Chapter 11
Chapter 11
The Sword Saint’s Fate Has Changed
Although we were disqualified and didn’t receive the prize money, the overwhelming performance we showed turned us into popular figures in the village.
The residents who recognized us shared festival food, gave tips, and treated us warmly. The level of attention made it clear just how popular we had become.
Some even offered us a place to stay, but due to unavoidable circumstances, we declined.
“Should I stack the firewood like this?”
“Good. Now just move the embers over.”
“Yes!”
Because of the side effect of dragon transformation, Rene had to remain in her dragon form until the next morning.
During the day, she stayed in a hatchling-like form, but now she had returned to her full size, saying the smaller form strained her body.
Since she was as large as a house, we hid in the forest outside the village.
We were currently preparing to camp.
“But wouldn’t it have been fine for you to stay in the village?”
“Why bring that up now?”
“I’m used to the wild… but I thought you might prefer a proper bed.”
“Drop that assumption. I’ve slept outdoors plenty of times.”
Bern, obviously—and me too.
I’ve spent enough nights in tents during military service.
Compared to that, camping in a forest with a dragon was practically romantic.
“And what if someone kidnapped you while I stayed in the village?”
“…Right.”
Her expression darkened slightly.
I felt a bit guilty for bringing up bad memories.
“Anyway, until I return you to your nest, I’m staying with you.”
“…Okay!”
She smiled again.
That was a relief.
I continued preparing firewood.
Apparently, just throwing logs into a fire doesn’t work—you need to stack them properly.
Even in another world, there’s always something to learn.
“…Bern?”
“What is it?”
She approached hesitantly.
“Do you want something?”
“…If it’s okay… could you sleep next to me?”
“I already set up a tent.”
“N-not the tent… I mean… leaning against me…”
Her face turned red.
Even her scales flushed.
“That’s unfair…”
A majestic dragon acting like this.
“…Is it not okay?”
“It’s fine.”
“…Really?!”
She brightened instantly.
She curled her tail beneath her body, forming a space.
Then lifted her wings—
Like a blanket.
“I’m ready!”
…Seriously.
I stepped inside.
Warm.
Soft.
Comfortable.
Her wings covered me gently.
Not rough—
Like a soft blanket.
“Is it uncomfortable?”
“No. Stay like this.”
“Okay!”
We fell silent.
Just breathing.
Listening to insects.
And slowly—
Fell asleep.
Before dawn—
A signal rang in my head.
Nocturnal Instinct.
Something was coming.
“…Mm…”
Rene slept peacefully.
I carefully slipped out.
Walked into the forest.
Then—
A voice.
“It’s a bit early for a cough, isn’t it?”
I smirked.
“If you hadn’t come, I’d still be asleep.”
“My apologies.”
Lin stepped out.
“Why are you here?”
“I’ve brought the 42 gold coins.”
“…Already?”
She tossed a pouch.
Heavy.
Real.
“That was fast.”
“I chose high-paying requests.”
“So what’s your real purpose?”
“…You’re perceptive.”
Her grip tightened on her sword.
“I’m here for the woman traveling with you.”
“Rene?”
“Yes. I know she’s dragonkin.”
Of course she does.
Her ability sees everything.
“My client lost a dragonkin slave.”
“…So?”
“I’ll take her back.”
“And if I refuse?”
“…That would be unfortunate.”
Tension filled the air.
A fight—
Was about to begin.
‘Do I really want to fight her?’
No.
Not her.
She’s one of my favorites.
So—
I moved first.
Grabbed her wrist.
Whispered—
“Let’s make a deal.”
“…A deal?”
I placed coins in her hand.
Ten gold.
“…You want me to give up for this?”
“Of course not.”
I smiled.
“This is for ingredients.”
“Ingredients?”
“Sandworm shell, Raspar herb, fairy dust, thunderbird feather.”
She calculated.
“…That’s about right.”
“I’ll teach you something better.”
“…A recipe?”
“A medicine.”
“A secret one.”
She swallowed.
“Why tell me?”
“Because it’s for your sister.”
Silence.
“How do you know…?”
“I did my research.”
She hesitated—
Then accepted.
“Fine. But if you’re lying—”
“I won’t be.”
I made a sword oath.
That was enough.
She left.
Satisfied.
And curious.
Later—
Lin tested it.
“…This is—”
Poison.
Her body rejected mana.
She collapsed.
“…!”
But then—
She realized.
‘For my sister…’
It wasn’t poison.
It was a cure.
Tears fell.
“…I can save her.”
For the first time—
Hope.
Bern—
Was no longer just an acquaintance.
He became—
Her savior.