第２９２堀：密談 (Part1)
Chapter 292: Secret Talk
Secret Talk
Side: Inis, First Princess of the August Kingdom
"Oh, it was magnificent!! Wouldn't you agree, Master Feigel?!"
I was more excited than I had ever been in my life.
For a human to fly through the sky—even with the aid of magic, barely hovering a few feet off the ground is usually the limit.
Well, there are non-human entities like Principal Popuri who can fly, but that is, by any measure, an exception among exceptions.
And then there are Dragon Knights, who command dragons. That, too, is an exception, but it carries the distinct advantage of being able to carry a human through the heavens.
Thanks to that, I had taken to the skies!
Wai-chan was clever; just as I had hoped, she flew higher and faster.
To be able to grasp a human’s intent to that degree—as expected of a dragon!
If one were to make such a creature their friend and race across the battlefield, it would be the true union of human and dragon!
A genuine Dragon Knight!
"Indeed, it was..."
However, Master Feigel, who had supposedly flown in the sky with me, gave a rather cold reply.
Honestly, this is why old men are so difficult.
"You should be able to admit when something is fun, you know? Isn't the ultimate goal of research just the pursuit of what is enjoyable?"
"That may be so, but I have my own procedures to follow. I had planned to properly arrange for a dragon-riding evaluation at a later date."
"What are you saying? You wouldn't have included me among those riding, would you?"
"That, of course, goes without saying."
"Reports from others are unreliable. If this were just a matter of a superior horse, that would be fine, but how could I leave the assessment of a dragon to my subordinates? The revival of a legendary Dragon Knight—in the center of a whirlpool of political conspiracy, is there anyone who could evaluate it accurately?"
"...And you believe you can, Princess?"
"Better than my subordinates, at least. I have no higher position to climb to, after all. You could call it a certain kind of aptitude. Thanks to that, I was able to push through my unreasonable request, wasn't I?"
Well, satisfying my own curiosity was the primary goal, but without a plausible excuse, I would find myself unable to move freely later on.
Honestly, what a troublesome position I was born into.
However, Master Feigel still looked dissatisfied.
It can't be helped; I’ll just have to spin some sophistry to appease him.
"Beyond the power dynamics, subordinates tend to overestimate their own country's strength. They cannot admit that their power is inferior to a neighboring nation, and even if it were a fact, they would hide it to protect the foundation of the state. Do you think a subordinate could speak the truth under such conditions?"
"...It would be impossible. Not unless they had nerves of steel."
"Exactly. Even generals at my level are concerned with how they are perceived by those around them. The only ones among my subjects who could properly evaluate that Wai-chan—besides Father—would be Vixen’s former superior, the Magic Sword User Laraina, or Chancellor Dokusen."
Naturally, I couldn't have Laraina, who isn't even here, ride Wai-chan for an evaluation, and Chancellor Dokusen, while not quite as old as Master Feigel, is quite advanced in years. Furthermore, due to his position, he is far too busy with work.
"Haa... I understand what you are saying, Princess. But as for me, I am still obligated to offer words of caution."
"I know. I apologize for the trouble, Master."
Yes, this exchange was merely a formality.
We have gone through this routine many times before.
"Now then, Princess, how did it feel to ride her yourself?"
He is a sharp one.
He switched gears instantly, his gaze sharpening.
That is precisely why he is so reliable.
"To be honest, to defeat that dragon—Wai-chan alone—you would need at least a thousand men."
"Hmm. On the level of an academy instructor, then?"
"At the very least. And that’s only if all one thousand of them attacked at once in a surprise assault."
"In that case, it is honestly impossible to defeat her."
"Indeed. I hate to say it, but she might even be superior to a Magic Sword User. Even our own Laraina would have a difficult time."
"Is she truly that formidable?"
"For starters, you cannot even reach her with attacks. That is the first hurdle. Secondly, dragons possess a special magic that protects their riders. It would be a foolish dream to think that arrows or the like could penetrate it. And finally, above all else, the dragon herself is incredibly intelligent. She understands my intent, and if she senses danger, she can make her own judgments. A strategy like provoking the Dragon Knight into descending to ground combat would never succeed. Even if, by some chance, we fabricated a crime and executed her master, I doubt she would ever submit to us. That dragon possesses true loyalty and a heart. Those who think of her as a mere animal or monster will be met with a painful retaliation."
"Legendary Dragon Knight" is a fitting title.
That alone has the potential to bring down an entire nation.
They could slowly whittle down the enemy from above, and thanks to that mobility, we would be forced to remain on guard day and night.
"I don't know what kind of offensive capabilities Wai-chan has, but she likely possesses a 'Dragon Breath.' I find it hard to believe she would conveniently engage in close-quarters combat."
"Indeed. According to the literature, dragons breathe fire."
"Besides, aren't there monsters that breathe elements in the Monster Forest managed by the academy?"
"There are. Black Wolves breathe fire, Ice Birds breathe ice, and Thunderbirds breathe lightning."
"And those were troublesome enough. That is just from those specimens. To think she is the same would be a grave miscalculation, given that her size is more than a grade above them."
"That is correct. And her carrying capacity is also absurd."
"Yes. Even with myself, you, Master, and my junior Amanda, she maintained that speed while carrying ten others in the basket. As a military force, it is something we would give anything to possess, but it is impossible."
"Impossible indeed. If we tried to lay a hand on her, that 'old hag' would come flying in."
"Literally. If that happens, we would be torn to shreds in coordination with the dragon. That is my assessment. You can use this as a reference when my selected subordinates come to evaluate the dragon later."
I wonder how much of the truth they will be able to speak?
I appreciate their patriotism, but misjudging our strength for the sake of appearances is not the right path.
"Now then, let me ask you something in return. From your perspective, Master, how did our guests appear to you?"
Master Feigel apparently possesses a special skill that allows him to see my status.