The next few weeks after the dragon sighting were hectic. Soldiers stationed throughout the kingdom flooded towards the capital. The dragon quickly became all that anyone would talk about. The word on everyone's lips was "subjugation".

I thought everyone would be scared and fearing for the lives knowing that a dragon moved in nearby. But, surprisingly, everyone acted like there was some sort of party going on. The Main Street Market saw an explosion of business selling weapons, food and supplies to the soldiers coming in. Merchants came in from the countryside looking to cash in on this business, and of course, they need to be fed, too. So the profits increased even more! Even the people in the slums perked up from all the commotion.

Only two days after the sighting, I saw Big Louie making deals and hooking up some of the people from the slums with jobs from the incoming merchants. A sudden economic boom like this is their chance to drag themselves out of the slums and find a respectable line of steady work, turning their lives around for the better. I was very happy to see it.

This was all well and good, but... why is everyone in such a good mood!?

A herald announced to everyone in the main square that a "dragon subjugation" was being planned. A cheer erupted from the crowd the moment they heard. They didn't even need to hear the rest of the message, because they already knew it was coming and what it meant.

I, however, did not.

"What is going on around here?" I asked at lunch.

"It's a dragon subjugation, of course! They usually happen around every ten years or so when a dragon settles in nearby. We've been overdue for quite a while now," Wormy happily answered my question.

"But why is everyone so festive about it?" I asked again.

Milena answered me this time, "It's because of the soldiers. They come from all around hoping to be selected to be part of the main subjugation force. That honor alone is already priceless. The sudden surge of people coming to the capital makes the merchants a lot of money and everyone benefits. Even the parts of the dragon itself are very valuable."

Wormy jumped in excitedly, "And can you believe our luck at being students of the academy at this time!? The academy sends all of it's students to protect the soldier's supply carts from monsters while they go fight the dragon. At the same time, the students benefit from the experience of being nearby the fight. Do you understand!? This is better than front row seats at the theater! We'll get to see it!"

I didn't know what a theater was... but I could tell he was excited.

"But don't people normally die at these things?" I asked.

"Oh, so a few commoners tend to die here and there. -No offense. No, wait. I mean every bit of offense I can possibly muster," Wormy sneered at me. But I knew he didn't mean it. "In either case, it's no big deal. They know what they're getting into when they sign up. It's entirely their fault if they aren't up to the task."

"But we'll be safe, right?" I asked.

"Of course we will. Do you honestly believe that the teachers of this academy will allow someone such as my wonderful self to come to harm? They'll be there, too." Wormy started talking in that annoying way again. He didn't do it as often anymore and only seems to do it when he's really excited. That helped to show how big of a deal this all was.

Just as he said, the school headmaster officially announced the plans to assist in the subjugation. All students are eligible to go if they choose. Obviously, we were going. Roland was going as well because the king himself will also be in the area overseeing the whole thing. It's his job to protect the king, after all.

Roland pulled me aside the night before and told me in no uncertain terms that if anything happens to Milena it wouldn't end well for me. So, on the day we left for the trip, I made sure to bring the monster blade Roland had given me. If he sees me taking it that seriously, he might cut me some slack... maybe.

As the lowest ranking students, we should be at the back of the line. But, thanks to Milena's royal blood and Roland's need to protect the king, Milena, Wormy and I all got to travel with the king's group. Since the king needs to command the whole thing, we were all right behind the main subjugation force.

Being that close to the action and the king, I fully expected Wormy to so excited he'd never shut up. But, to my surprise, he was so overwhelmed he hadn't spoken a single word the entire time. He knew Milena was Roland's daughter, but the fact that she was also the king's niece was new information to him. He was so shocked and embarrassed by the whole thing, he stood there gaping for a full minute before finally regaining enough brain power to start walking.

The trip itself was rather boring and uneventful. Most monsters heard us coming from a long way off and avoided us. The ones dumb enough to get in our way were quickly and mercilessly slaughtered by a long range magic barrage from the main subjugation force.

Getting to the northern mountains took about three days. From the foot of the mountain, the main force will spread out a bit and begin searching for the dragon's den. This should take one or two days. Then one more day to fight the thing and take care of the wounded (and dead) afterwards. After that, it should take three more days to return. The whole thing would take a little more than a week.

It was sad to think about that there would be some people who wouldn't be coming back with us. It scared me to think that one of us might not be returning to the capital.

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