body. He was also alone.

Maybe he escaped through the portal? Is that why he fell here, and not in the square?

It was the first opportunity that came to mind. There were no Magi in the Dragon Slayer team, but it was possible if he sacrificed the poor old man he always took with him.

But...

What enemy did he face...?

Amelia pushed away the incipient doubt. It doesn't matter who brought him to such a state. The only thing that mattered was that she was served this roast pig on a platter. At first, she bent down to check his pulse.

Still alive.

About two hours have passed since the labyrinth was closed.

According to indirect signs, it could be assumed that during this time he managed to lose consciousness. It was hard for an ordinary person to bear, but this guy wasn't ordinary. Perhaps a stake stuck in his shoulder stopped the bleeding.

Then he opened his eyes and stared at her.

"You...

Perhaps he felt her presence because he came to his senses.

Before he could say anything, Amelia spoke first.

"Dragon Slayer, do you have any potions?"

"On the waist...

- I see.

Amelia untied the pocket he wore around his waist and took it in her hand. She asked:

"I'm going to pour a potion." Can I get that out of your shoulder?

"Do it...

As soon as she heard his answer, she pulled out the stake and the bleeding started again. If we left things as they were, then even the Dragon Slayer would surely die.

Amelia just stood and watched.

"What are you... potion...

Only then did he feel that something was wrong.

She asked in response:

"Why should I do this?"

"You've concluded... contract...

"Oh, the contract?"

Amelia grinned. A long time ago, Lord Noarka had given her a contract. The contract is so famous that every resident of the city knows about it.

She couldn't kill inside Noark.

It was a contract written on the flesh, and it was impossible to break it.

But...

"Didn't you ask me to remove the stake?"

She just did what he told her. Of course, it was the first time she had deceived someone in such a way, so she was also nervous. However, if it were a breach of contract, she wouldn't be able to do it.

- You... bitch...

Amelia placed his entire "pocket" in subspace. She took his other belongings as well: not only the dagger that hung from his belt, but also the ring on his hand, the bracelet on his wrist, and the necklace. These were all things she always paid attention to.

"Thank you for stopping by here." I use them well. Oh, but who did this to you?

He did not answer her mocking question. He just stared at her furiously. Amelia leaned her back against the wall and watched him instead of continuing the unnecessary conversation. She intended to watch his death in case of any unforeseen situations. But, apparently, this guy still had a lot of time on the thread of fate.

*Top! Top!*

Soon she heard the footsteps of the castle patrolmen in the distance. Amelia quickly got her bearings. In fact, she had nothing to judge about. Everything that the patrolmen saw and heard was passed on to the lord. If she had been caught, it would have been over.

"You're in luck, Dragon Slayer.

She licked her lips bitterly. If this guy died, Orcules' power would diminish.

Realizing that he would survive, he gritted his teeth and said:

"You will... dealt... with... Consequences.

She will pay for it.

Amelia just shrugged her shoulders, closing the distance.

"It doesn't matter. You won't remember anything anyway.

— ... A what?

She took out a bundle and took a pill in her hand. It was a magic pill called "Blessing of Summer", developed by an alchemist from Noark. Its downside was that evil spirits were immune to her, but she possessed the convenient function of erasing memories if simply accepted.

"Damn it!" Mm, mm!

Amelia grabbed the reluctant man by the jaw and shoved the pill down his throat. The higher the level of Soul Greatness, the less effective the drug was, so just in case, she used the best she had. The alchemist said that an ordinary person would lose his memory for up to a week.

Given who he is, it's better to be on the safe side.

It didn't seem like too much of a spending. It wasn't something she could get again just because she wanted to, but considering what she had earned today, she shouldn't go at a loss. In addition, the more he forgets, the better. He will think that he lost his belongings in the maze, and not that he was robbed in the underground city.

I don't know who did it, but I should be grateful.

Hearing the patrol's footsteps approaching, Amelia quickly left the castle.

***

The number of uses of the ring that blocked the death flags associated with Regal Vagos by up to three times was reduced by one, although less than 10 minutes had passed.

It won't break once a day, will it?

I tried to ward off the sudden anxiety. I will still have time to complain if this happens, and the probability of this happening is very small. After all, those were the words of a goddess, right?

"You have to be ready to overcome fate when all the vines of this ring are torn apart."

The goddess used the vessel to tell me to prepare, knowing how big the chasm was between this man and me. I was sure she had the conscience to give me more than a couple of months.

Yes, in the end, the most important thing is when the last vine breaks.

By trying to live in the present, I calmed my fluttering heart.

It was not the current event that mattered. What matters is the number of chances, in other words, the total duration of this ring.

Focus on what you need to do.

With these thoughts in mind, I briefly discussed the reward and left the church.

We will be able to receive the payment tomorrow when we return to the visit.

