Strange Pair of Travelers (4)
Ergaduk, who had been pouring wine into my glass, turned to look at me.
"What is it?"
"Mind if I ask where you're from? Black hair and black eyes are extremely rare around these parts."
"Ah, my origins? You mean where I was born?"
Ergaduk didn't answer right away. Instead, he glanced subtly toward Liana. She jumped in as if she'd been waiting for it.
"He's from the Rayhen region up north. Total country bumpkin who's spent his whole life herding sheep, so big cities like this are all new to him."
Liana rattled off details I hadn't even asked for. It felt like she was reciting a prepared script for questions people always bugged them with—or ones that put them in a tough spot.
"Rayhen, huh? Paradise for shepherds, right? I passed through there once myself."
"Oh, really?"
"Yeah. Hung out with the herders for a bit. Those shepherd dogs were so playful—fetched frisbees like pros."
Ergaduk nodded awkwardly. "Yeah... the dogs are... really cute."
Lies. Shepherd dogs in Rayhen are wary of strangers. They don't play fetch—they fight wolves and monsters to the death, always sharp and serious. Nothing like our lucky mutt Kali. Real deal, those ones.
A normal reaction would've been, "Huh? Shepherd dogs are playful? They do tricks?" And... crucially, Rayhen shepherds aren't like that. They're rough, crude, violent types.
Guess he really is a black dragon.
"Sir. Are you by any chance a black dragon?"
A chill silence fell. The bustling hall around us seemed to go dead quiet.
Ergaduk's face stayed blank. Liana flushed beet red in panic.
"See that horned waitress over there? Demons can sense monsters. Even polymorphed dragons can't hide their true nature from them."
"Demons have that kind of ability...?"
"Yes. Didn't you know?"
"Well... I figured they could handle weaker monsters, but piercing through a polymorph? No idea."
Ergaduk glanced at Liana, who shook her head. Neither of them knew.
Makes sense—not many people know demons can sense and somewhat control monsters. Even Atergar was clueless at first; she freaked when Pelle spotted her. Only after I explained demon traits did it click for her. She said the exact same thing Ergaduk just did.
A black dragon cut off from the world? No wonder he wouldn't know.
"Hrm... I see. Yes, that's right. I am a black dragon."
Ergaduk admitted it surprisingly straightforwardly.
"From what I know, black dragons don't leave their habitats. Why are you here?"
Liana started to butt in, but Ergaduk spoke first. "I plan to become a lord."
"Ah, uh... what? A lord...?!"
His answer threw me so off that I stammered. But Ergaduk's expression was dead serious—no hint of a joke.
"Sir. By 'lord,' do you mean a noble with territory? Have you actually received a noble title...?"
"No, not yet. But I will soon."
What the hell is this guy? A dragon who can't even reveal his background wants to become a noble lord?
Oblivious to my thoughts, Ergaduk kept going. "That's why I'm traveling. Verabche Kingdom's a long shot for becoming a lord, so I'm scouting other kingdoms."
"Why's our kingdom such a long shot?"
"They say Verabche has strong administration and solid systems. Hard to snag a title without serious pull. The framework's already set—no room for newcomers. Right, Liana?"
Liana nodded and elaborated. "Heard Tarda Kingdom's a bit unstable lately, so we're heading there. You know how it is—easier to grab a spot in a messy place than one where everyone's already entrenched."
"Fair point. Our kingdom's all locked up tight right now. Land's divvied up, titles passed to heirs."
"And since Ergaduk knows zilch, I'm guiding him. If he went solo, he'd probably be rotting in a guard cell by now, choking down gruel."
"Ah, I see... so you're on a journey to become a lord...?"
That dragon's no normal guy, and this Liana chick seems off too... Still, a dragon hitting the road with actual goals. Not like he's about to snap and go berserk, so that's something.
"But why aim to be a lord?"
"Simple. Best job for lounging and leeching."
Second shock. A lord to lounge and leech?
"Sorry, but... do you maybe have the wrong idea about what a lord does?"
"I know it perfectly. Live in a big castle while serfs do all the work and bring you the cash."
This dragon's got one hell of a misconception.
Lords don't lounge. Barons and below? More like innkeepers running a massive operation. You rack your brain with vassals to max profits, coax and manage serfs, handle endless incidents, juggle neighbor relations, court politics. And if war hits your turf? Strap on a helmet and lead your men into the fray.
Small-time lords even turn bandit with their knights when cash runs dry. Take ruined Benson Barony—closest example. Pick the wrong vassals, and it's mismanagement bankruptcy or backstabbing galore.
Sure, the image is fat greedy slobs exploiting serfs. But the reality? Head-splitting grind.
I didn't say any of that. Just smiled. "Hope you make it happen."
"Not starting big. Small territory first, build up. Gather talents like Liana here..."
Liana slammed the table. "Why the hell would I be your subordinate?!"
"We had a deal. Once I'm lord, you're my chamberlain. Makes you a sub, right?"
"Hm, true enough." Liana nodded, convinced.
Idiots talking idiot talk. Can they even pull off lordship like that? Hell, can they reach Tarda in one piece?
Still, watching that bullheaded dragon stirred a weird familiarity. After retiring, I hightailed to Rosens on a whim, opened an inn as a hobby. Boom or bust—fold if it flops.
No inn experience. Just hero days hopping taverns, field cooking, scraps of culinary know-how. Lots of sweat, gathering staff from Della onward, luck got me here.
Old comrades still gawk when they hear I'm innkeeping. Maybe that's how they see me now—like I see this dragon.
Hero runs an inn? Dragon wants to be a lord? Not impossible. Who knows—maybe in a few years, he's Tarda's duke.
Anyway, decided to help them out. And... get 'em gone quick so they hit the road.
"Lemme see that map."
I traced the route to Tarda. Best via Vurn Mountains, but brutal. Backtrack to Bue, head east. On horseback, stick to these paths. Other ways? Villages too small for farriers. Man-eating monsters lurk here and here. (Pointless for a dragon, sure.) Border papers: these docs. Sneak across? Skip 'em, but official's smoother later.
"Said you wanna earn coin? No skills? Day labor's your bet."
"Got that covered."
Obviously. Dragon strength.
"Quick cash? Merc work. Check the guild downtown."
"Merc guild. Perfect. Wait... aren't we acquainted with the captain here...?"
Liana tapped her chin, then clapped. "Right! You're from Rosens."
Ergaduk beamed, swirling his wine. "Humans are such a complicated race. Some try to kill you for pocket change, others like you help out of kindness."
"Not just humans. Dragons too."
I pointed at the door. "Blue dragon outside? Perverted creep hot for hatchlings. Doesn't mean all dragons are like that."
Ergaduk's brow twitched. Liana gasped softly.
"So the red dragon took him out. But that doesn't add up. Dragons don't meddle unless their own nest is threatened."
Ergaduk muttered to himself. Liana gave an awkward smile and bowed slightly my way. "He talks to himself a lot."
"Anyway, it's late. Crash here, tomorrow we hit the guild together? If no gigs, city hall hires day laborers. Sound good?"
"Wonderful. How can we thank you...?"
"Save it. When you're Duke Ergaduk and Chamberlain Liana, pay me back in gold."
Liana giggled. Ergaduk smiled.
"Rooms upstairs. I'll prep bathwater."
"C'mon, Liana. You've been whining to wash up."
Ergaduk grabbed his bag from the floor. The flap gaped open, revealing the contents. I couldn't help tilting my head.
"Huh...? Ergaduk... what's in the bag...? That... isn't what I think it is, is it...?"