Dearia, I'm in trouble!
Oh?
I had all this the money I'd saved up for our house-hunting journey...
But then I had to get food for Pip,
and buy cold medicine,
"Top Quality Imported Snow" and then...
I imported a bunch of snow for Pip...
Now I'm flat broke!
My baby tooth fund is gone!
I see. I know just the thing:
We'll spend today earning you some money.
"Property #6: A Dragon in Trouble"
"Dragon Goes Job-Hunting"
They're changing the name of the show!
Thank you, gentlemen. I'll call you when I need you again.
Financial assets are necessary both to purchase a home
and to take proper care of your son.
Now is a grand time for you to earn yourself those assets.
R-Right! I'll work really hard!
But are there even jobs that would want to hire a dragon?
Yes, plenty.
Dragons are always in very high demand.
In the market, that is.
For what? That can't be good!
Time to fast travel. For what? That can't be good!
Th...
There are tons of humans here!
This free city does not persecute anyone on the basis of species or nationality.
As such, all manner of beings come here to trade.
Some merchants sell your typical fare of weapons, defense items, and potions,
"We've got 'em!"Great for killing with curses! You need this in your home!"
while others sell forbidden tomes, illicit substances, and powerful charms.
Stolen and illegally smuggled goods make up for the bulk of their wares.
So this marketplace is really just a wretched hive of scum and villainy...
Yes, I suppose you could describe it that way.
Where there are people, there are jobs.
Noooo! Where there are people, there are jobs.
Welcome!
What would you like to buy?
How about a nice dragon?
And then they'll attack me! I can't do this!
Combat, thievery, and larceny are all prohibited in this marketplace.
You have nothing to fear. Probably.
"Probably"?
If even Heroes break the rules...
they're jailed.
Why are there so many?
Most likely they accidentally pressed the "Steal" button.
"Talk"Fight"Buy"Sell"Steal"
Most likely they accidentally pressed the "Steal" button.
Why does it even prompt them to do that?
Stop, thief!
It's just part of being a Hero.
A dragon!
What do they do with them after they jail them?
Hear me, Flame Dragon Lord of Mass Destruction! I will have your head!
What do they do with them after they jail them?
I'm not sure.
Though I do know the cage doesn't stay full for very long.
Huh?
Need a job, huh?
We gotta know we can trust ya,
so I can't give ya a job without a letter of introduction.
That's unfortunate.
Wait, you don't know this guy, Dearia? I thought you knew everyone.
I can hardly be expected to know every person on the face of the Earth.
Huh?
C-C'mon, Pip, pipe down!
Well, if you insist, little guy.
I'll make an exception for ya.
If you're as strong and gentlemanly as he says, then I gotta hire ya.
There ain't many dragons like that around.
Huh?
I-I'll work super hard, promise!
Though please give him a simple task to begin with.
Oh, yeah?
This job would like you to cut blocks from trees and rocks.
"JOB: Cut blocks from trees and rocks PAY: Per block"
Sure, but why blocks?
Many adventurers enjoy building homes or tools out of blocks of materials.
It's the latest trend.
Wow, that sounds cool!
Okay, let's get to it!
All done!
What? That's all I get paid for that?
Well, yeah, it's a little side job. Plus, the work's shoddy.
If you wanna make money, do it faster and better.
This isn't enough to keep Pip fed...
"Oh no, oh no..."
NOh no, oh no, am I gonna have to sell my tail? I could cut it off...
All right, all right, I gotchu.
I'll find ya a job that pays a little better.
"JOB: Hotel receptionist and related duties."
How do I look?
Papa!
Very handsome.
This hotel seems strangely familiar...
Wait, what?
Whew, I'm pooped. Feel like we walked a thousand miles.
Can't wait to take a shower.
Welcome...
Run, a dragon!
Come back!
Time to pass out.
May I take your luggage, ma'am?
Yeah, thank...
Room ser...
Could you please find me a different job?
Aren't you a pain in my rear.
I wasn't gonna hurt them...
I have an idea.
Why don't we find a job that only you can do, Letty?
Huh?
Whoa, a dragon!
"JOB: Proxy service. PAY: Negotiable. Scales on ability."
What's a proxy service?
It depends on what the client needs.
You could pretend to be someone's boyfriend to make them look good,
take a dog on walks, or even be asked to fill empty seats at a wedding.
"Congrats!"
Wow!
A wedding... that sounds fun!
I don't think a dragon would be able to work a wedding job, unfortunately.
I wonder what kind of proxy services they want me to do?
