***
Kelvin’s Mansion
Using the Simple Transfer Gate to return to the mansion, I head up the underground stairs towards my private room, aiming for a specific book. After a while, I discover a beautiful woman with raven-wing colored hair and transparent white skin. It’s Rozaria, who has recently been rapidly making a name for herself as a maid. She seems to be looking for something.
“Oh, Master. Welcome back.”
“I’m back. Rozaria, are you looking for something?”
“It’s not so much something I’m looking for, but rather someone.”
“Ah… Hoover?”
“It’s embarrassing to admit. It seems he’s slacking off somewhere again… But please don’t worry. I will educate him thoroughly once I find him.”
As Rozaria speaks, fierce cold air swirls around her right hand. Yes, it is good cold air.
“Don’t overdo the education. Speaking of which, after Mudoph, Boga also became a Dragon King.”
“Oh, really? …While it is something to be celebrated, I can’t help but feel a little jealous. When we were in the Dragon Rider Corps, he was still so young, and now I’ve been completely surpassed. Isn’t Dahak also feeling the pressure?”
“Half of it is pressure, and the other half is motivation. He ran off on his own and is currently at the Mole King’s place. It’s possible that when he returns, he might have become a Dragon King too.”
“Hmm, Dahak is working hard in his own way. For me to say this…”
It’s unusual for the always dignified Rozaria to blush and become embarrassed. What kind of mischievous brat did Dahak seem like to you? He was probably at the head of the dragons even back then, wasn’t he? Although he had a high delinquent factor.
“If that’s the case, why don’t you aim to become a Dragon King too, Rozaria? It’s impossible right now, but if you have time, I’ll cooperate. Strengthening our maids’ combat power is something I’m hoping for.”
Since Rozaria is a Silver Dragon who uses an ice breath, aiming for the Ice Dragon King would be appropriate. Though I don’t know where she is.
“It’s a kind offer, but with my immaturity, I don’t think I can surpass Mother yet. For now, I want to focus on improving my maid skills and abilities.”
“I see… Wait, Rozaria, your mother is a Dragon King?”
This is the first I’m hearing of it.
“That’s right, I hadn’t told you yet, Master. My mother is Seraphia, the Ice Dragon King who nests on Reigant Spirit Ice Mountain on the Western Continent. That peak is far beyond my reach.”
So mother was the Ice Dragon King. Dahak’s father is also the Dark Dragon King, so it seems Dragon Kings are quite approachable and familiar beings living nearby. The only ones whose locations are unknown are the Wind Dragon King and the Thunder Dragon King.
“In fact, the time Azgrad and I spent together was also part of the training I received from my mother.”
“Azgrad, you mean the Dragon Rider Corps?”
“Yes. I was strictly told that taking care of people is also a dragon’s mission. Go out into the human world, experience it, and learn… Heh, those are words fitting for my mother.”
“Taking care of people, huh. Depending on how you interpret it, being a maid might have been your destiny.”
From what I’ve heard so far, the Ice Dragon King seems to have a sensible way of thinking. Tch, unlike the Fire Dragon King, I can’t just pick a fight. There’s no reason for it at the moment.
“Yes, perhaps so. My mother was so full of maternal love that she would even snatch a baby from a human settlement and raise it. It reminds me of the time when Azgrad and I first met.”
“…Wait, hold on a second. Aren’t things going in a completely different direction?”
“Yes?”
The Ice Dragon King’s unusual behavior is one thing, but the way Rozaria and Azgrad met… Was Azgrad kidnapped by the Ice Dragon King as a baby and raised by her?! Is he some kind of feral child?
“Could it be that the reason Azgrad is so good at riding dragons is because…”
“We practiced together since we were young. It’s like riding on his own body, isn’t it? As someone who watched Azgrad grow, he feels like a younger brother to me, or rather, I feel a sense of him being like a son. Even now that he’s returned to Trisen, we still have a connection as family with Mother, and she was quite fond of Ronoa as well. She even gave him the Dragon King’s Blessing, which can only be bestowed once in a lifetime, for clearing pests from the mountain.”
