We live at the foothills of Dragon Peak.
We’ve had enough of trouble.
“Uwah!”
I was surprised by the sudden appearance of patrol soldiers. I saw that Ruiseine and the demon were also surprised.
“Fufufu, Elnea didn’t notice, did you?”
Grrr, I’m a little annoyed that Mistral pointed it out.
I thought I had become quite strong through my training and could now sense people’s presence.
It couldn’t be helped if it were one or two skilled individuals, but to not notice at all that so many patrol soldiers were lurking around was…
“Fufu, did Mistral-ojousan notice?”
Seeing Rudoriado-san’s reaction, as if he were slightly surprised for reasons different from ours, it seems these hidden patrol soldiers are not just ordinary soldiers.
Mistral simply smiled at Rudoriado-san and did not reply.
“These guys are my protectors, and all of them are quite skilled. Perhaps, ojousan, you might be stronger than all of them?”
Rudoriado-san said with a wry smile as he looked at the patrol soldiers working without any wasted movements.
“Hmm, what do you say, you guys? I’ll introduce you, so how about joining the national army? We’ll welcome you with three meals a day and excellent treatment?”
Mistral politely declined Rudoriado-san’s offer, spoken in a tone that made it hard to tell if he was joking or serious.
“No, I’m not interested in the military. Besides, you are a patrol soldier squadron leader, not affiliated with the national army, are you?”
As Mistral pointed out, patrol soldiers are not part of the national army.
They are soldiers belonging to the kingdom, but their main job is to patrol the roads and provide related security.
The national army is an army that fights against threats to the country, so their command structure is entirely different.
Although Rudoriado-san is introducing them, he is only a patrol soldier squadron leader. I don’t think it’s possible to easily join the national army with an introduction from a mere squadron leader.
“Oh, what a shame.”
Rudoriado-san, who didn’t seem disappointed at all, was cheerful.
He was watching the demon at his feet being bound and placed on a stretcher, yawning.
Where did the intensity he showed when pursuing the demon go?
Before I knew it, Rudoriado-san had returned to his usual lazy demeanor.
“Well then, shall we leave the rest to my subordinates and head back?”
Saying that, Rudoriado-san started to return the way we came.
“Wait a moment, before we go, I have one more thing to ask.”
However, Mistral stopped the demon being carried away on the stretcher and asked with a stern face.
“Where did you demons enter this country from? You shouldn’t have been able to pass through Dragon Peak.”
That’s right. I had forgotten.
Demons and the Dragon Race have a very bad relationship, so demons cannot come into the Armēdo Kingdom by passing through Dragon Peak.
Did they come from somewhere else?
However, the demon said something unexpected.
“I see, you are… I came over Dragon Peak with the help of the Dragon Race. Even among the Dragon Race, not everyone is united.”
It seemed the demon had just realized Mistral’s true identity. But he didn’t voice it.
Instead, he told us something even more shocking.
Mistral’s eyes widened in astonishment.
The demon was carried away while still looking at Mistral.
“Mistral.”
I gently put my hand on her back.
Mistral trembled slightly.
“Now, now, we can ask for details after we bring him back. Let’s get back and have some drinks.”
“No, no, we are still underage.”
I was worried about Mistral, but she smiled at me and patted my head.
“It’s okay, I was just a little surprised. I’ll discuss this with the villagers after we return to Dragon Peak.”
In a voice only I could hear, Mistral whispered.
“Come on, Priscilla. Don’t just stand there, let’s go home.”
Mistral nudged Priscilla-chan.
That’s right, I had forgotten about Priscilla-chan.
Priscilla-chan was frozen in the same pose as the first time.
She was covering her ears with both hands over her hat and had her eyes tightly closed.
“Um, is it over now?”
“Yes, it’s over now.”
Mistral had been considerate and had not let Priscilla-chan see or hear anything before Rudoriado-san’s torture.
With a cute sigh, Priscilla-chan took Mistral’s hand and they set off for home.
Does this incident truly mean it’s over?
I followed behind, feeling a little unsettled.
Ruiseine also seemed to have some lingering doubts, but she walked with me in silence.
Are we overlooking something big?
A sliver of unease remained in a corner of my heart.
As we were leaving.
“I apologize for making you stop on your way to the temple. As an apology, I’ll prepare a carriage for you.”
Rudoriado-san offered, but we discussed that if we went with them, the carriage wouldn’t be ready in time.
“What? My considerate subordinates have already made preparations for you.”
“But then, since you didn’t prepare it, we won’t thank you, Rudoriado-san.”
“Whoa, you shot back at me. Elnea-bou, your comebacks are sharp.”
“No, no, the conversation is full of things to criticize no matter how you think about it.”
“Um, old man is useless.”
“Haaah. Even a young girl is calling me out. I guess I have no choice but to go home and drink.”
“My, my. You’d be drinking alcohol even without being called out.”
“Miko-sama, that’s not something you should say.”
“Sheesh, with a man like this being a patrol soldier squadron leader, incidents like this happen.”
“Hahaha. Just as Mistral-ojousan says. I’m sorry.”
We headed towards the road, engaging in a lively conversation that dispelled the somber atmosphere of the morning.
Although I still felt a bit unsettled, I was glad that Listea’s innocence had been proven.
And when we returned to the road, a carriage was indeed prepared.
It was a small carriage pulled by two horses, but it had a canopy, so we weren’t concerned about being watched from outside.
