Chapter 15 – Monster Battle
In spite of having the giant dragon looming above him, Evacus showed no signs of being intimidated.
“I plead with you to not repeat such unnecessary words. It is best if you just sit down quietly and watch. From that height, just as you always do.”
“…It is no wonder the others dislike you. Still, I had thought that there was something we had in common? We have a tendency to hoard things that we cannot discard.”
“You are joking. A powerful dragon such as you, could have nothing in common with a lowly rat like me.”
The dragon sighted and then turned to Salia.
“By the way, what was this about an agreement?”
“Wha…!?”
Everyone but Salia raised their voice in alarm. Even Evacus looked surprised.
“Have you forgotten already? That time, on my star. When I gave you my favor.”
“Oh. That! I am sorry. I had forgotten all about that!”
“Wha…what are you talking about!? You two do have a secret agreement?”
“Not that secretive… But I am to give my ravaged star to the dragon god, as a place for dragonkind to live. And I will become its guardian.”
Evacus looked exasperated.
“I see… Make nothing look like something. So you were fooled. Well, do as you like then.”
“Thank you. Yesta.”
“Yes.”
The goddess of time came and raised her staff.
“I, Salia, the Goddess of Peace, hereby swear to accept the dragon god Elm Aud, the Wanderer of This World and Glimpser of Eternity, as a companion and ensure that he finds peace on our planet.”
“I, the Wanderer of This World and Glimpser of the Eternity, accept the goddess’s kindness and acknowledge my role as the guardian of my companions.”
The pact was made, and a new power filled her.
“Now, could you continue with the ceremony that had been paused, Yesta?”
“…What? Paused? What do you mean!?”
“Certainly. Now, as requested by Lady Salia, we will proceed with the buying back of her existence, using the earlier oath as a sacrifice.”
The feeling of the wedge within her, vanishing without a trace.
“Do-do you mean the alliance with the dragon god was for this!”
“Of course. And now I can use my existence for Sheto once again.”
“I-diot! How is this even possible! You are now a greater god! You should not be able to buy it back with just one little alliance!”
“You misunderstand. When I gave up my existence and bestowed the blessing on Sheto, what was I really?”
Evacus looked pale. And then he groaned as realization hit him.
“I see… If it was the value of a fallen god, then it would be more than enough.”
“Indeed. And now, I can use my existence as a blessing.”
“Fool! What are you thinking! You just became a greater god again!”
“You said it yourself. That I am the maddest god you have ever met.”
The big rat shuddered as its fur stood up on end. He looked at her as if looking into a blazing fire.
“So, what do you mean to do with that blessing!”
“…That is the problem.”
Salia shrugged with a smile.
“I was given some time, but not able to come up with a good idea. I suppose the best I can do is give him a bow that can pierce that golem.”
“Haha. Indeed! After all, blessings cannot be used to hurt the other Hero directly. Even if you give him immense power, he may not be able to use it!”
“So, I suppose that is where I come in.”
Said the dragon. There was a little excitement in his voice.
“Y-you! You are not supposed to get involved with this fight!”
“However, even with that stance, I am allowed to give wisdom, and share my divine authority within the allowed limits. Isn’t that right?”
“Yes. As for the divine authority, as long as it is something that the god of the receiving side can brush away, then it can be anything.”
Evacus groaned. The power of the dragon god. A blessing from a greater god. He immediately became frantic by the possibilities.
“However, I do not like such lowly behavior. What do you think, Saliashe? What if you used your blessing to borrow a few of my young ones?”
“You must be joking. I would never want that. It would rob my Hero of his time in the spotlight.”
“Indeed. Well, I suppose the others would not allow it either.”
The dragon’s eyes shone as he looked straight at Salia.
“On my way here, I saw you. And that kobold…Sheto.”
“Yes.”
“And I thought that a blessing relying on strength was not necessary. When it comes to someone who rebels with their own will, cheap miracles just become shackles.”
And then he offered the thing, on top of his great palm.
“Is that…a young dragon?”
“It is called Fiacur. Now, say hello. Fi.”
A young dragon with a blue face. It had large wings and a long tail, but was still rather small. It was only about a meter in height.
“Huh? Ah, you. You are Salia.”
“Fool. A proper introduction. She may look cute, but she is a great god over a dozen worlds. You should know that.”
“Ah, uh… Ummm. I am Fiacur.”
Salia was confused as she compared the two dragons.
“You don’t mean…this is your way of offering assistance?”
“Oh, I forgot. Here. Put this around your neck.”
A small, rectangle-shaped device hung from his finger. The young dragon took it and asked with a half smile.
“Is this a smartphone?”
“Indeed. However, you can only talk within the celestial world. It has yours and my address. While I can call you as much as I want, you can only talk to me for three minutes a day. As for messages, you can only send three.”
“What. That’s crap! Even prepaid phones aren’t that limited!”
“It cannot be helped. I cannot give out hints so easily. Instead, it does require recharging, and is water and fireproof. It also has anti-shock and magic absorption, so it will not break. There are also a lot of game apps, so you should be happy.”
“I don’t need any of that!”
Apparently, this young dragon was a subordinate of the dragon god. And so it understood his hobby well. Were they friends? Family? She wondered.
“Ahahaha. Hahaha!”
Evacus, who had been watching all of this, burst into laughter.
“So-so, great dragon god. Your assistance to her is a weak little dragon and a mobile device?”
“That is right. Salia, the only thing you lack is knowledge. Otherwise, you are doing well. And if you make good use of my blessing, then there will be nothing you cannot overcome.”
“…You must despise me, dragon god.”
“I do not. However, every game has its rules, and can be won. Without rules, it is not a true game.”
Salia realized that he was right, and so she summoned a mirror before her.
“Yesta. Can I send this Fiacur over to Sheto?”
“You may. In fact, it has no magic or even power of spirits. You probably don’t even need a blessing to send it.”
“In that case, would it be possible to make that wolf my subordinate during this battle?”
While petting the worried dragon, she looked down at Sheto and the star wolf.
“You aren’t going to ask the wolf its opinion?”
“I already did. It said that it would cooperate for now.”
“Then it is alright. It can be included as a bonus. After all, it is not even the same level as the kobold.”
It was decided. She just had to believe and act now.
“Yes. Handle the blessing.”
“Leave it to me.”
“I hereby make Fiacur and the star wolf my subordinates. That is all.”
The clock began to move, and a current began to emanate from the mirror, as if the worlds had connected.
“I’m counting on you, Fiacur!”
“Huh? What!? Hey, I’m not ready yet.”
She raised the dragon towards the mirror and let go.
“AGRGhhhhhhhh!!”
As the scream died away, the small dragon was sucked into the world of night.
Hello Fia