I’m Not an Earthworm, I’m an Earth Dragon

I’m not sure how it ended up like this. But now that it’s started, it’s only proper to finish the story. There’s no one more vile than a storyteller who cuts things off midway.

“So, you’re saying you lowered your own barrier? This guy was no ordinary madman. If he’d struck you down like that, you’d have died, wouldn’t you?”

“But I lived. You understand, you shouldn’t think of a half-dragon as some monster that eats people. Look at her. She’s just a normal person like you all.”

Altera, not particularly pleased at being the spectacle, sat with her legs crossed, looking indifferent. However, she seemed to know that this was necessary for justification, so she didn’t say much.

“So, isn’t it because that woman went around offering expensive materials to Goldsmett that things are in this state? Junkies are rolling around in the alleys, and weirdos shouting about eradicating drugs are wandering around every day!”

Not often, but sometimes. Actually, I sometimes wonder if there aren’t bugs disguised as people mixed in among us.

I told them from the start that she didn’t know how to speak and didn’t understand monetary value. This thought suddenly occurred to me as I saw people still trying to blame her.

“I already told you, she doesn’t know how to speak, so how would she know what prices are? She grew up in the mountains, so she doesn’t know anything about market rates. If we have to assign blame, wouldn’t it be Goldsmett’s fault?”

“Ugh…”

I don’t particularly like putting others down, but sometimes you have to disparage something else for justification. Here, that was Goldsmett.

The reaction was pretty good, so it seemed to have worked. Some people agreed, and others were gnashing their teeth, saying they tried to take advantage of such a beauty.

…It’s a good thing Altera doesn’t understand speech. She didn’t like being treated as a woman that much.

“Anyway. I think that’s enough explanation. Now… can I go up? My shoulder feels like it’s about to break.”

I don’t know why I had to convince them. Looking at the now bustling interior, I spoke to the receptionist again.

“…Yes. That’s the story. So, how much does the half-dragon owe?”

“You need that kind of boldness… to accept a half-dragon as a companion…! It’s an unprecedented case… Okay. We’ll make it free for you! The cost is 40 coppers per day! Meals are separate!”

Humans are 10, Elves are 20. So it’s 40 in total. After greeting the receptionist, I went upstairs.

And then, naturally, I tried to enter the room where Akash was going, but he stopped me and said with a serious expression.

“Hey, hey. No, that’s not right. Why are you going into my room? Shouldn’t you go with Altera and I go with Yuna?”

“…Why? Isn’t it better for men to go together and women to go together?”

It’s not like I’ve never shared a room with the opposite sex, but it was awkward because we often blushed at each other. However, he sighed and continued.

“Oh, you idiot. You’re the only one who can understand what that girl is saying. Why would you put Yuna through such hardship by leaving her with that one? And, honestly, you like it too, don’t you?”

Ah. That was the reason. It’s a reasonable reason, but that last comment made me feel a bit weird.

“…It’s not like Altera talks that often—”

“You might end up getting attacked in your sleep, you know.”

At Akash’s words, I immediately changed direction and headed to Altera’s room. I didn’t want to lose my virginity before I lost my innocence. Or should I say bachelorhood or youth in my case?

“Hey, Yuna. Let’s give our hero some time to have fun. Why the face? You don’t like it? What a strange coincidence. Me neither.”

“Shut up.”

Altera tilted her head, wondering why Yuna left and I came, but she quickly understood after I explained the reason.

“…I guess that makes sense. That mage guy, he’s more quick-witted than I thought? Or is that normal for a mage…?”

I put my luggage next to the bed and lay down. As much as adventuring is fun, nothing gives me as much happiness as resting.

And, when my body is comfortable, my mind works well. It’s only been two days since she joined the party, but I’ve seen her power without any reservation.

Just like Akash said, the power that killed her dragon father. With this much power, she could even stand against her father, the earth dragon…

…Wait a minute. Something’s off. I felt a click in my brain as if gears were turning.

“…Altera. Can I ask you something? Your mother was a human and is dead, and your father is a dragon and is alive, right?”

“…? Yeah. I told you. My dad killed my mom, and that’s why I’m going to kill my dad.”

