It's the third day since we entered the mountain.
　The sun has risen all the way to the top, and it's almost noon.
　I stretched out as hard as I could and let out a heavy breath.

"I'm tired...

　The dragon flew off yesterday, and not long after that, it returned, grabbing the beast-shaped monster by its hind legs.
　It munched on it, but soon after that, it fell asleep by the nest.
　When it woke up in the evening, it took off again, and this time after a vigilant look around the surrounding skies, it came back at night. Then he went right back to sleep.
　Night dawned and morning. And then day. The dragon still didn't wake up.
　It's not dead.
　It's just sleeping.

　As I watch the dragon breathing in its sleep, I think to myself.
　He must have been exhausted.
　Raising a child is hard work for animals, not to mention humans. This guy is a monster, but probably the same. It was obvious that he didn't have enough physical strength from the magic of the land alone.
　It's probably because there's no one to watch over him that he was having a hard time.

　It's just.........

When will I be released from...?

　While the dragon ate, strolled in the air, and slept, I kept on tending to the nest, rolling eggs and heating up rocks in a worthy manner.
　I got fed up with it all and tried to leave, but he got mad and barked at me terribly. If I ran away, he might have chased me into town, so I couldn't move.
　Maybe eggs are fine if you leave them alone to some extent but I don't know how long they'll be okay. Thanks to that, I've been up all night.

　Yuki, too, says in disgust, "I don't know.

It's a brazen thing to ask someone to raise a cub for you, isn't it?
...and so is the tube fox.
No, no, the tube is a demon that haunts people...
Huh... well maybe this is the only one of the dragons that's like this.

　This individual is special.
　No, it could be said that dragons themselves have such characteristics, but....

Then what do you want to do?　Dear Seika.

　Yuki says.

'I don't think we can continue to play the role of the monstrous nanny,'
I'm going home. We're running low on food.

　I have to convince the dragon somehow.

'Oi!　Get up!　It's noon already!

　His lumpy eyelids opened slightly as he yelled at the coasting dragon.
　It's obvious that he looks annoyed.
　I'm annoyed, but I point toward the city and say, "I'm going home now!

I'm going home, okay?
Grrrr!
That's not Grull, for God's sake!　It's not your turn to be in charge or anything, you know!

　The dragon growled in frustration, and then stood up with a sighing sigh.
　Then it limped toward me, lowered its large head and set its jaw on the ground.

"?
Grrrr.....

　I watch as his wings continue to rustle around.

"Do you think...you're going to give me a ride?
Grrrl.
Yes, I appreciate the sentiment, but no, wait.

　I realize that it's possible.
　I didn't think there was any way I could fly on a creature with wings, but this one could.

　I propped my feet on the scales and clambered up on top of its head.
　It's not too bad to sit on, with hard fur for a treat.

''Grrrrrr!''

　The dragon spread its wings and flapped its wings.
　It floated in the air, carrying me on its back.
　A fierce wind raged around me.
　But it's not so strong that I can't stand to ride it.
　And best of all... it doesn't shake so much. Just as I expected.

　Holding onto the protruding scales, I let out a single cheer of excitement.

　Once the dragon has circled in the sky, it glides slowly toward the city at the foot of the mountain.