TLN: Sorry for the delay, most of my free time got eaten by Fire Emblem Three Houses. It will probably stay that way for a while. I am a sucker for FE >-<>

Also, content warning. Chapter 9 is a bit…lewd?

Enjoy! :DD

"…Should I say I am surprised, or amazed… You really did win against a dragon." (Riel)

The bow princess comes over to where the beaten up Zephyr and I are.

Zephyr is intelligent. Smelling my slight scent in her, he has acknowledged her as family. He rings his throat with a low 'gururu' sound to greet her.

"Oh my, it is kind of cute." (Riel)

"Women like that kind of thing, right?" (Solje)

"It is just like his owner." (Riel)

"Well, thanks." (Solje)

"…Is it okay to pet it?" (Riel)

"…Yes." (Zephyr)

The voice of the dragon must have been younger than Riel expected, she got surprised. 

"It can talk?!" (Riel)

"It is a dragon after all. Obviously." (Solje)

"I don't know about dragons!! …I-I see. They are special monsters, huh. But this truly is a mysterious experience…" (Riel)

Riel also relaxed her guard. She approached Zephyr, and with those delicate fingers of hers, she pets the now wound-ridden dragon's skin.

Good grief, what a brave girl. Touching a dragon is not something that's easily done. I like that. She can become the wife of a Strauss anytime. Nice, makes me wanna love her…

"…Oi, Captain, don't stare intently at a person's waist with those lecherous eyes." (Riel)

"S-Sorry about that…" (Solje)

"Geez, you impress me, and soon after it is like this." (Riel)

"That's just how it is after a battle. When the killing is finished, your desire to reproduce just tingles." (Solje)

"Sounds like an animal." (Riel)

The girl directs a gaze of disgust towards me.

Is this an urge that women don't understand?

There's a lot of female mercenaries who get excited when seeing blood and wounds, but Riel might not be in that category. Noted.

"But Captain Solje, you are one impressive human." (Riel)

"Hm? Weren't humans all evil by default in your dictionary?" (Solje)

"That's not what I mean. I am talking about your sword dance at the last moments of the fight." (Riel)

"Aah, you talking about the Dragon Flame? It was awesome, right?" (Solje)

"…Yeah, I admit it. It is vexing, but even though I was looking from afar, I was smitten by it. The movements were so complex I couldn't read them. And even if I could read them, they were so fast that I wouldn't be able to deal with them in time. The number of moves were also many, and the strength was incredible." (Riel)

"Fell in love?" (Solje)

"…It is that part of you that's a minus." (Riel)

As in, my mouth is the harbinger of tragedy? I do get told that every now and then that I would be more popular if I didn't speak. I blame the teachings of Garf Cortes. But in the times when I was a silent one, I was called the Death Reaper, you know?

"It was a good technique. Activating 3rd tier magic at the same time while you danced with your sword; that's impressive. That's where the confidence of being able to defeat a dragon came from, right, Solje? …If that was the case, you should hve told me from the beginning." (Riel)

Ahaha, this girl was seriously worrying about me. That makes me a bit…no, quite embarra.s.sed.

"…But even though it is such a great finis.h.i.+ng move, why is it that it has no notoriety? …I feel as if people like Sharon would want to use it as publicity though." (Riel)

"Hahaha! The chief of our advertis.e.m.e.nt department doesn't know either. That Dragon Flame just now was the first time I successfully managed to do it after all." (Solje)

"…Eh?" (Riel)

"…It is a special move of the Strauss, you know? As if a youngster like me can use it freely… But well, with long years of training, I judged that I might be able to pull it off soon, but to think I would actually manage to." (Solje)

"…What, so it was just a fluke?" (Riel)

"No, my blood remembers it now. From now on, I will be able to use it anytime I want. Zephyr, this is thanks to you. You were far stronger than I imagined, and cornered me to the verge of death. That's how I got enlightened!" (Solje)

I play with Zephyr. Pet him a whole lot.

"……I am…strong…! Solje strong!!" (Zephyr)

"Yeah, we are gonna get stronger and stronger from now on!!" (Solje)

"…Haah…you dragon knights really do love your dragons." (Riel)

"Yeah, and I am sure you will come to like them too. Zephyr is a good boy, don't you think?" (Solje)

"…Well, he didn't kill you." (Riel)

The tsundere bow princess smiled. 

Ooh, being cute really is strong. Just one smile warms my heart to this extent. Aah, if only I could move my body…

But my stamina right now is in shambles…I feel like I am dying. 

