Chapter 338
Chapter 338
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 338
Chapter Title: Side Story 22. Blue Spring to You (4)
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The full moon shone brightly.
At this high altitude, the stars were visible far more clearly.
The airships docked at Adren's port had furled their wing sails and were resting.
"Phew, it's finally over. You all worked hard."
Baren wiped the sweat from his forehead.
He had just finished checking the students' headcount after the entry inspection.
Adren's entry procedures had taken over an hour.
Not only were there so many people, but the inspector was notoriously meticulous.
The white-haired old man in the form of an inspector spoke up.
"No issues. Just don't cause too much of a ruckus."
It was Banartie, the white dragon who had inspected Ronan's group in the past.
He had survived the final war and was still guarding Adren's gates.
Baren patted his chest.
"Don't worry. If anything happens, I'll take responsibility."
"Well, the disciples of those three won't stir up trouble. I trust you."
Banartie nodded.
The three referred to Ronan, Asel, and Schlieffen.
He vividly remembered the day Adren had nearly been destroyed.
Baren smiled warmly at the mention of his prized disciples.
"Of course. I think so too..."
"Gaaahhh!!! H-Help! Save me!"
He had been just about to smile.
A thunderous scream erupted from the square where the students were gathered.
Baren's mane bristled.
The terrified voice didn't sound normal.
In an instant, a golden flash enveloped his thighs.
"Wait, you..."
It was Baren's aura, enhancing his overall strength.
Banartie didn't even have time to finish.
The ground caved in where he stepped, and his figure vanished.
The roughly 500-meter distance closed in the blink of an eye.
Boom!!!
Baren landed in front of the students and growled.
"Everyone! What happened?!"
"P-Professor... b-behind you!"
The terrified students pointed with trembling fingers.
Baren turned, and his eyes widened in shock.
In the center of the square, surrounded by ornate buildings, a dragon covered head to toe in steel was gazing down at the gathered students.
"You..."
But the figure seemed oddly familiar.
The sleek body optimized for high-speed flight and artificial wings.
No hostility emanated from its beautiful pale blue eyes.
Baren sighed in relief upon recognizing the dragon.
"Haaa... it was you, Lady Naransonia. You startled me."
"I'm fine, but the students are startled. It's not every day ordinary people encounter a dragon. At least land right in front of them..."
Baren's tension melted away.
The aura around his thighs faded.
Almost simultaneously, the dragon's body was engulfed in light and vanished.
Soon, a woman in uniform stepped out from the glow.
Her epithet was the Steel Empress.
The fastest dragon, Naransonia.
Her gray-silver hair, resembling scales, fluttered in the night breeze.
"You're right. Sorry about that."
"No, it's my fault for not warning the students beforehand."
"Normally, I'd come in this form, but I had to stay vigilant against the Flame Palace. It's such a critical time."
"Critical time...?"
Baren tilted his head, but Naransonia shook hers.
It meant she couldn't say.
The quick-witted Baren didn't press further.
"I understand. Most matters in the Flame Palace are classified, after all."
"Thanks. It's not much compensation, but I'll guide you through the City of Dragons."
"Pardon? That's too much..."
Baren waved his hands at the unexpected offer.
She was far too exalted for a mere guide.
But Naransonia spoke before he could protest.
"Eek?!"
She spoke not in human tongue, but in the voice of a dragon.
The frozen students' gazes locked onto her.
"N-Naransonia? The dragon who fought in the final war?"
"Why would someone like her guide us...?"
The students were just as flustered.
It was like a cabinet minister volunteering as a tour guide.
Naransonia addressed their bewilderment directly.
A faint smile played on Naransonia's lips, proving her words.
Anyone who knew her would faint in shock.
In truth, it was inevitable she'd feel fondness.
The ones who saved Adren, the Dragon King, and the world were Phileon alumni.
Naransonia continued.
She explained Adren's major tourist spots in detail and kindly.
Asel Square, where Asel had stopped the fall; the memorial park where the final battle with Giant Duaru took place.
It was guidance of such high quality, one might think it was her profession.
As her gentle demeanor continued, the students' wariness gradually eased.
By the end of her explanation, one student couldn't hold back her curiosity and raised her hand.
"Um, Lady Naransonia? May I ask one question?"
"Thank you. When can we meet Lady Navardoje? I really want to see her."
Naransonia's face stiffened for a moment.
Not just because of the question.
The girl's face resembled a certain mage she knew all too well.
After a brief silence, she spoke.
"Ah, you caught me. Eheh, yes."
"Huh?"
Sechika's eyes widened.
Meeting the Mother of Fire at the Flame Palace was an annual highlight of the school trip, one she had most anticipated.
But suddenly, no audience?
The other students began murmuring.
Baren hurriedly took over.
"Ah, sorry. I should have mentioned it earlier... The Mother of Fire is unavailable due to personal reasons."
"D-Does that mean we can't meet her at all? For the whole week?"
"...Yes. Unfortunately, we'll have to wait for another chance."
"No way...!"
Sechika sighed.
It was like a bolt from the blue.
While still reeling from the shock,
"L-Lady Naransonia? When did you..."
Sechika's eyes bulged.
Naransonia, who had been standing at a distance, was now right beside her.
"Uh... Do you know my dad well?"
Her tulip-red hair, falling to her nape, matched Asel's exactly.
She could still vividly recall that day just by closing her eyes.
