Twenty-two: The secret to success is preparation.

Bonus included, w.

The preparation period we set for slaying the dragon was one month.

We paid a hefty sum—most of what the village had earned over the years—to the Adventurer’s Guild as a fee, and over a hundred and thirty elite adventurers gathered.

For that entire month, we trained nonstop, including coordination drills.

Frontline fighters chugged stamina potions like water. Midline supported and healed. Rearline attacked with magic or explosive arrows. No healing or support spells ran dry.

All archers, like rangers, repeated explosive arrow training until they were flawless.

Even during drills where we simulated attacking a giant boulder as if it were a dragon, there were moments when explosive arrows nearly hit our own side. We reviewed those moments, fixed the coordination, and now it’s all sorted.

“Scariest part’s the breath attack. Count on you, Craft.”

I’ll make it work.

My job’s to build a wall with magic and block the dragon’s breath.

Tried a bunch of things. Only I could whip up a wall big enough to stop a giant dragon’s breath on the spot.

“Listen, Craft. You’re not to join the attack. No reckless moves. No matter what, don’t risk yourself. I’m counting on you to keep everyone alive.”

“…I’ve heard this already.”

“Your job’s to block the breath. Mess that up, and we’re all dead.”

“I’m good. I know.”

“Relax. Unlimited Healing Potions. And this one’s got no side effects, right? I’ve got this. Nobody dies on my watch.”

“I’ll block the breath, no matter what.”

“Yeah. I’m counting on you.”

Heavy responsibility. No room for failure.

What’s the point of all my magic experience if I can’t use it now?

I’d done my job as an alchemist. So what’s the point of having usable magic if I don’t contribute with it now?

“Absolutely—no one dies! Not on my watch!”

“Of course!”

That’s how we kept training, over and over.

◆

The adventurers had all gathered.

Every face was a weirdo, all of them.

But every expression brimmed with confidence.

Adventurers don’t usually like big battles.

Lots of reasons, but deep down, it’s about keeping the spoils for themselves.

Rare materials. Treasure. Legends.

They want it all to be theirs alone.

But fame from slaying a dragon? No matter how many of them teamed up, that fame never fades.

Joining the dragon hunt.

Just that—how much fame could it bring, really?

And not only was enemy intel surprisingly detailed, but they’d also been given a full month’s pay from the village’s budget to train—something no disposable adventurer would ever get. Proper preparation, all set.

Their confident expressions said it all: they knew they were needed. And they were ready to answer the call.

I know that feeling.

The joy of being needed… and being able to answer.

“Craft-san.”

Early morning. Kyle arrives with Maina and Alphard, gathering the dragon hunt squad.

Leifan was with them too.

“Even though I gave final approval… you’re really going through with it?”

“Yeah. A bit forceful, but it had to be done.”

If it were just about Kyle’s treatment, I’d have refused outright. But knowing this land was being endangered by powerful magic? No choice but to nod yes.

Don’t worry—I’ll be back safe and sound.

Yeah, I promise.

Craft, don’t go reckless, okay?

I’ll be fine. Leifan, look after the village for me.

Uh… yeah…

This time, Leifan was staying behind with Alphard.

We couldn’t take the village’s guildmaster—his combat skills made him perfect for guarding the village. With Alphard by his side, he could handle most trouble.

Besides, we’d already hired adventurers who hadn’t even reached Mithril-grade gear, so the village’s defense wasn’t a concern.

…Craft… come back safe…

Maina clutched my cloak tight, mumbling softly.

I couldn’t make out the words—usual thing—but I knew what she meant.

I’ll be fine. I’ll come back.

…Mm-hm.

Maybe not the way I treat nobles, but I ruffled Maina’s hair roughly.

“Alright! Then let’s move out!”

With Raidock’s command as the appointed commander, the expedition force began moving—slowly… no, actually, quite fast.

“…Please, be safe, all of you.”

◆

“W-well, look at that…”

“Even from this distance, you can tell it’s huge.”

“Look closely—about the same size as the big rocks we used in drills.”

“S-sure, maybe, but a rock and a dragon? The difference is way too big.”

On the day they finally reached the wide plain they’d planned on, the expedition force at last beheld its presence.

Still far from the target, the pressure radiating from it was anything but normal.

“Just as the scouts reported. It’s noticed us, but hasn’t moved yet.”

