Chapter 96 - Our goal isn’t in that direction

Chapter 96 - Our goal isn’t in that direction

I wonder if the extra that resembled Raiotto had drowned, since he was unconscious on the bank with bubbles blowing out of his mouth.

The reason is probably the steel sword on his belt. Equipping something so heavy like this would certainly make swimming difficult.

「This isn’t the real one, right…?」

The real Raiotto should be receiving training from Ariante in Perudona right now.

Even if I was wrong, he couldn’t possibly have entered this mysterious space containing the fake capital right? Just take a look at the positions the extras were placed by the demon.

Although the question remains why this extra resembles Raiotto… well whatever, it’s probably just an accidental resemblance.

I then nudged the Raiotto-like extra.

「Hey hey, can you wake up? What role were you positioned as?」

「……hmm?」

The extra opened his eyes.

This one is probably another of those repeating fakes. If Rēko saw her friend repeat weird phrases over and over again, she would start to hold some doubts.

「Are you awake?」

「Ugh, Ah… I don’t know who you are but thanks… Huh? Dragon? Blue eyes…?」

Suddenly, within Raiotto’s golden eyes, a fire of rage burned bright.

「Uoooooh!! I found you Revendia! Prepare yourself, I’ll have you return Rēko!」

「Kyaaaaaaa-!!」

Raiotto suddenly jumped towards me.

He rode on my back as if riding a horse and wrapped his arms around my neck, using a choking technique.

「Give give give! It’s my loss!」

「Don’t lie to me! If you really admit defeat then return Rēko her freedom… hnnn?」

Raiotto then weakened his grip.

「Ah? Aren’t you too small to be Revendia…?」

「Gehoh, yeah, that’s right. I’ve turned smal… no, you got the wrong person. My name isn’t even Revendia.」

I didn’t lie, I really have no clue at all.

However, drinking the potion really helped me out here. With the size of my true appearance, I would have certainly been cut by that sword.

Raiotto then appeared flustered and jumped off my back, then got down on one knee with his head bowed.

「I-I’m extremely sorry Mr. Dragon. I, I’ve been looking for a dragon who has the same colour as your scales and when I saw you, I made a rash decision.」

「No no, It’s okay, don’t mind it.」

If you talk about strictness, then you would talk about me.

However, looking at this situation, it seems this Raiotto is the real one. Not like those broken fakes that can only repeat the same phrases.

「In, in any case, what are you doing in a place like this?」

「I’ve come to save a friend. I heard she was here, so I’m determined to bring her back-」

「No, I don’t mean it like that. I don’t know myself but this town isn’t exactly normal. How did you enter this place?」

「That’s… Sorry but I’ve promised to keep this a secret. No matter what kind of person the other is, a promise is a promise.」

My tilted my head.

Did Ariante or some adventurer send Raiotto here?

「Hey Mr. Dragon, have you seen a girl around here? Her name is Rēko and she has black hair, her age should be around my age.」

「I-I wonder… It seems like I did or I didn’t see her…」

I flinched at this unexpected development.

I wonder what would happen if Raiotto directly met Rēko. Although I feel bad for him, at the very least I couldn’t imagine Rēko turning normal and returning back to the village. She wasn’t such a simple girl.

「I see, thanks. Well, I’m going to search around.」

「Wah-! Wait wait!」

I quickly stopped Raiotto in his tracks. If he carelessly made contact with Rēko and started insulting me, then there’s a possibility of Rēko going crazy with anger.

「What’s the matter?」

「The truth is… uh, the girl called Rēko that you’re looking for isn’t in this city-」

At that moment, from the direction of the royal palace plywood, fireworks rose into the sky.

Raiotto’s and my gaze both turned to that direction.

Above the royal palace, Rēko was there with her black wings spread.

From her fingertips, she fired congratulatory fireworks while shouting “To the foolish and ignorant people! Celebrate the birth of a new country!” using a villainous voice.

「Rēko!」

My attempts to stop him no longer had any meaning.

Raiotto ran straight toward the royal palace. The figure of him running while pushing away the horde of extras without dropping in speed… I thought it was unexpectedly strong.

I was out of breath by the time I reached the front of the royal palace where I saw Raiotto waving his hands wildly at Rēko.

「Come down here Rēko! It’s me, Raiotto!」

「…hm?」

Rēko, who was still in the air, looked down with cold eyes and started to have some questions as she placed her hand under her chin.

Then, from within the crowd, Sheina emerged who then poked my shoulder.

「Hey, Lord Evil Dragon.」

「Nnn, what’s the matter.」

「Who’s the kid with blonde hair? From the looks of it, he doesn’t seem to be an extra.」

「He’s Rēko’s friend… I don’t really know, but he somehow got in here. Ah, by the way, that kid thinks he’s taking revenge for his friend so just treat me as a random passing lizard.」

「Roger that.」

It helps that she quickly understands.

Of course, Sheina still thinks that I’m not Revendia but a body double so I think I didn’t even need to ask.

Leisurely flapping her wings, Rēko landed on the ground.

「Raiotto…?」

「Rēko! How did you grow such wings…! Also, you grew a mustache! What the hell, is this the corruption from becoming the kin of the Evil Dragon…」

「That mustache is detachable though…」

Even the detachable mustache somehow counted as one of my sins.

I understand the shock at seeing your friend’s changed appearance but I beg you, please calm down.

Rēko ignored his words and started to touch his face.

「…Although there’s some weird scribbles, I can’t be wrong. It’s the real Raiotto, what are you doing here?」

「I’m here to take you back of course!」

Saying that, he gripped her hand.

Sheina leaned out like random onlooker while shouting “Oohh.”

「Lord Evil Dragon? Is this perhaps, fighting over who gets Rēko?」

「We’re not fighting over her because I’m always thinking about when they’re going to take her back. It’s just that Rēko is taking the position of kin like an unshakable mountain.」

「Hohoh, let’s see… in this situation, what will Rēko do.」

「Why are you becoming a commentator?」

*peshi* Raiottos hand was smacked away.

Raiotto tried to grip her hand again and again but Rēko just returned him more and more slaps.

「Rēko… I thought so, your heart is still being possessed by the Evil Dragon…」

「Still? How foolish. My heart is with the Lord Evil Dragon for all eternity- however…」

Rēko then folded her arms and laughed with a “Fu”.

「I will recognize your determination. Chasing after me to such a far land without giving up when I turned into a kin. Even I feel slightly moved.」

「Ah, I will never give up. I’ll definitely make you regain your sanity-」

Before Raiotto could finish speaking, Rēko nodded with a “un un” and said this-

「-I think well of that spirit. I never thought that you would go so far to become the Lord Evil Dragon’s kin.」

I couldn’t watch any further and covered my eyes behind my front legs.