Chapter 60

"Rara... the Mustard Dragon..."

"I don't know, but doesn't it sound like it?"

"Indeed..."

I nodded slightly and pondered.

There is no concrete evidence that Rara is the Mustard Dragon.

For now, it's all based on Colette's associations.

But, there is a possibility.

Dragons are more "pure creatures" than humans.

And the essence or instinct of living beings lies in survival and reproduction.

Given that Rara's claws increased in speed when absorbed by a dragon person, it is highly likely that they are remnants of the original Baraul.

Relics—and, the offspring.

The purer the creature, the more likely it is to leave offspring before dying.

And that offspring is surely a child who can connect to the "future."

In that sense, Rara is likely to be the Mustard Dragon that connects the original Baraul.

"Indeed... There's only circumstantial evidence, but I think it must be true."

"Yeah... I see, that child..."

"Hmm?"

I was curious about Colette's reaction.

She was the one who brought it up, yet she seemed deep in thought and had a complicated expression.

"Colette, is there something else bothering you?"

"Huh? No, nothing! I'm not thinking anything just because she can have children."

"Hmm..."

Colette hastily denied it.

She must be hung up on the fact that Rara can have children, but what is she worried about?

Even as she denied it, Colette kept glancing at my face.

What... is going on?

☆

Two days later, I returned to Persolon from Manno War.

The journey was slow with Colette, a Mushushu, who, despite being slow-footed, doesn't slow down when carrying cargo.

We slowly made our way back from the bustling "almost city" to the former estate, which is essentially a rural area.

Lately, I've started to feel more at ease here.

"Daddy!"

As I entered Persolon, a young voice called out, and Rara came running with a rapid thud of footsteps.

From the other side of the path, I could see the small Rara charging at me at high speed.

Still a child, but she is of the original Baraul.

With incredible speed, she rushed over in an instant.

I caught her in my arms, but lost my balance and fell backward.

"Welcome back, Daddy!"

Rara climbed on top of me and started licking my face.

A common form of affectionate skinship among young dragons, driven by strong instinct.

"Ah, I'm back. How have you been?"

"Yeah. Daddy, let's play? Let's race."

"That's a bit much, thanks."

I said this while petting Rara's head.

In this regard, there wasn't much difference between human and dragon children.

Both would play with all their might and then suddenly collapse as if they had fainted, just like that.

Added to this childlike nature, Rara, being of the original Baraul, was incredibly fast.

It's simply impossible to keep up with her.

I thought for a moment.

"Instead, show me how fast Rara can run. How quickly can you circle Persolon?"

"Okay, I got it!"

Rara nodded and dashed off like the wind.

"She's fast... If I'm even a little late, I won't be able to catch up."

"Why? You're faster, right?"

"True, I'm faster as a dragon person, but if I tried to catch up now, it would take about ten seconds to catch up."

"Oh..."

Colette was taken aback.

That's right.

I can catch up as a dragon person, but it takes about ten seconds to close the gap with Rara, who has already taken off.

And my dragon transformation consumes a tremendous amount of energy.

If it takes ten seconds, it's almost as if "I can't catch up."

"Well, it's a challenge."

"I can do it."

"Hmm?"

"I can handle five dragon eggs on my own."

"Is that so? Thank you."

I petted Colette.

I petted her more firmly than I did Rara.

Meanwhile, Rara, who had gone far away, turned around and came back at an incredible speed.

I braced myself to catch her properly this time.

But Rara applied the brakes suddenly halfway.

The sudden stop from top speed was impressive, but more importantly, Rara was looking at me with a wary expression.

No, she was looking behind me.

I turned around.

At the entrance to Persolon, a princess and a carriage I hadn't seen before were there.

The princess had waited for the unknown carriage and was slowly approaching us.

"Princess Cyril"

"What's going on? Who is that?"

"I'm sorry. It's a merchant who insists on meeting Princess Cyril."

"A merchant. Ah, so they've come to plead their case."

"Yes, what should we do?"

"Do you know what they want to talk about?"

"No. It's a big deal, and they insist on speaking directly with Princess Cyril."

"I see."

A big deal that requires a direct meeting with me.

"Alright, I'll hear them out."

"Thank you."

Perhaps because she wasn't "Jeanne" in public, the princess only nodded slightly and turned to head back to the carriage at the entrance.

