The location Dianeia teleported us to was a vast plain.

  Staring out across the landscape there were scarcely any animals nor vegetation to be seen.

  There was only one thing that truly stood out at this location…


  「That’s the Dragon Country’s Mausoleum?」


  「Yes that’s right ssu. That’s the only building in the Dragon Country and where the Founding Dragon-sama stays ssu.」


  I could see a huge desolate structure looming in the distance.

  It was a building that gave off the impression of an Ancient Temple.

  A large stone entrance shaped like a square opened to a long pathway lined with huge huts.

  ….it was a structure that seemed as if a giant cave had been used as the basis for it.

  Several of the structures were quite run down and even the entrance itself was crumbling despite the grand scale of the building. But despite all that you couldn’t help but question…


  「Is this really a 『Country』?」


  It’s only a single giant and spacious building left out in the open.

  「Most dragons say that ‘it’s fine as long as we have space to rest our wings’ ssu. So the only thing needed was someone to watch over the land or so that’s what I was told ssu. Well, there are many precious stones buried beneath the ground here so it’s fairly rich in resources ssu.」


  「n, certainly, I can feel many, magic stones emitting, magic from beneath the ground…I also smell, different metals and, crystals.」


  Hesty said as she sniffed the air while still trapped in Anne’s iron hug.

  「That’s right Aneue-sama. For us who create magic tools this could be considered a mountain of treasures.」


  「It might be a great place for you guys, but for Dragons like me who need a lot of water it’s a harsh place to live. There’s some underground water but it’s not enough. I don’t feel like there are any rivers, lakes, or ponds…」


  Manaril was right and it didn’t seem like there were any places to obtain food around here either.

  「Nagini, you said that you lived here with your sister, but where did you get food from?」


  They didn’t seem like creatures that could live without food or water.

  「Ah, my sister went to the forest north of here to get food ssu.」


  Nagini said and pointed far in the distance past the mausoleum.

  Certainly I could vaguely make out the outline of a forest in the distance.

  It seemed like the Magic Forest near the Fortified City.

  「It’s pretty far…she went all that way?」


  「Yeah. Also sometimes visiting Dragons would give us stuff. Also since I was weak in magic power I sometimes did my best to walk to a human settlement. The Founding Dragon-sama could also make food with magic but that food was fairly tasteless ssu. Basically we supplied our own food ssu.」


  「….you’ve had it hard…」


  「Ahaha…honestly I wish this building was closer to a place with more food ssu….but thanks to the difficulties my body was able to overcome Master’s training ssu. Master’s food really motivates me.」


  Nagini smiled wryly as she gazed at the mausoleum.

  I could understand how she felt because no matter how large the building was it wouldn’t fill her stomach.

  「Well, when your test is over we can grab something good to eat. This is where the trial is right?」


  「Yes ssu. It’s just that entering the mausoleum is the privilege of royalty and the right to take the trial is the royal prerogative….so you can’t follow me inside ssu…..」


  Nagini said while pointing at a shining cover across the entrance which blocked us from seeing further in.

  「What’s that?」


  「That’s the observation magic barrier ssu. It prevents those on the outside from seeing within. Also it keeps anyone except royalty from going inside and will shock anyone else who tries with electricity ssu.」


  「So she says Dianeia…it’d be best if you didn’t touch it.」


  「Hm!? W-well I was just curious about a magic spell I’d never seen before…I wasn’t thinking of touching it!」


  She said but I doubt anyone believed her seeing as she quickly withdrew her hand.

  「Well the magic in this mausoleum is very old and powerful ssu. The outer defenses extend out across the entire surface…once a violent dragon bombarded it with powerful magic for an entire night but it remained unscratched ssuyo.」


  「Huh…that’s some pretty strong security for a mausoleum.」


  「Yes…..That’s why until I finish clearing the trial it’d be best if you all just took a relaxing walk around ssu. Sorry for how bland it is out here, but if you search around there are some places that catch a nice breeze ssu. There are also plenty of gems and magic stones rolling around so you could also collect some. There’s no one here to complain even if you took them so go ahead and grab what you want ssu.」


  Nagini said as she waved her arm towards the empty plain.

  「Hmm, then we’ll take a walk, collect some stuff, and drink some tea while we wait.」


  「Thank you very much ssu…..th-then I’m heading off ssu!」


  As Nagini set off for the mausoleum I could see her mouth quiver a bit.

  She was surely nervous so…


  「Ahh, Nagini. You don’t have to panic, just stick out your chest proudly. You’ve truly become stronger.」


  I encouraged her to remove some of her nervousness.

  I wanted to help her by giving her some honest praise and encouragement.

  Nagini took a deep breath and turned back for a moment.

  「Ussu! I’ll show off the results of my training and clear it in record time. I’ll come back with a good report ssu!!」


  She called out half filled with confidence and half bluffing. However, her expression had brightened up as she entered the mausoleum’s interior.