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Before I entered the Beastman Kingdom, there was something that caught my eye. The gigantic mountain looming behind the kingdom, blanketed in pristine white snow as if seasoned with salt.

Although I couldn’t confirm the truth behind the rumors about the Dragonkin Race, Luna’s information about the Snow Mountain proved to be genuine.

However, I hesitated to proceed hastily since the information was too scant. Thus, I decided to enter the Beastman Kingdom to gather intelligence from the Beast King, and now we were headed to the village where the Dragonkin dwelled, guided by the Beast King.

“But why did they build a village right in front of the Snow Mountain?”

It might be nice in summer, but aren’t they freezing to death in winter?

“They say it’s to be closer to their deity than anyone else.”

If I remember correctly, it was said that the Ice Snow Dragon has a fondness for idiots, so perhaps those fools enjoy being worshipped?

“Like attracts like,” I thought, and it couldn’t be more accurate.

“You’ve come at a good time.”

“What do you mean?”

“Once a year, the Dragonkin hold a rite called the Dragon Deity Ceremony. In the center of the village, they offer food, and the Ice Snow Dragon descends to receive it.”

Despite claiming to live in hiding, they seem quite accommodating about such things. Or perhaps it was a directive given out of necessity?

“Fortunately, in a few days, it will be time for the Dragon Deity Ceremony. You won’t even need to trek up the Snow Mountain to see the Ice Snow Dragon you seek.”

Whoosh—suddenly, a cold wind blew. Even before we reached the Snow Mountain, the temperature dipped, and a biting chill set in.

“Brrr… it’s cold.”

Ugh, Yui sniffled, trembling slightly. Luna and Riche weren’t dressed much better, so it was clear they were cold too.

So, I pulled out a fur coat from my inventory. Given that the Ice Snow Dragon resides on the Snow Mountain, it’s not like I wouldn’t come prepared for this kind of weather.

This fur coat had cost me a fortune in my past life. In this world, where resources are far scarcer, fur was the epitome of high-end clothing meant only for nobles.

But that was the case for someone who can’t produce their own resources. I hunted monsters to gather materials and crafted it at a low cost.

And cold? It wouldn’t faze me at all.

“Riche, fire.”

“Are you really going to do that?”

“Of course. That’s why I made only three furs.”

Riche kindled a flame that clung to my body.

My body ignited. No icy wind could penetrate this burning shield. If the wind blew, the fire would only blaze brighter. Theoretically, it created an endless source of warmth.

“Ha ha! You really are tough!”

The Beast King laughed heartily. He seemed unbothered by the cold, possibly due to his abundant fur. At that moment, the Beast King extended his finger to point somewhere.

“Do you see that village with wooden walls over there? That’s it.”

In the distance, a modest village emerged, with sharp wooden stakes pointing upright, not large enough to be seen at a glance.

I had imagined they would live in some grand palace, but it turned out they lived quite simply.

At the entrance to the village, two guards stood watch. With prominent horns protruding from their foreheads and large wings on their backs, they clearly identified themselves as Dragonkin.

‘They look quite normal on the outside.’

I followed the Beast King as he led us. As we approached the guards, they recognized us. One of the guards spoke, and his words revealed why people say never to judge a book by its cover.

“You foolish creature, daring to pose as a king before our deity! What business do you have here?”

What a rude tone. If he were wearing glasses, I’d instinctively want to put a padlock on him.

‘Calm down, right hand.’

At that moment, my right hand trembled as if it had a mind of its own. That was how much I wanted to punch him.

I glanced sideways at Luna and Riche; they looked just as disgusted, while Yui seemed to stare at him as if he were an absolute fool.

“…Well then, I’ve guided you here, so I’ll take my leave now.”

The Beast King seemed eager to leave as soon as his task was done. So this is what they mean by avoiding a mess not out of fear but disgust.

Once the Beast King left, the guards hesitated for a moment, then finally focused their eyes on us again and spoke.

“How arrogant of you to consider yourselves the rulers of the continent, unaware of the true deity. How did you even arrive here?”

Well then, it’s settled. The Dragonkin deserve to vanish from this world. We need to talk, but talking to lowlifes like them makes my face naturally scrunch up.

Not just me, but both Luna and Riche shared the look of wanting to take them out right then and there. But we decided to hold off for now; after all, we needed to use them for our own purposes.

I plastered on a smile and acted. Fooling these idiots was as easy as pie.

“We have traveled a great distance to pay our respects to the esteemed Ice Snow Dragon.”

“Ha! Our deity has no interest in your little entertainment!”

The guard snapped.

“Ugh, do you even hear yourselves? You think you’re that important?”

“I hear soon there will be a Dragon Deity Ceremony.”

“And what of it? It’s of no concern to you.”

“We have brought food to offer to the Ice Snow Dragon.”

I retrieved a vast quantity of meat from my emergency supplies in my inventory. The moment the guards laid eyes on it, they began to drool unconsciously.

“How does this look? Surely, you’re not lacking offerings?”

In this bitter cold, it’s impossible they have much food around. Forget about them, they probably have little to even offer for the Dragon Deity Ceremony themselves.

What I presented must feel like rain in a drought.

“Ugh, wait here, foolish ones. I’ll consult with the Elder!”

One of the guards exclaimed before darting into the village. The remaining guard stayed, still fixated on the meat.

As I stashed the meat back in my inventory, a hint of disappointment flickered across the guard’s face, but he resumed his post as if nothing had happened.

“Luke, do you have multiple personalities or something?”

“Why do you ask again?”

“It’s just that… your demeanor is quite different now.”

“When deceiving people, you need to have a performance like this down to a T.”

Do you think it’s easy to fool people?

Con artists are all talented actors, and without such skills, how could they ever deceive anyone?

“It’s always said that you can’t do anything unless you engage with ‘sincerity,’ right?”

“Ah, yeah…”

After a little wait, the guard who had run off earlier returned, panting excitedly.

“The Elder has granted you an audience, seeing your sincerity! You may enter!”

“Thank you.”

Just talking with those guys drained my stamina. Still, we managed to enter the village safely.

“I recommend you don’t harbor any foolish thoughts. It would take nothing more than a fraction of our strength to kill you.”

With that warning.

“A… yes…”

They were truly dimwitted.

 

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