"Then let's go home and meet tomorrow."

Shortly after we had decided on a meeting place and were about to return to our room, Hikurod cautiously stopped us.

"Hey, I don't know what you'd think if I said that. But why don't we donate part of Dvalka's reward to the orphanage?

"I... I don't mind. We wouldn't have made money if it weren't for Dvalki.

— I don't mind either. And in general, it would be ridiculous if I claimed a share in this large amount.

Simply put, it was about donating 3.5 million stones per person to the orphanage. Unlike my colleagues, who agreed without much hesitation, I remained silent. It was completely irrational.

Were we not in the midst of a battle with a huge enemy called the Dragon Slayer? If we're going to fulfill Dvalka's wish, then we'd better use that money to make us a little safer.

— ... Bjorn, you shouldn't do that. Unlike us, you suffered the most there.

— That's right. We do this out of guilt, so don't overload yourself.

While I was silent, my colleagues noticed and began to speak. If I had nodded my head, the sentence would have been exhausted. However...

"Let's talk about it properly the next time we meet. Anyway, we haven't received the money yet.

… I have postponed my decision for the time being.

It was an offer that I had to categorically refuse, but the words did not come out. It wasn't that I couldn't speak because I was caught up in the atmosphere, but some weak part of me doubted whether I would feel calmer after donating 3.5 million stones. That is why one must be careful with attachment between people. This made it difficult to make rational judgments. I am sure that I would not have had such problems before.

"See you tomorrow then!"

Soon we parted and went to our homes. I walked through the quiet streets for about an hour to reach the inn, and washed my body, stained with blood and sweat, with clean water.

As I lay on the bed in a daze, someone knocked on the door.

It was Ervena.

"Uh, uncle?" You here?

When I opened the door, she was already washed and dressed in a flowing skirt. I started talking to her, wondering if she had anything to do with me, but it was mostly chatter about what she was doing in the maze. Yes, it used to be normal. Usually I listened with interest, but today it was hard for me.

"Ervena, I'm tired today, so you'd better go home."

"Huh?" But now the most interesting thing begins...

"Next time." I'll listen next time. I'm tired today.

"Okay...

When I firmly ordered her to leave, Ervena came back with her pointy ears down.

Soon there was silence. I had a little time to be alone in it. If there is a problem, you need to solve it.

Survive.

Ever since I opened my eyes in this body, this has been my main goal, and this thought has not changed now. However, the process of achieving this goal presented a challenge.

«… Barbarian, you kept your oath, didn't you?"

I broke my warrior oath in front of everyone, and as I led the team, I did countless things that might seem strange.

At the time, I had justified it all by surviving, but now I knew something else.

After all, trust was at the heart of all these actions. If someone suspected me of being an evil spirit, I would not do it, even if I was in danger of death.

«... Hey! Hold on, my friend!"

Nor would I divide an advanced potion between Rottmiller and Dvalki. It was an irrational choice that endangered both them and myself.

This was not unlike the dilemma I was facing now.

3.5 million stones...

Gradually, I decided to admit it. I became weak. The reason was simple: I became attached to others. Rational thinking, which was my greatest strength, has now become a big challenge. It's a problem I can't ignore if I want to survive in this world.

So how to solve it?

—…

I didn't even find an answer until I fell asleep.

And the next morning, I received a letter from the administrative office of the Explorers Guild. It said that I had been appointed heir to Riol Varb Dvalka, and I should go and get him.

***

"Did you get it too?"

"And you too?"

That was the first conversation I had with my teammates the next day.

It seems that all four of them have received a letter from the Guild.

Dvalki definitely appointed a shelter. If so, how did it happen?

— ... I think we shouldn't discuss it among ourselves, but rather visit the Guild and ask.

As Hikurod had said, we all went to the Guild together. The relevant department confirmed that this was not an administrative error or anything like that. Dvalki updated his will, appointing the four of us as heirs.

It just happened last month, in other words...

—... After we fought the Troll.

After the Troll nearly killed him, the first thing Dvalki did when he returned to town was to renew his will. He prepared. The worst of the worst, which I didn't think of, this positive and hopeful guy did.

—…

Soon, Dvalka's equipment and backpack, which had been transferred to the Guild, were returned safe and sound. We also received ownership of the house he owned during his lifetime. We left the building like defeated soldiers.

"My duty to him... I don't know if I'll be able to get it back in my lifetime.

"Dvalki wouldn't want us to pay him.

"Yes, of course he wouldn't. So let's spend the money he left us wherever we want. If he had one wish, it would be it.

After that, we went to the temple and received a reward. The archbishop seemed to be busy, so all business was conducted through Blood.

After telling everyone to go to the bar first, I chatted with him for a while.

"Can you promise that everything I am about to say will remain a secret?"