Are you our client?
Yes, sir! I'm Robert, apprentice mage!
A dragon in the flesh!
I can't believe I'm seeing one in real life! Can I dissect you?
Eep, no, no, no!
Please, don't. What is it you'd like him to do?
Oh, right, sorry. So, uh...
I need you to pretend like I summoned you!
Wait, summoned?
You mean like the "fwoosh, shoom, here I am!" kind of summoned?
No way, no way, no way!
Oh, you don't have to do anything fancy! Just kind of act like you were summoned!
I promised someone I'd show them I could summon a beast.
Damn, you're actually gonna summon something?
Let's see what kind of dumb stuff this loser can summon.
Very well.
Come forth, my servant!
Red Dragon!
Rawr.
What? He doesn't care!
Is someone cooking fish?
Smells good.
Is that the real thing? You sure there ain't a zipper on the back?
How rude!
If you still doubt me, then behold its legendary attack!
Go! Use Aura et Rabora!
This wasn't in the contract!
Aura et what?
Oh, jeez, oh, jeez...
Wh-What on Earth...
You looked like you were in trouble, so he lent you his assistance.
Pip...
He's saying "You're too powerful and strong to take on weaklings like them!"
Yeah, that's definitely it.
We earned a lot from that!
Typically, the more specific the request, the higher the reward.
Do you have any work that specifically needs a dragon?
Sure do, kid.
Someone needs a dragon for a magic test.
I'd like to see if this new spell of mine can pierce dragon scales!
Thank you for agreeing to help!
If your spell works, I'll be dead!
Here we go!
Papa's putting his life on the line right now. Let's be patient.
Hey there, cutie.
Got a minute to chat?
Just kidding!
My, if it isn't Lilith. It's been decades since our last meeting.
Your memory must be failing you, My Lord.
Why, I'm still hardly a day over 20.
Is that the look you're going for now?
I'd rather you didn't call it a "look."
When I heard there was an elf and a dragon here in the markets,
I thought it might be you.
Out house-hunting for a dragon again?
As paid work, yes.
Shouldn't you step in and help him out?
I've cast a spell on him to increase his magic defense, so he should be fine.
What is it?
Oh, nothing.
You've changed since the days when you first became the Dark Lord.
You didn't seem to care for anyone, human or otherwise, back then.
Ah, the days after I'd become the Dark Lord...
I was a different man, then.
That was the most unlucky day of my entire life.
Th-The Dark Lord has been chosen!
'Tis the birth of a new Dark Lo...
I relinquish the title.
Already?
My Lord, you have been chosen! You cannot relinquish the title!
"Dark Lord Lottery"
Then I must decline.
You can't do that, either!
I hereby render my resignation.
Or that, either!
I abdicate.
Use as many synonyms as you want, what's done is done!
Are you sure you should be selecting a Dark Lord by lottery?
It's rather crude, don't you think?
You need not worry about this method!
This lottery wheel was crafted to pick the first-ever Dark Lord!
It is the great "I Choose You Mark 8"!
"1st Prize: Dark Lord 2nd Prize: Vacation Package"
It is able to measure one's magic ability like no other device!
Sounds like there are seven other devices that could.
"Dark Lord Agency"
The mere fact that you gave the lottery a try
I've made a grave mistake. I only came here to pick up a book I ordered.
means you were destined to become the Dark Lord!
Here's your participation prize.
Aww, I'm not the Dark Lord? Shucks.
May I give it a try?
Of course!
I was seduced by those darn pocket tissues...
My Lord!
All hail the great Dark Lord.
I am Lilith, a wandering fortune teller.
Would you like to know how the future of your reign will play out?
I'll give you a special discount.
No, thank you. I have no intention of having a reign.
Huh?
Surely you're not willingly giving up the title of Dark Lord.
Why, you'll be the ruler of all non-human beings.
Status, honor, and fortune are all yours!
I don't want any of those things.
Then what is it that you want?
"Rodent Encyclopedia"
I want to know why a ratatoskr's overbite is so dramatic.
"Ratatoskr" I want to know why a ratatoskr's overbite is so dramatic.
Who would want to know that?
In any case, I think I'll be taking my leave.
"Dark Lord Agency"
Thank you all for gathering today for the inauguration of our new Dark Lord.
I, Godfrey, Grand Chamberlain of the Dark Lord Agency,
will be your Master of Ceremonies.
Now, without further ado...
Please welcome our Dark Lord!
Third of His Title, Dearia Mel...
