“Finally, I’m in!” I exclaimed. I was stretching my arms after registering myself and Clairmont at the entrance gate to the town. I actually panicked a bit during the registration process because I don’t have any money with me when they require entrance fee. Though, because of that reason too I learned something about my ‘ONLINE SHOPPING’ skill.

Apparently, I can withdraw the money I gained according to any amount I like. It was like withdrawing money from an ATM, although I wouldn’t need any card or PIN number to do so but to just tap some buttons. This skill is only mine anyways so I don’t think I would need that much of a security.

In sum, after I learned about the extension of my skill, I quickly withdrew some money and paid the entrance fee for me and Clairmont to get us out from that situation.

Now back to the current time, where both me and Clairmont were walking down the main street. It was strange assuming that Rustaval is in a brink of war given how lively the town is. Trades are flourishing everywhere, the streets are decorated with colourful fabrics, and people are out on the street in abundance. There were no signs of tremor. No sadness, nothing.

Is this perhaps, if I am not mistaken, did the civilians have no idea about the conflict between two factions? I have read this somewhere before in my previous world about a lord who secretly plotted a war without letting the civilians know about it. In the end, most of the people of that country died and the lord was caught by a lord from another region.

The plot sounded complicated. No, it IS complicated. Because of that I hope it doesn’t happen like that in here.

“So, what will you do first?” Clairmont sauntered beside me. He seemed to harbour the least interest towards his surroundings, only sparing glances once in a while to random places.

“Well…” I cupped my chin and halted my footsteps. Now what to do from here? I can’t really just go to the palace and said that I want the royalties and the elders to stop fighting. I mean, I am just a mere dragon-

“Don’t just go and stop walking so suddenly. It’s crowded here and you will get pushed and fall.”

I felt a tug on one of my hands. When I came back to my senses, I saw Clairmont pulling me while we walked straight to an unknown destination.

“Where are you bringing me?” I asked. I had to tone up my voice because the town is bustling with people. I see why Clairmont urged me to keep walking, among the people in this town, there are a number of demi humans which are larger than the both of us if compared to our human form. Even having my shoulders pushed by them a bit might hurt a lot.

“I don’t know. Just keep walking and don’t be a statue there.” Clairmont commented. He is as snide as always, but I’ll take that as an act of concern.

I started to ponder again as we walked. While leaving my fate to Clairmont’s stepping foot, I glanced around to think about what to do. I will need a better plan to meet the King. Something that didn’t result in people judging me if I were to say I wanted to meet the King. By that, I might need power. But should I use my dragon power?

That doesn’t sound right. I might get a bounty on my head.

Then, what should I-

I instantly froze when my eyes halted to a certain direction. I felt a slight tug on my hand, probably Clairmont wondering what was I doing again, but that is not important right now.

“Clairmont, look.” I side glanced him and jerked my head to the direction I was looking at. I could see a frown on his face, looking a bit annoyed. Though the frown gradually lessened and he shifted his gaze to where I’m pointing my gaze at.

“…It is an information board.” Clairmont commented.

I nodded my head a yes. “Exactly. It is an information board. But that is not what I am looking at. Did you see those flyers?”

Clairmont scratched his head before he heaved a sigh, and exasperated sounding one. “Look, I don’t think we have the time to be doing quests now. Besides, those quests are reserved only for the adventurers from the adventurer guild.”

Even though his tone sounded annoying, that is exactly what I was aiming for.

“I know.” I broke into a smile. “That is why, let’s become adventurers.”

Clairmont fell silent.

For a few minutes, the two of us settles with exchanging glances with each other, me with my convincing glances while Clairmont gave me a look as if I was saying something crazy.

“Don’t be ridiculous. Why would we, dragons need to be adventurers? We are superior beings, and we shouldn’t be mingling with anyone of inferior races to start.” He finally broke the silence, with an immense amount of arrogance in his tone.

That behaviour is so like Clairmont Rodrigar I know inside the novel; an arrogant yet powerful dragon. I think all dragons are probably the same as him. Except for me though, if I am a pure born dragon, I would probably have the same arrogance as him. But I am a human inside, so I can’t really relate from where that arrogance came from.

“Aw come on.” I coaxed. “We can’t really just go to the palace right now and expect them to accept what we wanted to say to them.” In fact, we might even be banned to enter this country after that.

