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Chapter 78: Drake’s Homecoming

Drake, in his black dragon form, flew through the night sky with us on his back.

「Drake, are you okay?」

「Honestly, there are a lot of things on my mind, but… I seriously can’t stand the thought of my hometown being trampled by those guys.」

It is indeed true that Drake was exiled from his village, but he seems to have largely gotten over it. An almost surprising change compared to when we first met. But Drake was originally an honest character and had a flexible way of thinking that could adapt to various things.

「How much longer until we get there?」

「The red valley has come into view, so we’re almost there!」

As Drake said, reddish-brown rocks began to appear in the moonlit surroundings.

And the Dragonewt village must be in the mountainous area in the distance.

After flying over the red valley and the mountainous area for about 15 minutes, a village could be seen at the summit.

That’s Drake’s hometown, huh…

「We’ll land around here. I think they already know that I’m back, but I want to show that there’s no hostility.」

「Okay. Let’s walk from here.」

Residents gathered at the entrance of the village.

They didn’t hold weapons in their hands, but they seemed to be on guard.

「It’s me! Drake! I have something I urgently need to tell the village chief! I have no hostility, so let me through!」

As soon as Drake yelled out, a man rushed towards us.

「Faf-nii…」

「Your older brother? Does that mean he’s the next village chief?」

「That’s right. He’s a calm person, but he’s strict when it comes to rules. I don’t think there will be a fight, though…」

As Fafnir drew near, he stopped and bowed his head to us and turned to Drake.

「Welcome back, Drake…」

「Ah… I-I’m home!」

Even though Drake was confused, he looked at him straight and replied.

When Fafnir saw that, he smiled slightly and turned to face us.

「You must be Drake’s friends. The chief is waiting for you. Please come in.」

「Looks like they’re letting us in, let’s go.」

Drake seemed to be feeling a little awkward, but somewhat relieved as well.

Fafnir guided us to a large house in the deepest part of the village, where a middle-aged man was waiting for us.

「Drake and his friends, welcome to the Dragonewt village. I have something to inform you from my side as well, but let’s start with the story from your side.」

There seems to be something else going on, but it seems like he’ll listen to what we have to say.

「I’m Aun of the S-rank adventurer party Black Thunder, and also Drake’s companion.」

「I am Lindworm, the village chief.」

「Thank you for your kindness in welcoming us in spite of the sudden visit. To begin with, the reason we came here is…there are rumors that the Ibrudia Empire is planning to invade this village in order to destroy it with multiple magic airships. I understand that this is too sudden and hard to believe, but please trust us and evacuate this village.」

「……Is that so? I believe that you are speaking the truth. There is no need for you to go out of your way to lie to us. And I can tell just by looking at your face. …However, we will not evacuate. If they are truly coming to attack us, we will fight to be the last man.」

「Father! The enemy is coming with battleships equipped with offensive magic tools! Even if we win, this village won’t survive! Besides, there is a possibility that everyone in the village could die!」

「Drake, the dragonewt race will not flee from any opponent. You know that well.」

He seems to have his own circumstances.

「Lindworm-san, could you tell me what you wanted to say to us?」

Lindworm closed his eyes lightly, took a deep breath, and slowly began to speak.

「First of all, I have to apologize to Drake. I understand your anger, but I want you to listen to the end.」

「Understood…」Drake.

「I was the one who mixed weakening potion in your meal before the match. Regarding that, whatever my reason was to do that, I am sorry…」

「Somehow I knew that was the case. But I don’t understand the reason. Was your intention to exile me from the village?」

「Well… Drake, I haven’t told you this, but only a very limited number of dragonewts can evolve. However, the evolution conditions are not clear. The only imparted story is the snowy mountain “Astarus Snow Mountain“ beyond the snowfields at the southernmost end of the Sphin continent. One of the conditions is to be recognized by the legendary ice dragon who lives there.」

I have heard from Drake that the dragonewt race doesn’t evolve… but judging from Lindworm’s way of speaking, it seems like Drake didn’t know either.

Even so, I wonder what the exile has to do with that.

「What do you mean… I get the part about the evolution, but what does drugging me or exiling me have to do with that?」

「It’s impossible to reach the ice dragon’s whereabouts by normal means. When I was about your age, about the time I became the next-term village chief, I tried to seek more power, but I couldn’t get past the ice wall.

That was because the ice dragon had created an ice barrier. After that, when I became the village head, I heard that in order to pass through this barrier, it seems that there is a prerequisite to reach the ice wall. Which is to be accompanied by three other races in addition to the dragonewt race.

If you kept staying in this village, you wouldn’t be able to meet your companions, and you won’t be able to evolve…」

「So, that is why I was exiled…」

「There is another reason. Drake, you are one of the few dragonewt that could adapt to that evolution.」

Does that mean Drake is special even among the dragonewt race?

「The first characteristic is that you only have a single attribute. I am guessing it’s a reserve to overcome the “Ice Dragon’s Trial” and obtain the special ice attribute.」

Ice attribute? That’s the first time I’m hearing that attribute.

Speaking of which, I’ve never seen anyone other than me using the lightning attribute…

「Another reason is you are also a black dragon. And the dragonewt race has a legend that can only be passed down to the village chief. “When the ravages of war come again, the Black Dragon will clad itself in ice and guide the light”. If that legend is true, then Drake, as the only person in this village who can transform into a Black Dragon, you need to overcome the “Trial of the Ice Dragon” in order to prepare for the ravages of war similar to the likes of the Human-Demon War 2000 years ago.」

If that tradition is true, Drake must be a very special individual.

……But what is important is Drake’s feelings.

「Drake, your decision is what matters regarding this. The four of us will do our best to support your decision.」

As I looked at Drake, he looked puzzled, but he had a determined look on his face.

「Bro, Princess Luna said it will be a month before the Empire attacks, right?」

「Ah, at the earliest it will take three weeks.」

「Father, Faf-nii-. I would’ve liked to hear about this before I was exiled. But you must have had your own reasons. And thanks to being exiled, I am surrounded by the best friends one can hope for.」

He seems resolved.

In that case, we’ll just do our best to support Drake.

「I’m going to take on the ”Trial of the Ice Dragon”. Even if the village is attacked, please don’t let anyone die until I come back.」

「Of course. Let’s show the Empire the strength of the dragonewt race!」

Fafnir replied to Drake. He sounds like a big brother who truly cares about his younger brother.

From there, it was decided that we would depart the next day. We confirmed the location of the snowfields, the general location of Astarus Snow Mountain, and finalized the route.