Hekkeran Termite looked over the vast plain and sighed. Dozens of stone golems were working as laborers, plowing and seeding the fields. Normally, it would be pointless to plant this late in the year, but the mistress of Silver Castle, Serenity, had told him that there was a dryad with druid powers at Silver Castle. This dryad was supposedly so powerful it had the ability to control the weather itself, so they could grow crops even in winter.
"Hey, stop posing there and get back to work"
A voice called out from behind Hekkeran. He turned around and saw his old friend.
"Good morning to you too, Rob."
A man wearing full body armor with a surcoat embroidered with a symbol of a crest approached Hekkeran on horseback. He was carrying a Morningstar by his waist and wearing a necklace bearing the same crest that was on his surcoat. He appeared to be around age 30.
"We can't be slacking off on our jobs now. Put some passion into your work"
"But no one ever attacks here. From what I've heard, there hasn't been a bandit attack or a wild animal sighting in over two weeks."
"That doesn't mean you can just take it easy."
"Get off my back you work maniac."
"Then start working, slacker."
With that, both Hekkeran Termite and Roberdyck Goltron shared a hearty laugh.
"Still, I can't believe our luck, getting an easy job like this."
"Mm, we also get to keep the old team together."
The members of 'Foresight' had decided to accompany Arche Eeb Rile Furt to Silver Castle in order to experience one last mission together. Since their arcane magic caster was leaving the team, they had no choice but to disband unless they found a replacement. However, a new opportunity presented itself.
After arriving at Silver Castle, Serenity offered to hire them to work in Silver Town. Once she heard about their previous occupation, she suggested they become guard captains and protect the town. After a short negotiation, the members of 'Foresight' agreed to work for one month as a trial period.
The new guard captains were given command of several iron golems and told to patrol Royal Order's territory to defend against bandits and wild animals. Serenity told them to leave the fighting to the golems and if they encountered a powerful force and were outmatched, they should abandon the golems and retreat to the castle to inform her or her subordinates.
Hekkeran and his team each received a house in Silver Town and given free meals and other resources. While the pay for the job was very low, these benefits meant that they had virtually no expenses and could save everything they earned.
"Well, we may not be together for much longer, have you heard about the others?"
"Yeah, still, we can keep in touch."
From what Hekkeran had heard, he was the only member of 'Foresight' that intended to stay a guard captain. Roberdyck wanted to become a farmer while healing people without the regulations of the temples, Arche was talking with Serenity about becoming a magic teacher, and Imina expressed a desire to go traveling.
"Well, change will always come, no matter how much we wish things to stay the same. All we can do is adapt to it."
"Yeah, anyway, it seems things will work out this time."
"True"
With that, Hekkeran and Roberdyck continued on their patrol.
XXX
Olasird'arc=Haylilyal, the White Dragon Lord, relaxed, coiled around his throne. Besides him, only his three concubines were in the room.
Suddenly, he picked up a new scent. Dragons had a keen nose for treasure. They could roughly sniff out the value of any item, no matter how valuable. Right now, Olasird'arc could smell something extremely valuable heading toward him. He suddenly lifted his body, his eyes filled with anticipation.
After a few moments, five humans walked into the room. Olasird'arc was slightly surprised that humans would venture into his territory, but brushed that surprise aside and addressed them.
"Puny humans, you dare approach me so arrogantly? An inferior race should show respect to their betters."
At this declaration, the human in the middle spoke.
"Apologies, White Dragon Lord, we mean no disrespect. We are simply here to negotiate with you. I assume you are the one in charge here, correct?"
"Negotiate? Hmph, who do you think you are addressing? If you want me to forgive your foolishness, you must offer me proper tribute. Give me your raiment and equipment and I will spare your lives."
"Unfortunately, our gear is not ours to give. It belongs to Royal Order and we are only allowed to use it with the permission of our lords. Unless our masters command us to do so, we may not surrender it as long as we live."
"Your terms are acceptable."
With that declaration, Olasird'arc approached the humans and swiped his claws at them. Sachiko cast a spell in defense.
[Celestial Barrier]
Olasird'arc's claws hit a barrier and bounced off it. Surprised at this outcome, he tried again, only to meet the same result.
"White Dragon Lord, we did not come here to fight, but to talk. We do not wish to do battle, however if you insist on attacking us, we will retaliate."
"Hmph, such arrogance"
Olasird'arc brushed aside Merlin's declaration and swung his tail at the intruders. Larry blocked the tail with his spear. Olasird'arc was surprised at the strength of the human. Before he could do anything else, Merlin cast a spell.
[Blaze]
Olasird'arc suddenly felt heat on his chest. He stumbled back and two arrows pierced him where his arms connected to this body. Olasird'arc screamed in pain while his concubines watched in horror.
"Are you satisfied now, White Dragon Lord? We can end this battle now if you stand down."
Olasird'arc glared at the humans. They were much stronger than expected. However, even if they could hurt him, Olasird'arc could not stand down from this battle. His concubines were watching and his pride as a Dragon Lord refused to let others see any weakness from him.
"You fools! You dare challenge a Dragon Lord! Pay for your mistake with your lives."
With that declaration, Olasird'arc unleashed his mighty frost breath upon the humans.
[Shining Shield]
Sachiko created a barrier of light that blocked the dragon's breath. Merlin followed up with an attack.
[Phoenix Lance]
A bolt of fire shot forth from Merlin's finger and pierced Olasird'arc's head, killing him instantly. The other three dragons in the room, surprised at this outcome, trembled in fear.
"I apologize for having to do that. Sadly, he would not listen to me. Now then, who is the second in command here? I would like to discuss a peace agreement with them."
The three dragons looked at each other confused.
"Ah, is there no second in command here? In that case, any of you will do. I simply want an agreement not to fight."
One of the dragons, Munuinia=Ilyslym, spoke up.
"You are not here to fight us?"
"Correct, I am just here to seek peace with those that live on this mountain"
"Very well, we will not attack you so long as you leave us alone."
Munuinia knew that she could not defeat these humans, who killed Olasird'arc, but she didn't want to leave her nest. She decided to try to bluff in order to keep her home.
"That is acceptable. I just wish that this fellow was as reasonable as you. Speaking of this dragon, do you mind if I take the corpse? I believe we could use it."
"I don't mind"
Merlin cast message to contact Serenity before teleporting away with the dragon's corpse. After a minute, he reappeared in the room.
"Well then, that settles things. By the way, that is an impressive pile of treasure there. Is it true that dragons covet such treasures?"
"Indeed, all dragons desire such wealth. That horde belonged to Olasird'arc. However, since he has been defeated, you may take it if you wish."
Merlin did not expect this. He was just here to negotiate peace, not obtain treasure. However, he would not complain about an unexpected windfall. Munuinia, on the other hand, did not wish to push her luck and was simply satisfied with not having to search for a new home.
"Well, I suppose that since this treasure no longer has an owner, there is nothing wrong with me taking it. However, you said that dragons desire wealth. In that case, would you like part of this treasure as a gesture of goodwill?"
Munuinia was stunned at this offer. She had expected the human to plunder the entire hoard. However, she quickly recovered her wits and responded.
"I thank you for your generous offer. As it would be rude to refuse you, I will accept whatever you decide to give me."
With that, Merlin contacted Serenity again before teleporting away with most of the hoard. He took about three quarters of it and left the remainder for the dragons.
After returning, Merlin bid the dragons farewell and left the room with his companions. After a few minutes of silence, one of the dragons spoke.
"What the hell just happened?"