T/N: Seems like we're a little closer to the raw chapter, huuuu

Anyway, I kinda like the new cover

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In that way, the dwarf and elf's conflict was also resolved, and the hero and I, along with the mute beast god, went to explore the world.

This world was vast, and there were countless suffering people. It was not easy to travel the world in a human body, but... We were able to travel using the existence of the beast god.

When we needed to run across the land, it would become a four-legged beast and gallop across the plains, and when faced with mountains, it would transform into a giant eagle and soar across the sky.

If it weren't for this creature, the hero would have wasted a long time just trying to travel the world on two legs.

Hmm. I really made the right choice in saving this creature. I had no idea it would become such a useful mount.

Of course, if I put my mind to it, I could circle the world in a single day. But the protagonist of the adventure must be the hero, so that his deeds can be recorded for the world.

As we traveled the world, we passed through the territory of the lizardmen and reached a city at the entrance of the scorching desert.

Babel, the city of mages.

This place, which was once a small village, had now grown to the size of a city, and had even built a massive tower within. They must have made a fortune.

But the name "Babel" and the large tower... Somehow, I have an uneasy feeling about this.

No, no. That's their business, this is ours. Just because the name is the same and there's a tower, doesn't mean the same thing is happening. Surely not.

After releasing the anxiety welling up inside, I surveyed the bustling streets filled with numerous people.

As expected, the existence of mages who can create magic scrolls is perfect for amassing wealth.

Moreover, mages who can create scrolls are irreplaceable. Other countries and cities tend to persecute mages, so it would be difficult for them to do the same work as this place.

Anyway, even though I just happened to pass through, since I'm here, I should check how much of the fragments of darkness have accumulated in the magic stones.

I wonder how much has accumulated? It's like checking on an automated hunting operation!

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

After putting the hero in an inn in the city, I went to the Temple of Life in Babel.

I had a feeling that a considerable amount would have accumulated, since it's been a few years since I last came.

But.

"Just this much?"

After several years since my last visit, the amount barely filled a single box that could fit in one hand. Something seems off.

"For some reason, the amount being sent by the mages has clearly decreased," said one of the red dragon children who managed the Temple of Life in Babel.

Babel was a city with the flame of Ifrit, who was like a parent to the red dragons. From the red dragon's perspective, there was no reason not to settle here.

That's why I could entrust them with this, but...

"The amount has decreased?"

"I've made inquiries with the chief, but they say the frequency of discoveries has started to decrease. I'm not sure if that's true or not..."

"If it's true, that would be good, but it's probably not true."

Unless the frequency of powerful monsters had decreased, that couldn't be the case.

And the frequency of monster appearances hadn't changed much either.

In the end, the magic stones containing the fragments of darkness...

"Could the mages be embezzling them?"

"Un. Probably. A violation of the contract."

I had given them the tool to distinguish the magic stones containing the fragments of darkness, and they were supposed to process those stones. But to completely disregard the contract like this... What are those mages up to?

Perhaps... they've even invented a way to utilize the darkness within those stones.

The truth is unknown, but one thing was certain.

I need to meet with chief of this village... no, the city mayor, as it's no longer a village.

"I should go meet the city mayor."

"Understood. I'll have someone contact him."

"Un. Thank you."

I nodded slightly at the red dragon child's words. Ah, since there is someone who knows my identity, the matter is progressing quickly.

"But... when do you plan to end this 'travel game' with that hero boy?"

"Hmm? Travel game?"

The red dragon child nodded slightly at my words.

"If you so desire, you could eliminate all the monsters in this world in the blink of an eye. Yet you choose to travel the world with that weak human - such an inefficient endeavor. I cannot comprehend it."

Hmm, it's true, it's not the most efficient course of action.

If I wanted to, I could stop the flow of time in this world and incinerate all life.

Or I could create countless autonomous robots, golems, and command them to exterminate the monsters without rest.

"But wouldn't that be boring?"

"Boring...?"

"Yes. It's also a romantic notion, you see."

The reason I engage in this inconvenient, troublesome and time-consuming task is because I want to leave the hero's adventure as a new story for this world.

Myths, legends, heroic tales, epics.

If I can leave the story I desire in this world, have it passed down orally by many people, and eventually compiled into a book - when I look upon that book in the distant future, won't I be able to smile happily?

Thinking, 'Ah, so the story has evolved in this way.' That anticipation is why I've been undertaking this arduous and time-consuming task.

Hmm, though maybe I shouldn't do it myself next time. Having the Dragon's Priestess accompany the hero is... rather troublesome after all.

It might be more convenient to create a clone to adequately support the hero, or even imbue the clone with a personality connected to myself, allowing it to live as a human.

Though that would be rather inhumane. But oh well, I'm not human to begin with.

"Is that entertaining to you?"

"Hmm, entertaining or not, you should try blending into the world as humans do, and then you'll understand."

The playful antics of dragons in ancient fantasies. The ability of long-lived dragons to experience countless lives as a means of staving off boredom.

Honestly, simply being a pilgrim at the Temple of Life and observing the world isn't complete entertainment.

It's good to examine the world, but there's no joy in just being a pilgrim, is there?

"Sometimes, it might be good for you to live as an entity separate from the Temple of Life."

Enjoying diverse forms of existence could allow dragons to truly savor life.

"I'll keep that in mind. Though I'm not sure if it would be as enjoyable as you claim."

I nodded slightly at the red dragon's words.

Well, the choice is his to make.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

And so, the hero and I headed towards Babel Tower to meet the mayor.

The hero insisted on accompanying me, even though I said I could go alone and he should just enjoy sightseeing in the city. Such unnecessary worry. As if there's anything in this world that could actually harm me.

"It's a worry, even if the worry is for other party."

"Hm? The other party?"

"No, it's nothing."

How dull. As if I would ever dream of destroying this tower. Ridiculous.

Where else would there be an existence as level-headed and benevolent as myself? It is thanks to my efforts that this world is now teeming with life.

Exchanging such idle chatter with the hero, we entered the tower's entrance.

"Hmm, quite bustling in here."

The interior of the tower was filled with people hurriedly moving, young ones carrying boxes full of scrolls, and middle-aged mages yelling at others.

Quite an impressive sight.

As we were examining the interior for some time,

"Excuse me. Are you from the Temple of Life?"

A young female mage approached us.

"Yes. I believe an appointment has been made. I'm here to speak with the mayor of this city."

"The schedule for the meeting is quite full, so you may have to wait for quite a long time. Is that alright?"

"Un."

Well, how long could it be? Looking at how crowded the tower is, I can understand.

They couldn't possibly disregard the hero's party that the Temple of Life directly contacted and scheduled an appointment with.

So we followed the female mage's guidance and went up, and were made to wait in a well-furnished reception room.

Let's see. How long will we have to wait?

Since this is the mayor, he must have a lot of work. Maybe around an hour?

For now, let's just relax until the mayor arrives. Hmm~