So, I went to Kuilan and confronted him about why he had refused to issue equipment.
The response was quite something.
"Do you see this fur, Captain?"
"Huh? It's very visible."
"It's the highest quality plush fur that drives the fur enthusiasts of the North wild. It's clearly visible."
Kuilan explained, showing off his own plush skin with the tips of his fingers.
"This is the armor and cape you gave me, Captain."
Nightmare Slayer, [Massacre under the Full Moon].
The equipment that was made after defeating the Wolf King Lunared was now manifesting a curse, sticking to Kuilan's back.
Additionally, all the equipment he had been wearing had fused with it.
So, Kuilan's werewolf fur and skin are fully exhibiting the original equipment's performance.
Indeed, when I checked the system window, it was just as he said. Even though it looks like he is naked, the equipment stats are being properly applied.
"No, I mean..."
I insisted.
"What if you wear more equipment now, huh?! Wouldn't that be a bug-like play where you layer equipment over equipment?!"
"Bug...? Are you talking about insects? What are you talking about?"
Ah, another gaming term slipped out, anyway! If you can layer two pieces of equipment in the equipment slot, you naturally should!
However, Kuilan slightly shook his head.
"The point is, my body already has sufficient defensive and offensive power without wearing any equipment. There are not enough Dragon Slayers right now, isn't it better to give it to friends who don't have any?"
"Uhmm, that makes sense..."
Dragon Slayers are just starting to be produced, and it's true that there is a shortage.
"But there are plenty of other equipment available."
Other equipment is piled up in the storage.
"I will pick something suitable and throw it over you, understand?"
"Understood, tsk..."
Golden light flickered in Kuilan's downcast eyes.
"If killing that monster helps, then I will do it."
"..."
I watched Kuilan quietly and then asked something I had been curious about.
"Kuilan. How does it feel to be chosen by the tribal god?"
The chosen quartet.
All of their stats had greatly increased. They were still unable to fully control their new abilities, but once they do, they will be several times stronger than before.
But all of them looked dangerously unstable right now. That worried me.
When I asked, Kuilan hesitated for a moment before eventually answering.
"Everything feels amplified. Not just abilities but emotions too. Joy, hatred, sadness..."
"Emotions too..."
"That's why I can't stand those monsters that hurt or kill my dear comrades. I'm feeling this much, but the other two who have lost family feel even worse."
Swallowing his words, Kuilan then smiled broadly with a wolfish face.
"But I'll try to stay as sober as possible. For Yun's sake."
"Heh~ Didn't you not like Yun that much?"
"Isn't it not all about romantic feelings between men and women?"
I teasingly asked, and Kuilan burst out laughing.
"She is a great warrior and my precious comrade. Plus, she even likes me. How could I not harbor tender feelings for such a person?"
"..."
"When Yun wakes up, I hope the world is peaceful and safe... So, I will fight."
I couldn't help but admire him and laughed.
The bandit king, who used to think only of fleeing from monsters, had now become such a reliable beast king.
***
After encouraging Kuilan, I stepped outside the barracks, where King Poseidon was waiting for me.
"King Poseidon."
"Prince Ash."
We exchanged greetings.
King Poseidon also had not yet received his Dragon Slayer equipment, but he wasn't a priority, so I had no intention of nagging him about it.
'He doesn't look it, but this old man plays a support role like me.'
Despite his muscular physique, King Poseidon was actually more specialized in support. There was no urgent need for the Dragon Slayer equipment.
Anyway, I had no plans to meet him today...
But after a moment of hesitation, King Poseidon whispered to me quietly.
"I have something urgent to discuss with you."
King Poseidon looked serious.
I raised my eyebrows in surprise.
***
Eti's Honey Inn.
"Hecate."
Lucas came to Hecate's room and handed over armor as soon as she opened the door.
"This is the armor [Water Moon] I've been wearing... I've adjusted it for women."
"..."
Hecate hesitantly accepted the armor.
The blue armor shone with a clear luster. Although Lucas had been using it, it was in very good condition due to meticulous care and taming.
"I've acquired this new armor [Black Scale], so that armor no longer has an owner. I'd like you to wear it."
As he said this, Lucas struck a pose, showing off the armor he was wearing, which glinted with a jet-black sheen.
'Damn it, why are you showing off your armor there!'
Hecate's anteroom.
Junior, who was peeking through the crack in the door at this scene, was tearing her hair out.
If you've come to give a gift, just give it and leave. Why show off your new armor there, Sir Knight!
Hecate covered her mouth and chuckled.
"I have armor too, Lucas."
"You're not wearing it."
"The reason I don't wear armor... is that it's pointless."
Hecate glanced at the bandages visible beneath her sleeves.
"You know. No matter what injuries I sustain, I can just regenerate them with my 'curse'. So, really..."
"Still, wear it."
Lucas added with a serious tone.
"I'm worried."
"..."
Hecate's eyes widened as Lucas explained further.
"Our lord is worried. You've been refusing the Dragon Slayer equipment."
"...Ah, His Highness."
Hecate's expression deflated slightly, but Lucas didn't notice.
