Why Did I Ever Change My Name?
"Damn it! Push harder!"
"Drive it to the right!"
"Isn't that a valid hit? Count it?"
"Just fifty laps today..."
"Huff! Huff! Huff!"
It had been about two weeks since I threw the golems into their training regimen. The eleven heroes, including Haring who'd joined a few days ago, had split into two groups. Five of them were attacking the golems—whether coordinating strikes, ambushing, digging traps, whatever it took to land a solid hit. Haring was in that bunch, putting in real effort, but no real progress yet.
The other six had given up on hunting golems and were circling the nest instead. They were making some headway there, at least—picking up speed bit by bit. Another three weeks of this, and they'd hit the target.
For reference, Yongba stuck with golem hunting for about five days before switching to archery practice like a good boy. His form, which had been downright awkward at first, was getting decent, but he still had a long way to go.
"Gotta send him to the elf kingdom later." Elves are better at bows anyway. Better to give him a nudge and ship him off to learn from the pros than me half-assing it.
'Peaceful.'
I lounged half-reclined in the nest, munching cookies. Things had been pretty noisy for a while, but their training racket had become background noise now. With the nest entrance sealed tight, only a total lunatic hero would barge in—and even then, most followed orders. Chase 'em out if they didn't.
"Yaaawn..." So peaceful, it's nice, but...
"Why hasn't she replied?"
No word from Adella, Iri's granddaughter and the knight captain. I'd figured a response would come quick once the letter reached her.
Something go wrong midway? Or was she bedridden, too wrecked to even talk?
"Did she actually kick the bucket..."
Pii~
"!"
Flutter flutter!! Pigeon.
A snowy white dove landed right in my slightly hazy view. It perched on my cookie plate, chest bearing a tiny golden seal—the emperor's mark. A fancy red parchment tube bound with gold ribbon dangled from its ankle.
It eyed me, then started pecking at the cookies.
"Didn't say you could eat any, though~."
Pii~
"Just one? Yeah, okay then."
Brought my reply, so one cookie's fair trade. I detached the letter from the carrier pigeon's leg as it pecked away. Thought she was dead, but nope, still kicking.
"Lemme see..."
Hmm. Hmm hmm.
"Sheesh."
Emperor's got that emperor vibe, huh? The letter was plastered with flowery bullshit—easily twenty times longer than mine. Rough summary:
1. Not dead yet.
2. Too old to manage heroes anymore. Leave that to the current emperor and his competent ministers.
3. Will ask the goddess if the chance arises.
4...
"You, coming here? Cheeky brat." Who does she think she's ordering around? If she can talk like that, she's not dying anytime soon—should come in person, obviously. Back in the day, I'd have given her a real talking-to, but she's old and sickly now, so I'll let it slide this once.
'She's got the status for it.' "World-saving hero" isn't a title you snag easily.
Flutter.
"Three whole pages? Way too long."
'Heard you're training heroes. Knowing you, probably not doing it properly, but I'll give you the benefit of the doubt—good on you.'
"Heh. Yeah, not teaching 'em properly. Fair."
Having them circle the nest or fight golems? Hardly "teaching." Just building the bare basics for heroes. Started this mass-produced-to-bespoke-hero project, but honestly, zero chance. Best case, they'll hit the level of the weakest hero from the old era.
'Just bulk 'em up and overwhelm with numbers.' That's probably what the old hag's banking on too.
'The Demon King slept after that day, but his remnants are stirring again lately. My role's done, but yours isn't, right?'
'Hope you'll help nurture these sprouts.'
"These ain't sprouts—they're weeds."
One or two? Sprouts. Hundreds sprouting everywhere? Weeds. Lucky I haven't mowed 'em down in clumps.
I can give 'em some sunlight, but the rest? Eat or die.
I finished the chit-chatty letter and stashed it in the nest. Then sat up properly in my chair.
Heroes still grinding away.
"......"
Hmm.
"Teaching, huh..."
Wonder if these idiots can even handle it?
"Man, I really wanna learn dragon techniques..."
"Me too."
"Same."
"Fr."
At the center of the nest clearing, the green-haired guy Hidni—still diligently circling the nest today—flopped down spread-eagle, staring blankly at the sky. Around him, other users sprawled in the same pose. Circling every day had made them buddies, some even from the same forums.
He'd come solely for the hidden class, but zero progress. Turning 3,000 laps was brutal, and valid hits on the golem? Forget it. Wanted to quit so bad, but it'd be a waste now.
