Return to the Capital

  And so I explained it to everyone.

  “This isn’t Magic Learning. I’m just copying it after watching.”


  “But that’s still impressive in itself.”


  As we talked like this, Dorgo finished casting the spell.

  And so the communication bracelets were finished in no time.

  Magic technology of humans could also create such bracelets.

  They were even sold in stores, though they were very expensive. But at least they were not rare.

  That being said, human magic was not capable of making them this quickly.

  “Mister Ruck. I would not mind at all if you used this magic to make more bracelets, if you find the need.”


  “Thank you.”


  Dorgo then gave the finished bracelets to Leea and the Grand Chamberlain.

  Then he taught them how to use it.

  “Wow!”


  Leea looked very impressed by it.

  Her tail was wagging excitedly.

  “I’ll contact you as soon as the enemy attacks.”


  “Yes. Contact us anytime if you need help, not just when under attack.”


  “Really? Are you sure?”


  “Of course.”


  After discussing it a little further, we returned to the mansion.

  Eric and Goran went back to their work.

  Kathe tried to skip her own duties, but Dorgo dragged her away.

  And I decided to rest in my room for a while.

  Only Grulf and Lord Gerberga were close by.

  “Grrr.”


  Grulf was resting on the bed.

  He had fallen asleep in no time.

  “You fall asleep so fast, Grulf.”


  Perhaps he slept so much because he was still a wolf cub.

  “Cluck-cluck.”


  Lord Gerberga was perched on my lap.

  I stroked his feathers and thought about the dark ones.

  The dark ones were currently targeting the water dragon settlement.

  It was very likely that they had succeeded in producing the Fool’s Stone.

  And then there was this Most High King.

  The vampires who had attacked Kathe’s palace had told me about him.

  I believed this person was a vampire king who was stronger than any Vampire High Lord.

  The Most High King’s subordinates had been raiding dragon ruins and had attacked the palace of the Wind Dragon Ruler.

  The dark ones who were attacking the water dragons were likely also doing it under his command.

  And then there were dark ones inside of the royal capital.

  Were they all working for the same person?

  In any case, there was a reason to believe that they had gotten quite close to the center of government.

  It was clear that they had some influence on certain officials.

  The dark ones had even taken over Marquis Mastafon’s house.

  And then they had forced Philly to make the Fool’s Stone.

  Villains like Kabino collected weapons for them and stored their forbidden ham.

  It was clear that the dark ones inside of the city were quite weak compared to the ones who attacked the wind dragon palace.

  However, it was incredibly dangerous that there were any in the city, to begin with.

  They must be using quite a few humans as servants.

  But it was still a mystery as to why any humans would want to help them.

  “Hmmm.”


  “Cluck?”


  Lord Gerberga nibbled at my fingers.

  And so I started to talk to him.

  “Well, I don’t have much choice but to leave the investigation to the privy council…”


  “Cluck.”


  There wasn’t much I could do.

  Investigations should be left to organizations that were good at it.

  They were probably doing everything that they could now.

  “I guess I’ll just concentrate on protecting the water dragons now.”


  As I talked to Lord Gerberga, someone knocked on the door.

  “Hmm? Who is it?”


  “Mister Locke. Do you mind if I come in?”


  “Serulis. Is something wrong?”


  The door opened just as I held Lord Gerberga and stood up.

  “I hope you have time… I wanted to ask if you would help with my sword practice…”


  “Sure. Let’s go to the garden then.”


  “Thank you!”


  Serulis smiled happily.

  “Grulf is… Hmm, we’ll let him sleep.”


  I would feel bad if I woke him up when he was sleeping so soundly.

  And so I left him and took Lord Gerberga with me to the garden.

  It was times like this that I was thankful that it was very big.

  I saw Nia and Shia on our way there.

  “Nia. Serulis and I are going to do some sword practice now. Want to join us?”


  “Do you mean it?”


  “Of course.”


  Nia was my apprentice. And an Adventurer.

  I wanted to teach her.

  “Oh! Can I come and watch you?”


  “Of course, Shia.”


  “Thank you!”


  And so we went to the garden and Serulis’s training began.

  We would fight with heavy wooden swords.

  “Serulis, you have a natural aptitude.”


  “Hhhh…hahh…thank you!”


  While quite out of breath, Serulis swung the sword earnestly.

  She was quick and steady in her movements. A definite improvement from before.

  After a few more swings, Serulis’s sword went flying out of her grasp.

  “Alright, next. Nia, come.”


  Nia was still small but very good.

  She also was a natural, and her movements were smooth, like many beastkin.

  After Nia, was Shia. She too wanted to practice.

  And then it was back to Serulis.

  After an hour had passed, Serulis, Nia and Shia were all out of breath and on their knees.

  “I don’t have enough stamina.”


  “Mi-mister Locke’s energy is just abnormal.”


  “I’ll do my best!”


  “It’s going to be a long road…”


  They muttered to each other.