第２８９堀：ペッタンコの価値 (Part1)
**Chapter 289: The Value of Flatness**
**Side: Ria**
"Ah, they’re panicking."
"Well, that’s to be expected. Even if it’s just a wyvern, it’s still a dragon."
I stood beside Yuki-san as I always do, watching the soldiers scurrying about below. Even in the Weed continent, it’s said that you have to be prepared for significant damage when a wyvern appears. In this New Continent, where monsters are already scarce, this must be a rare sight indeed.
"Ria is right. Even though Vixen-dono said they were notified, they’ve never seen a wyvern before. Look, some of the soldiers are even aiming their bows at us."
"Oh, you’re right."
Just as Jessica said, there were soldiers in a panic, pointing their bows our way. They weren't within range, but I stepped in front of Yuki-san, ready to intercept at a moment's notice. However, they were quickly struck by their peers and had their bows confiscated.
"My sincerest apologies. It seems the younger soldiers panicked. We have no hostility toward you."
Vixen-san apologized with a look of genuine regret. He seems to be a man of high standing, but he also has the air of someone who has seen his fair share of hardship. He reminds me of the merchant uncle who went out of his way to take me in.
"It can't be helped. Well, looking at it, the officers are moving to keep them in check, so the message seems to have gotten through. So, is there a spot for the wyvern?"
"Yes. That area we’ve cleared will be fine. If you could land there and then move to the edge, that would be appreciated."
"Understood. Amanda-san, you heard him."
"Yes. Please, Wai-chan."
*Gyaaaas.*
When Wai-chan let out a roar in response, the soldiers below stiffened. Well, I suppose if a dragon roars, you’d assume it’s about to attack.
For now, Jessica and I kept our guard up beside Yuki-san to block any potential attacks, while Cleena and Samantha kept their distance, scanning the area to intercept with magic. Of course, Eris, Deryu, Rurua, and Ratz were also on high alert. Labyris and Shera stayed close to protect Aslin-chan and Firia-chan. Oh, and Amanda is being protected by Eoid, of course.
Vixen-san was waving his hands from within his carriage, shouting repeatedly for them not to attack. ...He looks like he’s going to be exhausted.
Perhaps thanks to Vixen-san’s voice, we landed without any issues and stepped out of the carriage.
"We have been waiting for you, Dragon Knight-sama!!"
As we descended, those words rang out, and the soldiers standing in formation saluted in unison. Hmm. They seem well-trained.
Amanda, being addressed directly, seemed unaccustomed to it, her face twitching. Prodded by Eris, she managed to give a reply.
"Thank you for your polite response. The training here is wonderful. I would like to speak about this during the audience."
"Yes, thank you very much!!"
Quite a few of the soldiers were pumping their fists in triumph. Well, an audience with royalty isn't something one gets every day, and if they can use this opportunity to be evaluated, even indirectly, they might get a bonus later.
While that exchange was happening, Vixen-san, who had briefly ducked into the barracks, returned.
"Everyone, we have already sent word to the Royal Castle, so a carriage should be here to pick you up shortly. Please prepare yourselves until then. Also, Amanda-sama, could you move the dragon to the edge over there?"
"Oh, yes. Understood."
And so, Wai-chan moved to the edge of the plaza.
"Jessica. Come to think of it, which one of us is staying behind to watch Wai-chan? I didn't hear anything about that."
"Ah, now that you mention it, I haven't heard either. Yuki, who exactly is staying behind?"
"No one. We aren't leaving anyone."
"Eh? But if we do that, some idiot might try to do something strange to Wai-chan, right?"
"I think Ria is right. Is there some goal behind this?"
"Of course there is. We’re trusting the soldiers here and leaving Wai-chan entirely in their care. Unless they specifically ask for someone to stay behind, it would be rude for us not to all board the carriage that comes to pick us up, wouldn't it?"
At Yuki-san's explanation, Jessica’s face twitched. It’s that classic Yuki-san move again.
"In other words, Wai-chan is something no one but us can handle, and if the soldiers neglect their guard and something happens, it puts us in a favorable position?"
"Yup, that’s exactly it. You’re really starting to get it, Ria."
"Hehe. That’s because I’m Yuki-san’s wife."
This is what you call being of one mind. Like our hearts are communicating through our eyes. It makes me happy, feeling truly like a married couple.
"However, couldn't they try to pick a fight by claiming Wai-chan went on a rampage?"
Jessica looked worriedly at Wai-chan, who was left all alone. Ah, true, making up ridiculous excuses is a specialty of the nobility.
"That’s not impossible, but it would be a total failure on their part."
"What do you mean?"
"We’ve already proven that we can wait safely at the Academy and in Roday. If they try to bribe the soldiers here to stir up trouble, the most they’ll achieve is getting some soldiers hurt—they can’t make it a major incident. It would only prove that they aren't as capable as the Academy or Roday."
"Indeed, that would be a disgrace to the nation..."
"Well, they couldn't complain unless Wai-chan burned the royal capital to the ground, but do you think she would?"
"That’s not happening. She might end up burning her own home, too."
"If Wai-chan were to approach the Royal Castle, the country itself would be in jeopardy. Even ballistae don't work on her. It takes an anti-material rifle to even scratch her."
"Besides, the court magic advisor, who is also the teacher of the princess and Cleena, is a graduate of the Academy. Do you really think the country would collude to pick a fight with us?"
"Not a chance. They wouldn't just be picking a fight with the Academy, but with the other four countries that support it as well."
I see. From what I hear, laying a hand on Wai-chan would only lead to their ruin.
"Exactly. If anything happens, it’ll be the reckless act of an individual, so the bigwigs will all come crawling to get on our good side. That’s why it’s more convenient to leave Wai-chan alone. Leaving one of my wives behind to guard her would actually be the problem."
"Eh? Why is that?"