Wait a minute. Wait a minute. Wait a minute. The information is updating. The gears are turning furiously. Why didn’t I feel something was off back then, at dawn?

Even in the dwarf village. I recruited her thinking she had the power to kill a dragon, but according to her, her father was alive.

A dragon had to settle everything it had done once the game was over. And her father is a dragon. She is alive.

That means, she could be purged at any moment. Me too. My party members too.

“Uh… uh? Wait, hold on. Then that means your dad could come at any time!!!!!!”

Like a falling object puzzle, once one piece clicked into place, thoughts followed in a chain reaction.

Akash and I, at first, we clearly thought she had killed the dragon, but when did we naturally start helping her with her revenge?

The noise carried to the next room, and a voice returned, annoyed, telling us to be quiet, but this was not the time to calm down. A dragon could attack us at any moment.

“What, you’re just realizing it now? I’ve never seen such a fool. Even if you’re stupid, there should be a limit, this is too much. You think so too, right?”

Akash had somehow entered the room and was sneering at me. No, is this the time to laugh?

“If you knew, you should have told me! What if, what if the Great Worm comes?! Do we even have a way to deal with it?!”

“Let’s answer one by one. Yes, I realized it when I asked for her alias in the dwarf village. But I was curious when you would realize it, so I deliberately kept my mouth shut. And next, rest assured. What you’re thinking won’t happen.”

I desperately wanted to punch Akash in the face, but I held back because I still had answers to hear from him.

“Why… why are you saying it’s safe…?”

“That necklace. It’s so faint now that it’s hard to recognize, but it has a very high-level perception-blocking spell on it. You might not know now… but yeah. About 7 years ago, it was at a level that could even deceive the eyes of a god. And, this girl is alive, isn’t she? Either he hasn’t found her, or he can’t find her.”

Well, if things continue like this, it’s only a matter of time before her father notices, though. I could only stare blankly at him as he added that.

Then… there’s nothing really to worry about…? Whether her father is alive or not, it’s an undeniable fact that she’s strong, and her father won’t come looking for us.

Ah, what a relief. I felt all the strength drain from my body. Haha, what is this? Was I the only one acting like a fool?

“…That bastard is coming? Now? Why? Where was he when I was weak, when it would have been easy to kill me?”

However, Altera was looking at me with a gaze that seemed like it might actually spark flames.

“Hey, Altera. Just calm down a little… Will you listen to my story just once?”

Fortunately, she hadn’t completely lost her reason, so I was barely able to tell her why I had said such things.

The reason she was brought into the party, Akash’s remarks, and even my… foolish actions.

“…So, because of some ridiculous reason decided by these so-called gods, my mother… my life had to be trampled on…?”

I couldn’t help but think that it might have been better not to say anything. Her attitude was even more murderous than when she was going berserk.

“…Thank you for telling me. Thinking about it, it doesn’t seem like I necessarily have to go find him. Of course, if I do find him, I’ll kill him… but if I can’t find him, I’ll make that bastard come find me himself.”

…Hmm. I was thinking of adding a healer to the party this time, but it seems difficult since the target of her anger has increased.

Basically, the principle of healing was the grace of God. She would probably go ballistic if I brought in a healer.

Is there anyone who can heal without using divine power…? Even knowing that there wasn’t, I lamented towards the empty air.

In Collucia, all the healers wanted to go, but they just came because they were taking care of sick people. In other places, I couldn’t bring healers into the party for various reasons.

“Well… yeah… okay… I’ll support you. More importantly, Altera. I’m going to buy something for a bit, do you want to come with me?”

“…What?”

“What else? Books for you to read, food, and equipment to use.”

“…I don’t need equipment.”

Altera stubbornly refused to wear anything, saying she didn’t need equipment. I hope she can change that attitude someday. I hope so.

“No, I mean what I’m going to wear. Akash and Yuna are going too, so I can’t just leave you behind.”

With 5 gold, I could at least upgrade the equipment by one level. And this leather armor, even though the defense is good, it smells terrible.

“Then… okay. Let’s go together.”

I deeply thought that it was a real relief that her anger wasn’t directed at us.