‘nameless’ arc
1 – Brand New Days
How warm.
Those were the first words that came to mind as Fiacur rose from his slumber.
The ground was covered in mountain vegetables for a carpet. With every use, it felt more comfortable, until it was equal to any blanket.
Like this, he lay his jaw on his tail, with his face under his wings. His entire body was warmed just right. It was like being under the covers.
When it came to dragons, most people thought of ferocious monsters. But the other side of that, was a sleeping beast in a cave all day.
“It’s no wonder…when it’s this comfortable…”
His consciousness began to drift away again.
However, it was disturbed by a voice.
“Fi. It’s time to get up. Food.”
“Mmm…five more…minutes…”
“Already waited five minutes. Twice. Get up. Or I’ll throw water.”
Fi detected the seriousness in the voice.
He got up and waddled out of the small hut. While they were in a grove of tall trees, it was surprisingly bright.
The light had finally risen from the edge of the mountain, shining down on the world and turning the blue dragon child into the same color as the sky.
“Fuaaahh… Morning.”
“So late. It’s nearly past morning…”
Said the dog-like beast with ash gray fur that flowed in the wind. He looked at Fiacur and chuckled.
“I already finished morning work. You sleep too much.”
“It’s you who is too early… Fuaahhh…”
“I know dragons are sleepers. But you should wake up sooner.”
“If you know, then let me sleep more. I can’t…keep up with a damn hunter’s schedule.”
He said with a yawn. The kobold hunter, Sheto, smiled light-heartedly.
“You must be hungry. There’s food.”
“Mmm. Thanks.”
In front of the bonfire surrounded by stones, there were skewered fish, wild strawberries and some kind of pale, oval-shaped plant.
“What’s this?”
“It is called nigana. Found it growing this morning. There are many different plants, around here.”
He listened to Sheto’s explanation and he held the smartphone that hung from his neck.
After opening the camera app, he took a photo of the vegetable and pressed it while raising his voice.
“Uhh, name, nigana…mountain vegetable. The taste is…”
As the name suggested, it was quite bitter. Though, it had been cooked until soft, and was deliciously juicy.
“Bitter. But nice texture.”
‘Registered. You can now view it the Dragon Cyclopedia.’
Read the message. Fi tapped the icon.
“Doing that again?”
Sheto said after tending to the fire. He held a bundle of wood that was steaming.
“It’s troublesome, but I have to do it to get the achievements… Oh, you can view all of the data like this.”
On the screen, he could see the photo he just took, as well as a detailed description.
“The nigana plant is a common mountain plant. It can be used for medicine, food and salads… Huh, you can even make a coffee substitute with the roots… Huh…”
“Co…fee?”
“Ah, yes. It’s a kind of drink. A bitter one.”
“I see.”
The kobold said as if he was not quite sure. And then he went to a spot near the hut and began to hang up the tree bark.
“How many times are you going to do that?”
“Today is last. This, will dry tomorrow. And then, I’ll be counting on you, Fi.”
“That’s fine, but…what is the point of that?”
“I’m making materials. Thread. For clothes.”
He moved the camera to the bark, took a photo and registered.
What he learned was that tree bark was often used for clothes instead of plants or animal fur.
“Fi. Hurry up and eat. You have a job too.”
“Yeah.”
He picked up a river fish and turned to the kobold.
“So, what is today’s job?”
“Different things. Preserved food, gathering materials. Mountain grapes, strawberries, basketfuls. Fish, mushrooms, roots. Anything. Firewood. Gather it all. Also, herbs. For insecticide, poison, heath. And feathers for arrows. Fur too. Also…”
It was more than a little work, and Fi grumbled as he looked at the fish bones.
“…All of that. Today?”
“Not at all. We work together, but it will take days. Fi, Guto together. Into the mountains. Gather a basket of nuts.”
He said, and then the white wolf stood up behind Sheto.
“Good morning, Guto. Please help us with the work, too.”
“Mmph!”
The star wolf grunted and then turned his back to the kobold. Sheto strapped on the basket that was weaved with vines, and then patted him on the head.
“Good boy. Take care of Fi.”
“…Woo…”
The wolf groaned disapprovingly. Still, he pushed his nose towards the dragon.
“Fine, fine. Let’s go then.”
“Here. Food and snack. Have it on the way.”
He took the small bag and hung it around his neck.
“Come back when it is midday. Will prepare food.”
“Alright.”
“Be careful.”
Sheto hung a small bag over his shoulder, and with bow in hand, walked off into the forest.
“Now, I better…. Hey, wait! Don’t leave me!”
The wolf started walking without any regard for him. The blue dragon sighed with exasperation as he followed after him.
After walking just a short distance from the campsite, the vegetation changed to a mixed forest dominated by broadleaf trees.
Even now, when it was no longer early morning, the sun did not shine directly on the earth, and only the light that leaked from between the branches reached them.
“Hey, damned dog. Where did you go?”
Fi called as he hit the ground with a stick.
He had picked it up while walking, and the tip branched out into two.
‘Sometimes, there are poisonous snakes, during this season.’
‘Seriously! What am I supposed to do if I see one?’
‘Just grab a stick. And then hit the ground. Snakes don’t like it and will escape. Also, can split the tip and hold down its neck.’
He was doing as Sheto had instructed. However, he had not had to use this stick yet, which was fine with him.
Occasionally, birds would be startled by the sound and fly away. And the small critters that were scavenging would climb up the trees.
At first, he had been surprised by everything, but now he could watch it all leisurely. Up in a tree, a silver bird looked at him curiously. He pointed the camera and was about to take a picture, but it flew away with a short cry.
“Really…it’s so peaceful…”
Fi suddenly realized that he was thirsty. And so he sat down on the roots of a tree and took out the leather bag and the bundle wrapped in leaves.
‘If you feel tired, rest immediately. And drink immediately when thirsty. But, don’t drink a lot at once. Just a little. Wet your tongue.’
In the leaves, there were dried grapes and some other dried fruit he did not recognize.
He tasted them a little by little while licking the water.
The wildlife specialist had given him the necessary knowledge every time they acted.
At first, it was the two of them. But once it was determined that Fi knew enough, he was told to go out more freely.
Now that he thought about it, no one had taught him this kind of thing before.
Not when he was in Japan, or even when he was working as a Hero. In general, he had avoided it. After all, his party members would actively do the work for him. He never even thought that he should learn.
“Well…then…”
After the short break, he picked up his stick and got up to his feet.