Volume 3 Chapter 1 Dragon Egg
The five of us in the Wade Party gathered around the dragon egg, having a meeting.
"So, I'm thinking of changing the party's name soon." I said to everyone.
In response to my suggestion, everyone replied,
"...Wade-kun, even your idea is rejected, you know?"
"Yes. Rejected. No need to discuss it."
"Well, it's a rejection, I guess."
"Rejected. Wade should consider your influence."
"My influence has been proven to be nonexistent at this moment."
Wow... I was taken aback. Is this really happening? Everyone who always treats me kindly is being so cold today.
"Why though? There must be a better name for the party, definitely."
"Well, it's obvious to us."
Everyone nodded in agreement to Clay's troubled expression.
"To put it simply, everyone here is admired you, Wade-kun. While we have some connections among each other, the bond between you and us individually is much stronger."
"It's Wade-kun's party, so it's the Wade Party, right...?"
With Ice's encouragement, I reluctantly accept, saying, "I see...?"
Still, why do they all like me so much? Even if I really like them, it feels like they like me too much.
"Well then, let's dismiss your nonsense and move on to financial matters, Wade-kun."
"Clay seems pretty lucky, huh?"
"It's Wade's fault for suggesting weird things like changing the party name."
"That's right."
Toxy and Sandra are both cold about this matter. Seems like everyone liked it... Well, can't be helped.
Next, Clay started talking.
"Um, first of all, let me congratulate you. This time, the total funds of the Wade Party have reached five big gold coins."
""""Woah...""""
It's a huge amount, and it's a bit hard for my brain to grasp. So, one copper coin is 300 yen, one silver coin is 30,000 yen, and one gold coin is 3 million yen. Therefore, since a big gold coin is worth ten gold coins...
...It's equivalent to 150 million yen? Oh, no. Even when converted to Japanese yen, it doesn't quite click.
"We originally earned three big gold coins from Toxy-san's debt problem. Taking one from this house, adding two more, along with two Wyverns, three Fire Dragons, and some Wyvern eggs, totaling five big gold coins."
"An amount that can last for ten years of play."
"Yeah, that's true... It's a bit hard to understand, this amount..."
Toxy paled at Sandra's remark. As someone who grew up in the slums, I've gone beyond being shocked too; I can't even feel the reality.
"And finally, this is the Metamorph Dragon egg."
"Metamorph Dragon!?"
The one who raised their voice was Ice. Under everyone's gaze, she shrunks back, saying, "Ah, s-sorry... I raised my voice."
"Ice-chan, and also Clay, what's this egg about? It's not a Wyvern egg, right?"
"That's right. It's an egg that was hidden inside a Wyvern egg as a brood parasite. It's also a special type of dragon egg called a Metamorph Dragon."
"I see. So why were you surprised, Ice-chan?"
"W-Well, you see..."
In response to Toxy's question, Ice swallowed once and began to answer.
"A Metamorph Dragon is the only dragon that doesn't have a fixed form... In its egg state, it adapts to the surrounding environment and emerges resembling the creatures around it."
We all tilted our heads in thought.
"In simple terms, if a dragon is born among wyverns, it will be born in the form of a wyvern. But if it is born among humans, it will be born in human form. That's the kind of dragon it is."
"Wow! That's amazing!"
"So, um...? Here's the really amazing part. The strength of a Metamorph Dragon does not depend on its form."
"What do you mean?"
"Simply put, it means that they have the same strength as a dragon even in human form."
As Ice explained, Toxy, Sandra, and I exchanged glances.
"...Isn't that incredibly amazing?"
"Y-yes...! It's really amazing. That's why Metamorph Dragon eggs are truly valuable."
"The dragon can be used as escorts for important figures, they are tougher and longer-lived than humans, and they are quite intelligent. It's even said that if you expose the egg to human language like this, they will start using language immediately upon hatching."
"Aren't they smarter than humans?"
"There are various theories about that."
I see the Metamor Dragon egg. I thought it was a big egg, but I didn't expect it to look like that.
"So, are you thinking of raising it and all that?"
"Yeah, that's the plan. Of course, it depends on Wade-kun's thoughts."
"Well, I'll definitely raise it. Haha, somehow I'm already starting to feel attached to it."
I gently stroke the egg. I'll raise it with great care.
Then, Alex arrives.
"Hey hey, all gathered around. Arguing about what to name the Metamor Dragon egg?"
"We're still deciding how to handle it. Currently, the plan is to raise it."
"Haha! That's great. In that case, I can give you some advice on various things."
Excited by his words, we all cheer.
Then, Alex extends his hand.
"...What's this hand for?"
"One gold coin."
"That's too much, Alex. We're the ones raising it. If it's just advice, it should be worth a silver coin at most."
"Tch. Looks like you're starting to understand market prices, Wade. By the way, Clay, can you tell us the correct price?"
"It's five big copper coins. Even one silver coin would be too much to pay."
Alex apparently tried to overcharge me by a whopping two hundred times. Everyone, including me, glared at him, and Alex just laughed, "Hahaha!"
"My bad. Well, it's a learning experience. Besides, if I keep charging our regular customers every time, I'll just end up ruining their mood and losing out. I won't take any money."
Showing an unexpected generosity, Alex looks down at the Metamorph Dragon egg.
"Hmm. Looks like it'll hatch pretty soon. In that case, it's best to keep it warm for an easy birth. It should hatch out of the shell within a few days. It's fine to let it drink Cow Bison milk on the first day, but it'll start eating meat from the next day. Make sure to stock up. It'll eat quite a lot at first."
"So, we need to buy milk and meat. Can someone take care of that?"
"Oh, I'll go buy them. Sandra, want to come along?"
"Understood. By the way, I'm gonna go hunt some bounties and make some pocket money while I'm at it."
"Since you don't have to get involved in any messy business..."
As I watched Toxy and Sandra make a promise, Clay said,
"Well then, I'm gonna go buy some magic tools for training."
"...Magic tools?"
When I asked, Clay answered,
"Even if the dragon is born in human form and are smarter than humans, there's no mistaking that they're dragons. When it comes to controlling magic beasts, it's regulated by law that we use magic tools for dominance."
"Oh, I see. So there's some magic that prevents them from hurting humans?"
"If we did that, we wouldn't be able to use them as guards. So there are magic tools that can enforce not attacking the master and not going against the master's orders. There are other rules too, like not being able to target the royal family."
"Haha. Well, I guess that makes sense."
As I laughed, Clay said, "Laws exist first and foremost to protect sovereignty."
"Anyway, that's the deal. Our bodies can easily be broken by this child's tantrum, so we take precautions to avoid such accidents."
As Clay prepared, I spoke up.
"I'm a little interested, can I go?"
"Oh, really? Then maybe I'll talk to Alex-san about the financial situation."
Clay seems to have an infinite amount of work, but I'm filled with joy to be involved in the unknown realm of magic tools.
"Where is the magic tool store? I'm going there right away."
"Oh, in that case―――"
Just as Clay was about to speak,
"In that case, I'll show you around, is that okay?"
Ice raised her hand, causing both Clay and me to look at her.
"Do you know a good store, Ice?"
"Ice, a good store... well, in this area, there's only one, so..."
"Where is it?"
"It's Walter's Magic Tools Shop."
"Alright, seems like we're on the same page."
Well, it'd be better to have someone take me there. When Clay said that, I looked at Ice.
"Then, can I leave the navigation to you?"
"Yeah, Wade-kun...!"
Seeing Ice, who was full of motivation, I relaxed my expression.
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