It Seems My Job Aptitude Didn't Come with Human Rights

Departure

I dashed around completing preparations, and before I knew it, the time for departure had arrived. Surprisingly, not only did the younger servants volunteer, but also Sigurd and the veteran servants. However, I had to refuse since they all had families. Around a dozen volunteered, but I left it to just five.

Did everyone understand that we were heading to a dangerous place?

「Rest assured, master Lars. I am somewhat familiar with the northern regions,」

Irinya remarked beside me as we waved our hands at the servants seeing us off from the carriage. Despite repeatedly warning Irinya of the danger, she firmly refused to back down. It was an unusual determination.

With no other choice, Irinya also joined, and we selected only those who seemed capable of survival. These were young men, such as a kitchen apprentice, hunting apprentice, butler apprentice, and a former merchant apprentice. Although young men, they were about eighteen years old, considered young within the count's household.

In truth, I wanted to bring along the friendly uncle and aunt, and the beastman servants, but they were clearly more suited to working at the mansion, so I gave up. On the other hand, Irinya claimed to have grown up running through the wilds, and she touted her suitability for this trip.

「Well then, we're off!」

When I said that and waved, many of the servants began to cry. Johanson wore a stern face, while Olivia and Nils smiled, but that was fine.

Once this Lars becomes the most powerful magitech engineer, they should weep as they welcome me back. No, I'll make them say it.

Thinking those thoughts, I bid farewell with a smile and set off.

The carriage journey would last about three weeks, and we would camp out multiple times along the way. Though rare on the highway, there was always the possibility of medium-sized magical beasts appearing. Therefore, as guides and guards, I hired beastmen mercenaries, people I was familiar with from our usual leveling endeavors.

「...... master Lars.」

「Don't look like that.」

「I-I'm sorry.」

The beastman, upon learning my situation, took on a terribly complicated expression. I was able to maintain a nonchalant demeanor, but others appeared sad or distressed. Some even showed anger towards Johanson or Olivia. The mercenary group I requested included a few unfamiliar faces, but overall, it seemed they were sympathetic tzo me.

「...... I am indeed blessed to have such people.」

It was heartening to realize that, and when I murmured so, Irinya nodded with tears in her eyes.

The journey continued smoothly, with only a little distance left to the destination. We had a few issues, such as dealing with a group of small magical beasts or supplies, but overall, the journey was more comfortable than anticipated.

If things continued like this, developing the forest might be easier than expected. I was contemplating using some skills of a magitech engineer. While I couldn't use them immediately, I believed some might prove useful. As we approached our destination, it became hard to sleep at night, my mind racing with thoughts.

Then, there was a loud noise from somewhere that roused both me and Irinya, who was sleeping in the same tent.

「W-What was that...?」

Irinya asked, her face pale and voice hoarse from sleep.

「I'm not sure. Let me take a look.」

I said, peeking out of the tent just in time—or perhaps with awful timing—to spot the source of the noise.

It was a size that one wouldn't expect to see near a highway. With a surface covered in tough-looking scales and a mouth brimming with sharp teeth, this creature was of the dragon species known as earth dragons or mountain dragons. While there were some large enough to be mistaken for mountains, the one before us wasn't quite that enormous. It was only slightly bigger than our carriage, suggesting it might not be a fully matured dragon, but it was still a formidable threat.

「A d-dragon...! Run!」

「Where is master Lars!?」

「Release the horses from the carriage! We must escape on horseback!」

The mercenary group noticed the dragon and raised their voices, springing into action. Perhaps due to the increasing density of trees, the dragon was unexpectedly close to the tent where Irinya and I were sleeping. Our tents formed a triangle, and it appeared we had simply been unlucky. Depending on the dragon's actions, we might somehow make it back to the carriage.

With that hope, I called out to Irinya.

「... It's a smaller dragon, but if it chases us, the likelihood is that we'll die. We somehow have to get to that carriage.」

Trembling but resolute, Irinya stood up and nodded. It seemed the dragon's attention was caught by the mercenaries who were causing a commotion, momentarily averting its gaze from us.

「Now...!」

I whispered and led Irinya by the hand toward the nearby carriage.

We'd make it. Or so I thought, until something was thrown at the dragon. Understanding the object to be a metal pot, it smashed into the dragon's face, which had been lowered in caution. The collision resounded violently. This single strike was all it took to incur the dragon's wrath.

Horrifyingly, this pot had come from the direction we were headed—the carriage.

Sure enough, the dragon turned toward us, spotting me and Irinya, and let out a deafening roar. The roar was so intense our bodies trembled, and the word "death" floated to the forefront of my mind.

-------------= Author's Notes -------------=

If you found yourself curious about 'what happens next,' it would make me happy if you could press the ☆ button at the bottom of the page!

It motivates the author!・:*+.\(( °ω° ))/.:+

-------------= Clacky's Corner -------------=
Who the fuck threw the pot?
【(⩌_⩌ )】