Chapter 58

The next day, when I arrived at the government building, I was led to a different room.

It was a luxurious room located deep in the third floor of the building, the kind that makes you think "VIP room" the moment you step inside.

"Please wait a moment."

The government building staff member who guided me here bowed deeply and closed the door carefully, making sure not to make a sound, before leaving.

"Hmm?"

I tilted my head and sat down on the sofa in the middle of the room.

"Wow, it's so soft."

The moment I sat down, I could tell it was a high-end sofa, stuffed with plenty of cushioning. I became even more confused.

I just came to see Rose as usual and ask, "How's work?" But instead, I was led to this VIP room and felt quite perplexed.

"Excuse me."

"Huh?"

The door opened with a click, and a young woman entered. She came in with a respectful demeanor, placed a cup of tea in front of me, and left with the same respect.

I took a sip of the tea. It tasted expensive.

Not only the room but the treatment also felt VIP.

Just as I was wondering what was going on—

"I kept you waiting."

Finally, Rose appeared. As usual, she came into the room and sat opposite me.

"Sorry for keeping you waiting."

"No, it's fine... but what's going on here?"

I looked around the room.

"Why did you bring me here?"

"I just gave you the treatment befitting a one-star dragon knight."

"Oh..."

That's it.

"Is it really that different?"

"Yes, it is."

Rose nodded clearly. I understood that this was how it worked.

"So, what about today?"

"I came to get a job. Didn't you get a lot of requests before? I thought there might be something I could take on."

"That's what I thought. But there isn't anything right now."

"…Huh?"

I was taken aback.

"No requests… what do you mean?"

"Most of the clients have withdrawn their requests."

"Withdrawn? Why?"

"Because you became a one-star dragon knight."

"…???"

I tilted my head. Why would becoming a one-star dragon knight make clients withdraw their requests?

"A reasonable client would know their place. They would think, 'This isn't the kind of request for a one-star dragon knight.'"

"Is that so?"

"Would you go to a royal supplier and ask for a piece of bread?"

"…No, I wouldn't."

I smiled slightly. Rose's example was extreme, but I understood her point.

Indeed, that's how it is. When the other party is famous or important, you feel hesitant to make small requests.

"Is that the level of a one-star dragon knight?"

"Yes."

"…Hmm."

I rubbed my chin, thinking.

"What's wrong?"

"Does that mean, in the future, I'll get bigger requests instead?"

"Exactly. That's what it means."

"I see."

I nodded and made a small fist pump in my heart.

This was something I had been thinking about since the beginning of my exile and independence, something I had been trying to achieve.

Accepting Catherine's request was also part of this plan, to build connections and hope for bigger requests.

The surge of designated requests to the government building was the partial realization of this plan. And now, becoming a one-star dragon knight, the plan is fully realized.

I secretly felt happy about achieving the goals I set in the early days.

So—

"Because of that, I'm sorry, but there are no requests I can mediate for you right now."

"I understand."

—Today's trip was completely in vain, but my heart was light.

☆

I said goodbye to Rose and left the government building.

"Master!"

"What kind of job do you have today?"

Louise and Emma, who had been waiting outside, ran up to me. We almost bumped into some passersby, but their high dragon physical abilities allowed them to avoid any collisions as they came to stand in front of me.

"There's no job. Let's wander around and find somewhere to eat before heading back."

"No job? Why?"

"Because I became a one-star dragon knight, and all the small jobs disappeared."

I first told them the result and then explained the details. I translated what Rose said into my own words for them.

At first, they were puzzled and confused, but as I explained, they began to understand and even got excited.

"That's how it works."

"It's because Sir Cyril is amazing, right?"

"Well, if it's about being famous, then yes."

"Indeed, Master."

They looked at me with even more excitement.

"Since that's the case, let's find somewhere to eat something delicious and go back."

"Yes!"

"Sure!"

I led them, thinking about where to go. As I walked, I thought—

"Listening to Master's story, I realized something."

"Right, the way people look at Master is different."

"What do you mean?"

I came back to my thoughts and asked them.

"The people in the city are looking at Master differently."

"Looking at me?"

I looked around, and it was true. Most of the people in the city were glancing at us.

The looks were mostly friendly. I wondered why.

"Hey! Are you Sir Cyril?"

"Uh, yes—"

I stopped. Louise and Emma also stopped, standing behind me.

The two boys who called out to me were about 10 years old.

The boys were looking at me with shining eyes.

"We're fans of Sir Cyril!"

"Can we have your autograph?"

"Ah, sure."

I was a bit confused but shook hands with the boys.

"We want to become dragon knights like Sir Cyril in the future!"

"Ah..."

From confusion to understanding. Listening to the boys, I understood.

Now, being a dragon knight is at the top of the "dream job" list for children.

And because I became a one-star dragon knight, they approached me like this.

This is typical of children.

The requests disappeared because the clients were adults.

But children don't understand such subtleties and don't care. They approached me purely because I was an amazing dragon knight they admired.

I found the two boys endearing.

"Hey! How do you become an amazing dragon knight like Sir Cyril?"

"Can you tell us?"

"Let me think..."

I thought for a moment, crouched down, and made eye contact with the boys. Then, with a serious face, I said:

"There's only one thing to remember: treat your dragon with care."

"Treat your dragon…"

"With care…"

The boys looked at each other and repeated my words.

"Right, a dragon is an important partner. Those who can treat their important partner, the dragon, with care can become amazing dragon knights."

"Really?"

"Got it! I'll treat my dragon with care!"

"Ah, good luck."

I said this and patted their heads. The boys, who had their heads patted by their admired dragon knight, left happily.

I watched the boys' backs and murmured:

"This might be the happiest moment so far."

"Huh?"

"What do you mean, Sir Cyril?"

The two dragons standing behind me asked.

"Changing adults' minds is not easy, but if you instill it in children from a young age, they can grow up that way. If more children admire me, eventually the 'Dragon First' stance will spread."

It might take a long time, but the possibility of this happening made me the happiest I've ever been.

"…You really are Master."

"Yeah, you haven't changed at all, even after becoming so important. That's amazing."

"It's the most important thing."

I said this and led them, looking for a place to eat something delicious.