It had been a sunny, cloudless morning in the city of Ishka that day.

　I woke up at a time when the sun hadn't yet risen in the eastern sky, dressed so as not to wake Seal, who was asleep in his bed, and left the house, biting down on a yawn.

　My destination was the northern gate of the castle.

　It is the route to the forest of Titis, but today's objective was not the forest, but rather the stables for demons set up along the castle gate.

　I've come to give breakfast to the Indigo Winged Beast (Wyvern).



　The Indigo Wyvern, who was recently certified as my personal servant, has earned the right to enter the city of Ishqa.

　However, his place of rest is still in the stables outside the city walls.

　There are circumstances for this.

　The wyvern is a wyvern, no matter how much it was approved by the squire.

　As a condition for being allowed inside the castle, they were required to wear insurance in case they left their owner's control.



　A collar for followers - an instant death item that explodes at the will of the city.

　This wasn't limited to my wyvern, but other medium and large servants were also taking the same measures, I was told.



　Well, I can understand the opinion of those who maintain public safety.

　If a squire went out of control in the city, there would be a lot of damage to both the guards and the residents of the city. It was only natural for them to prepare insurance for that time.



　However, from our point of view, one of our trump cards, the life and death of the wyvern, would be controlled, so we couldn't just nod our heads without a second thought.

　There's also the incident at the Adventurer's Guild. It is quite conceivable that the upper echelons of Ishka will force me to do something detrimental for their own reasons.

　At that time, it wasn't fun to have the wyvern held hostage.



　Therefore, I decided not to accept the submissive collar and leave the wyvern outside.

　With the help of the union, I had huge stables built for the wyvern. These days, the wyvern has become a riot, with spectators flocking to it to catch a glimpse of the wyvern.

　In the Canary Kingdom, where the Order of the Dragon Knight is based, wyverns are not considered to be magical creatures, but rather beneficial beasts that fight alongside humans.

　It's not a bad idea to be attacked by a wyvern, but it's rare that a civilian is attacked by one.

　For this reason, wyverns are quite popular among the residents of Ishqa. It is said that these days, there is a strange rumor that anyone who comes into direct contact with the scales of a wyvern will have good luck.



　These days, there is even a strange rumor that anyone who touches the wyvern's scales directly will be lucky.

　The official in charge said with a wry smile that there was no end to the number of people who climbed over the fence to get in.

　So when I first saw the scene, I reflexively scowled.



　--In the morning sunshine of the stables, a woman reaches out and touches the scales of an indigo pterodactyl (indigo) wyvern.



　You would be forgiven for thinking that a reckless person had invaded the stables without a care in the world.

　But I soon realize something strange.

　It doesn't easily attract people other than me, and even Seal has only recently learned to feed the indigo winged beast (wyvern).

　That wyvern is allowing an unfamiliar opponent to make contact with it without any resistance.

　It doesn't look alarmed or excited. Even though the stranger is standing very close by.



　And when the wyvern noticed me coming into the stables, he cried out happily, "Pui. I thumped the ground with my tail.

　A woman noticed it and turned around.

　At that moment, I wondered why the clear bell hadn't rung. She was that beautiful.



　She was older than me at her age. He was probably a few years over twenty.

　His hair was a bright golden color that reminded me of the blood of a nobleman, and his two eyes were reminiscent of a violet crystal (amethyst). Her skin is as white as fresh snow, the bridge of her nose is ideally curved, and her lips are well-shaped.

　She looked like a princess from a deep window in a story.

　However, this woman did not have a trace of weakness, which was common among noble women.

　That's no wonder. She wears a sword on her hip. It's not just armed with form, it's proven by its seamless standing.



　The first thing that went through my mind when I looked straight into my opponent's eyes was the word "strong".

　In this Ishka, the strongest person I know is the guild master, Elgato. She is a level thirty-five and a first-class adventurer.

　It seemed that this woman was as powerful as or even more powerful than that Elgert.

　Underneath the outer surface that was as calm as lake water, one could sense an unfathomable amount of power sleeping underneath.



　Also, the next thing I thought when I saw the woman was "huge".

　The woman's silvery white boots seem to be made for battle and do not have any parts on the heel that make them taller.

　I'm sure the woman was taller than me.

　I haven't measured her recently, but my height must be around one hundred and seventy-five. Judging from that, the woman was probably close to 180.


　The supple limbs have a swordsman's flesh to them, and frankly, I don't see any feminine "thinness" or "frailty" in them.

　On the other hand, however, she has an extremely well-balanced physique (style), which is probably why I don't think of her as "thick" or "burly".



　He is a man who has honed his natural talent with an ironic effort. The woman in front of me is surely such a partner.

　And she is clearly from a good family.

　The clothes she wears are instantly recognizable as being made of silk, and her armor, such as boots and breastplate, are all of the highest quality, glittering in white and silver.

　It's impossible to be an adventurer or a guard. Definitely a knight, and a very senior knight at that. Even if he is called the leader of the Kingsguard, I can believe it.

　How could such a person be in my stables early in the morning at a time when the sun hasn't even risen yet, the hathena mark dances around in my head.

　Then the person in the corner of my eye slowly opens his mouth--


I'm...

Su?

I'm sorry!


　She bowed her head with a startling force.

　The woman's golden hair was bouncing in the air under the force of her apology, and my body bounced a little bit as well. My body bounced a bit as well.

　I rolled my eyes and looked at the back of the woman's head as she lowered her head.

　Honestly, "What are you staring at, you servant! I'm confused by the other person's reaction, as I thought it was not at all surprising that she would yell at me.

　Unaware of my confusion, the woman continues to apologize.


