Chapter 97: Starting the Dismantling Work?

“Alright then, the Black Dragon Dismantling Class begins now! Is everyone ready?”

“Yes, sir!”

The dismantlers gathered in the dismantling area responded energetically to my question. Or rather…

“Um, I feel like there are a lot of people here. Also, there are people dressed in outfits that clearly aren’t for dismantlers, right?”

Yeah, there are people dressed in outfits that make them look like nothing but adventurers no matter how you look at it.

“What’s going on?”

I called out to the dismantling supervisor standing at the front.

“Ah, about that…”

The supervisor scratched his cheek apologetically and began to explain the situation.

“Actually, it seems word leaked from adventurers who saw yesterday’s exchange, and just a while ago, a huge crowd came saying they also wanted to learn dismantling techniques from an adventurer who defeats dragons…”

So that’s why there are so many people. But with this many, the dismantling area is packed, and I can’t teach dismantling properly.

“This is a bit too many people. Besides, I only promised to teach the dismantlers.”

“I know. We explained that too, but they wouldn’t listen.”

Perhaps thinking the same thing himself, the supervisor sighed.

“But if we turn them away here, that’ll cause trouble in itself.”

Hmm, adventurers are synonymous with roughnecks, after all.

“Heey, aren’t you starting yet!”

An impatient adventurer shouted, and other adventurers started making a ruckus in agreement.

“What should we do?”

Either way, with this level of congestion, I can’t teach properly. As I was troubled, Liliera tapped me on the shoulder.

“What is it, Liliera?”

“Shall I handle it?”

“Eh? You can handle it!?”

Surprisingly, Liliera declared she could handle this situation.

“Yes, I can handle it with a very simple method. Um, you’re the person in charge of the dismantling area, right?”

Liliera confirmed with the supervisor.

“Yeah, I’m technically entrusted as the boss here.”

“Then this will be quick. Can you play along with my conversation?”

“Yeah, if you can do something about this situation, I’ll help.”

“Okay, if the Guild side helps too, there’s no problem.”

Oh, you’re very reliable, Liliera!

“So, is it okay for me to take charge, Rex?”

“Yes, please do, Liliera!”

When I left it to her, Liliera nodded and stepped forward.

“Alright then, we’re starting the Dragon Dismantling Class now!”

“Oh, finally! We were tired of waiting!”

Eh? She’s just going to start it!?

“Then, let’s have everyone pay the participation fee of 200 gold coins.”

Saying that, Liliera thrust her palm forward.

“…”

For a moment, the adventurers looked dumbfounded, like, Eh? And then…

“Hah?”

“‘Hah?’ isn’t the answer. It’s not ‘hah?’. Participation fee. Pay the participation fee.”

“No, no, no, what the hell is that!? We never heard about a participation fee!”

Yeah, I haven’t heard about it either.

“Obviously. It’s the technique to dismantle that Black Dragon. It’s completely different from dismantling ordinary monsters. A technique to dismantle something like that must be a secret art of dismantlers, right?”

No, it’s not really a secret art or anything.

“Don’t lie! We watched the dismantlers become apprentices! You didn’t say a word about a participation fee then!”

“Yeah, yeah!”

Adventurers who seemed to have heard yesterday’s conversation objected to Liliera‘s statement. Um, is this okay, Liliera?

Then Liliera shrugged her shoulders and sighed as if exasperated, and said:

“Listen, the Guild’s employed dismantlers begged to be taught en masse, right? If such a commotion occurred, naturally there would be a detailed discussion involving the Guild’s superiors later. At that time, it was promised that the Guild would properly pay the participation fee. Right, Boss?”

“Yeah, regarding this dismantling training, the Guild has formally signed a contract.”

The supervisor—no, the Boss’s subordinates, the dismantlers, also raised voices of surprise. Actually, no such contract was signed.

“Is-is that true…?”

The adventurer who said he saw yesterday’s conversation muttered suspiciously.

“Oh my? Then you guys also saw our discussion with the Guild?”

“Ugh, no, that’s…”

“Right? Basically, you guys just heard yesterday’s talk and are trying to crash the party, aren’t you? Do you really think people like that can learn the technique to dismantle a Black Dragon for free?”

Convinced this was her chance to win, Liliera pressed the adventurers with a verbal assault.

“That’s how it is, so those who can’t prepare the 200 gold coins participation fee themselves should leave. If you complain any further, the Guild, which is paying the participation fee, won’t stay silent.”

“Ugh…”

Being told there would be intervention from the Adventurer’s Guild, the adventurers gave up and slunk away from the dismantling area. And the dismantling area became deserted, making the congestion from moments ago seem like a lie.

“No, sorry. We caused trouble with our mismanagement.”

The Boss bowed his head apologetically.

“It’s fine, so you can pay us back later,” Liliera replied with a smile.

“Thank you from me as well, Liliera.”

I sent words of gratitude to Liliera, who resolved this situation brilliantly. Then Liliera smirked and said:

“Fufu, the best way to drive away that kind is to make them think it costs money. Those guys probably planned to swipe some scales or something in the confusion of dismantling anyway.”

Well, one or two scales wouldn’t really be a problem.

