The Dragon Tamer

Hey you two over there! Please wait!

Huh?

I'm sorry for stopping you like this, but I had to ask you something...

I saw those gauntlets your wearing and... by any chance, are you a dragon summoner?

Yes... So you know about these.

I am the descendent of a family capable of summoning dragons... Call me Tiramisu, the dragon summoner!

Oh dear! Someone saw you in the village and I just knew I had to see you! It's such an honor!

How did you know Tiramisu is a dragon summoner?

Is there something special about her gauntlets?

Absolutely! The gauntlets are each unique and shaped in the image of a dragon.

Precisely. These gauntlets are made of dragon scale, which only dragon summoners are permitted to wear.

From the looks of it, girl, you appear to be out of breath. You must have had something urgent to tell me.

Exactly! This is a problem that only a dragon summoner could solve!

Hm... Very well. Please allow me to hear what troubles you.

Oh, thank you! Please come to the village elder's house in Ratle. I'll go back and tell everyone a dragon summoner is coming!

She sure was in a hurry. Maybe we should hurry over there.

This problem must be quite serious for her to seek a dragon summoner. Though, I am unsure whether any evil dragons are involved...

We do not want to see this issue escalate. We should hurry to Ratle.

Oh my, ! So it's true that a dragon summoner is here! I don't know what to say... You may have noticed, but I'm too weak to leave my house. So I apologize for making you come all the way here.

Say, Tiramisu. Are people scared of dragon summoners?

Hmph... Your words are most unkind, Aldo.

Their words are no expressions of fear, but of respect.

Respect?

It should come as no surprise. They are witnessing one who tames beings from another world.

However, enough with the formalities for now. Tell me about the problem here in your village.

Well... There have been incidents where villagers on their way to the Vasu Mountains are attacked by a monster.

Did you say a monster?!

Now, even though I said monster... The truth is that I don't know.

The ones who managed to escape told me about a seeing a dark shadow during the attack.

Do we know anything else?

Hold it... You specifically sought out the help of a dragon summoner. There must be some hint of a dragon's involvement, right?

It's just as you say, Dragon Summoner! While inspecting the bodies of the victims, we noticed dark wounds made by a large claw. We believe they could come from a dragon.

A dragon that leaves dark wounds on its victim's bodies...

Nope, I've got nothing.

We're gonna lose all the miners in our village unless we do something about this...

Hmph... There is no need for words of defeat. I have already determined what monster we are dealing with.

What?! You already figured it out?

Indeed, I am quite certain that my assumptions are correct. This monster is definitely...a dark dragon.

A dark dragon... Could it be...!

Hmm... So you already know about them. That's pretty rare even among dragon summoners.

Yeah... It's a long story though.

Is that right? You'll need to tell me about it sometime.

Um... So what is a dark dragon?

They are spectral beings that phase in and out of our world like ghosts... They emerge from another underworld to feed on live humans.

L-L-Live humans?!

Which means the ones who were attacked would have, !

A dark dragon!

Yes. Much the same as the one we faced on Wyrmrest Isle.

Um... So what is a dark dragon?

Dragons that emerge from the Darkrealm to feed upon living humans.

L-L-Live humans?!

Which means the ones who were attacked would have, !

A dark dragon?

They are spectral beings that phase in and out of our world like ghosts. They emerge from a dark realm to feed on live humans.

L-L-Live humans?!

Meaning the ones who were attacked would have, !

They are fortunate that they escaped, else they would have been devoured alive.

It is most unusual that it is appearing here... You were wise to contact me about this problem, indeed.

It is the job of dragon summoners to tame the dragons that inflict chaos on our world. Please leave this to me.

You have no idea how relieved I am! Please save the village, Ms. Tiramisu!

I shall. You will all shortly be living your lives without fear.

And what say you, Aldo? If you are not prepared to duel with a dragon, you may stay here and wait for me to return.

Don't be silly. Of course I'm coming along.

As I expected.

And what say you, Aldo? If you are not prepared to duel with a dragon, you may stay here and wait for me to return.

Don't be silly. Of course I'm coming along.

Heh heh... Very well. I believe you have what it takes.

Now, let us set off! To the Vasu Mountains!

Hmm...

Look at these scratches, Aldo.

Black scratch marks... Just like how the village elder described them.

The dragon was here. See how the marks move in multiple directions... It frequents this place. Its lair must be nearby from where it can attack the villagers.

Which means that it'll show up if we wait here, right?

Precisely, it should not be long before it decides to reveal itself.

Eek! Wh-What are you?! Don't come near me!

Did you hear that?!

It came from that way. Let us hurry!

I-Is this the monster that attacked the villagers?!

Help me, somebody! Anybody!

There's no one here! We were too late!

Hmm...

Look at what I found on the ground, Aldo.

It that...ore? So that means a miner was here and they were...

Do not jump to conclusions. These dragons tend to keep their prey alive until they reach their lairs... Where they feed.

So that villager may still be alive?!

It is likely, but should that dragon reach its lair, things get complicated.

These are dark beings known as Dragons of Chaos. They inhabit a dark realm... It would be difficult even for one such as myself to track it once it reaches its lair.

I've been to the Darkrealm before, but there's no guarantee this is similar to the part I was in. How are we going to find the villagers?

Do not worry yourself. I already know a way.

Dammit! We've got to hurry up and save the villager! But how do we find them?

Do not worry yourself. I already know a way.

You do?!

Dark dragons prefer to stay in confined area, such as caves.

It is likely somewhere inside the Nadara Volcano. Let us go!

