“Rishian. This too is fate—good to meet you.”
The cautious stance melted like snow, leaving only a sunshine-bright smile on Kyle’s face.
“You look hungry. Shall we eat first? I’ll introduce my companions, too.”
Kyle grinned broadly and tugged my hand. For now, at least until we left the forest, I decided to play the part of an ordinary person and go along.
“Amazing you haven’t eaten in ages. Come sit by the fire and have something to eat.”
The man in white robes gestured kindly. Honestly, my stomach was growling, so I meekly moved to sit beside him.
“It’s a stew with mushrooms and various vegetables. No meat, but it should taste good.”
He handed me a wooden bowl brimming with stew. I didn’t expect much, but on the first spoonful, the unexpected savoriness widened my eyes.
“This is good.”
He beamed in response. “Eat up. If you need more, I’ll give you more. Oh, my name is Elonen.”
Receiving Elonen’s pure kindness, something in my chest pinched. Guilt pricked me for deceiving these people.
“Well then—since we’ll be together anyway, how about we introduce ourselves one by one? Very briefly.”
Kyle’s suggestion prompted the gray-hooded man, who’d been leaning against a log, to speak up in displeasure.
“We meet on the eve of the Black Flame Dragon’s Subjugation—surely that’s fate.”
I swallowed the thought that this was more curse than fate. Under Kyle’s not-quite-pressure, they each gave a short self-introduction. I had read the original novel and already knew who was who, but I feigned attentive listening.
The man in the worn gray hood was Gerard, the “Blue Mage,” versed in shields, alchemy, and dark sorcery. The man in dazzling white robes was the Saint, Elonen, their healer. And the quiet man sitting beside Elonen was Kakaros, the Forest Elf guardian of the World Tree, skilled in archery and possessing subtle supernatural senses.
“All right, enough about us. Your turn—what do you do?”
As soon as introductions finished, Kyle asked. I bit my lip, unsure how to answer.
“I am… a lumberjack.”
That popped out unbidden. After staring at trees all day, it was the only thing I could think of.
“I came to cut trees in this forest.”
I added the obvious detail belatedly, which only made me sound more suspicious. Who in their right mind would cut wood in a monster-infested forest?
“Hmm… I thought your aura wasn’t entirely human.”
Kyle nodded, then suddenly strode toward me, roughly patting my torso.
“Kuh, of course. These are battle-tested muscles, honed from felling trees.”
Kyle’s hands weren’t pleasant, but it seemed to have passed muster, and I sighed in relief.
“But if you’re a lumberjack, where’s your axe?”
Gerard, who’d been watching silently, raised an eyebrow and asked. Too sharp—definitely the brain of the Hero’s party.
“I lost it while fleeing a monster.”
“Ah… you’ll be safe with us now. Don’t worry.”
Kyle patted my shoulder, easily swallowing the lie. I could feel him probing my deltoid again.
“But we’re on our way to kill the Black Flame Dragon. Isn’t accompanying us more dangerous?”
Gerard chipped in again. I was about to say I’d go my own way.
“I can protect at least one person. Rest assured.”
Kyle boasted confidently. The others didn’t contradict him. I’d planned to vanish quietly, but instead I found myself agreeing to go with them.
When I next opened my eyes, I lay on the cold earth. Dawn had fallen into deep blue.
I half-hoped it had all been a dream—that I’d wake in my cozy bed—but of course that was wishful thinking. Still, at least I wasn’t back in a scaled dragon body, so I let out a short sigh.
I stared at the dying embers of the campfire, then realized the spot opposite me was empty. Carefully, I rose and looked around.
“One, two, three…”
There should have been four—the Hero’s party had four members—but one was missing. Gerard the Blue Mage leaning against a stump, Elonen beside me, and Kakaros crouched on a large boulder. Kyle was gone. I scanned the area.
“Kyle?”
Only traces of where he’d lain remained on the earth. I looked for footprints—and there they were. I followed them.
“Where’d he go this early?”
Maybe he’d gone into the lair alone, but the direction didn’t fit. The tracks led to a misty lake. At the water’s edge lay Kyle’s clothes, boots, and sword, neatly arranged.
“Kyle, are you here?”
I called more loudly. Had he jumped into the lake? Or been taken by a monster? Just then, something splashed up from the water.
“Puhah!”
Kyle rose, shaking out water from his hair. Through the gray mist, his naked form was faintly visible. Muscles hidden under thick clothes now shone in marble-perfect symmetry, like a statue. Despite his refined looks, scars crisscrossed his body, lending him a rough edge.
I stared at his back, then he turned and our eyes met.
“Rishian, why are you here?”
Kyle’s expression was more shocked than mine. I hurriedly averted my gaze.
“I woke up and you weren’t there.”
“You were looking for me?”
I heard him gathering up his clothes. The damp linen shirt clung to his skin.
“I couldn’t sleep, so I splashed cold water… and ended up bathing. You restless too?”
“…Yes.”
I didn’t know where to look under his intense stare.
“Try washing your face. The water’s ice cold—it’ll wake you right up.”
I squatted and splashed the lake water on my face. It was freezing, but it cleared my head instantly. Then I saw my reflection—and was startled again. Even in human form I looked terrifyingly villainous.
“Beautiful forest, isn’t it? Though it’s where the wicked Black Flame Dragon made his lair.”
Kyle murmured as we circled the lake. I followed his gaze toward the water’s edge. Best case: they’d give up the hunt and go home. The Black Flame Dragon was gone and couldn’t cause any more trouble.
“Maybe the Black Flame Dragon didn’t do this out of malice?”
I asked casually, edging closer to Kyle, hoping to persuade them to turn back.
“What are you talking about? Not out of malice?”
Kyle echoed, facing me with a smile that didn’t reach his eyes—they were ice cold.
“The Black Flame Dragon burned dozens of villages and slaughtered thousands. He stole and destroyed their lands and possessions. There was no reason for it.”
Damn that Black Flame Dragon! How could anyone be so purely evil?