Chapter 198 - 3-2
A week had passed since the graduation party. As I strolled through the garden alone, something soft and fluffy brushed against my ankle. I looked down to find Kuro leaning against my right leg.
"Oh, Kuro. Do you want to go for a walk together?"
I knelt down to stroke his head. Kuro closed his eyes and flattened his ears in satisfaction.
"Meow."
As I petted him, a shadow suddenly fell over me. I looked up to see Louis-sama standing there, bathed in the sunlight.
"A fine day for a walk, Rachel. And for you too, Kuro."
"Oh, Louis-sama! My apologies for not greeting you properly."
I hurriedly stood up with Kuro in my arms, and Louis-sama reached out to stroke the head of the cat now resting quietly against my chest.
"No, forgive me for dropping in so suddenly. Thank you for making time for me."
"Not at all. Thank you for coming all the way to our home despite your busy schedule."
The reason Louis-sama was here was because he had contacted me about an hour ago, asking if a visit today was possible. He said there was someone he wanted to introduce to me. However, there was no one else around him. I looked around, wondering if the person was nearby, but saw no one.
"Louis-sama? I heard you were bringing a guest?"
"Ah, he'll be here later. He said he would head to the Marquis Marcel estate as soon as his business was finished. So, until then, would you mind if I joined you on your walk?"
"Of course not."
Louis-sama smiled happily, then slowly took Kuro from my arms and tucked him against his own chest. With one hand holding Kuro, he took my hand with the other. I looked up at him, startled by the sudden contact. He gave me a mischievous, boyish grin as the bright sun shone down on us.
"This way, we can hold hands."
He looked down at our joined hands with a satisfied expression. But as his gaze shifted to my wrist, his face clouded slightly.
"It still won't come off, I see."
"The bangle?"
"Yes. It must be inconvenient in many ways. I wish there were a way to remove it."
It seemed Louis-sama had been staring at the bangle that had suddenly appeared from the painting of the Dark Saint in Orta. Ever since I had spoken those ancient words, it had remained fixed upon my left wrist.
"And how is the dragon?"
"The same as ever... it hasn't woken up once."
I released Louis-sama's hand and poured mana into the bangle. A tiny dragon appeared in my palms. It occasionally let out a soft "kyuu," but showed no sign of waking. Kuro, in Louis-sama's arms, leaned forward, trying to get closer to the dragon. Louis-sama held him out so he could reach, and Kuro poked the dragon with a tiny paw.
"Haha, does Kuro always pester the dragon like this?"
"He does. Sometimes he's quite rough with it, but it's strange how the little one never wakes up."
"The Dark Spirit King seemed to dislike dragons, but Kuro doesn't seem to mind them at all."
Nel-sama, the Dark Spirit King, had been with us just before the dragon appeared. Despite that, the moment he sensed the dragon's presence, he had made a face and vanished in a hurry.
"Indeed, Nel-sama called them 'annoying bastards' and seemed to hate them. He hasn't shown himself since I got this bangle, either..."
Though Nel-sama was usually quite elusive, he hadn't appeared at all since the dragon's arrival.
"Where did this dragon come from? Why did the previous Dark Saint seal it? Who made this bangle, and what happened back then? I have so many questions, but no way to find the answers. It's frustrating."
I gently stroked the dragon's body. A slight chill transferred from its scales to my fingers. If only this little one would wake up, I might understand what kind of creature it is. I wonder if there's some condition required for it to wake.
I poured mana into the hand I had placed on the dragon's forehead. The dragon in my hands was enveloped in a faint light and vanished back into the bangle.
Louis-sama watched in silence, then let out a thoughtful hum.
"To solve the mystery of the dragon, I think our best bet is to learn more about the Empire."
I nodded in agreement. To investigate dragons, one could not ignore the Tratia Empire. After all, it was the land of dragons, ruled by those with dragon blood.
"Yes, you're right. I've been looking through various documents, but... it's difficult to find information on their internal affairs."
The Tratia Empire, the largest and most militarily powerful nation on the continent, was far to the east of Dutoit. Compared to such a superpower, Dutoit was only about a fifth of its size in both population and land. The difference in national power was staggering. If we were ever dragged into a war with the Empire, Dutoit wouldn't stand a chance. Countless nations had been wiped off the map for provoking them. Because of the distance, almost no one in our country sought to involve themselves with the Empire.
"I've been gathering information from various sources since we returned from Orta, but at this stage, I know very little about the Tratia Empire's internal situation. That's why I've invited someone who is well-versed in the matter."
"Someone well-versed?"
I furrowed my brows, knowing no one connected to the Tratia Empire.
"Do you know Count Halliud?"
"Of course."
The man Louis-sama mentioned—the middle-aged Count Halliud—was an avid hunter who always stood out at hunting competitions. His boisterous, straightforward personality was rare among nobles, and people in social circles either loved or hated him. Personally, I found his generosity and honesty quite likable.
"What about Count Halliud?"
"It seems one of his relatives married into the Empire. Furthermore, that woman's son is currently working as a glassblower here in Dutoit."
I gasped at his words. The reason Louis-sama wanted to visit today, and the person he wanted to introduce... could it be!
"Um, will we be able to hear from that person?"
"Yes. Ah, speak of the devil... it seems he's arrived."
I followed Louis-sama's gaze to see Sarah. She bowed to us and stepped aside, revealing the man behind her. The man, wearing a beige hat, straightened his posture upon seeing us. He took off his hat, held it to his chest, and bowed deeply.