We live at the foothills of Dragon Peak.
The Blue Dragon Knight
As we talked while eating delicious drinks and sweets, we apparently arrived at the royal castle without realizing it.
The carriage stopped, and a voice called out from outside.
“Well then, shall we go? Elnea, don’t be nervous.”
At Listea’s signal, we got off the carriage in order.
When we got off, we were surprised by the large number of people who came out to greet us. There were many knights and officials.
Among them, a lovely girl with an overwhelming presence came forward to greet us.
It was Cerise.
“Welcome back, Listea. Elnea-kun, welcome as well.”
I bowed awkwardly to Cerise, who was smiling.
We interact closely at school, but I, a commoner, don’t know how to behave in places like this castle, in front of so many eyes.
Listea, Naimi, Slaton, and even Creacio smirked at my awkward movements. They see me as something amusing. How mean.
“Now, please come inside.”
Only Cerise was kind. She urged us on and led us into the castle.
It was my first time visiting the royal castle, and it’s truly amazing.
The entrance hall alone must be twice the size of my house.
The floors, walls, and pillars were all made of marble. There were sculptures everywhere, and paintings hung on the walls. Vibrant seasonal flowers were arranged in vases.
Wow, the splendor was blinding.
Even if I worked for the rest of my life, I probably couldn’t afford even one piece of the casually placed furniture here.
“You’re like a country bumpkin.”
Slaton chuckled as he watched me nervously look around.
“What can I do? It’s the first time I’ve ever been to such a luxurious place. Besides, someone like me might never be able to come here again in my life.”
“Hahaha. That’s not true. If you want, you can even say you came to see me and come every day.”
Listea laughed.
Speaking of which, ever since Listea became engaged to Cerise, she has been living in the royal castle. Slaton, Creacio, and Naimi too, I think.
“Yes, from now on, I’ll come to see you, Creacio.”
“Oh my.”
“Hey.”
“How mean, won’t you come to see me?”
“Ahahahahaha.”
The hero’s entourage reacted in their own ways and laughed.
“You don’t seem as nervous as I thought. Elnea, you’re surprisingly strong.”
When Listea pointed that out, I puffed out my chest.
“Well, it would be troublesome if you froze up at the castle entrance.”
Slaton, he really likes to tease me.
“Come, come, this way.”
Led by Cerise, we moved through the castle.
After passing through several courtyards and long corridors, we finally arrived in front of a large double door.
Cerise signaled to the guards waiting by the door, who opened it and guided us inside.
The room was a place where a large number of people could relax.
As usual, the walls and pillars were marble. Expensive-looking carpets, so luxurious I hesitated to step on them, were laid on the floor, and elegant sofas and desks were placed in several areas of the room.
There were fireplaces on both ends. My house only has one in the living room.
As I looked around the room, I felt a push on my back.
“Hurry up and move.”
It was Slaton.
Pushed by Slaton, I moved forward to where a pair of guests were already waiting.
Oh, I’m getting nervous.
The first thing I noticed was a knight in full blue armor. Beside him stood two knights in white armor. Opposite them, across a desk, sat a plump person in luxurious clothing and a thin person. The thin person was also in luxurious clothing. They must be officials.
And then, an old man with gray hair wearing a robe over his armor, and a giant with a black beard wearing a similar robe but with different decorations.
Finally, at the center of the gathering was a burly man with gray hair. This burly man was wearing more extravagant clothes than anyone else and a crown on his head.
Ah, he must be Cerise’s father. In other words, it’s him.
Everyone in the room greeted us as we entered.
“Listea, I apologize for bothering you with this task.”
“No, it is an honor to be of service.”
Listea bowed her head at the burly man’s words.
C-can I not kneel?
The king suddenly appeared, which was too unexpected, and I flustered, not knowing how to react.
“Father is a friendly person. Be natural.”
Cerise whispered, gently placing her hand on my back as I panicked.
“Hmm, the young boy I see for the first time, you are Elnea, is that correct?”
“Y-yes. My name is Elnea Eris.”
My name was suddenly called, and I hastily knelt. I was just told to be natural.
Before coming, I thought I was used to dignified people since I always interact with Old Man Sleigsta and Mistral, but the King had a different kind of presence.
What is it? The King undeniably possessed the dignity of one who stands above others, and even someone like me, without proper etiquette, knelt unconsciously.
“Hahaha. This is not a public occasion, so there is no need to be so formal. I summoned you as a friend of Listea and Cerise. It is fine for a child to act like a child. Lord Grave, you agree, do you not?”
The King said, casting his gaze at the man in full blue armor.
“Yes. I believe it is fine. It is difficult to speak with people when they are overly reverent.”
The man in full blue armor nodded.
I stood up, trembling.
“Indeed, let us start with introductions. Elnea-kun has already introduced himself, so I shall go first.”
The burly man, the King and Cerise’s father, said with a friendly smile.
“As you can see, I am the King of this country. Armēdo IV.”
He is wearing a crown, so even I could tell at a glance.
“Hmm, then allow me. I am Koranta, the Chancellor. Pleased to make your acquaintance.”
The thin man in luxurious clothes bowed. I bowed in return.