Raidock narrowed his eyes, staring down at the dragon.

"Good. Move as planned! Formation! Crane Wing!"

Under Raidock’s command, the adventurers spread out to the sides, just as trained.

It was a shifting Crane Wing formation.

In the center: Raidock’s party, plus several adventurers skilled in defense.

I was placed right in the middle.

On either side, the bomb archers, arranged in their designated flank cover.

"Craft. Move as planned. You okay?"

"Yeah. No problem."

"Good! Initiate Phase One! Listen! If this fails, pull back immediately. No fighting under any circumstances!"

Phase One of the plan.

The heart of this dragon hunt. A test that would decide everything—if it failed, the chance to win was gone.

"Good! Advance!"

The slaughter party advanced slowly toward the Green Dragon, still spread wide in a crane-wing formation.

Every step forward, I feel like I’m about to be crushed under the weight.

Where’d that morale from this morning go? We’re still pushing forward, suffocating under the weight of it all.

It was the same size as I’d first confirmed… but this thing was a monstrous demon as big as a noble’s manor, head alone. The pressure it exuded was nothing like that of a mountain of stone.

But no one tried to run. No one suggested retreating.

They all ground their teeth, one step, then another, pushing forward toward that massive form.

◆

Got it? Here's the plan.

It was the night before the final battle. The last check of a strategy we’d run through a hundred times already.

Raidock lined up several pieces on the tactical map, checking each squad leader’s position.

Everyone knew it already, but still, all listened intently to Raidock’s words.

“Formation: crane’s wings. First Unit—me and Craft—centered. Hold formation, close to the dragon, but keep distance. Once in attack range, First Unit strikes—start of the operation.”

The squad leaders nodded in silence.

“Anyone else attacks, I’ll have your heads. Don’t you dare panic and charge in.”

A few gave small, dry laughs.

Standard for an army. But they were adventurers. Had to be said again.

“After that, only First Unit keeps attacking—watch the dragon’s movements. You got it, Craft? Absolutely no attacking.”

“Got it.”

Keep your distance, but keep attacking. The dragon’s gonna get fed up and breathe at us soon, I bet.

Swallowing sounds ripple through the group.

Dragon breath.

That’s a death sentence if you’re still alive when it hits.

There are other monsters that breathe, too. Even their breath is a death warrant for adventurers. Try imagining what a dragon’s breath could do. No one’s ever seen it. No one’s ever survived it.

“Listen up. This is the trick. When it breathes, Craft, activate your defense spell. You’ve seen it a hundred times in training. The half-circle wall spell. You’ll raise it around the dragon’s head, completely blocking its view. That’ll stop the breath and blind it.”

They’re tense. But everyone nods.

If we decide at this point we can’t stop the breath, the left and right units pull back hard. The first unit holds position and covers the retreat. Don’t worry about us. Run. Full speed.

We’ve gone over this a hundred times. No one’s got complaints now.

If we stop the breath, we move to phase two. On my signal, fire the bomb arrows. Don’t miss the timing. Synchronized attack is key. No offensive magic during this phase.

We’re not using magic attacks now to save the mages’ power.

Once we confirm the bomb arrows work, we go to phase three. First unit attacks again, draws the dragon’s focus, keeps it in that state until it breathes again. Then repeat. That’s it.

And Raidock wrapped it up with one last line.

"Just provoke it, make it breathe, then throw the bomb. Repeat. That’s all. Simple, right?"

The air around us relaxed. A quiet laugh spread.

Without a doubt, victory.

I smiled softly too, but inside, I was firm.

Absolutely.

I’ll protect everyone.

◆【Extra】◆

It was morning on the day of the final battle. We were eating.

I noticed Hunter Jitarou staring after Solal, one of Raidock’s party members, a ranger.

I grabbed Jitarou’s shoulder and pulled him close.

"You’re into Solal, huh?"

"Wha—?! How’d you know?!"

"Come on, it’s obvious."

"Seriously...?"

"Yeah."

Jitarou’s not a bad guy. He’s solid at hunting. If he’s gonna go after Solal, I won’t stop him.

That was my mistake.

The next thing Jitarou said flipped everything.

“I’m confessing to Solal when I get back safe!”

I didn’t say a word. Just socked him right in the face.

Stop… stop it!

And where’d the dialect go?!

Where’d the dialect go? \^(^o^)/