「Latina is too cute, I don't want to go work.」

「You're saying rubbish again?」

Rita retorted the usual negligent reaction because the usual line from Dale started to talk with an awfully serious expression.

「Noooooo!! I can't come back within a day and I can't predict how many nights stay it will be! What kind of comfort is there, apart from Latina, keeping company to those s.h.i.+tty old men of pandemonium!!」

Falling prostrate on the counter, he strikes his fist. It's needless to compare the person hitting noisily even with his feet to a fretful child. That alone would be a stressful situation for him.

「If you say that, then why don't you bring Latina to the royal capital?」

「No. If I entrust Latina to those fellows, what may happen… I can only have an obnoxious feeling.」

Dale who returned to his natural in a blink of an eye drooped limply his head on the counter.

「I understand… I can't help it since it's work. When I think that Latina will be waiting, compet.i.tion will appear more than ever before… Latina, because it seems like she was able to make friends, she would be distracted while house sitting. …So, I understand!」

He clenches tightly his fist. The joints turn white as to show the emotions that are put into it are great.

「Even so, I don't like what I don't like!!」

'Ah. This guy is no good after all.'

Rita's eyes like seeing something hopeless turn toward Dale who declared conclusively.

「If you know that it's a helpless matter, then go buy a present or something that is likely to please Latina in the royal capital.」

face known as 'is it such a situation to be awaken to the truth?' turns toward Rita.

「The clothes and such have size, she will not be able to wear it in no time so cut it out. …Let me see. That child likes sweets very much and why don't you try check up famous shops in the capital?」

「A present…a present…」

It was frequent that he heads for the royal capital for work. For that reason there wasn't the idea to 『Buy a present』 in him. It's to the degree that he is asked occasionally by Kenneth to deputize for stocking of the hard to obtain articles in Kreutz.

'The full smile of Latina due to the newest popular sweets in the royal capital. Also the 「Thank you」 of grat.i.tude, no doubt that she will properly say it with a lovely voice. No doubt about it. It's certain. She might also add 「I love Dale」. What shall I do. She is too cute. I might go live with only that.'

「I, might do my best.」

「Oh. Yes. Sure.」

Rita already returning to her work and didn't look at Dale.

The morning of the day when Dale head to the royal capital, Latina got up in order to see him off. Earlier than the usual time she wakes up, to the extent that the still thin rising sun peek through.

「Don't over do it, you can go sleep.」

Swinging her head unwillingly because of the words of Dale, Latina crawls out of the bedding.

But she is quite sleepy. Her appearance trying to go downstairs is extremely unsteady. All the more since the ladder is the spot to go down from the attic, where their room is.

He lifted her up in his arms while smiling bitterly.

He felt relief because her body certainly gained weight despite not much time pa.s.sed since they first meet.

Repeating waking up with determination again and again when she is about to doze off, Latina is also in the middle of a dream now.

「Sorry, Latina… I'll be away for a little while, but will you do your best?」

Opening her eyes at the feel of the palm of his hand, she answered showing determination in an extremely serious look.

「I do my best. I be properly with Rita and Kenneth. So, please come back.」

「Yeah. Since I'll bring back presents. …Take care staying at home.」

Finally hugging her firmly, he separated from Latina. He entrusted Latina to Kenneth, who came to the entrance of the shop.

「I'm leaving Latina to you.」

「Yeah. Don't overdo it too.」

「I can't since Latina will be waiting.」

The appearance of Dale, who smiles and answers so was something he did not until now.

「Then, I'm off.」

「Dale, have a safe trip. Be careful, work.」

'Yeah, I will do my best.'

He left Kreutz while thinking about her few words.

†

Three days by horse-riding from Kreutz to Ausblick the capital of the Raband country, there is a distance such as one week for travel by carriage. The highway is maintained, many merchants and travelers are coming and going, it is one of the greatest important traffic route of circulation within the confines of the country.

But the destination, where Dale headed for was direction of a suburban wood which diverged from the highway.

The suburb of Kreutz. A huge creature was resting its wings in that place becoming an opened gra.s.sland.

It was a wyvern. Even out of the dragon kind recognized as one kind of magic beasts, these creatures which possess the specific ability to fly is cla.s.sified as fairly small-sized among the dragons. Even among those wyverns, the specimen here now seem to be a small one.   It was obviously belonging to the Raband country because the scarlet equipment that stands out even from a distance attached to it.

A young man who was walking around with a nervous look could be seen next to it.

