Chapter 40

We traveled to the Gioren family's residence by carriage.

Since I decided to go on my own and am behaving calmly, their vigilance is somewhat relaxed. At the very least, I'm not in a situation where a knife is being held to my throat, and Laocles and his former colleague are safe.

Currently, in the carriage are Laocles, myself, and three guards from the Gioren family. ...The atmosphere isn't tense. It's okay. It's okay.

Laocles is safe, and I've confirmed that his female colleague is also in another carriage with other guards. It's okay. Nothing irreversible has happened.

"Hey..."

Laocles nudged me from the side, interrupting my thoughts.

"Why did you do something so reckless?"

"I don't think it's reckless. I have a chance of success. That's why..."

"You're shaking."

When he said that, I realized it.

...My sense of touch was faint.

When I grabbed my own arm, I could feel that my hands were cold. ...It seems I'm in a similar state to Laocles earlier.

"...I guess I'm a bit nervous."

"Of course you are."

So, I'm nervous, huh.

When I said it out loud, I thought, yeah, I am indeed nervous. Yeah. I'm nervous. I was.

"...But this is the second time. I'm used to it. Besides, the situation is much better than the first time."

So this time, I'm consciously saying it out loud.

Words have power, my teacher said. Things can change when you say them out loud. ...Unfortunately, I'm not good at that.

"So, I don't want you to worry. I think I can save you and that colleague of yours."

I'm going to say it. I'm going to consciously say it. When I thought and said that... Laocles had a troubled look on his face.

"...Include yourself in the people you want to save."

"Huh... Ah, yeah."

He had such a troubled look that I answered.

"Then, I... Laocles, that colleague, and myself. I'll save all of us properly."

"Do that."

When I said that, Laocles looked a bit relieved. Then he said,

"Within those limits, you can do as you please. I'll turn a blind eye to minor injuries or magic exhaustion. If you end up like that, I'll take care of it afterward."

...I was a bit surprised. 'Within those limits,' 'do as you please,' and 'turn a blind eye to minor injuries,' 'take care of it afterward.'

So, I can do as I please. Even if I get a little hurt. If I can't move, Laocles will help me. So, I'll save everyone, including myself. Yeah, I see.

"...Always prioritize yourself. Us... especially Interlia, can wait. Do you understand?"

"Yeah."

"You... No, if I keep nagging, I'll sound like a parent... "

"Parent? ...Yeah, I guess. I thought it sounded a bit like a parent."

"Hey."

Yeah. Ideally, that's the case.

After that, we had a strategy meeting. We kept our voices low since there were other Gioren family guards in the carriage. ...It feels a bit late now.

But the guards are sitting across from us, and they're pretending not to listen to our conversation. Some of them are even pretending to be asleep.

...In other words, they seem to be 'those kinds' of people. That's reassuring.

"What are we going to do from here? You have a plan, right?"

"Yeah. Well... I'll draw it."

While the carriage was swaying, I decided to talk with Laocles.

"Is that okay?"

"Yeah. ...If I'm going to make drawing my job, I'll have to draw things I don't want to draw... "

Laocles looked a bit worried, but yeah, it can't be helped.

What else could I do to save people there? Someone else might have done something, but there was no guarantee. So, it couldn't be helped.

"What are you going to do after you draw it? Are you just going to hand the dragon over to them and be done with it?"

And I don't think it will end there. They'll probably come up with some reason to keep me at the Gioren family's residence. I can kind of imagine that. But...

...When the dragon appears, things will change drastically.

"Um... When I brought out Fey, it wasn't that big at first."

"...The dragon?"

"Yeah. It was about as tall as Fey's house."

I remember. The dragon was so big it seemed to reach the sky. But for some reason, it had shrunk and was with Fey.

...Yeah. In other words.

"...I was drawing it in an underground cell, and the ceiling collapsed."

"...Hey."

Laocles had a look that said, 'I see.'

"...You're planning to draw it inside their house?"

"Yeah, I think it's fine even if I do."

The Gioren family doesn't know the initial size of the red dragon. If they assume the size of the dragon Fey has now, they won't complain about drawing it indoors. So, as a last resort, 'the dragon's head will break through the ceiling.'

"...Since I said that earlier, I won't stop you."

"Yeah, thanks."

"In that case, how will we escape?"

