Chapter 34

Three days later, I was alone with the princess in the outskirts of Boalser.

Strictly speaking, the princess's carriage and attendants were waiting about a hundred meters away.

In that state, the princess and I were looking at the "ruins" in front of us. I wanted to establish a base in the outskirts, and the princess wanted to lend her strength to that, so she brought this piece of land as a candidate.

"Would this be suitable?"

"What kind of place was this originally?"

"The records say it was an abandoned manor."

"A manor, so there are fields, right?"

"Yes... but I hear they are now completely overgrown."

"Of course."

The princess, looking apologetic, nodded clearly. As I nodded, I started walking and entered the ruins. The princess followed by my side.

Walking inside, I thought it was perfect. A manor is like a "village" operated by nobles.

Ordinary villages belong to the villagers, but manors are the property of the nobles. The villagers pay taxes to the lord from their harvest. In contrast, everything harvested in a manor belongs to the nobles, who in turn pay wages.

Despite these minor differences, there is one commonality: this is a place for growing crops.

For my purpose of cultivating Galian, a manor is an extremely convenient location.

"The buildings... are mostly decayed, aren't they?"

"That seems to be the case. I'm sorry, I wanted to prepare something immediately usable, but it couldn't be done right away..."

"No, this is a huge help."

"R-Really?"

The princess looked at me with surprise.

"Yes, the buildings and facilities are mostly decayed, but look, this broken water wheel, the fallen bridge, the warehouse. These facilities can serve as references for where to place things."

"I see..."

"It's much easier than starting from scratch—thank you, Princess."

"——!! I am honored that Sir Cyril likes it!!"

The princess was deeply moved by my gratitude.

"Still, can we really use this place?"

"Of course!! Please use it as you like!!"

"I see. Then first... we need to clear the land."

"Clear the land, you say?"

"Yes. I can ask Chris, but I can probably do it myself."

I said this and looked around. Looking at the ruins of the former manor, I started evaluating what could be useful as a reference and what could be discarded.

Then, I extended my arm and pointed my fingers.

In the next moment, I shot nine fireballs from my fingers. The fireballs hit the unnecessary buildings one after another, setting them ablaze.

"Sir Cyril? What is this...?"

"It's faster to burn what we don't need. Fortunately, there's no forest nearby, so this is quicker."

"I see!!"

The princess nodded in agreement.

"Still..."

"What?"

"The fire is incredibly intense..."

"It's a skill I can use thanks to my contract with the Smei species, Emma. Since I also have a contract with Chris, I feel the fire is stronger than usual."

"Is that so!?"

"Probably."

I said this without being entirely sure. I couldn't compare it to before I contracted with Chris, but when I shoot the nine-fingered fireballs, I often feel that the contract with Chris is reacting in some way. If the fire is more intense than usual, it's likely due to the contract with Chris.

The Phoenix species, dragons called the children of the gods, who regenerate from fire. It makes sense that the fire's effects would be generally enhanced due to their influence.

I burned the unnecessary buildings one by one with fireballs, leaving those that needed to be rebuilt in place.

Then, I also set fire to the overgrown fields.

"The fields too?"

"Yes. This will kill weeds, pests, and their eggs. It also improves the soil quality."

I'm not sure of the exact science, but that's what I've been told.

"I didn't know... Sir Cyril is so knowledgeable."

The princess looked at me with admiration. Her intense gaze was both comfortable and embarrassing.

As I walked with the princess, I continued burning unnecessary things.

Suddenly, as we passed a stream flowing through the manor, I noticed the princess's expression reflected in the water. She looked unusually somber.

I stopped and turned to the princess.

"What's wrong? Is something the matter?"

"Huh? No! I'm sorry! It's nothing!"

"It didn't look like nothing... Tell me what's wrong. If there's anything I can help with, I'll do it."

"No, really, it's fine. Just... I wish I could be with Sir Cyril."

"With me?"

I tilted my head, puzzled, and looked back at the princess.

"Yes, as a member of Sir Cyril's guild... I thought so, but the people around me won't allow it."

"Is that so?"

"Yes... They say it's fine to be a patron of the Dragon Knight Guild, but actually joining would lower my status."

"I see..."

Status, huh. That's a tricky issue.

If what she said is true, I can rely on her support, but the sadness and loneliness she feels will never be resolved.

It's... painful to see.

I don't care about the likes of Rintvurm, who exiled me and look down on dragons, but I want to do something for someone like the princess who has been kind to me. As I thought about what I could do...

"Ah."

"What's the matter, Sir Cyril?"

"Princess, just stay still for a moment and close your eyes."

"Huh!?"

"It'll be quick."

"Um... Yes..."

The princess looked around, blushed deeply, and closed her eyes. After closing her eyes, she tilted her face upward, toward me, and puckered her lips for some reason.

"..."

I cast a skill on the princess, the power to change appearance from my contract with the Garguille species, Yui. This skill, which can make dragons look human, also works on humans.

The princess, who was the epitome of a princess just a moment ago, transformed into a completely different person. She was still a beautiful girl, but her face and clothing were entirely different, almost unrecognizable.

"Alright."

"Sir Cyril?"

"You can open your eyes now."

"Huh? ...Yes."

The princess, confused, cautiously opened her eyes and looked at me with a puzzled expression.

"Um... Sir Cyril?"

"Check your reflection in the stream."

"Ah... Huh!?"

The princess, as instructed, looked down at the stream. Her sad expression from a moment ago turned into one of shock.

"This... is..."

"It's a disguise skill. It can completely change your appearance."

"You can do this...? Impressive, Sir Cyril."

"With this, you can join the guild as a different person. What do you think?"

"——!"

The princess was taken aback. She alternated her gaze between her reflection in the stream and me. Her face was one of joy at the new possibilities presented to her.

"It's like a more exaggerated version of going incognito."

"R-Really, is it okay?"

"Yes, if you're okay with it."

"I will! Please let me join! I beg you!!"

The princess said this with such enthusiasm that she clung to me.

"Alright, I'm glad. Then, I look forward to working with you, Princess."

"Yes! I look forward to working with you."

"Since that's the case, calling you 'Princess' in this form isn't appropriate. We should think of a different name."

"You're right—no, you're right. ...Um..."

"Hmm?"

"Can you give me a name, Sir Cyril?"

The princess, slightly stumbling, changed her word choice and asked.

"Me?"

"Yes! Please! I want a name from Sir Cyril!"

"Alright. How about... Jeanne?"

I suggested a name that was far from her original princess image.

"Yes! Thank you!!"

The princess was greatly pleased.

And so, the princess, now known as Jeanne, joined the guild.

"By the way... what was that face just now?"

"Huh?"

"It looked like a kiss face—"

"N-Nothing!!"

"Huh?"

"My lip was bitten by a mosquito. It was a bit itchy."

"Ah..."

Jeanne was desperately trying to explain. It didn't quite make sense, but... oh well.