"…Hey, it has truly been a while, but can I give you an order as a captain?" (Solje)

"…What?" (Riel)

"Can you protect Zephyr and I for a while? …Can you please protect Zephyr and I for a while? …We gotta sleep for a bit. We are on the verge of death here after all." (Solje)

"…Okay, got it. If enemies appear, I will keep them at bay." (Riel)

"…Thanks, you are a lifesaver, Riel… Aah, my beloved bow princess…" (Solje)

"Eh?" 

I feel like I saw Riel go red. 

Did she get angry at me for treating her like a child?

Haah, my bad habit…when I close my eyelids, I immediately get attacked by sleepiness.

—The blockhead poet, Sharon, is always absent when legends are born. 

It is not as if he isn't talented, he simply isn't blessed with luck. 

He deceives himself by saying luck is jealous of him.

However, the mercenaries gossip about him acting tough, and make them sing songs that derail his reputation.

"…Hm?" 

Looks like I was having a dream where that blockhead Sharon was being made fun of. I was grinning and had drool coming out. This is bad. If he were to see me like this, I feel like he would write a weird poem…

"You up?" (Riel)

I heard the voice of Riel. She is cooking soup? …Eh? This is weird. She should be decently good at cooking, and yet, the scent of today's soup is killing my appet.i.te…!

"…What's the matter? Why are you making that weird face? I am currently blending the medicinal plants I gathered in the forest for the sake of you guys, you know." (Riel)

"Aah, mugwort as a styptic and moroka root to prevent wound infection?" (Solje)

They are all things that don't go well to my taste. 

Hm, now that I think about it, my body also gives out the scent of medicinal plants.

Ooh, my armor has been taken off… Or more like, my upper half is naked and I am bandaged. I see, I have a nice subordinate. She rubbed that painfully smelly handmade medicine on my wounds.

Wait, isn't that a waste? 

…I had my whole body rubbed by medicine with her hands, right? …Oi, get a grip, myself!! What were you doing sleeping at such a great moment?! 

"I am such an idiooooottt!!" (Solje)

"Finally managed to see yourself in the mirror, huh?" (Riel)

Hehehe, this elf is as poisonous as ever.

Aah, but I really did lose a nice moment in life there. In my life of not being popular with women, having Riel gently nursing me by rubbing medicine on my body would have done wonders when I watch my revolving lantern.

I would like to have one loving experience in my life, you know.

But the dedication of Riel in her medical treatment surpa.s.sed the level of cute. The bitter scent was approaching me. The white part of my eyeb.a.l.l.s were in pain. Feels like it will be packing quite the punch.

"Here. I have poured it in a cup. I cooked it till it had a syrupy texture and the medicinal plants mixed well. It is taken from the part with the best concentration." (Riel)

"Uwaaa…it is green and muddy-looking…!" (Solje)

I can tell its taste even without using my tongue. It is obviously bitter and will be tough to drink. That rough sensation will leave a residual taste in my throat while bringing pain to it…

"Drink it all in one gulp. If you get your stamina back, your recovery will get faster as well." (Riel)

She pushes the medicinal syrup right in front of me. 

This is tough for someone that just woke up. Or more like, even if that wasn't the case, this would still be bad. The savages of Garuna are carnivorous animals after all.

I don't wanna put a syrup made from things like gra.s.s into my mouth.

"…It is fine. Giving me treatment was plenty enough." (Solje)

"No, I went through the trouble of making it, you know? I did. No need to be reserved, just drink it. This is already your duty." (Riel)

Ooh, her overwhelming good will is turning into pressure. I don't really things that forego taste for the sake of being healthy. I don't wanna drink something like that unless I am seriously about to die.

"It is okay. I am real fine now." (Solje)

"As if. You were on the verge of death, you know? You got hit by the attack of a dragon, you know? Your bones were cracked all over." (Riel)

"You see, dragon knights being inhumanly st.u.r.dy is somewhat contributed to the fact that our mana is connected to our dragons. Zephyr and I have formed a contract. Our wounds heal faster just by being together." (Solje)

"Muh, is that so? Sounds like the relations.h.i.+p between elves and the forest." (Riel)

"That's right. That's why it is okay." (Solje)

"…But…I went through the trouble of making it." (Riel)

Riel puffs her cheeks in dissatisfaction. What's with this girl? She is cute like a squirrel —oh no, the brake of my reasoning is breaking, and I will end up making an unnecessary remark!

