Chapter 560

The Dragon’s Volcano
For the time being, to gather materials for equipment, I went to meet that Gold-rank examiner dragon from a while back.
This time, I was granted permission to go directly myself.
Of course, the condition was that Plum, the Wildcat Claws, the Dark Green Sprout, and several maids with Modalfas as escorts had to accompany me.
Yep, I really have gotten important.

"Is this the volcano where the dragon lives?"

"That’s right. It’s been years for me too."

Modalfas muttered as he looked up at the volcano.
Well, the sight is pretty impressive.
The mountain path is actually in decent shape though.

"Hmm… did you really need to come yourself, Young Lady, just to gather materials from this dragon…?"

"You can’t say that, Modalfas. This time it’s for my own purposes that I’m asking the dragon to share materials, so I have to come in person."

"Indeed. Courtesy must be observed. I spoke out of turn."

Good, glad he understands.
Incidentally, this is also the first time the Dark Green Sprout has come here.
Fanny apparently became a Gold-rank adventurer outside the old kingdom, and Juna and Lana were promoted to Gold-rank through recommendations without following the formal procedure.
In short, they don’t know this country’s standards.
They knew about the Gold-rank adventurer test against a dragon, but it seems they didn’t realize one lived this close by.
I suppose it is surprising that a dragon dwells in an active volcano right next to a massive city like Vardmoi.
Anyway, let’s go meet the dragon.

"Fwee… it’s so hot… Lady Lily, how can you look so calm walking right beside the lava?"

Lana was wilting in the heat.
Oh, that’s right.
On the way to the dragon’s lair, there was a path that ran right next to the lava.
I’d forgotten to hand out the protective gear to everyone in the Dark Green Sprout.

"I’m wearing clothes enchanted with Comfortable Body Temperature. So whether it’s hot or cold, I’m perfectly fine."

"… I want that outfit. Please, let me pay for one from my escort fee. Could you make me one too?"

"I’ll issue one once we get back. Honestly, it was only because this trip came up suddenly that I didn’t have them ready."

"Yes! Thank you, Lady Lily!"

Yep, I really just forgot.
I’ll make them properly once we return.

After passing through such hot paths, we finally arrived at the dragon’s dwelling.
The dragon… was asleep.
Well, I guess that’s fine?

"Talat, wake him up."

"Yeah."

Talat smacked the dragon on the forehead.
The pain jolted the dragon upright.

(Ow!? What is this pain!?)

"Ah, Lord Dragon, it’s been a while."

(You are… the one who commands Tarachnathos. Then this pain is from being struck by Tarachnathos?)

"He just gave you a little wake-up tap."

(A little? That was little, was it…?)

The dragon seemed lost in thought, but I had my own goal to accomplish.
What kind of materials would he give me, I wonder?

What do you think about this chapter?