"You can speak calmly. If it does not contradict the will of God, I swear that I will not reveal the words of the benefactor to anyone.

The words about the will of the god bothered me a little, but I still did not hesitate to take out a long arched sword and show it to him.

— ... This is the sword of the Dragon Slayer.

"For some reason, when we try to use it, it rejects us. You know why? If it's a curse, then I want to break it.

"The power contained in this item is not a curse.

Blood was not difficult to explain, as he was well aware of this sword. It was a long story, but its essence was simple. Originally, this sword was called the Dragon Sword.

Regal Vagos killed the Guardian Dragon and escaped with it, giving it the name "Dragon Slayer".

"Since ancient times, only dragons have been able to wield this sword. For generations, the Guardian Dragons had inherited it and enjoyed a life close to eternity.

"But that person couldn't use this sword properly.

"Ah, it's because of the dragon's curse.

The Guardian Dragon left a curse before his death. As a result, Regal Vagos was both one of the dragons and not. Its dragon scales, characteristic of dragons, were burned by fire, and the source of its power, the heart, became more or less human-like. He had committed a karmic act by betraying his people in order to obtain a sword, but now he could not use it.

"I know he's been looking for a way to get rid of the curse for a long time. However, judging by your words, it was not possible to completely get rid of the curse.

"Anyway, you mean that it's not that sword that is cursed, it's that guy.

— Yes, that's true.

After that, I asked how we should use this sword, which we could not use.

Krovits answered briefly.

"I think it would be wise to return the sword to the dragons and get the reward they deserve.

Yes, it was the only way out. Since the sword could only be used by the dragon race, it was difficult to sell it as stolen. I decided to think about it later.

- I see. Thank you for the advice.

"It's okay. You're a benefactor to our church. If you need my help, come at any time.

"Does that mean that I will be able to receive blessings for free in the future?" I asked, just in case.

"Haha, that's not much...

Krovits laughed awkwardly and drew a line. He said that if he could, he would do it, but apparently there was another oracle that morning.

"The Twilight Star said that everything will take its course, so we should not try to go against it by misinterpreting its will.

For some reason, it seemed to me that the goddess was talking to me: I have paid my debt by giving away a sacred relic, so don't think about getting anything else from me.

"However, I can always listen to your wishes, so please come to us when it suits you."

After Krovitz's very religious comment, I left the temple and headed to the tavern.

"Oh, are you here?" Come in, sit down.

The other three were already drinking.

However, the atmosphere was not at all the same as usual when we finished the expedition. There was no laughter, no talking, only drinking. It was as if it had just become clear to me. We have earned more than ever, but we have also lost more than ever.

The window seat was empty.

At the table in the bar, where five people usually came, there was an empty chair that would never be occupied again. However, we did not remember this and started talking about real things.

"We'll divide the reward and the rest of the money into exactly four."

"Let's do it.

Even Hikurod, who at first said he would give some of the money to the orphanage, just nodded. This was quite expected. The reason why such an offer appeared is to respect Dvalka's wishes. If he wanted us to use the property he left behind, we simply followed his will.

Tomorrow we will meet again to distribute the money received from sales.

Everyone, including the dwarf, drank silently in memory of Dvalki, and I did the same.

"He shouldn't have died like that..." Hikurod, who was drinking glass after glass, was the first to drop his head on the table. At the same time, Rothmiller said that he would take him home, leaving Misha and me alone.

"Bjorn, let's go back too..."

As always, the two of us went and headed for the inn.

Misha staggered from an overabundance of drinking.

"Leaning on me.

"Oh, thank you.

It was still sunny outside. We moved along a busy street, emitting the smell of alcohol. As usual, my inn was the first, and it was time to leave. But we were still standing, looking at each other, in front of the door.

—…

—…

The air was strangely hot, probably because of the alcohol.

Yes, normally I would have thought so, because it was more convenient and more suitable for me. Pretending not to notice, I would ignore it like a barbarian.

But...

"Hm... I... I will go. Rest-

- Misha Karlstein.

She first averted her eyes, then turned when I caught her. I made him a promise.

"You're not very perceptive. Please don't look away anymore."

He told me not to ignore her.

At that precious moment when he could have expressed his feelings to Misha, he left these words for me.

So I answered:

"I understand."

"Huh?"

It was my turn to face.

Mike, whose wrist I was holding, looked at me with a questioning look. I took a deep breath and cleared my throat.

Then I said bluntly:

"Do you like me as a man?"

It was not a romantic phrase, and not even such a romantic atmosphere. Like a barbarian, I spat out the question, but Mike didn't get angry. She didn't even laugh or call the question strange. She shuddered and looked down at the ground so as not to see me. However, after she stomped her feet on the ground several times, she raised her head, looked at me, and replied in a low voice:

— ... Yes. I like you. Like a man.