"…I will drink it…if you feed it to me." (Solje)

"Hm?" (Riel)

"…If you give it to me…mouth to mouth, I will drink it." (Solje)

Aah, I am getting way too ahead of myself because I managed to make a contract with Zephyr. How can this be. This is on the level where it is certain that I will be scolded severely for s.e.xual hara.s.sment. 

Do I not learn? She is the type of girl that would hit me with a lightning just for seeing her naked, you know?

"…I see." (Riel)

I twitch at Riel's voice. S-Sorry, it was a sudden impulse. I got ahead of myself and let my joke come out from my mouth…can you please not ask compensation for it?

…Our place is having it hard in the financial front, you see.

The fingers of Riel hold my chin.

Uuuh, what will my destiny be? Is she gonna hit my face with a rock? Aah, but straight on physical pain is better than monetary compensation.

"Here I go…" (Riel)

"Eh?" (Solje)

The elf girl drinks the medicine right in front of my eyes, and then, while it was still in her mouth, she pushes her lips onto mine.

It was an awkward kiss. It was a bit too pushy, and our teeth were about to hit each other. If my mouth hadn't been open from the shock.

The girl was slowly putting her weight on me, and I was led by it and my head was pushed to the ground. The deadly bitter syrup was entering my mouth now that I was lying face up. 

Even though it is supposed to be bitter, I was completely okay. I might be a pervert… If the nurse Onee-san were to make me drink my medicine in this way, I would want to go to the hospital every day. 

…I was drinking the medicine mixed with the saliva of Riel while feeling guilt. What is this? A wet dream? …I pinch my cheeks, but it hurts.

Riel's lips separate from me. Her face was red. It is red, but she was still looking straight at me as she asks.

"…Did you drink it properly?" (Riel)

"…Yeah, it was delicious." (Solje)

"I-It wasn't delicious, don't lie." (Riel)

"No, your lips were so sweet it was great." (Solje)

"…Eh? Pervert… This was just treatment—wa?" (Riel)

I stand up straight from my place, and check the state of my body. Moving my arms, legs, and twisting my waist and back.

Umu, it is in excellent condition. The medicine worked. It really did.

"What are you doing?" (Riel)

The elf that is sitting with her legs making a w shape questions me who is doing warm ups. 

"No well, I was wondering if my body was in perfect condition." (Solje)

"Is that so. Looks like you are okay." (Riel)

"Y-Yeah, it does seem that way…" (Solje)

…I was wrong. 

That medicine was a 'message'. I crouched and raise the cup that had the medicinal plant syrup, and then drink it down in one good gulp.

"Aah!! Y-You liar! You can totally drink it!" (Riel)

"…Yeah…I am really sorry." (Solje)

"…Eh? U-Uhm, that's okay, but…why are you getting closer?" (Riel)

"Hm? Aah, it is okay. It is all okay." (Solje)

Riel was retreating while still sitting. But it is okay. I will be gentle.

"…I understood." (Solje)

"W-What did you understand?!" (Riel)

"The true meaning of that medicine." (Solje)

"T-That was just plain medicine—" (Riel)

"Right, I forgot. But I have remembered now." (Solje)

"And I am asking you what?!" (Riel)

"That the Moroka Root is an aphrodisiac." (Solje)

"Feh? …E-Eeh?! Y-You are mistaken!! Y-You don't have to get energetic in that part!! I-I was s-seriously just trying to get you better…!" (Riel)

"I am plenty better now. It is okay." (Solje)

"As I said, what are you talking about being 'okay' for a while now?—Wait, kya kyaaaa!!" (Riel)

I push the elf down.

"Y-You can't…The laws say that we cannot do it with people of different tribes…!" (Riel)

"It is okay. Just consider it as me forcing myself on you." (Solje)

"Eh…?" (Riel)

The elf looks at me with teary eyes.

"I forcefully did it, so that would mean you haven't broken the law, right? All the fault is on me." (Solje)

"I-Is that really how it works?" (Riel)

"Yeah, if it is for the sake of obtaining you, I don't mind taking any kind of punishment." (Solje)

"…D-Don't say something like that…! It troubles me…" (Riel)

"Why?" (Solje)

"I-I don't know. I don't know, but…I-I…!" (Riel)

We are running circles here. Just do it. I will show you the guts of a Strauss. I held the chin of Riel and steal her lips. 

Riel Harvel closes her eyes and endures my action…no, with the lack of refusal, there's a clear thing I can tell. 

Our lips stayed connected for a while, and we separate eventually.

Riel, who had stopped breathing in that instance, breathed 'haah haah' the moment she was freed. Seeing her acting like that, I laugh teasingly and speak.

