We live at the foothills of Dragon Peak.
The end of summer, the beginning.
Laila grabbed the sleeve of my shirt and walked, leaning against me. To make sure Laira wouldn’t feel anxious, I walked forward with determined steps by her side.
After being told what happened while I was unconscious in the room assigned to us for our stay.
I immediately requested an audience with the King and moved to have it arranged. Perhaps the King also wished to meet with me, as when I conveyed my request to the servant waiting outside the room, he promptly arranged it.
It feels like being a noble to have servants at my disposal. Moreover, as I followed the person who seemed to be of high status, acting as my guide, I almost doubted if I was still dreaming.
However, even if it might be a dream, I cannot afford to walk hesitantly.
I strongly felt the gazes of the servants and guards we passed. In such a situation, if I walked around with an suspicious demeanor with Laira by my side, it would be unfair to her, and I would feel like a pathetic man, utterly unreliable.
So, I walked with confidence. Without being intimidated by the many gazes or the glittering detached palace, I followed the guide.
Well, considering what lies ahead, I suppose I can push all these gazes, the luxurious furnishings, and the high ceiling to the back of my mind as trivial matters.
When I first arrived in the Yorttenitos Kingdom, I intended to visit the King under the guise of an “inquiry.” However, it’s now said that the King has repelled the curse and is showing signs of recovery. Therefore, instead of a visit, it’s an audience.
Perhaps the King also doesn’t want to be treated as an invalid. Although his body was emaciated and he suffered from paralysis of one side, the King’s eyes when I met him before losing consciousness were full of life.
When meeting guests as the ruler of a kingdom, he might want to be seen not as an invalid, but as a King still in his prime.
I also want to meet and speak properly with someone who embodies the King, rather than a sickly King. That’s why, although it has changed to an audience, I am motivated, thinking as I should.
“Lord Elnea, aren’t you nervous?”
Laira asked as she walked, leaning against me.
“Of course, I am nervous. However, I’ve built up quite a bit of resilience from Grandpa and Asher.”
“Speaking of which, Lord Asher is Nimia’s mother, isn’t she?”
“Yes. It seems she came to see her after a year. Speaking of which, I didn’t see Nimia in the room earlier, did she go somewhere to play?”
“No, she was there. She was trembling on the sofa, saying her mother was scary.”
“……Oh dear.”
Apparently, Nimia is still afraid of Asher.
This past year. Nimia has also been diligent in her training. She can now use the Ash Dragon Arts, and although she didn’t go to the front lines this time, she protected everyone from behind.
I think Asher realized Nimia’s efforts, and that’s why she didn’t get angry and went ahead to the Dragon Forest protected by Old Man Sleigsta.
“Nimia worked incredibly hard, and once our matters here are settled, I’ll have to encourage her and play with her a lot.”
“Yes. I’m sure Nimia will become much happier if you do.”
I also owe the tyrant a debt. It seems I’m going to be busy with various things.
It seems I don’t have the luxury of idly letting things flow by.
Alright. If that’s the case, first, I’ll take care of Laira, the most important matter, and then I’ll lighten my load.
Walking alongside Laira, I follow the guide.
Speaking of which, where will the audience be held? Thinking this, I proceed down a long corridor that offers a good view of the courtyard.
It turns out this detached palace was also within the range of my spatial arts. The flowers in the courtyard I surveyed were in full bloom, and the lawn swayed its fresh green leaves in the wind.
And then, beyond the courtyard. Beyond another wing of the detached palace, the figure of a jet-black Earth Dragon came into view.
“That is His Majesty’s mount, Gusferus. He is a Dark Attribute Earth Dragon.”
Laira informs me.
“Why is the King’s Earth Dragon here?”
“Gusferus has been in the deepest part of the Dragon Stable since His Majesty’s accident. Did he end up here because the Dragon Stable was destroyed?”
“But if that were the case, wouldn’t he be put in another Dragon Stable?”
Even though it’s a detached palace, I believe there are places to house the dragons they use. I don’t think the King would leave his mount exposed to the elements. As we were discussing this, our feet turned towards the Earth Dragon.
