Subscriber of the Gods

After obtaining the Gourmet trait, Ethan felt incredibly light.

It was almost like having a passive skill.

The Gourmet trait continued to activate due to the curse, providing its effects constantly.

‘The effects are quite neat. Increased strength and defense stats.’

Furthermore, if Ethan were to be affected by another status ailment, the stat boosts would stack.

‘I just need to make gradual adjustments like this.’

“Euhh, Sir Ethan, how can you eat that and still be fine?”

Murine, who had struggled after eating poisoned food, asked with a puzzled expression.

Ethan gently smiled and shared some decoction with Murine.

“Eat this.”

“Th-thank you.”

Murine, who already regarded Ethan as an impressive person, had a different look in his eyes after eating the poisoned meat.

Ethan looked at Murine and began thinking about the upcoming events tomorrow.

Tomorrow would likely be the day of the decisive battle. He needed to plan everything properly to overcome this trial flawlessly.

As Ethan was devising his plan, a Royal Knight approached him.

“Ethan Whiskers, Her Highness is looking for you.”

* * *

When he entered the princess’s tent as summoned, Princess Lea sat there with a worried expression. He first wondered if there would be other people gathered, but it turned out she was the only one inside the tent.

Although it was a bit strange, he quickly assumed that she trusted him to that extent and comfortably spoke up.

“Did you call for me?”

“I wanted to talk, so I called for you.”

Princess Lea let out a deep sigh as Ethan took a seat.

“Do you think we can drive out the Fire Dragon King?”

Ethan pretended to contemplate for a moment, then nodded.

Considering the actual history, they did manage to drive out the Dragon King.

However, he couldn’t say that it would come at the cost of the princess’s life.

“Yes.”

“Do you have a reason for you to say that?”

“Because you, Princess, are here.”

As Ethan spoke as if he knew something, the princess silently looked at him before speaking.

“I don’t know where you came from, but it seems like you’re aware of my power.”

“I don’t know much. I just have a feeling.”

Princess Lea let out a small sigh.

“Well, fine. That’s not important. I called you here because I have one request for you.”

“What is your request?”

“I will drive out the Dragon King myself. I don’t really need your help or anyone else’s. However, if I do that, I will die.”

‘So, that’s why she will die.’

Although he didn’t know much, it seemed there was a way for her to exert great power by sacrificing herself.

Princess Lea already seemed determined, as if she had made up her mind.

“You mentioned that you also have family there, right? Could you possibly save my mother while rescuing your own family?”

“Your mother?”

“My foster mother who raised me is there.”

It seemed like there was a complicated family history involved.

“Others may not know, but I already carry the bloodline of the royal family. That’s why I have no choice but to entrust it to you. If you fulfill this request, I will grant you all of my power.”

‘Is this related to her personal matter?’

It seemed like a clue to completing the quest was emerging.

After a moment of contemplation, Ethan nodded.

“I understand. I will do it.”

“Thank you, truly thank you.”

* * *

Burn-!

“Stand by!”

In the distance, a burning city came into view.

The great city of Reichardt was engulfed in flames. The city walls were charred black, and the bridge leading into it was severed.

Thud-!

At the sight, the reclamation troops charged forward.

They wanted to get inside as quickly as possible.

Then, a roar echoed.

Roarrr!

It was a sound they had never heard before.

Dragon Fear!

Despite the considerable distance, many froze in their tracks at the mere sound of the roar.

“Blessings of Nature.”

“Nature’s protection, nature’s armament.”

The priests immediately cast buff magic. It was the same magic that Ethan had been taught.

Indeed, the effects of the magic were tremendous. The frozen bodies of the troops quickly regained their mobility.

The princess confirmed the change and shouted loudly.

“Let’s reclaim it!”

In response to Lea’s command, the reclamation forces charged toward Reichardt.

* * *

‘The first objective is not to defeat the Fire Dragon King. That’s something I must remember.’

Reichardt was truly a hellish scene. Crimson flames engulfed the surroundings, and the area was filled with fallen people. Buildings were charred black, emitting a pungent smell.

Amidst the scattered ashes, paths were formed by the flames.

“Plan A.”

“Plan A-!”

It was impossible for a large-scale force to advance. Only a few strong individuals could confront the Fire Dragon King.

Therefore, the task of facing the Fire Dragon King was assigned to those positioned at the front, while the rear personnel’s objective was to rescue the people of Reichardt.

“Let’s survive and meet again, no matter what.”

Upon the words of a Royal Knight, everyone’s expressions hardened.

At that moment, the princess looked at Ethan. Ethan nodded as if he knew what she meant.

Ethan slipped away alone towards one of the alleyways of Reichardt.

“For now…”

The princess had asked him to find her foster mother. She had only revealed the location of her foster mother’s house to Ethan.

“A blue roof with a chicken-shaped ornament at the end.”

Ethan moved to a higher place first.

Climbing up a pillar and onto the roof, he traversed between the roofs, making his way to the top of the largest building.

And there, he saw it.

Roar! (+) [1]

“The Fire Dragon King”

The Dragon King was floating not far away.

And in an instant, their eyes met.

[Lv. 99]

-You insignificant insect.

“I’m in trouble.”

Since their gaze had met, it wouldn’t be long before the Fire Dragon King unleashed his attack.

Nevertheless, Ethan did not run away.

‘I need to confirm it first.’

He turned his head and found the chicken-shaped ornament on the blue roof.

“There it is.”

And before long, he found it.

But at the same time, he felt an immense heat.

“….!”

It was the breath that the Fire Dragon King unleashed in his direction.

At the same time, the sound of flapping wings was heard.

“No way. Is he coming this way?”

