That guy was definitely up to no good.

You said none of you saw his face, right? (Anos)

Right. (Ramon)

And the ring he was wearing, did it look like this? (Anos)

I showed him the Selection Pledge Jewel I had obtained at Everastanzetta.

Y-Yeah, Im pretty sure this was the one. I think his was a little brighter, but it had the same gemstone. (Ramon)

Since I hadnt formed any pact with any god, my Pledge Jewel didnt contain any flame.

Nonetheless, there was no doubt that his ring was a Pledge Jewel.

Which meant that the one who offered the dragon to the Royalists was one of the Selected Eight.

But was it Ahid or someone else?

Did he say anything else? (Anos)

No, nothing in partic Ah, come to think of it, Zerceus-sama said that the familiar was a falcon. (Ramon)

When it came to familiars, demons preferred to use owls while humans favored falcons.

However, that wasnt to say that sufficiently skilled tamers couldnt use any other sorts of familiars.

If thats all, then its nothing unusual. Or is there something else? (Anos)

Ah, no, its just to say that we dont know anything yet. But apparently, he thinks hes seen that falcon in Gairadites royal palace before (Ramon)

After the war with Azesion, Zerceus, along with Erio and Melheis, had visited Gairadite several times to negotiate with the humans.

So he may have visited the palace during those times.

But still, no one is normally capable of telling one falcon from another, so I wonder if that wasnt just Zerceus-samas imagination. (Ramon)

Hmm. Good work. Tell him to let me know if he finds out anything else. (Anos)

Got it. (Ramon)

Ramon left, looking relieved.

He had become quite obedient. Which meant that his collar was working just fine.

Hey Didnt he say something kind of distressing just now? (Sasha)

Sasha was grabbing her own head, looking dismayed as she foresaw incoming trouble.

Are the humans from the palace and the draconids working together? asked Misha, who was standing next to me.

I dont know yet, but it looks like wed better find out. Lay. (Anos)

Lay, who was with Misa, turned to us with his refreshing smile.

Lets go to the palace. Hopefully its still worth something. (Anos)

Sure. (Lay)

I called Eleonore and Zeshia back to us, and cast the <Transition Gatom> spell.

We reappeared in Gairadite.

Right in front of the royal palace.

Should we proceed like this? We use both <Illusion Mimicry Lynel> and <Concealed Magic Power Najila> to sneak inside and investigate whatever we can. (Eleonore)

Like hide-and-seek Zeshia murmured happily.

Then lets do that. (Anos)

After casting <Illusion Mimicry Lynel> and <Concealed Magic Power Najila> to hide our appearances and magic power, we skipped past the gatekeepers and walked through the main gate.

After entering the palace grounds and proceeding for a while, I heard a certain sound and stopped.

Whats wrong? Sasha asked as she turned around curiously.

Listen. (Anos)

She replied with a gesture to show she was listening.

A faint, high-pitched screech echoed.

Isnt that (Sasha)

A dragon cry. Misha said.

It looks like the main building and underground land of the royal palace have now become a dragon domain. Lay said as he looked around the palace with a grim gaze.

Though he was trying to scan the interior with his Magic Eyes, the dragon domain was blocking his vision.

What does this mean? That theres a dragon nest right under the palace? (Sasha)

Maybe. Wed be lucky if that was all. (Anos)

The royal palace was reluctant to subjugate the dragons.

I thought it was just out of incompetence, but I never expected it was anything less likely.

Perhaps they keep dragons in here. (Anos)

In the royal palace?! But the humans suffered from dragon attacks, right? What are they trying to accomplish by risking them attacking their own people?! Sasha exclaimed in shock.

Its still only a possibility. (Anos)

Ahh, but maybe we should give up on the hide-and-seek, then. Well be fine if they find us, but if they were to release any dragons on the city of Azesion, then Eleonore said in a grave tone.

Assuming that the royal palace was keeping dragons, there was no guarantee that they would resort to desperate measures if cornered.

But we cant just turn back, can we? If the palace does keep dragons in here, we need to find the culprits. (Misa)

I nodded to Misas words.

There is a way to get through the front door. (Anos)

My eyes met with Lays.

As the Hero Kanon, the royal palace would welcome him with their heads down.

I dont think Im going to like this, but I suppose this is no time to complain. (Lay)

Then lets leave at once. (Anos)

Using <Transition Gatom>, I teleported us to the main auditorium of the Hero Academy this time.

At that same moment, I cast <Illusion Mimicry Lynel> and <Concealed Magic Power Najila> on ourselves.

Now go talk to Headmaster Zamira. (Anos)

Lay nodded.

Hopefully, hell accept to show me around the palace. he said while walking through the door.

Misa, you should go with him. If you tell them youre his fiance, Im sure theyll welcome you. (Anos)

Ah Ahaha Id better make sure Dad never finds out about this (Misa)

Though Misa laughed nervously, she stood next to Lay with a slightly happy look on her face.

And be careful. No doubt welcoming the Hero Kanon isnt the only thing on their agenda. (Anos)

Lay stopped and flashed a troubled smile.

I just hope humans arent that foolish. (Lay)

The two left the auditorium.