Chapter 47

"Um... what do you mean by that?"

Feeling a bit perplexed, I asked the countess to clarify.

"What kind of deal are you talking about? I hope it's something I can do."

To be honest, the scale of the organization is far different from Lintvurm. If this deal requires organizational power, I won't be able to handle it.

That's why I asked, feeling a bit troubled.

"Please rest assured, there are no oversights."

The princess said from the side.

"It's nothing that Sir Cyril can't handle."

"Hmm..."

I felt a bit skeptical about whether I could trust her. The princess has a high opinion of me. If this is due to an overestimation, there's a possibility she might bring me a request I can't fulfill.

In that case.

"It's fine."

Reading something from my expression, the princess leaned in and whispered in my ear.

"I've chosen something that will definitely deal a blow to them."

Despite being somewhat intimidated by the princess, I found myself convinced. The clarity of her purpose was persuasive and reassuring.

I regained my composure and turned to face the countess again.

"Please, tell me more."

"Yes, first, take a look at my child."

"My child?"

"Over here."

The countess turned and started walking. She led us out of the dragon stable and toward the entrance of Persolone.

I followed the countess out of the dragon stable—then I saw a dragon.

It was one of the larger ones among the smaller species, but to be honest, the size didn't matter.

I was captivated by its beauty the moment I saw it.

"This is..."

"Hmm, a Ladon species. This is quite rare," Chris said, poking his head out of the dragon stable.

"A Ladon species, you mean?"

"Indeed, you know about it."

Though I was asking Chris, the countess picked up the conversation.

"Yes, it's a Ladon species."

"Ladon species."

I marveled as I looked at the dragon.

The Ladon species. While many dragons are used by the Dragon Knight Guild for their "power," the Ladon species is unique in that it doesn't have any particular power.

That said, they are still dragons, and their specifications are higher than those of humans and other creatures. However, among dragons, they don't have much power.

In exchange, the Ladon species has a distinctive feature that no other species can match.

It is—beauty. The Ladon species dragon standing before me was beautiful.

There is an animal called a peacock, which is a symbol of beauty, but even the peacock would look like an ugly duckling compared to a Ladon species.

That's how beautiful the Ladon species is.

The Ladon species dragon was standing still, staring at me.

"Oh..."

I noticed a bit late, but the Ladon species dragon had rings around its neck and four legs. They were collars and leg cuffs.

"What do you think of my child?"

The countess asked.

"Huh? Oh... yes. Yes, it's very beautiful."

"Hehe, isn't it? It's a pride of our family."

"Our family?"

"Many nobles keep Ladon species. There's a trend to see the beauty of Ladon as a symbol of the family's power."

The princess explained from the side. I see.

I don't know much about the Ladon species yet, but it's the same for humans and dragons. Maintaining beauty requires a significant cost. That cost is a symbol of the family's power.

"Hehehehe, what an interesting trend. It's common in fully matured and decadent cultures."

Chris laughed and commented from behind. I couldn't ask for details with the countess present, but I got the gist of it, so I let it go.

"Um, what about this child?"

"Until now, we've been asking Lintvurm to take care of and maintain this child."

"I see."

The word "maintenance" caught my attention, but I decided to let it slide.

"Can you take over that for us?"

"I see."

I nodded again. I glanced at the princess.

The princess smiled and looked back at me. I see, this is something I can do without organizational power.

As the princess said, it seems she chose a pretty good job for me.

I thought for a moment and then said to the countess.

"Can I touch this child for a moment?"

"Sure."

The countess glanced at the princess, who nodded slightly.

"Of course, feel free."

With the princess as a guarantee, she agreed readily.

I approached the Ladon species child and spoke in a low voice that the countess couldn't hear.

"My name is Cyril Arrows. What's yours?"

"A vase has no name."

"That's sad."

"...Hm?"

"To say that so definitively about your situation."

"Do you understand my words?"

"Yes."

"Hehehe, that's my friend. He's a rare and capable human."

Chris backed me up from behind. The Ladon species child was a bit surprised.

"There are humans like that."

"I think you've heard about me. How about it, can I take care of you?"

"Are you asking me?"

"Lintvurm might be better for you."

The countess's Ladon species must have been treated very specially by Lintvurm. It's unlikely they were mistreated or forced, and they might have built a trusting relationship with the dragon knights there.

In that case, it might be better not to force my way in, even if it means disappointing the princess. I don't like Lintvurm, but sometimes it's better to let things be, given the circumstances.

That's why I asked.

The Ladon species child answered quietly, without expression.

"Either way, I'm just a bird in a cage, bound by chains."

"Do you not want to be bound?"

"We are a weak species. There's no other way to survive except by being bound."

"..."

"Besides, these bindings can't be broken by any dragon except the largest species."

"You mean these collars and leg cuffs?"

The Ladon species nodded slightly.

I looked at the rings. They were faintly glowing, indicating a magical effect.

Bound and resigned.

"..."

I thought for a moment and made a decision.

"Transformation."

I muttered and transformed into a dragon person. I felt my strength rapidly draining.

"Sir Cyril!?"

The princess was surprised. I didn't have time to explain. I forcibly removed the collar and leg cuffs from the Ladon species, using the strength of my dragon person form to tear them off.

There was a sound of something magical shattering along with the rings.

"What are you doing?"

The countess was shocked and exclaimed.

I returned to my human form and faced the Ladon species.

"You can move freely now."

"..."

"Try doing what you want."

"---!!"

The Ladon species child took off, spreading its beautiful wings and flying into the sky. It circled and soared in the air.

It was playing. I could feel it.

No doubt, it was playing. It was like a horse set free in the wild.

Seeing this, I was certain of one thing. I looked up at the sky, feeling confident.

"What are you doing?"

The countess asked in a reproachful tone. I turned my gaze from the Ladon species in the sky back to the countess and answered.

"You'll see soon."

"What do you mean?"

"Trust Sir Cyril."

The princess backed me up. The countess seemed to accept it, thinking, "If the princess says so..."

After about three minutes, the Ladon species child, after playing in the sky, returned to the ground and landed in front of us.

"Phew, that was fun."

"I'm glad."

"I'm grateful. I must thank you."

"Don't worry about it. But—beautiful, you are."

"Hm?"

"How about it, Countess?"

I turned to the countess. The countess was surprised by the Ladon species child.

"This... this is..."

"Beautiful, don't you think?"

"Y-Yes. But, what happened?"

"Dragons shouldn't be locked in rooms and chained."

I wasn't sure, but I was confident that the room—was probably like that. That's why I said it.

"Dragons are most beautiful not in rooms, but outside."

"Outside..."

"I see! As expected of Sir Cyril."

The countess murmured, and the princess nodded in agreement, moved.

"But... no."

The countess seemed unconvinced again but swallowed her words when she saw the Ladon species child standing there.

Of course. The child standing before us was far more beautiful than a few minutes ago.

"You're right. I'm sure you are."

The countess nodded, smiling at me.

"Indeed, you are someone who meets the prince's standards."

"I'm flattered."

"I hope we can have a long and fruitful relationship."

"Thank you."

I said and bowed my head quietly. It seemed the countess was satisfied.