Dragon’s Bloodline

He got taller.

Its important, so it has to be said one more time.

He got taller.

Serge was in a good mood from his recent growth spurt. He practically danced in joy whenever there werent people around.

And thats also why he ended up agreeing with Chriss following request:

Serge, I want to take part in an actual battle, could we go together?

In this case, it didnt look like she had the alternative of relying on her brother. He was weak.

Im fine with it, but get permission from the earl alright?

The earl loved his daughter, so he didnt expect that shed actually get his permission.

Its already. I already got Otou-samas permission.

Her response caused Serge to freeze up for a bit.

She actually had a strategy for that.

Chris began assaulting her father with an extremely rare case of her begging.

And like that, she was just barely able to have the earl give up and say his conditions.

One of those conditions were that Serge had to go along with her.

She did the order backwards, but Chris was able to get permission to go through this method.

Woman are scary

Serge lamented as such later on.

Wondering what sort of fight Chris was looking to have, Serge asked her.

It has to be a hydra so I

Yeah, no. Out!

That hurdle was way too high.

But Serge defeated that one easily?

You know, its true that I can, but do you know the level difference between us?

Serge was showing a much lower level than he was actually at by using camouflaging magic, but even with that, they had a pretty big difference between each other.

Well have to hire people to be scouts and shields.

Setting aside the scouts, do we need warriors? We didnt even have them in the training though.

Serge was there at that time, so he was able to deal with most things. However, even though Serge would be there this time as well, relying on him would serve little purpose for training.

And so those two turned up at the mercenary guild.

As the name suggested, it was a place that acted as a mediator for mercenaries to find work. However, the one in this town wasnt that large.

But even so, it felt nostalgic when he went inside. Chris followed closely behind Serge, gripping onto his robe tightly.

Feeling that familiar sensation and heading to the counter, Serge talked to the manager.

Oji-san, Im looking for a scout and two warriors to act as shields.

Aah? Its not like there arent any, but what for?

At that point, Serge gestured towards Chris with his thumb.

After that, the manager picked out a few members that Serge was wanting.

Even when Serge checked them out with Identify, it looked like they were good enough to defend Chris.

Shall we go then?

No no, we still havent decided on the details.

The one who brought up the contracts details was a male beastkin that looked to be the scout. Judging by the black spots on his fur, he was a rare species in the town.

At any rate, were just looking to get experience, so Im fine with whatever materials appear. If some rare item pops up Ill let you guys have priority in buying it.

What about luggage? Itd probably be a bit tough for the Ojou-san.

We have magic bags, so its alright. Just carry as many materials as you can.

The men laughed in satisfaction. Their payment was attractive enough, but now it looked like theyd be able to earn even more from materials.

Their negotiations after that went smoothly as well, so the scout and Serge shook hands with each other.

Now then, next are the preparations.

Eh?

Well be staying in the forest for a week. Theres lots of stuff to buy. Ill buy the stuff we need for adventuring, so if theres anything you need as a woman, go and buy them.

To be specific, undergarments and the like. Explorers would usually be in the same underwear for a week, but Chris probably wouldnt be able to hold on that long. She also probably wouldnt take a bath as often as Ria did though.

Even though that girl was heroic, she had a rather eccentric love of being clean.

Make sure to buy stuff while referencing the trouble you had back in those three days of training. You wont be able to bathe, so be prepared for that.

U-understood.

Serge could more or less use bath magic as well though. It was convenient for traveling, so he made sure to learn it.

However, itd be a bad thing to spoil Chris so much in the beginning. In no way was this him wanting to smell her after a week of no bathing.

On the morning of the next day, the group gathered near the towns front gate with everything prepared.

There were three people loaded down with a weeks worth of equipment and two others in light dress. Chris was carrying a splendid staff.

Alright, leader, whats our route?

The scout asked Serge.

Eh? Im the leader?

And they were immediately setback. It was mainly because of Chris though.

Limply clinging to her staff, she was barely able to walk. Her feet were strengthened by her boots, but she wasnt accustomed to the forest at all. The difficulty level of this route was much higher than the one they used in their previous practice excursion.

Leader, should we stop for a break?

Guess so.

I-I can still walk.

Even though she said that, she wasnt convincing in the least as she looked like a newborn deer with her legs shaking.

Other than just being kind, Serge knew the importance of taking breathers.

