Chapter 71
Chapter 71
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 71
Chapter Title: The Battle Between Dragon and Hero is Obvious, No Matter the Outcome (1)
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"Huh? Why are you asking me? I'm too dumb to know what's a gain or a loss. Just do whatever you think is best, Big Brother Kane."
"I'll follow whatever Instructor Kane decides."
...Even Scarlett and Rin.
They trust me to an almost burdensome degree.
These are the people most directly affected.
And they're shoving the decision entirely onto me!
Well, not that I'm unhappy about being trusted.
In any case, the matter with His Majesty the Emperor was settled: we'd build a friendly relationship, just as I wanted.
Honestly, there wasn't even much to deliberate over.
Still, since these were the people directly involved, I had to hear their opinions first.
Anyway.
I passed the decision on to my direct butler to wrap things up.
"His Majesty will be delighted. We'll meet again soon, no doubt."
Leaving behind an uneasy feeling that he'd be back before long, he departed.
Whew... At least one thing's sorted.
Now, the remaining issue is...
"Are you worried about Lady Jenny?"
Ah, Rin.
She hasn't left for her commission yet, I guess.
I must have looked extremely concerned, because she asked just like that.
We'd briefly discussed Jenny and Bastia's situation while talking about the Emperor earlier, so she picked up on it right away.
"...Yes, I'm worried. The opponent's the leader of an entire dragon clan, after all."
Yeah, honestly, this is the real problem, more than His Majesty.
Dozens of black dragons, led by their clan leader.
No matter how strong Jenny is, it's a dangerous foe.
Of course, Bastia has its own heroes and champions... but dozens of dragons? Isn't that basically sending them to annihilation?
"If you're that worried, should I go too?"
"...Pardon?"
What? Where did that come from?
Rin going too?
I stared at her in surprise, and Rin, looking a bit embarrassed herself, blushed faintly and turned her head away as she spoke.
"Ah, no... More manpower is always better, right? According to what that person from Bastia said, I'm one of the 'free heroes' too."
...True, Rin would be a huge asset.
Her hero talent and combat prowess are both top-tier.
Her talents haven't fully bloomed yet, so she couldn't take on a dragon solo.
But as a rear-support mage, she'd be a massive help.
But is that okay?
What if this drags Rin into mortal danger too, not just Jenny?
I know I have no right to arbitrarily cancel their decisions or give orders.
But I can't help wanting them both to come back safe and unharmed.
"It's too dangerous. If I had my way, I'd tell you both to stay behind."
But still.
If Jenny's going no matter what,
wouldn't it be better to stack as much firepower as possible?
Rin, Scarlett—an S-Rank adventurer.
If I put in a massive commission with the Adventurer's Guild to bolster forces,
it'd be good for Bastia too, and great for the guild with such a huge job.
"...Hold on a sec."
I said that to Rin and bolted straight to the Adventurer's Guild reception room where Emmy Brave was.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "Excuse me."
Jenny and Emmy were still deep in conversation in the reception room.
"Oh, Big Brother? What's up so suddenly?"
They seemed to be discussing details on the black dragons, Bastia's forces, and the reward levels for a commission.
But that's not important right now.
"I have something I want to ask Emmy real quick."
"...?"
She tilted her head, her golden, lion-mane-like hair swaying messily.
First things first.
"Emmy, what's the maximum reward Bastia can offer for this commission?"
I might sound like a money-grubbing fool, but this is crucial.
The reward determines what forces the guild can muster.
"...Elders said. Save country, give all. Beastkin never forget favor. Save lives, repay with lives."
"Hmm..."
"Earlier with me, talked up to 10 million Bret."
I was pondering how to broach the exact amount when Jenny chimed in, having caught on.
"10 million, huh."
That's a hefty sum for one commission.
Enough to hire five S-Rank adventurers.
Scarlett Party counts as two S-Ranks since it's a party.
Jenny and Rin are C-Rank but S-Rank caliber in ability.
Plus Veronica, still hanging around Hasler.
That's exactly five.
Perfect fit.
"Limit for now. That's it."
'For now.'
The beastkin never forget a favor, they say.
There'll definitely be bigger rewards later.
For the guild, and for the adventurers joining.
Of course, I'd have to check if everyone wants in.
Fighting dragons might scare some off.
Still, I asked Emmy first.
"Emmy, would it be okay to post this commission to the guild for multiple participants?"
"Multiple...?"
"Multiple participants?"