I don't mind if I look like a bad guy. All men make a bad guy face in this kind of times. If there's seriously something you want, people can choose to become feral.

"…Now we are even." (Solje)

"…Mine was medical treatment. This one…isn't the same." (Riel)

"I wonder. You are being completely meek here. Riel-chan, you are not resisting at all." (Solje)

"…Even if I did, I wouldn't be able to win against you, Solje…!" (Riel)

"If you really hate it, resist… I can't be cruel to you." (Solje)

"W-Why? Everyone is cruel to elves." (Riel)

"I wonder. I want to know my own emotions too. Will you allow me to go further?" (Solje)

"…Y-You can't." (Riel)

Her mouth is saying that, but she has completely taken away the strength in her arms and legs. Her will to accept me must be winning against the laws of her tribe.

"Good girl, Riel Harvel. I will teach you how it feels for humans and elves to love each other." (Solje)

"L-Love, you say…" (Riel)

Riel is clearly scared. But it is not coming from refusal. She is simply uneasy about this unknown world.

I slowly reach my hand towards Riel's b.r.e.a.s.t.s. Seeing my fingers approaching, she slowly closed her eyes…and with a low voice, I think she mumbled 'idiot'.  

"—Hm? Doje, Maje, what are you doing?" 

Because of the innocent voice directed at us, Riel and I jumped away from each other. R-Right, I forgot. There's a young dragon right at our vicinity. Having s.e.x in front of a child is way too out of boundaries!

"I-It is nothing, Zephyr!" (Riel)

"T-That's right. We were simply doing some exercise! Ain't that right?!" (Solje)

"Y-Yeah. It is the same as what you two were doing just a while ago." (Riel)

"…Really? I would like to do it again… But Doje is stronger than Maje, so you shouldn't bully her." (Zephyr)

"Y-Yeah, you are right." (Solje)

"Good boy, Zephyr. But you've got our names wrong. It is not Doje, but Solje. And I am not Maje, but Riel." (Riel)

"…No, that's dragon language." (Solje)

"Dragon language? And what does it mean?" (Riel)

"Uuuhm, it means brother and sister." (Solje)

"…I see. Okay, if it is that, I am fine with it. I am Maje Riel." (Riel)

"Yes, Riel is Maje; Solje is Doje!!" (Zephyr)

"That's right! Atta boy!!" (Riel)

The giant dragon and the elf girl were having a charming conversation. 

Aah, I made a straight-on lie.

Doje actually means Father, and Maje -as you might have already guessed- means Mother.

I thought this might agitate Riel, so I put it in a softer version. If she were to deny it, it would hurt me after all.

At any rate, in the eyes of a dragon, we look like a couple? Even though we are human and elf? …Well, race doesn't matter at this point. I like what I like. Isn't that way of thinking fine?

If that had gone on, I would have definitely done it. 

I do feel as if Zephyr got in the way, but right now I don't mind. Because the real intruders are approaching.

"……I noticed, so you must have noticed it too, right, Riel?" (Solje)

"…Yeah, the birds are singing it to me." (Riel)

"I heard it too. Humans are coming. They are…making hard clank clank noises." (Zephyr)

Zephyr raises his big head and glares east. 

"…Lesson 2. For now, just watch the battle style of your Doje and Maje. Just watch how we fight so that in the future you can work together with us. Got it, Zephyr?" (Solje)

"…That's boring, but I will. Do your best, Maje!!" (Zephyr)

"You got it. I will show you the strength of Maje." (Riel)

……It is kinda getting harder and harder to tell her that it actually means 'Mom'. She is h.e.l.la into all this Maje business after all.

Oh well, playing family fills the void of the ones I lost. I want a family. This desire is being fulfilled by Zephyr. I feel a happiness that surpa.s.ses carnal desire. 

Dragons have returned to my life. My connection with Riel has deepened. This is plenty enough.

Now then, let's do something dragon knight-like. 

I quickly wear my armor. It is dented here and there. d.a.m.n it, too bad. This will decrease its effectiveness. Well, it is thanks to this armor that I survived against Zephyr, so I can't complain. 

Zephyr's Maje also finishes putting on her armour. With a bow, short sword, and several knives wrapped at her legs, the bow princess returned to her strong spirited eyes. 

I like her obedient eyes that she showed when she was ready to accept me, but I also love those eyes she shows in battle.

"Now then, let's begin the brutality." (Solje)

"Understood, Captain." (Riel)