THE next day, we received a report from Captain Ludtink. The Second Expeditionary Squadron was to accompany us on the Dark Dragon extermination.
“They said they want to get some information on Dark Dragons for the record.”
Throughout all of history, hardly any materials that covered Dark Dragons existed. They were often written as evil villains in fairy tales, but most of those accounts were pure fiction.
“History books say they’re the true form of a demon king, but no one knows any of the specifics.”
This was going to be a very dangerous mission.
“We’re going a week after Garr gets back. Director Lichtenberger of the Royal Mythical Beast Preservation Bureau is comin’ too,” Captain Ludtink said.
“Father’s coming?!”
It seemed that Liselotte, the director’s daughter, didn’t know that Lord Lichtenberger would be joining us. The captain explained that it was only decided that very morning.
“Liselotte, are Dark Dragons mythical beasts?” I asked.
“No, they’re monsters. Mythical beasts don’t eat human flesh.”
“Right, of course.”
The director would be joining us to determine how this dragon, who was once a mythical beast, had turned into a Dark Dragon.
“All right. Make sure to prepare thoroughly, everyone.”
Doc was going to teleport us to the Fore Elf woods, meaning this mission had no travel time to account for. I would be returning home for the most unexpected of reasons. Between that and the dragon slaying itself, my heart nearly jumped out of my chest. I needed to use the time before the mission to make plenty of field rations.
“That reminds me, Captain. How did things end up going with Lance?”
“I dragged him home with me. He was whinin’ the whole way there.”
It sounded as if Lance truly believed Captain Ludtink was a bandit hauling him back to his hideout. But Marina and her parents not only welcomed him into the home—they even doted on him like a child.
Although, he doesn’t really have the personality that tends to be doted on. He’s not a kid, either.
“Marina and her parents were real excited to show him around the city today.”
“It sounds like things are going better than expected.”
“Uh-huh.”
I was relieved to hear that someone was looking after Lance. Doc and Sir Aiskoletta, on the other hand, were staying at my home on their own. I wondered what those two might be up to. At the very least, disaster was unlikely to befall our house so long as Sir Aiskoletta was there.
“All right, dismissed!”
Lance had interrupted me yesterday, but it was time to finally go out and buy food to preserve. I asked Ulgus to join me this time. I didn’t want to run into any more trouble.
Between the shopping, cooking, and organizing our food storage, the rest of the day came and went in no time at all.
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GARR was finally back at work after his honeymoon trip. He’d only been gone for a week, but strangely, it felt like I hadn’t seen him in years. Garr came back with plenty of souvenirs in tow as well.
“Garr, Sly, welcome back!”
Sly had turned a tan color and Garr’s fur was darker too, as if discolored by the sun. He explained that his coat dried out after spending so much time in the sea breeze. They spent their honeymoon sightseeing, swimming in the ocean, and eating delicious food.
Garr gave the first souvenir to Captain Ludtink.
“Hm? What did ya buy me?” Captain Ludtink quickly unwrapped the long, narrow present. “Hey, look at that! It’s booze! You know me too damn well, Garr!”
It was a red wine exclusively sold in that local region. Unsurprisingly, the clever Garr knew exactly what would please Captain Ludtink.
Next, Vice Captain Velrey unwrapped the small box for her. “I wonder what it is?” She undid the strings carefully to reveal a wooden box with a flower print. When she opened the lid, a pair of pearl earrings was sitting inside. “They’re beautiful.”
“How lovely. They’ll definitely look great on you, Vice Captain.”
She blushed when I said that.
“Thank you, Garr.”
Garr said that Fredrica, his wife, picked them out. She clearly wasn’t someone to be underestimated either.
Garr gave Zara the next souvenir.
“Oh my! You have one for me too?” He unwrapped another wooden box slightly larger than Vice Captain Velrey’s. “Oh my gosh! It’s beauty lotion!”
It was the perfect gift for someone who put so much effort into looking beautiful. Zara smiled and thanked Garr.
Next, Garr handed a large bundle to Ulgus.
“Wow, there’s even one for me! Thank you!” I could see the excitement all over his face as he unwrapped it. “Whoa! I-It’s…!”
Inside was a large tin full of assorted cookies—the specialty sweet of the town Garr and Fredrica had visited. Ulgus cradled the tin like it was a priceless treasure as he thanked Garr for the gift.
Then Sly handed two bundles to Liselotte and me. As soon as we accepted them, Sly stuck her chest out proudly.
“Did you pick these out for us, Sly?”
Sly gave a big thumbs up. What could she have possibly bought for Liselotte and me?
I unwrapped my present. Inside was a seashell-shaped compact full of lipstick.
“Wow, so cute!”
“You’re right. How adorable.”
My lipstick was light pink and Liselotte’s was red. Apparently, these were very popular souvenirs among women.
“Thank you so much, Sly and Garr.”
