Chapter 44

### Evening. In the office of the castle in the capital city.

There, Dianea was receiving the envoy from the Armed City.

"Nice to meet you. I am Anne Taidora, the deputy commander of the Armed City's headquarters."

However, the envoy, as it were, was just one young woman.

Moreover, she was one of the top-ranking officials in the city, which took Dianea by surprise.

"Um, is the envoy just you?"

"Yes. It's more convenient this way. Please take care of me."

She stepped forward, her black hair and large chest swaying, and extended her hand.

"Ah, welcome from the Armed City. I am Dianea Medison, the representative of this city. I hope we can work together, Lady Anne."

As Dianea shook her hand, Anne smiled.

"Hehe, as expected of the second princess, a great mage, Lady Dianea. You have such soft hands."

"Oh, yours are quite firm. You seem reliable."

"That's because I'm from the Armed City. Our bodies are our capital."

Anne smiled seductively.

...I didn't expect the top official of the Armed City to be such a beautiful woman.

I had heard from rumors that the personnel at the headquarters had changed recently, but this was unexpected.

However, because of this, Dianea was on guard.

Especially about her coming to the capital at this timing.

"By the way, why did you come to the capital, Lady Anne?"

When she asked, Anne's eyes seemed to change color.

"Yes, I heard a rumor that you had tamed a white dragon."

"Oh, that rumor is out there too."

"Upon hearing that, I couldn't sit still and came to verify it. Is it true?"

Her tone was serious.

It didn't seem like she was just saying it for the sake of formality, but in any case, the answer was already decided.

"That is a completely baseless rumor."

"Is that so? ...What a pity."

Anne visibly showed her disappointment.

"Pity? Did you really want to defeat the Dragon King?"

The Armed City is also exposed to the danger of the Dragon King. Perhaps she wanted to know the real reason for the defeat.

"...No, I wanted to meet the White Dragon King."

"The Dragon King? That's an unusual interest."

"Hehe, I'm often told that. But of course, he wouldn't be here, would he?"

Her voice sounded both disappointed and relieved.

She must have some thoughts on this.

"However, the capital has overcome multiple dragon attacks. I would appreciate it if you could share your knowledge on that."

"Hmm. I see..."

Since they had sent reinforcements recently, it was only natural to return the favor.

Dianea understood this.

Honestly, sharing information about dragon countermeasures wouldn't hurt at all,

"I heard that even Lady Dianea alone has defeated a dragon in the Magic Forest. I want to know how. If possible, I would like to learn on-site."

...Ah, this is a troublesome request.

It sounds like she has other motives.

I don't know if she has noticed the land with magical power or not, but what should I do?

"Hmm..."

"Um, am I asking for too much, Lady Dianea?"

Anne asked with a troubled look.

"No, it's not that, but I don't recommend it. You know the forest is full of threats, right?"

"Yes, that's why I need to know. Don't worry, I'm quite strong. My main job is selling items, but I can use offensive spells as well."

Anne rolled up her sleeve and flexed her muscles.

Indeed, I felt her strength when we shook hands, and she must be quite capable.

However, that's not what I'm worried about.

...I need to think about Lord Daichi more.

No matter what this woman's intentions are, I can't take her to where he is.

I'm afraid she might cause trouble and make him angry, and I don't want to cause him any inconvenience.

Therefore, the actions I can take are limited.

If she insists on entering the Magic Forest,

"Alright. I understand. I'll guide you through the Magic Forest. We can discuss dragon countermeasures there as well."

"Really!? Thank you so much!"

"However, it's too late today, so let's start tomorrow morning."

"Yes, thank you very much!"

Anne smiled happily. Ah, this is good.

I'll introduce her to a harmless place and teach her how to deal with harmless monsters, and that will be the end of it.

Dianea's plan was set.

Now, I just need to make it work.

●

At night, a corner of a tavern in the capital city was occupied by bald men.

"Cheers! This isn't enough!"

"Here's a refill!"

"Cheers! Great job! Ah, I feel alive..."

The men emptied their mugs and refilled them again.

The leader with the bald head was drinking the fastest.

"You're drinking fast, Leader."

"Yeah, I've been on edge for a few days since we were beaten by that guy who looked like the lord of the earth. It's a reaction, I guess."

"Cheers! You weren't scared. You were trembling with admiration."

The adventurers looked at the leader, who was spitting out beer foam, with a mix of amusement and exasperation.

"Cheers! ...But, even if you put me aside, that guy is amazing. He didn't give us a single chance to win, even when we drew our weapons. And we're among the top adventurers. Yet, he let us go. That's a big heart."

"That's true."

The adventurers agreed.

"He didn't take anything from us, even though we were his enemies. He's nothing like those rotten holy knights who strip people."

"Such a strong and kind person is rare. There have been strong people before, but I wouldn't think of opposing him."

"Cheers! Even if he told us to move for him, we'd probably do it."

The adventurers' drinks progressed, fueled by the atmosphere of the battle.

The conversation turned to the cause of the recent battle.

"Still, who was that black-haired, big-breasted lady who gave us the information? She gave us money after we reported it, which is paying for our drinks today."

"I've been an adventurer in the Armed City for a long time, but I've never seen such a sexy lady. I was surprised to find out she had become the deputy commander."

"I've seen her around the outskirts of the city. She had a suspicious shop selling sturdy but oddly shaped weapons."

"Wow, so she was scouted from there and ended up there. Maybe she's not from the Armed City."

The adventurers tilted their heads in thought, but when new drinks and snacks arrived, those thoughts flew away.

"Cheers! Let's put the difficult stuff aside. We only have a few more days in the capital. Let's sightsee and drink and eat as long as the money lasts!"

"Sure!! I'm with you, Leader!!"

And the night in the capital city deepened.