'I wanted to catch a glimpse of the rumoured wyvern, but there was no one around... and, well, at this early hour of the morning, I figured no one would notice if I took a quick peek inside.'

"So I sneaked a peek," he said. I went in boldly and touched the wyvern...?

'I'm sorry!　You see, I had planned to leave at first sight, but I didn't think that there really was an indigo-colored (indigo) pterodactyl (wyvern)... no, I had heard about it. I had heard about it, but it was impossible for that ferocious Indigo Winged Beast (Wyvern) to follow a human. We thought it was probably a false alarm...


　However, when I saw it in person, it was a real indigo pterodactyl (indigo) pterodactyl (wyvern).

　So my curiosity didn't subside, and it seems that I not only looked at it, but I went into the stables.

　When I realized what had happened, I asked the woman to raise her head.


Oh, no, don't apologize that much," she said. The fact that the wyvern let you touch it quietly suggests that you like it that much.


　It's not good for your mental health to let someone of apparently high status keep their head down forever.

　Then the woman looked up as if relieved.


'Generous words, thank you. It pains me to take advantage of your generosity, but may I ask you one question?

Yes, can I help you?

The master of this wyvern, it appears to be you, is that correct?

Yes, sir.


　I nodded, and the woman's gaze sharpened as if she were weighing something.

　But it's only for a moment. She quickly returned her gaze to the baskets I held in my hand.

　I took out one of the baskets and showed it to her.


Oh, these are apricots," she said, "and they're for breakfast at the Wyvern. "Ah, these are apricots," she said, "and they're the Wyvern's breakfast.

An apricot, sir?　The wyvern gave you this?　I remember the uncooked apricots were hard and very sour... no, do carnivorous wyverns eat fruit in the first place?

'It's basically meat, though. It's like I've been awakened to the goodness of acidity after an intense experience before.


　While answering the woman, he fired a fist-sized apricot at the wyvern, and she said, "P-Gee! I took a bite of it with a bang, delighted.

　The apricots are hard, but not enough to withstand the sharp teeth of the wyvern. With a crunching sound, the wyvern easily chews the apricots.

　The 'previous violent experience' was when he was attacked by manticore poisoning and ate the fruit of Jirai Ookus.



　The sourness of the berries made him scream in agony, but afterwards, the poison was released from his body, and he developed a scheme in his mind that sour food is good for you. I started to want it every so often.

　So I've been trying to find some sour and crunchy apricots for him to eat.

　The woman looked at the wyvern, who was happy to eat the fruit with gusto, as if she was taken aback.


''........The favorite food of the indigo winged beast (wyvern) was fruit?　No, I believe the record of the bait I gave them included fruit. And I've never heard of a wild species preferring to eat sour food...


　The woman, who seems to be an unconscious gesture, folds her arms and mumbles something to herself.

　The woman's bosom is about to spill out from the gap between her crossed arms, which is truly a sight to behold. But as I don't want to look at her too much, she seems to notice me, so I force myself to tear my evil gaze away from her.

　I was expecting a question about a "powerful experience," but the woman seemed to be avoiding any kind of prying, and the next thing she said was something else.



By the way, you've been calling him Wyvern, have you decided on a name yet?

'I've had other people tell me about the name, though. Apparently, they don't have a name they like, and every time I suggest something, they give me a sad look.

'That's probably because your name wasn't among the names I suggested.

My--no, is that my name?


　When she nodded her head to see what it was, the woman smiled as she looked up at the apricot-eating wyvern.


'A wyvern is a creature that desires to bear the name of the one it acknowledges as its master. The smarter the individual, the more likely he is to do so. The smarter the individual, the more likely they are to want to be named after the Lord, and the more clearly they can understand the words of others, the stronger their desire for the Lord's name.

'Hmm, that's a new one I've never heard of.....................You mean, I should just put Sola in my name?　Solari, Solara, Solan?


　When I mentioned various names to try, the wyvern's reaction wasn't bad. At least there's more light in his eyes than there was in 'Daigo'.


'Solamichi, Misora, Sorat, Solaris... ummm. I can't think of any other names that are a bit more, you know, cooler.

"Puggy, puggy.

Hold on. Don't rush me. I'm going for my throat. How about... How about just going out on a limb and calling it Sorataro?

Phooey!

'Ouch!　Hey, don't hit me with your tail!　I'm sorry, sorry, I'll think about it!


　As I was playing with the wyvern like that, the woman popped her hand, as if she had an idea for something.


'Claw Solas, how about that?'

...Crow Solas?

Yes. In the ancient language, it means "sword of fire.

'Oh, cool!　The word "fire" fits the wyvern perfectly, too. How about you - I guess I don't need to ask you about that.

Pui!


　The wyvern was shaking his wings with delight. 'Don't do that, you'll get dusty.


All right, you're Crow Solas from today!

Pugi!


　I'm sure you'll be able to find the right one for you.

　I'm not sure if it's my imagination, but I feel that my expression has become more dignified.

　It's a good idea to make sure that you have the right kind of information.


''Thank you for the good name--well........''

My name is Astrid. I thank you for the opportunity to teach me this fascinating subject. Err ... Lord Sola, is that correct?

Yes, this is Sola.

So, Mr. Sola. If it is possible, I would like to talk to you some more, but unfortunately I have an appointment to meet with someone, so I'll have to leave you here today. I'll see you again soon.

Yes, I'll see you soon-- soon?


　I blinked my eyes as I was caught up in the other's words, as if I was sure we were going to meet again.

　Then the woman who introduced herself as Astrid smiled and held up a long, sleek index finger in front of her lips.


'In that case, I beg you to keep this day private. Now if you'll excuse me.