It was only a few hours later, after all, that they returned to the Sheikh's official residence.
　I really wanted to wait until the prince's men or someone else came to the top of the mountain, but the killing dragons were poking around at Zekt and the mercenaries.
　In the meantime, I wanted to hand over the sinners, so I decided to get them down the mountain before they were eaten.

　When the dragon landed in the garden of the official residence again, he flipped out the vine he had been holding in his mouth. The tied up zekts and mercenaries dropped to the lawn with a thud.

　The garden was filled with the prince, his elven retinue, and a large number of guards.
　As expected, this is what happens the second time around.

　As I descend from the dragon with Yifa, the prince looks stunned and asks me a question.

"Seika-dono, what is this...
These men are con artists and poachers, Your Highness.

　I say, "You know, it's not true.

"He lied to me about killing the dragon. "We were going to flee for the money, take the eggs and run.
No... and what do you mean by eggs?
'Of course, it's a dragon egg. This dragon was in the middle of raising its young right now.

　I tell him what I saw on the summit and my theory of the situation.
　The prince hears this and shakes his head in disbelief.

"I don't think that's possible...
'It's true, and I think it's a fair line of speculation. I'm going to put it in my report as well. If you guys want, you can go up the mountain and take a look, too.
'But ... that's dangerous. No, in the first place........why is Lord Seika so accepted by the dragons? Not only has he not been attacked, but he has helped them raise their children?　Even if they were ordinary beasts, such things...
In a way, dragons are a special kind of beast.

　I explain.

It's not uncommon for creatures to raise their young. But even more than that, some individuals other than the parents take part in the raising of their young. Many birds, foxes and raccoons, some types of dogs, and a small number of fish. A very wide range of creatures, though limited in number, have this characteristic. And----so do dragons.

　I continue.

"I've been looking through the library's archives. I saw in the library that during the breeding season a hundred and fifty years ago, the children born before the others were under the care of their parents. So dragons are monsters that raise their children in families.
But..... but...

　The Prince insists.

'If it's your own cub, Lord Seika would be a human!　Why would you accept a species that isn't related to you, much less one of a different kind?
Some unrelated individuals participate in the rearing of their children. And, Your Highness, have you forgotten?　Astyrian dragon lore.

　The prince's eyes widen.

'You don't mean to say it was hatched by the queen...?　But that's just lore...
'If you know how, you can hatch it. ─ If you know how to do it, you can hatch it, and if the lore is true, it explains everything. It's no wonder that the dragon has been working me to take care of the eggs. The opposite has always been the case.
Reverse...?
'Listen, Your Highness. To this dragon, parents are human beings. Their children are family. And you would think that the inhabitants of the city, who live in the same territory, would be family too. And, of course, their children.

　I continued.

"I heard that this dragon once fought alongside humans against enemy armies and demons. Why do you think that is?　Why do you think it is that you have watched the city change for so long without ever attacking its residents?
So you don't think...
Yes, sir.

　I say.


"Astyrian dragons have been helping humans raise their children for hundreds of years.


　The prince felt a gasp. The guards were slightly buzzing.
　I looked up at the kindly dragon, who had been very still.

At least, that's what he intended to do. "At least that's what he thought he was doing," he says, "and that's what this life is all about.

　He turns his attention back to the Prince and tells him.

"Do yourself a favor, Your Highness.
.........
I owe him a debt of gratitude for hundreds of years. I owe you hundreds of years of gratitude. Help him with a human hand. We hadn't communicated with each other for a long time and our hearts had drifted apart, but I have never forgotten what I owed him for raising me. The fact that you accepted me is proof of that. It's not too late. The people of Protoasta can return to this family of dragons.

　I add, "And if they are raised by man, they will think of their children as family.

"And if they are raised by humans, their offspring will come to think of us as their family. If they leave the nest someday and settle down near a human settlement, there's a good chance they won't try to attack us. Or they may even be able to interact and live together. Just like the dragons in Astiria.

　I'll say in closing.

"A simple explanation for the Reich will do. That's what I'll put in my report. The threat is small. What do you say, Your Highness?

　The prince was silent for a while.
　But eventually he shook his head.

'No.'
...Why?
'Then ... that won't convince the Imperial Senators. You have no proof of what you say.

　I'm dumbfounded by the prince's weakness and say to him, "There are few things in the world that are certain.

"The world is rarely convinced," he says. I'm going to make a report that will make it easier for you to persuade me. I've set the stage for you to get this far, so you'll have to make the rest of the work harder by persevering and talking. His Highness is a politician, so he should be able to do that.
''It's impossible. You don't know the Imperial Diet is a den of old monsters with magical beasts in their bellies. I can't even...
Yes....

　Oh come on ... is this guy really okay?
　You have no confidence, do you?