“I love it. I can’t wait to use it.”
Garr told us that Fredrica selected Charlotte’s souvenir.
“Huh? You have gift for me too?” Charlotte’s ears stood straight up and her tail started to sway. It was easy to recognize her eagerness and delight. She unwrapped the present to reveal a seashell hair ornament. “W-Wooow! So cuuute! I can really have this?”
When Garr nodded, Charlotte’s tail started wagging vigorously.
“Thank you! I am so happy!”
She wasted no time putting it in her hair and gazing at her reflection in the break room mirror. She was already so cute—how were we supposed to handle her with this new addition?
“Well? Do I look cute?”
Asking such an adorable question made Charlotte the cutest person in the whole world.
We were all so grateful that Garr picked out the perfect gifts for us. As much as I wanted to revel in the celebratory mood, the time had come to reveal our next mission to Garr.
Garr listened to Captain Ludtink’s explanation with an unusually stern look on his face.
“…so that’s why we’ve decided to join ’em on their Dark Dragon hunt. I just found out today that members are allowed to sit outta this mission if they want. So if you don’t wanna come along, don’t worry about it hurting your performance evaluations in the future.”
The mission involved joining us on a quest to kill a Dark Dragon known as a demon king. There was no telling what might happen, so the higher-ups left the decision up to us.
“I’m going to join the squadron.”
Vice Captain Velrey was the first to volunteer. She looked at Captain Ludtink without a trace of hesitation in her eyes.
“Fine. Be sure to tell your family.”
She nodded gravely.
“I’m going too. I’ve always wanted to see Melly’s hometown.”
“Zara…!”
My family would probably be so surprised meeting such a wonderful person like Zara. I’d mentioned him many times in my letters, though never stating what our exact relationship was.
“What about you, Ulgus?”
Ulgus flinched when the captain said his name. Unlike Vice Captain Velrey and Zara, he seemed to still be making up his mind.
“Are you comin’ to the dragon slaying or not?” With his bandit face in full effect, Captain Ludtink pressed Ulgus for an answer.
“U-Uh, uuummm…”
“Okay, got it. Ulgus is stayin’ behind.”
“H-Hang on! Please don’t leave me behind!”
“Are ya sure about that?”
“Y-Yeah…”
“Don’t come if you’re not sure!”
“I-I want to join the rest of you! Please let me come too!”
Ulgus probably wasn’t mentally prepared yet, even though he had the desire to accompany us. I still hadn’t mustered the courage to face the Dark Dragon myself.
“What about you, Lichtenberger?”
Liselotte, on the other hand, looked unconcerned.
“Of course I’m going.”
“Dark Dragons aren’t mythical beasts, y’know,” Captain Ludtink reminded her.
“I’m perfectly aware. One job the Royal Mythical Beast Preservation Bureau carries is to oversee things that used to be mythical beasts. And isn’t it the duty of us knights to protect the Fore Elves from this so-called demon king?”
Captain Ludtink’s eyes widened. He never expected to hear Liselotte lecture him about the role of a knight. I felt like Liselotte had grown the most out of all of us over the past year.
“Liselotte, I’m so proud of you…!” I sort of felt like her mother.
“Well, I suppose I’m also concerned that Father will cause trouble.” She murmured those words under her breath, though they sounded deeply sincere.
Trouble-causing aside, Lord Lichtenberger was the most powerful restoration magic user in the country. Having him with us would be very reassuring.
“What about you, Garr? I won’t force you. It’s probably best for you to stay behind…”
But Garr shook his head and volunteered to accompany us. Even Sly wanted to come. It warmed my heart to know they’d be fighting alongside us.
“I guess there’s no point asking you, Risurisu.”
“Of course I’ll be accompanying you.”
If I was going, Amelia and Rih would probably come too.
“I wanna go with Pancake Girl!” Album scampered up to me.
“Album, our next journey is to go and exterminate a Dark Dragon. It’s a very dangerous mission. Are you sure about this?”
“Uh-huh. There’s nothing to fear as long as I’m with Pancake Girl.”
“Album…”
I scooped him up and gave him a big hug. He let out a strange giggle, but just for today, I wouldn’t poke fun at him for it. Even the tiny Album was brave enough to join us in the dragon slaying.
“I stay and wait for everyone here. I make room nice and clean when you come back.”
“Charlotte…!”
Charlotte might have wanted to join us too, but she understood her role in the unit.
“Be sure you come back safe, okay? If you don’t, I will cry.”
“Don’t worry, Charlotte. We’ll have Sir Aiskoletta with us too.”
“Uh-huh. Mr. Armor is very, veeery strong, so I know he will bring you back to me.”
“Exactly. We’ll do our best to come home soon, so watch over the barracks while we’re away.”
“Okay! I stay and protect barracks.”
I was starting to get emotional, but it wasn’t even time to set out yet. I needed to make sure I was completely prepared before the day of the mission.
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