Chapter 58

Here is Chapter 4.

Three months have passed since the tumultuous Imperial Comprehensive Martial Arts Tournament. Summer had also arrived in this country.

In my dorm room with the windows wide open, I sat on the bed and scanned the letter that had arrived.

"Is it from the people of that mansion, Seika-sama?"

Yuki, perched on my shoulder, looked down at the letter and asked. It seems she still couldn't read the script here.

"Yes."

I nodded.

"It's from Father."

"…It feels strange to hear Seika-sama call that young man 'Father.'"

"Don't say that. Blaze has done a lot for me."

Especially, getting a private room for nobles in the dormitory. It's really helpful to be able to talk with Yuki and spread out my magical tools.

Yuki seemed to regain her composure and said,

"So, what does it say? Is it telling you to show your face during this break?"

As Yuki said, the academy was just entering summer vacation. Many students were using this period to return home. However, I had stayed in the dormitory last year, making up various reasons. There was no point in going back, and I disliked the long carriage ride. I've gotten used to the shaking now, but it's still tiring.

But the content of this letter wasn't about urging me to return home. I shook my head and answered,

"No. It seems they want me to go and investigate a dragon."

"A dragon, you say?"

"Yes."

To Yuki's puzzled look, I explained,

"There's a kingdom called Astiria, one of the empire's vassal states. The old capital of this kingdom is a city where humans and dragons live together. Apparently, there's a huge dragon nesting in the nearby mountains, and the city is entirely within its territory. However, it never attacks the residents; in the past, it even helped the guards repel bandits and enemy armies."

"Hmm."

Yuki responded with unusual interest.

"Thinking about it, Yuki is also a spirit that lives with humans, so it's not surprising. So, what's wrong with this dragon?"

"Apparently, it's been acting strangely recently."

"Acting strangely, how?"

"It's started attacking humans and occasionally raiding livestock."

"Hmm..."

Yuki made a gesture as if scratching her head.

"…To be honest, it doesn't seem strange to me. If a dragon is hungry, it would naturally attack nearby fat animals."

"No, the monsters here are quite close to animals, but they are still spirits. As long as the land's magic is sufficient, they should be able to survive without eating, just like spirits."

Based on various literature I've read, it seems to be the case. I continued,

"The dragon in Astiria probably didn't raid animals very often before. It never showed hostility towards humans. That's why the city's residents are confused."

"Hmm..."

Yuki responded with a deflated tone.

Indeed, it's a common story for a supposedly tamed wild beast to turn on its handlers. Even if it's a dragon, I don't find it particularly strange.

"So, why is Seika-sama being asked to investigate?"

"To put it simply, it's to check if the tamed wild beast is being properly managed."

I explained,

"Dragons are almost the strongest monsters in this world. If such an existence starts showing signs of unrest, it's no longer just Astiria's problem. If it flies over here, the empire could suffer significant damage. The investigation is to assess the threat by examining the situation on the ground."

"…When did Seika-sama start running errands for bureaucrats?"

"It's not like that. It's a request from Blaze."

I explained further,

"Originally, this investigation was requested directly by an Astiria legislator, not an imperial bureaucrat. They probably judged that it would be better to welcome the investigation envoy before being pressured by the imperial parliament. The person they chose was my father, known as a researcher."

"Wouldn't they usually call a politician rather than a researcher?"

"If they borrowed a politician, they might demand a heavy favor in return in the parliament. As the governor permanently stationed in Astiria, he wouldn't want his political rival to come. In contrast, my father is distant from politics, and his report would have academic persuasiveness. It was convenient for various reasons. Plus, he's often in the capital for academic conferences, so it's easy to contact him."

"Politics is troublesome..."

Yuki muttered, sounding exasperated. I was indifferent to politics in my previous life and never had such conversations.

Furthermore, if we consider Astiria's perspective a bit more, they probably already have a plan to resolve the dragon problem. Otherwise, requesting an investigation would just be digging their own grave.

Then, Yuki said with a puzzled look,

"But Yuki still can't understand why that young man would ask Seika-sama for such a task... Isn't Seika-sama just a student now?"

"That... I think it's because I'm the only one with free time."

"Huh?"

"Think about it. My father is busy, Luft is preoccupied with learning his duties as a lord, Grail can't leave the garrison, and my relatives are all busy with their own work and estate management. On the other hand, I'm a student on summer break, with a month of free time and no plans to return home."

"Ah... So that's the reason..."

"Even if the reason is trivial, it sounds good to say that the task is being entrusted to an excellent son. After all, I'm at the top of my class and have won the martial arts tournament."

Maybe a bit too good.

"Still, what will you do? If you want to live a low profile, it might be better to decline such a request."

"No, I'm going."

Despite thinking about keeping a low profile, I answered immediately.

"You have a point, but I've always wanted to see another country. It's much better than being told to return to my estate. Plus, I'm curious about the dragon."

"…Is the last reason the most important?"