The mad Dragon King, the giant's spear raining like meteors across the sky.
Plummeting Adren, and the young mage chanting spells while blood poured from every orifice on his face.
Without Asel, the City of Dragons would be buried deep in the ocean by now.
It pained her to slight his daughter like this.
Naransonia stroked Sechika's head.
"N-No, you don't have to go that far. Really, don't worry about it."
"Ah, Lanse? Hold on a sec."
Sechika's face lit up.
Getting time alone with Lanse was always a thrill.
Maybe suggest they go see the Dragon King together? She hadn't planned to, but...
Scanning for Lanse, she raised an eyebrow.
"What? Where'd he go?"
"No, he was definitely here until just now..."
Sechika trailed off and closed her eyes.
Her mana radar spread out, but she couldn't find Lanse.
He had been there when they disembarked and during inspection.
Come to think of it, her new friend Naro was missing too.
"No way..."
Only two were gone.
A small spark ignited in Sechika's mind.
Lanse, with his very firm tastes.
And the stunning transfer student who appeared out of nowhere.
Objectively, Naro's figure was just a tiny bit better than hers.
Her response before she could even ask echoed in her head.
- Don't worry. I'm not interested in your boyfriend.
Along with the adage that strong denials are affirmations.
Imagining the worst, Sechika bit her lower lip.
"...Nah, no way."
****
"This is really the place?"
"Positive. I said if not here, it's impossible from the start."
Lanse nodded.
Naviroje followed him silently, though with a displeased expression.
If it was something Ronan had said while drunk, it had to be true.
Just recall the time he asked if tropical fruits made her figure like that.
Lanse marveled at his surroundings.
"Still, impressive... To think this is a sewer. Dragons really are on another level from the root."
They were traversing Adren's sewers.
The air reeked of stale water.
A drainage channel as wide as a decent canal ran down the center.
Even a slightly raised voice echoed, so they spoke in whispers.
It was the passage Ronan and Orse had used to infiltrate the Sky Tower.
"Just in case, let's drink the invisibility potions now. Probably no one, but there might be patrols or vagrants."
"Got it."
Solid advice.
They pulled out their prepared potions and drank.
Their gradually fading forms vanished completely.
They could still sense each other fine.
Lanse had keen senses, if not quite Naviroje's level.
Naviroje muttered incredulously.
"Not even queasy means you're thoroughly prepared. If you put this effort into class..."
"Ahaha... Guilty."
"The other two. You're working hard enough."
"Huh? How would you..."
Lanse tilted his head.
Naviroje realized her slip too late and clammed up.
Damn, forgot I'm playing a stranger girl. Need to cover this.
"...My aunt mentions you sometimes. Says you're one with potential."
"What? Really?!"
"Lower your voice."
"S-Sorry. Got too excited... Instructor Naviroje really praised me?"
Lanse's voice brimmed with excitement.
Invisible, but she could picture his eyes sparkling like a puppy's.
Didn't expect this much joy. Have I been too harsh?
Naviroje replied awkwardly.
"Yes. Praised you."
"Wooow, I'm thrilled. I figured I'd never hear that before graduation. Thought she hated me."
"...Hated you? Ridiculous. Why think that?"
"Well, I'm the son of hero Ronan and Adeshan... She's their teacher. No matter how hard I try, I felt like I'd never measure up."
Lanse's voice grew slightly choked.
His parents were his greatest pride, but not always a boon.
The brighter the light, the deeper the shadow.
Stunned briefly, Naviroje let out a hollow laugh.
"Ha, unbelievable."
"Huh?"
"Listen well, Lanse. Instructor Naviroje doesn't praise lightly to keep you from getting arrogant. I downplayed it earlier, but she thinks highly of you."
"...Me?"
"Slip of the tongue. She does."
Naviroje tapped her lips.
Acting just doesn't suit me.
"You're excellent on your own, Lanse. Ronan and Adeshan were freaks, but don't feel lesser. Keep at it, and you'll reach their level—maybe surpass."
"T-The instructor said that much?"
"Yes. No doubts—keep striving. She... Instructor Naviroje believes in you."
"...Thanks, Naro."
Lanse sniffled faintly.
"Gotta work harder. Can't disappoint her if she believes in me."
"Hmph. Obviously. Slack off after this, and I'll tattle."
Naviroje smiled.
For this moment, glad she looked young.
As an instructor, she'd missed this burden.
Time to be more attentive.
"Why do guys like big chests so much? Just cumbersome fat lumps."
"Th-That's... deep topic. Gotta discuss here?"
"Never mind. Some mystery. If mine were this size now, no complaints..."
They chatted idly as they walked.
Mana density thickened nearing the Flame Palace.
They were approaching Lanse's mentioned spot.
"Wait."
Naviroje suddenly yanked Lanse's collar.
He stopped abruptly, barely stifling a yelp.
"Whoa! What's up?"
"People ahead. More than one or two."
"What?"
Lanse panicked.
Now that she mentioned, he faintly sensed presences.
Naviroje's gaze fixed on the corner ahead.
"...Our luck sucks."
Concentrating, she grimaced.
The unfamiliar voices discussed Navardoje.
- Perfect. Looks like an imperial envoy to anyone.
- Chance only today. Even the Mother of Fire is defenseless during molt.
- Bomb's ready. Let's move.
Unlike the airship, the topic wasn't pleasant.