They both asked at once.
Commissions for multiple adventurers to join simultaneously.
Usually, commissions go to one party or solo adventurer.
But for massive jobs, they sometimes allow multiples.
Like mercenary work in wars, or subjugating absolute powerhouses like dragons.
Stopping a dragon army and saving a nation from crisis.
This isn't just multiple—it's guild-wide scale, all 10 current S-Ranks needed.
Well, no commission that big has come to the guild before.
Heroes usually handled great evils.
Jenny's activities are shaking up the powers that be.
If adventurers grow stronger and big commissions roll in,
the pressure and meddling from foreign royals and nobles will vanish naturally.
The Hero Management Bureau won't be able to mess with us either.
"Bastia happy if many come."
The client's approval granted.
I'll tell Branch Chief Terry to post it right away.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "Thank you all for agreeing to join."
I posted it as a 10-million-Bret base reward commission for S-Rank+ multiples, with Bastia offering extra bonuses.
Jenny was directly specified, so approved as an exception.
Rin too, as a fellow hero.
That gathered one full party and three individuals.
S-Rank adventurer, Blood Empress Scarlett Harkur leading the S-Rank party, Scarlett Party.
"Dragons, huh? Sounds fun to fight."
"If Brother Kane's asking, of course I'll join."
"Dragons... A bit tricky opponents."
"More firepower the better, yeah."
S-Rank melee fighter Scarlett, A-Rank tank heavy warrior Jerome, A-Rank elf spirit archer Arna, B-Rank high priest Ron.
Each one a solid powerhouse.
"Well, I was already confirmed."
Jenny shrugged as she spoke.
The strongest among them.
S-Grade hero aptitude, the most talented hero I've ever seen.
No sturdier ally exists.
"Hehe, if I work hard and come back, you'll praise me, right? Heh heh heh."
A-Grade hero aptitude.
She gets overshadowed by Jenny, but look at Mersenne—same A-Grade, yet he's got fame on par with her.
Shows just how impressive it is.
The stats alone put A-Grade at the top tier.
Anyway, Rin hasn't fully awakened her potential yet, but she once temporarily overwhelmed veteran A-Grade hero Mersenne.
She'll be a big help in this fight too.
And last...
"Thank you for joining, Miss Veronica."
"Eh, whatever. Pay's good."
S-Rank assassin Veronica shrugged nonchalantly.
Scarlett and Rin have ties to Jenny, so high chance they'd join.
But I thought Veronica might refuse.
Grateful she accepted readily.
Anyway.
This is the strongest force we can muster from the Hasler branch.
Combined with Bastia's original troops... We might actually have a shot.
"Thank you, everyone."
The client, Emmy, bowed her head to the group.
Yeah, even an outsider like me is grateful they're gathering like this.
How thankful must she feel?
"Thank you too, Instructor."
Then she suddenly turned to me and bowed too.
Huh? I'm not going...?
I wouldn't help much in combat anyway.
"You gathered them. Instructor is elder. Thank elder."
"...I, I don't think that's right."
Elder? Does Bastia see me as the leader?
I'm just a lowly instructor...
"Whoa~ Elder Kane!"
"Elder Kane—rolls right off the tongue!"
"Hahaha!"
Scarlett and Jerome started gleefully teasing me.
"...Stop teasing."
Sheesh, one opening and they're all over it.
Scarlett's always been like this.
What a tomboy that young lady is.
"Anyway. The black dragon raid is in one week. We're already pretty late."
Even departing now, it takes at least a week to reach the Forest Continent.
Then a few more days to Bastia after that.
In other words, we'll arrive after the invasion's begun.
"We'll be arriving more like reinforcements than preemptive forces."
At first glance, hugely disadvantageous.
But this is actually the perfect opportunity.
"The black dragons won't know we're coming. We can turn that into a chance to ambush them."
Starting with a strike to cripple their forces would be ideal.
Of course, dragons have keen senses by nature, so ambushes won't be easy.
But our sudden appearance as reinforcements will pressure them regardless.
Reinforcements even Bastia doesn't know about.
Who knows where or how many more might show?
It puts psychological pressure on the black dragons too.
"And about black dragon traits and weaknesses..."
Everyone probably knows the basics, but I continued the briefing.
Then.
"Smart! As expected of elder. Elder Kane!"
"......"
Emmy's eyes sparkled as she said it, and everyone burst out laughing.
From that day on, my nickname became Elder Kane.