We, along with Ielo-san and Cyan-san, had come to a spacious plain just outside the Elf Forest.
Stepping out from the tree-lined scenery onto a plain that stretched far into the distance gave me a sense of openness. Although my shoulders and back were not stiff, I found myself stretching with a groan.
「M-M-M-M-Master-sama!? Are you really, really sure it’s alright!?」
Ielo-san, beside me, asked the same question for the umpteenth time, acting suspiciously and exaggeratedly.
He was visibly hesitant, clutching my clothes and refusing to let go, which would surely leave wrinkles.
「I-I think it will be fine… Since Master-sama looks so composed, it must be okay, right?」
Cyan-san’s complexion looked slightly pale, likely because she knew a dragon was coming.
In fact, the large weapon she held was trembling…
I had informed them in advance yesterday.
At that time, they had stared blankly, but they had not been this distraught.
Could they have thought it was a joke?
「As I explained yesterday, I interact with them quite often, so it should be fine…….Probably.」
「I heard an ominous word at the end!? If we can get help from an Earth Dragon, it would be a great aid to the Spirit Tree, but it is a dragon! A dragon! The strongest creature, hence arrogant and unruly! Our Elf Forest has nearly been burned down by Fire Dragons countless times…!」
「I have never seen a dragon, but i-isn’t it an opponent incomparable to something like a Hakuidori…?」
Although not to the extent of Ielo-san, Mii and Shion also looked uneasy.
Surprisingly, Mizera remained calm… Ah, I see.
It was probably because Wendy was hugging her with one arm, stroking her head, and whispering something.
She was surely speaking words of reassurance.
「E-Emily, are you not worried? Hayato-sama and the others, as well as Shiro and the others, are not here.」
「It should be fine. I simply cannot make any definitive statements when dealing with an Earth Dragon, a superior life form.」
Emily probably judged that there was no problem since she had heard the story from me.
She sat gracefully on a rock, enjoying the pleasant breeze while stroking Mii’s head.
「Everyone is so worriedssu. It will be fine! Well, if it comes to combat, Shion and I will handle it somehowssu!」
「No, no, no. M-m’lord? I trust you, but I am absolutely not ready for any kind of combat! All Renge-san and I can do is run away with everyone at full speed!? And even then, our survival rate would be extremely low against such an opponent!?」
「If it comes to that, I will use my skills to help everyone escape…」
「R-Right! That would be safer! In that case, I will buy some time, so please make your move quickly!」
Shion was probably thinking about what to do if something happened regarding combat power, since Shiro, Aina, and the others, as well as Hayato, were not here.
I think it should be fine as long as nothing capricious happens, like them being in a bad mood by chance.
Well, it depends on who comes. If it were Cassandra, I would have no concerns at all… But usually, it is that one who shows up at times like this.
For now, I would not know until I summoned her, so instead of the super-concentrated magic power ball I made yesterday, I placed a same-sized magic power ball with slightly more magic power infused into it on the ground and stepped back to observe.
At first, the only sound was the wind rustling the grass on the plain, but gradually, I began to hear rumbling from afar.
This was it. It was probably not Cassandra.
It was just my intuition, but somehow… I felt a sense of power due to mass, or perhaps roughness… It sounded like a voice filled with an absolute desire or obsession for the magic power ball.
Eventually, the sound grew closer, causing a large tremor. Just as I thought it was rising from directly below, the ground where I had placed the magic power Ball cracked, and what burst out from underground was…
「Thank you for the meaaaal!!!」
As expected, it was Reagaia… Well, that is fine. That is fine, but… why did she come in human form?
Her massive body flew in a parabola like a dolphin jump, but rather than a dolphin, she felt more like a large walrus.
Seeing a flying walrus is bound to catch your eye…
Moreover, why are you naked, even if you are in human form!
Ah, no! You are technically wearing clothes, barely covering the important parts… Clothes? Cloth? No, those are scales.
It seems you are barely covering the vital areas with small scales.
I focused on such trivial matters, but Reagaia landed spectacularly, causing the ground to sink, and her face melted with delight at the taste of the magic power ball.
「Mmfu! Your magic power balls are delicious no matter when I eat them!」
「Reagaia… Why are you in human form?」
「Nfu? Well, you see! I recently realized that human form allows me to savor the taste of magic power more deliciously! Moreover… even if it is small, it feels larger!」
Reagaia answered while chewing, just as usual…
Of course, if your mouth becomes smaller, it would feel larger.
Well, she could not enter the village in her dragon form, so it saved some trouble…
Now, with this appearance, Ielo-san and Cyan-san should not be afraid… Huh?
「Awawa, awawawawa…」
「U, uu…」
Ielo-san had let go of my clothes, which he had been clutching tightly, and seemed unable to move from that pose even as I approached. Cyan-san was gripping her axe firmly, but she remained frozen, unable to even assume a combat stance.
Looking around, Shion appeared tense. Mii stood in front of Emily to protect her, her hand ready to draw the knife at her waist, maintaining a stance like a gunslinger in a Western duel.
…Wait, wait.
