I told Simone to land just outside the Xenodia Kingdom’s capital.
Dropping into the city center in her water-dragon form would definitely cause a panic. The folks in Driessen might be used to it, but others? Not so much.
We descended in a forest on the outskirts of the capital.
A small lake glimmered nearby, and Simone splashed down eagerly.
After helping us off her back and setting down our gear, she couldn’t resist diving into the water with enthusiasm.
She’d been itching for this since spotting the lake—probably just her natural instincts.
Kiara once mentioned that Simone had a habit of diving into the bath at home too, sometimes repeatedly.
Setting aside our water-dragon’s antics, we were finally in Xenodia.
According to Luke-san, the capital was a thirty-minute walk from here.
「A dragon-back ride… What an incredible experience!」
Luke-san, who had been so stunned earlier, now seemed thrilled by the ride. Yeah, it is addictive.
With Luke-san leading the way, we started walking. The scenery wasn’t much different from Krentz. Maybe the bold impression of Rodan Kingdom still lingered, making this feel a bit plain by comparison.
But that didn’t mean Xenodia was lacking. The serene, pastoral atmosphere gave it its own charm.
「This really is a lovely place, Xenodia.」
「Thank you. I love this country dearly.」
Luke-san’s gentle expression left no doubt—he genuinely cared for this land. No wonder he dedicated his life as a knight to protecting it.
We passed a few small villages where peace seemed to flow through every street. Xenodia appeared untouched by conflict. Yet, despite the tranquility, the kingdom faced one peculiar issue:
The princess absolutely hated vegetables.
You might think that’s trivial, but considering the sprawling farmlands we passed, it could have bigger implications. If the princess maintained her aversion, the hard work of the local farmers might go underappreciated.
Perhaps this was why the contest was such a significant event. Inviting me to participate wasn’t just a random gesture. This wasn’t about competing with other farmers; it was about convincing the princess to embrace vegetables and overturning her negative perception.
Lawrence-san’s motivational command to ‘Win at all costs’ now felt weightier.
「Bale-dono, you can see the capital now.」
「That clock tower is quite striking.」
Martina and Charlotte’s words drew my gaze forward. Beyond the vast forest lay the capital, a city nestled in greenery. It was like a city of the woods.
「So, this is… Xenodia’s capital.」
We’d finally arrived at the exhibition’s stage.
I couldn’t wait to see what awaited us.
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