In order to search for Agetha, I left the village of Katarov and decided to go to a large city to gather information.
That's why I took a carriage and traveled all the way.
The royal capital, Larna.
As the name suggests, it's the town where His Majesty, the King of the Rastarna Kingdom, resides.
It's the most prosperous town in the Rastarna Kingdom and a key transportation hub where many people come and go.
So, I thought it would be perfect for gathering information, but…
"The town seems strange."
I had never left the village of Katarov before. This was my first time visiting such a large town, but even so, I could tell that something was off.
Everyone was having a great time.
Eating and drinking outdoors was common, and some people were playing musical instruments and dancing.
It was like a lively festival.
"Hey, buddy! You should eat something too!"
Someone called out to me.
A tall and burly man, even bigger than me, casually slung his arm around my shoulders.
"Thank you."
I accepted the food he handed me, and then he poured some beer into a mug for me.
After that, he said, "Cheers!" and clinked mugs with me. The mugs were filled to the brim, and there was some spillage, but nobody seemed to mind.
"Wow, it's really festive here!"
The man said this as he unreservedly downed his drink.
"Uh… what's all this celebration for?"
"What? You don't know? The hero finally defeated the Demon Lord. So, we're celebrating that."
Ah, I see. That makes sense. Celebrating the defeat of the Demon Lord is only natural.
However, with everyone in town in this mood, it might be challenging to gather information.
"I saw it myself. The battle between the hero and the Demon Lord."
"What did you say!?"
Everyone around me turned to look. Since it was a good opportunity, I thought I could relax a bit.
"After all, I was the guide for the hero."
I must have had a smug expression when I said that.
Then, I described the battle between the hero and the Demon Lord like it was an epic tale. The more I spoke, the more people gathered around me, eagerly listening to my story. When I finished telling them about the hero defeating the Demon Lord, everyone cheered and those who had joined in later asked me to start from the beginning. I got carried away and told the same story over again, but with each retelling, I improved my storytelling, using gestures and exaggeration to make it more entertaining.
"The Demon Lord effortlessly blocked the hero's ultimate move, and it seemed like the hero's defeat was imminent! Everyone had given up, and all that was left was to pray to the gods. But the hero never gave up. His unwavering belief brought about a miracle!"
As I proclaimed this, cheers and gasps rose from the crowd of townspeople. There was quite a large audience gathered around me, all captivated by my storytelling.
What's more, the excited people generously threw coins my way. Thanks to them, I earned a considerable amount. This is unexpectedly satisfying.
"Hey, there's a fool here who's fabricating the hero's reputation! I've received a report!"
I spotted soldiers in armor nearby.
"Oh no…"
I didn't realize I did anything wrong, but being too conspicuous tends to attract attention.
"Uh, you see, this is not what it looks like…"
As I tried to explain while wracking my brain for an excuse, my name was unexpectedly called.
"Isn't that Kiska?"
I looked over, and it was a familiar face. The approaching soldier was none other than the Holy Knight Canaria.
"What are you doing in a place like this?"
"I was spreading the legend of the hero to everyone."
Yes, this was an activity I did for the hero, akin to charity work. So there shouldn't be any reason for anyone to blame me.
"Well, the fact that you witnessed the hero's battle is true. It doesn't seem like you're spreading lies."
"Um, in that case, it's okay for me to continue my activities?"
"That's right. Spreading the legend of the hero to the masses benefits the kingdom. Your activities are approved."
"Thank you very much!"
With this, my activities received official recognition from the kingdom. This would allow me to conduct even more extensive activities—wait a minute.
Don't lose sight of your goal.
My purpose is to find Agetha.
I can't afford to waste more time on this.
"By the way, what is Hero Eligion-sama currently doing?"
I casually inquired.
Since Holy Knight Canaria was here in the capital, I assumed that Hero Eligion had also returned to the capital.
"Um, Canaria-san?"
However, she was gazing into the distance as if my words didn't reach her ears.
"…Dragons."
And then, in a hushed voice, she muttered.
Dragons…? What on earth is she talking about…
"Rooooaaaaarrrrrr!"
A deafening roar, like an earthquake, reverberated.
