Chapter 113: Archmage (3)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 113: Archmage (3)
“Lady Irene, will... will it really be alright...?”
At the trembling voice of her haggard compatriot, the Archmage gave a low, reassuring nod.
The compatriot’s exhausted gaze was fixed on a man standing tall and confident before them.
‘Leon von Konstanz... the second son of Margrave Konstanz and...’
The rising star who had defeated and claimed the heart of Andrasta, the Ardrin of Erin, who was hailed as the strongest warrior of the current era.
His prowess shown in the finals was so magnificent that the public had even bestowed upon him the moniker of the "Lion King."
...This was all information that Archmage Irene was well aware of.
However, she also knew all too well that worldly fame and the greatest martial arts of the era often failed to reach a dragon soaring through the sky.
‘He said he would go with companions who are in sync with him, both in body and mind. If that’s the case...’
From this moment on, she had to move with Leon and verify the caliber of the companions who would join him.
As soon as she made that judgment, the Archmage stepped up beside Leon as he was leaving the hall.
“Sir Leon.”
“Your Excellency, Archmage Marshal.”
“Drop the formalities. Just call me Irene. As you know, the situation is extremely urgent.”
“Yes, I am well aware. Therefore, I intend to depart immediately. If it wouldn't be an imposition...”
“Even if you told me not to, I intend to accompany you in everything from now on. I will follow your lead, so please assemble your companions as quickly as possible.”
“Understood. Then, allow me to escort you to my family’s mansion.”
It was a brief exchange, but the Archmage found herself letting out a sigh of relief.
Part of it was because their intentions to move immediately aligned... but there was another reason.
‘He didn't show even a hint of fear at the mention of a dragon...’
A gaze without a shred of hesitation, a calm voice devoid of any agitation or shaking.
A steady stride that was neither rushed nor lingering.
All these traits were sprouting seeds of hope within Archmage Irene’s heart.
Because of that, Irene couldn't possibly imagine what kind of smile was playing on Leon’s face as he walked ahead of her.
*
“Welcome back, Young Master. You’ve returned sooner than expected.”
As soon as we reached the mansion in a single breath, Matthias came out to greet us with a face mixed with joy and surprise.
Of course, the joy was for me, and the surprise was for the Archmage Marshal standing behind me.
I leaned in slightly toward Matthias’s ear and whispered in a low voice.
“Why didn't you tell me the Archmage Marshal was an elf?”
“I naturally assumed you already knew...?”
To be honest, Matthias has a general idea of the situation by now.
It’s mostly thanks to my older brother asking Matthias to respect my wishes as much as possible.
Anyway, that wasn't the important part right now, so I straightened my posture and looked at Matthias.
“Call Helena, Natalia, and Andrasta to the garden immediately. Tell Helena to bring my sword as well. Oh, and I plan to be away from the mansion for a while, so please prepare for that.”
“Yes, Young Master.”
“Ah, right. Call Valeria too. I should at least say goodbye before I leave.”
“Ho ho, yes. Please wait a moment.”
As Matthias hurried inside the mansion, Irene approached my side.
Her eyes were wide with shock, and she asked me in a stuttering voice.
“Na... Natalia... you mean...”
“That’s right. It is Lady Natalia Clausewitz, the true Sword Saint whom everyone praises.”
“Th-then... He-Helena is...”
“She is an outstanding female swordsman known as the 'Strong Sword' who made the Overlord’s blood run cold.”
“Then... th-that last name...”
“Yes, it is that Ardrin.”
Irene seemed to have many questions about those facts...
But unfortunately, since all my women were coming down to the garden, there was no time for such idle chatter.
I immediately took Sitri from Helena’s outstretched hand and introduced the Archmage Marshal to everyone.
“This is Her Excellency Irene Merlini, the Chief Court Mage and Archmage Marshal. Your Excellency, this is Her Highness Andrasta, the former Ardrin and current Retired King of Erin.”
“Greetings, Archmage Marshal.”
“Ah, yes, it’s... it is an honor, Your Highness.”
“For someone of the Marshal's rank to travel personally, the situation must be exceptionally grave. Hmm, has a dragon appeared, perhaps?”
As expected of a former king, Andrasta seized the initiative in an instant.
Moreover, she pierced right to the heart of the matter.
Thanks to that, our Archmage Marshal replied with a look of astonishment.
“Did... did you perhaps already know...?”
