It was the morning of us heading out. I looked towards the grey sky. The clouds that were once white, had blackened to as dark the charcoal that kept the forges lit all day. The smell of the air that reminded me of the dead rabbit now smelt like burning flesh.

The Dragonlord was in a cave 3 hours away from the town. I looked at the wagon that was filling up with soldiers and mercenaries who wanted to exact revenge on the one who had lost loved ones to this monster. It was a sight to behold, an army marching to slay one man.

This battle would mark the end of an era the lasted for several centuries as Patientia was the last Dragonlord living. I gripped onto my dagger that was on the side of my hip. I need to prepare for what’s going to happen in a couple of hours since it is not guaranteed that everyone here will survive.

I let out a deep breath as I began placing my other hand on my stomach. I am not just fighting to avenge my family, but for my future as well.

I walked towards Gordon and Charles. They were loading up a wagon just for our party along with General Hjort, the commander of this excursion. I glanced at General Hjort, his silver beard and greying hair that was once blonde contrasted with his dark blue eyes. It reminded me of the old legends of those men who lived in the mountains who taught Dragonslayers how to properly speak Dragon tongue.

“General Hjort.”

“Yes, Charles?”

“Do you know when we will be leaving now?”

“We will be leaving just as the sun will be beginning to set.”

“So late sir, how come?”

“If we move at night, chances are the Dragonlord will be unable to attack us and will remain in the cave that he was last spotted in.”

“Is that for sure, sir?”

“Listen here, you piece of shit, I’m the one in charge here, you’re just my second-in-command, which is already an honor to our glorious High King since you are just a mere a commoner.”

“I-I understand about that sir.”

“Then if you do understand, no more questions.”

Stolen story; please report.

“But I only asked once,” Charles mumbled.

“What was that?”

“N-nothing, sir, I’ll just carry along with preparing my wagon that will be behind yours.”

“Well, carry-on then if you nothing else to report.”

“Y-yes, sir.”

I watched in anger as General Hjort walked away with a high chest and pride as if he just won an intense debate. I swear if I had the chance, I would kill that motherfucker.

I took a deep breath, before heading to Charles and slammed my foot on his foot.

“H-hey that hurts.”

“What the hell was that?!”

“What was what?”

“You were totally being a cock-sucker there. Like, come on why didn’t you stand up to yourself?”

“There was no point in challenging him. Besides he’s right, we’re just commoners who happen to be adventurers it's not like I can do anything to him.”

“I-I get that, but still, do you know how humiliating is to see you like that?”

“Y-yeah I-I guess… you’re right.” Charles rubbed the back of his hair trying to hide his embarrassment.

I slammed my foot on his foot again.

“You better man up, before that fucker is going to get us all to kill, Mr. Second-in-Command.”

“U-understand.”

I punched Charles on the shoulder before climbing onto the wagon where Gordon was sitting. I sat down across from Gordon was looked like he was about to pass out.

“What’s going on Gordon?”

“Just resting. Whew, loading up supplies is a lot more tiring than you think.”

“Well, you did volunteer to feed everyone on this excursion.”

“Yes, our victory meal shall be fabulous! HAHA!”

“Yes, yes, now how exactly do you plan to feed everyone?”

“Simple, we are going to have a lamb stew!”

“A lamb stew, huh? Is that something that you Highlanders eat often?”

“Yes, a stew worthy of celebrating victory! HAHA!”

“Is it now? Now I heard that lamb is quite pricey, so how much of our advance payment did you spend on it?”

“Well you see I-uhh… can you repeat that question?

“How much of our advance payment did you spend on the lamb.”

“W-well, I didn’t exactly spend all of it.”

“But how much did you spend exactly?”

“2000 coins…”

“2000 coins?! That’s 2/3rds of our payment!”

“I-I know.”

“Was that just on the lamb?”

“Y-yes,” Gordon said as his face turned red.

“How much was it for the rest of the food items?”

“500 coins…”

“Well… at least you didn’t spend all of our money so I would have to praise you on that.”

“R-really?”

“Yes really, it’s not like I can get mad at you for spending money to feed our makeshift army here.”

“A-are you okay? T-this is the nicest that you have ever been to me.”

“O-of course I’m okay, couldn’t be any better, it's not like I’m going to have a child or anything.”

Gordon shrugged.

“Well if you aren’t well, just get some rest right now. We will need you when we fight him.”

“Y-yeah I guess I should guess some rest right now,” I replied as I began to lay down in the wagon. “Wake me up when we are about to depart.”

“Will do.” He replied as he stood up and gave me a thumbs up. “Oh yeah, and before you drift off…”

“…”

“If you ever have a child with Charles, I swear on my life that I will protect him or her.”

“Thanks, Gordon, you really are dependable.”