I, Viretta, Am Going to Hunt a Dragon

Chapter 46

 
Ranken’s rejection was absolute—unyielding, as if no flutter of sentiment would ever be allowed.
The idea of feeling even a hint of affection for Viretta? Unthinkable.

She was the second daughter of the great Medleidge trading empire, and he was just a lowly mercenary, sold off by his father to a life of servitude.
The disparity between them was as vast as the heavens and the earth—status, wealth, personality—everything about them was irreconcilably different.
To entertain the possibility of a relationship, even for a second, would mean willingly walking into a hellfire destined to consume him.

“So what’s this now? You want me to live my whole life single? Is that it?”
“No, please, get married. Marry someone—anyone—and free me from this madness. Whew, I barely escaped falling into despair there.”
Having finally sorted out his thoughts, Ranken groaned as he stood up. Viretta, in turn, slapped his reddened forehead.

“You’re so back and forth! You’re acting like a teenager. But don’t worry, even if I get married, our solid friendship will remain the same.”
“That’s exactly what I’m afraid of! Marriage doubling my problems? That’s terrifying!”
Ranken had been holding onto the hope that marriage would mean handing Viretta off to her husband and finally escaping her antics. But if she acted this way even with Iola, the supposedly perfect candidate, there was no solution in sight.

“Well, of course, my marriage is important to you. If my husband and I don’t get along, adventuring together would become difficult.”
“That’s… not what I—wait, you’re not even going to stop adventuring if you get married?! Why do I feel like I’m becoming soft lately?! I thought marriage would mean freedom, but now it feels like I’ll be stuck with you forever!”
Ranken recalled something Moslin had once told him: Viretta couldn’t possibly live with someone who was ‘perfect.’

That statement felt like an ominous prophecy, foretelling an arduous path for him—a path where he would always remain by her side.
The notorious braggart, after all, might exaggerate, but she never outright lied.
Viretta stepped closer and gripped Ranken’s arm tightly. Her smile wasn’t so much alluring as it was the grin of a hunter ensnaring her prey.

“Of course. I’d never abandon my companion, my salt and light, like some heartless person.”
“Please, be heartless for once!”
“I’m not like those failures of humanity who cast their friends aside just because they got married.”
“Men and women aren’t like that! Just admit you chose the wrong person to drag along!”

“Well, if you stopped being a man, that would solve the problem, wouldn’t it?”
When Viretta’s gaze dropped slightly, Ranken’s face turned stony.
“Someday, I’ll sue you. See you in court.”

Viretta, tossing out her nonsensical joke, burst into laughter.
But she knew deep down that Ranken had a point.
There was truth in the idea that marriage would require some distance between her and male companions. It was a legitimate concern, even for her.

“In that case, maybe Iola is the best choice?”
As overwhelming as Iola was, he might actually be the ideal candidate when considering life after marriage.
He was a man of unparalleled intellect and unrelenting logic. The type who would always accept what was rational and just.

Perhaps, if she presented him with:
“Men and women are equals.”
“Ranken is just a friend.”
“Therefore, men can also be friends.”
…he would accept it without complaint.
Ranken, having finally stopped banging his head against the wall, rubbed his sore forehead as he began walking toward the inn. He let out a heavy sigh as he pressed his bruised head.

“Whatever you decide, just make up your mind and explain it. Didn’t you see how things went at the count’s estate? If Iola snaps, he might cut down both of us. Let me remind you, his father is the leader of the Dusk Mercenary Corps.”
“Iola wouldn’t harm his fiancée. He’s not that kind of person.”
“He’s killed plenty of people.”

“They must’ve deserved it.”
Even now, Viretta’s unwavering faith in Iola persisted.
He might not be her final choice for a husband, but as a person, she trusted him implicitly.

War? Surely, those he fought against were guilty of terrible crimes.
Battles? He must have had good reasons for taking lives.
Accidents? Anyone hurt must have jumped into the path of his blade. Iola was nothing if not a steadfast pacifist.

