CH 22

Chapter 22: An Adventure Just for The Two of Us

T/N: This chapter is entirely in Dorami’s POV, so it’s in 1st person but her thoughts are in 3rd person, though she doesn’t say -noda. Also, announcement at the end so please be sure to read it.

POV: Dorami

After seeing Jade and Garnet off—

Dorami was happily chatting with Marin while we munched on some cookies.

“Today was really fun!” (Dorami)

“I think so too! After all, I’ve finally become an adventurer!” (Marin)

“Congratulations on completing your first quest! Now, take a sip of your milk!” (Dorami)

“Thank you! Fuwaaa~ The taste of milk after an adventurer is so nice~” (Marin)

“I get it! Dorami also loves the taste of milk after having an adventure! It just has this special taste…” (Dorami)

“The candy I got as a reward after completing it also tastes better!” (Marin)

“That was really delicious! Even Jade said it was delicious!” (Dorami)

“I’m glad that Jade-kun was happy with it! I wanted to let my sister taste it too, but…” (Marin)

“It was so delicious that they all disappeared in no time…” (Dorami)

We sighed after seeing the sticks left over from the candy rolling on the table.

It wasn’t just the deliciousness of the candy, it was because the reward from the first quest had a special meaning.

If Marin gave the candy as a present, Garnet would have jumped for joy.

Or at least, that’s what Marin imagined as she thought about her beloved sister.

“…Is the store still open?” (Marin)

“Probably. But, do you have any money left?” (Dorami)

“Umm… I need a bit more money…” (Marin)

Marin looked at her wallet and hung her head in disappointment.

There was a lot of money at home, but Dorami couldn’t take it without Jade’s permission. And, if it isn’t the reward from her own money, what’s the point?

So, Dorami made a suggestion.

“…Do you want to take another quest?” (Dorami)

“B-but, it’s already evening.” (Marin)

Both Jade and Garnet told us to stop taking quests once it becomes evening.

It wasn’t that they were being mean, it’s just dangerous to go out at night.

But, slimes aren’t really formidable enemies.

And, we only found a slime in those bushes.

In other words, Jade and the others just worry too much so it’s not a problem!

“It’s fine! Marin already beat the slime before, and you’ve got me with you!” (Dorami)

When Dorami said that, Marin leaned forward.

It looked like she also wanted to take another quest.

“…Can I really get one?” (Marin)

“Well, if you want to get one, you have to hurry!” (Dorami)

If we left now, they could still make it in time.

If we defeat the slime immediately, we should be able to return before the guild closes.

“Let’s do it!” (Marin)

“Let’s go!” (Dorami)

Dorami let out a gleeful voice.

She has to say goodbye to Marin tomorrow and we don’t know when we’d ever meet again.

She wanted to have one last adventure and create wonderful memories together.

Since it’s decided, we should hurry. We immediately headed to the guild, accepted a quest to subjugate a slime, then left the capital.

By the time we got out of the capital, though, the sun already set.

What we saw outside the capital at first were lights on the road, but once we got far enough, it was completely dark.

“It’s too dark… We can’t find any slimes like this…” (Marin)

“Don’t worry! Dorami brought something in her pouch for times like these!” (Dorami)

Jajaaaan~ (Tadah)

Dorami took out a small cylinder.

“T-that’s a…! …What is it?” (Marin)

“It’s a light mushroom’s magic stone!” (Dorami)

“Wow! With that, we can get some light!” (Marin)

“Umu! Let’s try it immediately!” (Dorami)

Marin took the cylinder.

Then, light began leaking out.

It was already twilight, but the weak light provided by the cylinder reassured us.

Marin pointed it at the grass.

However, we couldn’t see anything just a few steps ahead of us because of the darkness, and I have no idea where the slime is.

“Do you want to go into the grass?” (Marin)

“Umu! Don’t let down your guard, our enemies may come at any time!” (Dorami)

Dorami and Marin deviated from the road and bravely made our way through the knee-high grass.

But…

Dorami was exhilarated when thinking about the blood-filled adventure but as the capital got further and further away, her anxiety began to swell up.

But… Dorami can’t say she wants to go home now…

It was Dorami who suggested accepting a quest, and Marin also respects me a lot.

If Dorami shows her cowardice here, she might get disappointed.

—It’s alright! Dorami always goes on dangerous adventures with Jade, she’s not afraid of slimes!

While encouraging myself, I walked up to Marin—

Puyon~

Suddenly, Dorami was pushed back.

“Uwa?! Dorami was hit by a slime! Be careful!” (Dorami)

“W-where are you—Hyau?!” (Marin)

Marin fell to her knees.

A slime seems to have rammed her too.

Marin quickly jumped to her feet and looked around. Dorami also tried looking around, but she couldn’t see the slime.

