We live at the foothills of Dragon Peak.
Dark Clouds over Yorttenitos.
“Hey, what’s a multi-headed dragon?”
On the way back to the town where Mistral and the others are waiting. I ask the Tyrant about it in the sky.
“You mean what the Earth Dragon said?”
The Tyrant was nearby, so he seemed to have overheard my conversation with the Earth Dragon.
“It means it has a lot of heads, right?”
“Hmph. Your understanding is not mistaken.”
The Tyrant snorts, seemingly annoyed that the explanation duty has been foisted upon him.
“Its body is stout, like an Earth Dragon’s. Then, it has three to eight heads and two to four tails growing from it. The more heads and tails, the stronger it is. After all, each head is an independent dragon, and since they’re connected to the body, they cooperate.”
“So, if it has eight heads, it’s like facing eight dragons at once with skillful cooperation?”
“That’s what it amounts to.”
“I see. That’s troublesome!”
“Furthermore, multi-headed dragons are always evil.”
“Like Earth Dragons are gentle and Wyverns are aggressive, is it the same for multi-headed dragons being evil?”
“They are of the Dragon race, but closer to magic beasts. They have high intelligence, but act on instinct. They don’t inhabit specific locations, but appear out of nowhere, riding the Dragon Veins like magic beasts. The fact that it appeared deep in the mountains this time is probably due to that.”
“I see. So it didn’t originally live deep in the mountains, but suddenly appeared like the Shōjō and is causing trouble for those around it. That’s why they ran away.”
“Fufu, what fools. If it were just a minor nuisance, they would have driven it away as a group. No matter how many heads it has or how well they cooperate, it’s still only a few dragons. It shouldn’t be difficult for them to drive it away, even an Earth Dragon, if they swarm it.”
“I see. Now that you mention it, that’s true. But then, why are the Earth Dragons running away?”
I wondered if I should have asked the local Earth Dragons about this instead of the Tyrant, but the Tyrant just scoffed and told me.
“Didn’t the Earth Dragons say that multi-headed dragons are kept as pets?”
“Yes. They did. What did that mean?”
I wondered if I should take it literally, like they are kept like dogs or cats.
“Multi-headed dragons have a connection with demonkind since ancient times. It’s an evil connection. Therefore, the Earth Dragons are probably fleeing because they sense the presence of demonkind behind them. While they are ultimately still demons, if there is demonkind with enough power to control multi-headed dragons, then that is troublesome.”
“Ugh…”
I gasped at the unexpected revelation of a new race.
I never expected to get involved in trouble related to demonkind just after arriving in the Yorttenitos Kingdom.
Earth Dragons! What kind of advice did you give me!
A multi-headed dragon suddenly appeared deep in the mountains, and there’s a sense of demonkind behind it. I don’t know yet if they’re interfering with the Dragon race or plotting something against humankind. But as the Earth Dragon’s head said, this seems like it will become a major problem in the future.
Because if it’s a plot against humankind, direct damage is expected, and even if it’s interference with the Dragon race, there will likely be some repercussions affecting the northern part of the Yorttenitos Kingdom.
Therefore, we need to devise countermeasures in advance.
That advice certainly warrants the reward.
And instead of discussing this with Mistral and the others after returning, it might be better to consult with the kingdom’s higher-ups or Friel.
“Alright, let’s hurry back.”
Without me even saying it, the Tyrant flew off at high speed.
“You’re so mean, Elnea!”
Suddenly, Laira, who was standing next to me, puffed out her cheeks and glared at me.
…I’ll ignore the question of why she’s always standing there.
“Why!?”
I was surprised by Laira’s sulky expression.
“Using your Dragon Heart to have a fun conversation with Lady Revalia all by yourself is unfair!”
“Ah, I’m sorry…”
Laira seemed unhappy about being left out.
“I don’t like being left out.”
“I’m sorry.”
I took Laira’s hand and explained the conversation I had with the Tyrant.
“No, *we* are the ones left out. Do you understand, Elnea?”
“Ugh…”
Before long, our journey in the sky ended, and Laira and I returned to the Lord’s mansion. We were guided by a servant to the reception room, where a punishment of *seiza* awaited us.
