Two days later.
　Ifa and I left Rodnea with the prince and his escort's carriage.

　The Kingdom of Astoria is even farther away than Lamprog territory.
　It's going to be a long journey.

　It's going to be a long journey.

'Seika-kun, are you okay?　Don't you feel bad?
Yeah. I've gotten used to it by now.

　I reply with a wry smile.
　It's as good as you'd expect after riding it so many times. The ride is still not very comfortable though.
　Yifa says again.

You can go back to sleep if it doesn't look good.　I'll wake you up if anything happens.
'I would if it came down to it. But as expected, I'm not sleepy yet.
Yeah?　
What?
Nope.

　Yifa shook her head and gave a small smile.

'Seika-kun, when we've been riding in the carriage together, you've been up all the way to the inn on the way, haven't you?　I was sleeping in the carriage when it was light, and I wondered if that was why.
Uh ... I've noticed.

　Most of the lodgings in small towns and villages, but not in big cities, are usually big rooms and sleep in small groups.
　Thanks to that, I can't even stay in a wee sleep. It's even more so if you have valuables or even a young woman with you.

　That's why when we came out of the territory last year, I had to stay up all night at an inn on the way to the estate, but that's not why I stayed up. I can leave that much to the shikigami, if I want to.
　The only reason I was up at night was because I didn't want to get carriage sick and wanted to sleep all day long.
　I'd been in the carriage for seven days and hadn't gotten used to it by the end, but that was part of it.

'Don't worry about it. It was rather hard to stay awake in the carriage at that time.
Yeah ... thanks, Seika.

　Yifa said with a laugh.
　It's true, but it's not like this girl doesn't really care about it.
　Well, I guess that's why a lot of students in the girls' dormitory like her.

''But it looks like we won't have to worry about the accommodation this time. With all those guards, I'm sure they'll have at least made arrangements in advance.

　It's a prince, after all.
　We may be encamped because of the number of people, but it will still be much more comfortable than a country inn.

'It's not often you get to go to another country on such good terms, is it? There are all sorts of dragons.
...A dragon... But it's amazing, a man and a dragon living together.

　Yifa raises her gaze and says happily.

'Can you ride on my back like a dragon knight?
'Isn't the dragon knight a fairy tale? Yifa, you like that sort of thing it's very hard to do in real life.
'Yes, but we're actually getting along.
'No, it's not a relationship issue...'

　It's difficult to fly on a winged demon.
　When I rode a demon, I used to choose one that flew entirely by divine power, like a dragon. A rainbow rainbow, to be specific.

　I'm not sure how to explain this to you, when Yifa suddenly reminded me.

I'm sure you'll be happy to know that before we left, His Highness Cecilio asked me to ride in a carriage with him.
What?
He asked me to tell you more about the dragons.
Yeah, well...

　The prince he talks about dragons and not a word to me?

　No, I understand. The dragon is just a pretext, and the purpose is Yifa. But if it's an arrangement, could you not be polite to me, as a matter of principle?
　Is that the right time to do that in the first place in the current situation?

　I pull a face at him and ask, "So...

Yeah, and?
I said no, of course. I'm Seika-kun's squire.

　Yifa says with a bitter smile.

I don't know. I don't think they really want me in the palace.
No I think he was seriously asking her out, for one thing.
'Really?　If so, I'm kind of glad I did.

　Yifa said, a little embarrassed.

　With a hazy feeling, the carriage went on.


****


　Nine days later.
　A city surrounded by walls appeared in front of us.

　Protoasta, the former royal capital of the Astyrian Kingdom.

　It's a city that stands in a tranquil location with mountains in the background and grasslands in the surrounding area.
　I felt that it was a bit small considering that it was once the royal capital, but it has an air of dignity and history.

　I'm not going to be able to get to the bottom of it.

I wonder what's going on?
Hmmm ... looks like the gates are jammed.

　I answer, peeking out the window.

　It was like a merchants' carriage waiting to enter the castle. Maybe they arrived at a crowded time.
　But there are quite a few of them. I've heard it's true that this is a big city and the Imperial Highway runs through it.

