Upon hearing the strange and eye-catching keywords “Dragon Slaying Competition,” Fluff felt her entire attention being drawn toward them.
Given her personality, however, she didn’t dare to approach them proactively to ask about it.
Instead, she quietly huddled against a nearby wall. While humming a little tune to pretend she didn’t care, she secretly pricked up her long ears to eavesdrop on the conversation over there.
Soon, Fluff pieced together a relatively complete picture of the situation from the fragments of information shared by that table of adventurers—
Recently, the local branch of the Adventurers’ Guild would be hosting a massive subjugation event.
The target of this subjugation was the “Fire Dragon,” an ultra-high-level monster currently making waves in the “Molten Thermal Zone” on the sixth floor of the dungeon.
This monster had been acting with impunity on the sixth floor for quite some time.
For any adventure group wanting to descend from the sixth floor to the seventh, this Fire Dragon was a factor they absolutely had to consider.
Given that the threat posed by this monster was becoming increasingly high, the Adventurers’ Guild had finally decided to act.
This subjugation event was less a “raid” and more like a competition.
During the event, the Guild would dispatch dozens of elite-level adventure groups to fight through layers of danger in the Molten Thermal Zone to reach the Fire Dragon’s lair and “slay the dragon.”
The entire process would be tracked and filmed by the press using magic, providing a live broadcast to the Adventurers’ Guild and throughout Dice Town. This was intended to inspire more adventurers.
Ultimately, the adventurers who participated in the dragon slaying would be able to share the Fire Dragon’s hoarded treasures under the Guild’s distribution.
The one who dealt the killing blow to the Fire Dragon would receive the supreme title of “Dragon Slayer.”
Dragons were considered the pinnacle of all monsters in the entire dungeon, and even across the whole Cloud Mist Continent.
The top-tier size, the top-tier threat, the top-tier rarity, and the top-tier rewards upon being killed.
Regardless of the era, slaying a dragon was a glorious feat that allowed one to be praised for a lifetime.
Suddenly, a flash of inspiration struck Fluff’s mind.
As a member of the Crystal Thorn adventure group, she naturally knew what Merlow’s deepest desire was—
To be recognized.
Arlette had mentioned Merlow while chatting with Fluff when she first joined the group.
He spoke about her poor talent and how she was looked down upon and mocked by her own kin.
Fluff vaguely remembered a night when the group had descended to around the fifth floor; Merlow had been happy for a long time during dinner.
The reason was that after clearing the fifth floor, Crystal Thorn could be considered an elite adventure group.
After obtaining the title of “Elite Adventure Group Leader,” Merlow had successfully managed to slightly shock her kin.
For her, that was a very, very happy occasion.
However, that wasn’t enough.
The mere status of an elite adventure group leader was not enough for her to truly turn her reputation around within the talent-filled Blood Clan.
There were still many people who looked down on her because of her lack of talent.
Therefore, she persistently pursued the ultimate goal of becoming a “Legendary Adventurer.”
In this world, many people chased after money with extreme fervor or were obsessed with longevity, yet they remained indifferent to these superficial honors.
But Merlow was exactly the opposite extreme.
As a natural-born member of the Blood Clan, she enjoyed an extremely long lifespan and almost inexhaustible wealth from birth.
The honors that many others dismissed were the most precious treasures to her.
“If I tell the Leader about this subjugation event, she’ll definitely be very happy!”
A glimmer of light flashed in Fluff’s eyes.
Due to her personal character, Merlow had almost no information network or social connections; naturally, it was unlikely she would know about this Dragon Slaying Competition.
And right now, Crystal Thorn had just come out of the sixth floor.
This competition happened to coincide with their progress, so it wouldn’t delay their advancement at all.
Thinking this, Fluff almost jumped for joy.
“If the Leader is happy, maybe she won’t be too hard on Sir Knight?”
“This is great!”
Thinking this, Fluff couldn’t wait to set off and run back immediately.
However, just as she was secretly getting excited, a shout suddenly scared her nearly out of her wits.
“Miss Elf—your order of grilled steaks is ready!”
“C-Coming!”
Because Fluff was standing extremely close to the counter and the boss shouted so loudly, her entire body gave a violent jerk.
Still, she was an adventurer after all and quickly adjusted her state.
“I’m here, I’m here!”
“Thank you, Boss.”
“Phew… That was close.”
“I was so happy just now that I almost forgot I ordered grilled meat and nearly ran straight back to the base, hehe…”
***
“A Dragon Slaying Competition?”
By the time Fluff returned to the base, it was already around seven or eight in the evening.
“Y-Yes… Leader, I heard about it at the tavern just now…”
When facing Merlow, Fluff always felt afraid.
This was especially true after witnessing that inhumane “flogging” earlier.
As long as she was talking to Merlow, Fluff’s entire body would tremble uncontrollably, her palms would sweat, and her fingers would constantly fiddle with the hem of her clothes.
Moreover, Merlow seemed to be in a quite bad mood today.
It wasn’t hard to understand; after all, Arlette was not at the base today.
Changing clothes, bathing, dining—everything that Arlette usually served her with had to be done by Merlow herself.
Under these circumstances, even if Merlow were to suddenly fly into a rage, Fluff wouldn’t think it was unreasonable.
“The title of Dragon Slayer…”
Merlow frowned slightly, an indescribable expression appearing on her face.
Fluff swallowed hard, her heart pounding slightly.
She was afraid that because Merlow was focused on the ultimate honor of “Legendary Adventurer,” she wouldn’t care about a so-called “Dragon Slayer” title at all.
However, it turned out she had worried for nothing.
“Well done, Fluff.”
Merlow, who almost always wore a cold, indifferent face, actually let a faint smile trace her lips at this moment.
Those blood-colored eyes that were usually filled with disdain now held a few hints of joy.
“Eh…?”
“Where is that adventurer branch you mentioned? We’re going to sign up immediately!”
“The title of Dragon Slayer—I’m definitely taking it!”
“Ah, right now? Leader, it’s already very late. Even if we go tomorrow, it’ll be in time.”
“No, we’re going now.”
“As an elite adventure group, how can we be a step behind others?”
“Fluff, go get Della. We’re getting ready to head out!”
Seeing Merlow’s happy appearance, the heavy stone hanging over Fluff’s heart finally fell.
While it was a bit tiring to have to head out in the middle of the night, as long as she could make the other person happy, it was nothing.
But soon, Fluff thought of another person.
“L-Leader.”
“Shouldn’t we wait for Sir Knight to come back and discuss it before making a decision?”
Hearing Fluff say this, Merlow narrowed her blood-red eyes slightly.
“My opinion is his opinion. Arlette has never raised an objection to me.”
“Fluff, listen to me. Just go call Della.”
“Ah… I understand.”
Only after watching Fluff leave did Merlow sit back in her chair and begin to grumble.
“Finally, something to be happy about…”
“Tsk. Without a servant to wait on me, dressing is a hassle, combing my hair isn’t smooth, and the blood tastes absolutely terrible.”
“I’m never letting that fellow Arlette travel far away again…”
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