Chapter 62

The next morning.

Finally, the day has come!

It was the day to set off to where the dragon duke was, to participate in the festival.

My heart was pounding like a child before a field trip, and I couldn't sleep at all.

"Hehe, the day to achieve my grand plan is finally drawing near. And it's happening much faster than I expected!"

Moreover, the punishment for the maid Lümy, who had mistreated me, was decided yesterday.

It felt like a toothache that had been bothering me had finally been relieved.

"Huh, now there's no more lingering attachment."

There was one thing that weighed on my mind, though.

"I wanted to meet that dolphin guy before I left."

It was just a burden in my heart... Unfortunately, my heart's debt couldn't come before the dragon festival.

Are you listening, Suh? I'm sorry.

I wish you the best, even if only in my heart!

The schedule was to leave at noon, so I didn't really need to go to the educational institution in the morning, but I went anyway.

"Still, I should say goodbye to the kids I've grown fond of. It might be the last time."

After greeting each of the children, the last ones I met in the class were the Lugrubba twins.

"Is Lord Gongnyo really going to the festival?"

"Is Lord Gongnyo really going to the dragon festival?"

"Really, I am."

The twins asked several times, as if they couldn't believe I was going there.

I answered each of their questions without getting annoyed.

Lugru, one of the twins, tilted his head, looking at me as if I were strange.

"Why are you asking the same questions over and over, Lugru? Aren't you done?"

"There's a reason for it."

I can't be heartless until the end.

I'm being very generous today.

The Lugrubba twins were sad about not seeing me for a while.

When it was time, I got up from my seat.

Since the Lugrubba twins were the last, there were no more children to say goodbye to.

I was glad that these children, whom I had grown particularly fond of and become close to, were the last.

'If I were in this mood, I could probably even greet that Karon guy with a hearty laugh and a gracious farewell.'

As I stepped out the door, the Lugrubba twins followed me.

"Aren't you going to have lunch?"

"Lord Gongnyo?"

"Um?"

"I have to go now."

When I raised my hand, the twins bowed as if they had been waiting for it.

I lifted my heel and stroked their heads enthusiastically.

Perhaps this will be the last time I touch this soft hair. That's a bit sad.

"Lord Gongnyo?"

Just as Lugru tilted his head, Lubru raised his hand.

"Lord Gongnyo! Mom said to come and play. Can't you come and play after you come back?"

"Take care. Don't get sick."

"Lord Gongnyo."

"Maybe, I'll think about it when I come back."

I let go of their hands and turned around.

I had long told them that I wouldn't need their palanquin today.

Just as I was about to take a step, a slightly larger hand grabbed me.

It was Lugru.

"Lord Gongnyo, aren't you coming?"

Despite the band-aid still on his cheek, I was concerned.

Kids recover quickly, though, right?

'Smart kids are quick to catch on.'

Instead of answering, I smiled.

Then I turned around.

From behind, I heard a cry of "Waaaaaah!"

I heard the teacher coming, but this time I didn't turn back.

Goodbye, Lugru. Lubru. It was fun!

* * *

The city of dragons, Echina.

It was named after the first dragon to appear in the empire, which later became the empire's guardian deity.

The fact that the blue dragon, the guardian deity, married the first emperor of the empire is very well known.

Of the two children born to them, the one who resembled the father and had the lion sigil became the emperor, while the one who resembled the dragon became the dragon duke.

The later dragon dukes were of royal blood.

The imperial citizens think that the dragon duke should live a luxurious life and eat sumptuous food, but...

"Ugh, it's so gloomy."

Mary, a maid working in the dragon duke's castle, had a different opinion.

She was a mouse sigil, the most common among the land animal sigils in the empire, known for her ability to find escape routes and her quick feet.

"I never thought I'd end up working here because of these skills!"

Unfortunately, she ended up working in this gloomy and eerie castle because of her special abilities.

Initially, she was told that she would work for a decent, though not large, sigil noble family.

But the workplace she was assigned to was completely different.

"Moreover, once you enter, you can't leave until you're given permission. What is that?"

But there was nothing she could do.

"It's best not to reveal what you see and hear here."

"Unless you want to be torn to pieces and die."