''Seika-dono.''

　We were approached from outside the carriage.
　When I looked, I saw a prince who had gotten out of his own carriage and was walking towards us, accompanied by a few guards.

''I'm sorry. It seems to take a bit of time. Why don't you get some fresh air while you're at it?
'Yes. Let's do that.

　I turn my head and call out to Yifa.

"Let's go down.
Yeah, I guess so.

　Yifa got out of the carriage first and stretched, hmmm.

'Wow. Nice place.

　He walked happily through the meadow.
　He seems to be in better spirits than I am, but I'm sure he's tired of being in the carriage all the time.

　I talk to the prince, who has been following Yifa's appearance near me.

"It's a nice place,

　The Prince huffs.

I'm sure he does. I like it here, too. It's not as idyllic as it used to be, though. That's why it's taking so long to get into the castle.
What's going on?
It appears the merchants' horses are getting spooked. For some time now...

　That's when I felt the presence of a powerful force in my body.
　I felt the presence of a powerful force with my whole body.

　As if sliding across the ground, a large shadow appeared.
　I looked up at the sky and was blindsided by it.

"It's that thing...

　Spreading its wings at leisure, a huge monster was flying above.

　Its silhouette was close to that of a winged lizard.
　But its presence is so close to that of a dragon.

　That's the dragon.
　I've seen pictures of them in literature many times, but this is the first time I've seen the real thing.
　There are such powerful incarnations in this world as well.

"...are you going to leave us now?

　The prince muttered evasively next to me.
　When he noticed my gaze, he began to explain.

It seems to have started flying around here a little while ago," he said. The arrival of the merchant's carriage at one point in time must have alarmed him, and that's why his horse is so frightened. That's why the horses are so frightened. But if we don't do anything, we won't be attacked.
I see...

　I certainly don't feel much hostility. It's also true that he lives with people.
　I ask him, being prepared for this, "How big is it?

It's pretty big, isn't it? I've read very few references to it being that big.

　From head to tail, it's roughly ten lengths or more.

Apparently, it is such a species. It's called a Greater Dragon.
...I see.

　I wish you had told me about those things beforehand. I could have gone into more detail. But that's okay.

'By the way, I heard you're on the lookout for a carriage, is everything all right?　Our presence has added to the carriage's numbers, though.
'Don't worry. I may have irritated you somewhat, but...

　And then.
　The dragon, which seemed to be flying away into the mountains, circled its massive body in the sky.
　It has lowered its altitude and is coming towards us.

"Excuse me, sir, it's on its way,
Hmm. You look a little wary.

　The prince says without moving.
　When I looked at him, I saw that the other guards were unperturbed. I guess that's always the case.

　The dragon descended even lower, close enough for us to see its rugged face and blackened scales, and then it flew away just above us.
　Then it flew away just above us.

　A gust of wind slapped the top of the carriage, and the frightened horses cried out in frustration.
　Even Yifa, who was a little further away, was wailing and falling on her ass.

　I said, looking at the back of the dragon.

They may be big, but they're just like the crows guarding their nests, aren't they?
''........Lord Seika is a bold man. Even a strong adventurer would scream before he could get used to it.

　The Prince said, somewhat surprised.

'But you are right. If we don't do anything about it, we'll leave in due course.

　The dragon flipped its body up in the sky again.
　But it was slightly higher than before. Maybe the prince was right, and he was planning to return after one more intimidation.

　The dragon closes in again.
　Then.
　This time, from the ground, I felt a clear flow of power.

''---- Come from the land of scorching heat, [Rava Tiger]

　A man's voice rang out.
　Then, out of nowhere, a red-black beast that exceeded its height suddenly appeared.

　The huge beast leapt high as it sprinted across the grassland, scattering heat waves around it. It pounced towards the dragon that was approaching.
　Neither its claws nor its fangs could reach the dragon in the sky in the slightest.
　But the dragon flapped its wings once, as if in trepidation, and flew off in the direction of the mountain.

