The Continent of Filioria

On the continent of Filioria—a vast landmass surrounded by the great ocean, centered around the sun that shines upon the empire of Levanti, the largest nation on the continent—this is how the world of TBG Heroes defines its geography. Much like how Earth is categorized into Asia, Europe, North America, and South America, Filioria follows a similar vein.

The tutorial village is, on the surface, a poverty-stricken area located at the northern tip of the continent. Naturally, the further one moves from the Empire, the more frequent the exchange of supplies and general interaction becomes. This means the village’s youth all head for the capital, leaving the chief and the remaining residents to suffer in poverty.

There is no one left to spend money in the village. To maintain a livelihood, funds are necessary, but the only place where money can be collected is the Adventurer’s Guild. Even then, it’s a place where only bottom-tier, Grade 3 underlings gather, so it’s inevitably weak and meager.

“Um? Then why is Master specifically going to the Guild…?”

Elaina threw the question my way, tilting her head in confusion as I headed toward the Guild. Mid-sentence, she covered her mouth with her folded hands, looking like someone who had made a mistake.

“……”

Elaina peeked at me, unintentionally wary of my reaction. To me, she looked like a helpless puppy. Which is to say, she looked pitiful. How much hardship had she endured? How deep was her sorrow? Did she consider herself a burden?

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I couldn’t even fathom it. Keyaru smiled, gently stroking her cheek and tidying her hair, which was messy from sleep. Elaina beamed back. She smiled like a shy young girl.

At the Guild, I received my adventurer’s license back from the woman sitting at the reception desk. Until the moment I left, stinging glares that viewed me as a “total piece of trash” pricked my skin.

‘Damn it… I didn’t even do anything…’

Of course, from a third party’s perspective, I might indeed look like a scumbag…

‘…Please treat her better.’

That wasn’t the intention of the conversation. Elaina had stepped into the guild with hollow eyes, pale skin, and dark circles under her sunken gaze. Her mint-colored hair, which originally possessed a pure and beautiful hue, had lost its luster and become as dry as parched grass. She looked as if she had been starving for over a month. To anyone watching, she looked like a pitiful woman suffering from heartache, clinging to a lover who had abandoned her. Or perhaps they saw her as a woman being deceived and exploited by a husband in a foreign land.

I began to blow out a breath with a blank expression. From the employee’s perspective, I must have looked like a villain who viewed Elaina as a nuisance. Shaking my hands in the air, I brushed away those distracting thoughts. Keyaru began to scrutinize a large, wide-spread map.

“Elaina, look at this place.”

I pointed my index finger at a cave for Elaina, who was busy chewing her breakfast.

“Th… This place is…”

Elaina’s expression darkened instantly.

‘Huh…? Wait, why…?’

I expected her to feel relieved, or at the very least, shed tears of sorrow… Keyaru couldn’t help but be shocked by the blatant dissatisfaction on her face. And with good reason—the place Keyaru pointed to was:

‘The Dragon’s Lair of the Gold Light Dragon.’

The Gold Light Dragon, Edric. The second hero of the Round Table in the Guild, and a half-god, half-dragon who claimed to be the strongest. It was an arrogant dragon that called itself the “Gold Light Dragon” because its golden body shimmered like a burning flame, lighting up the world with every step.

Being of a dragon bloodline known for intense pride played a part, but her arrogant nature also stemmed from the blood of a Transcendent—the blood of a God—flowing through her veins.

The Sun of the Empire that shines upon Levanti… that is not a title for a mere king. It is a unique Dragon Tongue incantation used to describe the greatness of Nataya, the Avatar of Fire who brought down the brilliant light of the stars. And the only kin of such a Nataya is none other than the Gold Light Dragon.

Of course, Nataya despised anything she deemed a “hideous mixture” in the divine blood, and the rejected Gold Light Dragon viewed her mother as an object of hatred. Even with the same blood flowing through them, their bond was thinner than that of complete strangers. They were mother and daughter in name only… in reality, they were just waiting for the other to die.

‘Even if things are bad with Mama, things with Papa were quite harmonious and fun…’

Recalling memories of her, tears almost spilled out. …Of course, they didn’t actually pool. I could vividly see the precious little dragon acting cute through the screen, calling me “Stupid~ Loser Papa~” every day. If Elaina hadn’t shown such dislike, I would have rushed the departure date for that “Mesugaki” dragon who I just wanted to give a cheek-kiss to right now.