The same scarlet color as the wyvern was adorning the clothes of the young man too. The outfit of the uniform and an armor of plain jet-black make use of the rare magic attribute the 『Central attribute』 and was showing that he is a 『Dragoon』 who is using a wyvern.

「Uwah… what to do, t.i.ty. He said to be a terrific difficult person…」

The companion the young man complained to was the partner at his side.

The wyvern called t.i.ty who cried "Kyuu?" was the female specimen of calm character. Because It doesn't have the character fit for fighting, their main duty is the transport of goods and persons.

Wyverns are not suitable for night flight. They spent one night this place, currently they are waiting for a person to send to royal capital.

「Although it seem to be an adventurer whom the duke is contracting. …I heard that my predecessor was relegate to a remote region because he offended him… And yet I was able to become a well-paid worker of the royal capital office with much effort… Uuh… Would this be alright…」

His present duty is to send that adventurer to the royal capital.

That adventurer in spite of still being young had achieved a number of meritorious deeds. The trust in him of his excellency the duke, who is serving the right-hand man of the king called Raband country's chancellor was deep and he had a considerable influence as well.

His own standpoint it is only an adventurer raised by the duke, but it is said that if he offends him, the circ.u.mstances will be transmitted to the duke immediately. Under usual circ.u.mstance, there is no matter like one of the greatest man of power in the country to comply with the words of the likes of a mere adventurer, however he seems to be extraordinary.

It is said that the predecessor of the 『Dragoons』 belittled that adventurer as immature and looked down on him. That act brought wrath upon him, consequently the general opinion was that he was sent to a region more remote than the life of the duke.

It is to the degree that the duke dispatches wyverns expressly for him, who live in Kreutz. He might find a preferential degree*.(TL:not sure at all)

「! t.i.ty, there he is!」

『Her』 who worry about her master's affair expressed her agreement with a 'kyuin'.

A young man with a black leather long coat come walking in the landscape which the rising sun illuminate.

The dull and luminous metallic glitter on his left arm should be a magic gauntlet. He is wearing a long sword at his hip. As the appearance he had heard of.

The still young dragoon corrected his posture and approached him.

That young adventurer is a powerful person to the extent that his companion t.i.ty can be cut down under even a single stroke of his sword.

Although it is not quite combative, it is a wyvern. And yet it said that in the case of 『Normal』 adventurers, making a team to confront it is the standard strategy.

「By order of his excellency the duke Eldstedt, I'm here to pick you up!」

「Yeah. I'm Dale Reki.」

The young man, who answered with a low and calm voice looked at him and his companion with a composed expression. The young dragoon swallowed his saliva due to seeing the presence that he could not possibly match, of him who is younger than himself.

「This way, please.」

Leading him toward the saddle attached on t.i.ty's back, taking charge of the baggage that he had and fastens these.

The saddle of the wyverns occupy a much higher position, so much that it cannot be compared to horses, but he mounted it effortlessly without losing his balance. He is also getting used to make preparation for fastening the belts.

He, the dragoon also grasped the reins across from his saddle in haste.

These reins is made with a particular material that easily transmit the magic power of the dragoon.

It is possible by grasping the reins to give detailed instructions to the wyvern, the thoughts of the wyvern also pa.s.ses through and are conveyed to the dragoon. It was the most important and valuable equipment for the dragoons.

「Go. t.i.ty.」

He crisply calls out and transmit his magic power. When the wyvern spread its wings in accordance with this instruction, it raises a distinctive cry and gathers the wind magic power in the surroundings.

It's a dragon species with celestial species characteristic, the wyvern which is wrapped in wind magic power let its big body float toward the sky with only one flap of its wings.

After soaring high in the sky with the second flap, it begins moving in the direction where is the royal capital with the third flap.

In the case of the speed of a wyvern, the journey to the royal capital takes no more than about half a day.

It is the reason that the people with the apt.i.tude of dragoons can work for a good pay. the mean of displacement known as flight is limited. In the first place it is impossible to compensate with magic and It is a privilege restricted to being with celestial species characteristic.

For that reason, some techniques with also a military significance are managed strictly. In the case of wyverns, big power such as countries grasped the method for rearing and the method of maintenance of specialized tools like the reins. People like individual 『Wyvern rider』 doesn't exist. There is no alternatives other than serving a country in order to ride a wyvern.

(Uuh… It's awkward…)

'Kyui?',t.i.ty cries. It appears to be worrying about his state which is different than usual.

The top of the back of the wyvern differ greatly from the surroundings where the wind magic power swirls, It is very quiet. It is a feeling like the eye of a typhoon.

