(Lori)
"Lord Dragon King... Your servant... failed to avenge our people... Ah..."
Leaves withered, and dry branches trembled in the wind. The pale sky and thick layers of fallen leaves depicted the scenery of the place I lived, all too familiar.
On the ground lay a humanoid with lizard-like appearance, scales, and a tail. At first glance, he resembled a Lizardkin, but he wasn't, because he had a pair of bat-like wings on his back.
Half-dragon–[Dragonkin]--- that's what they were called. As a distinctive characteristic, they had the ability to transform into dragons... in other words, their very existence was that of superior dragons.
"... " I watched as the half-dragon gasped for breath amidst the gradually fading whispers. There was a long scar on his chest, and the wound had turned black and necrotic... it looked like a neglected wound, but in reality, it was caused by the strike I had dealt just a few seconds ago.
Considering his dragon form, this guy must have been a higher-ranking [Severed Wing Gale Dragon]. His imposing figure was enveloped by a vibrant bluish-green aura, and the hardness and speed of his scales were exceptional... but in the end, he could only utter his last words before dying from a single slash.
... I felt fear for my inner calmness. Why was I able to take a life so calmly?
But upon closer reflection, he attacked first, co to think of it, if his attack did manage to land on , the situation would have been worse, the impure blood within was enough to destroy this entire forest, and Angi's village would undoubtedly have been affected.
"This Dragonkin should be the mastermind behind the [Goblin] rampage," After saying so, just to make sure, I used [Appraisal] on a certain box-shaped magical item that had fallen from him.
[Box of Demon Blood Feeding]
[A magical item that feeds creatures with its own blood to promote their growth.]
Indeed, the contents were as expected. Opening the box, I found a [Goblin]'s finger inside.
... To think he would use this as a dium to nurture the [Goblins]... no wonder they have beco so violent lately.
[Goblins] cultivated with the fresh blood of higher-ranking dragons would undoubtedly beco Goblin Kings. The appearance of nurous superior species within the [Goblin] population in the forest was most likely due to this.
... I had planned to go on a trip to procure so sealing materials, and when I returned, I was t with this scene. I was about to handle it when I encountered the dragon. Delayed until now, I couldn't even estimate how many Lizardkin might have been injured or lost.
Now that the puppet master was gone, it was only a matter of eliminating the [Goblins] to ensure the safety of the Lizardkin... I initially intended to take care of it myself, but it seems unnecessary now. After all, I just sensed that two capable individuals are currently sweeping through the [Goblins].
"So, killing was the right thing to do." I tried to convince myself while looking at the corpse, but the discomfort in my heart remained unchanged.
This was the path I took on my way back ho from Shupe Village. I didn't expect to encounter a half-dragon here. When my consciousness was taken over before, I had visited an island, and that island was also filled with half-dragons.
As far as I knew, there were no habitats for half-dragons on this continent. Moreover, the fact that he attacked as soon as he saw and ntioned "vengeance" made wonder if I had done sothing on that island during the ti my consciousness was absent. After all, my last impression of the place was that it was saturated with a thick aura of death and corruption.
Could that "sothing" be the reason for this half-dragon's appearance on this continent and the [Goblin] rampage in the forest? I dared not continue thinking any further.
Even though I knew the thods they had planned, I didn't want to use them unless absolutely necessary.
So, I returned to my small wooden cabin nestled in the mountains. As I approached, I heard voices from inside the house.
"Lori-sama, you're back." A man walked out of the house with a cane, and what I saw was a man slightly taller than , lean in build, with disheveled brown hair and bandages wrapped around his upper body.
"...White." I uttered his na, ignoring his presence, and entered the house on my own.
I retrieved a large leather backpack from the cupboard and began preparing for my journey.
In a few days, I would need to make a trip to Vanos. My main purpose was to buy dical supplies for Angi and also get so items for the other Shupe Villagers.
This task was usually handled by passing rchants who occasionally ca through the village.
However, due to the recent unrest caused by the [Goblins] in the forest, the rchants had stopped visiting. Sending the villagers was not an option either, as they were all submissive demi-humans, and venturing into Vanos, where enslavent was rampant, would only invite trouble. Ultimately, I was the one tasked with running this errand.
I'm glad that this body of mine, while harboring terrifying power, can still do so good, even if it pales in comparison to the "evil" burden I bear.
Sigh... I've actually considered directly entering the Lizardkin tribe to provide assistance, but they're so terrified of that they grab their weapons and charge at the slightest approach. They've used all sorts of self-sacrificial magic...
Well, at least I'm only seen as sothing akin to a dark forest deity summoned by them, not the pri suspect in the [Goblin] rampage.
"Um... Lori-sama?" White had sohow co over to my side.
"... " I rembered that I had left the water flask...
"If you're looking for the water flask, it's right here." White extended the water flask toward with his bandaged hand.
Now, I couldn't continue ignoring him.
"How are your injuries?" I asked.
When I found him two months ago, he was covered in wounds, lying in the marshy woods, being consud by colorful leeches... If I had left him in that condition, he would have surely died. So, I brought him back to my cabin and provided basic care with so simple dicines.
He didn't wake up until over a month ago. During that ti, I experienced another [Swap]... Fortunately, this ti my consciousness quickly ca back, so aside from cutting down a swath of trees and a single [Horned Bear], I didn't cause too much harm.
However, that... the protective barrier item I brought out from the [Water Labyrinth] didn't really do much before it was destroyed... It seems that the barrier wasn't very effective; it still couldn't contain .
"It's getting a little better," White said.
"Good, hurry and recover fully so you can go back ho," I replied casually.
Having this person continue to stay here, I don't know when he might end up dead at my hands. It's manageable while I'm still conscious, but if my consciousness is taken over...
Crackle! Thud!
The two bandage-wrapped balls floating by my side reacted to my words and flew over to White, emitting those sounds towards .
"No, we can't keep him as a pet." I rejected the plea of Little Skelle and Little Skull.
White shook his head with a wry smile and turned to the fireplace, starting to add firewood.
"... Even if I'm going back ho, there's no one waiting for there." Those words brushed past my ears, causing my hands, busy packing my bag, to pause for a mont.
However, no one said another word.
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