(400 chapter, yay)
Renner's soft voice echoed in the meeting room as she finished explaining the situation.
"The request I am giving you is a bit hard," she said, her golden eyes gleaming with that characteristic sharpness. "In the Azerlisia Mountain Range, a frost dragon has built its nest. They've allied themselves with the Quagoa, and because of that, the dwarves are having a hard time. Their situation is worsening, and it directly influences their supply of weapons to Re-Estize."
She paused for effect, letting the weight of the situation settle in.
"As you all know, the annual war with the Baharuth Empire is near," Renner continued sweetly, "and we cannot afford to have a shortage of weapons."
Hearing this, I couldn't help but frown inwardly. In the original timeline, this never happened. Ainz's influence had dramatically reshaped the world's events. His absence was now making strange ripples, causing things to diverge from what I remembered.
Still, I kept my expression neutral, merely nodding thoughtfully.
"You will be rewarded handsomely if you solve this problem," Renner added with a charming smile.
The room grew heavier as everyone digested her words.
Lakyus, the leader of Blue Rose, spoke up, her voice calm but firm. "Your Highness, if I may ask... how many dragons are we talking about?"
Renner gave a polite chuckle. "Ah, no need to worry about fighting a horde of dragons. From what our intelligence gathered, there is only one frost dragon directly involved. The others seem to be younger or non-combatants, scattered farther across the range."
It's a lie; I can instantly tell that.
There was a slight relaxing of tension among Blue Rose at that. Fighting one dragon was still a daunting task, but it was far better than facing a whole flock of them.
"But," Renner continued, tapping her slender fingers against the table, "your main objective isn't to fight the dragon. What we require is a solution to the dwarves' predicament. Reopen the supply lines. Stabilize the region. How you do that is up to you."
"So diplomacy is an option?" Lakyus asked, raising an eyebrow.
Renner smiled. "If you can manage it, certainly. Though given the nature of the Quagoa and dragons... force might be the more practical answer."
She spoke lightly, as if the idea of ordering a violent campaign barely troubled her at all.
"And," Renner added sweetly, "if you do happen to bring back the corpse of a dragon... there will be an additional reward. A rather generous one. The scales and bones of a frost dragon are extremely valuable."
At that, Clementine's lips curled into a dangerous grin. "Heh, sounds like a fun bonus."
Solution, standing silently next to me, didn't react outwardly, but I could tell she was already calculating the easiest way to kill a frost dragon. To her, it wouldn't even be a warm-up.
Evileye, on the other hand, seemed lost in thought. Her tiny gloved hands were clasped in front of her, her head tilted slightly.
Dragging myself back into the conversation, I spoke calmly. "What level of resistance are we expecting from the Quagoa?"
Renner shifted, crossing her hands elegantly over her lap. "Significant. The Quagoa have grown bold with a dragon backing them. They might attack in larger groups. You should prepare accordingly."
I hummed thoughtfully.
In the original world, the Quagoa were nothing but cannon fodder to Ainz's army. Here, without Nazarick's direct influence, they had more room to grow. But even then... they were still quaggas. My single high-level spell is enough for them.
This was starting to sound less like a difficult mission and more like a light warm-up.
Still, it was better to play along.
"I see," I said simply. "I'll take the request."
Renner's smile widened — sweet, almost innocent if you didn't know the real her.
"I am relieved to hear that, Sir Alex."
Blue Rose exchanged looks. They clearly weren't sure what to make of me yet — the man who saw through Tina's stealth and made Evileye visibly flustered. But one thing was certain: they didn't see me as an enemy. At least, not yet.
"Any other details?" I asked.
Renner tilted her head in thought. "Ah, yes. The dwarves have retreated into their fortress cities. You may need to negotiate entrance or prove yourselves useful to them. And one more thing — be cautious."
~~~
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