Chapter 179

Nelson’s complaints flowed out effortlessly.

However, suddenly something popped into my head as I heard her.

“Say that again… just one more time.”

“Uh… what? That I’m crazy?”

“The one after that.”

“Dragon year?”

“Yes, that. Dragon. You definitely said dragon, right?”

“Um… yeah, I did. So what?”

“Are you implying that she… Lemain transformed into a dragon?”

“Yeah, that’s right! Even though she was in such bad shape that she couldn’t fight… she definitely transformed into a red-eyed white dragon.”

“Red-eyed white dragon, huh.”

At Nelson’s words, something automatically popped into my mind.

In terms of human beings transforming into dragon forms, I knew of only two instances based on the original work I was familiar with.

One was the form that Chancellor Senel had taken during our previous encounter. A two-headed red dragon covered in acidic solution.

And the other was…

The biological mother of Senel, who appeared as the final boss from the side of the Empire of Frantz in the original work.

Considering this point, I managed to grab onto a clue, albeit not very clearly.

The Kingdom of Roycen…

Specifically, if it’s Chancellor Senel from there…

She might know something.

“Captain? What’s wrong?”

“Father, what’s up?”

Franklin and Ambasha cautiously asked as they watched me suddenly stand up.

Looking at them, I immediately issued the order.

“We have a destination. Prepare to set sail.”

*

“Huuh…”

Senel stood on the terrace, letting out a deep sigh. At that moment, her face was clouded with a profound sense of regret.

“Really, sis… why are you in such a hurry to leave when you could stay a little longer?”

Until just recently, the house had felt full.

The long-awaited time spent with my dear older sister was truly a precious treasure for her as well.

The bond shared between sisters, which one couldn’t experience with other family members, was incredibly strong.

But, with every meeting, a parting was inevitable.

To be honest, Senel wished things could have continued without that, but the circumstances around her didn’t allow for it.

Especially when it involved that person she couldn’t quite articulate.

‘Should I take some time off, too?… Come to think of it, it’s been quite a while since I visited my family home…’

With such thoughts, Senel went back into the room.

At that moment…

“…Hmm?”

In an instant, Senel’s expression hardened, contrasting sharply with her earlier demeanor.

At the same time, red magical power began to radiate from her body, spreading out in all directions.

The magical power stretched out quickly as if reaching out with sensory awareness.

And finally, the moment it reached its destination…

“…Hooh.”

The flow of magical power was cleanly cut, as if severed from something.

It could only mean one thing.

There was an uninvited guest waiting not far from here.

‘Oh dear… just when I was getting a bit bored, things have taken a turn for the interesting!’

*

“Did… did we get caught?”

Franklin asked cautiously.

In response, I answered in a calm voice.

“Yeah… I expected it to some extent, but the response was quicker than I thought.”

Right after arriving at the Kingdom of Roycen, I instinctively frowned.

We had just disembarked from the ship at the port.

However, by blocking the Circle of Magical Power that had just attempted to flow in our direction, I realized.

That woman…

Chancellor Senel was already aware of our presence here.

“Um… is this dangerous? It seems that over there has also noticed us.”

It was Nelson’s voice, the only one I had chosen to accompany me for management reasons.

Though her magical abilities were sealed due to handcuffs, she was still a proper Grade 12 level.

Just the fact that the Circle of Magical Power I had dispersed approached us was something she could understand.

To her concerns, I replied calmly.

“There’s no need to worry. After all, it’s more or less like we have an appointment.”

“Huh? An appointment? With Chancellor Senel? When did you meet?”

“It was during the Revolution War in the Kingdom of Frantz. Well, to call it an appointment would be a stretch; it was more like an invitation from her side.”

Just a few months ago, we had fought fiercely against each other.

But at least I remembered that the conclusion back then was reasonably cordial… at least for me.

Being invited in the name of ‘after-service’.

Believing that the worst possible scenario wouldn’t occur, I began to walk into the port area.

At that moment.

-Clank clank.

“…”

“Ugh…”

The sharp sound of metal echoed in my ears.

