Chapter 72

Leaving Persolon, we walked along the road.

This was a sort of "branch" of the main road.

It was a small path slightly off the main thoroughfare.

Since Persolon had been an abandoned estate for a long time, the branch road connecting to the main road was not well-maintained and was quite bumpy.

The three of us—Jeanne, the human; Chris, the dragon—were walking together on this road.

As we walked, I recounted to Jeanne the story of the Dragon Vector that Chris had told me.

Jeanne listened quietly, nodding from time to time, and when I finished:

"Is that the Vector Origin?"

"Vector Origin?"

"Yes, I believe... the three major guilds that monopolize the manufacture of dragon artifacts eliminated the Dragon Vector from nature after obtaining it."

"Oh, that's it... So, they not only monopolized it but also deliberately eliminated the original source?"

"Yes, that's what I've heard."

"Is that so..."

I furrowed my brow.

Monopolizing it... I could understand that as a business strategy, but to go as far as to eliminate something that already existed... I could understand the logic, but it still left a bad taste in my mouth.

Well, getting angry about it here wouldn't change anything.

I switched my focus and turned to Jeanne.

"Anyway, that's the situation. Chris knows about this Vector... Origin? So, we're going to follow Chris's lead to get it."

"That's right. Truly, you are the child of the gods."

"Hehehehe, yes, indeed! More praise would be appreciated."

Chris laughed heartily.

Jeanne looked at Chris with even more admiration.

Despite the fact that they couldn't understand each other's words, their actions somehow always seemed to sync up.

"Still, it's impressive that you managed to gather all this information."

"Yes! I studied a lot about dragon knights to be of use to Sir Cyril!"

"Is that so?"

"I gathered a lot of information too!"

"How did you do that?"

"From the royal merchants who frequent the palace. They were all happy to share their knowledge."

"I see."

I nodded in understanding.

Of course, information would gather like that.

Royal merchants and a princess in the palace.

They weren't business rivals, so the princess would have been told anything she asked.

"Hehehehe, indeed, it's worth a thousand pieces of gold."

"Huh? What do you mean?"

"The information a merchant has is the most valuable thing among the goods they possess."

"I see."

"The more prestigious and larger the merchant's business, the more valuable the information they have."

"I see."

"Um... What are you talking about with Sir Chris? ...Did I do something wrong?"

"No, nothing like that, Jeanne—"

"Stop it."

Chris interrupted me as I was about to explain the mechanics of the merchant relationship.

"Chris?"

I looked at Chris in confusion, and Jeanne also looked at Chris with a worried expression.

"I know you want to tell her, but don't. She'll get more information from merchants if she doesn't understand the value of it. Once she knows, she'll start to act differently."

"But, that's—"

"Hehehehe, my dear friend, this is a matter of intuition. She wants to be praised for the information she brings you. It would be a shame to take that away from her, wouldn't it?"

"Mmm..."

Chris might be right.

I looked at Jeanne again.

Jeanne—the princess.

I agree with Chris's assessment. She's not the type to play mind games.

It's probably better for her not to know the value of the information.

And I can see that she wants to be praised for bringing it to me. It's like a puppy chasing a ball, fetching it, and bringing it back.

...Chris is right.

It's better not to tell her.

Just as I was thinking of a way to deflect, Chris extended his front paw and gently patted Jeanne's head with his claw.

"Ah..."

Jeanne visibly relaxed.

Even though they couldn't understand each other's words, Chris's gesture was clearly one of praise. Without any explanation, Jeanne felt relieved.

"Hehehehe, a reward for working hard for her dear friend."

"Even for a princess, you shouldn't say 'worked hard for me.'"

"Human status and rank mean nothing to me."

"Indeed."

I smiled slightly at Chris's casual dismissal.

"Still, she must really like you."

"Well, I did save her life."

"Hehehehe, it's not just that."

As I wondered what else it could be, Chris, who had been patting Jeanne's head, suddenly changed direction and pushed her back.

"Kyaa!"

"Whoa!"

Pushed by Chris, Jeanne lost her balance and fell into me.

I caught her instinctively.

"Ah..."

"Are you okay?"

"Y-Yes... I'm fine."

Jeanne blushed and turned her face away, looking embarrassed.

"Hehehehe, it's like a human springtime, isn't it?"

"No, that was because you pushed her."

"Hehehehe."

Chris didn't argue and continued to laugh heartily.

It made me feel like he was saying, "I know, I know."

"..."

As I watched Jeanne, who was still blushing and looking at me, I started to wonder, "Is it really like that?"