For now, heal.

When he healed her with magic, Chriss face looked refreshed. However, her bodys endurance hadnt recovered. It was only able to recover part of her fatigue.

Ah, somethings coming our way. A great fanged monkey?

Great fanged monkeys were demons, but they were close to normal wildlife. They would attack a human on sight.

Just one of them huh Chris, want to give it a try?

Yes! Ill do my best!

It was an enemy that wasnt even level 20, so it should be an easy victory for Chris. Magic like Wind Blade or Ice Clump would take it out in one hit.

For the one in a thousand chance of something going wrong, Serge prepared Longinus. Nothing beat it in accuracy.

However, what Chris used against the large monkey that eventually attacked from up in the trees was

Fireball!

The monkey lit up in a ball of fire from that attack.

Continuing on, the ball of fire lit up the forest trees as well.

Acha~

The monkey rolled around covered in flames, spreading the fire.

O-oi! Leader!

I got it!

After stopping the monkey, he put out the fires with water magic.

Now then, Chris, do you know what you just did wrong?

That I failed to take it out in one hit?

Hmm~, thats true, too. However, fire magic is fundamentally prohibited in forests.

Burning down a forest was a crime itself. Of course, it might be permitted in some cases as a way to deal with monsters.

But for something like just now, it definitely wouldnt be excused.

While it was strong, that didnt mean that fire magic was always the best.

After that, Chris managed to use wind-type magic to defeat monsters.

However, there was that.

There was a problem where he didnt expect there to be one.

Serge umm toilet

Aah, you can use that spot over there. Dont worry, Ill turn around.

Aa uu~

That gaze of hers looking up at him with teary eyes was it her wanting him to go with her?

Come to think of it, unlike that practice excursion, the party this time only had men in it. Was his consideration in that area lacking?

However, he wasnt going to pamper her. The beautys tears were his reward.

Ill go with you if youre alright with me?

Please

Towards the requests of dont look! and dont listen!, Serge complied as a gentleman.

Her reaction itself was more than tasty enough for him.

And the same thing happened that night.

The Ojou-sama said that she wanted to wipe herself down.

It was understandable. It couldnt be helped. She had been walking all day, after all.

Making sure to cover her in a cloth tent, Serge could see her silhouette as she wiped herself down.

Serge definitely wasnt a lolicon, but he couldnt deny that he got a little excited.

And then it was the fourth day, the day they would turn back the way they came.

The party noticed a monster they were on the lookout for.

Coming from the north. In the sky. Its a big one.

The thing Serge caught in his detection was

Its been a long time Extended Longinus!

Getting its wing punched through by the Longinus from so far away, the wyvern lost its momentum and had to land.

Right in front of them. It looked like it got tangled in the trees.

Chriss magic hit it dead on, but she didnt defeat it in one hit. The warriors defended against its counterattacks with their shields.

Serge was prepared for any unexpected situations, but nothing in particular happened, the wyvern dead before long.

Alright~! Now to skin it~!

In the back looking at everyone with glee in her eyes, Chris waist gave out on the spot.

Compared to the enemies Chris had faced so far and only had trouble against due to her insufficient experience, the wyvern truly was a tough fight for her.

I want to take a bath

Chris muttered.

Nothing particularly noteworthy happened on their way back.

So long as one werent negligent with scouting for enemies, it was possible to return quietly.

The only problem might be that Chris was concerned about her own body odor. She was changing her clothes, but she didnt think that shed smell so much.

Even so, compared to when they first set out, she was a lot more used to traveling along rough terrain.

When their group arrived back at the town, they used the noble privilege of being able to skip the long.

Well then, Ill bring the materials to the guild tomorrow.

Yeah, Ill leave it to you.

They separated from the other three once theyd gone into the gate.

Bath bath even cold water is fine

Eh?

Eh?

Well, if youre fine with cold water, here, Clean Water.

Chris was quickly wetted. The things she was wearing were thick, so it wasnt erotic.

And now, Dry.

Most of the water evaporated away. Lulu had said that it was bad for the hair if you went too far with it so he stopped there.

So?

Im clean but why didnt you say anything until now?

You said you wanted to take a bath. You didnt say anything about using cold water.[2]

~~~!

Chris lightly beat against Serge. He laughed.

Like this, Chriss first actual combat came to an end.