#1012 Before the Summit

It’s me again, but this time, mid-hike.

Surprisingly, Golden Bat is making sure everything’s comfortable for everyone.

“Daddd, I want some salttt.”

“Of course.”

Junior is happily trotting along the trail.

Looks like the mix of water and salt is working wonders.

Since we went out of our way to tackle this tough trail, I really want us to finish it and feel accomplished.

But, with Golden Bat’s fierce determination to beat Silver Wolf, it seems like our victory is slipping away.

The courses were vastly different in distance and difficulty to begin with, and Golden Bat has been so thoughtful, taking regular breaks for everyone.

Thinking logically, it’s impossible for us to win, but he chose a safe and steady pace.

I got to witness his dedication as a mountaineer.

But Golden Bat...

“Heh heh... Silver Wolf, just you wait...! This race isn’t over yet...!!!”

...he might just be a fool after all.

As we hike along, it feels like a lot of time has passed.

Hiking always feels like you’ve been walking forever, but the end never comes.

The dense trees block any view of the surroundings.

Only when you reach the peak can you see far off into the distance.

Climbing is a battle against your own endurance. I realize again that I’m not the most resilient person.

I wanna go home...

I wanna be in an air-conditioned room with a cold beer.

“Daddd, keep goinggg...”

“Yeah, I will...”

Encouraging each other, we continue towards the peak.

I’m too exhausted to even muster a spirited reply.

After countless “Just one more hill and we’re there!” moments...

“We made it! The summit!”

“Hooray!!!”

Reaching here feels like a miracle!

The sense of achievement! The feeling of freedom!

This is why people climb mountains!!!

“Dad! Dad! Look, people look like garbage from up hereee.”

“Hahaha, don’t say things like that.”

Junior’s marveling at the distant town’s miniature appearance, but we need to work on his word choices.

Similarly, everyone who climbed this difficult trail is now enjoying the sense of accomplishment and the breathtaking view from the top.

“Fuhahaha! Silver Wolf hasn’t shown up yet! I win!”

Meanwhile, Golden Bat is laughing triumphantly.

Now that you mention it...

We’re the only ones here, even though we took the tough route.

What happened to Silver Wolf’s group, who should have taken the easier and shorter route?

They should have arrived ahead of us unless something went wrong...

...Could it be that there’s been trouble?

My other son, Norito, is with them too...

I trust Veil and Silver Wolf to handle things, but a parent can’t help but worry.

“Hey, Golden Bat! Which direction will Silver Wolf’s group come from?”

“Hmm? Over that way.”

Golden Bat points, and I rush down the trail with Junior in my arms.

It’ll be okay. Veil and the others are there!

As I run, I find...

Something much more okay than expected.

“So, you’ve been hiding here all this time?”

“Yes, indeed...!”

Two dragons are facing each other, surrounded by several people.

That must be Silver Wolf and the other climbers.

“Dad, I’m suffocating...!”

Norito is there, too, safe and sound.

I scoop up both my sons and approach the dragons.

“...Uh, who are they?”

“Oh, Master! It seems another dragon has been living in this dungeon!”

One of the dragons is, of course, our Veil.

The other is a stranger.

“This one’s named Champagne. I’m surprised to find I had unknown siblings.”

“I had no idea there was a guardian of this dungeon. We were ambushed and taken by surprise,” Silver Wolf adds.

Ambushed?!

If a dragon attacks, humans are basically doomed!

They only managed because Veil was there...!

...Right?

“Actually, even without Veil, we might have been okay.”

“Eh?”

How’s that possible?

Without Veil, it would’ve been humans vs. dragon, and humans would lose 2000% of the time!

“Of course, as a former adventurer, I understand this a thousand times better. But this dragon... seems like quite the oddball.”

“Long story short, they’re a coward.”

“Lady Veil.”

“You’re sugarcoating it, Silver Wolf!”

Apparently, this dragon named Champagne ambushed them out of nowhere, but the closer it got, the slower it became until it finally stopped right in front of us.

It was clear as day that it was shaking in its boots.

Stopping right in front of the enemy is practically asking to get pummeled.

And that’s exactly what happened—Veil showed no mercy and thrashed it.

“I’m useless...! I’m just a pathetic excuse for a dragon...!!!”

It’s moping around in self-pity.

Honestly, even a human might be able to beat this dragon if they tried hard enough.

“It was so scared of fighting that it hid all the time. The Adventurer’s Guild even registered the place as a guardian-less dungeon because they had no clue it was living here.”

“Seriously, what kind of dragon would choose to live in such a cramped dungeon in the first place? It’s absurd!”

Veil, still in dragon form, is clearly exasperated.

When we finally got to talking with the scaredy-cat dragon, it explained that it panicked when a group of people suddenly entered the dungeon, thinking they were here to slay it.

Of course, it was all just a misunderstanding.

“I thought I’d launch a preemptive strike if they were going to attack me... But I should’ve known better than to try something I wasn’t used to.”

Champagne is thoroughly downcast.

“Well, we didn’t know you were here, so we just barged in... We even hunted all the monsters. Were they your familiars?”

“N-No, it’s fine! I just didn’t realize you were here for a climb and ended up getting in the way myself...!”

Silver Wolf and Champagne exchange apologies.

Both of them are seemingly considerate of their surroundings.

“But I’m really glad you weren’t after my life... Really, really glad. Feel free to climb the mountain as much as you want. I’ll just quietly watch from here.”

“Is that really okay?”

Just as we were about to reach an understanding, Veil chimes in again.

“Honestly, you’re too weak-hearted. I’m amazed you’ve survived this long.”

Come on, I think it’s fine.

They say the coward is the one who survives in the end.

“You’ve managed so far by staying completely hidden. But now that everyone knows there’s a wimpy dragon here, they’re all going to come after you!”

“That’s true... No! I don’t want that!!!”

Hey, Veil, cut it out.

You’re scaring the poor dragon to death.

“But! There’s a way to avoid that! And I, Veil, have thought of the perfect solution!”

“Really, Sis Veil? Please, please tell me! I don’t have much money, though!!!”

Don’t be so quick to offer up your coin.

With the unexpected appearance of the dragon guardian of Mt. Ta-Kao, who knew where this conversation was headed?

Then Golden Bat comes rushing down from the mountaintop...

“Fuhahaha! You took forever; I decided to come to fetch you myself, Silver Wolf! This victory is undoubtedly mine!”

“Quiet, we’re kind of in the middle of something here.”

“Whaaaaaaat?!”

As accurate as it was, Silver Wolf’s bluntness was quite harsh towards Golden Bat.