☆

In the living room of the house.

I was facing the princess and the old man she had brought with her.

The old man, dressed in fine clothing, had a kind smile on his face.

"It's an honor to meet you. I am Pierre Gounon."

"I am Cyril Larouche."

"I've heard much about you."

"That's fine, but what do you want? If it's important enough to insist on meeting the princess—"

"Excuse me. The dragon you were playing with earlier."

"You mean Rara?"

"Could I see that dragon again?"

"Why?"

"Please."

"Hmm..."

I thought for a moment.

I looked at Pierre, trying to read his intentions.

I couldn't sense any malice, but I couldn't tell what he wanted.

Even if he did, Pierre's body was that of an ordinary old man.

If he tried anything with Rara, I could stop him by transforming into a dragon person while in the same room.

"Alright."

I nodded and stood up.

I opened the window and called out loudly.

"Rara? Are you there, Rara?"

After a while, Rara came running.

I leaned out the window to face her.

"Daddy"

"Come here for a moment."

"Okay, I got it."

Rara nodded and made a small jump.

I leaned further out and caught the jumping Rara, bringing her into the room.

Then, I returned to where Pierre and the princess, who had been silent, were waiting.

"Is this the one?"

"May I observe for a moment?"

"Sure."

I placed Rara on the table.

Rara looked at me anxiously, so I petted her to calm her down.

Pierre observed Rara closely.

He took out a magnifying glass from his pocket and examined her carefully.

"Oh... This is indeed a Mustard Dragon, and an original one at that!"

"Hmm?"

"Is the information from Gigu correct?"

"What do you mean?"

I raised my guard and asked Pierre.

Pierre hurriedly answered.

"My apologies. I received information from a man named Gigu, with whom I do business. He overheard a conversation between you and someone at the front of a shop."

"Hmm..."

I frowned.

"The content of the conversation was that you, Cyril, possess a Mustard Dragon."

"I see."

Indeed, I had talked about it with Colette in front of the shop.

If it was overheard... it was my fault.

"Let me be straightforward. Could you part with this child?"

"What?"

"I have a million reels here. Of course, they are church notes, but I can provide cash if you prefer."

"Refused."

I answered immediately.

There was no need to think about it.

"Hmm, then two—no, five million, how about that?"

"!"

As Pierre raised the offer, the princess, who had been silent, gasped.

Five million was a large sum even for her, a member of the royal family.

But.

"Refused. I have no intention of selling."

"Please, I am prepared to meet your price—"

"It's not about money."

"Hmm?"

"Do you know about me?"

"Of course, you are the one with the most momentum—"

"What's the name of my guild?"

"Guild name? Why—ah!"

Pierre seemed to realize something and gasped.

"Would you come to 'Dragon First' and expect to buy a dragon with money?"

"..."

Pierre bowed his head quietly.

"I apologize for causing you discomfort with my rash actions."

"It's fine if you understand."

"Yes, I will take my leave for today."

With that, Pierre stood up.

By saying this, he wasn't giving up.

In an instant, a white light pierced my mind.

I blurted out the words that came to me.

"Just so you know, if anything happens to Rara—this child—I'll be the first to come after you."

"Why?"

"Because I'll assume it was a forced abduction."

"But I—"

"It's just a precaution."

"Precaution..."

"Yes, a precaution. I'll check all the possibilities, and you'll be the first."

"..."

"I hope it doesn't come to that."

"..."

Pierre bowed to me with a face like he had bitten into a bitter pill and left the room.

The princess also stood up.

"I'm sorry, Princess Cyril, I didn't expect it to be such a conversation."

"It's fine. It was a legitimate business proposition."

"Really, I'm sorry... But, Princess Cyril, why the threat? Gigounon is a trustworthy merchant."

"I know. He's a big player, right?"

"Yes..."

"So, I need you to be a wall."

"A wall?"

"Yes, by saying that, he won't act himself, and if he hears of any moves to take Rara by force, he'll try to stop them to avoid implicating himself. If I come after him, there will be physical damage, and rumors will spread that he tried to take the dragon by force because his business failed."

"Oh... I see!"

The princess clasped her hands and opened her eyes wide with a smile.

"Truly, Princess Cyril! You didn't waver at all, even with five million reels. You're amazing!"

I smiled back.

I thought, just a little, how incredible the Mustard Dragon must be.