Chapter 37

And then, Laocles started talking to Faye.

Laocles is taller than Faye, probably much older, and a mass of muscles, so he's very intimidating.

Faye is shorter than Laocles, and I think she's a bit taller than me, but because she's a noble, she's also very intimidating.

...And since both of them seem to have the same goal, their intimidation doesn't clash. So, even though I'm standing between them, I'm not particularly scared. I just feel reassured.

I realize that I'm probably incredibly fortunate.

It's a good thing these two are on my side.

"So, Togo. We're going to talk to the Giolens properly," the conversation came to a conclusion.

"If they keep bothering you, you won't be able to go back to the forest or even go out in town, right? So let's settle this here and now."

"Okay."

...In essence, if I keep refusing, we'll set up a formal meeting, formally present the request, and then formally decline it. We'll also get them to sign a document saying they won't bother me again.

If I just keep staying at Faye's house, the situation won't improve. So I should face them directly and decline properly. I want to go back to the forest as soon as possible, so I want to do this.

"...And this is the main issue," Faye said, looking a bit troubled as the conversation came to a conclusion.

"Togo, will you become our family's resident artist?"

...Yeah. That's right.

It seems this is a problem I can't avoid.

"If you become a temporary resident artist for the Redgard family, you can use that as a reason to decline the Giolens' request. My brother, my father, and I can all gang up on the Giolens and beat them up."

"I don't need you to beat them up..."

"Got it. Then we'll just give them a light beating. ...If you say you're not under contract with the Redgard family, there are two ways to handle it..."

Yeah.

"Either the Redgard family and the Giolens family can fight over who gets to contract with you, or you can just say you don't want to. If we go with the first option, it'll just be a waste of time. So it's better if you sign a contract with us first."

...I see. Yeah, that makes sense.

If I sign a contract with the Redgard family, I can hide behind them. That way, I won't have to deal with the Giolens directly. Or they can apply pressure that I can't, or protect me in ways I can't.

...But that feels, well... Yeah.

"I'm not declining because I don't like the Redgard family. I'm declining because I don't want to. I think that's the right thing to do."

I want to handle this on my own as much as possible. Even if I decline, I want to be honest. To a certain extent. Within my capabilities.

...So, I'll think about it with Faye and Laocles.

"Basically, why do I want to decline?"

"Yeah."

"Because I don't know who they are."

When I said that, Faye looked surprised.

"I've never met the 'young master of the Giolens family.'"

"...Oh, right. It's just their servants who come."

When I answered, Faye and Laocles nodded.

This is what's bothering me. If they want me to summon a red dragon to be someone's familiar, I want to see that person first. I want to decide based on who they are.

"If the 'young master of the Giolens family' is someone like Faye, I'd consider it."

"Really?"

Faye and Laocles both looked surprised, but I can't help it. I'm neutral.

"...So, did you draw the red dragon for me because you liked me?"

"No, I wasn't thinking about that at the time..."

After thinking for a moment, I answered.

"...I thought the red dragon would like Faye."

"Oh, you mean the red dragon, not you. ...So, if the red dragon likes someone, you'd consider drawing it for them?"

"Yeah."

I think that's important. It's my dragon. I want it to be happy. I only want to entrust it to someone worthy.

"But if summoning the red dragon would cause trouble for Faye and the others, I won't do it."

Well, if they're the kind of person who would make the red dragon happy, they probably wouldn't cause trouble for Faye and the others... Yeah. There's also the possibility of others being affected.

"I see... Well, it probably won't cause trouble. But, um... I mean, if you do summon it, maybe a different dragon... No, that's not good, I guess..."

...Then I'll summon a different dragon. One that's not red.

"Okay, I'll contact the Giolens. We'll set up a meeting with their 'young master' included."

"Okay."

"Is it okay to have the meeting at our place? Your house might be problematic if something happens. The spirits might get angry."

"Okay."

I remember there are spirits in the forest where my house is. I've never seen them, but they must be there.