This was important.
After all, since patrol soldiers were escorting us, being exposed to outside eyes would make it feel like we were being transported like prisoners, making us uneasy.
“Fufufu, what cute horses, Priscilla-chan.”
“Yeah! The horses are cute.”
At Ruiseine’s words, Priscilla-chan happily played with the horses.
Priscilla-chan really likes animals.
“See? I told you a carriage would be prepared.”
Rudoriado-san said with confidence, but it was likely his capable subordinates who had made the preparations.
We ignored Rudoriado-san’s words, thanked the waiting patrol soldiers, and boarded the carriage.
“Well then, be careful on the rest of your journey.”
“Since patrol soldiers are escorting us, there’s no danger.”
“Thank you for going out of your way.”
“Not at all, it’s our pleasure to be of service to Miko-sama.”
“Then, may we depart?”
After we and Rudoriado-san exchanged our farewells, the patrol soldier who would be the driver started to move the carriage.
“Ah, right.”
Rudoriado-san stopped the carriage as if he remembered something, and poked his face into the canopy.
“You must be curious about the details of this incident. Once the investigation is complete, I’ll send you the full story through the temple. Well, the important parts will be omitted, of course.”
“Ah, that’s actually quite nice to hear.”
If I could learn more details about the circumstances, perhaps my lingering unease would be resolved.
Since I was involved in this incident to some extent, I’d like to know even the minor details if possible.
“Please wait without expecting too much. And then,”
Rudoriado-san looked at everyone.
“You’re quite an interesting bunch, so if you ever feel like it, please come to the national army. I promise excellent treatment.”
“Hahaha, are you still saying that? You’re not part of the national army, are you, Rudoriado-san?”
“Ah, not now. But I’ll be transferred to the national army starting next year.”
“Oh, my, my. Congratulations.”
Transferring from a patrol soldier squadron leader to the national army, he’s climbing the ranks.
He only gives off a lazy impression, but Rudoriado-san is truly amazing, isn’t he?
When we all congratulated him, Rudoriado-san seemed surprisingly flustered and smiled shyly.
“Personally, I prefer my current carefree life. Well, that’s why, if you ever feel like it, come visit.”
“If we feel like it, huh?”
After exchanging our final greetings, the carriage finally began to move.
Leaning back in the swaying carriage, we relaxed.
I was quite tired from being caught up in unexpected incidents since yesterday.
But I never imagined that someone would impersonate the Dragon Race and do evil deeds. I don’t understand the minds of bad people in this world.
If this had caused the relationship between the Dragon Race and the Human Race to worsen, it would have become a major diplomatic issue.
It’s truly a relief that we were able to resolve this before it became a big problem.
With a sigh, I looked at everyone relaxing inside the canopy.
Ruiseine was cradling Priscilla-chan’s head in her lap, gently stroking her hair.
Priscilla-chan must be tired. She was already fast asleep.
Mistral watched over Ruiseine and Priscilla-chan with a gentle gaze.
As if noticing my gaze, Mistral and Ruiseine looked at me at the same time.
“Elnea-kun, you worked hard today.”
Ruiseine smiled.
“Your fighting today was excellent. Your use of Dragon Energy was also stable.”
“Dragon Energy?”
Then, Ruiseine asked with a bewildered expression.
Ah, that’s right. Ruiseine doesn’t know about it.
I wonder how much Mistral told Ruiseine last night.
She must have had some explanation since she realized Priscilla-chan and Nimia’s true identities when they took a bath.
When I looked at Mistral, she understood my intention and explained it to Ruiseine on my behalf.
“I told you last night that I am the Dragon Princess of the Dragon Race, didn’t I?”
“Yes, you did.”
“We Dragon Race use a power called Dragon Energy, just as you use magic power. And Elnea, too.”
“Oh my, oh my. Elnea-kun, were you also of the Dragon Race?”
“Um, no. My master is an old man of the Dragon Race, and I learned to use it from him.”
When I said that, Ruiseine’s eyes widened in surprise.
“Elnea. You haven’t told Ruiseine about the old man yet.”
Ah, I made a mistake.
I shouldn’t have said that my master was of the Dragon Race, as it would surprise her.
After all, the Dragon Race is considered only a threat to the Human Race.
“Um, Grandpa is a good dragon. He’s a dragon who guards the Dragon Forest.”
When I said that, Ruiseine’s mouth trembled, and she was even more surprised.
“Elnea. When you explain things, you should adjust your explanation to the listener’s comprehension.”
Grrr. Did my explanation make her even more shocked?
“S-sorry. I might have said too much.”
As I apologized, Ruiseine slowly regained her composure.
Ruiseine took three deep breaths.
“D-does what you just said hold true?”
“Y-yes, it’s true.”
“I-I see. I was just too surprised by how unexpected it was.”
“Ah, this is a secret, okay? Everything about Grandpa, and that I can use Dragon Energy.”
“Yes. I understand.”
I felt relieved by Ruiseine’s smile.
I’m really glad Ruiseine is a good person.
If she were to blab such secrets, it would cause a huge problem.
“Um, about this Dragon Energy, was it? Is that the greenish mist that was swirling around Elnea-kun during the ruins incident and the recent battle?”
Ruiseine probably asked what she thought was an innocent question.
However, this time, Mistral’s eyes widened in surprise.
“What? You can see Dragon Energy!?”
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