We live at the foothills of Dragon Peak.
And so began our escape.
“From the innkeeper, for food and drink…”
“From the back alley stall, for broken metalware, thrown fruit. Squashed fish, and also…”
“From the owner of the carriage, for repair costs…”
“For breaking through someone’s roof, and from many residents…”
“From the dairy farmer, a claim for three head of prime cattle.”
“Umm…”
Under the guidance of Media and Tolkinea, we went to the lord’s mansion once and briefly explained the matter of the egg thief and the chase. During that time, it was just my imagination that various claims came from all directions.
“Elnea?”
Mistral, who was present, looked at me with a disapproving gaze. It wasn’t anger, but the look of exasperation he gave me felt so scary, as if he were about to hand me a letter of severance. I’d rather he punched me.
“I… I need to return the eggs to the earth dragon as soon as possible, so I’m going now!”
That’s right. I have to return the recovered eggs to their mother immediately; she must be worried.
It’s not that I couldn’t stand Mistral’s disapproving gaze. Really!
It was a good thing Nimia wasn’t here. If she were, she would have read my mind and cornered me.
Fortunately, Ruiseine, Priscilla-chan, and Nimia had not yet arrived from the temple.
Instead, Fiorina and Rim were present and tried to follow me as I made my escape.
I’m sorry. Please forgive me for leaving you all behind…
Clutching the large drawstring bag containing the eggs, I bolted from the reception room like a startled rabbit and burst out of the mansion.
The area in front of the mansion was the town square, and two dragon mounts were waiting there.
“Hey, Revalia!”
The Tyrant was circling overhead, so I quickly called it.
As if sensing my urgent atmosphere, the Tyrant dove down. The moment it neared the ground, I used Spatial Jump to leap onto its back.
“Elnea-sama!”
Laira was chasing after me. She must have sensed some kind of crisis as well.
“Catch Laira too.”
“You owe me.”
The Tyrant snorted in displeasure but grabbed Laira and ascended rapidly into the sky.
“Elnea-sama!”
“Please, come back!”
Media and Tolkinea, who were hurriedly mounting their own dragons, quickly became tiny dots and disappeared from view.
“Phew, that was a close call.”
“Elnea-sama, I don’t care what happens to you later.”
“Yeah. Mistral didn’t chase us, but his cold gaze was sharp. But I had no choice but to do it that way.”
I can’t accept claims for damages that weren’t caused by us, though I won’t deny that I did cause some trouble. Especially since I only have pocket money’s worth of money.
When the big man regains consciousness, I’ll have him pay.
It was the big man who was running around, throwing carriages in back alleys and stepping on roofs to escape.
“Did you cause some trivial trouble? What a noisy fellow.”
“No, no, no. They put in a claim for the cattle that Revalia and the others ate!”
I fled in a hurry, so I left Fiorina and Rim on the ground, but I figured it would be fine with Mistral there.
I don’t know if three head of prime cattle for one adult dragon and two young dragons is a lot, but targeting three prime cattle is too extravagant.
I’ve never eaten beef that good myself.
It seems dragon race can go for several days on a single meal, but I guess I’ll have to consider their meals for long journeys.
I forgot about it, and this time it can’t be helped. I’ll have to be more careful in the future.
But can I afford to pay for three head of prime cattle…
Even if I bill the big man for the damage he caused, I’ll likely have to take responsibility for the meals of the Tyrant and the others, who are my kin.
Will I, at the tender age of fifteen, be embarking on a life of debt?
“Elnea-sama, you don’t have to worry alone. I will always be by your side.”
“Yeah, thank you. I’ll rely on you when the time comes.”
“Yes.”
Whether she understood the financial problem or not, Laira, smiling while held in the Tyrant’s palm, was my only solace at that moment.
And in the meantime, the Tyrant flew us to the location where the earth dragons were waiting in no time at all.
The earth dragons, who had been rampaging, were now waiting as a group. Three Wyvern Knight Order units were still circling overhead. On the ground, the Earth Dragon Knight Order kept a distant watch on the group of earth dragons.
Speaking of which, I hadn’t given the Tyrant any instructions on where to fly. But perhaps it noticed that I was carrying the bag of earth dragon eggs. It’s quite thoughtful.
“Don’t forget your debt.”
I see, so that’s what it’s about. The Tyrant is making an effort to earn my favor.
“Yeah. I’ll repay you double next time. Thank you.”
Seemingly satisfied with my words, the Tyrant snorted proudly and landed near the group of earth dragons.
It’s a curse to understand not only the words but also the emotions of dragons at times like these. For the Tyrant’s honor, I’ll refrain from bringing it up.
As I was holding the earth dragon eggs, I dismounted from its back alone. Laira was also released from the Tyrant’s palm and hurried towards me.
“We’re back.”
And then, Laira and I walked side-by-side towards the group of earth dragons.
“Oh, it’s you. That was quite fast!”
I’m sure everyone knows what the large drawstring bag I’m holding is without me having to say it.
The earth dragons surrounded us, roaring with joy.
“Thank you. We appreciate it.”
Mother Earth Dragon, Furrua-san, approached me with tears streaming from her eyes.
“The human race caused you trouble. I’m sorry.”