Yuki said with a half-closed eye.

"Seika-sama... please be moderate."

"What do you mean?"

"While hobbies are fine, please maintain some decorum. Don't get so absorbed in experiments that you disappear for three days in the basement, causing a commotion like in your previous life."

"I understand, I understand."

I waved my hand in response.

While I'm particularly interested in the study of magic, it seems Yuki views my experiments in natural science and biology as hobbies. They are indeed hobby-like, but they are quite useful.

****

"So, I'll be going to the Kingdom of Astiria during the summer break."

In the cafeteria at lunchtime, I told Eifa, Amu, and Mabel, who were sitting at the same table.

"Hmm, a dragon investigation... sounds interesting. I've never seen a dragon before. Can I come along?"

Amu said casually, and I responded with a sigh.

"What are you talking about? You're supposed to go home tomorrow, right?"

"In my case, it's close from Rodnea, so I can go back in spring too."

"Don't say that. It's better to see your family when you can."

"You say that, but I can't tell if you're being serious or not... Well, I'll do it. I've already arranged the carriage."

"Okay."

Mabel raised her hand slightly.

"I have no plans. I can carry heavy things and serve as a guard."

She looked at me with a hopeful expression. It was surprising, but she seems to have brightened up and adapted to school life recently, so she might want a bit of adventure. However, I had to say,

"You do have plans, right?"

"…?"

"Studying."

"…!"

"Are you doing your homework properly? If you fall behind in the new semester, you'll be buried in studies again."

"Ah, I'm working on it..."

Mabel averted her eyes, and I added,

"Also... wouldn't it be good to go back to your current home? I think your parents are waiting for you."

"Um... Okay, I'll do that."

Seeing Mabel nod, I then turned to Eifa, who seemed restless.

"Eifa... do you want to come along?"

"Ah!"

"It will be a long journey, taking up the entire break, but I won't force you."

"I, I'll go! I'll go! ...Ahaha, I thought I'd be told no."

"One attendant should be allowed."

After saying that, I felt a bit guilty. If I don't go back, it wouldn't be right for Eifa to go alone. She probably wants to see her father, but I'm preventing her. Although, Eifa's father is even busier than Blaze, so it's uncertain if she would see him even if she went back.

"So, when are you leaving?"

"Tomorrow, according to the plan."

"That's quite sudden."

"The journey takes time. The summer break is only a month, so we need to hurry."

"Have you already arranged the carriage?"

"No, they will take care of it."

"Who?"

"The important people from Astiria."

I explained,

"They were in the capital and will stop by Rodnea on their way back. So, we can go to Astiria with a guard."

"Guard, huh."

Amu frowned.

"That seems excessive. There shouldn't be any bandits or monsters on the main roads."

Indeed, as Amu said, a merchant caravan would only need a few guards on the main roads. The imperial roads, connecting distant cities, are primarily military routes to efficiently move troops. Monsters are regularly cleared for safety, and bandits stay away.

However, this time was a bit different.

"It can't be helped. It's because of the person's status."

"…?"

"The important person from Astiria is actually..."

At that moment, a murmur came from the back of the cafeteria. A loud voice reached our ears.

"---Ah, so this is it. Thank you for the tour. However, it's quite modest... Oh, is that so? If the buildings are old, they should be rebuilt."

"Sir"

"No, my apologies. Please don't mind what I said. So? ...Oh, is that you? I'm grateful. That's enough. Let's go on our own, Rize. ...Hmm? What's wrong? Come on, hurry up."

The murmur and presence drew closer, and I turned around. There was a young man in luxurious formal attire.

He looked to be in his late teens. His well-groomed appearance and dignified demeanor clearly indicated he was of noble blood. A tall, elf-like woman with pointed ears stood beside him, likely serving as a guard. She seemed to be a formidable fighter. The cause of the commotion was clearly these two eye-catching figures.

Could it be...?

The young man smiled and spoke to me, who was taken aback,

"Hello. Are you Seika-sama?"

I froze for a moment. Then, regaining my composure, I stood up and spoke in the formal language of the nobility with a smile,

"Indeed. It's a pleasure to meet you. You've arrived earlier than expected, Prince Cecilio of Astiria."

In the back, I could hear the girls whispering,

"Who is that?"

"They said 'prince.'"

I forced a smile and said,

"There was no need for you to come to such a place. I would have come to you. It's an inappropriate place to welcome the first prince of Astiria, and I apologize."

"It's fine. I asked the academy to show me around. I wanted to see the Imperial Magic Academy while meeting you. It's a building with a lot of history. The students seem excellent, and... Oh, this is...!"

Prince Cecilio stopped speaking. His eyes were fixed on Eifa, who was sitting next to me, bowing.

"Who are you...?"

"Ah! Um... Eifa..."

The prince knelt in front of the stiff Eifa, took her hand, and said with a feverish look,

"How beautiful... Would you like to join my harem?"

Huh?