Dragon Life - Chapter 69

Chapter 69

Let’s adapt for the changes in world .

Hmm, I must really have some destiny with this land .  

Once I opened my eyes, there was Mount Vizannu .

The unchanged scenery brought a sense of nostalgia . Green as far as the eye can see accompanied with the scent of grass, hearing birds chirping a distance away, and small animals running around . Time is passing slowly in this tranquil space . Taking deep breaths fills my lungs with the fresh air, such a refreshing feeling .

The power of nature, sometimes heals the heart of men . Though unlike me, I think so .

―― This, is where I started .

And so .

“This is where I’ll start again, huh . ”

It might not be too bad .

However… You think someone suddenly thrown into another world can survive without any preparations? The answer is NO . Think about it carefully and calmly . The me of that time was a Dragon, so I somehow made it . Following my instincts, attacking and eating humans, I lived with my friend Saus . But, right now I’m a human . Just, a human . Let me emphasize this again . A human like me, suddenly thrown into a forest, there’s no way to ensure that I won’t be attacked by a ferocious animal .

As I was thinking about what to do .

“…Oh, is this supposed to be luggage?”

To the side of where I was sitting, was the backpack I had packed full when preparing to run away from home . It was the outdoor bag I arbitrarily borrowed from my father’s room, stuffed with everything that could fit . The fact that some pointless things I thought were interesting are also inside, will remain a secret .  

For now, I’m glad I at least have something . What exactly did the few-minutes-ago-me stuff inside, now that I’ve calmed down, it’s time to check it out .

I feel like I put in half-eaten chocolate .  

Ah, wait . Crap . Wouldn’t this cause me to not be able to meet Marius? … Well, I guess it’s fine .

Sorry Marius . It looks like I came to this world one step late .

＊＊＊

“Oh, there is also a change of clothes, but it’s a uniform!… Better than nothing I guess . Well, I’ve got food, water and my phone . But there’s no reception to connect to . ”

Anything else that would be somewhat useful would be the lighter . Things which are useless include cards, my wallet, and even an umbrella . Back in my world I’d be considered well-prepared, but here, carrying something like an umbrella around just sounds inconvenient . Having my hat is truly fortunate . In this world, the colour black is extremely controversial . I’d definitely stand out among other people with my black hair and eyes . The same can be said for my clothes, I’d likely attract a lot of curious eyes . At any rate, I need to avoid standing out as much as possible .

Pushing all my hair into my hat, hiding my manners as a girl with a poof, I check how I look in my hand mirror .  

“Ooh, no matter how you look at it… I look like a young boy . ”

I feel like crying . Do I really have that little charm! Unfortunately for me, hiding my long hair, the proof that I’m a girl, just transforms me into a younger-looking boy . One that looks extremely similar to Touka, which somehow creeps me out . Well, that’s only if I don’t wear my glasses, though . I think it’s the jersey that adds on to the image of a young boy . But I don’t want to wear my uniform either .  

It can’t be helped . Sighing deeply, I carry my backpack and start walking . Mount Vizannu is my backyard . While it’s not like there are no fierce animals, let’s somehow avoid them and go down to the village .

…Hold up, why am I so calm . How to say, it feels like there’s more I should be asking about! Like who is it that called me to this world this time, and whether I’m annoyed by that . Well of course . But you see, what’s happened, already happened, so I should just think about what I should do from now on . How brave and positive I am . So cool . You could fall for me . …Sorry, I got ahead of myself .  

When I looked up to the sky, the sun was slowly sinking . To camp out on this mountain at night would be far too dangerous . I need to somehow quickly reach the village and find an inn to stay in . Even horse stables or a shed would be fine . Then ask for lodging even if you have to beg on your knees! Surely there’d be at least one kind person out there .  

―― Yeah, it’s impossible .

It seems that I was summoned near the top of Mount Vizannu, and who knows how long it’ll take to reach the bottom on foot, because I clearly didn’t care, which is why I’m here almost crying on this dark mountain because I took my own sweet time .

“Ugh… Saus”

Rabbits could be seen here and there, but once they caught sight of a person (aka me), they became wary and ran away . Right now, I can’t understand any animal’s words . That’s obvious, but somehow being uncomfortable with that, I continue with heavy steps on my lonely path down . All while suppressing my urge to pet my dear fluffy Suas . Fluffy…

“I’m tired…”

It’s far too harsh on my body, which is used to a sedentary lifestyle, to walk mountainous paths for a long time . I’ve made it this far by using my umbrella as a walking stick, but it’s now so dark that I wouldn’t be able to move forward if not for the moonlight .

