Chapter 46

"..."

"Jeanne?"

After leaving Lindwurm, we had been walking for a while when Jeanne suddenly stopped.

I also stopped and turned around to see Jeanne with a thoughtful look on her face.

"What's wrong? Did something happen?"

"Sorry, Sir Cyril, I just remembered something urgent."

"Urgent?"

"Yes. So, would it be alright if I take my leave today?"

"Of course, that's fine."

Jeanne is a member of my guild, 'Dragon First,' but she is actually a princess.

As a princess, she must have various official duties—though I don't know the details, I'm sure she does.

Joining the guild is more like a hobby for her, and her duties as a princess are undoubtedly more important.

"Is there anything I can help with?"

"Thank you, Sir Cyril!"

Jeanne said with a delighted look on her face.

"But it's fine. It's something I want to do, and it's not a big deal."

"Got it, see you later."

"Yes."

We moved to a secluded place, and I removed the disguise, returning Jeanne to her original princess form.

Then, after parting ways with Jeanne, I was alone.

"Well, should I go to Rose's place?"

Muttering to myself, I was about to return to my original errand. Before reaching the office, I passed by a dragon equipment store.

"..."

Seeing the dragon equipment store, my hand naturally reached for the 100,000 reals in my pocket.

☆

The next day, at the base in Persolone.

"This completes the construction."

"Ah, thank you."

"Then, we'll be going."

The four young men in work clothes bowed to me and left the base.

After seeing them off, I turned around.

In front of me was the dragon stable, where the dragons were outside.

Chris, Louise, and Emma were there.

Colette and the others were away on business.

'Is it okay now, Master?'

"Yes, the construction is finished. You can go inside now."

'What kind of construction was it? Those people seemed to be carrying some kind of soil inside.'

"Go inside and see. It's better to experience it yourself than to explain it."

'Hehehe, then I'll be the first one in.'

"That's not fair."

"It's first come, first served—"

"Ugh... I wish Colette were here for moments like this."

Chris entered the dragon stable first with the innocence of a child, followed by Louise, who was half-annoyed and half-disappointed, and Emma.

I followed them into the dragon stable and stood near the entrance, watching them.

Inside the dragon stable, at first glance, nothing seemed to have changed.

But.

"Oh... something... what is it?"

"Yes... something... is different."

Louise and Emma were confused.

"How does it feel? What do you think?"

"I, I don't really understand."

"Is it not good?"

"Not at all! It feels very comfortable. I don't understand why, but it's really nice."

"Yeah, what is this?"

"Hehehe, it's thanks to the soil."

"Soil? Oh, right."

"Is it because of the soil from earlier?"

Chris's words made Louise and Emma realize, and they both turned to look at me.

"Yes, I had the soil in the dragon stable replaced. It's called Bluegrass."

"Wh-What!? Bluegrass!?"

Emma exclaimed in surprise.

"You know about it, Emma?"

"Yes! It's the most expensive soil used for dragon stables. ...Sir Cyril, did you put Bluegrass in the entire stable?"

"Yes."

"Al-All of it...?"

"...Is it that expensive?"

Louise asked me hesitantly, looking at Emma's reaction.

"Roughly 20,000 reals."

"20,000!? Just for soil?"

"Yes."

"Hehehe, well done, my heart friend."

"Why spend so much on soil?"

"The dragons spend a third to half of their day in the stable. It's important to make a place where they spend so much time comfortable. Even if it costs a bit more."

"Oh..."

Louise and Emma were taken aback and then looked at me with expressions of gratitude.

"Indeed, it has no effect on me, but for ordinary dragons, it should have a high fatigue recovery effect."

"It's a relief to have your approval, Chris."

I smiled and said.

"Also, it's not just the soil, heart friend."

"Yes, you noticed."

"Hehehe, of course. I am the one and only supreme being. I notice changes in the environment instantly."

"Is there something else?"

Emma asked, surprised and hesitant.

"Yes, this."

I turned and looked at the wall above the entrance.

There was a crystal object attached there, which wasn't there yesterday. The crystal pulsed with light at regular intervals, like a heartbeat, flickering repeatedly.

"Oh, that wasn't there before."

"What is it?"

"A device called a Stayer."

"Stayer..."

"It maintains the air's magical energy concentration in the dragon stable at the most comfortable level for dragons."

"Indeed. The concentration of magical energy in the air is the same as when dragons were born. Humans have created such things, impressive indeed."

"You know the era better, so you're even more impressive."

I smiled and said to Chris.

"Hehehe, not really. You should praise me more."

"Yes, you are impressive."

I praised Chris generously because she is truly an impressive being and an impressive existence. Then, I turned to the two of them.

"I've tried to improve the living environment. How does it feel? Is there any discomfort?"

"No, not at all."

"Yes... it feels... very good."

"Then, that's good."

"Um... Sir Cyril, how much did the Stayer cost?"

"80,000 reals."

"80,000!?"

"Really!?"

"I had some extra money, so I decided to do something I had planned for later."

"Master..."

"Thank you... Sir Cyril."

The two of them looked at me with grateful expressions.

Seeing them so happy, I thought this would also make Colette and the others happy when they return.

It was worth the investment, I thought.

"You are even more impressive than I heard."

"Yes, that's the kind of person he is."

"Hmm?"

Suddenly, a voice came from behind me.

I turned around in surprise.

There was the princess and an unfamiliar old woman.

The old woman was calm but clearly dressed in high-quality clothing. The serene aura she exuded made it clear she was not an ordinary person. I turned and bowed to the princess first.

"Your Highness, I didn't know you were here. I apologize for not greeting you properly."

"It's fine, Sir Cyril. Let me introduce you. This is Countess Girard."

Countess Girard!

I was surprised and quickly bowed to the old woman—Countess Girard.

"I apologize. I am Cyril Arrows."

"Pleased to meet you, I am Clara, Countess Girard."

The countess smiled gracefully.

"Um... Your Highness, this is—"

"I alerted the countess to the situation."

"Alerted?"

"I have been doing business with Lindwurm for a long time."

"I see..."

I nodded vaguely.

There are many nobles who have long-term contracts with the Dragon Knights Guild, and these contracts provide a steady income for the guild.

"Then, I heard from the princess that Lindwurm is a terrible place."

"Eh? Ah, yes."

They must be referring to the incident targeting me.

"I thought it might not be a good idea to do business with such a place. If it's alright, could you tell me about Dragon First?"

"!!"

I was surprised.

This means... a change of allegiance.

The countess's business with Lindwurm... to us?

Ah... this must be what Jeanne remembered yesterday.

I looked at the princess.

"I am upset."

The princess smiled, but her eyes were serious.

"I don't intend to forgive them for something so trivial."

...Ah.

So, she brought the countess to weaken Lindwurm.

"Please tell me more."

The princess, smiling, exuded a sense of reliability and fear that I didn't want to have as an enemy.