I, Viretta, Am Going to Hunt a Dragon-Chapter 61

Even if they appear to have fallen from a convulsion, cutting them open reveals blood pooling inside.

Sometimes, if the flesh is tender, they end up being roasted, but the taste is still terrible.

"With the power of my lightning magic, I might even be able to kill a dragon. I’m actually looking forward to the moment when I kill one. That's why I'm part of this hunt."

"Moslin, you’re still living in a dream. Even after twenty years, you're still an eternal girl."

Roberto whispered as he hugged Moslin’s shoulder.

Ranken muttered, “You weren’t a girl even twenty years ago,” then stomped on Moslin’s foot.

"You, of all people, have become the owner of this fine inn. An innkeeper of the guild, no less. I knew you'd make it big. As for me, I’ve been chasing my dreams so much that I haven’t been able to save much money, and now I find myself in need of earning more.”

Moslin, resting her head on Roberto's shoulder, gave him a pouty look. As they kept watching, Moslin lowered her eyes slightly and let out a snort.

"So I can't do anything without a reward. Even if the hunt goes well and we kill the dragon, if we can't sell it, it'll all be in vain."

"It’s not in vain."

"If I don’t earn anything, it’s all in vain. I want to fight, but I don’t want to waste my time for nothing."

How they would cast high-level spells that take time to charge against a dragon would be a matter for later.

If successful, Moslin’s maximum firepower lightning could likely ruin the dragon’s flesh completely.

Once the skin, bones, and meat are damaged, there’s no way to profit from it.

Due to political reasons, there was no reward bounty for dragons in the Root Mountain Range.

"Why is there no bounty? The heartfelt gratitude of the villagers and the sight of the economy coming back to life, everyone happy—that’s the reward."

Iola looked at Moslin with a puzzled expression. Moslin frowned as she gazed at the naïve youth who didn’t think about money.

"Stop joking. Have you ever seen a mercenary work without pay?"

"Yeah, to hire a mage like Moslin, you need to pay properly."

Roberto supported Moslin, scolding the young man, barely thirty. It wasn’t the most pleasant sight, but Moslin’s eyes became misty.

"I'm so happy you’re on my side… but, let’s continue the conversation. You know more about mercenaries than I do. Do you think they fight if there’s no pay?"

"They do fight when provoked, even if there's no pay."

"…Yeah, that’s true. But dragons don’t provoke me. So, an absence of pure profit is out of the question."

Even if they received a modest bounty from the village, they still couldn't dispose of the meat or hide, and would end up at a loss.

Even with just five people, the outlook was bleak.

"I’ve been following mercenary bands since I was young, even before I grew up. If there’s money to be made, I’ll pretend to be a thief, but if there’s no money, I do nothing. Do you think I’d go hunting dragons out of mere sympathy?"

"But—"

"There’s no but. This is a life-risking business. The biggest risk lies with me, who is the key to the hunt. I’ll have to get right up close to the dragon to use magic."

As she said, Moslin would bear the most danger.

If the magic misses or lacks power, and she fails to bring down the dragon, the dragon, sensing her mana, would likely tear her apart first.

"No matter how good the contract terms are, if the profit is poor, it’s meaningless. We need to find another way."

"But money isn’t that important—"

"No, Iola. He’s right."

Viretta stretched out her arm and blocked Iola’s path.

"I pursue honor, but money is the most straightforward measure of success."

She calmed the upset Iola and pulled a gold coin from her pocket.

The well-polished coin glistened. Everyone's eyes were on it. Saffron, who had no wealth, Roberto, with his considerable fortune, and even Moslin, who had seen a lot of gold, couldn’t take their eyes off it.

"Not everyone is like Iola, a rare species."

Here, only Iola moves without regard for money.

Even Viretta, who spends money freely, can’t separate money from success.

For her, achievements that look like capital are of great importance.

Since the day she ran away from home just before her engagement ceremony, she has been meticulously noting all income and expenses.

Though she’s not the type to rake in money like her father or brother, she knows where her money goes.

Viretta spun the gold coin on the table. It made a soft whirling sound, like a pinwheel, as it spun.

Saffron, with a mixed look of disdain and longing, smacked his head against the table in annoyance.

"I think lightning is the best. The meat will be spoiled, but I don’t care at all. Dragon meat has never been worth much."

"Except for the hide, bones, and meat, what else can you sell from that monster? It’s so big it could feed a whole town."

"That’s a commoner's way of thinking. How much could you possibly earn by selling meat? It’s not even good meat, and it’s not expensive."

"Fresh dragon meat is worth five times beef, isn't it?"

"Five times! It’s only that much."

It’s only five times the price of beef. They don't call it rare or expensive, though. Viretta snorted and clasped her hands together.

"Saffron’s right, dragon meat is normally bad. It’s not inedible, but it’s not high quality, and it’s hard to preserve."

Viretta propped her elbow on the table and brought her clasped hands to her chin.

Dragons are massive, and their meat is abundant. The price of dragon meat is relatively high. For commoners, anyway.

But for Viretta, the daughter of the Medlit family, that amount doesn't even come close to being considered expensive.

"I’ve also tried dried dragon meat, but I can’t say it was delicious. I only tried it because it was rare. I wouldn’t eat it again."

Dragon meat was tougher than expected and had a stronger smell. Maybe it was because it was old jerky, but even fresh dragon meat wasn’t particularly tasty.

It might feel special, but being special doesn't mean it tastes good. That kind of meat doesn’t matter if it goes bad.

"The meat’s thrown away. But the money’s certainly made."

"How?"

Moslin raised an eyebrow, her face full of disbelief. Viretta wasn’t intimidated, despite the look.

"Who am I?"

As she looked around the table, everyone quickly responded as if they were waiting for this.

"A crazy person who wants to hunt dragons."

"My fantastic fiancée."

"A three-tongued disaster."

It was Saffron, Iola, and Ranken. It was a good moment to see how they viewed Viretta.

Viretta enjoyed the complicated feeling, raising her nose in a proud manner.

"You’re all so close, but wrong. I’m Viretta Medlit. The daughter of Medlit, who would sell air for profit if it made money."

Viretta is a member of the Medlit family, where her younger brother sets up betting schemes when her sister disappears the morning of the engagement ceremony.

"Drugs are for the apothecaries. Business is for Medlit. Dragons will be sold by my father and Dillon, using whatever means necessary."

Viretta's adventure would be made into a profitable deal by her family. They wouldn't fail to sell the dragons.

Medicines, talismans, keyrings, experience, and all the other things she couldn't think of.

Viretta's family would make sure they got the highest price for the dragons, as long as she brought them back.

"I don’t know how much it’ll be, but you’re saying you'll give me a blank check?"

Moslin lowered her staff and began to scratch her nails. Her eyes were filled with distrust as she scanned Viretta from head to toe.

"Yes. You can completely trust the Medlit family on that part."

"If your family doesn’t sell it properly and the meat just goes bad, I’ll be the one who suffered, and you’ll be fine."

"If you don’t like it, we can change the contract and make it official—hire me properly, if you’re brave enough. Or you can keep the profit-sharing contract as it is."

Viretta once again began spinning the gold coin. As it slowed down, she flicked it, and it continued spinning, making a soft whirling sound.

Moslin, who had been staring at Viretta, let out a dry laugh.

"You might not be a merchant, but you could definitely be a gambler. Deal."