"I wonder if it would have a similar effect on humans."
I had been so focused on unravelling Godric's plan that I muttered the thought aloud.
Duke Marchez, his tone skeptical, immediately countered.
"Are you suggesting we conduct experiments on humans?"
Damn. I had been so absorbed in my speculation that my words had come out wrong.
Now, I had unintentionally given the duke the impression that I was some ruthless mastermind—or worse, that I shared Godric's cold-blooded indifference.
While I didn't mind playing the role of a mysterious, unreadable ally, I had no intention of being mistaken for a callous ruler drunk on power. So, I quickly smiled and lightened my tone to dispel the heavy atmosphere.
"I'm just concerned about what kind of effect it might have on humans. It would be quite the problem if His Majesty's gracious gifts turned out to be flawed."
Duke Marchez gave a silent nod.
"It would be difficult for now. We lack test subjects."
Of course. No one would dare treat humans the way they handled beasts. And besides—this experiment wasn't even a required objective for the quest.
Main Objective: Hunt Monsters (42/50)
Sub-Objective: Obtain suitable byproducts for the research of the Dragonbone Sword (Current Progress 60%)
Explore Dragon's Tail (Current Progress 100%)
Research Tasks: Remove Abrasive (1/1), Study Toxicity (1/1), 'Experiment' (0/1)
The main objective was beast hunting—researching the dragonbone sword was just an optional goal.
I had always completed every quest requirement up until now, but this time… I wasn't sure if I could.
'Wait a second. What if… I became the test subject myself?'
As Godric said, I was practically a walking treasure chest.
If they didn't want their precious asset to go up in flames, they'd have to do something when I wandered around exposed to the miasma. Right?
Ever since
Just as I was about to quietly suggest my idea—
"Duke Marchez, I have a proposal."
The shadow behind me crept closer, and a firm hand landed on my shoulder.
When I turned, Leonardo was staring down at me with an uncharacteristically grim expression. Then, without another word, he signalled to the duke.
"I need to have a serious talk with him. If you don't mind, I'll be taking him with me."
Duke Marchez blinked in surprise but gave a hesitant nod. Slowly, he removed his monocle, then put it back on with a puzzled murmur.
"Does Lord Ertinez even realize who he's trying to handle?"
Of course, Leonardo knew exactly who he was dealing with.
"Isaac."
His tone, his demeanour—all of it was familiar.
If I met his gaze, I'd probably cave immediately. But more importantly—why did this feel like I was about to get scolded?
I quickly rolled my eyes away, doing my best to avoid his stare. Leonardo stepped in closer. It was the same intimidating stance I used whenever I wordlessly pressured someone.
"You're staring too hard. Haha."
"I heard every single thing you were thinking."
"No idea what you're talking about~"
"Isaac."
Mmm. Looks like I won't be able to brush this off so easily.
Meanwhile,
Was this really fair?
[
Seriously, whose side was that thing even on?
In the end, under Leonardo's relentless pressure, I surrendered with a dramatic sigh, raising both hands in mock defeat.
"Alright, alright. I won't do anything reckless. I value my life too, you know."
"…"
Leonardo pursed his lips, clearly unconvinced. He didn't believe me at all.
I had no idea what I had done to make him lose trust in me to this extent. Awkwardly chuckling, I lowered my raised hands and placed one on his shoulder.
In response, Leonardo instinctively wrapped an arm around my waist.
…Did he think this was a hug?
As soon as I looped an arm around his neck, he suddenly lifted me off the ground—just like that.
I hadn't thought the size difference between us was that big, but…
He could do this with one hand?
As he unbuckled his sword sheath and casually shrugged off his cloak with one hand, he subtly lifted one thigh to support my lower body. The movement was so smooth and natural that it felt like I was sitting on some ergonomically designed chair with a perfectly calibrated tilt.
He adjusted his stance effortlessly, then started toward the bed, speaking as he walked.
"You're getting too restless, aren't you?"
"Me?"
"Ever since we got to the mountains. The whole time."
…Maybe he had a point.
The fact that this was Godric's stage, that we were already halfway through the scenario, had been weighing on me. The pressure must have been pushing me forward.
As I hesitated, trying to retrace my own actions, his hand reached out and tugged at the tie fastening my shirt.
"When you're tense, you're bound to make mistakes."
His fingertips brushed against the bare skin just above my collarbone. The unexpected touch made me instinctively recoil, but Leonardo only smiled faintly as he pulled the blanket over me.
"Slow down."
He cupped my cheek, tracing soft circles with his thumb, and whispered:
"We'll find a way. But for now—get some rest."
