Talking with Kathe

  I would just have to inspect the machine later.

  “Kathe. I’m sorry, but I’ll have to borrow this machine. I have to take a better look at it.”


  “Hmmm. But ruins should be left as they are……”


  “But if I did, then don’t you think the vampires will come back for it? If they do, they’ll cause even more mischief.”


  “Hmmm. I suppose you are right. But be very careful with it.”


  “I know.”


  And so I put the machine back into my magic bag.

  Kathe watched me do this and sighed.

  “Well, I suppose it will be fine, since you understand the importance of protecting cultural property.”


  “Kathe. Do you know any other ruins with similar machines?”


  “Most ruins don’t have anything, but there are a few that have machines, yes.”


  “The same one?”


  “.……I don’t know.”


  Kathe didn’t know.

  You couldn’t really tell by just looking at it.

  I wouldn’t know what to do either.

  “Kathe. There is a possibility that goblins, no, vampires will come and invade more ruins.”


  “.……That would be very unwelcome.”


  “You’ll have to go around and cast concealment magic.”


  “Oh, right. Can you check to see if there are any flaws in my magic?”


  “I don’t mind.”


  “Thank you.”


  And so Kathe cast concealment magic on the ruins.

  As it was dragon magic, it was a little different to my magic.

  Still, I could see that it was quite powerful.

  “That was very impressive, Kathe.”


  “Gahahaha! Do you think so?”


  “Yes. Splendid concealment magic. It would be hard to find even if someone was searching for magic energy.”


  “Really?”


  “Yes. The vampires will have no easy task ahead of them.”


  “Gahahaha! I see, I see.”


  Kathe laughed happily.

  “.……So, why were they able to invade this ruin? The magic I cast before was the same as the one I cast now.”


  “Probably because they saw it with their eyes.”


  “Hmm?”


  “A dragon flying high in the sky won’t be able to find it, but people searching on the ground depend on visual information as well.”


  It was difficult to see the entrance from above.

  And so as long as you didn’t detect any magic, it would be fine.

  However, it was visible enough for humans and goblins that walked on the ground.

  “Oh, I see……”


  Kathe had a tendency to only think from the perspective of a dragon.

  “So in cases like these……you should……”


  I cast concealment magic that affected your vision as well.

  “I see. That is very good!”


  “You understand how to do it now?”


  “Yes. I will deactivate it and start from the beginning. You deactivate yours, Locke.”


  “Alright.

  I erased mine and Kathe’s magic at the same time.

  “I-I was about to deactivate my own magic……”


  “Oh, sorry.”


  “No, nevermind. I am just shocked that you did that to my magic so quickly.”


  “I see.”


  I should have been more thoughtful.

  “Now, I will try again.”


  Kathe cast concealment magic on the ruins once again.

  This time it was also hidden from the eye.

  “How is it?”


  “It looks good. Nia. What do you think?”


  “Yes, I don’t think I would be able to find it.”


  “See? Kathe. You can breathe easy now.”


  “That’s good…… But I’m sure you’d deactivate it in a second, Locke.”


  “Mister Locke is special!”


  Nia said to Kathe.

  “Yes, he is. He is a human who was able to beat me, after all.”


  “He also beat the vampires.”


  “Hmm.”


  And then I asked Kathe, “Kathe. Is the invader detection spell still activated?”


  “Hmm. Yes, it is.”


  “That’s good.”


  “I am planning on flying around now and casting my magic.”


  “I see. You should do that.”


  “And I will call you again if something happens.”


  “That’s very……kind of you……Kathe……but……”


  “Hmm?”


  Kathe’s head tilted to the side.

  “Don’t call me like you did earlier.”


  “Oh?”


  “Screaming towards the capital. Calling my name.”


  “Huh? But is it not convenient? You understand it immediately. And you even came right away.”


  That was all that mattered to Kathe. But it would be very bad if this happened again.

  And so I explained it carefully.

  A dragon’s roar might shock the people of the capital.

  This could result in the army being sent out.

  Or an emergency request at the Adventurers Guild.

  “Oh, that sounds quite bad.”


  Kathe said as if this had nothing to do with us.

  “Perhaps you are not afraid of a human army, but this would be a great matter for the humans.”


  “That is not true. They have those things. Ballista? That they bring out? Those things can hurt.”


  “I doubt a ballista could take you down, Kathe.”


  “Yes, it won’t injure me. But pain is pain.”


  “I see.”


  Only smaller dragons could be damaged by ballista.

  “I’m sure your roar caused a lot of chaos in the city.”


  “Hmm. I am sorry about that.”


  “And Kathe, you called my name too.”


  “Hm? Did I?”


  “You did. That is also very bad.”


  “I see. I am sorry.”


  “So, if you could just use signal fires next time.”


  “But Locke, you might not notice if I don’t use my voice. How often are you even looking at the sky?”


  “That’s true, but……”


  “See! I am right!”


  Kathe said excitedly.

  “I’ll think about it then. We can meet on the western hill tomorrow at midday. I will think of something by then.”


  “Alright!”


  And with that, Kathe flew away.