SWNOVELXO Chapter 112
112. Quest Procurement!
“Sierra-san? Why are you here!?”
Sierra knows about the forest folks. So, it’s not strange for her to be here… but there is a risk of encountering monsters on the way.
“I did prepare for monsters, but I met Ilza on the way, so she guided me.”
“Forest, dangerous. Was hunting rabbits, found her.”
Ilza grabs a rabbit’s ear without flinching. I can’t help but be taken aback by the contrast.
“So, why did you come all this way, Sierra-san?”
“Well! I have a request I want to show you, Ar-kun..”
Sierra-san says, pulling out a request letter from her pocket and handing it to me.
As soon as I look, I see an illustration of a dragon and the words “Urgent!”.
――
Dragon Subjugation Quest
Northern Ortea, plains area, massive outbreak of dragon monsters.
Requesting adventurers for subjugation.
Appropriate rank: S~D
Reward: Increases with number of subjugations
――
“Dragon?”
I repeat the familiar word.
“A dragon refers to monsters classified as dragons, like dragons or wyverns.”
“So, there’s a massive outbreak of them?”
Sierra-san nods.
“The cause is still being investigated… but monsters are gathering in the plains. Dragon types are especially dangerous if left alone, so we need more hands.”
Indeed, if dragons are roaming near the town, carriages can’t pass, and civilians could be harmed.
However, one thing bothered me.
“But why me? I’m a D-rank adventurer. I don’t think I’m worth you coming all this way, Sierra…”
Also, the request’s appropriate rank ranges from S to D, which is quite broad. This is the first time I’ve seen such a thing.
“It’s precisely because you’re D-rank, Ar-kun. What do you think a broad rank range means?”
“A broad range means… sorry, I don’t know.”
“By participating as a D-rank, you get to fight monsters that even S-ranks would. It means that no matter how low your rank, if you’re skilled, you can excel.”
Sierra-san explains with a triumphant look. I finally understand.
Usually, quests involving strong monsters are assigned to S-rank adventurers, leaving low-rank adventurers like me with suitable tasks.
But this time is different. As a D-rank adventurer, I can fight all the monsters if I want to.
“You’re joining the strategy team, right? If you earn some credit in this quest, it might help you a bit!”
Sierra-san understood my feelings. That’s why she came all this way, risking monster attacks.
“Hurry, or the credit might get taken!”
“Thank you, Sierra-san! I’m going!”
As I hurried to summon the warp slime, I felt a tug on my sleeve.
It was Ilza holding my sleeve.
“What’s wrong? Do you have something to say?”
“…I want to go too.”
Unexpectedly, she wanted to accompany me.
“Ilza wants to hunt dragons too?”
“Yeah. I want to fight together. I want to know how to become as strong as Arx.”
I remember her saying she wanted to become stronger before.
She’s serious about strength. Though her expression doesn’t change, her eyes show her resolve.
“Alright, Ilza, let’s go together! I don’t know what will help you, but!”
“Eh――――――!”
To my surprise, it was Sierra-san who raised her voice. She covered her mouth, but it was too late.
Sierra-san puffed her cheeks and turned red, looking away.
“…because Ilza bothers Ar-kun.”
“I’m not bothering him.”
“You’re bothering him right now! You’re too close!”
Sierra-sn points to Ilza’s hand gripping mine.
Apparently, my sleeve was replaced with my hand at some point. She probably didn’t realize it herself.
“Sierra, do you get angry if I get close to Arx?”
“That’s not exactly it… but I’m probably older!?”
Ilza tilts her head, confused. Only about 10% of Sierra’s feelings probably reached her.
“Anyway! Al, don’t overdo it! And Ilza, don’t cling to Al! That’s all!”
Sierra loudly declares and awkwardly heads back.――For some reason, alone.
“Rauche, can you take care of Sierra-san? It’s probably dangerous for her to go alone.”
“Gogogogo…”
Rauche reluctantly gets up from the rock and follows Sierra-san.
――Alright, we’re ready. Let’s go subjugate the dragons!