Dragon's Bloodline

After they finished registering at the guild, they split up to purchase necessary supplies.

Since it was a dangerous town, the women and children weren’t alone. Saying that, Ria went alone though.

If trouble turned up, it couldn’t be helped. Since it wasn’t even a crime if you killed your opponent in a duel, she truly thought it was a good town.

As expected, the first thing she set her eyes towards was the weapons shop.

Due to people challenging the impregnable demonic area known as the Dark Labyrinth, it was filled with many high quality weapons and armor.

Still, there were unfortunately little sharp katanas. Though there were a lot of goods, someone who could create things with magic like Ria could likely surpass them.

Though other than that, there were magic weapons sold as well.

Swords, spears, axes, and other things like hammers. There were even some rare and eccentric weapons too. When she asked the shopkeeper about them, it appeared that they were brought from a dwarven village.

She asked if there were any dwarf smiths that made katanas, but he unfortunately didn’t know.

She bought a dagger for Maal to use in the shop. Other than that, she also bought a magic shield.

While doing that, she also sold swords and spears she’d made as practice. The iron-tipped spears sold for a lot. The swords’ evaluations weren’t so high and were offered appropriate prices.

Ria headed back to the guild after exiting the shop.

As she tossed meat skewers to Rudolph, who was laying down in the stable, there was a presence standing behind her.

“Are you good for a moment?”

Though it was a giant figure that one couldn’t just hide, he moved surprisingly quietly.

Ria took Vargas’ invitation.

Saying that he planned to return to the inn in the evening, Vargas invited Ria to the tavern.

“I don’t drink alcohol. My favorite beverage is milk.”

“Come to think of it, how old are you?”

“I turned fourteen the other day.”

As expected, Vargas knit his eyebrows. Her strength didn’t make sense with her age.

“By some chance, are you a reincarnated person?”

He saw through her well. In contrast, Ria didn’t respond, asking for milk at the counter. Fortunately, the shop served goat’s milk.

From then on, the two just drank and only spoke a little.

She also decided to secretly return Shizuna’s sword to Vargas.

She said it was because they might need it if they were attacked by demons while travelling.

However, she didn’t speak about clearing Labyrinth City’s. Since rumors had quick feet, Ria’s identity would probably become apparently sooner or later. She didn’t want to give out the information and encourage it.

The number one thing was that the country’s princess being homosexual would be quite the scandal.

Then, when it came time for Ria to soon return, Vargas spoke softly.

“Would you all join up with my party?”

While Ria ate dinner after returning to the inn, she talked about Vargas’ offer.

“An advantage for us is that we would be guided through the labyrinth we aren’t used to. Frankly, we could die from seeing enemy attacks that have abnormal conditions for the first time.”

Unlike the labyrinth in Labyrinth City, you could truly die in the Dark Labyrinth. And it was said there were many unique enemies like the Dogazer and Spectral Knight.

“I am opposed to it. They could double cross us.”

Carlos objected. certainly, it wouldn’t be good if they were suddenly attacked from behind in the labyrinth.

“I also think it would be dangerous.”

Gig also objected it.

“First of all, what would be the merits to them?”

Lulu presented a question. For that, Ria responded.

“For one, strengthening their fighting potential. They don’t seem to want to go to a deeper floor.”

On the more shallow floors, there wasn’t a small amount number of equipment from fallen adventurers. But when going deep, you could obtain items from powerful people that had died from going too far.

“Another thing, I want to provoke that child called Shizuna.”

Shizuna, seventeen years old, was a member of Jaeburg’s preeminent explorer parties, [Thunder’s Fangs]. Her fighting strength was also high. Ria, who was a non-standard, hadn’t had anyone suitable in her age group up till now.

Not only easily defeating her in the duel, had to suffer through not heading back to her table for a while. Her high-held nose had folded a bit.

Both younger than her and stronger than her. Around a person like that, she might want parental affection or something.

“But come on, that kid, wouldn’t she really stab Nee-chan from behind?”

Rather than just being concerned over their own safety, she needed to keep an eye on continent-wide movements. On the journey, Ria’s point of view extended significantly.

The next day, the party of eight visited the inn.

There were four warriors for the vanguard, one scout, and three people in the rear guard, two of them being mages.

A group of fourteen people gathering was sultry in itself. Vargas quickly opened his mouth to speak.

“So, how about it?”

“I think it would be good to first decide on our terms for joining forces.”

Towards Ria’s answer, Vargas nodded.

“And at the same time, as for the girl there who’s looking over here with eyes that looks like a murderer, I wonder if you consent?”

Though tuning the terms from then on was trivial, Ria generously conceded most as Vargas didn’t ask for anything unreasonable.

“Well then, for now it’ll be a month.”

One month. That’s how long the party of many people would stay united.

Varges presented his hand and Ria grasped it.

His palm was hard and thick, but even so flexible, a palm like steel.