"I think Laocles can make the dragon you summon a familiar."

When I said that about the escape plan, Laocles looked surprised.

"...Me?"

"Yeah. Fey said there would be a problem if I made it my familiar."

When I said that, Laocles looked like he remembered and had a pained expression.

"But... me, a familiar of a legendary creature? That's a nasty joke."

"Is it?"

I think it suits you.

"What if I don't do that?"

"I think Fey will come."

"...Have you discussed it with him?"

"No, but the Gioren family came in such a flashy way..."

At that, Laocles nodded.

"The Redgard family has a reason to act independently of you."

"Yeah."

Well... I think it will work out somehow.

If I bring out the dragon, the ceiling will collapse, and it won't just be about me. If Laocles makes the dragon a familiar, we can escape on it. Even if not, Fey and Fey's father should be able to do something. Not for me, but for a more legitimate reason.

"...By the way, did you think this through before you rushed out?"

"About half of it."

To be honest, I thought about the escape plan just now.

"...But I think this is the best way. The Gioren family is the kind that will attack even if you refuse. So, I think they have to look up at the sky through the hole in the ceiling and think. Besides, this gives us a chance to save that woman."

The Gioren family attacked like this after I refused, so I think this was the only way. Or was there a better way to refuse?

"That woman... Interlia, right?"

But because that woman was there, I think this was the right choice, even if it made Laocles look so complicated now.

"Interlia... is a slave. Me too, and her too."

"Yeah."

"It was a situation where we should have ignored her and let her die."

"Really?"

When I asked, Laocles sighed deeply and then muttered,

"...I don't think your actions were wise. But I am grateful."

After that, we arrived at the Gioren family's mansion after about half a day.

After chatting a bit with the guards, I learned that the Gioren family's mansion isn't far from the Redgard family's mansion.

Apparently, it spans other territories, but the distance isn't that great. The Redgard territory has a large forest in the middle, so the mansion is on the edge of the territory. That's why it's even more so.

...To imagine it, it's like moving in a straight line from Shiga to Nara, with Kyoto in between, but the distance isn't that great.

"We've arrived."

"Ah, thank you."

I got out of the carriage with the help of the guard. (I think I could have gotten out without help, but the guard wanted to help me.)

In front of me was a mansion made of chocolate brown, cocoa brown, and occasionally biscuit-colored bricks. The roof was orange, and the window frames were painted white, giving it a stylish impression.

...It looks like an orange and chocolate cake. The color scheme makes me a bit hungry.

"Finally. What a terrible journey."

From the carriage next to us, Santos and his guards got out. Then, I could see Laocles' female colleague getting out of another carriage. That's good.

"...Good, you're all here."

"Yeah."

Santos looked at me with a slightly worried expression. Is he afraid of me? If he is, that's also a relief.

"Then let's go. Father is waiting. ...Hey, you guys, get back to your posts."

When Santos said that, the guards scattered. Some went to the gate, while others ran back into the mansion.

...And among those who went back, there was Laocles' female colleague.

"Hey, Interlia Bels! Where are you going!"

"...I was originally Cornelia's guard."

The woman, Interlia, turned around and said. From her expression, she didn't seem very loyal.

"You're different. Come here. You'll return to Cornelia after the contract with this one."

But she had no choice but to obey. Interlia returned to a position a bit away from Santos.

"Good. Then let's go."

And we entered the mansion.

"Ah! You came!"

"Yes."

The lord of the Gioren family looked pleased to see me.

I came here of my own will, which seems to make him even happier. Yeah. That's right. I came here of my own will. I came to the negotiating table of my own will, not under threat.

...So now, a knife isn't being held to my throat, and I'm not being heavily guarded. Yeah. This is a bit of a big gain.

"So, does that mean you're willing to summon a red dragon for our family?"

"Well... if I don't, you'll keep committing crimes, won't you?"

Even when I said something a bit sarcastic, the lord's smile didn't waver. It seems he doesn't care even if he's doing something terrible.

"Alright. Then let's get to the contract. ...Of course, this is a one-time contract. We can consider a continuing contract with the Gioren family later. But we need the red dragon urgently."

...I see. They have some reason to hurry. That's why they resorted to such rough tactics.

Yeah. I'll keep that in mind.

Then, the contract was brought out.