“Hmm?”

Isn’t the moon, almost too bright?

Thinking it’s weird, I looked up to find a magnificent full moon between the trees . A bright silver moon, shining in the black night sky . It must look especially big since I’m in a different world .

It’s beautiful, I thought as I looked at the fantasy-filled moon for a while, before I was shocked by the sound of the nearby bushes shaking violently .

“Eh, wha, what?”

As I focused on the shaking bush, while being ready to flee anytime, a small squirrel-like animal hopped out of the bush .

“Wha, what the heck, don’t scare me . ”

I put my hand on my chest in relief . The small animal ran past my feet into the bush on the opposite side . Wondering what it was so desperate about, I watched the animal run away, but when I realised that the earlier bush was still violently shaking, my whole body stiffened . My cold sweat won’t stop .

The small animal was desperate, because it was running away, but from what? That must, definitely be, — from a predator .

　――― Grrrrrrrrrrrrrr!!!

“Wah?!”

An earth-trembling roar shook the air, and that showed itself . An ash-coloured body that was so large I had to look up to see, was overwhelming . Compared to that, it’s head and limbs were small, and although it had a small pair of wings on it’s back, they don’t look like they can be used to fly . At that moment, I realised that this creature was a dragon . A species called ‘worm’ dragons, that attack the village below in groups .

The worm attacked me as soon as I came into view . To have changed targets from the small animals to me must have been an instinctual decision, to better satisfy its stomach, but the problem is that in this sudden situation, my body wasn’t responding to me .  

I could do nothing else, besides look at the creature .

―― Ah, I’m done for .  

As I prepared for my death, suddenly — Gauu, the worm groaned in pain, as its huge body fell over with a loud thud .  

“…?”

There is someone behind me .

That person was completely covered by a dark robe, and I couldn’t see their face . Looking closely, the person was holding a silver sword that had worm blood on it, which also reflected the moonlight, gleaming bewitchingly . After swinging the blood off the sword[1], the robed person slowly walked in my direction .

I don’t know if I relaxed because the robed person was not attacking, or because I met another human, but my knees gave in and I fell on my bum . Even I think I’m pathetic . But to have been saved from a life-threatening situation is something worth crying in relief about .  

But, I was too naive .  

“…?!”

The sword which beat the worm, was now being pointed at my face . With the light of the moon acting as a backlight, the robed person’s face remained hidden, but the arm which held out the sword was undoubtedly a man’s . From within the dark hood, only a bloodlust filled gaze poured out on me .

What, is this supposed to mean?

Will I, be killed? Here? Just like that worm? With ease?

This sword, this time, will be stained with my blood . It’s horrifying to think about .  

I can’t breathe . It hurts .

Am I, afraid of dying?

I should have the experience of dying once, but that is not me, that should be obvious .  

Why am I this powerless . I can’t even run or try to beg for my life . I could only stare, stare at the sword right in front of my face . Filled with fear, my sight began to blur with tears .

How did things become like this?

Why am I here?

In reality, I should have been running away from home, and hiding while waiting for Honoka-nii to bring Touka and the rest home .

That’s right… I have to bring Touka and the rest home . I see, that must be it . I must have been called here to bring Touka home! That child is extremely kind, so he definitely has been caught up in something . I have to save him . I have to meet him . And, bring him home!

That’s why, to die here, no way, that’s happening—!

“!”

It was then .

―― Gaaaaaaa!!!

The worm, which had fallen earlier, suddenly got up and attacked the robed person .  

So it wasn’t dead .

Noticing it, the robed person clicked his tongue, turning his back towards me as he redirected the sword that was pointed at me back at the worm .

If I miss this chance, there might not be another! Somehow managing to stand up again, I ran away from that scene . Sending a glance back, the dark, cold gazes seemed to face each other, sending chills down my back, terrifying me .

And in a split-second, the robed man rushed towards the worm, and seeing it as a chance, I continued to run .

Just keep running . Run, run, and run again .

Stopping was far too scary . What if the worm attacks again? Or what if a different animal attacks? What if the robed man catches up to me? Even if my body was screaming in pain, the fear would not let me stop running .

