4. Turning point

“That’s probably an ancient dragon with that size… Vigna, you’ve got to get out of here. I’m sorry, Bowman, but you’re coming with me to hell.”

“The older a dragon species gets, the more troublesome it is… It can’t be helped  … I’ll cooperate with your experiments in the other world.”

I hold up my self-defense sword and call out to Bowman, who also says, “Good grief,” as he pulls out his ice axe and stands beside me. It’s been a very long time since I pulled out a sword. Just when I thought my life was about to get brighter, this happens. I wonder if God hates me so much…

The fire dragon is a kind of dragon and is a powerful monster. It can easily destroy a medium-sized city. In the case of an ancient fire dragon, the Elder Flame Dragon, honestly speaking, I believe one needs to be of the royal capital’s security class to win.

In addition to being a hopeless situation, it breathes fire and has hard scales that are impervious to most attacks, which is a disadvantage for avant-garde positions that focus on close combat. It’s not a good match for Vigna, who is a magic swordsman.

That’s why the best move would be to run away. And yet, it was Vigna who rebelled, as expected.

“What are you talking about while trembling like that? If anyone is going to run away, it should be you, the prince. Why do you want me to run away…?”

“It would be better for you to escape, with your high combat ability, than to protect the weak me and have everyone die! I’m not proud of it, but even if I could get away from him, I’d be attacked by demons in the forest and die in the wild!” I yell back at her.

 I want her to give up on me for this. I’m the only one who’s been banished to the farthest reaches of the earth, and it’s my fault that they’re tangled in this mess.

Not to mention the fact that Vigna and even Bowman are not going to blame me. Oh, shit! I mean, I don’t mind, but I don’t want these guys to die… But if it’s just me, I probably won’t buy them a second of time…

“Don’t be silly. …… What do you think I got strong for? Wasn’t it to protect you in times like this?”

“Hahaha, the only reason I helped you was to use your power, so don’t worry about it, just abandon me.”

“Idiot.  Don’t tell me stupid lies at a time like this.”

I think Vigna knows that I’m right. She has tears in her eyes, bites her lip hard, and glares at the ancient fire dragon with regretful eyes.

“Master, do you want to get rid of that lizard?”

It was Galatea’s words that broke the tension. It was as if she was asking with the casualness of, “would you like to eat breakfast today?” She asked with such ease.

“Yeah, well, I would eliminate it if I could, but ……”

“Understood, sir… Commencing elimination of lizards.”

“Hey, Galatea!”

When she says that, she heads towards the old fire dragon at such a tremendous speed before I could stop her. I had been told that she was like a daughter to the Mad King, and since she was wearing a maid’s uniform, I thought she was for domestic help but was she for combat?　

　When the ancient fire dragon noticed Galatea approaching at a tremendous speed, it opened its large mouth and began to inhale. I mobilize the knowledge from the World Library. This is not good, this movement is…

“Galatea! It’s a flame breath that melts even iron. Avoid it!”

“I refuse, the breath of a lizard will not damage me.”

With that, she rammed into the ancient fire dragon’s mouth that was about to breathe fire, kicking it in the side with all her might. Then, with a roar, the old fire dragon was blown away with tremendous force.

Wait, what?! Is a golem really that strong?　No, wait, Galatea’s a robot, still…

“What the heck is that? It’s nothing compared to the golems I know!”

“Wow… the old fire dragon was no match… even a sacred sword couldn’t do that…”

Even for Bowman and Vighna, its strength was incredible. After all, It’s too strong. …… I feel relieved that Galatea wasn’t ordered to kill the person in front of her when she wakes up. It would have killed us instantly.

The sound of something being kicked or smashed echoed around several times, after that, a slightly dusty Galatea came back with a placid face.

“Master, I have successfully vanquished the ancient fire dragon.”

“Oh, thank you…, you’re very strong, Galatea.”

“I was built to guard my father as well. Master! May I have my reward, please?”

When she stood in front of me, she closed her eyes and extended her head toward me. What should I do as a reward? I ask the World Library, but there is no answer. Such a useless skill.

Is this what I think it is?… you’re closing your eyes, so I could kiss you? You do have a beautiful face, but we have to be in a formal relationship before we can do something like this…

“I didn’t explain myself very well. …… I would be happy if you could stroke me on the head like my father.”

“Oh, yeah, that’s right… parent and child…”

　I was about to kiss her and get scorned. However, I haven’t stroked a girl’s head that much either.

Once, I read a book on how to be popular with girls, so I tried it on Vigna , she got angry and said, “Don’t touch a girl’s hair!” She was mad at me. After that, I sealed the knowledge of the book when I saw Vigna mumbling with a scary look on her face, ” I’ve just finished training, and I smell…”

That aside, this time it was Galatea who begged me. I was a little afraid, but I stroked Galatea’s head and was amazed at the feel of her hair, which was as soft as human hair.  The important thing was that she looked happy and her eyes were closed.

“It’s a nostalgic feeling. I feel happy. Thank you very much, Master.”

When she said that, she bowed with a satisfied look on her face. She’s so cute, this girl! It’s been too long since I’ve been honestly thanked or appreciated, so I was impressed. I felt a gaze on me, so I turned around and saw Vigna dissatisfied, with her lips thinned.

“What are you grinning at, pervert?”

“No, it’s not like that…”

“This little girl’s not as straightforward as the golem. Why don’t you stroke her head and tell her she did her best? …”

“No one’s saying that!” 

“ I’m going to see if there are any other demons around.”

Then Vigna’s face turned red and she walked out. Why is she so angry?

“I sense tsundere. It’s relaxing, Master.”

“Uh, tsundere? Oh, right.”

I wonder if it’s a word from another world, but “tsun” sounds aggressive and probably means ‘ferocious’. Although she’s not very talkative, she’s very kind. Well, I’m sure the misunderstanding will be cleared up as we gradually get to know each other.

“Then I have something to show the master who governs here. Would you mind following me? It’s my father’s workshop.”

At her words, I locked eyes with Bowman. For a moment I consider the possibility of a trap, but it’s unlikely that Galatea would harm me. If it weren’t for her, I’d be dead already.

Besides, I’m very interested in the knowledge of other worlds, especially since they make robots as powerful and as smart as Galatea.

“Oh, could you guide me please?”

“Yes, this way, and please bring your companion with you.”

“Oh, I’m looking forward to it, I’ve heard so much about the Mad King’s relics. There may be some treasures there.”

And so we followed her, without knowing that our encounter there would become a major turning point in my life…

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