As dawn approached, signaling the end of the festival, the sky, once filled with fireworks, gradually quieted down.
Two mercenaries, drunk and reeking of alcohol, stumbled into the temple.
"Ugh, I'm so drunk. So drunk I can't even see in front of me."
"You can never see in front of you, man... Oh, my head's gonna split."
It was Nobody and Chain.
Carrying new bottles of liquor and bundles of snacks, they staggered toward the intensive care unit, arm in arm.
"That Candle, always slipping away and now just lying there, sleeping."
"Let's have a drink by her side, hehe."
Revealing their wicked intent to open the drinks and snacks in Candler's private room, the two mercenaries chuckled mischievously.
They had been visiting every day without fail, telling the unconscious Candler about the day's events.Today was no exception. They planned to share the day's festival events with Candler over a drink.
"...Huh?"
"Hm?"
Upon entering Candler's room, the two mercenaries suddenly stopped, puzzled.
There she was.
Candler was sitting up, leaning against the bed's backrest, looking out the dark window.
Bang, pop...
Only the intermittent crackling of fireworks lit up the room for a moment before fading away.
Startled, Nobody and Chain dropped their drinks and snacks and rushed into the room.
"Candler!"
"Are you awake?! How do you feel?!"
Candler did not turn around.
She continued to gaze out the window and then murmured in a faint voice, as if about to fade away,
"It's beautiful. Was today the last day of the autumn festival?"
"How do you know that?!"
"You were conscious, weren't you!"
"Haha. You two have been telling me what's been happening every day."
Nobody and Chain were about to call for a priest, but Candler stopped them.
"It's okay... Tell me about the festival today."
Hesitant at first, Nobody and Chain soon eagerly began to recount the day's events, sharing stories of the joyful, noisy, and utterly chaotic scenes from various parts of the city... As they did, Candler smiled faintly with her scarred lips.
"I'm glad I could wake up today."
After the fireworks had completely ceased and the sky had turned dark...
And then looking up at the sky, beginning to brighten in the distance.
"To have been of even a little help in protecting this city... this festival."
Candler took a deep breath.
"I'm glad."
That night, Candler passed away, a content smile on her lips.
***
After the festival ended.
The tasks piled up immediately. While I had been enjoying myself, there was a backlog of work to be addressed.
I was buried in a mountain of paperwork, busily wielding my pen.
"The resources are overflowing..."
The Fly Legion was a monstrously large and horrific group of beasts, and the loot was tremendous.
It had taken a month after the battle ended just to finish collecting the magic stones.
The magic stones and the funds derived from them filled the warehouses to the brim, and an astonishing number of magic cores had been acquired. We were in the process of using these for various equipment productions.
Additionally, support of all kinds had arrived from around the world. The supply situation was extremely abundant.
The supplies, yes.
"The situation with the troops..."
I had distributed a proclamation worldwide, calling for heroes and announcing the autumn festival. There were two main points.
And with the autumn festival, an enormous number of people had flocked to Crossroad... I had thought they were all tourists, but I was wrong.
Most had responded to the call for heroes. They had just taken the opportunity to enjoy the festival as well.
Perhaps it's because of the romantic fantasy world, but despite clearly stating in the proclamation 'low survival probability, extremely low success rate,'
It seems that spurred even more people to pack their bags and come.
"..."
But romance is just romance. Reality is cold.
These people were essentially a volunteer army.
Of course, not a few of them had abundant combat experience. There were a considerable number of heroes of R rank and above. Moreover, since they had come to this frontline on their own volition, their morale was high.
But even if they remain until the end, turning them into an elite force will be a long journey.
"We lost too much."
We lost many elite heroes and soldiers in the last battle.
This loss will not be recovered until the day the World Guardian Front disbands, whether we win or lose.
"...Let's put aside negative thoughts."
After all, so many people have gathered here, putting aside their own safety to fight for the world.
We need to issue them uniforms and equipment, feed them well, and train them diligently. The upcoming battles will be harsh.
I carefully reviewed and signed various approvals for the distribution of equipment to the newly joined and for their accommodations.
And then...
"..."
I picked up the next document and swallowed hard.
It was the news of Candler's death.
She had been gravely injured in the last battle and had miraculously hung on to life but... passed away on the last night of the festival.
I closed my eyes, took a deep breath, and then pulled out a new piece of paper to draft an official document. It was to prepare for Candler's funeral.
After handling several other matters...
"..."
And finally.
I returned to my main job.
Time to hunt the monsters. It was time to set out on the expedition.
"Lucas, gather the heroes affiliated with the frontline."
Lucas, who was entering the office with a stack of documents, looked at me with surprise. I nodded.
"We'll begin hunting the Black Dragon Legion."
***
After ordering the summoning of the heroes and coming down to the first floor of the mansion, Nameless was waiting for me.
"Ash."
Nameless smiled.
It had been about a month since she arrived here. Maybe it was because she had slept well during this time, but her complexion seemed much brighter.
I was about to smile back at her when my lips tightened.
It was because I saw the backpack on Nameless's back. She was prepared to leave.
"Thanks to you, I was able to fully enjoy the festival. I can't remember the last time I rested so deeply. It was like a dreamy month."