…Raul's status hadn't changed from Investigating the Dragon's Resurrection Plan, and there was still no word from Godric's side.
But if it was something I couldn't perfectly control or handle on my own, then maybe—instead of staying awake, wound up in tension—it was wiser to wait.
There was no real need to rush things.
And since I didn't have the strength to resist the muscular sleep fairy's decree, I eventually just closed my eyes.
***
A few days passed with little to show for it.
The Ertinez and Marchez hunting parties returned safely to the central outpost, hauling three heavy wagons loaded with monster remains as proof of their hunt.
If you ignored the suspiciously dried blood on some of the materials or the strange incision marks on certain hides, the results weren't bad. But surprisingly, they weren't the best results, either.
'Apparently, a lot of the hunted creatures were repurposed for the duke's research, so there were some losses…'
Even so, they'd taken down over thirty monsters—and what was truly shocking was that several other hunting parties had performed even better.
Unlike us, they probably lacked the knowledge to properly butcher and dissect the creatures, so many had simply tied whole carcasses onto massive wagons with thick ropes, making the procession even more impressive.
'Wait. Is this the average standard here?'
A passing voice in the crowd offered an answer to the source of this excessive success.
"The Dragonbone Swords are incredible! Just a light scratch on their hide, and the monsters drop like flies…"
So, in the end, it was because of the Dragonbone Swords.
It all made sense. The swords demonstrated their overwhelming power, impressing the nobles and showcasing the royal family's superior strength and knowledge. Meanwhile, the sheer number of Dragonbone Swords scattered across the mountain range spread their aura, accelerating the plan to revive the evil dragon.
Clatter.
A cart loaded with monster corpses rolled past me.
I watched as Leonardo and the fake duke stepped forward as the representatives of their respective houses—when suddenly, I felt someone silently approach from behind.
Vittorio noticed before I did. He whipped around, and his face lit up.
"Hey."
"…! Sir Raul."
Raul, looking even more exhausted than when he left, greeted us casually, as if he'd been part of the hunting party all along.
Vittorio's expression brightened as he spun around Raul in circles—his unique way of showing excitement. But after a moment, he stumbled slightly, dizzy, and reached up to ruffle the boy's hair instead.
"And the commander?"
"Mm, let's just say he's busy…parading to bring honour to the family."
For a brief moment, Raul's expression stiffened beneath his cloak. Right then, another cart carrying monster corpses rumbled past us. I had a pretty good idea why his face hardened like that. After all, Raul was the one who first realized the truth behind the dragon's resurrection plan.
"What did you see?"
"Nothing pleasant. I'll talk once the commander gets back."
"We don't have much time. To celebrate the successful first hunt, they're holding a banquet at the old castle ruins tonight…"
"Tsk. Nobles really know how to be a pain."
Muttering under his breath, Raul ruffled Vittorio's hair until it looked like a bird's nest, then quietly stepped back. He looked lost in thought.
"Duke Marchez and Lord Ertinez, you have successfully captured thirty-three beasts. Their scores will be calculated based on their danger level and aggressiveness, and you will receive the detailed results at tonight's banquet."
The royal attendant ordered others to unload beaks, pelts, and other materials from the carts before adding,
"However, since you retrieved only parts rather than intact corpses, you will not receive any bonus points. Please keep that in mind."
While the hunting party set up camp at the mountain's edge and the knights rested, Leonardo had to retrieve his ceremonial attire from the safekeeping wagon.
As I showed him how to smooth out the wrinkles by pressing hot stones over the fabric, Raul entered the tent. And there, he told us everything he had seen at the dragon's head. About the talking beasts, the pit inside the quarry, and the process that eerily resembled how those talking beasts were created.
'So in the end, Godric joined hands with the Nameless Ones.'
Godric had made a deal. He offered the Nameless the name and role of the Evil Dragon, Vernis.
The Nameless Ones wouldn't completely obey Godric, but it still meant that our enemies were now united and far more troublesome to deal with.
Given that they had been antagonists in the original story, they were bound to be a major threat to Leonardo.
I felt a surge of unease, but seeing Leonardo's calm expression helped me rein it in. Just as he had said, there was no point in rushing or panicking. What I needed to do was find a solution, carefully and methodically.
And the solution was simple and clear.
'I needed allies.'
Or, at the very least, subordinates who could strengthen Leonardo's forces.
Raul straightened up and delivered his report.
"I've also confirmed the location where the First Field Army is being held. I believe we can sneak them out.
Then, he moved his hand across the map and pointed to a specific location—one of the small protrusions on the dragon's back.
I shrugged as I listened to his report.
"Looks like we'll have to plan a rescue operation."