2
The current King of the Mirestia Kingdom — [Mengis Charion Dyne Mirestia].
Compared to previous kings, his ability as a ruler is superior. While his strong tendency to make himself look grand might be a flaw, considering his position as the king of a large country where influence is essential, this trait becomes an advantage more often than one might expect.
Moreover, he is blessed with capable subordinates and children. However, this is due to the magical power imbued with the attribute of [Luck] that he possesses.
Although he didn’t personally select these excellent individuals, many highly skilled people in various fields gathered at the royal palace at the same time, including Secretary Edmond.
However, it’s unfortunate that the abilities of these talented individuals are now being directed towards factional struggles. Yet, it’s also true that if such capable people hadn’t gathered, Luke’s father Claude and his allies would have already completed their preparations to usurp the throne.
And the First Prince [Alekdra], whom Mengis dotes on, is the current commander of the First Magic Corps. He gained this position not through power, but through his undeniable innate magical talent.
“Eh… he didn’t defeat it, but tamed it? That’s so cool. Can you ride it?”
“No, that’s impossible. I’m not good at such things. How on earth did he manage to tame a dragon, the very embodiment of arrogance… This boy who keeps making headlines is endlessly intriguing.”
“I know, right? I think I could defeat one, but taming it—”
“Enough! Be quiet!”
The king’s shout.
The atmosphere tightened. It wasn’t that he had controlled the situation as a ruler, but simply that he didn’t want to hear any more talk about the Gilbert family, so he lashed out in irritation. However, to most people, it probably appeared as the dignified presence of a ruler.
“…I’ve granted you a great deal of [freedom]. I’d be troubled if you couldn’t manage this much.”
“Haha, that’s harsh.”
“I’m not good at this sort of thing…”
The humiliation of his subordinates being inferior to others. That’s what King Mengis was feeling.
Harry laughed off the king’s words with a grin, while Tucker took them seriously. Despite being twins, their reactions were polar opposites.
“Um… Your Majesty. May I have permission to speak?”
It was Edmond, the secretary, who timidly asked for permission to speak.
While thinking in his mind that he wanted to quit this job right away, sadly, his body continued to carry out his duties mechanically. There was something that needed to be confirmed here and now.
“Well… I heard that Count Gilbert is going to hold a party to celebrate the defeat of the attribute dragon—”
“Send someone there.”
“…Eh?”
“Right. Send that appraiser from the Magic Ministry. We did that before, didn’t we?”
“But, that—”
“You understand? I’m counting on you, Edmond.”
“…As you wish.”
Mengis had an indescribable intensity. It was the aura of a born ruler.
That’s why Edmond couldn’t say anything more. He had tried to give advice, but the king didn’t allow it. If that’s the case, there’s nothing more to be done. Edmond switched his mindset coldly, thinking that he wouldn’t be responsible for anything beyond this point.
(No, you should invite them to the royal castle. Throw a grand party. That’s how it should be done. At least maintain the appearance of a king. This is your chance to show your magnanimity. You’re so focused on factional struggles that you can’t see anything else, you bonehead! Ah, I don’t care anymore!)
Mental freedom.
As his only form of rebellion, Edmond cursed the king in his mind without voicing it. This was the secret to how he had managed to continue in this stressful position as secretary for so long.
§
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“Good morning, Lord Luke!”
“Ah, it’s the dragon-slayer!”
“Lord Luuuke!”
“Mommy, is that person important?”
“He’s a very great person. Come on, bow your head like Mommy.”
As Luke walked through the town, many people stopped and bowed their heads. Moreover, he was strangely popular with children. Dragons were known to everyone as formidable enemies. The [greatness] of the title of their conqueror was easily understood even by children. Also—
“…Lord Luke, the humans around us are making strange poses and looking this way. If it bothers you, I could—”
“—Shut up.”
“Eeeek, I-I-I’m so sorry!”
The ice dragon, now about the size of a small stuffed animal, was fluttering beside Luke, so everyone had to accept this fact as truth.
