When Nicole offered to treat me to dinner as a thank you, I decided to take Iris and Lily to the restaurant we were invited to.

"We were just waiting on the boat, and I wonder if we're invited along with you: ......
We're in the way, aren't we ......?

　While heading to the restaurant, both Iris and Lily had an apologetic look on their faces.
　It's not like they had to worry about it that much.

You don't need to worry about it. Besides, leaving the two of you behind and going home with a good meal for yourself ...... is a bad aftertaste.
'You didn't have to worry about us. ...... But thanks.
You know how much Kou-san cares about us, right?

　Is that true?
　As for me, I think I'm doing the right thing.

　As I nodded my head, Iris nodded her head yes.

'That's right. Ko is actually quite blistering, isn't he? He's cool on the outside, but he's actually very sweet. ...... I think there are a lot of girls who have fallen for that gap.
Mr. Iris, are you going to introduce yourself?
"Yeah, um, ......, no, I'm not. It's just a theory, a deduction.
Okay, sir. I'll put it that way. I think there are a lot of women at ...... who love Ko-san, you know?

　I'm not so sure about that.
　I don't know what's going on in a woman's mind, so I can't really judge it.

　...... While we were talking about it, we arrived at the restaurant.
　It's an upscale looking restaurant with three floors.

　We were shown to a private room on the third floor.
　Once inside, we were greeted by Nicole, smiling at us with a smile.

'Hey!　Thank you, thank you!　Thank you for coming, Dragonslayer!　Now, come on, feel free to sit down.

　We sat down at Nicole's suggestion.
　The table was circular, and I sat right across from Nicole.
　Iris took a seat to my left and Lily took a seat to my right.

This is the first time I've met you, young lady, and I'd like to introduce myself to you once again.

　Nicole said and sat up from her seat.

''I'm Nicole Scarlett, as you can probably guess from my last name, I'm from the Scarlett Trading Company. Today, I had a dangerous situation saved by Ko-dono, aka the Dragonslayer, for me. I invited you to dinner as a way of saying thank you. It's a pleasure to meet you.

　Nicole takes the opportunity to bow with a peck on the spot.
　Next, it's my turn to introduce myself.
　I turned my gaze towards Iris.
　Iris nodded and stood up quickly.

I'm Irisnaut Fafnir. I'm an adventurer of the dragon race, and I'm an A-ranked adventurer. ...... Uh, ko?　What else can I say: ......?

　I'm the wrong person to ask.
　Why don't you just tell me where you're from, your favorite food, or something funny?

　I was thinking about ...... and so on when Nicole exclaimed in surprise.

'Hmmm?　Could it be, young lady, didn't you once call yourself the 'Crimson Eyed Dragon Princess'?
...... ugh.

　Iris's expression hardened.

'Nah, what are you talking about, I wonder ......?'
'I'm a merchant myself, so I've got some famous adventurers and mercenaries in mind. ...... "The Dragon Princess of the Crimson Eyes" Irisnaut Fafnir. Of course I know about them, the Princess Knight's Ball, a party made up of only A-ranked female adventurers, one of its earliest members, right?

　The Deep Red-Eyed Dragon Princess.
　The Princess Knight's Ball.

　...... It's a bit middle-aged, or how can I put it, well.

'You used to be a Yankee, Iris .......
I never thought I'd be exposed to a shameful past here: ......

　Iris turns her face red and looks down.
　Well, that's true, isn't it?
　If I were to apply it to modern Japan, it would be like having your black history notebook from your school days read aloud to you in public.


　* * *.


　When Lily finished introducing herself after Iris, a waiter came in just in time and laid out the dishes on the table.
　There were spoons, knives, and forks ...... numerous, so it might be a course meal.

　The first dish brought in was white fish fritters (western-style tempura).
　The batter was crispy, and the fish was chewy.　Sprinkled with salt, it was even better.
　It makes me want to have a beer.

　While we were eating, Nicole told me that this city ...... Fortport is famous for its fishing port.
　Most of the top restaurants in King's Landing get their seafood from Fort Port.