"Dragon Slayer armors are indeed in short supply as you say. So at least wear that armor. It's of excellent quality. Of course, it's not as good as my new armor."
With another flashy pose (at this point, Junior held her neck), Lucas coolly nodded and walked away.
"Well, I'll be going then. The lord will summon us soon, see you then."
"Yeah, take care..."
Lucas strode away, and Hecate waved with a limp hand.
"Hecate."
Suddenly, Lucas turned back slightly and smiled faintly.
"That armor will suit you well."
"..."
"I'm looking forward to seeing you in it. Bye then."
Lucas's brilliant blonde hair eventually disappeared down the stairs.
"..."
As Hecate's gaze blankly followed his trajectory,
Clatter!
The door to the front room swung open, and Junior, who had been leaning against it, tumbled out with a short scream.
"..."
"..."
Hecate and Junior's eyes met in midair. An awkward silence followed.
"Oh, no! I wasn't trying to eavesdrop!"
Junior's face turned red as she frantically waved her hands, trying to explain, but Hecate just grinned broadly.
"I knew. I was watching."
"Ah..."
"Remember, I'm an inspector. Captain of the Glory Knights. I can sense that much, can't I?"
Embarrassed, Junior scratched the back of her head and stood up, clearing her throat.
"Well... anyway, that was a pretty good line Lucas dropped at the end. I saw him in a new light."
"Really?"
Hecate gazed down at the blue armor she was holding.
"Isn't it rather cruel?"
"What?"
"To stir someone's feelings with such thoughtless words and leave... It's cruel."
As she listlessly set the armor down, Hecate murmured,
"Even though there's no intention to be more than friends."
Then, hesitantly, Junior asked,
"...Isn't friendship enough?"
"What?"
"Whether it's a crush or friendship, being connected with someone you like... Isn't there always a chance it could develop into something more? Isn't that okay?"
Hecate stared at Junior, who babbled and rolled her eyes.
"Anyway, the important thing is to keep trying to talk, to not give up... I think that's important. You know, they say there's no tree that won't fall after ten chops. Maybe if you confess enough times, suddenly it'll fall."
"..."
"Anyway, having someone to flirt with is something, right? I'm not popular at all..."
As Junior's voice trailed off, Hecate burst into hearty laughter.
Her sincere smile caught Junior off guard this time. Hecate then smiled with her eyes.
"Junior, have you ever tried chopping with an axe?"
"No, I haven't... I'm terrible at relationships..."
I realized I wasn't in a position to give advice to others.
I've never properly liked anyone myself, a true born-single...
"Uh... sorry. I spoke out of turn... Ignore me. Ah, embarrassing."
"Junior, you are a good person."
Hecate said sincerely.
She showed a fist pump of encouragement to a speechless Junior.
"So, when the opportunity comes, don't hesitate and just go for it, okay?"
"..."
"You will surely find a good connection."
Hecate, expressing her gratitude, said she would arrange the armor she received and carried it into her room.
Exchanging a greeting and awkwardly closing the door, Junior sighed deeply.
Would it really come to her? Whether it's an opportunity or a connection...
Maybe it had already passed by several times but she, being more oblivious than Lucas, had let it slip away.
"Well, what if it doesn't come? So what if it slipped away."
Junior surveyed the magic and history books filling her room as she shook her head.
"There's plenty to do other than romance."
...No, it's not just an excuse of a single person, there really is a lot to do.
Muttering to herself, Junior sat down at her desk. She opened a blank notebook and dipped her pen in ink.
Whether the world ends tomorrow or not.
Junior had things to do.
It was to document her own experiences and about this world.
***
That evening, in the lord's mansion's reception room.
I summoned the heroes.
"There are three remaining members of the Black Dragon Legion we're hunting."
I tapped the chalkboard as I explained.
Excluding Night Bringer, there are three evil dragons left.
The Wing of the Black Dragon, Wingian.
The Eye of the Black Dragon, Ipian.
The Scale of the Black Dragon, Scalian.
"These three are similarly powerful. It's difficult to determine who's the strongest."
So, I pondered.
In what order should we tackle these three?
"The first one we should take down is..."
Thump!
I pointed the end of my staff at 'the Wing.'
"Wingian."
Gulp...
All the heroes swallowed nervously. I lowered my staff and looked around at the heroes.
"Before we devise a detailed strategy, I will call out those who will participate in this battle."
The difficulty of the raids from this point on increases significantly. I had warned them numerous times, and all the heroes were well aware.
So, looking at their tense faces, I called out the first member.
"First... Violet!"
Woahhhhhh!
All the heroes clapped and cheered for the first one to be named.
"..."
Violet was alone outside the reception room, lying atop the captured monster Parekian in the courtyard, with a detached expression on her face, weakly waving her hand.
"Yes yes, take me wherever. To any hell, just as the lord wishes..."
Violet belonged to the lineage of grumbling but duty-fulfilling heroes like Lilly and Margarita. Hang in there, everyone.
Looking in her direction, I chuckled... then slowly, the smile faded from my face.
It begins.
The formal war with the Black Dragon Legion - the three-part evil dragon raid.