Chapter 70

The next afternoon, I was wandering around inside the Persoron.

Without any particular purpose, I walked around, enjoying the warm, sunny weather.

Next to me, Chris followed along with a leisurely gait.

"You've made quite some progress."

"Yeah."

I nodded in response to Chris's words.

We had planted a large number of Galian on the farmland that was originally an estate.

Galian is the raw material for Dragon Tears fragrance.

The Galian was growing well and was almost ready for harvest.

"I should do something to thank Yui."

"Are you going to give her a gift?"

"Yeah... I have nearly 4 million reals. I should be able to buy most things."

"How about serving her a homemade meal?"

Chris said this with a teasing tone.

I smiled slightly.

"I'd do anything if Yui asked for it."

"Hahaha, well, she's not that kind of girl."

"Yeah. I'll ask her later."

"That's fine, but are you not going to use the Heart Friend for yourself?"

"For myself?"

"Yes."

"Hmm, I don't really need anything."

"Is that so?"

"Yeah... But maybe I should keep some cash on hand. If something happens and I need to help a dragon, having cash on hand would be useful."

I said this with a slight smile, having just thought of it.

I prioritize "Dragon First," but others don't.

Most people only see dragons as tools, so they expect problems to be solved with money.

I have no intention of selling dragons for money.

...I would never do that.

But I would buy dragons with money.

I think it's the smartest way to resolve issues if money can solve them.

"In that sense, I do have something I want."

"Hahaha, you are indeed a Heart Friend."

"Don't tease me too much."

"If you don't have anything you want to buy, how about expanding your business?"

"Expanding my business?"

"Yes. Right now, you mainly deal in Dragon Tears fragrance and the mining of the tsundere girl, right?"

"Yeah."

"Since Dragon Tears fragrance can't be openly traded, shouldn't you consider getting into a legitimate business?"

"Hmm."

I pinched my chin and thought.

Indeed, that could be a possibility.

I thought further.

I stopped and thought deeply.

If I were to start a new business now, what should I do?

"Maybe... dragon tools?"

"Dragon tools?"

"Yeah. The dragon tools that provided the trigger for the 'evolution' of the dragon form. What do you think about trading those?"

"I see."

"But it seems difficult."

"Why?"

"I did some research after that. The Dragon Vectors needed to create dragon tools come in several types, like animal and plant types, but they are all monopolized by three guilds."

"Hmm, that's interesting."

"It's a hassle in such cases."

I smiled wryly.

Chris laughed with genuine amusement, but to me, it seemed like a lot of trouble.

"No, it's interesting."

"Huh?"

I turned to look at Chris.

I looked up at her face.

Chris emphasized "interesting," which made me wonder if there was something more.

"What do you mean? Interesting?"

"Yes."

Chris looked around and then spotted Rea running around inside the Persoron.

"Hey, kid, come here."

She called out to Rea.

Rea, who was called, made a sharp turn and ran over to us, stopping right in front of us.

"What?"

She looked up at us with an innocent, carefree expression.

Chris extended one of her claws and poked Rea's head a few times.

"..."

"..."

"..."

Chris said nothing, just staring at me intently.

Is something wrong with Rea?

---

"Y-You don't mean...!"

I was taken aback.

A white lightning bolt shot through my mind.

I asked Chris hesitantly.

"Is there something like an original species for Dragon Vectors...?"

"Yes."

Chris nodded clearly.

"..."

I was shocked.

I was so surprised that my thoughts froze for a few seconds.

However.

"No, that makes sense. I heard there are animal and plant types. The shell of Rea's egg was being 'eaten' by the animal type."

Several pieces fell into place in my mind.

"If that's the case, there should be wild, original species like dragons, right?"

"That's right."

"And—"

I looked at Chris.

I stared at her with a confident gaze.

"You know about them."

"Hahaha, you are indeed a Heart Friend."

Chris looked up to the sky and laughed with uncontrollable amusement.