"I quit." Third of His Title, Dearia Mel...
marcean?
F...
Find the Dark Lord at once!
So this is the Dark Lord's Palace.
Usually they only allow tours on public access days. What a grand opportunity.
"The Dark Lord's Palace: An Architectural Wonder"
The impregnable fortress built by the dark arts of the first Dark Lord.
I'll amuse myself with a little tour before returning home!
Wherever I go, I sense ancient magic. How very interesting.
I'd fathom they're charms against intruders.
My Lord!
The Dark Lord must still be within the Palace walls!
Search every room!
Grand Chamberlain, look!
My Lord!
Seems the charm was left unfinished.
All that's missing is...
these runes, I believe?
My Lo...
Milo?
Why are we outside the Palace now?
Could the Dark Lord have activated the anti-intruder charms?
My, it teleported us all the way out here?
No, now is not the time to be impressed!
We must continue our search!
Hey! Who opened the water gates in the hallway?
M-Most likely the Dark Lord, sir!
Hey! Who pressed the switch to freeze the Room of Freezing?
M-Most likely the Dark Lord, sir!
Hey! Who turned the heat up in the Room of Burning?
Definitely the Dark Lord, sir!
I-If we don't find him soon, all of our guests will go home!
We'll probably run out of HP first.
We must dispel the anti-intruder charms, all of them!
Right this instant!
I-I don't think that's going to be easy...
Coming online.
Ancient magic is so incredibly fascinating.
I'll have to ask my Master to teach me more about it when I return.
My Lord...
We've finally found you.
Please, join us in the Grand Hall for your ceremony...
Not again.
My Lord!
In the end, they allowed you to leave,
after begging you to handle a small bit of Dark Lord paperwork.
Wherever did you hear that story from?
Why, your Master, of course.
The only age the Dark Lord held actual sway was during our war with humanity.
Ever since the peace treaty was signed,
the Dark Lord has been no more than a figurehead.
Today, all races and regions have autonomy,
and the Ministry of Justice handles conflicts between them,
with the Ministry of Security stepping in for emergencies.
The Dark Lord's present duties involve no more than appearing on posters.
"Beware of scam calls!"
I would never bother myself with such absurd affairs.
Well, aren't you talkative?
That black dragon changed you, didn't he? I'm a little jealous.
It's nothing more than a matter of growing older. Perhaps even too old.
Please, you look the same as you did 1,000 years ago!
Seems my charge has finished with his work. I must take my leave.
Oh, one thing before you go, My Lord?
I'm dead. I'm definitely dead.
I'm a nice cut of roast dragon meat.
It's just a little soot, that's all.
Huh?
Why didn't it work?
You're right! I'm okay!
I must've leveled up!
Definitely not.
He didn't even stop to think!
Here's your pay.
Thank you very much!
Yay! This is enough to build my own house!
And to live comfortably as well.
I'm going to go purchase supplies for our continued journey.
Could you go wash yourself off at the well in the market square?
Papa!
Sure!
Much better! Thanks for waiting, Pip!
Hey, you.
W-Wait, me?
Can I ask ya for a wee favor?
Mind takin' a few things over to this hut on the outskirts of town?
Here's a map.
Oh, sorry, but I have to find my friend...
C'mon, I'll pay ya.
Oh.
Humans are gathering outside town after hearing about "a dragon in the market."
There are always people hoping to capture a live dragon.
I doubt they'll attack you within town borders, but please be careful.
I'd like to buy this, this, and this for half-price, please.
What?
Dragons are such difficult creatures.
I-I've got a delivery for you...
Cool, leave 'em in that hut.
What "hut"?
I-I just have to leave them in there, right?
Hey!
D-Dearia!
"Elf Housing Realty"
Do you consider natural light a housing priority?
Then you may be interested in "the right to light."
"Right to Light"
Then you may be interested in "the right to light."
If you live in a home with access to good natural light,
and a large structure is built nearby, you may lose access to that sunlight.
This loss of sunlight can lead to negative health effects,
as well as make it difficult to dry laundry.
As such, many countries enforce laws that protect this right to light
by limiting the size of structures built in preexisting neighborhoods.
"Right to Light!"
by limiting the size of structures built in preexisting neighborhoods.
This may be why many dragons live in underground dungeons
or why the Dark Lord's palace was built far from civilization.
"whoosh"
or why the Dark Lord's palace was built far from civilization.
Or why the Dark Lord's palace was built far from civilization.
Though I, personally, would not mind living in a small bungalow.
Next time, "A Home for Fighting."