“Ooi!”

Without a clear footpath to follow, I just rush in between trees, and from somewhere,  heard the voice of another person .

Ahead of me, a man stood . A middle-aged uncle . Since he stood as if to close off the road, I finally stopped running . While I was wary about whether this person would also have a sword, but maybe because he’s just an uncle, he came closer with a smile on his face . It wasn’t a cold look, but a warm gaze .

Because I was at the limit of my stamina, and that smile, I thoughtlessly sit on the spot .

“You, are you alright?!”

Panicking, he quickly came over and supported me . Using his trained, strong arms, he carried me, and leaned me against a nearby tree . While still breathing heavily, I said my thanks .

“Thank you very much…”

“Nah, it’s all good!”

In any case, the uncle looked towards the direction I had come running from .

“I don’t know if yer lucky or not, but to meet both the worm and One-winged swordsman . That could be also why you were saved”

“Did you see…?”

“Yep . I happened to see from the top of that watchtower . I saw you running down towards here in a panic . ”

Indeed, in the direction he was pointing, there were silhouettes of such buildings . There was a lamp that was lit at the top, occasionally being shaken by the wind .

When I was here, there wasn’t such a building . There’s no way I’d miss something that stands out like that . I heard that at that time, all the worm dragons had been exterminated too . And who exactly is that robed man? A one-winged swordsman?

…What in the world happened while I wasn’t at Mount Vizannu?

“But still, to walk around the mountain at night, were you looking to be eaten by demons?” [2]

“Demons? Demons appear here?”

Didn’t we stop the demon’s resurrection?

More and more questions just keep arising .

“Are you a traveller by any chance?”

“Yeah, it’s something… like that”

Came from far away? I was asked, and for now, I just agreed with a nod .

“I see, then it can’t be helped that you don’t know . But you at least know about the Black Dominator[4] that the sacred beast of the Alvina Kingdom, stopped them at the expense of its life, right? It’s a famous story after all . ”

It’s thanks to the sacred beast that many people were saved, the old man laughed .

…That is, common knowledge .

“But then, while things were peaceful for a while, demons suddenly appeared and attacked different towns and villages . Thiene Village, where I’m from, has also suffered lots, so for now we hire guards from the Guild Association, and we’ll see what we do from ‘ere . ”

“Guild Association?”

When I asked again about the phrase I couldn’t pass, the uncle was taken aback . 　

“Boy, if you’re a traveller[5], shouldn’t you have registered with them? That thing you’re holding is a weapon, ain’t it? It looks like a weird staff [4], so ain’t you a magician?”

… This? It’s just an umbrella though . I just used it as a makeshift walking stick . It’s a cute light blue umbrella with polka dots on it . It’s Touka’s favourite . Yes, it can’t be used for magic at all . That’s my older brother’s forte . I’d like to tell him, but there’s no way he’d understand what I’m saying . It’s just like that, I just cover it up ambiguously .

In any case, I wonder exactly how long it has been since then . From the way the uncle talked about it, it’s likely been at least a few months, or maybe even a few years since then . Marius also looked more mature, so I shouldn’t be too far off .

I felt like once I knew what happened in the time I missed, I wouldn’t be able to go back again . However, this is something I have to listen to .

It is also to bring back Touka .  

I firm my resolve as I ask the uncle .

“…Excuse me, but as a matter of fact, I was holed up deep in the woods for a few years, so could I trouble you to tell me that story in detail?”

The uncle stared at me in amazement for a while, but still agreed with a smile .

While I was gone, the world seemed to have changed pretty drastically .

―― Listening to the uncle talk, I was astounded .

Translation Notes:
[1] Imagine those scenes where they flick the sword, and the blood is sent flying off .
[2] Following previous translations, I’ll be calling them demons . Although the kanji 魔物 translates closer to monsters than what is used for demons (悪魔) .
[3] 黒の支配: This is probably what the Demon King’s nickname has become . If anyone has any better ideas, do let me know!!
[4] 杖: Staff/wand and cane/walking stick have the same kanji
[5] I know, I know, you all think it should be ‘adventurer’ . I think so too, but the raws say 旅人 which can also be translated as ‘tourist’ . It’s likely actually because the uncle speaks in a dialect, so in later chapters, it may change to ‘adventurer’ .