I apologized and took out a large egg from the drawstring bag.
A beautiful, milky-white egg.
Actually, this was my first time seeing an earth dragon egg. What a beautiful color it has.
Although the big man and Rim seemed to have handled it a bit roughly, it’s a beautiful egg, without a single scratch on its surface.
Wondering how to hand the egg to the earth dragons, who have no hands, Furrua-san slightly opened her mouth and poked her head forward.
‘When carrying eggs or objects, use your mouth.’
I was told that in my head, so I placed the egg into Furrua-san’s mouth.
“Thank you. Thank you.”
She probably wants to incubate the egg immediately, but she can’t because she’s away from her nest. However, Furrua-san lovingly licked the egg in her mouth with her tongue.
Laira and I felt warm and fuzzy seeing Furrua-san’s motherly demeanor.
“As expected of the Dragon King, I am impressed. I apologize to Furrua, but I had truly given up hope. I never imagined you would be so skillful.”
The earth dragons praised us, and together they let out earth-shattering roars.
“No. I’m just glad we found them so quickly.”
I’m sure the earth dragons don’t care about the bill that must have amounted to an enormous sum. I dread what awaits me after we return, but for now, I’ll just be happy that the egg is back with Furrua-san.
Laira and I clasped hands, patting each other on the back.
“We must offer you some thanks.”
Said the leader of the earth dragons.
“However, we probably don’t have anything that we can give you.”
The leader’s gaze settled on my waist. The White Sword and the Spirit Tree Wooden Sword. Indeed, there’s nothing that surpasses them.
“Um, we don’t need any reward.”
“That’s right. We merely resolved the foolish mess made by humans. Rather, it is we humans who caused trouble.”
When I translated the exchange with the earth dragon leader, Laira nodded in agreement.
“Don’t say that. We want to give you something in return.”
The earth dragon leader smiled like a kindly old man. Perhaps he was around grandfather’s age?
“We don’t have anything fitting. So, allow us to offer some advice.”
“Advice?”
“Yes. It may be unnecessary for the Dragon King of Dragon Peak, but it would be beneficial to the human race who rule this area.”
It’s like something a dragon would say, I suppose.
Dragons cherish the bonds with their companions and families. So perhaps they want to give advice beneficial to our race, even though I’m human.
“To the north of here. Deep in the mountains, a multi-headed dragon has recently appeared.”
“A multi-headed dragon?”
“Hmm. You don’t know of it?”
“I’m sorry. I’ve only recently become the Dragon King, so my knowledge is lacking.”
“Hmm, it doesn’t matter. Not knowing is not a sin. Not seeking to know is a sin. But, let me see. For matters concerning the multi-headed dragon, you should ask that experienced-looking wyvern over there. We will only convey the important things. It is being kept as a pet.”
I felt an indescribable creepiness from the words of the earth dragon leader.
“A multi-headed dragon is a dragon, isn’t it? And it’s being kept as a pet?”
In the Yorttenitos Kingdom, dragons are trained and used. Friel and I build relationships of trust with dragons and cooperate.
But this is different; it’s being kept as a pet? Like a dog, cat, or livestock?
Laira, who translated it for me, also frowned and tilted her head at the unsettling advice.
“We don’t know the details either. After all, if we get too close, we could easily be killed. Dragons and magic beasts have already begun fleeing from the area where the multi-headed dragon appeared. This will soon become a major problem for the human race.”
The attacking wyvern. Its counterpart is the defensive earth dragon. A dragon race so terrifying that even the earth dragons could easily be defeated by it…
“I wish I could offer more beneficial compensation, but this is all I can advise for now. However, if you ever need our cooperation, please don’t hesitate to ask. We will surely repay this kindness.”
“Yes. Your kindness alone is more than enough. Thank you.”
I hesitated, wondering if I should ask for more details.
But then I saw Media and Tolkinea, who had chased after us, land next to the Tyrant, and I gave up.
Even though they are calm now, landing next to the Tyrant the two of them have considerable nerve. The wyvern’s face was contorted, but it looked like it was forced to land by the dragon knight’s orders.
Anyway.
I was told to ask the Tyrant about the multi-headed dragon.
As the ruler of the Dragon Peak, home to a diverse array of dragons, the Tyrant must know various things about multi-headed dragons.
Besides, there’s the knowledgeable Yugra-sama. If necessary, I could ride Nimia back in a day and ask Sleigsta (Old Man).
And when we return, Mistral, who is a dragon person and a Dragon Princess, will also be there.
…Ah, I just remembered I’m afraid to go back now.
In any case, the advice from the earth dragon leader seems important for us humans.
I’ll discuss it with everyone when we get back.
Laira and I bid farewell to the earth dragons and returned to the Tyrant.
“Elnea-sama…”
“Laira-sama…”
“Media-san, Tolkinea-san. The earth dragon problem is resolved. Now, let’s go back.”
“Eh!?”
“Huh?”
“We’re going back immediately.”
“Wait…”
“No way…”
Without even allowing them a moment to catch their breath after just arriving, Laira and I hurried them and took to the sky on the Tyrant.
“Elnea-sama!”
“Please wait!”
Media and Tolkinea, screaming on the ground, quickly became tiny dots and disappeared from view.
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