Vur poked his head inside of a cave and shouted, Grandpa Nova, are you awake?
A green dragons head appeared in his view. It was smudged with paint of all colors. Whos shouting for ?
Vur waved his hand, attracting Novas attention towards the ground. Tafel and I bought you a present.
A present? Nova asked and tilted his head. When was the last ti he had ever received a present? What is it?
Tafel walked into the cave behind Vur and opened up a portal. She reached inside and took out a large jar, relative to her body, and held it up before frowning. She leaned over and whispered at Vur, Isnt this a little too small?
Vur shrugged before grabbing the jar of greenish liquid. He walked over to Nova and placed it down in front of his grandpa. This is glow-in-the-dark paint, he said. It glows in the dark.
Nova blinked and picked up the jar, pinching it between two of his claws. He placed it in his left paw and covered it with his right. He made a tiny gap between his limbs and brought his eye close to inspect the glowing effect. Interesting, he said and lowered his paws. Before he could say anything else, a large shadow fell over Tafel and Vur.
Hey-o! Wheres my gift? If you bought sothing for Nova, then you definitely got sothing for as well, right?
Vur and Tafel turned their heads to see Prika towering over them. Vur nodded and glanced at Tafel. The demon opened a portal and pulled out a stack of books. So cheesy romance novels, Tafel said and passed them to Vur, who passed them to Prika.
Prika accepted them with her palm and eyed the covers of the books. When Cottage ets Cream? She Ricottaed His World? A Mouses Delight? The red dragons face darkened. I like cheesy romance novels, not novels about cheese!
Vur pointed at the first book. But theres romance between the cheeses in that one.
Prika sighed. Where did you even find these books?
A bookstore, Tafel said. They were in the bargain section.
How surprising, Prika said, her voice completely flat. She sighed again, and the shadow covering Tafel and Vur disappeared as the red dragon retreated. Well, thanks, I suppose.
Nova nodded. Thank you for the gift as well, he said. Did you bring back sothing for your mom and dad too? Your mom is over at Shardas place again. As for your dad, Im not sure where he went.
Vur nodded. Were going to Grandmas place next.
Alright, Nova said and scratched his face, leaving more spots of paint on his green scales. Tell her I said hi. Actually, can you deliver sothing to her for ?
Vur glanced at Tafel. If its not too big or mana-dense, then I can put it in a portal, the demon said. What is it?
Wait right here, Nova said and went back inside his cave. A minute later, he ca back out with a large slab of rock. A picture of a sunset was painted on it.
Tafels horns glowed silver as she opened up a portal, and Nova placed the slab inside. Tafel scratched her head as the portal closed. When she had learned ti and space magic, she had never expected to beco a delivery person for dragons. Well, if she ever retired from adventuring and was strapped for cash, at least she had a backup option. Ready? Tafel asked, turning towards Vur.
Vur shook his head. You forgot Snuffles and Little Miss Floofykins, he said.
Oh, right, Tafel said and furrowed her brow. We even bought presents for them too. Its probably because they didnt co up to us like Prika did.
Vur nodded and left Novas cave. He glanced at the side, where Prika was lying on a boulder with a tiny book spread out in front of her. Despite the red dragons initial reaction, it seed like she still appreciated the gift.
***
Joseph grunted as he dropped a large ballista bolt into a wagon. The tip was made of orichalcum, and the shaft was made of mithril. At the butt of the bolt, there was a large ring that could be connected to a chain. Joseph glanced to the side where Mary was overseeing the transportation of machinery. By the way, do you have the layout of the dragons roost?
Mary raised an eyebrow. What do you an?
Josephs expression darkened. Our weaponry is stationary, he said. We have to place them beforehand. Their angles of fire are also fixed. If we place them freely, its possible theyll be completely useless when its ti to hunt the dragon. To mitigate that risk, we can place them in strategic positions but only if we know the lay of the land.
Mary didnt respond. Upon seeing her blank expression, Joseph cleared his throat. You do know where the dragon youre trying to hunt is located, right?
Its a famous dragon, so it shouldnt be hard to find, Mary said, shifting her gaze to the side. After a mont, she fixed her expression. Have you heard of the cursed dragon Grimmoldesser?
Joseph gulped. Youre trying to hunt a dragon that destroyed a continent?
Even if it destroyed a continent, isnt it still a dragon in the end? Mary asked. Youve slain dragons before. This should be no different.
Joseph shook his head. A peasant and an SSS-ranked adventurer are both humans, but theres a major difference between them, he said. The dragons we killed can barely even be compared to a dragon like Grimmoldesser. A dragon has to be really strong or extrely respected to have its na rembered by people.
Marys brow furrowed. Are you trying to back out of our agreent?
Sweat beaded on Josephs forehead. What agreent? In exchange for their lives, they had to help this crazy woman kill a dragon? That wasnt an agreent: that was coercion! No, no, were not backing out. Its just that itll take a little more preparation ti if this hunt is to end well especially if you have no idea where the dragon stays.
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