But this quietness is now regretful.

A soft breeze reaches nicely his forehead slick with sweat.

(Can it pa.s.s as it is… without speaking… But it's awkward…)

He didn't have the confidence that he could resist this silent pression for nearly half a day after this. He is overly thirsty due to the presence in his back.

He put his hand under his saddle and pulled the thing that he wanted out. Because it was a usual behavior, it is also a familiar movement that he skilfully takes out the content and puts it  with one hand in his mouth.

It didn't have profound meaning in the fact that he held out the container behind.

his brain now isn't working enough to think of profound meaning.

「Would you like to eat it if you don't mind?」

「…Candy?」

He immediately got stiff because of his low voice.

(I'm finisheeeeed!!)

The biggest taboo toward 『Dale Reki』 is, to despite him due his age.

While showing a cramped smileーwithout noticing that this face can't be seen by the other party who faced his back.ーhe rested his words to mend this situation.

「It's a commodity much-talked-about in the royal capital currently! the taste is different depending on colors. besides look, these have more various colors the candies until now did not have and the colors are bright! It is beautiful as a jewel and it is a popular commodity from the common people to the n.o.bles!」

The bottle disappears from his hand.

He seemed to be interested for the time being. He(the dragoon) press him now with a way to prevail.

「It is also a bottle of elaborate craftsmans.h.i.+p don't you agree? Detailed design has been applied up to the cap. Because of that, it seems that for women and children to make emptied bottle into accessory case is becoming quite a trend! Large, medium or small and various kinds are also provided for the size, from a gift to a small present, depending on budget and use, it can answer to the various needs of the customers!」

He, who is talking like a salesman of a candy shop because he was desperate, wonders what he would have seen if he had looked back this time.

(Now that he mention it, I haven't bought candies to Latina yet. She will probably put candies in her mouth and puff out her cheeks. The colors are beautiful as well, a girl is likely to be pleased. When I bought Latina hair ornaments, she followed s.h.i.+ny things with her eyes after all. Even though she is small, she is a girl. She will like it sure enough. Ah, come to think of it There was also a girl in the friend of Latina. Is a share for that girl also necessary? Latina will probably like the same thing with friends. Besides…)

At least, he should have realized that it is not necessary to steel himself to entertain Dale more than necessary for a period of travelling to the royal capital.

If it was the former Dale, it was him(the dragoon) who stepped on the thing that was a landmine without fail, however that landmine was a trivial thing unworthy to think now for the person in question.

There isn't the room to think about such things in Dale's mind now.

There is no one who know that the small Latina saved the future of one promising young man, in a place where the said person has nothing to do with.

Part 2

†

The wyvern lowers its alt.i.tude when reaching the Raband country's capital Ausblick. After the dragoon communicates with a soldier on the ground with a magic lamp, it descends to a dedicated facilities.

Because it is shot down if it carelessly get closer from the royal capital, it is necessary to go through determined formalities.

After Dale get down on the ground, without giving a glance to the wyvern and soldier any more, he went closer to the carriage that was waiting as usual. The coachman opened the door and greeted him without bother to ask go he was.

it is not gorgeous, but there isn't anyone who doesn't know in this royal capital from which household the crest that is put up on the refined luxurious carriage, is belonging.

The duke Eldstedt household was descendant of the founding king, princesses of royal blood were married into the household many times in the past. It was one of the most time-honored family in the Raband country. without being haughty due to his standing, he was renowned by continuing to produce many people with high ability and the current chancellor was the current duke.

It wasn't misplaced confidence even if one says that the authority he had come next to the king. The king and the duke never adjust theirs opinions and behavior to please anyone, even so precisely because they administer the government together, this country was mighty and firm and they were able to let its existence become widely known.

The area where mansions of n.o.bles are lined up. Among the luxurious aggregation of buildings that are all almost like castles, obviously different in standing, a palace which combined vast site and beauty along with practicality and solidity. That place was the castle of the Eldstedt household.

the carriage Dale got into easily entered in that site. When it stopped in order to glide before the entrance, the servants who was waiting as if they had known the timing of his arrival opened the door and greeted him.

Getting off the carriage, Dale's expression is impa.s.sive.

The calm expression that calmed down extremely was a deeply impressing thing to judge his real ability as a first-cla.s.s adventurer.

In one room of this palace.

「Long time no see, Gregor. don't you introduce me your fiancée?」

「Hmm. I know, Dale. Can I kill you?」

But when he had such a lamentable discussion, that sort of aspect was disappearing.