“What if he feels betrayed when he finds out you lied about breaking off the engagement?”
“Ranken, please choose your words carefully. I haven’t done anything dishonest. I am pure and innocent in both spirit and intention.”
“That’s the problem right now!”

Despite claiming to have someone she loved, she had lied her way into an engagement. And despite having never experienced love herself, she proudly proclaimed her innocence.
“After all this, do you think it makes any sense to tell him, ‘I don’t have anyone I love’?”
“Iola might understand. His focus is on his thesis, after all.”

“Which makes you a lunatic risking your life to hunt a dragon just to help someone write a thesis.”
“Or perhaps a brave, independent woman rejecting societal pressures and forging her own destiny?”
“Twice the independence, and you’ll end up committing treason.”

Ranken bit his tongue, fearful that she might actually do it.
This was, after all, the same woman who once dreamed of being a princess. Given the chance, she might just decide to start her own country and wreak havoc.
The thought made Ranken shudder. The prospect of her dragging him along for such a venture sent a chill down his spine.

While Ranken fretted, Viretta, completely unbothered, began counting off on her fingers.
“As of this very moment, I don’t have someone I love. But marrying the wrong person now could be disastrous if I meet the right one later. Aha! That’s my explanation!”
“People with that kind of mindset shouldn’t get married in the first place.”

Wasting time waiting for an ideal partner was the hallmark of a fool.
Anyone who spent their youth thinking, “Someday, the perfect person will come along,” would waste their life away.
Glowering at Viretta and her absurd logic, Ranken muttered.

“That’s why we’re going to break off the engagement.”
“Damn it, you’re right. What is this nonsense? If Iola draws his sword, I’m running. Just know that.”
“Ha, you won’t have the chance. If Iola draws his sword, we’re both dead.”

“Stop saying terrifying things… Fine, I’m sleeping in a separate room from him. You share a room with Iola.”
“Absolutely not! Impossible! Canceled!”
“Indeed, impossible.”

They had entered the inn without realizing it.
The innkeeper, who had been silently listening to their exchange, interrupted.
“We have no rooms available. My apologies.”

The owner of the largest inn in the area bowed his head regretfully.
“Oh, I see. Then could you recommend a nearby inn?”
“I’ll try, but at this time of year, it might be difficult.”

“This time of year? It’s not festival season, is it?”
“No, it’s the dragon.”
The innkeeper’s face twisted in discomfort.

Hearing the explanation, other patrons in the dining area shook their heads, muttering in frustration.
“That damn dragon has been around for over half a year!”
“The mines are practically ruined. Even the ones who trusted Medleidge to handle it are going bankrupt and fleeing.”

Viretta’s shoulders stiffened as she glanced around.
This city was the last major hub before the mines at the foothills of the Little Root Mountains.
While it was the closest walled city to the mines, it was still a fair distance away. Most people would have sought refuge in better-fortified towns farther from the dragon’s reach.

And yet, this city’s inns were packed, its streets overflowing with refugees from nearby villages.
“Still, the ones who made it here are the lucky ones. Half the people are still stuck in those ghost towns.”
“They can’t leave, not with family still trapped in the mines. Heard they’ve been making a village down there. No way anyone could abandon them.”

“You actually believe that? They’re probably already dead—burned or crushed by the dragon.”
Though Viretta had heard rumors of the southern economy’s collapse, seeing it firsthand was another matter entirely.
The situation was grimmer than she’d imagined.

“I’ll check with the innkeepers’ guild to see if any rooms are available. You might only find the expensive ones or, at worst, a stable.”
“Thank you,” Viretta replied politely.
“May I have your name, miss?”

“Viretta…”
She had already spoken her name aloud in front of the innkeeper, so using an alias now would be pointless.
However, revealing her full identity as a Medleidge could be risky.

Sweat beading on her brow, Viretta smiled brightly and said:
“…Jin. Viretta Jin.”