Chapter 64

The next morning, I boarded the same carriage as last night, riding alongside Charles.

Colette was also loaded onto a cart and, under heavy guard, headed to the destination with Charles.

I glanced outside the carriage and asked Charles,

"Is it always this grand?"

"Mr. Arrows, have you ever seen a dragon's egg hatch?"

"No, I haven't."

Charles, who had returned my question with another question, clearly understood the situation from yesterday.

This man isn't the type to do something without a reason.

So, while answering his question, I waited for what he would say next.

"Dragon eggs can hatch at any time."

"Isn't that true for all animal eggs?"

"Even within the same species, some eggs have hatched in just a few minutes, while others have taken over a year."

"..."

I could feel my eyebrows twitch.

I had been thinking in terms of bird eggs, which usually hatch within a few weeks, give or take a few days.

So when I said "that's about it," I was thinking in those terms, but what Charles said far exceeded my expectations: "It's impossible to know when they will hatch."

"Ah..."

"Is something wrong?"

"No, I was just thinking about the dragon we have at home."

I suddenly remembered Rea.

Rea had hatched next to the remains of what seemed to be a parent dragon, where the claw had fallen.

The fact that the body had almost completely decomposed, leaving only the claw, suggested that a considerable amount of time had passed before Rea hatched.

This became clear to me because we could communicate.

Dragons have emotions, and quite strong ones at that.

Parent dragons, especially those of the original species, would want to see their eggs hatch.

The randomness of when they hatch is likely the reason this doesn't happen.

"I see. By the way, there are no signs of an egg hatching until it actually does."

"That sounds tough."

"Yes, it's like a marathon with no finish line in sight."

"I see..."

"During this time, the egg must be protected constantly. It could take a long time, and natural disasters could occur, or people who were once allies could turn into enemies and target the egg."

"That... sounds tough."

I repeated the same words, this time with more emotion.

"Moreover, it's very expensive."

"Yes."

"That's tough. It could even make you go bald."

"That's why we want to take every possible precaution."

Charles smiled.

Despite the serious nature of the conversation, he still seemed to have a certain level of composure.

I thought, he's definitely a big shot.

"So, I would like to ask for your help, Mr. Arrows."

"I understand the situation, but I can't stay permanently."

"Of course, we understand. We would be grateful for whatever help you can provide."

"I see... I understand."

After being treated well since yesterday, I decided to do my best to assist.

☆

The next day, after spending the entire day in the carriage, we arrived at our destination.

Dragon City, Saint Simon.

A city as famous as the capital, Northern Taste, and one of the most well-known in the world.

However, it was different from what I had imagined.

From a distance, the city looked as if it were built for giants.

The streets were wide, and the buildings were large.

While all cities had been built with some room for dragons since they became more involved in human life, Saint Simon was on a different level.

Everything seemed to be built for dragons.

"Wow, it's huge."

"Yes, it's a city where the world's top earners gather."

"Ah, I see."

The term "top earners" caught my attention, but I understood.

Charles's request was to guard a Master Dragon's egg.

I don't like that kind of expression, but it's a fact that Master Dragons are valuable.

A city where many Master Dragons gather, or are brought together.

"Are most Master Dragons in Saint Simon?"

"Yes, I think about 70% are here. However, there are some Master Dragons that have no connection to this place."

"I see."

That makes sense.

As we continued, the carriage entered Saint Simon.

It was a strange place.

The city was beautifully constructed, with grand streets and buildings.

However, due to its massive scale, it felt empty.

It didn't give the impression of being prosperous.

As we continued, we came to a particularly imposing area.

It looked like a sudden ranch in the middle of the city, surrounded by a line of guards.

Looking closer, I could see more guards in the back.

"Is that it?"

"Yes."

The carriage moved forward.

The guards naturally became alert, but they relaxed when Charles showed his face and we passed through.

The carriage and cart stopped in front of a huge building, which looked like a dragon stable.

Charles got out first and gave me a slight bow.

"Please."

"Sure."

I got out of the carriage.

"Hey, can I get out too?"

"Sure."

When I nodded, Colette also got out of the cart.

She stretched her body, looking uncomfortable.

"This is unnecessary. It's easier to walk."

"Got it, I'll tell them later."

"Thanks."

"Mr. Arrows, this way, please. Your dragon as well."

"Sure."

I nodded and entered the dragon stable with Charles.

"Wow."

The inside of the dragon stable was even more heavily guarded.

There were about thirteen skilled men, each in a different position, guarding the area.

The guards were not just vigilant; they were hostile.

The hostility was so intense that it made me hesitate to enter.

"Ugh, I don't want to be in a place like this..."

Colette's comment reflected the intensity of the hostility.

The object being guarded was a pedestal in the center, with an egg on top.

Because I was brought by Charles, the guards didn't immediately act, but they continued to be on high alert.

I ignored them consciously and asked Charles,

"Is that it?"

"Yes, it's a Master Dragon's egg."

"Can I take a closer look?"

"Sure, go ahead."

Charles said this.

I walked over to the Master Dragon's egg.

"..."

I frowned.

As I approached the egg, the pressure from the guards became more intense.

Even though Charles had given permission, they were still wary, thinking I might do something.

I steeled myself and ignored them, approaching the egg.

The first time I saw a Master Dragon's egg, it was...

"Pretty normal, huh?"

"Eggs are like that."

"Hey, I really don't like it here. Can I wait outside?"

"Sure, go ahead."

"Call me if anything happens."

Colette left, and I watched her go.

I couldn't blame her; the pressure was that intense.

I, too, would have wanted to escape from this pressure if I could.

The feeling was like being in a very hot bath, with the heat reaching up to my shoulders.

The moment I entered, it felt like my toes were being pricked by needles. It wasn't unbearable, but I wanted to get out immediately.

That's the kind of pressure I felt.

Just as I was thinking about how to deal with this pressure—

"What? Are the dragon and the human talking?"

"Huh?"

"Hey, human over there. Can you understand what I'm saying?"

"Are you talking to me?"

"Communication established! Hey, get all these people out. It's making me feel sick, and I don't want to hatch."

"..."

I frowned.

Could it be... because of this?

"Is something wrong, Mr. Arrows?"

"Charles."

"Yes?"

"Can you have all the guards leave for a moment?"

The moment I said this, the pressure increased even more.

"Ahh!"

A small scream came from inside the egg.

"Why?"

"If everyone leaves, the egg will probably hatch within a minute."

"..."

"What's your basis for that?"

"You didn't interrupt me and Colette when we were talking on the way here."

"..."

"It's the same thing."

"Even at the egg stage?"

"I'm surprised too."

I looked at the Master Dragon's egg, not expecting it to be able to communicate at this stage.

"I see... I understand. Let's trust Mr. Arrows."

Charles said this and then told the other guards,

"Everyone, please step outside for a moment."

The guards, though reluctantly, followed Charles's orders and left one by one.

After everyone had left, a short while later—

Crack.

The eggshell broke, and a beautiful sound echoed.

"Really!?"

"Charles, please come in and take a look."

I thought this would be safe.

The egg had said it was the pressure from the guards that was the problem.

With only Charles, it should be fine.

Charles nodded and rushed in.

Then,

"Wow, it's really hatching!"

An excited voice came from inside.

Charles, still excited, came out and stood in front of me, taking my hand.

"Thank you, Mr. Arrows! Thank you so much!"

He expressed his gratitude quite strongly.