Where they were was Gregor's private room. As if it represent the character of the owner of the room, the furniture which decency can be felt and form a line are all but first-cla.s.s, but  are gathered together in an interior decoration that is not gorgeous in the least.

Gregor is the third and last son of the duke. However his mother is the second wife of duke and his mother is different from the other siblings. There was also that his mother was a foreigner from an eastern country and the backing within the confines of the country was also weak.

The elder brother, who is the far apart in age eldest child was already married and had children. From his present state, Gregor had given up the possibility known as succession of the duke household early.

Gregor, whose maternal blood is p.r.o.nounced and with strong foreign indication in his features, was a young man with a dauntless face, who tied up straight black hairs at his back. He is about half a head taller than Dale and he is exceptionally today dressing his slender body in high-cla.s.s clothes appropriate of a n.o.ble.

Gregor, who improved the sword skill of the border country and devoted himself to studies in his country, is taking in consideration the path to become an adventurer in the future with his efforts. He, who doesn't stick to his standing as a n.o.ble, doesn't feel necessity to forcibly join another family.

It is due to reason like that, he is also having a close relations.h.i.+p with Dale, who is a mere adventurer. It is probably largely because they are the same age and they mutually acknowledge their capacities although theirs forte are different.

「First of all Rose isn't my fiancee」

「It's a present but… I want you to choose at your own discretion something likely to please a little girl. Because it's you, you don't know a young woman besides your fiancée, right?」

「All right, sit there. I'll bury you with one sword stroke at least.」

What Dale ridiculed as 『Fiancee』, wasn't an official engagement, but it was a girl care for each other reciprocally with Gregor from when they were children.

It is said that there is many problems in order to get officially engaged.

He understands that although she is an unequaled beauty and well-known, she is not being the chess piece of a political marriage until this very day either, because she is spending time quietly in the depth of her mansion or her domain to rarely appears in social occasions.

At least there wasn't any doubt that it was one of the reasons why Gregor could not abandon his position of n.o.ble.

「What kind of present do you think is good?」

「What do you mean by "present"… Are you returning as soon as you arrived? 」

「I return right now if I can return.」

「Whom do you mean by "a little girl"? Did they had a child at the place you're renting a room?」

「No. My child.」

Gregor stands transfixed. But Dale didn't noticed at all. His awareness is occupied by the vision of Latina's smile.

「She is already a very good girl and she is cute and cute and cute enough that is too cute. She is still staying at home with a really great courage. She said "Be careful" and waved her little hand. Just remembering, I'm about to cry. …Aah… I want to return early. I hope that she doesn't feel lonely. What should I do if she cried? …Besides it's her growth period currently. She learns various things every day. Will the things she can do increase during my absence? What should I do, what kind of torture it is to overlook Latina's growth. Yes, I'm going home. I'm going home immediately. Hey, Gregor. What's the work this time? Let's start as soon as possible. Then, can I go home if I annihilate it right away? 」

「What the h.e.l.l happened to you?」

Gregor's reaction was correct. It was an extremely respectable reaction.

Dale when they met last time wasn't 『Like this』.What is happening and how do you change in this sort of regretful manner.

Moreover it seems the cause is a little child, who wasn't mentioned in the subject until now.

Where did it arise from.

And he thought 'what on earth happened', because he spoke carelessly, he lost the opportunity to stop his friend who started to recite merrily. Having not the slightest idea of what kind of answer is correct. There is nothing but perplexity. And when would it be over, this  『My daughter』boast.

「You… took charge of a magickin child with one horn?」

While listening to the details how he took charge of Latina, it isn't certain he how many time the word 「Cute」 was heard, until the story reached to the current situation. Gregor realized that it was wise to turn aside from it long ago.

Gregor had a dumbfounded look because of content of the story that he didn't expected, but Dale seemed to have nothing to do with the reaction of the listener. For the current him, it is for sure an important matter to recount heartily the cuteness of Latina.

「I also wanted to let you meet her… but because it is intolerable if Latina's cuteness become known and she caught the attention of a group of n.o.bles or something. Yes. It is a rejection, a rejection. If you want to meet her, then come to meet her. Give it a thought.」

It was a condescending att.i.tude.

And he was lovestruck. Who could blame Gregor, who muttered in his heart 'who are you'.

