Dragon Boot Camp

"Wh-what are you doing!?" the dragon stammered.

"Now that I’ve realized you’re the cause of this entire mess, you didn't think I'd just leave you be, did you?" I replied. "I’m going to solve the root of this Curse for you."

"C-can you really do such a thing?"

She was finally listening to reason. It seemed her current state was truly agonizing. Of course, since the cause is nothing more than simple Overeating, she’d return to normal if she just stopped eating for a while.

But if I left her to her own devices, she’d eventually stuff her face again, raise a fuss about being "cursed," and return to level the town. She was a colossal nuisance. To prevent a repeat performance, I intended to force her into a strict regimen until her body was trimmed down enough to keep her gluttony in check.

"I can," I said, my voice dropping an octave. "However, this will be a long and painful ordeal. Are you prepared to see it through?"

The Black Dragon King instinctively gasped at the intensity of my gaze. Then, with a look of grim determination, she nodded.

"I beg of you. I shall prove that I can endure any ordeal."

She was certainly motivated. Apparently, the discomfort of Overeating was that severe for her.

In that case, I’ll be as thorough as possible.

I let a wicked grin spread across my face. The Black Dragon King looked back at me, her expression flickering with the sudden, haunting realization that she might have been too hasty with her answer.

"Run! Keep running!" I barked.

"W-wait... at least... let me fly..."

"Don't talk back! Do you want to break the Curse or not?"

"I-I do, but what on earth does this have to do with—"

"I said no talking back! That’s another ten laps!"

"Wh-where am I even supposed to run...?"

Despite not having completed a single proper lap, the Black Dragon King was already wheezing. This was going to take a considerable amount of time.

"I-it is nearly time... I am hungry..."

"It’s still morning," I countered. "Wait until noon. I'll have a meal prepared."

"If I wait that long, I shall starve! If I do not consume three meals in the morning, I will perish!"

For a fleeting second, her logic almost sounded normal. Then I actually processed the words.

Right. I need to thoroughly crush that nonsense out of her so she never utters it again.

"W-wait! I'll die! I'm really going to die!"

"Don't worry," I said flatly. "Even if you do..."

"D-don't tell me... that legendary Resurrection Magic?"

"No. Rest assured that when you're gone, there’s someone here who will happily eat every last scrap of you, right down to the bone. You won't go to waste."

"Then I would just stay dead!"

"Well, you'd be dead, so that’s only natural, right? It’s a waste to just leave a carcass rotting, so I’d just be making effective use of the—"

"I cannot afford to die so carelessly!"

"Then stop resting. Move. Run."

"Ugh... have I sold my soul to a Demon...?"

The Black Dragon King began to trot again, weeping as she went. Eventually, Fee and the others approached, likely wondering why the Attacks had ceased.

"What's going on?" Fee asked.

"The Black Dragon King got fat from Overeating, so I’m currently forcing her to lose weight."

"Is this... not torture?"

"It’s just exercise. Ah, that reminds me. Fee, I have a favor to ask. I can only rely on you for this."

"Of course! What do I need to do?"

"I need to prepare her lunch, but—"

"Is it okay if Fee makes it? I feel like it will turn out like last time."

It was a valid concern. If I let her follow her heart, she’d undoubtedly create Substance X. However, if I provided a strict recipe and she didn't attempt any "creative" arrangements, it should be fine. Besides, Substance X seemed like it would be effective for weight loss in its own special way, so the outcome didn't really matter.

"It'll be fine. Just make it exactly as I tell you."

"Understood! Fee will do her best!"

As Fee fired herself up, I went over the available ingredients and gave her specific instructions on what to prepare.

Time crawled by. By the time noon approached, the Black Dragon King had collapsed, her strength completely spent.

"F-finally... the food..."

"Good grief. At least your gluttony is world-class," I remarked.

"Wh-whose fault is that!?"

"Yours."

I wasn't the one who had stuffed her full of Meat. If she had exercised an ounce of self-control, she wouldn't be in this position.

"No matter how you look at it, it is your fault! B-but regardless... food. All-you-can-eat Meat... extra-large servings..."

"No. I’ve prepared your meal. It’s Shojin Cuisine."

"That name sounds like it won't fill my stomach at all! No! I refuse! I want to eat Meat!"

The Black Wolf King began to throw a petulant tantrum, looking for all the world like a spoiled child.

"If you're going to be like that, I’ll just leave. Your Curse won't be cured, though. Is that what you want?"

"Ugh... I-I understand. I shall endure it until the Curse is lifted."

"Good. That’s a sensible answer. Don't worry, it’s not like I’m feeding you poison."

I had Fee bring out the plate. However, despite my very clear instructions, the dish sitting there was undeniably Substance X. The dragon stared at it with a look of profound suspicion.

"No matter how you look at it, that is poison, is it not?"

"It’s fine. You’ll understand once you taste it."

I didn't give her a choice. I forcibly shoved the Substance X into the Black Dragon King's massive maw.

"S-stop... Gwaaaaaargh!"

The Black Dragon King let out a blood-curdling scream. Her eyes rolled back into her head, and she collapsed into unconsciousness.