'No, but ... what do you mean?　There would be no other way. His Highness's idea to defeat the dragons was impossible in the first place.
''.........Seika-dono is at least good enough to beat Zekt's summoner, right?　Will you slay the dragon for me?

　.........What?
　The prince continues to question my sanity as I am taken aback.

No, it is even accepted by the inhabitants. If you can find a poison that works on dragons, you may use it.
Poisoned...?　You're saying that because of what I just said? You are seriously losing your mind, aren't you?　Everyone is pulling back, as you'd expect.
You don't understand!

　The prince suddenly exclaimed.
　There was an obvious hint of impatience in his eyes.

''As the first prince, I have to make a result in this city!　If you can't solve this problem with my help, you'll never be the next king!
....
Lord Seika I'm going to ask you again. I need your help in defeating the dragon.

　I lower my eyes and shake my head.

I decline. It's not my responsibility to take my feelings into consideration, though. I have no reason to help you.
Well then, you're in my custody. You!

　At the Prince's command, the guards drew their swords.
　I muttered to myself in disgust.

What? Why?
You are suspected of having used your magic to bring about an aberration in the Astyrian dragons. Once you are in custody, you will then be asked to present your case to Count Lamprog. What? Your treatment is fully assured.
You mean, you're going to take me hostage? No, but my father is well known, but he's out of politics.　He said you can't do much with your threats.
Still, he's an Imperial Count. You'll never know unless you try.

　
　I was completely dismayed. I was in a daze.
　The guards seemed to have lost their way.
　It's only natural. It's absurd.

　Frustrated, I think about it.
　It's going to be more peaceful here if we get caught quietly for once and then run away.......

''Yifa!　Come here!

　And suddenly, the prince called out to Yifa.
　Eh.........this guy is lying, right?

　Yifa says, and silently turns to the prince.

'You are free to go!　No more following a shady master!　I will confiscate Lord Seika's property once and grant you the right to be a citizen in Astiria.
....
Come on, come on, come on!　It's not safe for you to stay there...


I...


　I yelled at him.
　In a fit of rage, I said to the prince, "You're a woman!

You're a woman at this moment!　You are not the regulator!　I kept my mouth shut because it was only about the politics of an extraneous city, even if it was outrageous, but it was Yifa's goal after all!　Don't you embarrass the citizens!
Nah, nah...
'You're being too short-sighted to begin with!　Don't be so quick to turn to people for everything!　Don't just take the easy way out!　There's no way the people will follow me for that!　Think about what you ought to be doing before you take credit or a woman, young man!　You can't just come in and set me free. You can't do this to me.

　I shout with all my might.

"You can't play Eyefa!

　The quiet garden of the official residence.

''Se, Seika-sama...?''

　I was startled to hear Yuki's voice in my ear.
　I looked at Yifa next to me, afraid. Then Yifa, who had been looking at me with her eyes rolled up in her head, quickly looked away as if in a panic.
　I turn blue.

　Did I...did I do it again?

'Hahahahahahahahahaha!'

　Suddenly, a pleasant laugh echoed in the garden of the official residence.
　The owner of the laughter was the elven squire who was called Lise.

''Mm, no, excuse me.... You guys, put your swords back. Let's put an end to this kind of travesty.
What, Lizze?　

　The squire glared at him and the prince shushed him.
　The soldiers seem somewhat relieved as they put their swords back in their sheaths.

　Then the elf looks at Efa and asks.

'Let me ask you something. Yifa, that's all right, isn't it?
Yes, sir.

　Yifa smiles and says to the prince.

''Your Highness. I am honored by your invitation, but I will decline your invitation again. I will return to the academy with Seika-kun.
But, Yifa. Your will is...
It's my decision. And...

　Yifa says in a cold tone.

'Because even if I were free, I wouldn't want to support you,'
No, no, but...
"Young

　The elf's squire says, reprovingly.

'It's time to back down. You have been rejected.'
Wha...

　Ignoring the prince's stiffening, the elf says to me in a cheerful tone, "My apologies, Mr. Seika.

I apologize for my apologies, Lady Seika. The first thing I would like to do is to thank you for the incident with the dragons. It is a pleasure to find out what happened. I am also grateful that you have captured the guilty party as well, and I am at a loss for words. I will take care of the rest as per your advice.
No....
And in the interest of sounding better I would ask you to forget everything the prince just said.
Oh, yes. I didn't mean to be a jerk to you, but...
Thank you. When do you get back to the Empire?　The carriage is always at your disposal, though.
The new school year is coming up soon, so I'd better get there as soon as possible. It's not going to be easy to stay here anymore.
I'm sorry. Then I'll make quick arrangements with the lodgings on the way. Sometimes I would like to speak with Yifa alone, if you will permit me to do so.
Eh....

　I couldn't help but look next to me.
　Yifa looks at me and gives me a little nod.

　I say, "Okay.

"Okay. Please.