Chapter 781: Myth Weaver 3
“I cast a spell to purify the air. With so many people crowded together, it’s only a temporary measure, but it’s better than nothing”
“Ah, thank you……Irina-sama”
I laid Princess Ran down in the middle of the bed and sat Fiona beside her. And I ended up lying down next to Princess Ran.
“…Princess Ran is still young. It is not advisable to allow men to approach her so freely”
“Smithson is an exception. You were useless during her previous seizure, weren’t you?”
“But……”
I could tell that their speech was informal (it was southern dialect, so Naris continued to translate for me).
“But how are we going to get to Polka? At this rate, we can’t stop at the cities of Renfangas, where the air is bad”
Irina asked for confirmation. It was true that if we went back as we were, we would have to stay somewhere overnight. We only had a minimum amount of salty preserved food, and I didn’t want to serve that to our guests, who were of high rank, even if it was just for three meals. That’s why I was vaguely thinking of stopping by Rennesto, but Rennesto isn’t exactly known for its fresh air. It’s surrounded by thick walls, so it’s stuffy and dusty.
“Claves is a good distance away. You can’t complain about the air there”
Dianne points to the map. The forest region in the southeasternmost part of Celesta is, of course, relatively close to Saint Gardo. No, it’s still a ten-day journey on foot or horseback, but with Laila’s wings, it would only take half a day. If we get off here and head straight for the desert, it might be a little rough on the throat, so we could go north along the Blue Snake Mountains, passing near Harmonium, then enter the Trot territory. But there’s one problem.
“……Are you going to descend to Claves without Aurora?”
We didn’t bring her, who has the most influence there. Claves is a nice town, but it can be a bit exclusive. Having Aurora as a guide would relieve us of a lot of pressure, but without her, we won’t be able to walk around freely. However, Irina suddenly interrupted.
“Hu. Have you forgotten that I’m here?”
“……Are you really well-connected in Claves? There are way more people there than in the Northern Forest”
“You’re underestimating our society. People of a certain status come to the Northern Forest on pilgrimages. Not many have come since I took over, but I was always by my father’s side when he was the clan chief. I know most of them”
……Even so, that only applies to 「People of a certain status」, so it’s not very reassuring.
“It’ll be fine”
Laurier chimed in.
“If they try to find fault with us, we have our earrings. If they don’t understand what that means, they’re the ones who are rude”
“Ah”
Come to think of it, we do have those as identification. When Aurora showed hers, it seemed to be immediately recognized among the elves, so I guess it’s trustworthy……I think.
“Above all, Laila and I are here. Lucas’s group is no problem”
Dianne smiles defiantly. She’s close with Dior, the current leader, and Laila has caused trouble before. Thinking about it that way……maybe it’s okay to back down a little.
“If there’s one thing that worries me……”
Dianne muttered, turning her gaze to Fiona. Everyone else understood without her saying anything. They nodded to each other, agreeing that they couldn’t take their eyes off her, no matter where they took her.
——————————-
Flying was nothing new to us, but it seemed exciting to our two passengers.
“R, Really……dragons fly this fast……”
“Ran-sama, don’t get too close to the window! Move back a little!”
As dawn broke and the outside became visible, everyone seemed to realize anew that they were being carried by a dragon. While the others dozed off, the two of them approached the window and chattered excitedly. The transparent window was made of sturdy corundum. It wouldn’t shatter from wind pressure alone, and even if the window were opened, no wind would blow into the cabin, thanks to the magic Irina had cast around it beforehand.
“But I understand how you feel……I was like that at first too”
Galatia snuggled up to me and watched the commotion between the princess and the female knight. ……But Galatia, it hasn’t been that long since she first arrived. It’s only been a few months since she left Lapal. Anzeros joined in, also feeling the passage of time.
“Even now, I still feel strange sometimes. Not long ago, Andy was just a drunk guy in that stupid crossbow squad, talking dirty, but now he’s a dragon rider who can fly anywhere at any time……and he’s got all these women wrapped around his finger, including me. If I told my past self before Selenium came, he’d laugh in my face”
I’m a little flustered by her careless remark. Fiona is one thing, but this isn’t something you should say in front of Princess Ran. No, even if it’s obvious. It’s just common courtesy. Mira hugged me tightly to keep me from saying anything.
“Don’t be so shy. You should just proudly show off your dick and let them suck it. That way, even that knight girl will understand why everyone is following you”
“Let’s not do that, okay? Especially when there are young girls around!”
Fiona is one thing, but it’s not a sight to be shown to Princess Ran, who is still a maiden.
