Chapter 34

"Here, how about this one?"

"A bit heavy."

"I see. Then how about this one?"

"A bit bigger would be better."

"Got it. Then how about this one?"

"The shape is not good."

...So, we were basically having a shield appraisal session.

We peeked into every shop that sold shields, looking for the 'just right but not quite perfect' shield, and bought them.

We have plenty of money. I want to pursue the 'best shield' without compromising.

"...It seems fun."

"Yeah."

Yeah, it's fun. This kind of thing is really enjoyable.

Laocles was initially a bit reserved, but he seemed to realize that I was genuinely having fun. From then on, he started to give his opinions more actively.

I don't know much about what makes a good shield, so I rely on Laocles' opinions. I'll gather his opinions and draw the best shield for him.

After leaving Fey's house, we started talking again. The pegasi were sniffing the flower beds next to Fey's house, apparently because they like flowers.

"Laocles, what kind of shield do you want? I can draw anything."

"...As long as it's easy to use."

"Color?"

"Leave it to you."

I see. Laocles doesn't seem to be very interested in such things.

But I'm very interested, so I want to be particular about this. Yeah. I'll do my best for Laocles in terms of ease of use and practicality. And I'll work hard on the decoration for myself.

I want to draw a brave Laocles, equipped with the shield I drew and his sword, fighting valiantly, just like a statue.

"Excuse me..."

...Just then, someone suddenly called out to us.

I was about to get on the horse, so I was a bit flustered. ...I know my horse riding isn't cool.

"Do you need something?"

But Laocles stepped forward before I could. He stepped in front of me and put his hand on his sword. He's reliable.

"N-no, I don't have any hostility towards you... I just..."

The person who called us took a half-step back, looking a bit intimidated by Laocles.

...He looks older than us. Maybe middle-aged. Yeah. And there were about three younger people behind him, each holding some bags or boxes...

"Who are you? Identify yourselves."

When Laocles said this in a reassuring manner, the middle-aged man straightened his posture and bowed to us.

"I have been instructed by a noble to secretly recruit you."

"...'A noble'?"

As I tilted my head, Laocles's expression became even more serious.

"You can't identify yourself?"

"N-no, it's not that. It's just a bit difficult to talk about here..."

The middle-aged man glanced at the house next to us. ...He doesn't want to talk about it next to the Redgard house, I guess. Hmm.

"...Well, if it's something I can't talk about here, I don't want to hear it."

I said this to the suspicious person. If it's something Fey shouldn't hear, I don't want to hear it either.

"Oh, but you haven't signed a contract with the Redgard family, have you?"

...How does he know that?

"Well, I understand your sense of propriety. You seem like a kind person. ...Then, let's talk here."

The middle-aged man smiled and signaled to the people behind him.

While Laocles was on guard, they opened their bags and boxes and showed us what was inside.

It was a bag full of gold coins, large gems sparkling in a small box, and... a staff?

"We would like you to summon something for the son of the Jiolan family in exchange for these rewards."

...Yeah.

"I don't really understand."

Summon? What kind of summon?

...Ah, the summon of a summon creature? So, they want me to summon something like a fire spirit?

But why are they asking me? I can't summon...

...Ah.

The Red Dragon, right...

This is the only thing that comes to mind, so it's probably that. These people are asking me to summon the Red Dragon. Probably.

They call it 'summon,' but... is it really 'summon'? If I draw it, is that summoning? I'm not sure.

"Um, why me?"

There are many things I don't understand, but I should at least ask this. Because if I don't know why they think I can summon the Red Dragon, it could be problematic.

"Oh? But it was you, wasn't it? The one who summoned the Red Dragon."

But the other person didn't flinch. I see. They won't tell me their source of information.

"Isn't it because you summoned the Red Dragon that Fey Blade Redgard has one?"

Hmm, is it because Fey summoned the Red Dragon when she defeated the black ghost in town? But that alone doesn't mean I summoned the Red Dragon...

Hmm...?

"What do you think? Of course, if you need anything, we can provide it. This is just an advance payment. We will pay additional rewards upon success."

"Even if you say that..."