Kuuung! Kuuung!

With each flap of his wings, the force was so fierce that the sound of buildings collapsing could be heard.

Ethan quickly descended.

‘By this time, Princess Lea should have joined forces with the people hiding in Reichardt.’

If that was the case, the encounter with the Fire Dragon King was still far away.

“Looks like I’ve met the Dragon King first.”

It didn’t matter. If it meant escaping from the Fire Dragon King, he could do it anytime.

“Now that I’ve found the house Princess Lea mentioned…”

He just had to make sure to avoid causing any damage in that direction.

Ethan sprinted to the opposite side of the house with the blue roof, using his full power.

At that moment, the sky started turning crimson.

Ethan smashed through the neighboring house with Dinalychus and entered inside.

Rumble!

Before the building collapsed, he quickly dashed out to the opposite side.

The attacks of large monsters were generally area attacks, and there was a significant delay between attacks.

It meant that once they launched a proper attack, there would be a considerable gap until the next one.

By effectively utilizing that gap, evading was relatively easy.

Thud!

He forcefully stepped on the ground and continued fleeing. He had to get out of the Fire Dragon King’s line of sight.

‘I’m not your opponent.’

When there was a considerable distance between them, a loud noise came from behind.

“Protect him! I’ll bring down that dragon!”

Along with the princess’s voice, the sounds of battle echoed.

Ethan, who had been fleeing, spun around and redirected his steps toward the house with the blue roof.

‘Could it be that she failed to rescue her foster mother?’

If that were the case, then rescuing the foster mother would likely clear the quest.

Ethan made a U-turn and headed back towards the house with the blue roof, retracing his steps. It would be faster to go back the way he came.

However, if he did that, he would have to cross paths with the reclamation troops engaged in battle with the Fire Dragon King. So, he chose to take a detour instead.

“Keukkkk.”

“Get a hold of yourself! We need to escape quickly!”

“Now is not the time for this!”

“M-mom…! Mom!”

“Someone help here, please!”

Reichardt was truly a hellish scene.

Just witnessing the sight of the burning city upon entering was overwhelming enough, but seeing people dying inside was a shock beyond words.

However, soon after, he shook his head and regained his composure.

‘It’s already over.’

This was just a recreation of the past.

The memories of Princess Lea Martinez, it was a thing of the past.

‘Even if I try to save them here, it won’t change anything.’

The dead were already dead, and the living were still alive. Those who survived in this place had likely passed away by now.

“Damn it.”

Despite knowing it was foolish, his body moved on its own.

He quickly rescued the people trapped under the collapsed buildings and continued running forward.

“Thank you! Sniff, thank you so much!”

Ding!

-You have earned an achievement!

-You performed a good deed!

-You earned an achievement [Hesitated but Eventually Did It]!

-You have earned ‘3’ likes!

“Was there also this kind of thing?”

Ethan smirked.

Good deeds always came back in some way.

There were no meaningless events in the world.

Ethan continued running and arrived at the house with the blue roof.

It had been quite some time since the Fire Dragon King arrived in Reichardt.

“There’s a high chance they evacuated.”

He tore the door off and entered. The inside was quiet.

Activating his Hero’s Breathing, Ethan listened intently.

“There’s a basement.”

There was a basement inside the kitchen.

Ethan immediately headed towards the kitchen and started rummaging through the floor.

“Found it.”

Then, Ethan discovered the door to the basement on the floor.

Since it was securely locked, he used Dinalychus to smash the basement door.

There was no time to leisurely knock and ask if anyone was inside.

Kwaang-!

Outside, the commotion could still be heard.

As Ethan opened the basement door, a musty smell greeted him.

Upon entering, he saw a long staircase.

Small torches, seemingly recently attached, adorned the walls.

“Is anyone inside? I’m with the reclamation sent to reclaim Reichardt! Don’t be afraid! I’ve come to rescue you on behalf of the reclamation force!”

Ethan spoke in the most friendly voice possible.

Then, he sensed movement from below.

“Reclamation force, you say?”

It was a hesitant voice. There was a slight tremor as if the person doubted whether Ethan was truly from the reclamation force.

Being in the basement, they probably didn’t have a good understanding of the situation outside. However, it was clear that they were filled with fear.

“Yes, please rest assured. I’m from the reclamation force. Right now, Princess Lea Martinez is leading the reclamation force to fight against the Fire Dragon King Siegmund, to drive him out.”

“Please come down here first.”

As Ethan descended, he saw an elderly woman with snow-white hair. She seemed momentarily surprised when she saw Ethan, but quickly composed herself and guided him.

“You are truly noble, despite your young age. Thank you so much for coming to help Reichardt.”

“It’s not me, but rather I came here on behalf of the princess.”

“Under the orders of Princess Lea, I see.”

“Yes, she specifically asked me to bring you, her mother, to a safe place.”

“…”

Upon hearing those words, she fell silent.

“Was it truly the princess’s order to bring ‘her mother’ to a safe place?”

She looked at Ethan with suspicion.

“Yes, it’s natural for you to suspect me. Since it’s sudden for me to come here and say such things. But it’s the truth. It’s dangerous outside right now. The basement might be safe, but if that dragon goes mad and starts spewing fire around, there’s a chance that this place could be affected as well.”

Upon hearing Ethan’s words, she let out a sigh.

“In such a situation where doubts are inevitable, I apologize. It’s because Princess Lea… she doesn’t refer to me as ‘mother.'”

The princess’s foster mother spoke with a bitter smile.

1. TLN: Sorry to interrupt your reading but, I just want to tell you that this is an onomatopoeia of roaring flames. Not the roar of the Dragon King