Chapter 58

Excitedly watching, Loreina awkwardly smiled and spoke to Abino.

"Prince, is there anything in particular you'd like to do...?"

"Not really."

It seemed as if a speech bubble saying, 'Then why did you come out to play?' appeared above Loreina's head.

However, she forced a smile and asked again.

"Is there anything you usually find interesting?"

"There was, but... not here."

Abino looked around at the toys and games the three-year-olds had their servants bring and shook his head.

"What about a sword? We have a fine blade."

"Not really."

"How about a bow? It's enchanted to make the string soft, so you won't hurt yourself even if you shoot a lot..."

"Not really."

"Do you like riding? I have a magnificent thoroughbred..."

"Not really."

"Shall I call a jester for a performance..."

"Not really."

"Then, how about a book..."

"Not really."

Already five in a row.

I suppressed a laugh.

Loreina's back was all twisted.

If Abino weren't a distinguished guest, she would have transformed into a beast and swatted him with her front paws.

Loreina's trembling lips tightened.

"...Oh. I'm sorry, Prince. It's really unfortunate that I can't make you happy."

Then, with a truly regretful expression, she stepped back slightly.

'If he says no to everything, there's nothing I can do.'

"Hmm..."

Behind her, the three-year-olds tried to entertain Abino, but his expression remained unchanged.

Thud.

No matter what they did, his expression was indifferent.

Actually, now that I look, he seems a bit depressed.

"..."

"..."

The three-year-olds exchanged glances.

Their expressions were like those of puppies who can't eat a treat right in front of them.

We need to make Abino happy, but nothing seems to work.

Without any reaction, it's a tough situation for the host.

'This is the perfect time for me to step in.'

A few steps away, I was watching the three-year-olds and Abino.

Whistle!

I blew the whistle hanging around my neck with all my might.

A high, clear sound spread through the sky.

Flap! Flap!

From a distance, the sound of something slicing through the air could be heard.

Appearing in the sky was a flying monster.

The monster was flying towards us at high speed.

With each flap of its wings, the distance closed, and people's pupils widened.

"A, a monster is flying towards us─!"

A servant shouted in panic.

The previously dull atmosphere instantly turned chaotic.

In a way, the mood was lifted.

The servants and staff tried to take the three-year-olds to a safe place.

The three-year-olds, however, tried to show their bravery in front of Prince Abino.

"Prince, there's nothing to worry about."

"That's right. What is there to fear when you're with the direct descendants of the Astra Dukedom?"

"That monster will be taken care of soon."

The children who made bold statements looked around.

Their eyes said, 'Where is the guard?'

'Of course, there's nothing to be afraid of. But it would be troublesome if it's taken care of too quickly.'

This is a monster I trained.

I watched the reactions of the direct descendants and then looked at Loreina.

Loreina's face was all scrunched up.

'Loreina recognizes it.'

After all, she saw it right in front of her, unlike the other children who ran away when the monster appeared.

This monster is the very 'Ragon' I summoned during the competition with Loreina.

I could see that a few people had come out of their panic and were reassured.

They remembered that I had manifested the second blessing, 'Monster Taming.'

Whoo, whoosh!

As Ragon circled above us, a strong wind like a typhoon blew.

"Mommy!"

"Ah! Get away from there!"

"No, my scarf!"

The massive Ragon, causing a strong wind.

Even if they were direct descendants of Astra, the three-year-olds were still young.

It's natural for them to feel instinctive fear.

In the midst of the noisy children, I spoke clearly.

"Ragon, come here."

Ragon, who had been flying close to people, slowly landed.

Thud, thud!

The ground shook slightly as Ragon's heavy feet touched the ground.

Ragon is a monster called a Steel Crow.

Its wings are as hard as steel, and its beak is filled with countless teeth.

It has a fearsome appearance that seems to belong in a nightmare.

But when tamed, there's no tamer creature.

Waddle, waddle.

Ragon, who had landed in the garden, walked on two legs towards me.

"Good job. You're a good boy, Ragon."

Caw!

Ragon made a slightly eerie sound as I stroked its head.

I could see people covering their ears in fear.

Caw! Caw!

'...It sounds like a crow from hell.'

Still, I know.

Ragon is in a great mood because he's being praised.

"Chirp, chirp, chirp."

As I scratched under Ragon's beak, he flapped his wings excitedly.

Hmm.

The wind is too strong.

My hair was flying everywhere, but the impact was significant.

"Wow─!"

A reaction finally came from Abino.

"Amazing!"

Abino's eyes, which had been half-closed and indifferent, widened.

His already large eyes seemed twice as big now.

Buzz, buzz.

Abino jumped up from his seat and waved his arms like a child.

"The monster listens to you!"

At that moment, Liangtin quickly spoke.

"That's the second blessing of Arilott, the 'Monster Taming' ability."

There was a hint of pride in Liangtin's voice.

'Why are you so proud?'

For some reason, Liangtin's expression reminded me of a proud father.

The chaotic garden transformed into a stage for me as I tamed Ragon like a cute puppy.

"Could you bring some grapes?"

When I spoke to the servant who was watching us nervously, he replied loudly.

"Yes!"

Before long, the servant returned with a silver tray full of grapes.

'Handing out grapes one by one would look good, but it wouldn't be enough.'

For a monster the size of Ragon, a single grape is too small.

"Here, Ragon! Treat!"

Swish!

I threw a bunch of grapes high into the air, and Ragon jumped up.

Thud!

Thud!

Ragon caught the grapes, but the ground shook from the jump.

People swayed.

'The show is better when it's more spectacular.'

An unintended but impressive effect.

Ragon was thrilled, waddling his bottom.

'He loves grapes the most.'

The first time I gave him grapes, it felt like the house was collapsing...

"Ragon, these are grapes. You've never eaten them before, right?"

"Caw."

"Good. That's right, you're eating them well."

"Caw!"

"One more? Sure."

"Caw, caw!"

"One more...? Yes."

"Caw, caw!"

"One... more? Okay."

"Caw, caw!"

"Again? No. If you eat too many─"

"Caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw, caw,