Unfortunately, I can't read, so I listened to the Gioren family read it out while observing Laocles. Yeah, it's really good that he's here.

"First, we want you to summon a red dragon. In return, you will receive a reward. Is that okay?"

"Um... does it have to be a red dragon?"

And from the start, I interjected.

"If there's another creature as rare and valuable as a red dragon, I'd prefer that."

I wanted to decide in advance not to bring out the red dragon. It's not about being loyal to Fey, but I don't want to bring out too many red dragons. For some reason.

"...What do you mean by a creature as rare and valuable as a red dragon?"

"I'll decide after thinking about it. I'll confirm before bringing it out. Is that okay?"

When I asked, they couldn't really object. The lord and Santos confirmed with each other and agreed.

...They wanted the 'status and fame' that comes with the red dragon, not the dragon itself, so it's fine even if it's not a red dragon. Yeah. I knew that.

"Next, you will summon a red dragon... no, a magical beast equivalent to a red dragon for the Gioren family."

"Huh?"

Can't it be for Laocles?

"Meaning, we want you to summon it with a member of the Gioren family present. ...If you summon it and it escapes, that's a different story."

Ah, they're worried about the dragon or something escaping. I see. That's... a bit unexpected.

"Is that okay?"

"Well... yes."

I can't help but nod. I hope the creature I bring out becomes Laocles' familiar...

"Ah, are you worried that the summoned magical beast won't obey us? Don't worry. We have the finest magic stones. They should be able to tame any magical beast."

...Well, even in the worst case, if the familiar finds a place it likes and settles there, that's fine too...

"And finally, the reward."

"Okay."

The reward. The Gioren family looks like they don't care much about this, but it's the most important part for me.

"The reward will be whatever you want. However, since this is so much trouble, we'll make it a success fee. How much? How much do you want?"

The lord of the Gioren family said this with a full smile.

That smile seemed to be saying, 'We can pay whatever amount you want,' and also, 'It's interesting to see how much you'll ask for.'

...But my request is set.

"I don't want money. I don't want the staff or gems you've offered before. Instead, I want the guarantee of my and the guard's freedom and safety, a promise not to cause any more trouble for me, the Redgard family, and the custody of Interlia Bels."

When I answered, everyone from the Gioren family looked surprised.

"Wha... me? Me?"

"Yes."

The most surprised was definitely Interlia Bels herself. I didn't have time to consult with her, so I'm sorry.

"...You like Interlia Bels that much? Or... hmm, if you want her as a slave, there are much better slaves available."

"I want her."

"But..."

They're hesitant. I can't blame them. They probably don't want to give up the leverage to threaten me in the long term.

...But I'm not backing down here. If I do, it will be meaningless to have come this far.

At that moment,

"...Huh. You still don't get it."

Laocles opened his mouth with a slight laugh.

When I was wondering, he... grinned. It was a rather scary expression.

"My lord is not bound by any contract with the Redgard family, a rootless wanderer."

Yeah. A rootless wanderer.

"Indeed, that's true. That's why with the Gioren family..."

"And you are outlaws."

Their expressions froze.

"Outlaws have their own way of fighting. You've proven that. ...But if you fight in a way that doesn't follow the law, we are prepared for that too."

"We have no backing. That means we don't have to worry about anyone behind us. ...Do you understand the meaning?"

The moment Laocles said that, the Gioren family's faces turned pale.

...I didn't make the contract to act like this, but yeah. It was useful.

That's right. Someone with nothing to lose is strong.

I can collapse the ceiling of this mansion without caring about the Redgard family's reputation. That's what it means.

"If you try to threaten us in the future, we will become your enemies. If this contract ends here, it's better for both sides, isn't it?"

When Laocles said this and pressed them... the Gioren family looked at each other... and then nodded.

...And so, the contract was made.

I will summon something as rare as a red dragon. I will summon it in front of the Gioren family, for the Gioren family.

And as a reward, I will get our safety and freedom, and in addition, custody of Interlia.

This contract is a bit different from the original plan... but I think there are many ways to handle it.

After making the contract, we confirmed the written agreement and signed it. (I signed with the script from my original world. It surprised them a bit.)

...After that, we were led to our workspace.

And I was led underground.

"The ceiling is unexpectedly high."

That was the first thing I noticed.

...We've been going down a