「I investigated with 『The message board of Akhdur』, but there wasn't information that correspond to Latina. Because the magickin seldom have interaction with other place in their community, she is a native of that sort of place… or the possibility of her being all alone in the world with no people searching for her is high.」

「Well, since that culture is rarely known to magickin.」

「Because there was no one who know the ident.i.ty of the person in question near the corpse of her parent, I can't search for her hometown either. …the 『Crime』 of such child with only one horn, it is probably a pretext which she couldn't do nothing about it. It's doesn't make me from another race treats Latina coldly.」

He understands the reason.

What he didn't was the transfiguration of Dale. How much that magickin girl touched his heartstrings?

「Magickin doesn't necessarily mean that all are unfriendly. There should be no problem if I live with Latina.」

「Problem huh… If there is, isn't it that you can slaughter her 『Kin』 become known to that child?」

Because of Gregor's calm voice, Dale become silent for a while.

「…Depending of the job details, I kill even 『The same race』. It's not limited to just magickin.」

「Well. That's right.」

Holding a sword for living means that kind of thing. Only magic beasts aren't evil for the people. It isn't unusual for nation of the 『Human race』 to be hostile to 『Other races』 either.

Above all, the 『Magickin』 is closely related with 『Demon king』.

The 『Demon Kings』, who are seven in the world, are each prefixed a figure. Like 『First demon king』, 『Second demon king』.

Their powers as well as state differ respectively, but there is something common to all.

『Demon kings』 have horns. Similarly to 『Magickin』.

Also, 『Demon kings』 are attended by 『Demonic being』 as follower.

There is no inborn 『Demonic beings』. 『Demonic beings』  are being that obtained strength that far exceed inherent ability by become follower of 『Demon kings』. They are not exclusively 『People』. Even those called 『Mythical beast』, that possess high intelligence while those are counted among species of beast are included.

Among those 『Demonic beings』, the proportion the 『Magickin』occupy is very big.

This was the reason 『Demon kings』 were referred as 『Kings of magickin』.

「Something like a subordinate of 『The seven demon kings』 was confirmed.」

「Is it a demonic being? Or just a servant?」

The power is greatly different whether or not it is a demonic being. Even if the appearance is the same, there is a difference whether or not it can be an incomparable threat.

「It's still not clear. You probably have been called for that reason.」

Gregor said so and met Dale's gaze.

「It has been decided that I'll also accompany you.」

「Will it be alright for you….」

They have enough confidence in each other's ability to think that they can rely on each other.

Dale after answering so with a sigh, stood up. The hour of the meeting with his excellency the duke was slowly drawing near. He feels awkward with his usual leather coat. It was necessary to neaten his appearance as suit the occasion.

It was for that reason that he stopped by the duke house, before going to the duke, who is in the office of the royal palace. It was not to have useless talk with a friend.

「Stand a bit more straight in presence of father for the time being.」

「I know.」

Waving his hand, Dale was heading to the room provided to him.

The young man, who got off the carriage with the crest of the Eldstedt household, was dressed in clothes based around black color.

this young man, who give off a wild presence that bereaved family doesn't have, gives even a presence as a veteran that doesn't match his age.

When the guards of the royal palace understood who he was, they straightened their backs.

the look he gave to the soldiers, who bow and took notice, was something that calmed down extremely.

A severe and ruthless first-cla.s.s soldier who is proficient at both magic and sword art. A young hero candidate, who continue doing exploits and might become a legend in the future,

『He』is rumored that way. That impression probably isn't exaggerated.

While feeling the looks similar to envy of the soldiers, Gregor was holding mixed feeling, like being relieved and not so because of the 『Usual』 Dale next to him.

Indeed, this is the usual man called Dale Reki.

He shows a friendly calm face to people with close relations.h.i.+p, but he is a cold-headed soldier doesn't forgive those who oppose him on the battlefield.

It can be said that the still young Dale had no choice but to become so to devote himself into work. It was best to suppress one's emotions and deal calmly with the matters before one's eyes.

Walking as he immediately straighten his back in the royal palace, he shows his face as a soldier.

Because the royal is also a battlefield for him.

†

On the other side, when few days have pa.s.sed after Dale went to the royal capital, in Kreutz.

Latina was sunk in dejection to the extent that it easy to understand.

It could be described as sticking sorrow on her back rather than "feeling down". She seemed to be appealing with her whole body that she 『Feeled lonely』.

「Latina… are you alright?」

no matter how you look at it this state cannot be all right. Nevertheless he can't find the words he should speak as well.

「I… alright. …because, I house sitter.」

Sitting quietly next to Kenneth, who do his usual ingredients preparation, Latina answered so in a faint voice.

Part 3 soon