“Then we can just destroy this country, easy.”

This son of a-!

“No, we can’t do that.” Calm down, Suna. You can do it. “If this country is destroyed, then what’s the point in us venturing to this country and even having to spend the night out camping at the entrance gate?”

I could see his eyes twitched. He was probably irritated having to camp outside the gate just to wait for it to open. Honestly, I too am irritated. How can’t I? The two of us literally became an object for the other campers to watch. It turns out there were a lot of people who camped out just to enter Rustaval. Then again, I thought this country is in the brink of war, so what gives?

Though, due to that, I was able to gather some information from wandering around the encampment. From what the adventurers, patrolling guards, and merchants said, this country is RUMORED to be in a brink of war. Some of the people who believed that rumour has fled the country long ago, while some others who are still sceptical decided to stay.

“We do get worried about our safety sometimes, but we can’t really cut ties with Rustaval because of their goods. The silk product they produce is the best in the world after all. It would be sad if their country couldn’t produce anymore silk after the war.” One of the merchants from that time explained.

Even while gathering intel from the adventurers and the guards, they all spoke about the same thing, in which they held Rustaval in high regard. It is because Rustaval is said to be among the countries that allowed freedom for all races, as some countries is still practising the act of demi humans slavery. To add, Rustaval is pretty stable in terms of salary and quest reward so this kingdom is among the most suitable places to look for work or quests.

So…

Why are they in the brink of war again?

Oh yeah, power conflict.

But why?

“You are looking at the quest flyers quite intently. Are you really interested in wanting to become an adventurer?” I snapped back to reality after Clairmont said that.

“It’s not that.” I broke into a weak chuckle and stood up straight. I didn’t realize I was staring daggers at the flyers I literally bent my back for a long time it had gotten a bit sore. “I was just thinking about the things they said to me last night.”

“What? About the intel you gathered from all those people?” Clairmont guessed that correctly.

“Yeah. I was wondering what could be the cause for the struggle of power. I mean, everything in this country seems like there is no problem for me, so why would they start having conflict now?”

Clairmont shrugged. “Hell, do I know. Living beings can be ridiculously complicated in the face of greed.”

I shot my glance at him. Greed, huh? That might be one of the causes.

Man, greed can be as scary as that, huh? Reminds me of the time where I mass bought all the in-game items for my dating simulation game. Because of my greed, I ended up having to settle for a single cup ramen every day for a whole month after finishing my allowance for that month.

I shook my head and heaved a sigh. I just hope that was not a case. Handling greedy people can be tough.

“Okay then. Let’s go and register as adventurers. After that we will do some quests to level up our ranks. Then we will keep on doing so until we reach a rank where we are able to have an audience with the King. By that time, we will do our best to persuade the King to end their conflict.” I summed the plan I had in mind. The registering process might be the easiest one out of the others, and the only one I know the flow of. Ranking up might take some time, and requesting an audience with the King is a 50/50 chance as he might refuse to grant it. Well, I’ll just have to think of something else if the time comes.

Suddenly Clairmont shot me a disagreeing grimace. Now what does this guy want from me?

“What now?” I narrowed my eyes.

Clairmont let out a haughty snicker, like he was in disbelief. With both hands resting on his hips, he leered at me, again with the eyes that seemed like I just spouted something ridiculous. I was just about done seeing him judging me throughout the day, he better brace himself when I step on him.

“Are we really going through that registering and ranking up process? Like, for real?” He was asking the obvious.

“Why? Can’t take how long the process is?” I arched an eyebrow.

“Probably. This kingdom might be in war before we even reach the rank that we wanted.” For the first time in a while, I contemplated on Clairmont’s reasonable words for a bit.

“I know. But this is the best we can do right now.” I replied.

Clairmont rolled his eyes. “As I thought, it’s better if we just destroy-”

“I told you that’s impossible.” I cut him off. The two of us started walking away from the information board and sauntered to the centre of the town. The adventurer guild might be there somewhere.

“I have told you before that if you help me in this, I will cook for you, remember? So just quietly cooperate with me.” I reasoned him.

Right after I said that, Clairmont ruffled his hair and groaned in defeat. “I can’t believe I agreed to that.”

His actions won a giggle from me. The two of us went still for a bit while we looked for the adventurer guild’s building. After asking around, we arrived in front of the building and bravely entered that place.