In the reception room, Mistral stood with his arms crossed, Ruiseine stood with her hands on her hips and puffed-out cheeks, and Priscilla-chan was there too. The Twin Princesses turned their faces away. And Fiorina and Rim were sulking.
Meanwhile, the Tyrant quickly returned to the sky after dropping me off. Only Nimia, as if nothing had happened, moved to my head and settled down.
This is it, isn’t it? She’s planning to monopolize me during the scolding that’s about to begin. And by being on my head, she’ll block Mistral’s fists in exchange for demanding a reward later.
“Nyaa.”
Oh dear, how cunning! But I guess I shouldn’t think that. Nimia, who is comfortably settled on my head, is so adorable that it seems to be dissipating Mistral’s anger.
Standing in front of me and Laira, who were forced to sit in *seiza* in the mansion’s reception room, everyone sighed as if to say, “What a pain.”
“…So, you delivered the egg safely?”
“Yes. Without a doubt.”
“I see. In that case, we’ll overlook your running away. After all, you two did recover the egg.”
Mistral uncrossed his arms and sighed.
“We’ve also finished interrogating the big man.”
“What does that mean?”
I and Laira look up at Mistral while still in *seiza*.
“The big man is, technically, an adventurer. He’s apparently quite well-known in the Yorttenitos Kingdom.”
“A famous adventurer is an egg thief?”
“There seems to be a slight misunderstanding about that.”
“Misunderstanding?”
“Yes. Actually, stealing a Dragon race’s egg isn’t a crime in itself. Rather, it’s considered a high-difficulty target for skilled adventurers.”
“Wh-what did you say!?”
Egg theft is legal? Is that possible?
Stealing an Earth Dragon’s precious egg. It could even lead to a rampage like this. Is that allowed?
“Elnea, you’re thinking a little too much from the Dragon race’s perspective.”
Mistral paused for a moment and explained from a different point of view.
“Humans and Dragons have different societies. Especially in this country, they hunt and use Dragons. After going to such lengths, can they really say that stealing eggs is not allowed now?”
“That’s… but, you know. Isn’t there a difference between the country and individuals?”
“That’s also a misconception. Hunting Dragons is fine for individuals. They just hunt them as a nation because Dragons are formidable opponents.”
“I see…”
“Dragon race eggs are apparently traded at high prices. They say it’s effective against incurable diseases. They also say that if you can acquire even one, you can live your life in leisure for generations. That’s why there are adventurers who aim for a fortune.”
“But, even so, if you steal it and cause a rampage like the Earth Dragons did this time, won’t that cause big problems?”
“Yes. So, it seems that only failing and causing damage to human villages, towns, or livelihoods is considered a crime.”
“Mumumu. So, if you steal skillfully, it’s innocent. If you fail, it’s guilty?”
“Yes. Please don’t complain to me about that, okay? Recognize that this is how this country’s system works.”
“Okay. I have no intention of picking a fight with Mistral.”
But I think to myself, what a twisted law this is.
“At any rate, if someone interferes with the Dragon race in a way that causes damage to human society, they will be issued a warrant and the perpetrator will be apprehended immediately. Until then, it’s the job of the Dragon Knight Order to restrain the Dragons too.”
“Ah,” I recall the scene at the foot of the mountain.
The Dragon Knight Order was indeed defending, but they weren’t attacking at all.
In other words, that was purely to buy time.
“But even if you issue a warrant, you won’t know who the culprit is, right? We were lucky to have a Dragon Heart and able to ask the Earth Dragon about his appearance, but usually, it would be hard to find any clues, wouldn’t it?”
“Apparently, they find them surprisingly easily. If they hand over anyone who interfered with the Dragon race, regardless of whether they are alive or dead, to the Dragon Knight Order, there’s apparently a huge bounty for that.”
“In other words, everyone will band together to find the culprit!”
“Yes. If the perpetrator is handed over, they will then be handed over to the Dragon race. In the case of theft, of course, it will be returned. What happens to the perpetrator is up to the Dragon race. However, most disturbances seem to be resolved by this means. The Dragon race apparently rarely resorts to retaliation.”
I think “how mercenary,” but I suppose it’s a way to resolve the problem as quickly as possible.
“So, since the big man failed, he’s guilty, right?”
“Yes, he has already been handed over to the military police.”
“Does that mean, perhaps, the reward!?”
