The church's bells rang faintly in the distance as Arlo and Tessa returned from their awkward ordeal with the blacksmith. Arlo still looked like he'd been struck by lightning, muttering something about "never hugging anyone again."
But as they stepped through the chapel doors, a familiar voice greeted them.
"Took you long enough."
Sari stood waiting, arms crossed, her pockets jingling suspiciously with the sound of coins.
Arlo's eyes lit up. "Sari! You're back already?"
"Hmph. Don't get the wrong idea," she said quickly, cheeks puffing. "I didn't miss you or anything. I just figured you'd lose your heads without me."
Tessa raised a brow. "More like you ran out of space to stash coins, didn't you?"
Sari's eye twitched. "L-Lies! I came back because I wanted to. Not because my mattress collapsed under the weight of gold."
Arlo chuckled. "I expected something like that."
"Anyways I'd like to invite you guys to my home," Sari said cheerfully.
"Sure" Arlo and Tessa replied. "There's food there right?" Arlo quickly followed up.
"Uh..." Sari muttered.
"Let's buy some ingredients on the way." Tessa said with a smile on her face.
Sari's little house outside the town walls was nothing like Arlo expected. For someone who had spent weeks squabbling over debts, curses, and dragons, it was shockingly... normal. Cozy. Peaceful. A place that smelled of bread and freshly swept floors instead of singed hair and monster guts.
"This is... nice," Arlo muttered, setting down his satchel. "Like, suspiciously nice. I half expected a pit trap at the door."
"Shut up," Sari huffed, puffing out her cheeks. "Not everything has to be about death and near-death experiences."
Tessa gave the house a once-over, lips pursed. "...It's modest. But well kept. I approve."
Sari planted her hands on her hips, looking uncharacteristically serious. "Good. Because this is where I'm staying."
Arlo blinked. "...Wait. Of course this is where you're staying. It's your house right? Don't tell me you swindles this house from someone?"
"Of course it's my house, I just mean that I'm going to settle down here now."
He tilted his head. "Why?"
Sari's expression faltered for just a moment before she crossed her arms. "Because unlike you two idiots, I actually value my life."
Tessa frowned. "You fought bravely against the dragon. And we can do whatever we want anyways."
Sari sighed and glanced at the floor. "...Because I heard you two got that title. Dragon Slayer."
The words hung heavy in the air.
"You think it's just some shiny medal and free drinks, don't you?" she went on. "But that title? It's not just recognition. It's a contract. Now that you're Dragon Slayers, nobles, kings, maybe even kingdoms will call on you whenever something impossible needs doing. It's basically an invitation to keep throwing yourselves against nightmares."
Arlo's stomach dropped. "Wait, what? No one told us that!"
Tessa's face paled, her hand tightening around her cloak. "...You mean it isn't just an honorary rank?"
"Ha! Honorary? Please, I think you've been hauled up in your church for too long." Sari shook her head. "You're on the map now. Next hydra, next demon lord, next whatever crawls out of the abyss? Guess who's getting summoned first? You."
Arlo slumped onto a chair, groaning. "Oh no. This is a scam title, isn't it?"
Tessa pinched the bridge of her nose. "...We should have known. Nothing noblemen give is free."
Sari leaned on the table, her voice softer now. "Look, the dragon nearly broke me. I was terrified. I laughed, I screamed, I stuffed my pockets with coins—but I was this close to never coming home again. You want to keep walking that path, fine. But me?" She shook her head. "I want peace. I want a normal life. I don't want to wake up every morning wondering if today's the day I'm dragon chow."
Arlo and Tessa sat in silence. The weight of her words pressed against the walls of the tiny home.
Finally, Arlo muttered, "...I mean, she's not wrong. That dragon fight nearly killed us ten times over. And I still see its teeth when I close my eyes."
Tessa's lips tightened. "...And I used my entire life savings just to scrape five percent off our debt before that battle. Only for us to nearly die anyway. This... title..." She exhaled, shoulders slumping. "It's not glory. It's a leash."
Sari crossed her arms again, cheeks pink. "Don't get the wrong idea. It's not like I care what you two do. But if you keep running into death, don't expect me to tag along. I've had enough close calls to last me three lifetimes."
Arlo forced a grin, though his voice was strained. "Heh. Guess this is where we split the party, huh?"
Tessa glanced away, voice quieter. "...I'll miss having you, I mean who else is going to point out Arlo's stupidity. I can't handle it alone."
Arlo threw an irritated look at Tessa.
Sari's eyes softened, but she immediately spun around with a huff. "D-Don't say sappy stuff like that! Just... try not to die, got it?"
And just like that, the tsundere mask slipped back into place.
But the reality was clear:
The Dragon Slayers had gained wealth, status, and freedom from their debts.
But in exchange... they'd inherited a future of endless danger.