So that was the reason Silvia had the Ice Dragon King’s Blessing. New facts are being unearthed one after another from casual conversation.
“Ah, yes. Master, since Mudoph and Boga have become Dragon Kings, wouldn’t it be good to receive their blessings? It’s all thanks to you that they could ascend to the Dragon King’s seat, and I believe both of them would be happy to grant it.”
“Dragon King’s Blessing, huh. That’s right, there was a blessing…”
“…? Is there a problem?”
Damn, I completely forgot. Right now, Mudo and Boga are in the middle of intensely pursuing the survivor old man. I can’t possibly cancel the summoning magic, so I’ll just have to wait until things are over.
“Well… they’re both on separate assignments for different matters. I’ll ask them once they return.”
“Oh, is that so? However, the benefits of receiving a Dragon King’s Blessing are great. As a Master with a Head Maid by your side, you probably already realize it, but it increases the power of that attribute, and moreover, enemy attacks can be almost completely nullified. For someone who enjoys magic like yourself, there’s no stronger ally.”
Yes, I realize it. Even when hit head-on by the Fire Dragon King’s attack, Efil herself was unfazed, with only her Maid Outfit sustaining damage. If I were to receive a blessing, it would probably be from Mudo. From a white magic perspective. However, I’m a bit worried about whether he’ll give me a blessing, considering how infatuated he is with Efil. Strictly speaking, I’m the Master… Well, I’ll believe it will work out somehow.
“Granting a blessing… That sounds sweet. I hope to reach that point someday as well.”
“Well, well, there’s no problem with challenging yourself. Let’s work hard with the strength of the current Mudo and the others as a benchmark.”
“Yes, I shall humbly strive. Well then, Master, I will continue my search for the lazy bum Hoover. Please contact me if you happen to find him. Then—”
After a deep bow, Rozaria silently disappeared into the depths of the mansion. Alright, I guess I’ll head to the underground golem production room.
***
“You were here, huh…”
“Ah, ha ha… Master, please overlook me!”
Upon arriving at the intended room, I found Hoover, dressed in a mini-skirt Maid Outfit, hiding behind something and holding her breath. However, since Sera and the others are also here, her stealth mission is completely futile.
“She was here before I arrived. Hoover, did you have permission to enter here?”
“No, I don’t think so… Are you telling me you used this as your slacking room while I was away, knowing no one would come?”
“Ugh, yes. That’s right…”
I’m going to get lectured by Ellie and Rozaria later. Well, I know maid duties are tough, but to slack off that shamelessly is beyond me. It’s actually quite admirable. But you’ll still get punished.
“For now, after we return, Hoover will have no meals from Efil for a month.”
“Wha—…!?”
“I’ll leave the rest of the punishment to Ellie and the others.”
“My, my, the Head Maid’s meals, my only enjoyment…”
If you’re going to be that depressed, don’t slack off. Well, though this room is off-limits, important items are stored by Kuro, so there are only somewhat high-end machines here.
“Setting Hoover aside—Everyone, are you ready?”
“Older Brother, I’m ready!”
“Hmph, Colette has been secured!”
“I received an oracle from Melfina to assist. I will give my utmost effort.”
Shutra, sitting snugly with a plush toy, and Sera, who bribed Melfina with food to borrow Colette, voice their confident support. They are all wearing lab coats.
“W-wait… why was I called too? And what is this outfit!?”
Among them, only Bell is looking confused, for some reason. Well, it was a long shot, but she agreed to wear it.
“Ah, Sera insisted on inviting Bell to the research team and wouldn’t back down. Efil made it for her on short notice, and it suits you perfectly. You look great.”
“That’s nice. Just as expected from my sister!”
“Ugh…”
If you dress the part, you’ll get into the spirit. It’s not my taste at all. It’s more Sera’s taste. And if we’re doing this, we’re going to go all out. With all our might, we’ll make the best Schwarzer Stell for Shutra. Our goal is to surpass Zildra.