“His Majesty is waiting beyond this point.”
The guide points to a door leading outside. Beyond it, I could indeed sense the presence of the Dark Earth Dragon, Gusferus.
Laira and I exchanged glances, nodded, and opened the door together.
The sunlight, with its lingering touch of summer, and the slightly cold wind announcing the arrival of autumn enveloped Laira and me, and we narrowed our eyes, feeling the transition of the seasons.
However, beyond my narrowed vision, the overwhelming presence of the Earth Dragon hung in the air, instantly blowing away my desire to take a deep breath.
In front of the Dark Earth Dragon, Gusferus, a middle-aged man, accompanied by a powerful knight and a dragon caretaker, stood waiting for us.
I heard he was paralyzed on one side. Although his body was thin, leaning on a cane, he stood with strong legs and waited for us to approach.
The King of the Yorttenitos Kingdom had a commanding presence that was the opposite of his appearance and firmly gazed at us.
Laira and I slowly walked forward side by side and approached the King. A Royal Knight, the bodyguard, stepped one pace forward of the King and stopped.
It felt like a silent message that this was the distance we could approach the King.
Incidentally, a Dragon Knight was also waiting behind the King.
Laira stopped and bowed deeply towards the King.
Certainly, Laira’s action is correct. He is the ruler of the country. It is normal to bow when standing before the King. However, I had various thoughts, so I knelt on one knee to show respect.
The Royal Knight snorted displementfully at my attitude. But the King, with just a look, silenced him and spoke.
“The weather is fine today. I feel good being outdoors after a long time. What do you say, shall we go for a ride on Gusferus?”
I see. He brought Gusferus to go out with us.
But, is it alright?
The Dark Earth Dragon, Gusferus, had gone berserk in the past when he tried to carry Princess Ortina and the King. And, due to the injuries from that incident, the King became paralyzed on one side, and Princess Ortina’s fate took a turn for the worse.
As if reading my thoughts, the King nodded.
“May I call you Elnea familiarly? Hero?”
“Yes. I’m not really accustomed to being called a hero, though.”
“Hmm, you are humble. Then, Elnea.”
“Yes.”
“You seem to be well-versed in this country’s past and its problems.”
“To say I’m well-versed is an exaggeration. I only know a little of the superficial aspects.”
“Fufu, what a truly humble young man.”
The King looked at me and laughed as if enjoying himself. Then he said.
“You and I need to have a deep discussion. There’s no doubt about that, is there?”
“……Yes. There is no mistake about that.”
“In that case, let us, Elnea, and the Lysa over there, have a talk while going for a walk on Gusferus.”
The King uttered Laira’s name without hesitation. Everyone present understood that this clearly indicated the answer to one issue.
Laira trembled slightly.
“I humbly accept His Majesty’s proposal.”
I must talk with the King, until we are both satisfied. And it should be a discussion not as King and commoner, but as individuals.
The King’s intention is clear.
He is suggesting that the three of us—excluding the bodyguard knights and high officials who might interrupt—talk without regard for status or position.
And there, I must speak properly with him, including Laira.
Everyone present understood the King’s intent, and although they looked at me intimidatingly, no one interjected.
“Well then, I would say let’s ride Gusferus. However…”
The King looked at himself and gave a bitter smile.
“As you can see. I am in a pathetic and inconvenient state. How about it, would you be able to help me onto Gusferus’s back with your strength?”
Gusferus has no saddle or anything attached to his back. Laira and I are accustomed to riding freely on the backs of the tyrant and Nimia, but I wonder if the King will be alright?
Laira also looked up at me, distressed, from her prostrate position.
“Laira. You don’t need to bow to me. And from what I hear, you can communicate freely with dragons. I would like you to use that power to help me onto Gusferus’s back.”
The King is referring to the Dragon Heart. And he intends to entrust Laira with the task of communicating with Gusferus.
In other words, I believe he is trying to demonstrate Laira’s abilities in front of the Royal Knights, Dragon Knights, and dragon caretakers, and to change their past assessments of her.