I immediately turned around.
"Huh?"
What I saw before me left me dumbfounded.
A dragon.
Dragons were considered the most fearsome creatures among the various monsters. They had an S-rank threat level, and defeating them was known to be exceptionally difficult.
And there it was, the legendary creature, a dragon.
If it were just one dragon in the sky, I might not have been so astonished. It was uncommon but not impossible for a single dragon to enter a city.
However, it wasn't just one dragon.
How many were there, then?
Too many to count.
There were so many dragons that they blocked out the sunlight as they filled the sky.
Moments ago, the weather was clear, but now, with the arrival of the dragon horde, the sky became overcast.
"Hey, what are those!?"
"Dragons are attacking in a horde!"
Panicked voices from the townspeople reached my ears.
Dragons were typically known for their pride, tending to act alone rather than in groups. But now, it was as if they had formed an army, acting together.
"Canaria?"
I called her name on impulse.
She was a Holy Knight and a member of the Royal Guard. I hoped she would have a plan to escape this situation.
"Huh? She's not here."
I looked at the spot where Canaria had been just moments ago, but she was gone.
"Hurry, we need to run!"
"Hey, don't push!"
"Don't push me either!"
"Mama! Where are you?"
The festive atmosphere of the town had transformed into chaos. Everyone was running to escape the attacking dragons. The panicked crowd pushed and shoved each other, causing minor clashes.
One by one, dragons began to land on the ground.
Their landings caused the earth to tremble, buildings to collapse, and people to be crushed. As more dragons landed, more lives were lost.
One dragon unleashed black flames, incinerating people, while another one used its claws to grab and devour those attempting to escape. People were brutally killed throughout the town.
Screams and cries of despair echoed from all directions. Some people tried to fight back, but they, too, met a grim fate.
The city gates were blocked by dragons, who devoured anyone who came near with their massive jaws.
I witnessed people being killed before my very eyes once again.
The city, once home to people, had turned into a battlefield. No, it was more akin to an execution ground. The people were being mercilessly slaughtered without any chance of resistance.
Squish, squish, squish, squish, the sound of people being trampled and crushed could be heard, as if it were a macabre rhythm.
Before I knew it, a mountain of lifeless bodies began to pile up.
"Ah… Aah…"
In the midst of all this, I could do nothing but cower in place.
Anything I did now wouldn't change the situation. The violence unfolding before my eyes was simply overwhelming.
The world was heading towards its demise. I had come from a hundred years in the future to change it, even though I lacked a real understanding of what it meant. Nevertheless, the Observer had told me this and sent me back. Perhaps that was why I had never truly comprehended the significance of the world's impending destruction. But now, in this moment, it was all too clear.
"Can I really change this…?"
How? How could I, alone, possibly make a difference and alter this future?
"It's impossible."
I concluded that this was a problem I couldn't handle. As I did, I heard my heart shatter.
"It's impossible… impossible! Impossible…!"
Screaming in despair, I ran wildly. If the dragons were to kill me at any moment, so be it. I would prefer that outcome!
Running and running, I collided with someone. Initially, I thought I had run into a pillar or something similar. The impact was solid, like a massive weight. But upon closer inspection, I saw a face and moving lips.
"Indeed, it seems to be going well."
"Huh…?"
What's happening?
Why is the Demon Lord Zoga, who should be dead, standing in front of me?
That's right, what I initially thought was a pillar was actually the Demon Lord Zoga.
"Why are you here…?"
I asked him, still confused.
"Hmm?"
The Demon Lord turned around but paid me no mind. It was as if I were just an ant in front of him. He swung his massive sword, as if to crush the ant beneath it.
"Ah!"
I tried to shield myself with my arm, but the sword cut through my arm and my body.
When I came to my senses, I was already dead.
◆
"Hah."
Awakening, I took a breath.
Where am I? What's this place?
First, I needed to figure out where I was. Looking around, I was surrounded by rugged walls.
I was inside the "Katarov Dungeon."
Oh, I remembered now.
Right after I stepped into the teleportation circle with the heroes, I ended up all alone inside the dungeon.
It seemed like that was the point at which I would respawn.