Thus, having resolved the conflict between the dwarves and elves, I, alongside the hero and the speechless Beast God, embarked on a journey around this world.
This world was vast, and the suffering people were countless. Traveling the world in a human body wasn’t an easy task, but thanks to the Beast God’s existence, we managed somehow.
When we had to run across the land, we transformed into a four-legged beast and dashed across the plains; when mountains stood before us, we became a huge eagle and soared through the skies—the First Beast.
Had it not been for this one, the hero would’ve wasted long years traveling the world on just two legs.
Hmm. Choosing to save this guy was definitely a good call. Who would’ve thought it’d turn out to be such a useful mount?
Of course, if I put my mind to it, I could circle the globe in less than a day. But the subject of this adventure isn’t me—it’s the hero.
We must etch the hero’s achievements into the annals of history.
And so, as we traveled the world, we passed through Lizardman Territory and arrived at the entrance to the Scorching Desert, where a city awaited.
The city of mages—Babel.
What started as a small village has now grown into a place worthy of being called a city.
Moreover, they even built a massive tower within the city. They must’ve made a killing!
But… Babel with its great tower… Hmm… Why does it give me such an ominous feeling?
No, no. That’s over there, and this is here. Just because the names are similar and there’s a tower doesn’t mean something bad will happen. Right? Anyway…
Shaking off the unease rising within me, I surveyed the bustling streets filled with countless people.
As expected, the presence of a mage who can craft magic-infused scrolls is perfect for gathering goods.
Plus, mages capable of making scrolls are irreplaceable. Other lands or cities persecute mages, so it’s unlikely they can do what this place does.
Anyway, since we happened to pass by, while we’re here, let’s check how many pieces of Baal-infused mana stones have been collected.
How much do we have? It feels like checking the results of an automated hunt!
—
After leaving the hero at the inn, I headed to the Temple of Life in Babel.
It’s been a few years since I last visited, so I expected a decent amount to have accumulated, filled with anticipation.
But…
“Is this all?”
Even after several years since my last visit, the quantity was so little it didn’t even fill a box small enough to hold in one hand. Something seems off.
“I don’t know why, but the number of mana stones being sent by the mages has significantly decreased.”
The administrator of the Temple of Life in Babel was one of the dragons—a red dragon’s child who preferred hot climates. And this Babel was a city of Ifrit flames that felt like home to them.
There was no reason for a red dragon not to live here.
So I trusted them… but…
“The quantity has decreased, you say…”
“I inquired with the village chief, and they mentioned the frequency of discoveries has dropped. Though I’m not sure if that’s true…”
“It’d be nice if it were true, but it probably isn’t.”
Unless the appearance of exceptionally strong monsters has decreased—which is unlikely—and there hasn’t been any noticeable change in monster spawn rates…
It seems the mana stones containing pieces of Baal…
“Could the mages be embezzling them?”
“Hmm. Likely. A breach of contract, it seems.”
The contract was to provide tools to distinguish mana stones containing pieces of Baal and process them accordingly.
To completely violate that contract… What’s the plan, mages?
Perhaps they’ve invented a way to use the pieces inside those mana stones?
The truth remains unknown, but one thing was certain:
I should meet the mayor of this place. Not the village chief anymore—it’s a city now, after all.
“Mayor, then.”
“I’ll have someone contact them.”
“Hmm. Thank you.”
With a nod at the young red dragon’s words, I thought: Indeed, things proceed quickly when someone knows my identity.
“By the way… When do you plan to end this ‘travel game’ with that hero kid?”
“Travel game?”
At my question, the red dragon nodded slightly.
“If you wish, couldn’t you eliminate every monster in this world in the blink of an eye? Yet here you are, doing this inefficient task of traveling with such a frail human… I simply don’t understand.”
Hmm. True, it’s not efficient.
If I wanted, I could stop time and burn all life with fire. Or create countless golems—autonomous robots—to exterminate all monsters without rest.
“But wouldn’t that be boring?”
“Boring?”
“Hmm. Also a kind of dream.”
The reason I’m doing this inconvenient, time-consuming task myself…
Because I wanted to leave the story of this hero’s adventure as a new tale in this world.
Myths, legends, tales of heroes, epic poems.
If the stories I desire are told by many mouths, compiled into books, and preserved for future generations, wouldn’t I smile happily when reading them in the distant future?
Back then, it was like this… and now it’s changed into this story. That’s the expectation driving me to personally handle these tedious, time-consuming tasks.
Still, maybe next time I won’t do it myself. Pretending to be a Dragon Priestess and accompanying the hero is… tiring.
Creating a double to assist the hero might be easier. Or creating a connection within the double’s personality and letting them live as a single human to form their own identity…
Hmm, it’s a bit inhumane, but who cares?
I’m not human anymore, after all.
“Do you find enjoyment in this?”
“Hmm. Enjoyment, yes. You’ll understand if you try blending into the world as humans do.”
In old fantasies, dragons played games to pass the long hours, experiencing countless lives to stave off boredom.
Honestly, touring the world as a pilgrim of the Temple of Life isn’t entirely recreational.
Observing the world is fine, but mere pilgrimage isn’t enjoyable.
“Sometimes, you guys should try living as objects instead of being pilgrims of the Temple of Life.”
Experiencing diverse lives might help dragons enjoy life more.
“First of all, I’ll keep that in mind. Though I doubt it’ll be fun.”
At Red’s words, I nodded slightly.
Well, choices are personal.
—
With that, the hero and I headed to the Babel Tower to meet the mayor.
When I told the hero I had business with the city’s mayor, he insisted on coming along despite my assurance that I could handle it alone and he should relax and sightsee.
But no, he kept worrying and insisted on coming along. Really, he worries too much. Is there even anything in this world that could harm me?
“Concern… Well, it’s your concern.”
“Hmm? Yours?”
“No, nothing.”
Pfft. Such a simpleton.
Do you really think I’d destroy this tower? Ridiculous.
Where could you find a being as cool and kind as me? The world is filled with life because of my efforts.
While exchanging meaningless banter with the hero, we entered the tower.
“Ho. Quite lively.”
Inside the tower, many people bustled about. There were young ones carrying boxes full of scrolls, middle-aged mages yelling at each other…
Quite an impressive scene.
As we were admiring the interior,
“Excuse me. Are you from the Temple of Life?”
A young female mage approached us.
“Hmm. We were informed beforehand. I’m here to speak with the head of this city.”
“The meeting schedule may take some time. Is that alright?”
“Hmm.”
How long could it possibly take? Even though the tower clearly shows how busy this place is, there’s no way they’d neglect a group from the Temple of Life.
Following the young female mage upstairs, we eventually reached a well-decorated reception room where we waited.
Let’s see. How long will we wait?
The leader of a city like this must be quite busy… Maybe an hour?
Until the mayor arrives, let’s relax. Hmm.
