CH 78

–Rattling ……

The carriage carrying us was running through the grassland at a speed that could be called the fastest. One of the horses was missing from our wagon, and the crate containing our equipment was empty. We had quite a few weapons in there, but they were all gone.

“The horse that was left behind looked lonely ……”

“Let’s make sure we take him home.”

Mom smiled as she stroked Nora’s head.

In the back of a different carriage than Princess Grace and her friends, we are waiting for their arrival. There was still some time left, so I asked my mother.

“I didn’t know you would allow us to go …… Well, it’s a little late for that now, though ……”

“It’s true! …… Well, even if I stop you, you guys are going to leave on your own, aren’t you? I thought it would be better if I stayed with you and pull you out when the time came. I’m warning you, I won’t allow you to go in front of the knights, okay?”

Her mouth was smiling, but her eyes were not, and my brother and I broke out in a cold sweat, thinking that she was our mother when she was angry.

“I know, I know ……”

“Yeah, yeah ……”

“Your mom’s scary ……”

When Jack shuddered, Makina, who was looking out the window, opened her mouth.

“…… I wonder if Is this enough? Tigre-sensei said we should have more ……”

“Hm, after we save Verna-sensei, we can all just run away together!”

“That way, the dragons will come after us, right?”

“Oh, I see. It looks so strong, after all. What should we do ……?”

“But I think Nora’s right, it’s important to run away first. I don’t know how strong the dragons are, but our goal is to get to Verna-sensei, so we don’t need to force her.”

“I’m sorry to be the one to tell you this, but is that the best thing to do?”

Jack said, leaning back against the wall and looking up at the ceiling. I think so too, but Verna-sensei is the one who got involved, and it’s a problem that needs to be solved at some point.

I’m sure she doesn’t expect us kids to subjugate it, so there’s no need to be rash. But I’d like to avoid making our brave princesses do things that will result in them dying.

“Dragon, huh …… I wonder what they look like ……”

“I think they are big and breathe fire? I’m scared, but I want to see it once. And maybe we can [collaborate] …… Oh, no. it’s difficult, I guess??”

“?”

Jack started mumbling and talking to himself, so I left him alone and talked to my brother. I’m going to talk to brother, because I think we might need him in some situations.

“What is brother’s [charisma] like?”

“Hmm? Well, I don’t really feel it, but my classmates say that “your voice reaches their ears even when it’s noisy”. Also, when I break up a fight, they always make up for it.”

Mmm-hmm. It’s just like my brother in a mild way. The meaning of “charisma” is generally to attract people, but in a bad sense, it can develop into “domination. A good example would be a religious guru. It’s a little different from attracting people, but maybe something will change in time.

In the meantime, I made arrangements for my brother to move in case of emergency, and I looked out the window with Makina.

“When the time comes, make sure you escape, okay?”

“O-Okay …… but, with Lars-kun here, i-it’ll be okay.”

“I’ve never fought a dragon before, and Tigre-sensei said that far, I don’t think I can win.”

“I see ……”

“Well, I’ll do my best to fight it when they come to me.”

“…… Okay!”

About three hours passed while we talked like this. We arrived at the mountain where the dragon was and stopped the carriage at the base. Then Nora screamed in surprise and ran off.

“Nora, it’s not safe!”

“Don’t worry! It’s the horse that Tigre-sensei rode in on.”

“Oh, it’s true. Then I guess he climbed up from here. I don’t think I took too long, but he’s fast ……”

“Don’t compare one man with a squad of knights. We’re coming too!”

“Princess, you go to the center of the knights. The children, you go to the knights’ circle behind them.”

“It’s not my lucky day, being a babysitter.”

“Hey! Stop swearing! I’m sorry, boys. This fool’s mouth is bad.”

“Are you a knight, too, Big sister?”

“Yes, she is. Are you interested?”

“Well, I’m in the Holy Knight Club at Oblivion Academy! I want to be a knight someday.”

“I see! We may be from different countries, but we’re all aiming for the same thing, so good luck!”

“Yes!”

I watched with a smile as Makina nodded her head with shining eyes. I think Makina is a hard worker, and she’s not going to let that lose heart…… Now, here’s the real deal. Verna-sensei, please wait for me!

◆ 　 ◇ 　 ◆

“Ugh ……”

“Gaha ……!?”

“C, Commander ……?”

“……. It’s not just strong enough …… This one is …… Princess Verna, please run ……”

“No, I’m not leaving you here to escape.”

Shiina’s husband, Veig, the leader of the knights, stands to protect her, but she stands beside him and holds up her staff.

“I can’t let Shiina-sama’s husband die here, after all …… When I give you the signal, please run.”

“No ……!? How can a knight run away leaving a lady behind!”

“Fufu, you’re kind.”

Verna smiles at Veig, who is furious that she has no intention of running away. Then the dragon lowered its head and spoke to him.

Rooaaaaaaaaaaaaaarrrr ! ! !

The dragon’s mouth opened and a roar rang out.

Dragon, how strong is that?

Thank you for reading!

[Afterword Theater]

“Serious spurt!  I mean, can’t the children do anything?”

I have a better idea!

“Oh, this can’t be good!”