CH 142

Chapter 142 – End of Vacation

The three days we spent back in the village were very peaceful. Since we originally came here for a rest, there was no need for us to go sightseeing.

After waking up in the morning, we took a bath and had breakfast. After that, we took a walk around the village and the surrounding forest or did some craftwork and just relaxed.

It seemed that Sylphy occasionally visited the elders to discuss trade, but I didn’t accompany her. There was no use for me to go. If I were to go there with Sylphy, the elders would start teasing her, and things would get out of hand.

Grande has been going back and forth between the Grand Dragon’s Nest and the Elven village. She sometimes brings the A & B brothers with her, but it’s not a big deal because all I have to do is give them some food and alcohol. In fact, they bring me powerful monsters that live deep in the forest as prey, so there is no loss for me.

I leave the dismantling to the Elves and hand over some of the materials as a fee. The rest of the materials can be exchanged for grain flour, vegetables, and honey. If I use the meat as it is, I’ll have more than enough for the burgers and honey wine that I serve them. Just by passing the ingredients from right to left, I can keep my pocket full.

Well, with the amount of food production in the Elven village, it’s impossible to keep providing enough grain and vegetables for two dragons to consume, so if I keep doing the same thing here forever, the Elves will be in trouble. I can solve this problem by using the farm block to produce crops, though.

Over the past three days, I’ve been able to make a few more things. First of all, I’ve made an improved version of the gondola for Grande to carry me around. I further improved the swing-type gondola No. 5 by adding springs to the chains that suspend the seats. Now it can handle swaying in all directions, back and forth, up and down, left and right. After a test ride, I concluded that the swaying was fairly well controlled, and there would be no problem in long-distance flight.

It seemed that Grande had been training to fly, to control her strength, and to change her appearance at will. She even went back to the nest to ask the elders to teach her.

“I can’t change my body yet, but I think I’m starting to get a feel for it.”

Grande said that as she ate a pancake with her mouth sticky with honey, nothing had come of it yet. Let’s hope for the best.

Sylphy was taking it easy as if she didn’t have anything to train now. She seemed to be in a good mood, probably because it had been a while since she had been able to spend time peacefully without having to think about anything. The only training she did was the pistol shooting training I invited her to.

Sylphy, who has a strong body and grip strength as well as good eyesight, was able to use the revolver I gave her without needing any training… No, really, how can six bullets from a pistol always land in one hole at a distance of 10 meters? Isn’t that strange?

“I think I can use a stronger pistol.”

“Seriously?”

“Yeah.”

Since Sylphy said so, I made a revolver that could use larger caliber ammunition. The revolver she was using now used .357 Magnum ammunition, so I prepared one that used .44 Magnum ammunition, one that used .454 Casull ammunition, and one that used .500 Magnum ammunition.

“Be careful with this one, this one, and this one in particular, because if you don’t use them carefully, the recoil from the shooting could injure you.”

“Okay. Fumu… this is quite a heavy piece of equipment.”

Sylphy muttered, suddenly holding in her hand a large revolver that uses .500 Magnum bullets.

“It’s really dangerous, so be careful when you shoot.”

A deafening roar sounded, and the bricks of the target set up ten meters away were shattered to pieces.

“Fumu…”

The sound of gunfire, like the roar of a fierce beast, was heard in rapid succession. And each time, one by one, the bricks were torn to pieces.

Eh? Is she firing in rapid succession? With one hand? Seriously?

“The recoil is a little harsh.”

“A little…?”

In my former world, this gun was said to have ‘specifications that pushed the limits of the human body.’

“Let’s try another lower one.”

Saying that, Sylphy picked up a large revolver that used .454 Casull bullets. It was the Raging Bull, popular in the anime and novels of my former world.

And again, Sylphy starts firing repeatedly. I told you it’s a dangerous gun!

“Hmm, this is just about right.”

“Is that so…?”

“Let’s try another one.”

This time she started shooting a revolver that uses .44 Magnum bullets. No, no, what’s with that three-point burst thing? Isn’t it strange?

“Fumu… I think the second one is the best of the three.”

“Ah, yeah. Should I customize it in any way? Maybe putting a bayonet on it for close quarters?”

“No, I don’t want anything like that. It’ll be too heavy. I just want it to be sturdy.”

“Aye aye, ma’am.”

Thus, Sylphy’s favorite gun was replaced with a more powerful one. How about the customization, you ask? The frame and barrel were originally made of mithril alloy, so I don’t think it’s particularly necessary, yeah.

☆★☆

Three days passed, and the time for us to return arrived. The fact that we hadn’t heard from Erichburg until today probably meant that there were no problems there.

“Come and visit us again!”

“Bring the baby with you next time.”

“I want to see our grandchildren.”

“You should go all out, Husband-dono. Push it powerfully.”

“Here is the Elves’ special energy drink. Take it with you.”

