Chapter 39

The morning after—departure day.

For the time being, we were all washing up in the lake.

It seemed like Ril and the others had worked themselves into a strange emotional state last night. They’d been spiraling, thinking that I might die in the fight against a legend, or that I might never come home, and the end result of all that overthinking was their… bold request.

Well, I was pretty into it myself halfway through, so I figure I’m just as much to blame.

Currently, Ril and Karin were both bright red in the face.

“Alright then, did you two satisfy your… curiosity?”

“Uuu~”

“Muu~”

They looked at me with mock resentment, but hey, they were the ones who invited me.

“Anyway, it’s about time, so I’m heading out.”

The time for Midgardsormr’s arrival, as Grandfather had predicted, was drawing near.

“Ryu.”

“Papa.”

“Yeah?”

““Take care. Come back to us.””

“I’m off.”

There’s something nice about this. It gives me a sense of peace—knowing that I have a place to return to. It’s a very comfortable feeling.

I threw on my leather armor, tucked my curved shortsword into my belt, and walked a short distance to find Grandfather.

“It seems you enjoyed yourself quite a bit.”

“You’re not mad?”

“I’ve been prepared for such things ever since the day you and my granddaughter set out on a journey together.”

So that was it. In that case, I needed to say it clearly.

“I’ll take responsibility. I won’t die from anything other than old age. I’m definitely going to make them happy.”

“You’re putting too much pressure on yourself. You won’t last long if you think like that.”

“I’ll be fine. Once this is over, I’m going to take it easy.”

After this war is finished, I want to just laze around for a while.

“Very well. Ah, here it comes.”

The sound of wood splintering and trees being crushed echoed through the forest. Though, I already knew he was here thanks to the reaction on my “Magic Detection.”

“Do you think he really needs to come and get us every single time?”

“It cannot be helped. One cannot enter the Dragon Empire without being accompanied by a dragon. Thus, Midgardsormr must act as our escort.”

What a pain, though I suppose I can’t complain if that’s their national security policy.

“Everyooone~. I’m here to pick you uuup.”

Midgardsormr’s voice drifted down from above again. Something about the way this guy talks just makes all the tension drain out of me.

“Hoh, so you weren’t late today.”

“Well, considering the situatiiion, if I were late, the Dragon Emperor would be really mad at me.”

“Then, shall we? Ryu, you get on Midgardsormr’s back as well. He will carry us.”

I’m allowed to ride on his back? Well, I won’t say no to that.

I climbed up, but Midgardsormr’s back was so incredibly vast that it didn’t even feel like I was on a living creature. Shortly after, the other males of the pack climbed up one by one.

“Everyone is aboard. Midgardsormr, we’re counting on you.”

“Off we go, then.”

Moving with surprising speed, Midgardsormr began to glide toward the Dragon Empire.