If you don't want to just drift through life, you have to go through time.

As the dragon turned to ashes and slowly dissipated into the world, Shutark finally came to his senses, staring blankly at his hands in disbelief.

"I...slayed a dragon?"

His hands were still trembling slightly.

But this time, it wasn't out of fear, but because I was exhausted from exerting all my strength just now, and of course, there was also a bit of excitement that I couldn't quite explain.

In fact, both Frilian and Truman were well aware that Hugh Tarek possessed the strength to contend with a dragon; otherwise, the dragon would not have refrained from attacking the village for three long years.

What Frilian didn't expect was that Shutark could unleash such astonishing power, far more terrifying than when he was cutting down mountains during his training.

"That's surprising."

"Yes." Truman smiled as well. "He's like a demon slayer I know well, kind-hearted, timid and pessimistic, but when he's under extreme tension, he falls into a semi-awake state and unleashes his full power."

In some ways, Shutark and that guy are the same type.

However, the former was stronger and also had the idea of ​​changing things, which is why he was tricked by Truman into confronting the dragon head-on.

"Alright, let's go down."

Truman said this, and then, in Philon's arms, he flew down the cliff. He found that Hugh Talke was still standing there, seemingly lost in thought, as if he were reminiscing.

"Yo, dragon slayer."

"...A dragon slayer?"

"You took on the dragon single-handedly, so you can call yourself a dragon slayer now. Isn't that a great title?"

"Really? A dragon slayer... He's pretty cool."

Shutark gave a faint smile.

Frilian patted him on the back and praised him, "Well done!" before happily running off to the dragon's lair to search for treasure.

This greedy elf, despite doing nothing, is so eager to collect the spoils.

However, as the biggest contributor to this battle, Shutark didn't mind at all, so naturally no one would say anything bad about him.

Truman stood beside him.

"That makes it two victories against the Red Mirror Dragon. How does it feel?"

"It feels unreal."

"Because I never expected to defeat a dragon."

"……Um."

Hugh Talke is very talented, as you can tell from Aze's statement that he is his proud protégé.

Unfortunately, Aize's teaching style doesn't allow for frequent praise, and coupled with the lack of positive feedback and recognition from Hugh Tarek, he gradually became insecure.

But this battle restored Shutark's confidence and made him realize that he was not weak.

With a single thought, the world expands; with a single thought, all worldly matters seem light as a feather.

He achieved a spiritual elevation.

This is not an exaggeration, but a fact.

Afterwards, Shutark will surely overcome obstacles and become an excellent warrior, leaving a lasting mark on history no less significant than that of Azer.

"Found it! Found it!!"

Frilian held up a magic book in the dragon's nest, her most coveted treasure, and danced around excitedly, showing no sign of her thousand-year-old composure.

"Truman, is she really that Frillian?"

"...I understand what you mean."

The two looked at each other and smiled helplessly.

Upon returning to the village, the group, having completely resolved the hidden dangers, were warmly received. The villagers wore relieved smiles and held a rare banquet.

Shutark was regarded as the dragon-slaying hero who saved the village and was worshipped by many children. Some even said they wanted to erect a bronze statue in his memory.

This was common in the Middle Ages.

For example, if someone makes an outstanding contribution, a bronze statue is erected, and that day is regarded as a memorial day until the village disappears or the event is gradually forgotten, just like the heroes Simmel and his companions.

However, Shuttark refused.

The day after their joyful celebration, the three of them set off again early in the morning for the northern continent.

When Frillie learned that he had refused to have the statue erected, she was somewhat surprised and said, "Is it alright? You just refused like that?"

"It's alright. It's just defeating a dragon, nothing serious." Shutark waved his hand, seemingly unconcerned.

Wow~

Do they really consider slaying a dragon to be something extraordinary?

"Really?" Frilian was also slightly surprised. "I remember when we finally managed to defeat a dragon, Simmel boasted about it for days on end, and then she even ran back to the village to have them build a bronze statue to commemorate it."

"...Please, don't say these things. It makes the hero less important to me."

"Yeah?"

Frillie tilted her head.

After hesitating for a while, Hugh Tarek raised his hand and asked, "Um, did he really do that?"

"Hmm." Frilian nodded decisively. "It's one thing to make the villagers build the bronze statue, but he also made the craftsmen work in several different poses for hours on end, and then finally chose the original pose again. It was so grueling."

"Ugh... I really shouldn't have listened to it."

For children who grew up listening to stories of heroes, they have no desire to know this kind of negative information; their idol filter has been shattered.

Unfortunately, the person involved is right here and has no way to refute it.

"Alright." Truman stretched and said, "Now that Hugh Tark has joined the team, we should continue our journey westward."

"Strange, aren't you supposed to be traveling north? You're going to the northern continent, right?"

"You've misunderstood Shutark, actually—"

I briefly summarized the story of Journey to the West for him.

After hearing this, Shutark nodded and said, "Then does that mean I'm the last disciple?"

"No, you are a horse."

"I'm your mount!"

"Alright, Lord Shutark... no, Little White Dragon, please carry your master and set off!"

"Hello!"

Hugh Talke blinked, looking at Philon, who had been quite sarcastic towards him from the start, and subconsciously asked, "Hey Truman, does Philon have a really bad impression of me?"

"Well..."

It was probably during their first meeting that she felt a strong sense of disparity. Perhaps the image of Shutark that Philon had in her mind was a smaller version of Aize.

"Lord Shutark, you are so strong, you wouldn't be thinking of using the existence of the Red Mirror Dragon to threaten the dragons and make the villagers support you, would you?"

"This is outrageous!!! Both the way you treated me and the way you did it are outrageous!!"

Hugh Tarek shouted.

He had stayed for three years because he was too afraid to fight, but the way he came from Philon's mouth made him sound like a villain who oppressed the village, far worse than a coward who was afraid to fight.

"Frilian~~~"

"...I'm sorry, Shutark, but to the uninformed, it really does seem suspicious."

"You're kidding!"

He collapsed to his knees, overwhelmed by deep self-doubt.

"But from now on, Hugh Tarek can fight properly, can't he?" Truman held out his hand to him.

Without hesitation, Hugh Tahlke grabbed it. "Yes! I'll be in the front row, leave it to me!"