Certainly, Reagaia is an Earth Dragon, but look at her current appearance.
Thanks to her tail and horns, she barely resembles a dragon species, but with her sagging belly, her neck which cannot be seen from the front, and his undignified, slack face, there are hardly any elements to fear.
The effects of his diet seem to be showing, as she appears slightly thinner than when we first met, but she is still a Metabolic Dragon.
Moreover, she seems to be in a good mood, and I do not feel any intimidation… Is it no use?
Is it that they can see the contained magic power, or perhaps sense the tyranny hidden within?
It must be something that neither I nor Mizera, who are not combat-oriented, can perceive.
「So? Why did you summon me? Ah, could it be that you prefer the mother over Cassandra-chan? How troubling. As expected, you prefer a voluptuous body with bigger oppais than Cassandra-chan’s!」
「That is not it. And those are not oppais.」
「You are as harsh as ever on this matter… But look. I have lost some weight! Because of you two, I had to not only run but also spar with Cassandra-chan! Since Cassandra-chan is not here today, pamper me more! Specifically, give me more magic power balls!」
「Cassandra is not here?」
Come to think of it, she would usually come to reprimand her, but I sensed no presence.
Did something happen?
「That is right. Cassandra-chan is currently visiting the heads of other dragon species to pay her respects. You see, the head of the Earth Dragons has changed from me to Cassandra-chan! She has to go greet the heads in various regions to announce the change of leadership… but I completely forgot to tell her!」
「…Wouldn’t that make Cassandra get scolded by the other dragon heads?」
That is probably quite an important matter, is it not?
She spoke of it lightly, as if it were a small mistake, but is that really okay?
If she forgot to tell her, it is her responsibility, so she should go with her and apologize together…
「Eeh, it is fine. They are probably idle anyway, and they might find it amusing to hear that I handed over the position early. They will likely just listen to the story.」
「…Is that how it is?」
「That is how it is. Dragons are basically idle. They just sleep, so it is boring! In that regard, I am fulfilled now! Magic power balls eaten after working up a sweat are the best! The feeling of superiority is irresistible when I think those guys do not know this taste!」
Oh… What a smug expression.
“After working up a sweat”… So, she has been exercising properly to lose weight, one way or another.
The effects are certainly visible, and realizing that she might have been exercising diligently while Cassandra was away made me respect her slightly more.
「So? So? I want to get back to the main topic. Do you have some request for me? I smell a delicious, rich aroma coming from you. What is it, what is it, what could it be?」
「Eh…」
A nearly naked giant approached with shining eyes, drooling profusely…
Wait, this is scary in a different sense!
「W-Wait, wait, do not come closer. I will take it out now!」
I hurriedly took out the super-concentrated magic power Ball. How did she notice it was stored away…?
Dragons truly have incredible senses of smell.
「Fuo…? Fuoooooooooo!? What is this… Eh, the scent of earth magic power is so dense! It is pitch black, hard, and gleaming… Eh, what? Are you giving this to me?」
「Yes, but I want you to hear the condition in exchange.」
「A condition? …You really have become too accustomed to dragons. I think you should show more reverence when offering tribute. You should consider the situation: with the combat power present here, I could end everything just by opening and closing my jaw slightly…」
Oops. Indeed, even like this, Reagaia is an Earth Dragon, and the terror from that time still remains in my heart.
I must not forget. I must always keep in mind that dragons are dangerous. Originally, I should have been sensitive to such things, but…
「…Say such things after taking your eyes off the magic power Ball and stopping the drool overflowing from your mouth.」
With such an appearance, I inadvertently forget, and I cannot revere her…
She is too gluttonous.
Despite speaking threatening words, there was no intimidation at all…
「Guh… Well, fine. I will comply! Then, immediately….」
「Wait, wait, wait. This is a reward for successful completion.」
「…You…」
「By the way, I prepared three magic power balls.」
「Alright! Now, what must I do!? You truly understand how to handle me to an annoying degree!」
Preparation prevents regret.
It is common sense for adults to prepare for any possibility.
Thus, the negotiation was successful.
I immediately told her what I needed help with, but….
「Eh? The Spirit Tree is weakening?」
「Yes. It seems things will go badly if we leave it as is.」
「W-Well, that much is fine, but… Huh? Could it be… Hey…」
「Um… Is there a problem?」
His expression seemed slightly strained.
Also, I could not quite catch what he said at the end. What did he say?
「N-No! It is nothing! Ah, I think we can manage the magic power, but how do you intend to transfer vitality?」
「That is… through scales or claws…?」
「Ah. Those do contain a small amount of vitality. But will that be enough?」
Eh, is it not enough?
Moreover, is the vitality contained in materials really that scant?
Um… Does that mean Hayato and the others will need to collect a massive amount of materials?
「A-Anyway, let us go see. I have known the Spirit Tree since long ago, so I must check its condition!」
She seemed somewhat flustered, but was it just my imagination?
For now, despite my unease, we entered the Elf Forest to look at the Spirit Tree.
At that time, I did not forget to have her wear a cloak made of a large cloth to cover her entire body.
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