Volume 2 - CH 17

Then Laocles started talking to Fay.

Laocles is taller and probably much older than Fay, and his muscular mass makes him very powerful.

Fay is shorter than Laocles, maybe a little older than me, but still very powerful because he is an aristocrat.

…I’m not sure if I’m being too harsh. I really don’t know. But since they both seem to have the same goal in mind, there’s no conflict between their words. So I am not afraid even if I am in between them. They are just very reliable.

I always think that I am very, very fortunate.

I am glad that these two are on my side.

“So, Tougo. I’m going to have a talk with the Dioren family.” (Fay)

And that’s how the conversation came to an end.

“If they keep bothering Tougo, you can’t go back to the forest, and you can’t go out in the town either, can you? So, let’s just settle it as soon as possible.” (Fay)

“Yes.” (Tougo)

…The point is, if I plan to continue refusing, then I should have a formal meeting to discuss the matter, submit a formal request, and then formally decline the request. In the meantime, there are also talks about writing a contract like “Don’t follow me ever again”.

If I just stay at Fay’s house, things won’t get better, and if that’s the case, I should refuse them face-to-face. I would like to return to the forest as soon as possible, so I want to do that.

“…and here’s the biggest problem.” (Fay)

Then, as we came to an agreement, Fay looked a little troubled.

“Tougo. Will you be our family painter?” (Fay)

…Right. Of course.

After all, it seems that there is no way around this.

“If you become a painter for the Redgarde family, even temporarily, we can use that as a reason to refuse the Dioren family’s request. Me, my brother, and my father can stick our necks out and do our best to crush the Dioren family to dust.” (Fay)

“You don’t have to beat them to dust, but…” (Tougo)

“I see. Then I’ll leave it to you… So, if you don’t have a contract with the Redgardes, there are two ways you can go about it…” (Fay)

Yes.

“Either the Redgardes and the Diorens have a fight over who gets the contract with Tougo, or one says, ‘Well, I don’t want you anymore.’ If you go with the former, it’s just twice the problems. Then it would be easier to have you have a contract with us first.”

…Really. Yeah, that’s how it is.

If I sign a contract with the Redgarde family, I can hide behind the Redgardes… Fay and his family. That way, I wouldn’t have to deal directly with the Dioren family ever. Or they could put pressure on them, in a way that I could do, or protect me in ways that I could never do alone.

…But, how can I say that… So.

“I refuse, not because I don’t like the Redgardes, I do so because I want to. I think that’s the right thing to do.” (Tougo)

I want to do something about this on my own. I think it’s the right thing to do. To some extent. To the extent that I can.

…so I’ll be thinking about this with Fay and Laocles.

“In the first place, why do you want to refuse?” (Fay)

“Yeah.” (Laocles)

“Because I don’t know who they are.” (Tougo)

When I said that, Fay looked at me with a puzzled look on his face.

“I’ve never met him, this ‘son of the Dioren family’.” (Tougo)

“…Ah, I guess so. It’s just his servant that kept coming.”

When I answered, both Fay and Laocles nodded.

As for me, I just draw because I want to. If they want the Red Dragon to be a summoned beast, I would like to see that “someone” before making a decision. I would like to decide on the answer depending on what kind of person that person is.

“If that ‘son of the Dioren family’ is someone like Fay, I think I can draw for him.” (Tougo)

“Really?” (Fay & Laocles)

Both Fay and Laocles look surprised, but I can’t help it. I am neutral by nature to begin with.

“…ah, on the contrary, you, uh, you drew Red Dragon because you liked me?” (Fay)

“No, I wasn’t thinking that at the time, but…” (Tougo)

After thinking a little about Fay’s words, I answered.

“…I thought that the Scarlet Dragon would like Fay.” (Tougo)

“The Red Dragon, not me… If you think the Red Dragon would like the person, then you can draw the Red Dragon for that person?” (Fay)

“Yes.” (Tougo)

I think that’s important. It’s the dragon I’m materializing. I want them to be happy, and I want them to be in good hands.

“However, if Fay and the others would be in trouble if I materialize a Red Dragon, I wouldn’t do it.” (Tougo)

Well, I think that if it’s someone who will make the Red Dragon happy, they won’t use it in a way that will cause trouble for Fay and his family. …Though it’s possible that the people around them would.

“I don’t know… well, it’s not that I’m troubled. No, but for me, I think it’s, um… No, even if you materialize something, it’s not good for it to be another dragon… No, it’s not good to materialize just for anyone. No…” (Fay)

…Then let’s make different dragon. Something that isn’t a Red Dragon.

“Then, I’ll call the Dioren family and tell them to make sure their ‘son’ is included in the discussion.” (Fay)

“Yes.” (Tougo)

“Can we do it at my place? I’m sure you don’t want them to be at your house in case something happens. The spirits might get angry.” (Fay)

“Yes.” (Tougo)

Come to think of it, I remember that there are spirits in the forest where my house is located. I’ve never seen them, but I wonder if they are there after all.

