The Resolve to Slay the Dragon

But just when Stark finally mustered the courage to face it all, everything before him suddenly shattered like a mirror.

I opened my eyes to the deep night sky, the stars twinkling quietly, the evening breeze gently blowing through the forest, and the only sound the rustling of leaves.

Was it... a dream?

Stark stared blankly at the sky.

He raised his hands.

Rather than saying "it was just a dream," it's more accurate to say "as expected."

"What...?"

Stark raised his hand and rubbed his eyes.

"Of all times, I had to wake up."

He had finally mustered up the courage, but in the end, he didn't even get to swing his sword once before the dream ended. At least let him fight alongside his brother in his dream once.

Even though it was just a dream, the memories that resurfaced and the choices made did not disappear upon waking.

A hero?

Can someone like me become a hero?

Stark looked at his own hands.

Just then, a dragon's roar came from the distant mountain peaks and echoed for a long time in the night.

This happens every day.

The Red Mirror Dragon often roars at this time, as if reminding the people at the foot of the mountain that it still occupies that spot.

Normally, whenever I hear this sound, my body stiffens, and I can only barely return to normal after the dragon's roar completely disappears.

This time was no exception.

Cold sweat beaded on my forehead, my heart began to pound, and my clenched fingers trembled uncontrollably.

I was still really scared. In my dream, he seemed so cool, but when I actually heard the Red Mirror Dragon's voice, my body immediately reverted to normal.

How pathetic! How can someone like me be considered a hero?

Stark then turned to look at the village at the foot of the mountain, where lights were scattered throughout the night.

But upon closer reflection, I realize I'm already a hero.

So now that he's been hailed as a hero, he can't keep relying on lies forever.

Stark reached out and grasped the battle axe that lay beside the stone slab.

"It's so noisy."

He gazed at the mountain peak where the Red Mirror Dragon was perched and said softly.

"You make noise every night; you're the one really disturbing the peace."

As expected, there was no response, but this only strengthened the boy's resolve.

The next morning, Lorenzo and Fern dragged Frieren, who had finally managed to get out of bed, to the cliff where Stark usually practiced.

To say it was "dragging along" is not an exaggeration.

Frieren had almost half her body weight on Fern, and her eyes were never fully open. If she were given a bed right now, she would probably fall asleep again the moment she collapsed.

He might even compete with Nobita Nobi for the record of falling asleep the fastest.

I said...

Frieren let out a long yawn and asked Lorenzo listlessly.

"Has he really made up his mind today? He seemed so desperate yesterday, and he's made up his mind after just one night?"

Throughout her long life, humanity has indeed often changed suddenly due to some seemingly insignificant event.

But Stark refused so decisively yesterday; he doesn't seem like the type to go off to hunt the Red Mirror Dragon after just one night's sleep.

"Since Lord Lorenzo said it, it must be true."

Fern answered Lorenzo earnestly, expressing an attitude of believing without needing a reason.

"Fern, aren't you trusting him too much?"

Frieren opened her eyes slightly.

Lord Lorenzo never jokes about such things.

"Yeah?"

Frieren recalled for a moment.

She always felt that Lorenzo often did things that made it hard to tell whether they were jokes or not.

"Don't worry, the psychological therapy I gave him yesterday should have worked quite well."

Lorenzo walked ahead, looking as if victory was already assured and there was no need for haste.

"Psychotherapy, when did you go out yesterday?"

Frieren looked at him with suspicion. After checking into the inn in this village yesterday, his room door hadn't been opened at all, and he even had his dinner delivered to his room by the innkeeper.

Did he climb out the window?

"I have a feeling you're thinking about something really rude?"

Lorenzo knew from Frieren's expression that she was thinking about something strange.

"No, I'm just hoping your therapy will be more effective."

Frieren met Lorenzo's gaze without hesitation. Who knows where she learned it from, but now she lies without batting an eye.

The three continued along the path on the east side of the village.

Strangely, the roaring sound that usually rings out every morning has not appeared today.

There was no thunderous crash of an axe striking the mountainside, nor did the ground tremble slightly; the entire forest was eerily quiet.

"He didn't run away, did he?"

Frieren turned and asked.

"How is that possible?"

Lorenzo answered verbally, but his pace noticeably quickened.

If Stark was truly terrified by that dream and left the village overnight, then his treatment theory from last night would probably be immediately proven wrong.

After the three of them passed through the last grove of trees, the familiar cliffs finally came into view.

Stark did not escape.

The red-haired youth sat on the stone slab, seemingly having waited for a long time, with his battle axe within easy reach.

Hearing footsteps, Stark looked up.

"I've made up my mind. I'll go with you."

Then he looked at the mountain peak where the Red Mirror Dragon was entrenched, his hand gripping the axe handle still trembling slightly.

"But before that, we need to deal with that Red Mirror Dragon."

Are you scared?

Fern looked at him and asked.

"I was terrified."

Stark readily admitted it.

"I'm even starting to regret making that decision before you guys came."

If I had come to my senses any later, I might have been able to use insufficient preparation as an excuse to delay for a few more days.

Unfortunately, words spoken are like water spilled; it's too late to take them back.

"In that case, let's follow."

Frieren turned around and looked at the road leading to the mountain peak. Her decisive attitude surprised Stark.

Normally, shouldn't you give yourself a few words of encouragement first?

After all, yesterday she seemed determined not to face the Red Mirror Dragon no matter what, and today she finally mustered the courage to volunteer for the raid. Shouldn't she receive some encouragement like "You can definitely do it" or "We all believe in you"?

"Stark."

After taking a few steps, Fern turned back and called out to him.

"We're about to set off."

"They've arrived."

Left with no other option, Stark picked up his battle axe and followed.

He glanced back at the village at the foot of the mountain one last time, where wisps of smoke were rising from the houses in the early morning.

There's no need to tell them specifically.

If the battle is successfully defeated, the Red Mirror Dragon will no longer be a threat.

If it fails...

Let's wait until we fail to see what happens.

After all, he had come a long way, and it was really not appropriate for him to continue thinking about unlucky things.

"Make it clear beforehand, if I die on the way to defeat the Red Mirror Dragon, you must help me take care of my master in his final moments."