Mil had heard from the adventurers in the royal capital that they often met travelers on the road, and sometimes accepted requests to aid them. Experiencing it for herself gave her butterflies in her stomach.
“Y-Young lady? Are you all right?” the merchant asked as Mil was savoring the sensation.
“Let’s get moving. Is this the right way?”
“Yes, that’s— Please don’t run!”
I wanna see this village! was the thought driving Mil onward as she quickened her pace.
✧✧✧
“I wish I could’ve petted Grizzy.”
The large bear briefly named Grizzy, the wolves she’d yet to name, and all of the other creatures she’d encountered along the way had escaped her. Mil was going to have to practice a little more if she wanted to use her magic to discipline wild monsters.
“Haah, haah...” the merchant panted. “Young lady, you sure are full of energy... Though I suppose that’s what got us here safely.”
Deep within the forest, far from the main roads, laid a village. It was a small settlement with a population of around forty or fifty.
The path into the village led to a well in the square at its center where several elderly women had gathered to talk.
Once they’d entered the square, the merchant bowed to Mil. “Well, young lady, now that we’re here, I’ve got trading to do. Thanks for escorting me. I couldn’t have made it without you.”
“It was nothing! I hope we’ll meet again sometime!” Mil waved goodbye as the merchant walked away.
Her next task was to find an inn. Assuming there was one. Not many adventurers would pass through a small village like this. But she wouldn’t pass up the chance to look around.
“Dragon!”
Clang clang clang! A ringing sound echoed through the square as a young man sounded the alarm.
“A dragon? It must be the same one!”
If the red dragon that had escaped her before was in the village, it meant she’d have another chance to ride it. Except, she had to worry about the safety of the village first. A dragon could reduce this place to ruins in no time. I’ve got to save them.
Mil ran toward the young man sounding the alarm. “Where is it?” she asked him.
“Right there! Look! You can see it through the trees!”
Mil looked where he was pointing and saw the dragon looking down on the village from above. It really was the same one as before, and it was already making its descent.
As much as Mil wanted to discipline the dragon like a pet, she had to make sure she didn’t cause any damage.
She reached for her sword. “Looks like I’ll have to go easy on it again.”
“Stand back, young lady.”
Villagers carrying hoes and sickles were gathering in the square from all directions. It was as if they were planning to fight, but a few farmers wearing straw hats and gloves tattered from farmwork had no chance. They clearly weren’t equipped for combat.
“Graaah!” the dragon roared as it plunged toward the village square.
The villagers reacted by holding up their hoes and sickles. Then their tools began shining brightly.
“Huh?”
With each swing of their tools, lightning, ice, or flames shot out at the dragon.
“Grrohhh?!”
The dragon recoiled from the unexpected barrage of ranged attacks. The villagers’ tools turned out to have powerful enchantments, and each one was unleashing spells at the dragon.
But the dragon wasn’t driven off so easily, growling through gritted teeth. It came close once more, ignoring the spells striking it.
“Whoa!”
“Uuugh.”
A beat of its enormous wings was enough to knock several people off their feet, and then a lash of its claws knocked down several more who couldn’t block the swipe with their hoes.
The villagers might have been experienced fighters, but Mil feared they wouldn’t survive the battle.
Mil crouched down and placed both hands against the ground. “Hell’s end ball!” At her command, several black orbs rose from the ground, then flew for the dragon.
“Grrohh! Grraaaahh!”
Hell’s end ball was a forbidden spell that created orbs of powerful acid. Any human would have dissolved without a trace upon touching one of them, but the dragon merely felt a burning sensation thanks to its high magic resistance. Fortunately, it was still too much for the dragon to bear. It howled and then rose back into the air before flying off once more.
“Hey! Is everyone all right?!”
More villagers carrying hoes, sickles, and pitchforks came running out from the depths of the village. There’d been reinforcements waiting all along.
“Ouch... Yup, the young lady here drove it off.”
“That was really something, young lady... Urgh.”
Although none of the farmers hit by the dragon were fatally wounded, some looked like they’d need a few days to recover.
“Are you all right?” Mil asked. “Heal.”
It was just elementary healing magic, but it was enough to fix a minor wound.
“Oh, wow. I’m better already,” said a farmer with renewed energy. His wounds were closing up rapidly where Mil touched them.
“That’s some power you’ve got, young lady. Mind patching me up next?”
“And me too, if you don’t mind.”
“Sure, I’ll be right with you.”
Mil went to each of the people on the ground. Since she had so much more MP than she used to, she got them all back on their feet without breaking a sweat.
“Thanks a bunch. You’re a real saint.”
“Never thought I’d see a saint with black magic.”
“Many thanks. Many thanks.”
Some of them acted like she was worthy of worship, but at least they were lively.
“Ah... You must be the adventurer who drove away the dragon.” An aged man emerged from the village, using a staff to walk. He looked like the village elder.
“That’s right... I’m Mil Arphilia.”
Oops, she thought no sooner than she’d introduced herself. The name Arphilia was a name used by royalty. In the Holy Arphil Kingdom, it was instantly recognizable.
“I hope you won’t mind me calling you Mil. I’m the village elder, Graham. You’d be welcome in my home if it’s good enough for you. I can’t offer much in the way of hospitality, but I’d like to thank you somehow.”
“Are you sure?”
“Of course. If you haven’t chosen an inn already, let me give you a room for the night.”
This is better luck than I could’ve hoped for! I’d better take up his offer... But if he didn’t react to the name Arphilia, I must be real far from the royal capital...
“Thank you!” Mil followed after the village elder, overjoyed.
✧✧✧
“Pardon the intrusion...”
“Come now. It’s not much, but please make yourself at home.” The village elder urged Mil to enter the house.
The unique scent of wood filled her nose. Mil had never been able to experience it anywhere inside a stone castle. It made her want to inhale deeply, over and over.
The entrance led straight into a dining room, where there was a wooden table and chairs in the middle of the floor, and a pot on a stove in the corner.
“I didn’t tell you about my daughter, did I...? I’ll introduce you to her.” The village elder turned to face a door at the end of a corridor and called out, “Yulia!”
A voice behind the door replied, “C-Coming!”
Mil heard slippers against the floor, and then the door opened.
“D-Dad, welcome ho—ahh!” No sooner than she’d emerged from the room, the girl tripped over her own feet and landed spectacularly on her face.
Mil hurried over to her. “Are you all right?”
“Uh, ah... I’m f-fine... Thank you.” The girl sat up but remained on the floor.
She was small. Smaller than Mil even. She looked about ten years old. She was wearing casual clothes and a hood over her head. Mil couldn’t see her face clearly, but she did see a little silver hair that curled slightly near the tips.