Chapter 77

It was late at night when I climbed onto Hestia's back and headed for the town.

I could see that the number of people on the streets had decreased, and we were able to land without any commotion.

"Sorry for making you carry me."

"No problem. This kind of rehabilitation as a dragon is important."

Hestia, who had taken human form, easily lifted the large wooden box filled with apples and carried it into the store.

"By the way, are you feeling better?"

"Well, even though I've been the one to beat you up and entrust you with battles against monsters, I've been a bit worried because I've seen you sleeping a lot lately."

"Hmm, I'm already fully recovered. I can engage in full combat."

"No, you don't need to. There won't be any opportunities for that."

If you were to engage in full combat, the place where you fought would turn to ashes.

"Hmm, just in case, I'll keep my strength in reserve."

"Thanks for that."

I think it would be good if you could use it in an emergency, but I hope such a time never comes.

"However, it's much easier to move around when Hestia coats me."

"Is that so?"

When we were packing up, I accidentally met a townsperson and scared them. So this time, Hestia also applied a coating to suppress my magic.

"Well, some people jump up when they sense strong magic. To prevent that, the coating is important. I also put a lid on myself."

Hestia really is the considerate type. Thanks to her, there haven't been any troubles in town, which is a good thing.

However, even she couldn't avoid some problems.

"Seeing a white figure, I thought it was you, Lady Hestia~!"

"It's late at night, and here comes a troublesome person..."

In the darkness of the night, Anne, carrying a large bag, ran over, drooling.

"Scary, can I use fire or something at full power?"

"Stop that in the middle of the town."

I'm scared too. Anne is beautiful, but when I see that expression, she looks like a monster.

"Hehe... Lady Hestia, it's been so long~"

Hestia, who no longer resists being hugged, carries the apples with a dead fish look.

"Oh, how cold, Lady Hestia! But, such neglect... is also... good...!!"

"Hey, Anne. It's late, so keep your voice down, okay?"

"Ah, y-yes, Daichi-sama. I just couldn't control my excitement... Hey, what's this? I can smell Lady Hestia's magic from Daichi-sama..."

Anne, still hugging Hestia, slowly approached.

"Does magic have a smell?"

"No, it's tasteless and odorless, but I can sense it because I'm used to Lady Hestia's magic."

"Okay, I don't understand, but your eyes are scary, so please don't come any closer."

I hold my face and keep my distance.

"Oh, I can smell Lady Hestia from your hands—Is this a magic coating...?"

"Can you tell that... Hey, stop licking my hands!"

Since it's getting dangerous, I take Hestia back and keep my distance.

"Oh, how cruel..."

"Your tastes are the problem."

"Ugh... thank you..."

Hestia, who was fondled in the large breasts, is now limp.

"Well, the fatigue from staying up all night is gone thanks to Lady Hestia's components, so it's good."

"Staying up all night... I see, you have dark circles under your eyes."

Looking closely, there was something clearly visible on Anne's face, even in the darkness.

"Well, with the festival just a few days away, I worked hard and stayed up for three days to prepare the items."

"Yeah, I understand that feeling. When you focus on making something, you feel like you don't need to sleep."

Hestia and Anne nod in agreement.

Why do they get along so well in this aspect? Is it because they are dragon kings?

"So, Daichi-sama, what are you selling in this store?"

"Oh, well, it's apple juice. You know, the ones that grow at my place."

"Can you sell them to people? I thought they were infused with magic..."

"I diluted them, so I think it's fine. Hestia and the adventurers have given their approval. ...Here, try it."

I hand over the apple juice, which I was told was safe by Sakura and Dianea. She carefully examines it before taking a sip.

"I see... It's like a potion that works for hangovers or fatigue from lack of sleep. This makes sense."

She nods with a normal expression.

Good, it seems the energy-boosting effect is gone.

If Anne doesn't attack Hestia, it must be completely gone.

"Um? Why are you looking at me strangely? Did something happen?"

"No, it's good that nothing happened."

"?"

"Anyway, Anne, what's in that big bag?"

I've been wondering about the large bag Anne has been carrying on her back.

"Oh, this? These are medicines and magic items I was planning to deliver to Dianea-sama."

"Are you going to the castle now?"

"Yes. ...But, we're meeting in front of the castle. It's not a place you can easily enter at night, so we plan to teleport with Dianea-sama."

Hmm, that's convenient.

"Then, can I come with you?"

"Yes, it's fine, but do you have something you need to do?"

"I have a question."

"Understood. Let's go together. ...What about Lady Hestia?"

"I won't go."

Ignoring Anne, who collapsed to her knees, Hestia turned to me.

"I'll wait here. Call me if you need me."

"Alright, let's go, Anne."

"Ugh, Lady Hestia... Can I hug you again sometime...?"

And so, I ended up going to the front of the castle with Anne.