It’s still unclear whether all dragons possess this ability, but amazingly, the ice dragon could shrink its body. Until now, this ability had been recorded in encyclopedias only as an unconfirmed theory.
While there are many records of encounters with dragons, there are terrifyingly few records of actively finding their nests. Therefore, it was speculated that dragons possessed some innate ability to conceal their presence.
Luke’s achievement this time is that significant.
Also surprisingly, when the ice dragon becomes smaller, its weight also decreases. In other words, mass is not conserved. This implies either a change in the constituent atoms or a decrease in their total number.
Dragons are truly magical creatures.
However, with the discovery of this ability, Luke’s plan to use the ice dragon as a mascot is showing even more signs of success.
(Kukuku, the rabble know their place and bow their heads. Not bad.)
Luke himself didn’t mind this situation. To put it simply, it felt good to be looked at with respect. However—
“Ah, Luke!”
“Hey Abel! Don’t just run off suddenly!”
“………..”
Seeing Abel and Lily happily running towards him, a cloud began to form over his sunny mood.
(How long are these guys going to stay here?)
Abel and the others were still staying in Gilbadia.
“Good morning, Luke!”
“That child is really cute, isn’t it?”
“………..”
“Human-like… Ah, I mean, it’s nothing.”
The master Luke is also human.
The ice dragon, who had reflexively tried to insult, remembered this fact and became dejected.
“Actually, Luke, I’ve been practicing that technique you used back then! Don’t worry, I’m not asking you to teach me. When I master it, I’ll come show you!”
“………..”
Why would he come to show it? Nobody asked him to.
Luke was at a loss for words at this incomprehensibility.
“Well then, see you later, Luke! I’m off for my morning training!”
“Ah, wait, Abel! Sorry Luke, see you later!”
“………..”
Abel ran off waving with a smile. In the end, without ever hearing Luke’s voice.
“…What’s with him?”
While thinking that guy was like a storm, Luke ponders. About the unknown power residing in the sword that he had grasped during the ice dragon battle.
Could that be—the essence of Abel’s strength?
The ideology of the Mirestia Kingdom. In other words, Luke had unconsciously been thinking about Abel’s uniqueness mainly in terms of magic. However, he came to know, to feel, the existence of a power different from magical energy.
He can’t help but think that this might be the essence of Abel’s power.
“—Well, whatever.”
Luke started walking again.
It doesn’t matter. In the end, nothing changes. No matter what power Abel has, Luke will just thoroughly crush him head-on and make it clear who’s superior.
“By the way, are you male?”
“Eh, I’m female…”
The ice dragon wondered how on earth she could be seen as male, but never voiced it.
“I see. Then, from today on, you will be called [Dia].”
“Dia… It’s a good name! I really like it! Thank you very much.”
The ice dragon, now Dia, fluttered her small wings happily.
Since he was expecting her to attract customers as a mascot, Luke wanted to give her a name derived from the city of Gilbadia.
Luke’s thought process was simply that if it were male, he’d name it [Gil], and if female, [Dia], but there’s no need to mention that explicitly.
“I’m heading to the blacksmith now. As promised, you don’t mind if I take your materials to strengthen the sword, right? That was our agreement after all. Kukuku—”
“Yes! Of course!”
“………..”
This doesn’t sit well with me. Why is this guy so happy?
Unable to understand, Luke walks towards Darkin, the blacksmith’s master.
“I’ve also thought of a new magic spell. Maybe I’ll test that on you later too.”
“I-Is it… painful?”
“Kukuku, who knows?”
“Eeeek!”
Luke smiled with slight satisfaction at Dia, who finally reacted as expected.
§
“We’ll make contact tonight. I don’t know how it’ll turn out. Are you really okay with this?”
“Yeah. Failing the mission means death. Even if we run, pursuers will come. I’m sick of being scared and running forever. We need powerful backing.”
“…You’re right.”
After watching Luke’s back from the alley for a while, two turbaned figures melted into the shadows and disappeared.
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