After waiting about five days, I decided to check on the twins’ progress.
They had told us, ‘We’ll call you when we’re ready’, and in the meantime, Berde-san and Schnei-san were thoroughly training them. However, Karen looked worried, so I figured I’d visit while also taking the opportunity to have some fun.
By the way, Mint stayed behind this time. After getting overly fatigued during our last outing and falling asleep early, I decided to give her some space to adjust gradually.
In a way, that wasn’t the only reason—
「Wow, amazing! There are so many humans! And so many things I don’t really understand!」
「W-well… I-I hope we’ll be okay…」
The dragonling, Ji Ness-kun, was looking around the bustling streets from atop my head, while Mine Ork-chan, cradled in Karen’s arms, appeared anxious.
The dragonlings were making their debut in the city.
The idea came from Ji Liz (and Mine Ah). Since meeting us, the dragon family has started interacting with humans more frequently. They thought about the future of their children and decided that it was time to show them human cities and lifestyles.
—「Ultimately, how they will interact is up to the hatchlings. But since there are human activities nearby, I don’t think it’s a bad idea for them to see it now.」
Besides, it’ll be safe with you all around, right?
The dragons winked mischievously with their imposing faces.
「Just like Dad said, as long as we stay close to you, we’ll be fine.」
「B-but everyone is looking over here…」
「Hmm, it’s only natural; you’re unique. If you don’t like it, just focus on me.」
「What’s that, niichan? Is that some kind of fruit with something transparent on it?」
「That’s fruit candy. You’re curious about the same thing as Mint, huh…?」
That said, the attention of the crowd was indeed overwhelming.
「Wow, those are tiny dragonlings… 」 「Are they the children of the one who was carrying Sui-san and the others?」 「It’s great living in Sidera… You’d never see something like this in the royal capital.」 「Honestly, meeting dragonlings is something you might only experience once in a lifetime.」 「Rather than Sidera, it’s thanks to the Sui-san and the others, right?」
The whispers buzzed around us, but no one approached to speak directly.
「It seems like the ones who need to get used to this are the townspeople, not Mint.」
「Yeah… Let’s head to Skylark Pavillion soon.」
「Kwuun…」
Chocola also seemed a bit fatigued. After all, for Chocola, the dragonlings were like little siblings, and he probably felt the need to protect them.
With that, we made our way through the main street toward our destination.
Today, we planned to hear some light reports from everyone, including the twins.
※※※
Skylark Pavillion was as bustling as ever, crowded even past lunchtime.
Perhaps people were coming for afternoon tea and cake—though I wasn’t sure if the concept of afternoon tea existed here.
In any case, we were led to our usual private room. While we waited, I couldn’t help but admire how Tomoe-san managed the crowd of guests, smiling and bowing to quell the commotion surrounding Ji Ness-kun and Mine Ork-chan. Does she really not have any charm skills or something?
Eventually, Berde-san and Schnei-san arrived, accompanied by the Ejetia twins—Rick and Noemi.
「Sorry to keep you waiting, Sui, Karen. Oh, is Chocola already enjoying his treat?」
「Bark!」
Chocola, engrossed in his milk, acknowledged them with a wag of his tail, lifting his head to greet Schnei-san.
Berde-san’s eyes widened as he looked at the dragonlings.
「…I’m surprised. Are those the children of dragon-dono?」
「This is Mine Ork-chan and Ji Ness-kun. Ji Liz wanted to show them around the town of Sidera.」
With that, everyone exchanged greetings.
Berde-san and Schnei-san had interacted a bit with Ji Liz when they were lost in the forest, which served as a good starting point for conversation. Ji Ness-kun and Mine Ork-chan looked delighted to hear about their father’s heroic deeds.
On the other hand, we approached the Ejetia twins.
「Karen, and Sui-dono. I apologize for my rudeness the other day. And thank you… those two are truly remarkable.」
「Yeah… eh?」
「Especially Master Berde. His ability to handle situations and lead the group, combined with his dependable nature… Just being with him eases all worries. A man should aspire to be like that.」
「If you’re going to say that, you should mention Master Schnei as well. His skill in perceiving everything in the forest and outsmarting the beasts with his knowledge… I’m determined to master that myself.」
Just like that.
The twins began to praise Berde-san and Schnei-san.
「Since then, we’ve been entering the forest almost every day. Each time we go in, I feel it more deeply. If you hadn’t scolded us, we’d be nothing more than prey in a monster’s belly by now.」
「Every moment we spend in the forest—no, every second—we owe our lives to them.」
「I’m ashamed of my ignorance… No, my sheer lack of knowledge. Karen, you were right. Just looking down at the ground from above made us elves think we knew everything.」
「Sui-san, I want to thank you too. Until that day, we had overestimated our magic. We received the title of ‘Witch’ and became arrogant. It was thanks to you shattering that illusion that we are here today.」
「No, that, well…」
「This is bad; I scolded them too much. I didn’t expect it to turn out like this.」
In a complete shift of demeanor, the twins spoke with warmth and admiration for Berde-san and Schnei-san, leaving Karen and me exchanging stunned glances.
「Ano, would you like to take your seats soon? I could bring out the cake and tea, if that’s alright?」
Tomoe-san smiled pleasantly, but I noticed a vein throbbing on her forehead.
To ease the tension, I nodded silently at her.
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