“Besides, it’s like that. Cheap shops attract rough customers and get rowdy, but high-end shops only attract people who can afford to pay large sums, so there’s less trouble. That’s why I charged a high tuition fee.”

“I see, so that’s why everyone disappeared as soon as you demanded the participation fee.”

Come to think of it, in my previous life, there were never any disturbances at high-end restaurants where I was invited by nobles. Though, I couldn’t enjoy the atmosphere or anything at all because of the greed-filled conversations the nobles had.

However, this must be the worldly wisdom of an adventurer who climbed to B-Rank on her own. As someone who didn’t have the opportunity to learn such things, this is very educational.

“Besides, 200 gold coins isn’t an amount anyone can just cough up unless they’re a high-ranking adventurer capable of defeating big game monsters. If someone could pay this amount, they’d be A-Rank, or a B-Rank who saved up money. Or maybe a C-Rank who got lucky and took down big game and has deep pockets would be borderline.”

“Eh? Is that so? I received about 2000 gold coins when I was F-Rank.”

“Yeah, Rex is an exception. A normal F-Rank wouldn’t ask to sell a dragon on the very day they became an adventurer.”

Mina retorted.

“Ah, Big Bro’s feats are legendary in the town of Togai!”

“No, no, anyone can subjugate a mere Green Dragon. Those things pop up like goblins.”

“No, dragons don’t pop up.”

Eh? I don’t think that’s true.

“Or maybe the goblins Rex knows are different from the goblins we know.”

“Probably goblins with ‘Champion’ or ‘Lord’ attached to their names.”

Meguri and Norb added names to goblins, but I think goblins are all about the same strength.

As I was thinking that, Liliera, who was looking at me, smiled slightly.

“Fufu, I wonder if I was able to repay at least one debt with this?”

…Ah, so that was it. The reason Liliera joined my party was to repay me for treating her mother and the others’ illness in her hometown.

Actually, since everyone in her hometown was cured and the monster attacking her village was repelled, Liliera no longer had a reason to continue being an adventurer. And resolving this trouble was a perfect opportunity for Liliera to be useful.

So I told Liliera:

“Yes, you repaid it perfectly!”

Yeah, this kind of worldly wisdom is really helpful, Liliera.

Ah, but if Liliera becomes convinced she’s repaid all her debts, what will she do then? Disband the party? That can’t be helped, but it would be a little lonely if that happened.

“Kyu kyu.”

Just as I was thinking that, Fluffy at my feet asserted itself.

“Ah, even if that happens, Fluffy will always be with me, right?”

“Kyu!”

Ahaha, what a cute guy.

“Then, let’s start dismantling again…”

“Wait.”

Just as I was about to say I’d start, several adventurers came up to me. I thought everyone had left, but it seems a few remained.

“What is it? If you want to participate in dismantling, you need a participation fee.”

When Liliera stepped forward menacingly, the adventurers nodded and held out a bag filled with gold coins.

“This is the participation fee withdrawn from our Guild savings. We want to join the dismantling class with this.”

“Eh? Ah, um…?”

Liliera looked at me, wondering what to do. Hmm, I’m surprised there were people willing to pay the participation fee. For a dismantling class for a mere Black Dragon.

“Um, are you really sure? 200 gold coins is quite a lot of money.”

When I asked to confirm, the adventurers nodded without hesitation.

“We heard yesterday’s talk too. If it’s a class held by a powerful person capable of subjugating a large number of dragons, we’ll undoubtedly be able to learn techniques that will benefit us.”

Um, aren’t you overestimating me with that evaluation? It’s a Black Dragon, you know? Just a regular dragon that happens to be black.

“Heh, they get it.”

Mina and the others nodded approvingly.

“Yeah, realizing Big Bro’s greatness shows they have promise.”

No, Jairo, it’s just a dragon dismantling class, okay?

“Rex, those people are probably B-Rank adventurers or higher.”

Liliera whispered in my ear. It tickles a little.

“Is that so?”

“Yes, judging by their equipment and demeanor, they’re in a different league from the guys hanging around earlier.”

I see. They don’t look much different to me, but surely there’s that specific air of a top-class adventurer.

Now, what to do. They accepted our terms and paid the participation fee properly, so it would be bad to refuse them flatly. Hmm, well, it’s just a technique for dismantling a Black Dragon, and if skilled people of B-Rank or higher are participating, they must have some intention.

“Understood. Your participation is…”

“Wa-wait a momeeeeeent!!”

Just as I was about to say I accept their participation, my words were interrupted again. The owner of the voice ran from the entrance of the dismantling area, out of breath and staggering.

“You are…?”

The one who arrived was a girl who didn’t seem much different in age from us. The spear in her hand was magnificently decorated, and although not full plate, she wore light armor with metal used in key places. Seeing her figure, I felt a sense of nostalgia for some reason. This appearance, I feel like I’ve seen it somewhere…

“U-um! My name is Ryune!”

The girl, Ryune, calmed her ragged breathing with a deep breath and thrust the cloth bag she was holding in front of me.

“I-I brought the participation fee! P-please let me participate too!”

And this encounter with this girl would greatly influence our adventure in the Dragon Country, Dragonia.