If we catch the culprit, there’s a huge bounty, right!?
Wow, I was prepared for a life of debt, but now it’s a complete reversal. Am I going to be a millionaire all of a sudden!
My eyes sparkled. Mistral then poked me on the forehead.
“You silly goose. Who was it that caused such a big ruckus in town? And what about Revalia and the others’ meals?”
“Ugh…”
“Unfortunately, the compensation money will be deducted from the bounty you were expecting to receive.”
“N-no way…”
I drooped my shoulders.
“Honestly. You should be more concerned about other things than money.”
“What do you mean?”
I lightly asked, and was poked on the forehead again.
“Did you think about why the big man targeted the Earth Dragon’s egg?”
“Wasn’t it because he was blinded by the prospect of a large sum of money?”
“Yes. Well, then, try to recall our previous conversation. If you could steal a Dragon race’s egg without a hitch, you could earn enough money to live in luxury for generations.”
“Yes, you mentioned that.”
“So, who is going to pay that enormous sum of money?”
“Eh!?”
“If there’s no buyer, you can’t sell it, can you? And it’s a huge amount of money.”
The Dragon race’s egg, said to be effective against incurable diseases. But no ordinary apothecary or cook could afford to buy it.
“Even a wealthy merchant would surely not be able to. So, it would have to be a very rich merchant, a noble, or perhaps…”
“I’ll add one more thing: the buyer apparently doesn’t face any charges. They’re in the position of buying something that exists. However…”
At this point, Mistral looked at me with a serious expression for the first time.
“The Lord interrogated the big man about who he intended to sell it to. And at that time, the big man said something incredible.”
I swallowed hard.
“The big man had a client. And the client instructed him to have himself found and pursued while transporting the egg to the capital city. If he could do that, the reward would be doubled.”
“Wha-! What is that!?”
Intentionally get caught. In other words, intentionally transport the egg to the capital city while being a wanted criminal?
I don’t understand the meaning of that.
“Wouldn’t that mean the big man gets nothing other than the money?”
“You’d think so, wouldn’t you? But that’s when the big man said it. ‘My client is a big shot in the country, so if I accomplish the task, I’ll be pardoned. I’ll get a lot of money, and even if I fail, my client will help me, so I won’t be judged here.'”
“That client is…?”
We’re one step away from the core of the incident. But at that point, Mistral made a gesture of throwing in the towel.
“You couldn’t get it out of him?”
“No, the big man himself didn’t know the identity of the client.”
“How did you find out?”
In response to my question, Mistral silently pointed at Nimia.
“Ah, you used Nimia during the interrogation.”
Nimia can read people’s minds. Apparently, she tested the truthfulness of the big man’s words.
“The client is unknown. The big man also didn’t meet the client directly. He received the request from a trusted source in the capital city, and took it on that basis… I have a bad feeling about this.”
“Yes, my intuition is saying the same thing.”
And here, at last, I relayed the Earth Dragons’ advice to Mistral and the others.
“Multi-headed dragons being kept as pets…”
Mistral’s expression became grim.
“To be honest, regardless of this matter in the country, we should return to Dragon Peak as soon as possible.”
All eyes in the reception room naturally gathered on Laira.
“Um… that…”
Laira looked at me with an anxious expression.
“Yes. I understand Mistral’s thinking very well.”
With problems already occurring at Dragon Peak, this is not the time to be meddling in other people’s affairs.
“However. I don’t want to go back right away. I want to visit the King.”
I smiled at Laira, and she nodded happily, tears welling up in her eyes.
Everyone else also seemed to understand, and gave a wry smile.
“As expected of you, Elnea.”
“For the sake of that kindness, I’ll forgive you this time.”
The Twin Princesses, who had been looking away, granted their forgiveness.
“It can’t be helped. That’s just the kind of person Elnea-kun is.”
Ruiseine smiled, and Priscilla-chan, who had been imitating her, also smiled brightly.
“Hmph. Elnea is too good-natured!”
“Rim isn’t really angry, you know.”
The young dragons woke up from their sulking.
“Well then, we’ll go for the visit with our minds set. However, we won’t get involved in any strange affairs. We’ll exercise restraint in everything.”
To Mistral’s words, everyone replied, “Yes!”
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