Beyond Cloudfall - Chapter 4
Tarus City lies not far from the foot of the dragon’s nest. The origins of its name has been lost to time, though it is known to have some kind of connection with the Abyss.
Unlike other cities, Tarus City’s marketplace—
MC: That stall we just passed… that definitely was some kind of Wanderer’s head on display, right?
Sylus: What a quick reaction. Should I remind you that what kind of Wanderer’s thigh you’re fiddling with right now?
MC: ….
Sylus: What, scared?
MC: No, I just suddenly thought of—
MC: That colorful painting we were examining for a while earlier—was the canvas made from dragon skin?
Sylus: …
MC: What, scared?
Sylus: I don’t recall my tone earlier was that deserving of a beating.
I drag the dragon into one mysterious shop after the other, knowing there won’t be any pipe organs on sale here.
“I want to obtain the most precious thing in the world”—this was the deal he acquiesced to.
But at this moment, I only want to see a look of embarrassment on an demon’s face.
MC: You’re not going to use any disguise at all?
Sylus: No need. No one would believe a demon would stroll around a marketplace.
Sylus: Besides, demons look different in the eyes of every human. Some see ugliness, others see terror, cruelty…
Sylus: What they see isn’t me—it’s their own hearts.
I hold up a mirror from the vendor’s stall, which reflects the dragon’s face.
MC: Then why don’t you guess what you look like in my eyes?
As if he’s heard a childish joke, he lowers the mirror and leans his face toward mine.
Sylus: At least much more handsome and imposing than what’s painted in “Painting of a Heavenly God Slaying a Dragon.”
MC: I thought because Tarus City is infamous for demons, its market would be very interesting. Turns out, it’s just filled with a bunch of ordinary things.
Sylus: You won’t be able to find wind chimes made of finger bones anywhere else.
I pick up a small obsidian ring.
MC: They even have goat bone talismans…
The people of the Sanctuary dislike horns because of their demonic symbolism, yet here they’re in high demand.
Sylus: Want it? You can haul back this heap of stuff by yourself later.
MC: …then maybe I’ll exchange it for something small and delicate. A demon horn ring, a demon wing necklace—this volcanic stone pendant also isn’t bad.
Sylus: Not bad?
Following my words, Sylus bends down to look with me, then lets out a cold scoff.
Sylus: and shaped like a crippled dragon.
I put the pendant back, tilt my head, and my eyes light up again.
MC: Look at this demon eye bracelet. Don’t you feel like it’s cuter than the treasure in your dragon cave?
Sylus: Is it that you find this shoddy oil paint beautiful, or is it that you think the cracks on top are unique?
Sylus: You came here just to look at these?
MC: …After spending so much time together, I forgot how a dragon’s mouth can be—it’s harder to get a kind word out of you than it is to ascend to the .
I play with the bracelet before me,
MC: Since you look down on my taste, then tell me what is the most valuable thing in your collection?
Sylus: The painted oil lamp made of pure gold, and that ruby necklace set.
Sylus: I gifted you these two things but you couldn’t be bothered to use them. Why is it that you’re interested in those cheap things instead?
Major Mistranslation Alert: This was originally translated as "if I gave them to you," but Sylus had already gifted these items to MC!
MC: So you measure value solely based on its monetary price.
Sylus: What else?
I let out a long sigh and shake my head sagely as I click my tongue.
MC: You really fit the stereotypical image in stories of a dragon who’s greedy for wealth.
MC: …but value should be determined by something warmer.
MC: Just like this bracelet. Even though it’s , its meaning is wonderful.
Ignoring the expression on his face, I grab his claw and put it on him
MC: Look at the runes engraved on top—
Sylus: “Demons will forever protect you.”
How warm indeed.
He dips his head down to look at the bracelet, but doesn’t immediately take it off.
The pupiless vendor seems to sense something and turns to face us, then precisely taps his pipe against the bracelet.
Vendor: This bracelet—one piece of information, or thirty gold coins.
MC: Just this bone bracelet? At most, this is only worth—
I’m about to haggle, but when I look up, the person beside me has already opened his coin pouch, countless gold coins falling from his palm onto the counter.
The blind vendor doesn’t count them. Only his ears twitch a little.
Vendor: You overpaid. Rules must not be broken—I’ll accept the coins and give you two pieces of information in return.
Vendor: First— The Evil Demon has reappeared in the world, and the Legion of Justitia will soon come to subjugate Tarus City.
Vendor: You two should be careful.
I exchange a silent glance with Sylus. The next moment, the vendor turns to me with a blank expression.
Vendor: Second— Before long, the demon will again encounter his nemesis .
Vendor: Right over there.
The tobacco pouch is waved. My gaze follows it and spots a faintly visible obsidian spire at the edge of the withered forest.
I hook my arm around the dragon’s neck and stand on tiptoe to whisper in his ear.
MC: … that’s where you first tried to eat me, isn’t it?
Sylus: Want to go back for another taste?
MC: It’s not like we can’t. Maybe there might be some treasure inside.
Sylus: A long abandoned, ruined chapel won’t have anything worth making a special trip for.
Sylus: Don’t forget why I accompanied you here.
I release the dragon’s neck, feigning a look of dissatisfaction.
MC: You’re not the first to know how I am. If I can’t buy a pipe organ, then I’ll need to get a few other things as compensation.
MC: These—these, and these too. Look, don’t they all suit you very well?
I quickly grab a few unique accessories and stuff them into the dragon’s arms, and then stand on tiptoe and hang a bone wind chime on his horn.
Sylus: You—
MC: What about me?
Our eyes meet as I remain on tiptoe, leveling my gaze at him.
The rose-tinted evening sky bathes him in a soft light. After looking at me for a long while, the dragon finally places his coin pouch on the table.
Dragon: …Since you want them, then don’t leave a single one behind.
Sylus: Take them all. Let’s go.
I spread my arms toward the dragon. He picks me up with my arms full of treasures and flies over Tarus City.
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