“?”
Fiona looked over at me with a strange expression, as usual unaware of the conversation. As for Princess Ran……she seemed to be looking outside intently, but I’m sure she understood. The corner of her face that she turned toward me was red.
“Come on. It’s awkward to make young girls feel uncomfortable. Let’s not do that until we get back to Polka”
Of course, I strongly believe that it’s inappropriate to joke around like that with someone of such high rank, but if I say that, I’ll end up being lectured about how Irina is higher in rank and how dragon riders are far above princesses of a single country. So, I don’t say anything and just act like a mature adult.
“It’s okay if it’s Polka, though?”
“Let’s try to stay calm, Mira. Let’s not interpret it as something to show off”
“Either way, we have to do something about the blue dragons, right?”
“……I’ve been thinking that all along”
No, really, Asti and Airi are challenging the norms of this town a little too much. They’re dragons, so no one but me can get angry at them.
“……Excuse me, but the dragons at Polka are all Smithson’s dragons, right?”
Princess Ran timidly approached me and asked with a slightly nervous expression.
“Could it be that some of the dragons don’t always listen to you?”
“……There are a few dragons that don’t have a direct contract with me”
“!”
Princess Ran trembles.
“……How many in total……no, never mind……”
“It’s okay. None of them are violent. Plus, they all listen to me. It’s just that some of them don’t wear much clothing”
“……Ah, no……”
Princess Ran’s gaze toward me wavered. Or rather, it froze. The massive 「Power」 of these dragons flying at such high speeds. And the town where dragons gather in numbers greater than the seven mentioned by Laila. The dragon rider who can control all of them. ……She must have felt a chill. It wasn’t something that needed explanation; it was clear from her expression. Such beings aren’t famous or anything; they just exist in the wild as a matter of course……even if you understand it intellectually, your heart can’t accept it. That’s the true nature of those in power. If such a person were to get the slightest idea, everything would be taken away. It’s the same for ordinary people, but those in power, who possess the strength to fight and believe they have the responsibility to do so, are driven to despair by the fact that there exists something that can destroy everything in an unexpected place. ……The existence of dragon riders is such a fatal thing……that’s what I was made to understand. That was the change in expression.
“Princess Ran?”
And the female knight, who seemed particularly confused. Princess Ran looked at Fiona, who was staring blankly, and finally regained her composure, straightened her posture, and looked at me again.
“……You’re just here to visit our country, right?”
“Yeah. Naris said there was an interesting hot spring here, so I was curious……”
“……You don’t have any particular thoughts about our reign?”
“I don’t really know much about your country……I mean, I’m sorry”
I apologize for no reason, but Princess Ran seems to have regained her vitality. She saved Fiona, cured her asthma, and created a 「Myth」. She must have remembered her purpose. I also wanted to avoid panic and unfortunate misunderstandings, and I knew that I would have to have a serious talk with her in the future. It was a bit daunting, but I made up my mind. Dealing with people in power and coming to terms with them was a very troublesome thing to do. However, I couldn’t avoid it anymore. I couldn’t afford to be troublesome. I realized that once again.
————————————
The Forest of Claves had plenty of open spaces, and we quickly found a place where our 「Flying Sexroom」 could land. Despite the large number of elves, who are natural magicians, Laila’s giant body was not shattered by illusions, and she had plenty of time to transform into human form after landing.
“Huu……let’s take a short break. I heard there’s a restaurant for outsiders in this area”
“Wait a moment. Let’s go greet Dior first, Irina”
“It’s just a few hours’ rest, and we’re already making such a fuss”
“If we just pass by without saying anything, it would be a matter of honor for both of us”
Diane and Irina seem to be heading for the clan chief’s mansion.
“Don’t stray too far. When we move, stay with me, Naris, or Sharon. There shouldn’t be any danger, but better safe than sorry”
Anzeros gathers everyone together. Ignoring her, I take a deep breath of the air of Claves, which I haven’t breathed in a long time. It’s a refreshing air, different from the northern forest. I really like the air here. Aurora doesn’t seem eager to leave, and considering all the elf-related matters, I don’t want to stay too long either, but regardless, my impression that this is a good place to spend time remains unchanged. Princess Ran, who is exceptionally sensitive to the air, also seems to like it here, taking deep breaths like me and looking content. ……And then.
“You guys……”
“……Ah”
I finally remembered that General Lucas was also in this town, and that his suspension for the Kalwin incident should have been lifted, upon seeing his face as he emerged from a café.