The elder, who looked like a little girl, handed me a cloth package. At times like this, I think these people are crazy for handing out energy drinks instead of bento boxes, rice cakes, or boiled vegetables.

“Thank goodness we made it in time. Here’s your special Bracelet of Protection.”

An Elven craftsman with dark circles under his eyes handed me a shining silver bracelet. It’s a beautiful bracelet with intricate patterns engraved on it. The magic sparkling stone, about the size of the tip of the little finger, glistens in the sunlight. The golden glow was like the eyes of a dragon.

“Thank you. I’ll give it to Grande later.”

We’re going to fly away now, and having a magic tool that restricts her magic power will only hinder her now.

When I looked towards where Sylphy and Grande were, they seemed to be discussing something with the village’s women. I decided to take the improved gondola out of my inventory while I’m at it. Grande noticed this and walked over to me.

“Is that the new cage?”

“Oh. This should not be as disastrous as before.”

“The two of you were going oeeghh.”

“Sylphy was just barely holding it back.”

But I couldn’t.

“Look at this.”

“Oh, it’s beautiful! Is this the bracelet?”

“Yes. You can try it on when we arrive at Erichburg.”

“Is it bad if I try it on here?”

“I don’t mind, but I think it will interfere with your flight.”

As I said that, I handed Grande the bracelet. It’s not a complete bracelet, but a bangle-type bracelet with a part of the circle missing. It’s flexible to a certain extent and can be easily put on and taken off by Grande’s hands, which are covered with strong claws.

“Hoaaa~…”

Grande’s eyes sparkled as she looked at the Bracelet of Protection that was attached to her arm. Maybe she likes such accessories?

“Do you like such accessories?”

“Hmm? Umu. Dragons are generally fond of shiny things. I’ve never been able to wear such a bracelet before. It’s good to have a humanoid body.”

“I see. Well, I’ll make you some accessories when we get back. I can’t make you a ring, so I’ll make you a bracelet, anklet, or necklace.”

“Really?”

“Yeah. Since you’re now in a humanoid body, I think it’s a good idea to dress up in various ways.”

Grande nodded several times with sparkling eyes. The Harpies also like accessories, so I think they might be a good match in that direction. I want them to get along well with each other as they have the same wings.

“Ufufu, I’m starting to look forward to going home.”

Grande’s tail tapped the ground. Maybe it’s because she’s wearing the Bracelet of Protection, but the power of her tail seems to have diminished quite a bit. No, the ground is still somewhat dented, though. Even with the Bracelet of Protection, the original strength and weight of the tail are not reduced.

In the meantime, Sylphy walked over to us as if she had finished her conversation.

“Sorry to keep you waiting.”

“No, it’s fine. Grande.”

“Umu.”

She took off the Bracelet of Protection from her arm and handed it to me. Sylphy looked at the bracelet.

“Is that the special Bracelet of Protection?”

“Yes. We haven’t had a chance to see how well it works yet, though.”

“Just try it tonight.”

“It shouldn’t be too sudden, right…?”

Isla, the Harpies, and Melty are also waiting for us. Grande turned a puzzled face towards us as she listened to the conversation between Sylphy and me. Yeah, she doesn’t understand. I want her to remain innocent.

“Let’s discuss that when we get there. Yeah.”

“I guess so.”

We were struck by her innocent gaze, so we turned away from Grande, who was tilting her head and hurriedly boarded the gondola. All we have to do is take a seat and fasten our seat belts.

“Well then, I’m off! Call me at the fort if you need anything!”

“Thank you for your help!”

“Bye!”

After saying goodbye to each of them, Grande’s hand took us off into the sky. As Grande circled above the village, she rapidly gained altitude. The Elven village became smaller and smaller until it was buried in the forest, and I could no longer see it.

“Alright, let’s go. Is everything okay?”

“Yeah, I’m fine.”

“I’m okay too.”

“Yeah. Then let’s fly!”

Grande said and started to fly north. It’s fast. This is probably faster than when she was in her dragon form.

When I looked at Sylphy sitting next to me, her eyes looked a little sad. I took her hand in mine. Then I put my mouth to her ear.

“Let’s come back some other time.”

“…Yes, let’s. We’ll come back a later time.”

She smiled at me and squeezed my hand back. The body temperature from her soft hand is comfortable. She can handle a weapon so well and shoot a gun with a huge recoil, but her hands are so soft. I wonder what’s wrong with it.”

“The vacation is over. It’s time to settle things with the Holy Kingdom.”

“You say that, but it’s not that easy, is it?”

“Of course not. But if we take one step at a time, we will eventually reach our objective.”

Sylphy’s gaze was fixed on the far northern land beyond the Great Omit Wilderness.

“I’ll leave the logistics to you.”

“Yeah, you can count on me.”

Sylphy squeezes my hand again and smiles. I squeezed her hand back. There was no need for any more words between us.