Chapter 33

A few days later, I returned to the town of Boalser, went to the town hall, and met Rose there.

When I proposed that I had something to discuss, Rose led me to the inner reception room.

Inside the reception room, I sat facing Rose alone.

"What is it, this talk of yours?"

"I want to set up a base in the suburbs."

"Hmm."

Rose widened her eyes slightly and looked at me with an expression that said, "That sounds interesting."

"Have you come this far already?"

"Yeah, I have a medium-sized phoenix from Chris—Her Highness, and the number of dragons has increased to five. I feel the city is too cramped."

"I see."

Rose nodded in agreement.

It's not unusual for the Dragon Knights' Guild to have a base outside the city. In fact, once they reach a certain scale, it's more common to do so.

Once medium and large species are involved, they simply can't fit in the city.

So it was only natural for me to consult about setting up a base in the suburbs.

But that's not the real reason.

The real reason is to cultivate Galian.

With Yui joining, we can now hide the cultivation site, but even so, if we were to start now, it would look like a home garden in the yard.

It's a risky bridge, and if we're going to cross it, there's no point in doing it half-heartedly. So, I want to set up a base in the suburbs and use a large piece of land for cultivation. The people at Nealko Fort are probably there for the same reason.

"I understand. But it will cost a considerable amount of money. Is that okay?"

"How much will it cost?"

"Rather, how much land do you need?"

"Ah..."

Of course, I thought, and considered. I couldn't just say I wanted to cultivate Galian, so I had to think of a different way to express it.

"Probably as much space as a large species wouldn't feel stressed in."

"In that case, it would be about the same size as a military fort."

Rose nodded and said that. I was satisfied that the image I conveyed was well hidden.

"In that case, it would cost about 500,000 reals per year."

"Is it that much?"

"All the land in the country belongs to the king."

Rose shrugged.

"Even in the suburbs, this is the usage fee."

"I see..."

500,000 reals is completely out of the question.

"By the way,"

"Hmm?"

"Aren't you close to Her Highness? Why don't you ask her for help?"

"...No, it's fine."

I shook my head.

This matter is essentially the illegal production of Dragon Tears.

I don't think it's wrong to resist the one-sided convenience of the authorities, but I don't want to involve Her Highness.

"Is that so?"

"Yeah. Thanks, Rose. I'll think about how to raise the funds."

"Sure, come to me anytime if you need to consult."

I said, "Thank you," and stood up to leave the town hall.

☆

I returned home.

In the dragon stable, I faced the dragons.

Since we were inside the house, the dragons were all in their true dragon forms, not the human forms created by illusions. The illusions don't affect their bodies, but the difference between appearance and actual sensation makes them feel a bit off. Hearing this, I thought that the dragon form was better after all.

"Let's try growing one from start to finish."

I said this while looking at the Galian seeds in my hand.

Setting up a large piece of land in the suburbs will take some time, but I want to experience the entire cycle from Galian seeds to the final Dragon Tears.

"Yui,"

"...What?"

Yui, curled up in a corner of the dragon stable, raised her head.

"I'm going to plant this outside. When it sprouts, I'll need you to hide it."

"Understood."

"Friend, there seem to be few seeds, don't you think?"

Chris asked.

"Yeah, it's more like a test. I'll plant one or two to see if they grow from seeds to the final Dragon Tears."

"I see, then it would be better to plant them inside the dragon stable."

"Inside the dragon stable? Wouldn't they not get sunlight and not grow?"

I'm not very familiar with Galian, but I know it's a plant, and plants need sunlight to grow.

"Hahaha, that's not a problem."

"Is it not a problem?"

"Yes, just watch."

Chris said this, straightened from his usual lying-down position, and produced a burning fireball from his chest.

It was a small fireball, but it illuminated the dragon stable with a light far beyond its size.

"Th-this is..."

"The Phoenix's flame is the flame of regeneration, the flame of life."

"The flame of life..."

"Crops will grow without any problem."

"Really!? That's amazing!"

"Hahaha! Indeed, for I am the Phoenix!"

"Wow, that's really amazing."

I was amazed.

If what he said is true, crops can grow indoors. And without "night," they will grow twice as fast.

"Ah, but,"

"What is it?"

"Isn't it hard for you to produce a flame strong enough to grow crops?"

"...Hahaha!"

After a moment of confusion, Chris became even more cheerful and laughed even louder than his usual hearty laugh.

"Interesting, very interesting!"

"What? What is it?"

"Have you forgotten, friend? I am the only and immortal being."

"I know that."

"In the past three thousand years, you are the only one who has worried about me, asking if it's not hard."

"Mu..."

Is that so?

"That's because, Master is kind to us."

"Dragon First!"

"Indeed, that's true. Don't worry, friend. Producing flames is as natural to me as breathing is to humans. This flame requires no more effort than straightening my back when I sit."

"That sounds tiring, but I see."

In other words, it's fine.

"Then... I'll leave it to you, Chris."

"Indeed, leave it to me."

Chris accepted it with a calm demeanor. With this, I can now secretly cultivate Galian = Dragon Tears in a two-step process: "indoors" and "hidden."

I hope it goes well.

Just as I was thinking this,

"Excuse me!"

"Hmm?"

A woman's voice came from outside the front door of the house.

"It seems we have a visitor."

"Seems so. I'll go see."

I went up from the dragon stable and entered the house. I went straight to the front door and opened it.

There—Her Highness was standing.

"Her Highness? What's the matter?"

Behind her, a carriage was parked, and the horses and driver were panting and sweating, clearly having rushed here.

"Let's go inside, shall we? It's not good to talk here."

"Yes!"

Her Highness nodded with a smile and entered the house. I led her to the reception room.

Since it was Her Highness, I showed her to the seat of honor and sat facing her.

"Um, is there some business?"

"You're being evasive, Sir Cyril!"

"Huh?"

"I received a message from one of the town officials. They said you need land for a guild base."

"Ah, well..."

I nodded ambiguously and smiled slightly. Did Rose contact Her Highness?

"Since it's a large request, I thought it might be too much of a burden."

"That's why you're being evasive!"

Her Highness said strongly, looking at me with a resentful gaze.

"It's about the land, right? We have plenty of land, so I can give you as much as you need!"

"No, it's not that simple..."

I thought, but Her Highness leaned forward with a strong gaze and said,

"I want to be of service to you, Sir Cyril! I'll do anything for you."

"Anything?"

I was surprised.

Is she really that serious?

"Wow... Master is amazing to make the princess say that."

"Hahaha, my friend, this is only natural."

From the back of the dragon stable, the dragons' enthusiastic reactions could be heard.