Chapter 78

The night on the island of Arus was as bright as daytime.

We are now holding a welcome party for the newly added dragonkin.

Tables placed around the square were lined with all sorts of delicacies, including roasted meats and fish.

"Come on, come on, eat! There's plenty of food!"

When Serena's voice echoed, cheers returned. Mostly the squeaks of the ratmen.

"Wow, to be able to eat this much... I'm glad I became Lord Alek's servant!"

Tia, the ratman sitting in a chair, skillfully ate the fish with a knife and fork.

Yuri also skewered a piece of meat with her fork and said,

"It's become a given, but such delicious meat was unbelievable in the past."

"In the monastery, meat was rarely served... Huh?"

Tika also tried to eat the meat, but it seems Nate, who was sitting next to her, took it.

Ignoring the two who were arguing, Elysia smiled at me.

"All of this is thanks to Lord Alek."

"It's not just because of me. It's thanks to everyone's hard work."

I looked around the square at the servants. Starting with Elysia, a truly large number of servants had gathered.

We now have a guild in the capital and even a ship, and our business is on track. Things are really going well.

"At first, Arus felt so vast and eerie, but now it feels a bit cramped."

"We've really made a lot of friends."

Over a thousand people are here... And not just in Arus, but parties are also being held in other bases.

Sometimes drunk blue-haired people or ratmen wander through the transfer pillars to Arus, so it seems the parties are quite lively there too.

Serena's voice echoed again.

"Hey, hey, dragonkin! Your bottles aren't even empty! This is your welcome party! Drink more!"

At her words, the dragonkin, a bit hesitantly, raised their cups and continued eating.

More focused on the food than the drink... The dragonkin are eating more freely than I thought. They must have been hungry because they couldn't fish properly after the evil dragon's seal was broken. It might also be because they immediately fought alongside the other servants after joining.

Then, the beautiful woman with long purple hair, the dragonkin Lahn, bowed to me.

"Thank you so much for holding this welcome party for us. It's not exactly a thank you, but there's something we want Lord Alek to receive."

Lahn stood up and brought over a black robe and a cloth-wrapped object. Kneeling next to me, she first offered the black robe.

"This is..."

When I took it and checked, it turned out to be a black hooded cloak, not just a robe.

But it wasn't just any cloak. I could feel an unusual magical power from it.

"Could it be?"

"It's made from the beard of the Ancestor Dragon."

"But you just said the dragonkin would use it."

Lahn nodded.

"Of course, we will use it too. But we also want Lord Alek, who stands above us, to wear it. The Ancestor Dragon was a god-like existence to us."

They want me, their new master, to wear a part of this important being.

Not all of it, but a part... I'll accept it gratefully.

"...I understand. I'll take good care of it."

"Thank you! Please put it on now."

I took the cloak as she said and put it on.

It wasn't just for show; it enveloped my entire body. It was well-made to protect against rain and wind. Despite its sturdy construction, it wasn't heavy and felt very comfortable.

"Wow, this is great!"

"I'm glad you like it! ...Actually, Yuri made it for you."

When Lahn said this, Yuri looked at me with a satisfied expression.

"No, no, thank you for letting me use such an important heirloom. I'm glad it fits Lord Alek! I'm glad I asked Elysia."

Elysia, with a mischievous smile, made me feel a bit nervous.

"Of course, I know everything about Lord Alek... hehe."

Yuri, looking proud, continued.

"The dragon's beard couldn't even be burned by Serena's flames, so it should be very durable! Also, I wove in fine strands of mithril to make it a magical item. You can enchant it with your favorite spells."

Like "Invisibility" or "Dark Wall," depending on the situation.

"That's very helpful."

"If you grow taller, I'll adjust it. And that's not all, Lahn?"

Yuri couldn't contain her excitement.

"Yes. Here it is."

Lahn nodded and took out the cloth-wrapped object.

It was a sword with a strange shape, its blade elegantly curved when drawn from the sheath.

"A sword passed down among our dragonkin... I asked Yuri to recreate its form."

"Wow... amazing."

I took the sword and was captivated by its intricate patterns. It was more of a work of art than a weapon.

"And it's overflowing with magic... Could it be?"

"Yes. It's made from the horn of the Ancestor Dragon."