“…She throws some serious tantrums, but she’s a good kid.”

Upon confirming that the next destination was the Dragon’s Lair, Elaina went into a sulk and stopped talking.

“……”

Forget rushing; it seems I’ll have to persuade Elaina first before we can head to the Dragon’s Lair. She really is such a kind and refined girl, but…

We set off for the Dragon’s Lair by carriage. It will take at least three days, so we need to stop at a village along the way to stock up on water and food. The Dragon’s Lair is the dragons’ own domain; naturally, the surrounding area is crawling with rugged monsters that even Elaina and I might find difficult to handle.

‘That’s why I need to prepare thoroughly before we go…’

My stats are relatively decent. As a 6-star hero, she would be vastly stronger than me. If I were to quantify Elaina’s stats, her numerical values would likely be about 30% higher than mine. Even in terms of basic specs, there’s a threefold difference. With the accumulated experience of now bossing around a Great Spirit, she has undoubtedly evolved into a far more advanced being.

Keyaru wore a sinister smile. I never intended to force her growth. However, seeing her become strong and steadfast for my sake made her look especially precious today.

‘Good things are good things…’

Even while setting up the tent, Keyaru moved from his spot and stroked Elaina’s head.

“Huu… ugh…”

Reacting with pure loveliness, she trembled like a cat.

“A little more… huu… just a little more…”

Soon, becoming limp and soft, she grabbed my hand firmly and tried to press it even closer to her head.

Slither.

The pair of a man and a woman became overlapped as if becoming a single layer. I felt her scent and her hot breath. Her eyes looked pleading, and our skin touched. She pressed against me, stimulating me. Perhaps she was doing it on purpose.

Whoosh!

Startled, I quickly pulled my body away from the close contact.

“…”

‘…Whoa, that was damn dangerous…’

I got excited without realizing it. I almost laid a hand on a “fave character” I had raised like my own child. Stuttering for a moment, I lowered my gaze. There, another “entity” had popped out to say hello. Another “blood relative” was waving its hand up and down, standing tall like a long log.

‘Waaah…! I’m a baby… penis…!’

I began to struggle to tuck away that thing, which was far too wicked to be called a “baby.” I tried coaxing it, scolding it, but I couldn’t bring myself to hit it.

‘How could I hit this…?’

Clicking my tongue, I watched my “other son” slowly shrink back down. Keyaru let out a sigh of relief. My son, who bid me adios saying he’d let it slide this time, looked exceptionally gallant today.

“…Thank you, Ent Smith.”

After packing the pre-purchased food into the bag, we moved again by carriage.

“I’m sorry… Master.”

Was she apologizing for yesterday? Elaina lowered her head deeply.

“Oh..? No, no, it’s okay, Elaina.”

I gestured to the self-deprecating Elaina that it was fine.

“You’re talking about yesterday, right? It’s okay. They say that since ancient times, if a man and a woman get too close, they cross a forbidden line—”

“Ah… no, that’s fi… fine… It’s not… not that…”

My intention to soften the mood was cut short as she looked down with a languid gaze. She was staring at a pouch made of cloth with an awkward gesture.

‘Ah… don’t tell me…’

Keyaru realized something the moment her eyes met the shabby pouch. Soon, he tossed a question at her.

“Is it… because it weighs on your mind that I spent silver coins because of you…?”

Nod.

Without a word, she nodded her head weakly, keeping it tucked low.

“……”

A brief silence filled the carriage.

“……”

It’s true that I don’t have enough surplus funds to spend recklessly. However…

“Elf silver coins… are different from the ones humans use.”

For an ordinary adventurer to hire a carriage, even a full day’s pay isn’t enough. It was only thanks to emptying the initial rewards from the goblin subjugation… otherwise, I would have gone bankrupt long ago.

“Don’t worry too much. Money will come back soon anyway.”

Keyaru flipped a silver coin from his pouch like a man of leisure.

Ting!

The coin flipped into the air.

“The request you had in mind is…”

Elaina looked at the scene skeptically but quickly adjusted her posture.

“Ah~ no. I have something in mind where we don’t have to work that hard to earn it.”

“Our destination is the Dragon’s Lair, isn’t it?”

With a gentle smile, Keyaru’s hand pointed toward the landmark of their destination far in the distance.