“Okay. Well then… If we talk to them as a member of the Redgarde family, it looks like it’s going to be a political issue. You have to do your best on your own.” (Fay)

“I have Laocles too.” (Tougo)

“… because you never know what they’re going to do.” (Laocles)

And with Laocles with me. I am reassured.

“Ah, that’s right, Tougo, can you read?” (Fay)

“……I cannot read.” (Tougo)

Come to think of it, that’s right. I can’t read. Even if I request the other party to write a letter of intent, it is meaningless if I do not know what it is inside. …I should have studied. I guess this should have come before horseback riding.

“I see… what about Laocles?” (Tougo)

“I can read and write all the way through. But if a slave were to read for his master, the master would be looked down upon.” (Laocles)

“Oh, that’s right. It’s going to be a disadvantage. It might be troublesome for Tougo if they find out that he can’t read… Well, it’s better for me to stay with you.” (Fay)

“Please.” (Tougo)

So, I asked Fay to join me. Not as an aristocrat, but simply as my… my best friend. That’s right. That’s why I asked him to stay with me.

Then I sent a letter in my name (written by Fay) to the Dioren family.

“I ask you to bring the person who wants to have a dragon as a summoned beast come to the Redgarde house.” And “I ask you to come to the Redgarde house, to make a proper request.”

…I also said, “The reason I’m using the Redgarde house as the venue is because I don’t want you to know where I live, and the Redgarde house is not involved in this matter.”

Well. Now all that is left is for me to take a proper look at the “son” and decide whether or not I can materialize a dragon for them.

…If he is as good-natured as Fay, I would be happy to materialize a dragon of a different color, something that is not a Red Dragon.

But if it’s someone I don’t think I won’t get along with, then I’ll have to decline the offer this time.

I received a letter from the Dioren family that said something like, “Yes, I understand.” Or rather, the first squire brought the letter directly to me. That’s very polite.

The date and time were set, and I was a little nervous as the date approached…

“…What are you doing?” (Laocles)

“I’m trying to squeeze my art supplies with me.” (Tougo)

I decided to take advantage of the previous reflection and properly bring my art supplies.

last time, when I was caught by the black-market people involved in the poaching.

It was a blow that I didn’t have any art materials at that time. Thanks to that, I ended up painting a picture of a dragon with blood on the stone floor…

…Yes. Actually, that injury hurt a lot later on. Cutting my arm and making it bleed, well, I thought it wasn’t something I should do very often.

So, this time, I will bring my art supplies properly.

First, a pencil and eraser. This is fine, since they are compact to begin with.

And next, the paints… I materialize shallow box with a lid with small partitions and squeezed out a little bit of the paints into the partitions. I think the makeup tools used by women were like this. I really don’t know much if it’s the same.

In the box of paints, I also put a water brush, a shortened pencil, and an eraser.

A water brush is a brush with a handle that looks like a tube and is filled with water. When you squeeze the handle, water seeps out from the tip of the brush and you can draw with it.

When I saw this brush at an art supply store, I thought it was amazing. I heard that it is often used for watercolor pencils or something like that, but it is also used for “portable watercolor paint sets” like this one.

…Then, a few small sheets of drawing paper can be stored inside the box, and it is ready to go.

A compact watercolor set. It’s nice.

…Because things with portable designs are often expensive especially those with good performance. It was one of the things I admired in my original world but couldn’t buy.

I am satisfied.

Now I’m ready to go. I’m ready to be kidnapped and put in jail. Now all I have to do is hide this…

…right.

“Where should I hide?” (Tougo)

“Oh? A hiding place? Why not in your shoes?” (Fay)

“But if they will find it if they take off my shoes.” (Tougo)

“If you put it that way, it doesn’t matter where you put it if they take strip you naked, right?” (Fay)

Hmmm….

I was a little bit hesitant, but I decided to follow Fay’s advice and put it in my shoes.

And for that reason, I had to buy a pair of shoes. I had never worn boots except for rain boots… So there was something unsettling about them.

And finally the day came. I looked out the window and saw a luxurious carriage pull up in front of the Redgarde house, so I, Laocles, and Fay bravely went out to the front door.

“Thank you very much for having us here today to meet with you.” (Old Man)

When we stepped outside, we found that the elderly attendant we had met many times was already outside the carriage. And he greeted me, smiled at me and shook my hand.

“My master was very pleased…” (Old Man)

And when the attendant said so and turned around, his master was just about to get off the carriage.

When the attendant opened the place, two people got out of the carriage came toward me, surrounded by people who looked like guards… And smiled at me.

“I’m Sardo Roe Dioren. I’m the lord of the Dioren territory.” (Sardo)

Is he the same age as Fay’s father? In other words, he’s roughly the same as my father, but he looks like an aristocrat, so I’m a little nervous.

…and.

“And this is my son, Santos Rado Dioren. I want you to summon a Red Dragon for my son.”

In front of me stands a boy who looks a little older than I am, looking down at me.

He stared at me and gave me a “He looks worthless,” kind of look, and a little smirk of disgust on his face.

…Yeah.

I had decided to be as fair as possible in my judgment… But in my mind the scales tipped toward “no”.