When Lahn said this, Yuri added,

"Like the evil dragon's horn, it can be processed. But compared to the evil dragon's horn that Lord Alek's... acquaintance gave us in Roburion, it took a lot of time... It was only possible because we had Serena, who can use powerful fire magic, to melt it."

"Indeed, it was a tough one. It was like the Ancestor Dragon in life."

At Serena's words, Lahn nodded.

"The Ancestor Dragon would be pleased. To be remembered as a strong opponent... Please use it, Lord Alek."

"...Thank you. But it's almost too beautiful to use..."

It's so beautiful I don't want to use it in battle...

Besides, I'm not very good with swords. And it's a bit too long for me, as I'm still a child.

"Then... would it be okay if Elysia uses it?"

"Me?"

"Yes. Elysia is skilled with swords and can make better use of it than I can. Of course, if Lahn is okay with it."

At my words, Lahn immediately nodded.

"Of course, I have no problem. The Ancestor Dragon would be pleased to be used by someone of Elysia's caliber."

"Lahn... thank you. I'll take good care of it."

I handed the sheathed sword to Elysia, who bowed to Lahn.

"With this sword, I will always protect Lord Alek."

"Thank you, Elysia."

I nodded and turned to Lahn again.

"Thank you, Lahn. I'll become a man worthy of this gift... Please continue to support me."

"Haha."

Lahn and the other dragonkin bowed to me.

Serena looked at the dragonkin and said with a cheerful voice,

"Having new friends is really great. I hope Lord Alek makes friends in Mireas too."

"Mireas is a place where people gather from all over the world. But it might be difficult to recruit servants. Since there's no tuition, fewer people struggle with their living conditions."

"That makes sense. But I'm sure Lord Alek will find like-minded friends. Mireas has been known for its academic freedom since my time."

Mireas is still known for its international and tolerant atmosphere. It's rare for a human country to accept demon students.

"Indeed... I'm looking forward to it."

Before the reset, I wanted to go to Mireas but couldn't. Now, I can finally go.

I've heard there are people knowledgeable about the dark emblem. Depending on the person, I might be able to reveal my dark magic abilities and learn more about it.

Since the demon inside me has completely fallen silent, I have to feel my way through...

Serena addressed everyone,

"While Lord Alek studies in Mireas, we will continue to develop Arus! We'll also start investigating the Tialus province on the mainland!"

"There are supposed to be other magical ores besides mithril. I'm looking forward to it."

As Yuri said, there should be more magical ores in the Tialus province. It's also important to continue investigating and developing the mainland.

"I'll help too. If I can use the 'Transfer' spell from Mireas, I can stay in Arus."

"That's very kind of you, but please enjoy your student life! Leave the governance of Tialus to this governor, Serena!"

At Serena's words, Yuri nodded.

"You might even find a future wife."

"It's a bit early for that, Lord Alek..."

Lahn said this.

Good... Lahn seems to have common sense.

But Elysia looked at Lahn with a glare.

"Lahn, you're not thinking of becoming Lord Alek's wife, are you?"

"N-no! Well, when Lord Alek grows up, there's a possibility, of course."

"Possibility... You wouldn't use that word if you didn't have ulterior motives."

Elysia leaned in close to Lahn.

Yuri said with a bemused look,

"Really, saying such things. Didn't you say Lord Alek has a crush?"

Elysia nodded, looking a bit pleased.

"Yuris? I don't really have any feelings for Yuris..."

It's true that I'm concerned... After all, I made her my fiancée. Her recent actions have been unexpected.

Elysia, looking very interested, asked,

"While we're at it, can you tell me more about Yuris?"

"Well, there's not much to say..."

Before the reset, there wasn't anything special between Yuris and me... In fact, after receiving the emblem, we had no contact at all.

But Elysia and the others looked at me with a knowing smile.

"There's really nothing... What about you guys? Anyone you like in the capital or Roburion?"

"We only have eyes for Lord Alek!"

Elysia and the others said in unison.

They weren't joking or flattering; their eyes were serious...

"Well, someone will come along eventually... For now, everyone, start eating. We bought all this delicious food. It would be a waste not to eat it."

At my words, the servants around me responded with enthusiasm.

The welcome party continued late into the night. The dragonkin mingled with the other servants, making Arus even more lively.

And the next day.

The Mareas, carrying me, finally set sail from the capital to Mireas.

The next chapter will be Chapter 3: Mireas!