　I scrutinize my eyes at the sight of the raging, howling beast as it flees from the enemy.

　It looked like a lava beast.

　The reddish-black skin is armor made entirely of minerals and lava. Only its rounded face, its supple body resembling a cat's, and the defective pattern of red and black stripes were barely reminiscent of a tiger. However, its physique was nearly three times larger than the original tiger.

　That's a Lava Tiger a monster that is supposed to live in a volcano.

''Not good.''

　I muttered to myself.
　The lava beast was still in a state of excitement even after the dragon had escaped.
　The lava beast let out an angry roar, shook its body, and then, as if to vent its anger, attacked Yifa, who was standing far away from it.

　Yifa stood still with her eyes wide open.
　She showed no sign of escape or resistance.

　I furrow my brow and make a sign with one hand.

"Phase of the Soil - the art of the Penetrating Technique.

　A group of translucent pillars stood in front of the lava beast.
　The Lava Tiger that pounced on it bit the pillar, but as expected it didn't freak out because it was only as thick as a giant tree.

　
　The quartz of the "openwork" should be able to withstand lava-like heat, but that armor seems to be hotter than I thought.

　Leaving the prince behind, I stepped forward.
　I don't know what it is, but let's get rid of it for now.

　The lava beast noticed my presence and turned its eyes to me.
　Its scorching hot legs kicked across the grassland, heading toward me.

　Its fangs are ripped off.
　At the same time, the moment I was about to release my magic from the invisible Hitogata

　The moment I was about to release the jutsu from the invisible human gadget, the Rava Tiger's body was turned upside down, as if the reins were pulled by an invisible hand.

"How about that........this thing goes berserk........

　Once again, that man's voice rang out.
　I look at the source of the voice----a sorcerer in a black robe walks in with a few cronies. He had a large hood completely over his head and was holding a book open in his right hand.

　Is that.........a grimoire?

Hey, settle down. It's a breach of contract.

　Although the lava beast was rampaging, it seemed to be prevented from moving.
　The magic that binds Rava Tiger seems to be connected to that grimoire.

'Huh. That's enough, go back.

　As the sorcerer closed the book with a slam, the lava beast turned into particles of light and was sucked between the pages.

　Finally, I'm sure of it.
　That man is a summoner (summoner).

　A rearguard position that contracts with monsters and summons them to fight at will.
　Lava Tiger was probably that man's summoner.

I'm sorry. Are you okay?　His Royal Highness Prince Cecilio.

　With a frivolous tone, a summoner man walks over to us.

''Zektok!　What the hell do you think you're doing?

　In response, the prince distorted his expression and blackmailed him.

'You knew the dragon was in no danger!　Why did you dare to attack that summoner?　Our guest from the Empire was almost in harm's way!
That's not fair, Your Highness. I just saved you.

　The man called Zekt shrugs his shoulders.

'How do you know it's not dangerous? It was His Highness who called us. If my client dies, we are in trouble. I'd rather you didn't walk around outside the city walls so casually. The situation has changed while your highness is gone.
Have things changed?
'The frequency of the dragons' flight has decreased significantly over the last few days. But instead they seem to be quite uptight. Several of the residents have been barked at as they landed here. Do you understand?　We almost had a close call earlier, you know?

　The prince shushes as he is told.
　What is it?　Holy shit.

Your Highness, how are you doing over here?

　I ask, and the prince turns to me and opens his mouth.

I'm sorry, Seika-dono," he says, "but this is Zekt, the head of the Zekt mercenary group I called you. This is Zekt, the head of the Zekt mercenary group I called you. Zekt, this is Seika Lamprog, the dragon's research envoy. He is also the son of the Imperial Countess. Please do not be rude.
Huh. You're still a kid........oh, excuse me. Even though you're even younger than His Highness, you're an envoy, huh?

　I ignore the man's licking attitude and ask him a question.

'A mercenary group?　Why on earth would you do that?

　The prince stammered for a moment, and then replied somewhat bitterly.

'To take down the dragon.'

　Yes?