“Haha, how could I? I simply deduced it. Considering the Empire’s current national power, diplomatic relations... after weighing all those factors, the only answer that came to mind was a dragon. So, I ask again. Has a dragon truly appeared?”
“...Yes. A Red Dragon has appeared in the Great Forest, a protectorate beyond the Empire’s western border. The situation is dire, Your Highness. Even at this very moment, my kin and the forest are being turned to ash.”
So please help, Irene looked at Andrasta with a pleading gaze.
Then she looked at Helena and Natalia standing behind her.
In a way, her eyes were desperate, as if she were offering a prayer.
‘By the way...’
Helena, Natalia, and Andrasta... well... to put it simply... they had faces that said, "What a treat."
Of course, since many elves were being burned alive, they were taking the situation seriously...
But seeing the glint in their eyes that crossed for a split second, it seemed that to these women, a dragon was merely a rare and precious prey that was hard to come by.
‘Well... I’m no exception.’
However, Valeria, who had heard the whole story, was different.
“Darling, are you saying you’re going to hunt a dragon right now?”
“Well...”
“No! Absolutely not! Are you crazy? It’s a dragon! A dragon!”
Valeria tried to talk not just me, but Helena, Natalia, and Andrasta out of it.
She shouted, asking if we were in our right minds, why we were going to our deaths, and how she was supposed to live if we died.
So, I pulled the tear-stained Valeria into an embrace.
“No, darling. Please... please don't go... I can't live without you...”
To Valeria in this state, empty comfort or vague promises wouldn't work.
What she needed was a concrete plan and something to help her forget my absence.
I pulled Valeria deeper into the hug and whispered in her ear.
“There’s something I want to ask of you.”
“...What is it?”
“Find out how to dispose of the dragon’s corpse I’ll be bringing back soon to get the best price. And...”
“...And?”
“I want you to spread rumors throughout the country. That a dragon appeared in the western Great Forest, and that we went to subjugate it.”
“Is that it?”
“Haha, and... no masturbating. If you break the rule, I’ll punish you.”
“Ugh... O-okay...”
“Thank you. I love you.”
“...Me too. You have to come back, okay? Promise?”
Don't worry, I have a body that can't die even if I wanted to.
With that sentiment, I gave Valeria a short kiss on the forehead.
...By the way, I wonder if Valeria can really hold back. I might have to think about what kind of punishment to give her instead of a reward.
Anyway, now that I’d calmed Valeria down... I looked at the Elf Maman who would soon be wailing beneath me.
“Lady Irene.”
“Ah, yes. Is... is everything ready?”
“Yes.”
“I understand. Honestly, I have a dozen things I want to ask, but I will hold back for now.”
Next, though there was no real need to ask, I approached Andrasta.
“Want to come along?”
“Of course.”
Next was Natalia.
Before I could even ask, Natalia answered and gently wrapped her arms around my neck.
“I would go even if you told me not to.”
“Hahaha, right.”
And... the last one was naturally Helena.
I took Helena’s hand and asked the question I already knew the answer to.
“Teacher.”
“I have sworn to be the Young Master’s shield. I will follow you anywhere.”
“Yes. Thank you, Teacher.”
Just then, Matthias, who had finished all the preparations, returned to the garden.
Matthias immediately bowed to me and offered a polite farewell.
“All preparations for your departure are complete, Young Master.”
“Thanks. Oh, and help Valeria out. I’ve asked her to handle a few things.”
“Understood.”
“Right. See you when I get back.”
“Yes. Young Master, I wish you good fortune in battle.”
Then it was time to depart.
Just as I was about to head toward the horses waiting outside the mansion.
Suddenly, Irene bowed her head to all of us.
“Sir Leon, and everyone else, I offer my sincere gratitude. Even if we fail to subjugate the dragon, the children of the forest will never forget your decision and devotion.”
With those words, we headed toward the west of the Empire.
*
As soon as we left the Imperial Capital, we kept riding until sunset.
We swapped exhausted horses at inns or gates along the way, and as a result of riding without a single moment’s rest...
We met the evening on a vast, empty plain.
“Whoa, whoa.”
“Neigh! Snort...”
When I, riding at the front, stopped my horse, everyone following behind stopped theirs as well.
Immediately, Irene rode up beside me.
“Why are we stopping?”
“The sun is about to set. I think we should camp here for the night. What do you think?”
