When I arrived at Horus, the royal capital of the Canary Kingdom, I headed for the Duke of Dragnaut's residence.

　The streets of the capital, which have been laid out in a grid-like pattern, are just as bustling as when I visited earlier. However, the lute and biwa music that used to be heard here and there is nowhere to be found.

　I guess there was no room in my heart to listen to the music, much less have the money to pay for it.

　With this in mind, I looked around me again, and amidst the hustle and bustle of the crowd, the busyness of the people was noticeable. Is this ebullient hustle and bustle due to the approaching wedding ceremony, or is it something else?

　While I was thinking about this, my eyes shifted to the magnificent mansion that I had seen before.

　The duke's mansion was as large as ever. I'm not sure if it's as good as a royal residence or not, but I stopped in my tracks from a distance.

　I'm not sure if it's a good idea to visit the Duke's mansion without giving a single warning, but if you think about it calmly, it's not polite to visit the mansion without giving a single warning. They've been calling me a dragon knight and a dragonslayer, but officially I'm a private citizen with no rank or title, and on top of that I'm treated as a fraud by some - a fake dragonslayer. It's not surprising that he's been turned away from the gate.

　Of course, Lord Dragnaut and the two ladies don't doubt me. But considering the circumstances surrounding the kingdom, it's highly unlikely that the Duke or his eldest daughter, Astrid, would be relaxing at home. If there is one, it's the second daughter, Claudia - hmmm, I wonder if the duke's vassals will take the duke's vassals to the sickly damsel about a visitor of questionable identity?　If I were in their shoes, I'd make sure that I didn't put an unnecessary burden on Claudia. In other words, I'll use my own judgment to turn them away.





　As I was walking towards the Duke's mansion, thinking that it was no good and originally, there was some kind of movement at the gate.

　If you look, you can see a small figure coming out of the mansion, as if in a hurry, confirming what is going on with the two gate guards. In response, the gatekeepers seemed to be shaking their heads from side to side as if they were puzzled.

　It's a very good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for. The reason for this is because the person who came out of the mansion looked familiar to me.

　Duke and Lady Claudia Dragnaut.

　The moment I thought I had to call out to her before she retreated into the mansion, Claudia turned to me as if she heard the unvoiced voice.

　Two overlapping gazes. Claudia's eyes widen in surprise.

　It took very little time before that surprise turned into a big smile.


''Sora-san!


　Claudia kicks the ground with a tap. The long skirt was not suitable clothing for running, but Claudia ran up to him lightly without a care in the world. It's a very good idea to be able to have a good idea of what you're looking for.

　I'm sure you'll be pleased to know that I'm not the only one.


It's Sora-san, after all!　Long time no see, Claudia here!　Thank you so much for your help.


　A voice that is pleasant to the ears. The fragrance that softly tickles your nose is either from the perfume or it's innate.

　She looks up at you, her eyes are purple and dazzling with life, and her blood-colored cheeks are glowing with freshness.

　The shadow of weakness that once shadowed Claudia's appearance is nowhere to be seen, and the healthy charm of a tomboy is now being brought to the fore. When you add to that a girlish loveliness that is typical of a girl of her age, and then add a pleasant smile to that, all I can say is that she's cute.

　I honestly voiced my inner admiration.


''It's been a long time, Claudia-sama. You're looking beautiful.''

...What?


　Hearing that, Claudia stares at me with a pouting face. Somewhat later, the duchess' white cheeks turned red at once.

　Looking at Claudia, whose cheeks have been dyed with vermillion, I belatedly realize my gibberish.

　What's the first thing you say when you see her again is "you're beautiful". There were many other ways to say "I'm glad you look fine" or something like that, but I couldn't help but let my true feelings slip out!


I'm sorry, I didn't mean to be rude.


　When I hurriedly bowed my head, Claudia, who came to her senses, shook her head from side to side.


''I, no, I mean, thank you!　I'm glad to hear your praise, Sola-san, and I'm happy too...!


　Claudia, reddened to the nape of her neck, cries out in a depressed voice.

　I was flustered and Claudia was embarrassed. They couldn't find a way to talk to each other, and silence took over the place.

　........I'm sorry, because of my careless comment, the atmosphere has become strange. I must make a fresh start as an elder.


You're not the only one.

Yo, you wanted to see me?

'Yes, you were out before I visited the house, weren't you?　So I assumed that you had something to do with it...


　When I asked her that, Claudia nodded her understanding.


I'm sure you're right. I'm not sure if it's a good idea, but I thought that Sora-san might be close by, so I came to see if she was.

.... hmm?　You mean that you anticipated my visit before I came?


　As mentioned before, I have not sent a heraldic messenger to the duke's house. Unless Claudia suddenly awakened to her prophetic abilities, it should be impossible for her to anticipate my visit.

　Claudia, noticing my suspicious look, explained the details of the situation to me.

　I'm sure you'll be able to find out what's going on. Clarent is a wyvern owned by the duke family, named after Claudia.

　And it is said that Clarent suddenly began to wander around outside the house.


'To be specific, its body trembled, its tail shrank, and its head hit the ground. It went flat.

Are you scared out of your mind, that one?


　I don't remember doing anything to scare Clarent. Although I did feel that the wyverns in the stables were avoiding me when I visited the Duke's house in the past.

　I thought it was not me, but rather the indigo winged beasts, but it seems I was wrong. Maybe Clarent senses the dragon inside me, just as Klau Solas did.

　Even as I was thinking about this, Claudia's words continued.


'According to Clarent, he's not scared by any means, but in any case, the only person Clarent has reacted that way in the past is Sora-san. So we thought that Sola-san might be here.

'So that's what happened. To tell you the truth, I was afraid that you would come to me without warning and I would be turned away at the door. I'm glad Lady Claudia came out to help me.

So you're just going to turn up at the door?


　When Claudia heard my response, she blinked her eyes in surprise.

　It was somewhat, and her cheeks puffed up.


''Is that what you're saying, Sola-san, that the Dukes of Dragnaut are an oblivious house that would turn away a benefactor?

'Ya, it's not like that, but not all the dukes know my face, do they?　To those who don't know my face, I'm just an unranked, unofficial civilian. So I wondered if that could be the case.

Sora.

Yes, sir.

His Majesty bestowed upon him the title of Indigo Dragon Knight, slaying the mastermind behind the horrific attack on King's Landing, ending the Stampede that shook the kingdom, and finally defeating the legendary poisonous dragon to become the Dragon Slayer. I think it's unreasonable for such a person to claim to be an unranked and unofficial civilian.

....


　I didn't even hear a whimper. Claudia continued on with her words.


''Now there is probably no one in the Canary Kingdom who doesn't know Sora-san's name. At the very least, there is no one in the Dragnaught duke's family. Even if you don't know her face, you know of her achievements. If Sola-san gives us her name, we will confirm it with someone who knows her face. There is no one who will come to the door by mistake.


　So please feel free to continue to visit me.

　Claudia smiled with a smile as she said that. And then, releasing my hand that I had been holding, I picked up the hem of her skirt in a natural motion--


'Welcome to you, Dragonslayer Sora. We welcome you with the entire Draugnoth family.


　I bowed with admiring grace.