Got it! Let's get moving!

Eeeek! Somebody help me!

Are you all right?! We're here to help you!

It appears we made it in time. Get behind us!

Wh-Who are you guys?!

I am the one who tames dragons... Call me Tiramisu, the dragon summoner!

You, evil dragon that brings chaos to this world! It is time you were removed from this plane of existence!

Whoa! You got it in just one hit!

Hmph... To me, it was nothing.

Are you all right? It doesn't look like you're badly injured.

Th-Thank you so much! You saved my life! I can't thank you enough!

It was no trouble. It is just part of my job as a dragon summoner. Our work it done here, so let us return to Ratle.

Of course! I must tell the other villagers about how gracefully you fought!

Hmm... This does not look good.

You, get away from there!

Huh?

Watch out!

Wah!

Oh no! H-How can there be so many?! What are we supposed to do?!

Get out of here! I cannot defeat them while trying to protect you!

Run as fast as you can back to the village!

O-Okay! I promise I'll bring help!

Ugh... What now, Tiramisu?!

Hmph... How careless of me to not realize that a gate to the dark world would be here.

These dark dragons sensed my power and foolishly came thinking they could eliminate me.

Woah!

Hmm... Do you believe him to be your prey?

However, I will not allow that as long as I still breath!

O dragons from the other side, heed my words and answer my call!

Your gauntlet is shining! Are you summoning a dragon?!

Hmph! Summoning a dragon, you say?

That will not be necessary!

That was...amazing!

It was nothing. Now, only one remains. Could you assist me, Aldo?

Sure, you bet!

Phew...the gate to the Darkrealm is gone.

Upon learning of their own kind's defeat, the other dark dragons will not return to this place.

Well, I guess that means the people of Ratle are now safe.

Hah. I completed this mission without a problem.

Let us return to the village, for real this time.

Sounds good.

By the way, I was concerned about something.

What is it?

When you were surrounded by the dark dragons, you didn't summon a dragon. Why was that?

*gasp* W-Well, as to that...

Ahem. Aldo, all I did was borrow the power of dragons using this gauntlet. I simply did not feel that it was necessary to summon a dragon in this fight.

I see... It would've been nice to see a real dragon, but I guess summoning one isn't as easy.

I see... It would've been nice to see a real dragon, but I guess summoning one isn't as easy.

That is not exactly true. Borrowing their power is at times more complicated than summoning them!

Wh-What?! Then, why didn't you summon them?

Errrr... S-So that's because...

Cut it out! I don't like long conversations. Let's hurry back, the villagers are waiting for us!

Tiramisu?! Wait up!

Not only did you slay the monster, but you saved a villager... How can we ever thank you enough?!

I just did what was necessary. Your gratitude is not required.

Ridiculous, the least we can do is give you a little token of our appreciation...

Hmm?

Come on in.

Dragon Summoner! It's a great honor to see you again! I'm so happy I could dance!

I am glad you were not harmed, however, I do not wish to see you dance. Village Elder, what is happening here?

I-I-I'd like to be your husband, Dragon Summoner!

What?!

H-Huh? A h-husband... Which means you want to...

We had prepared new armor and a feast for you... But we thought that wouldn't be enough. And so, we'd like to offer you this young man.

What a bother... I do not need a token of appreciation. Distribute the food and armor amongst the villagers.

B-But...

I thought I made myself clear. My mission is to slay dragons that bring chaos to our world. I do not seek rewards. End of story.

Th-That means... No marriage?!

Unfortunately.

Ughhhh!

In that case, please allow me to see your crest instead!

Ugh... My crest? I do not understand why you wish to see that.

What crest is he talking about?

Every dragon summoner has a crest of the dragon they are contracted with somewhere on their body. It's proof that they have tamed a dragon. I now respect her more than ever since I saw her fight!

It would make my day to see that crest!

I didn't know about this at all, but now I'm curious about it too.

Do not be ridiculous, Aldo. It is true that I am powerful, and I am admired by many...

However, the crest is not something I may easily reveal to others. I am afraid I must refuse your request.

Oh what a shame... I really wanted to see one!

Hey! Don't start demanding things from the dragon summoner after all she has done for you!

Pay no mind. Should you require assistance in the future, you may seek my help again. Particularly, if you run afront of another dragon.

Sorry, but...

Huh?

I won't give up!

Um... What do, ?

Either I become your husband, or I see your crest! One way or another! I'm a volcano of love for you, Dragon Summoner!

That again?!

Y-You can say anything you like, but I still cannot grant your requests.

Please reconsider, I'm begging you! You're tearing me apart, Dragon Summoner!

Hmm... What do you think, Dragon Summoner? Does he have a chance?

How dare you suddenly get on his side?!

D-Don't be mistaken, Dragon Summoner. It'd be nice to have someone like you in our village...

See?! Did you hear what the village elder just said?!

What th, But you...

I'm not going to marry you! That's for sure! Absolutely not!

W-Wait please! Dragon Summoner!

Those were some terrifying folks. I thought we might be stuck with them forever.

Hahaha! That's one way to show one's appreciation.

But are you sure that you don't want anything from them?

Without a doubt! We hunt those chaotic dragons because it is the fate we bear! We seek not for rewards.

I see, Tiramisu. You've got a lot of pride in what you do.

Hah... Of course I do. Dragon summoners are a rare breed. We cannot fight without pride.

To you that might be normal, but to me... It's pretty awesome.

Hah hah... That is just a sign of good judgement, to go along with your decent fighting skills.

Aldo, I have a feeling that you and I will make a good team.