Chapter Two: To the Kingdom of Bragioga
TWO days later, Mary left ahead of me, saying she had preparations to take care of. Consequently, Custode and I would travel to Bragioga alone. Well, it wouldn’t be much of an expedition, considering it would only take a few hours. Custode suggested that we fly rather than teleport to savor the journey. I agreed without hesitation. Thus, Mother and the others bade us farewell as we departed for Bragioga.
Out in the garden, Custode had returned to his normal, far larger size.
How am I supposed to get on his back, exactly?
Previously, he’d caught me on his back after I’d fallen from a roof. As I considered my options, he spread his wings in front of me and placed them on the ground. When I cocked my head, he said, “Try climbing up one of my wings.” After following his instructions, he added, “You should probably sit down.”
Despite my bewilderment, I sat down with my arms hugging my knees. Upon confirming my position, Custode slowly raised his wings. The slant caused me to slide down onto his back.
“Whoa, that was fun!” I cried.
Laughing at my excitement, Custode ascended without a sound. Somehow, we took off without being noticed by anyone but Mother and the others who were there to see us off. Perhaps Custode had cast a concealment spell.
“This is way more comfortable than I expected,” I said.
I couldn’t feel the cold, vibrations, or wind resistance, thanks to Custode’s magic.
“Feel free to go to sleep,” he said.
An afternoon nap during a magical flight? Is this death by luxury?
“You won’t get tired without company?” I asked.
Taking it easy while he worked would make me feel guilty.
However, Custode responded with a laugh. “Ha! You needn’t worry about me. I can think of no greater comfort than having you close by. After all, I won’t grow weary while basking in the Goddess’s energy.”
Divine beasts have a close connection to the Goddess, huh? Well, no reason to turn down such a generous offer.
✦ ✦ ✦
🦊 🦊 🦊
“ALLY, we’re here,” Custode announced.
His words woke me from a deep slumber.
“Where are we…?” I mumbled.
Sitting up, I used my sleeve to wipe the drool from my mouth. We’d alighted in the middle of open land. That said, I could see an unfamiliar townscape in the distance. By all appearances, we were on the outskirts of Bragioga’s royal capital. Custode used his wings to lower me onto the ground, similar to how he’d placed me on his back.
“Hm,” he said while shrinking to his miniature size. “I recall a spring being around here somewhere.”
“Really?” I asked with a laugh.
Things are going to look different a few hundred years later.
As we headed towards the capital, I cast a concealment spell, just in case. After walking for a while, a bustling street came into view up ahead. It appeared to be the main thoroughfare.
“Wow!” I cried.
The splendid atmosphere hit me all at once. A spirit of merrymaking had seized the entire capital. Excitement surged through me as I observed the colorful decorations adorning the lively city.
“Now, this is what I call a festival,” I said. “Everything is so wonderful.”
The Founding Festival would begin in one week. According to Janus, the sword fighting tournament would take place on the third and final day. Nevertheless, the festival appeared to have already started. The city was so alive with activity, after all.
“Why don’t we look around a little?” I asked. “It would be a shame not to.”
“Good idea,” Custode replied. “Some appetizing aromas are in the air.”
We had plenty of time to spare, as it was just past noon. As such, we strolled down a street lined with food stalls.
“This is heavenly,” Custode remarked.
He must have said that three times already. I couldn’t help but laugh at the small dragon, who wanted to devour everything he saw. In one hand, he held a skewer of grilled meat. In the other, he had a strawberry and pineapple skewer.
“You could’ve saved the fruit for later,” I said.
“No time like the present. When you see something tasty, you have to grab it immediately.”
“Still, alternating between skewers is a little much, don’t you think?”
After wiping a bit of sauce from my mouth, I took a bite of strawberry as well. For the rest of our walk, Custode continued his conquest of every food item in sight. I wouldn’t be able to keep up with him in a million years.
“I probably won’t even be able to eat dinner,” I groaned.
Custode had influenced me to overindulge way more than usual. My stomach was paying the price.
“Don’t worry,” Custode replied. “If you can’t eat your dinner, I’ll polish it off for you.”
Whoa, he has room to spare after eating so much?
“Is your stomach a black hole or something?” I asked.
He’s such a small guy. No, wait, he’s actually pretty big, right?
Nevertheless, his insatiable appetite still astounded me.
Custode pondered my question with a serious expression. “I don’t think it’s a black hole. Even so, I’ve never had to stop eating because my stomach hurt.”
What’s more impressive? That he’s never been full or that he knows what black holes are?
“Well, to be fair, divine beasts can survive without eating,” Custode added.
Holy smokes. I should’ve been impressed for an entirely different reason.
While heading towards the castle, I readjusted the chortling dragon in my arms. Was it just my imagination, or did he feel a bit heavier?