'Just a bit more.' Felt like he was almost there.
"But isn't Little Flame Dragon-sama kinda cute, though?"
"Cute, but demonic."
"Lil' devil."
"I wanna squeeze her tight just once, but I'd die."
"That's me."
"You tho..."
"Why me!"
The guy always lurking behind with a weird look jumped up yelling, but the users just laughed.
Hidni shook his head watching. Some were normie players who didn't do forums. If they knew that guy was "OrganicFarming"—that weirdo nickname—how'd they react?
'Chaos.' Might never get this close again.
After chatting a while, the brown-haired mage NyaNya grinned.
"But what's Little Flame Dragon-sama's real name?"
"Name?"
"Yeah, we go 'Little Flame Dragon-sama~' all the time, but it can't actually be Dragon, right?"
"Hmm."
"Gal says so."
"Like naming a human 'Red Human.' Kinda sus."
"Asked, but no answer."
Her name, huh. Curious, sure...
"Haring might know?"
"Oh. Let's ask."
"Good call. But she looked grumpy."
"Eh, worth a shot."
"Go go go!"
The six, including Hidni, headed to the golem squad. Worried about interrupting, but they were on break, scattered and chugging potions. Haring tilted her head at the sudden visitors.
"Whassup? You switching to golem team?"
"Nah. Hey, know Little Flame Dragon-sama's name?"
"Name? It's Little Flame Dragon."
"No, like her real name."
"Hmm...?"
Haring pondered, then nodded at the "inner circle" crew's explanation.
"True, can't be Little Flame Dragon."
"Right? Thought you might know."
"Never said outright. Dodges when asked."
"Even Haring doesn't know."
"Ask direct?"
"Will she answer?"
"Gotta try!"
The most hyped inner circle guy marched to Little Flame Dragon resting inside the nest.
And got shot down hard.
"Keep circling the nest."
"Uh..."
"Circle?"
"Nah. They say progress starts with knowing each other? Might advance this bullshit quest."
NyaNya smirked like she'd had an epiphany.
"Let's find out. Her name."
"...?"
I was enjoying my usual peace when sudden noise jolted me awake.
"Little Flame Dragon-sama!"
"Cookie, Little Flame Dragon-sama?"
"Bought pricey meat from the village this time..."
"Try this candy!"
Heroes swarming with gifts out of nowhere. Should be training or resting, but here they were like a weird wind blew 'em my way. Not offering time yet.
"Wha? What's this?"
"C'mon~ You always think of us, this is basic! Right, Haring?"
"Totally. Couldn't grow like this without you, Little Flame Dragon-sama."
"...?"
The brown-haired one and Haring crowded close, shoving fruit and candy at me. Felt off, but I popped 'em in anyway.
Nom nom.
"Tasty~."
"Hehe. Right? But training's suuuuuper hard~."
"Training's supposed to be hard."
"Yeah, true, but ease up a bit~?"
"...Won't ease up for food."
Think I'd slack for snacks? If anything, ramp it up. Still munching candy, I shook my head firmly.
'Even mass-produced heroes need proper training.'
They grumbled, set down the offerings.
"Gotta get back then. Bummer!"
"Yeah. Hit the benchmark, and I might teach for real."
"Really?"
"Yep."
Mana circulation and basic spells are my jam. Master those, and they'd pull their weight easy. Most cheered like they couldn't wait.
As they started filing out, Haring asked seriously.
"But Little Flame Dragon-sama."
"Yeah?"
"Saw in the village history book—your name's Draconic? True?"
"Nope~."
What kinda weird-ass name is that? Like naming a human "Sarahmu" or something. Never heard it before. I shook my head no, but they piled on like nah.
"Knew it."
"Thought so too."
"Flame Draconic?"
"Eh? Not Draconic?"
"Heard Draconic's an ancient name. Must've changed it."
"Aha..."
"Not that."
Never used it back then either. Only changed my name once, pre-reincarnation.
'Why'd I change it? Was I nuts?'
History book got some bullshit recorded.
"Can we call you Draconic-sama?"
"Yeah, you said call you whatever last time. Cool?"
"No..."
"Draconic-sama! Off to train!"
"Draconic-sama, where to put the meat?"
"Draconic-sama, more candy..."
"...Lea."
"Yep?"
……
"My name's Lea. You idiots."