“I am Naal, the Vice-Chancellor.”
This was the plump man in the luxurious clothes. Somehow, the plump man looked more dignified and imposing. He also seemed arrogant.
“I am Teizenal, General of the National Army.”
The giant man with the black beard. Taciturn, he looked every bit the soldier.
“I am Kolanu, Captain of the Royal Knights.”
The old man with gray hair, wearing a robe over his armor, gave me a gentle smile. He looked very kind, but being the Captain of the Royal Knights, he must be an amazing person.
“Next, I shall introduce myself. I am Grave, Commander of the Yorttenitos Kingdom Wyvern Knight Order. It is a pleasure to meet you.”
The man in full blue armor greeted me by placing his hand on his chest.
Oh, this is the commander of the Wyvern Knight Order who arrived this morning? He’s so cool.
“The two beside me are my bodyguards, so I will omit their introductions.”
At Grave’s words, the two men in white armor, also placing their hands on their chests, greeted us. These guys are also Dragon Knights, huh?
“I-it’s a pleasure to meet you all.”
I bowed to each of them.
Ah, my stomach is starting to hurt from nervousness. Everyone has a calm demeanor, but this means I’m going to be bombarded with questions by everyone here, right?
I ran away from my classmates at school, but I can’t escape here.
Help me, Mistral. Even though I cried out in my heart, Mistral, as expected, didn’t come to help me here.
“It’s a bit cramped here. Let’s move to the seats by the window and talk.”
Led by the King, we moved to the window.
A U-shaped sofa was set up in front of the large window.
Cerise rang a bell, and a servant entered the room, bringing us drinks and placing various foods on the table.
“Now, what should we talk about first, or what should I ask?”
As the King pondered, Chancellor Koranta raised his hand.
“First, let’s take care of what’s necessary. I apologize for asking so soon, Elnea-kun. Could you tell me about what happened at the ruins the other day?”
Here it comes. It’s here already. I nodded with a nervous expression.
I took a sip of my drink to wet my throat and began to speak.
However, I have to keep Mistral a secret, so I’ll have to mix in some lies.
My story about defeating the Yorttenitos Kingdom knight who became a magic sword user was listened to with great interest by the members of the Wyvern Knight Order.
I’m sure they are questioning how a child like me could defeat one of their kingdom’s knights. Grave’s gaze was piercing.
“Hmm, a passing adventurer defeated a black-armored magic sword user and healed the Miko’s wounds?”
Vice-Chancellor Naal, the plump one, looked at me with suspicion. This guy is also looking at me doubtfully.
“Y-yes. I was also overwhelmed, so I couldn’t confirm his specific appearance.”
“Hmm. If an adventurer appeared pursuing the magic sword user, perhaps he knows something about it.”
Chancellor Koranta, the thin one, put his hand on his chin and pondered.
Oh, I hope my lie doesn’t develop into a major incident. I was filled with trepidation, fearing this lie would dig my own grave.
But someone misunderstood my fearful expression.
“Oh, I apologize for reminding you of something so frightening.”
The King stroked my head. Unlike when Mistral petted me, I didn’t feel particularly happy. It seems the feeling differs depending on who pets you. I was only startled by the novel experience of being petted by the King.
“Adventurers might have information at the Adventurer’s Guild. I will make arrangements for that.”
“In that case, I will search the inns in the capital city for any signs of such a person having stayed there.”
With that, Koranta and Naal left the room.
“Hmm, could you tell me a little more about the magic sword user?”
The King, seeking further details.
“We, too, would like to hear the details about the Kingdom Knight who fell to becoming a magic sword user.”
Grave, the Blue Dragon Knight, also asked, so I told them what I could remember.
I mainly explained things like the sword techniques and how the offense and defense played out, interjecting with questions from the Dragon Knights.
“Hmm. From what I hear, it seems the magic sword user’s swordsmanship had deteriorated after becoming one. I find it hard to believe that a Kingdom Knight would lose so easily to a boy like you, even if you are the Hero Listea.”
The blue dragon knight, Commander Grave of the Wyvern Knight Order, voiced his discontent.
He probably doesn’t like the fact that one of his country’s knights was defeated by a seemingly weak boy from another country. The two men in white armor beside him also looked at me with menace in their eyes.
I don’t think I could win against a sane Kingdom Knight either, but they don’t have to be so openly displeased.
I answered truthfully about everything except the black-armored magic sword user and the dragon energy. Yet, I felt uncomfortable, as if I were being blamed.
“In any case, Elnea-kun rescued the Miko and the teacher. This is commendable. As a country, we will officially reward you in the future.”
Ah, I made the King concerned.
The King patted my head with a cheerful smile, trying to lighten the mood.
This time, I was a little happy.
After that, we spent our time talking about the hero’s story and the dragon knights’ stories.
Honestly, I felt out of place and restless.
As I was wishing I could go home soon, a voice called from outside the room, and two figures entered.
They clearly looked like a priest and a miko.
“We have something to report to His Majesty, so we have come to inform you.”
The priest knelt. Beside him stood the miko, holding four swords.
I recognized the swords. I would never forget them. They were the magic swords the magic sword user who appeared at the ruins the other day possessed.