But, Dorami is sure that he’s close. There were rustling sounds. From here and there—

“H-how many slimes are there?” (Dorami)

“M-maybe it’s just the rustling noises… After all, it sounds pretty loud for a bunch of slimes…” (Marin)

Dorami and Marin looked at each other and nodded.

And then, the two of us held hands.

“Let’s run away!” (Dorami)

“Yeah!” (Marin)

We made a strategic retreat and aimed for the capital.

However, Dorami accidentally stepped on a slime and slipped.

“A-are you okay?!” (Marin)

“Dorami’s fine! Her butt just hit the ground a little…” (Dorami)

“I-I’m glad…! But what are we going to do now?!” (Marin)

“O-over here!” (Dorami)

The two of us held hands and ran in the opposite direction to the capital. Running, running, and running—

Before we realized it, the capital was already far away and we arrived at the forest.

The bushes and leaves kept rustling, but nothing was happening. For now, it looks like the crisis has passed.

Dorami sighed.

“I’m tired…” (Marin)

“Do you want to take a break?” (Dorami)

“We should. After taking one, we need to go back to the capital.” (Marin)

“That’s for the best. —Ah, I have something good here~!” (Dorami)

Dorami took out some dried meat from her pouch.

She gives one to Marin and bites into it.

“The saltiness is flowing through my tired body…” (Marin)

“It’s essential for all adventures.” (Dorami)

“The light mushroom’s magic stone and the dried meat, Dorami-chan, you’re so reliable!” (Marin)

Marin looked at me with respect and Dorami tried to return her words with humility.

But, what came out of her mouth was a scream.

Because in front of them, a giant suddenly fell down.

Illuminated by the light mushroom, it was a winged bipedal beast—

“GYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA?!” (Dorami)

“HYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA?! A Wing Bear?!”

“W-what is that?!” (Dorami)

“In the encyclopedia, it says that it’s a monster that is equivalent to a three-petal class but has no sight or hearing!” (Marin)

“T-then, we’re safe!” (Dorami)

“B-but the Wing Bear also has a good nose!” (Marin)

“T-then, hurry and throw the dried meat at it!” (Dorami)

“Yaa!”

The two of us threw the dried meat far away.

While the Wing Bear was distracted, the two of us escaped into the depths of the forest.

“Ah! There’s a cave in a place like this!” (Marin)

“G-good! Let’s hide in there for a while!” (Dorami)

We hid inside the cave.

As we got further inside, there was a strange smell drifting in the air.

“I-it smells really bad…” (Dorami)

“I think my nose is going to fall off… Hyaaa?!” (Marin)

Marin let out a scream as Dorami’s eyes become teary.

The origin of the odor was decay.

Corpses of beasts were lying around in the cave.

“C-c-could this be the Wing Bear’s burrow?!” (Marin)

“Let’s get out of here before it comes back!” (Dorami)

We rushed out.

But, it was a bit too late.

There was a Wing Bear standing outside the burrow.

Marin’s knees collapsed as tears started flowing from her eyes.

“I-it’s all my fault… Because I went on a quest, even Dorami-chan is going to get eaten…” (Marin)

“T-that’s not true! You only went because Dorami told you to take a quest! It’s not Marin’s fault at all!” (Dorami)

Dorami made up her mind when she saw her friend crying. Her face was distorted with fear and regret as she repented.

D-Dorami didn’t want to do this, but her friend’s life is more important than anything.

“It’s alright. Marin, Dorami will protect you.” (Dorami)

Dorami spoke kindly to Marin as she undressed and removed her hairpin.

Marin’s eyes widened in confusion.

“W-why are you undressing?” (Marin)

“To protect Marin. It’s dangerous, so Marin, stay back.” (Dorami)

“N-no! I don’t want this! If you’re going to do this, I’m going to fight too!” (Marin)

“There’s no need for that. Dorami can easily beat that guy on her own! After all, Dorami is… Dorami is a very strong dragon!!” (Dorami)

Dorami screamed and jumped out of the cave.

Her body emitted a dazzling light—

“GAAAAAAAAAAA!!” (Dorami)

She roared as she transformed into a white dragon and attacked the Wing Bear.

–Bashi!! (idk what that sound is)

Dorami flipped the Wing Bear with her front leg. It hit a big tree and stopped moving.

It’s over. All that’s left is to bring Marin to the capital.

But… Dorami exposed her true form as a white dragon…

Marin must be scared of Dorami, she won’t follow her.

Even if Dorami asks her to follow me, she will just run away. We won’t be able to hang out at home ever again.

Because Marin will no longer see Dorami as her friend…

If Dorami knew this would happen, she would have just wanted to continue having a sweets party. If she did that, then we would be having a great time right now, and we could sleep while feeling happy…

Dorami was so overwhelmed that she felt like crying.

At that moment.

“Dorami!” (Jade)

Jade called out to Dorami.