Then, before our eyes, figures clad in black armor began to appear—black knights.

Those were the shapeshifted snails that Senel used to carry around.

However, unlike back then when they immediately drew their swords upon seeing me, they bowed politely towards me.

Then, gently gesturing for us to move forward, the group of black knights started to walk.

As their intent to follow was clear, I moved forward alongside the two of them, following the black knights.

The place we arrived at was a small house located on the outskirts of the port area.

It wasn’t very large, but it gave off quite a tidy impression, and we entered guided by the black knights.

The place we were guided to was a well-organized room.

After making a gesture suggesting we wait for a moment, the black knights left the room.

We sat down and began to wait.

In the meantime, Franklin cautiously asked.

“Um… Captain? Is this okay? Is this some kind of trap to cage us…?”

“It doesn’t matter. Whatever the trap is, our goal is still to meet her no matter what.”

“That’s true, but…”

Even if it was a trap, for them to do something to us, that woman would need to come out herself.

After waiting for about a few hours, feeling uneasy, black knights came in and out a few times to bring us some simple refreshments, yet the person we were waiting for still hadn’t appeared.

“It’s taking a while…”

“Oh… but this tea is pretty good… where is this from? Ceylon? Karalon?”

“Hmm…”

While Nelson was comfortably gulping down her teacup, the rest of us began to grow increasingly restless.

At that moment…

“!”

“…”

Nelson paused, holding her teacup.

My increasingly serious expression became even more rigid.

And,


Before our eyes, a figure began to reveal itself…

“Long time no see. I’m really glad you came to visit!”

“Chancellor Senel…”

“Hoho~ Don’t look at me with such a fierce expression. You don’t think I’m going to kill a guest who comes to visit after all this time, right…?”

With a voice overflowing with ease, Senel spoke.

Then she briefly glanced at another person holding a teacup in front of her, looking slightly surprised.

“Oh my… Is that you, Nelson? I never expected to see you here again like this!”

“… Has it really been about seven years? You seem to have gotten much better… Did something good happen?”

“Hoho, really? There was something good that happened… unlike… hehehe…”

“…Hmm.”

Suddenly bursting into laughter, Senel started giggling.

Not bothering to elaborate on the reason, Nelson merely looked away, her face flushed.

“Hahaha! What’s happened to you? How did you end up like this? I heard you lost in the war. Haha… This will be quite an interesting sight to behold. Who would have thought that you, of all people, would be captured by pirates! Haha!”

“… I just had bad luck, alright? You, on the other hand, fled after losing to this man in front of me. If your luck had been just a bit worse, you’d have been in the same spot as me.”

“Well, that’s something no one knows. At least I’m not like others, running away without even a chance to escape. This is all part of my usual karma.”

“Drat…”

Hearing Senel’s words, Nelson had no choice but to fall silent.

After a moment of watching the warm banter between the two Grade 12 individuals, I interrupted their conversation with a serious tone.

“Let’s stop teasing this woman for now. It’s high time we get to the point.”

“Hm~ Already? My little brother has such a quick temper… don’t be so stiff. Since you’ve come all this way, at least relax and enjoy your time.”

“… As Nelson just mentioned… what exactly happened?”

“Hoho… who knows? What could have possibly happened?”

With a demeanor completely lighthearted, as if she had thrown away the solemn air from our previous meeting, I felt perplexed and at the same time began to recall her familiar face.

‘… this feeling… somehow feels similar… to Lemain…’

The sight of Senel began to remind me of the purpose for which I had come here.

With that thought in mind, I looked at the smirking Senel and said in a cold voice.

“If you want, I can keep playing along this charade, but first, I need to address the reason I came here.”

“Hm~ Really? If you agree to that, then I’d be happy to oblige. So, what is it that you specifically want to know?”

With a bright smile plastered on her face, Senel was playful.

But then…

“Do you happen to know anything about Lemain… no, the whereabouts of the former Chancellor Eli of the Kingdom of Frantz?”

“!”

The moment I uttered those words, the smile on Senel’s face vanished in an instant.

“… Why is that person’s name coming out of your mouth?”