Three Lives

Towards the Dragon Fortress

I woke up from my sleep. It was so refreshing when the morning breeze and sunlight came through my bedroom window. I looked up at the sky through the window. The sky is beautiful and clean.

I don't know why I feel so fond of the sky or maybe because my name is Sora which means 'sky'.

I changed my clothes and immediately went to the adventurer guild. With a slightly happy and confused feeling I stepped my foot.

Last night I met Sevira in a dream. He said that he could continue with me if I called him. However, in order to summon it I must have a lot mana and be able to use summoning magic. Sevira said there was someone in the kingdom who could do just that.

"Good morning Sora! Looks like you're in a good mood."

"Yes, I slept well last night."

"Good then. What kind of mission do you want to take?"

"I don't know, you can choose for me."

Karen, the receptionist began sorting the papers containing various quests. However, a paper was passed to me from the side.

"Are you confused in choosing a quest?"

Someone I know. He's the one who helped me find the inn and also the one who defeated the giant octopus on the beach a few days ago. I already know who he really is, the S-class adventurer, White Zanir.

"Yes." Yeah."

"Zanir?!"

Karen was shocked as soon as she saw Zanir and her face instantly reddened like it was so embarrassed as Zanir looked into her eyes.

"Yo, Karen."

"A-is there any y-that I can buy."

Ah, he's biting his tongue. I wonder why he behaves like that.

"I'm thinking of seeing your pretty face, Karen."

His face turned red and he was so embarrassed that his head let out smoke.

"Do you want to come with me? Etto..."

"Sora." Answer me quickly.

"True, this will be an exciting adventurer for you Sora, not only that but also this might be able to add to your insight and experience."

I don't get it. But maybe that means he wants to help me with the quest.

"All right, I agree." I said.

"Karen, you can sign me up for a party with him."

"Eh? But kan... You already have a party."

That's not surprising. Someone seems to have a party, but where is the party, I don't think I need to ask.

"It's only temporary. As usual."

Karen let out a sigh of resignation and began to register it.

"All right, I've registered you. So what quest are you guys going to take."

Zanir took the opaque paper that had been folded small from the pocket of his coat. Then give it to Karen.

As soon as Karen received the paper and read it, her eyes widened, a sense of surprise visible from her face.

"Are you serious about this, Zanir?!"

Karen shouted while pounding the table.

"Sure, there's no rank limit anyway."

"That's right. But..."

"Here you go, don't bother with the trivial."

"So, where are we going?"

"Ancient maze, Dragon Fortress."

I was surprised when I heard his name. Not because I know the place but it sounds dangerous.

"Just calm. It's not what you think it is. Maybe you can take it as a picnic."

I'm not sure what he said, but I hope what he said is true. We went to the horse dealer and rented a horse to make the trip easier.

"Yo, Del sir." Sapa Zanir to the fat old man who was bathing a horse.

"Oh, son Zanir. Do you want to go somewhere?"

"Yes, I want to take care of my distant pet."

A pet? I was confused by what they were talking about.

"Haha. Then Vanir is having lunch in the back. You can see it."

We went to the back of the stable and found a pure white horse eating grass. The horse was like a human, he looked happy to see Zanir approaching him.

"Yo, Vanir. Sorry for not seeing you more often."

The horse neighed as if he understood what Zanir was saying.

"I want you to take us to Dragon Fortress."

The horse was very gallant as if he said that he was ready and was leaving immediately. Zanir climbed up on the next horse followed by me who was sitting in the back.

"We're leaving."

And the horse immediately ran at an unreasonable speed. We reached a place where a giant fortress stood.

I almost threw up because the trip was stressful. Luckily I was somehow able to cope with this travel hangover.

After tying the horse near the tree, Zanir walked over and I followed him from behind. I hope nothing bad happens, the feeling of fear envelops my entire body.

We passed through a giant gate guarded by two dragons on either side of the gate. Silver dragon and golden dragon. Both of them lowered their heads and let us pass by.

Inside it was completely unexpected. I thought it contained a huge dragon like the two gatekeepers before but what I saw now was a bustling city. Lots of people who do various activities, some are shopping, chatting while walking casually, and other activities.

"Are we really in the Dragon Fortress?" I asked doubtfully.

"Yes, I told you this was gonna feel like a picnic. They're not humans but human dragons so it's only natural that you're surprised."

I didn't even know that the dragon race could change their form. All I know is that they are a very powerful race and have a very large magic capacity and are said to be extinct for a long time, but it turns out that it was all just my mind.

Without me realizing I had arrived at a small building made of high-end wood so it would not be easily destroyed. We went inside and met a couple who were waiting for us wearing beautiful yukata.

"We've been waiting for you, my lord."

The two bowed and bowed to Zanir.

"Thank you for the welcome. How are you two doing? Is good?"

"Yes. We're fine."

"We're very good."

"so. Mercifully. Okay, I'll get to the point."

The wife stood up and led us to the back of the house. There was a room enveloped by an invisible barrier.

"there? But are you sure he's crazy?"

"Not wrong anymore. Her magic improved and her personality was also different from usual." Said the wife.

Zanir walked up to the room and the barrier was broken through as if there was nothing there. He did not damage it but I felt like the barrier was useless.

When Zanir went inside, the next thing that happened was the sound of explosions and screams. The space was not destroyed and also the sound of the shout did not belong to Zanir either.