"Alright. Since this will be a Redgard family matter, it might involve politics. You'll have to do your best."

"Laocles too."

"...We don't know what they'll do."

And I'll have Laocles with me. That's reassuring.

"Oh, by the way, Togo, can you read?"

"...No."

I can't read. Even if they write a document, I won't be able to verify it. I should have studied. Maybe I should have learned this before horseback riding.

"I see... What about Laocles?"

"I can read and write. But if a slave reads for their master, the master might lose respect."

"Right. If it gets out that you can't read, it might cause problems... So, I should be there."

"Please."

So, Faye will join us. Not as a noble, but as my... my best friend. Yeah. That's how I want it.

So, I sent a letter to the Giolens, written by Faye on my behalf.

I asked them to bring the person who wants the dragon to the Redgard family's house. I also asked them to formally present the request there.

...And I added that the meeting is at the Redgard family's house because I don't want them to know where my house is, and that the Redgard family is not involved in this matter.

Now, all I have to do is see their 'young master' and decide whether to summon a dragon.

...If they're a nice person like Faye, I might consider summoning a different colored dragon. But if they don't seem like a good match, I'll decline properly this time.

The Giolens sent a letter back saying they understood. Actually, an elderly servant brought the letter directly. They're very polite.

The date was set, and I was a bit nervous as the day approached...

"What are you doing?"

"I'm trying to pack my art supplies compactly."

I decided to carry my art supplies with me, based on my previous experience.

Last time, when I was caught by the poachers in the black market.

I didn't have any art supplies, which was a big problem. I ended up drawing a dragon with blood on the stone floor...

...Yeah. The injury from that actually hurt a lot later. Cutting my arm to draw blood isn't something I want to do again.

So this time, I'll carry my art supplies.

First, pencils and erasers. They're already compact, so that's fine.

Next, the paints... I made a small, shallow box with compartments and solidified small amounts of paint in each compartment. It's like the makeup palettes women use. I don't know much about them, but that's the idea.

The box also has space for a water brush, a shortened pencil, and an eraser.

A water brush is a brush with a tube-like handle that holds water. When you squeeze the handle, water seeps out of the tip, allowing you to paint.

I saw one at an art supply store and thought it was amazing. It's often used with watercolor pencils and in portable watercolor sets.

...I also included a few small sheets of drawing paper in the box. This completes my compact watercolor set.

It's pretty good.

...Portable sets are often expensive, so this was something I couldn't afford in my original world. I'm satisfied.

Now I'm ready. Even if I'm captured and thrown in a cell, I'll be fine. I just need to hide it...

...Yeah.

"Where should I hide it?"

"Huh? The classic hiding spot is inside your shoe."

"But what if they take off my shoes?"

"Well, if they strip you naked, it won't matter where you hide it, right?"

Hmm...

I thought about it for a moment and decided to follow Faye's advice and hide it in my shoe.

For that, I had to buy new boots. I've only worn rain boots before, so it feels a bit strange.

Finally, the day arrived. I saw a luxurious carriage stop in front of the Redgard family's house, so Togo, Laocles, and Faye went out to the entrance.

"Thank you for setting up this meeting today."

When we went outside, the elderly servant who had visited us several times was already out of the carriage. He greeted us with a smile and shook my hand. He seemed happy.

"My master is also very pleased..."

As he said this and turned around, the people from the carriage were just getting out.

When the servant moved aside, two people got out of the carriage, surrounded by guards, and approached me... and smiled.

"I am Sard Ro Giolen, the lord of the Giolen territory."

He's about the same age as Faye's father, so probably around the same age as my father. His noble attire made me a bit nervous.

...And then.

"And this is my son, Santos Rad Giolen. We would like you to summon a red dragon for him."

In front of me stood a young man, a bit older than me, looking down at me with a superior air.

He scrutinized me and then... he gave a slight, unpleasant smile, as if to say, "You don't seem like much."

...Yeah.

I was trying to be as fair as possible, but in my heart, the scales tipped heavily towards "decline."