I'm in trouble. I'm really in trouble. Who are these people?

They seem to know that I summoned the Red Dragon, but how do they know?

And why do they want me to summon a summon creature? Hmm, why?

"Let's talk in more detail at a cafe in town. I know a good place."

The middle-aged man smiled again, but I can't do anything but be troubled. Hmm, I'm in trouble.

"Hey. If you keep talking nonsense, I'll kill all of you here."

While I was troubled, Laocles started making a very violent suggestion. Yeah, it's a bit dangerous, but it helps.

"K-kill? You look like a slave. What can a slave do?"

"Unfortunately, I have killed before. I'm a criminal slave. ...Ah, right. I'm a murderer. I have no hesitation in killing you now."

When Laocles said this and glared, the middle-aged man and the people behind him shrank back. Yeah, I understand the feeling.

"K-kill... Do you think you can get away with it!?"

"Yeah, I do. The dead can't talk. ...I just need to make sure no one escapes. That's all."

Laocles said this in a very dangerous way, then grinned in a very scary manner.

"...Hey. Is this not enough of a threat? Do I need to cut off a limb to make it clear?"

Then, the suspicious people ran away. They said they would come back another day, but... yeah, I don't want them to come back.

"...Sorry. I couldn't resolve this peacefully."

"No, it's fine. I was saved. Thank you."

Laocles seems to regret his method of resolution, but I'm not bothered by it. Rather, I got to see a cool (and a bit scary) Laocles, so it's not bad.

"...Let's go back for now. We should report this."

"Huh, oh, yeah."

...So, we went back to Fey's house, which we had just left.

With not-so-good news.

"Ah... So they came, huh?"

"Yeah."

When we reported, Fey leaned back in his chair and groaned.

"Damn, how did it leak?"

"I don't know..."

The only people I've told that I can materialize drawings are Fey, Laocles, the horses, and the birds.

How did it leak... Hmm, it's possible that Fey having the Red Dragon is already known from the black ghost incident. But that was necessary. Having a fire-breathing creature was better.

...So, maybe my ability was revealed then.

I was healing Laocles's wounds at that time. Maybe someone saw that and thought, 'He's the one who summoned the Red Dragon'... But I don't think so.

If someone saw me drawing, they wouldn't connect 'drawing healed someone's wound' with 'drawing summoned a Red Dragon.' Probably.

So, someone who knows more about my situation? Everyone in town knows that Fey and I are close, so it's a process of elimination...?

"Well, there's no point in thinking about it. So, Togo, are you going to accept that offer?"

"No."

If I had to choose, I wouldn't accept it. I have no intention of accepting it.

I drew the Red Dragon because I wanted to at that time, and the crimson dragon suited Fey, and there were various pressing circumstances... Yeah, I wanted to draw it. I really wanted to.

I don't feel like drawing it just because someone asks.

...Also, I think the Red Dragon is attached to Fey because Fey is a good person. Yeah, I can't draw it for some unknown, possibly bad person. It might be selfish, but...

"I see... It seems like a good reward, though."

"Yeah, I don't need it."

"Haha. That's you, alright."

Fey laughed heartily, then became serious.

"But, be careful. If something happens, just say you're contracted to the Redgard family, even if it's a lie. I'll allow it."

"O-Okay."

So, it's a contract that allows me to lie about being contracted. It's confusing, but I'll say I'm contracted to the Redgard family from now on.

"Also, never leave Laocles. ...Oh, you're staying at different houses, right? Then Laocles will be a guest in Togo's house from today."

"Huh... Laocles, is that okay?"

"It's an emergency. It's fine."

I thought Laocles might not want to stay with me... I'm sorry. I'll be a bother.

"Actually, why don't you stay at my place for a while?"

"Huh? Um..."

Fey even made such a suggestion.

Hmm... I feel more comfortable in the forest. I don't dislike Fey's house, but I feel more at ease in the forest.

...But, this isn't the time to say that.

"I'll be a bother."

"Sure! I'll take care of you! So, take your time until things calm down!"

Since I had no choice, I decided to stay at the Redgard family for a while.

...I'm sorry for the trouble.