“Mmm...”
Of course, in her heart, she probably wanted to ride without resting for even a second.
However, haste makes waste.
Irene nodded with a face that clearly showed her dissatisfaction.
“I... understand. We certainly won't be able to subjugate a dragon with bodies exhausted from travel and fatigue.”
“That’s right. Thank you for understanding.”
“However, I don't intend to just rest. I want to scout the area and gather herbs or materials that might be helpful.”
“Understood. In that case, I’ll assign Lady Natalia and Miss Helena to you as guards and assistants.”
“Ah...! Thank you!”
With that, Irene immediately took Helena and Natalia and headed into the nearby forest.
Next... our former Queen approached with a bright smile.
...Along with Panthera, the pet lion who really hates me.
“Grrr.”
“This guy growls every time he sees me. Anyway... do you have something to say?”
“Yeah. I want to go hunting.”
“With Panthera?”
“Yeah. Unlike us, he needs to fill his stomach. And... we need to eat too. Freshly grilled meat is better than shriveled jerky.”
She was right.
Everyone here except Irene had an immortal body.
To others, we were just another kind of monster, so a bit of acting was essential.
So, I asked Andrasta again.
“Should I help?”
“Hmm~ that would be nice, but don't you have other things to do?”
Behind Andrasta, who was subtly glancing back, stood the horses carrying our luggage.
Things like clothes, food... those kinds of items.
“I guess I should stay here.”
“Exactly. It won't take long.”
“Haha, alright. Then have a good hunt, Your Highness.”
“Fufu.”
With that, Andrasta dismounted and immediately began to run with Panthera.
Well... now it’s just the two of us.
“What do you think, Sitri?”
“Hmm? About what?”
Spreading her black wings today as well, the beautiful Great Demon nestled into my arms.
I naturally kneaded Sitri’s buttocks and left a lingering kiss on her neck.
“The dragon. Do you know anything about it?”
In truth, very little was known about dragons.
Forget biological characteristics or weaknesses; even their basic ecology was a mystery.
“Hmph... a dragon... It was certainly a magical lifeform created by Astaroth...”
“Astaroth?”
“One of my siblings. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen them... Yes, it was a masterpiece. A vassal and a weapon to stand against Solomon. Unfortunately, they couldn't be used when we faced Solomon.”
“Really? Why?”
“For a simple reason. Many dragons died before they were fully grown, and many never even hatched from their eggs.”
Even so, Astaroth was said to have hidden a significant number of dragon eggs all over the world.
To prevent their masterpiece from disappearing and to prepare for the time when Solomon would eventually die.
“In other words, the dragons are rampaging to free their sealed creator?”
“I didn't create them, so it’s just a guess, but it’s not an impossible story. Astaroth was the only Great Demon among us who looked into the future and made preparations. Though I told them that the future we see is just one of infinite possibilities.”
“Hmm... I see. But if that’s their goal, there should be better ways than just rampaging blindly.”
“A weapon that can think for itself has no reason to exist. For a weapon created for destruction and slaughter, things like information gathering, negotiation, and persuasion are impossible from the start.”
“...Is Astaroth an idiot by any chance?”
“Well... rather than that, they were just that desperate. Desperate enough to have to leave their legacy to a beast that knows nothing but destruction and slaughter.”
Our Holy Emperor was a very thorough man.
Anyway... dragons are biological weapons created by a Great Demon.
Their mission is to liberate their master, but all they know how to do is destroy and kill.
“Tsk... that’s a bit disappointing.”
Honestly, I had high expectations.
You know, dragons can usually transform into humans or elves.
I’m not a dragon-fucker, but I’m more than willing to fuck a human or an elf, so I was hoping for a busty dragon maman with flowing red hair, fitting for a Red Dragon...
‘By the way... this setting wasn't in Milfgard either. Should I consider this a completely different world now...?’
While having such a conversation with Sitri and thinking those thoughts, I built a campfire.
I laid out the sleeping bags and took measures to ward off flying insects and minor monsters.
Before long, the surroundings were covered by the dark curtain of night.
Andrasta returned carrying two large deer, and Irene and the Clausewitz sisters returned with sacks full of herbs and insects.
It really felt like we were out on a picnic, which made my heart flutter.
‘Now then... I should find the right moment to start seasoning the Elf Maman...’
I might not be able to have a dragon maman, but I will definitely make the Elf Maman mine.