Well, Laira isn’t Princess Ortina, so there are no past assessments to begin with. I thought to myself.
“Laira. I would like to see your Dragon Heart too.”
“Y-yes.”
As I extended my hand, Laira rose from her prostrate position and nodded firmly.
Laira also seems to understand the situation. Taking a deep breath, she asked for permission from the King again and approached Gusferus, who was looking at us with interest from behind the people.
Gusferus, the giant Earth Dragon covered in jet-black scales, looked down at Laira, who was approaching him.
I felt a gulp from the nearby Dragon Knight as he swallowed.
For those who knew of the past incident, it might have been a moment of great anxiety. However, I watched Laira, trusting her.
Laira, having walked up to Gusferus’s eyes, looked up at the dragon’s face located above her.
“Lord Gusferus.”
When Laira spoke, Gusferus purred and looked down at her.
The caretaker flinched, and tension ran through the King and his entourage.
But, I feel like advising them that dragons purring is a common occurrence.
Indeed, Gusferus was directing his intent towards Laira without assuming a defensive posture.
“Laira, is it?”
“Yes. My name is Laira.”
“Is that so.”
“Lord Gusferus, I have a favor to ask.”
“Hmm, I refuse.”
“Hahahaha! Please don’t be so mean.”
“Kukuku. Even if I resolutely refuse, you can still easily make me comply, can’t you?”
“But I don’t want to do that. That’s why I’m asking.”
“I am a dangerous Earth Dragon who has thrown off a young girl and that man in the past, injuring them?”
“I know. However, that was because the girl did not understand her own abilities and it was dangerous. And I understand that thoroughly.”
“Hmm…”
“Are you scared of me?”
Laira looked up at Gusferus with anxiety. Gusferus looked down at her, seemingly in thought.
“Have you gained the ability to grasp and control your power? You are blessed with a wonderful mentor.”
“Yes. I am blessed with a respectable mentor, wonderful friends, and a precious family.”
As Laira smiled.
The tyrant flew overhead and let out a roar.
“Hmph, riding a ground-dwelling Earth Dragon wouldn’t be interesting, would it?”
Gusferus looked up at the sky at the tyrant’s provocation.
“Oh dear. That Wyvern is quite spirited.”
“Yes. He is a wonderful friend.”
“I see. Then, shall I show you the superiority of an Earth Dragon here and give that Wyvern a run for his money?”
The tyrant, having said what he wanted and flown away, Fiolina and Rim followed him and flew off.
“Well then, may I ride you?”
“Hmm, I suppose not.”
Saying this, Gusferus lowered himself to the ground, lowering the position of his back.
But even so, it’s a height to look up to. The King, who can barely stand with a cane, cannot possibly climb up.
This is where I come in, perhaps.
“Your Majesty. If you would allow it, I will escort you to the back of the Earth Dragon.”
The exchange between Gusferus and Laira should have been incomprehensible to those without Dragon Hearts. However, I believe they understood that riding was possible from the fragments of Laira’s words and Gusferus’s attitude.
The King looked at me with curiosity, wondering how I would get him onto his back, but he gave his permission.
I said, “Excuse me,” scooped up the King, and with one powerful jump, I leaped onto Gusferus’s back.
A murmur arose at the leap that surpassed human physical abilities.
However, I did not use Spatial Jump. It was a normal jump, enhanced with Dragon Energy. Because it would make those who were doing it for the first time feel sick.
“Lord Elnea, I too…”
Laira looked up at me from below, pleadingly.
“Geez. You could probably jump on by yourself, but I suppose it can’t be helped.” Asking the King to wait, I jumped down from Gusferus’s back. Then, I took Laira’s hand, and this time, we moved to his back using Spatial Jump.
“W-what was that instantaneous-seeming jump?!”
“Impossible. I didn’t see any movement.”
“What speed!”
The knights looked at me in astonishment, but they couldn’t possibly follow the movement with their eyes. Because I had leaped across space.
Feeling the intense gazes of the Royal Knights and Dragon Knights, Laira, the King, and I set off for a walk on Gusferus.