　The food that follows is excellent, especially the Fort Prawn Gratin, which I could have eaten as many times as I wanted.
　Fort prawns are one of the finest ingredients in this world, and they look a lot like Japanese lobsters in appearance.

　When I was working for ...... black companies, I only ate cheap fried shrimp at the supermarket, but since I came to another world, I've really been indulging in it.

　After dinner, we chatted, but the topic of conversation was ...... naturally, or somehow, today.

　When I was fighting the pirates, Nicole was apparently watching them through the ship's telescope.

'Oh no, Lord Ko was really amazing at that time ......!　The pirates would jump on me, and I'd counter-beat them every single time they jumped on me. And that's with a cool face, too. They were so strong, so powerful, I felt sorry for the pirates at the end.
I know the feeling.

　Iris nodded.

It's a good thing that Ko is somehow beyond the bounds of humanity. I'm confident in my skills, but I don't think I can beat him.
''Well, you didn't let an A-list adventurer say that!　As expected of you, Ko-dono, you have a reputation for being called the Dragon Slayer!

　Nicole gives me a goofy compliment, but as expected, I'm a bit embarrassed.

It's just your skills are strong. I'm not much of a guy myself.
'I'm not so sure about that.　As for me, I think you're a great human being, even without your skills, Ko-dono.
...... Really?
Because you came all the way out here to save me from the pirates. It's not a very easy thing to do.
I think so, too.

　Lily's tone was subdued, but she made it clear, though.

''I think that if an ordinary person got a power as great as Ko-san's, he would probably go out of control.
Yes, Lily, you're right.

　Nicole turned a little more serious and continued her words as follows.

'The pirates of today, for example, are a good example. I'm sure you'll be able to find out more about this in the next few weeks. ...... Compared to that, Ko-dono is very respectable.

　As for me, I'm just being normal.

'I have a good feeling for Ko-dono, and I hope we'll be friends for a long time. I hope you'll continue to be good friends with me.

　I don't dislike Nicole either, and I have a feeling that we'll be good friends.
　When we both arrive in King's Landing, maybe we can ask each other out for dinner or a drink.


　* * *


　After Nicole and I parted ways, we headed back to the ship.
　Our departure was tomorrow, but we decided not to stay at the inn in Fort Port, but rather to stay in our cabin on the ship.

　Me, Iris, and Lily had separate rooms, all of which were luxurious suites.
　Not only did it have a bedroom, but also a living room, dining room, bathroom, and even a balcony.
　Room service is even provided, and if you call in advance, you can even have your meals delivered to your room.

　With such a nice room, there's no need to go out and find a place to stay.
　Although it was Count Mayard who held the ship's ticket for me, I should thank him exactly next time I see him.

　Well.

　The three of us parted ways and went back to our rooms, but just before we left, I whispered to Iris to come back to her room later.

　Today, Iris was lost in the ship.
　I had promised her that if she got lost, she would do one thing I'd say, and I'd let her use that right.

　We had been back in our room for about half an hour when there was a knock on the door.

"Uh, yeah, it's me. It's Iris. Ko, can I come in: ......?

　For some reason, Iris's voice was hard and strained and overwrought.
　What's going on?
　I wonder if I'm getting seasick.

　Anyway, I open the door and welcome Iris in.
　Iris has changed into a white dress, for some reason.

"Is that the one you wore to the casino?
'Uh, yeah ....... Remember, you gave me .......
Of course it is. It's a good look for you.
Heh, oh, thanks.

　Iris was very quiet or rather shio-like.

That's why you should go to ....... I've been an adventurer for a long time, but I'm new to this kind of thing, and there's a lot of things I don't understand, so I'd like to ask you to please be kind to me: ......
What do you mean by that?

　I don't know what you're misunderstanding, but my request is very simple.
　I take out the Great Sword of Moonlight Artemis from the item box and activate 【Skill Bind EX】.

''Iris, if you don't mind, let me seal [Dragon God Priestess].