She said, adjusting her bag.
"But my duty is not here. For my people sunk beneath the lake, I must wield my sword and fight."
"..."
"So, I will leave now. To where I belong."
There was no longer any reason to hold her back.
During the festival, Nameless ate, drank, laughed, sang, and danced like any ordinary person.
But the fate she carried was ultimately in the darkness beneath the waters.
"Take care, Nameless."
I extended my hand and shook hers.
"Let's meet again soon. Beneath the lake."
"Hehe. Having received such gracious hospitality in this world, I shall treat you with the utmost care in the darkness below."
"I appreciate the thought. Let's both take good care of our lives."
Nameless headed towards the teleport gate. I followed her to see her off.
Aider was waiting next to the teleport gate, holding a small bag with a few items and a red cloth.
"Princess."
"Aider."
After a brief greeting, the two fell silent for a moment.
"Lastly, may I tie your hair?"
Aider asked cautiously, and instead of answering, Nameless turned around with a faint smile and presented her hair.
I silently watched from behind as Aider combed, trimmed, and braided Nameless's hair.
After finishing her hair, Aider stepped back and bowed deeply with respect.
"Farewell. And..."
Aider whispered in a rustling voice.
"I hope we meet again someday."
"You too. May you live in peace."
As Nameless stood in front of the teleport gate, the stones began to rotate, forming a magical door.
Turning around, Nameless glanced back and forth between me and Aider, then smiled.
"It was fun, Crossroad."
And then, Nameless disappeared beyond the teleport gate.
Aider and I quietly reflected on her departure for a while, standing there.
At that moment, I did not know.
This was her last visit to the human world as 'Nameless'...
***
"There are a total of seven in the Black Dragon Legion."
Having gathered all the subordinate heroes.
I began the briefing.
"First, the true Black Dragon, Night Bringer. The first Black Dragon, and the only one."
The bastard who had come to Crossroad and then kindly left.
Everyone here had encountered him. A few heroes shuddered, recalling the awe he had exuded.
"And the six are his own kin that Night Bringer created."
I quickly wrote on the blackboard.
"He scattered his blood, claws, fangs, wings, eyes, and pure scales into the Milky Way, and from each scattered piece, a dragon was born, each considered one of his offspring."
"...Dragons are born that way?"
Evangeline muttered, and everyone looked at Dusk Bringar as if on cue. Dusk Bringar blushed and yelled out.
"Why are you looking at me, you fools! That's mythology! Myths are prone to exaggeration!"
"...Ahem. Whether it's a mythical fabrication, asexual reproduction, or cloning. Anyway, these six dragons are the offspring and subordinates of Night Bringer."
After clearing my throat, I continued the explanation.
"Excluding the true Black Dragon Night Bringer, all are successors of the Black Dragon bloodline... but each one of them is somewhat lacking."
Of course, just one of these 'lacking' individuals could devastate the human world, but compared to that monster, Night Bringer, they are indeed much weaker.
"The youngest, born from Night Bringer's blood, is already dead."
To be precise, we killed it.
In the 'Blazing Colosseum,' using the colosseum rule of damage multiplier correction, we obliterated it with one hit from [Black Queen].
However, this creature was particularly weak among the Black Dragon Legion.
The one born from Night Bringer's 'blood' was a notably weak mob in the legion because it lacked intelligence and wisdom but could divide itself to increase its numbers.
The one we killed was in its weakest state after having divided as much as it could... Anyway.
"So, the total number of dragons we have to kill is six."
I pointed at the remaining on the blackboard - claws, fangs, wings, eyes, and pure scales with the tip of my staff.
"Excluding Night Bringer, we must kill the other five, make weapons from their bones, and create armor from their skins and scales."
After defeating the evil dragons, we aim to produce as many Dragon Slayers as possible.
Thud!
My staff landed on the name of the creature at the very top of the list.
"The first target for subjugation is known as the 'Black Dragon's Claw'."
Among the remaining Black Dragon Legion, it is the weakest enemy.
But still, a dragon monster far more powerful than any ordinary boss monster.
"This one lacks fangs, wings, and eyes. Therefore, it cannot speak, cannot fly, and cannot see. Merely rampaging and crushing everything. Its name is Parekian."
Having said this, I exhaled deeply.
It was considered the easiest target among the Black Dragon Legion raids, but ironically, it was also the one that caused the most casualties.
Because it's usually the first dragon raid boss encountered. In the game, many players died to this creature.
'This time, it won't go the same way.'
With renewed determination, I looked around at the heroes.
"For each raid, I will select you based on the most suitable composition. Some of you will have to deploy every time, some will be taken only for specific battles, and some might not be called at all. But please, follow without objection, as these decisions are made after much consideration on my part."
Everyone silently looked at me with determination in their eyes.
I nodded deeply.
"Alright, then I'll announce those who will participate in this 'Black Dragon's Claw' raid."
I then took out a paper I had prepared in advance.
And slowly called out the name at the very top.
"...First up, Violet."
Clink.
Right after, the illusionist Violet, frothing at the mouth, collapsed to the side.
--TL Notes--
Hope you enjoyed this chapter. If you want to support me or give me feedback, you can do it at /MattReading