Kays Translations

Chapter 226: The Dragonfolk Village (2)

When Tauro stepped out of Ragune’s house, he discovered that the dragonfolk settlement wasn’t the small village he had imagined, but a town built across a mountainside.

Rows of houses extended from the upper slopes to the mountain’s foot, creating a layered townscape with dramatic changes in elevation. Numerous ropes stretched downhill, and dragonfolk occasionally gripped pulley devices and sped along them toward the lower districts.

Tauro and his companions stared in amazement.

Ragune’s house stood partway up the hillside, positioned so that its occupants could look toward the homes above and down across those below. A defensive wall encircled the entire settlement.

While the visitors were absorbed in the view, the apparent captain of the dragonfolk garrison approached. He looked directly at Ankh.

Are you Tauro?

What? No, I’m not. Tauro, our leader, is right here.

Ankh pointed to the boy beside him. The captain and the surrounding guards stared in surprise.

I’m Tauro. It’s a pleasure to meet you.

Tauro greeted the assembled warriors politely.

My apologies for mistaking someone else for our benefactor. I’ll guide you to the chief. Please follow me.

The garrison captain led the way, and the party followed without complaint.

These guards are seriously strong, aren’t they?

Ankh whispered into Tauro’s ear, perspiration on his brow.

Yes. Every one of them is formidable.

Even through [Presence Detection], the ordinary garrison members gave Tauro the same oppressive impression as first-rate adventurers. The captain’s presence was stronger still. Tauro had no desire to make an enemy of any of them.

Ragune, what was the training your brother mentioned earlier?

Tauro changed the subject to ease the tension. Several nearby guards visibly flinched, making him wonder whether he had raised something dangerous.

Dragonfolk traditionally undergo training from about age twelve until eighteen. It’s extremely severe. The exercises intended to develop resistance to abnormal conditions are especially close to torture. Six years of that training makes everyone wish for death at least once.

So that was the origin of Ragune’s habitual ‘Kill me.’

But when we first met, you also seemed convinced I wanted your body.

That wasn’t a delusion! Before I reached Dansas, someone approached me while pretending to be kind and then demanded my body as a condition of the deal. That made me distrustful of people.

Ragune reddened at the memory.

I see… Then your resistance to abnormal conditions also came from that training?

Yes. Dragonfolk sometimes acquire abilities beyond their inborn skills by surviving near-death ordeals. Even those without combat skills can gain useful abilities through training. I’ve never heard of humans doing the same, so it’s probably unique to dragonfolk. Don’t imitate us.

Tauro had no intention of enduring six years of near-death training that left everyone begging to be killed. Such a program was possible only because of the dragonfolk’s exceptional bodies and endurance. A human would likely suffer a complete mental collapse.

I won’t imitate it. Please don’t invite me either.

Tauro smiled, and Aeris nodded emphatically beside him.

The garrison captain continued uphill until the group reached a large residence built into the upper mountainside.

A particularly large dragonfolk man with a commanding presence waited outside, accompanied by a dragonfolk woman and several retainers.

You must be Tauro. This is our first meeting. I’m Ryuga, chief of the dragonfolk, and this is my wife, Oryo. These are my retainers. You saved the lives of many of our people. Thank you.

Perhaps the garrison had already warned him, because Chief Ryuga addressed Tauro without mistaking him for one of the adults.

Ragune has already helped me greatly as both a companion and a friend. You don’t need to thank me. I should be the one apologizing for arriving without warning.

Tauro bowed.

Not at all. I have long hoped to meet you, and you’re most welcome. Please, come inside.

Chief Ryuga invited the party into his residence.

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