Chapter 68: First Escort

“Alright, everyone’s gathered.”

In front of the mansion, there was a small square.

Gathered there were Lucius, his parents, and Lauren along with other villagers surrounding the garden, bustling with excitement.

The main characters of the day were two ten-year-old children standing in front of Lucius.

They were children from the village, a boy and a girl, both wearing nervous expressions.

“Bryan, Egerie, you don’t have to be so nervous.”

The two are children from Silver Heart Village.

Lucius has known since they were toddlers.

“Yes!”

“Ha!”

The two responded anxiously.

Lucius held a prosthetic hand resembling a gauntlet, a “Prosthetic hand of a cavalry beast,” in his hand.

In this country, once a year, a ceremony is held for children who have been implanted with magic cores, the source of magic power, to form contracts with monsters.

For nobles, escorting these children to undergo the ceremony was an important duty.

Monsters grant power and spells to humans. Humans give evolution and corpses to monsters. It is because of this long-standing exchange that the current country exists.

Normally, Lucius’ father, Robel-sama, would take charge.

However, this year, Lucius volunteered to take on the responsibility himself. While he had intended to consult with his father at some point, the sudden news of the magic sword prompted him to take on the task somewhat forcefully.

—Alright, let’s begin the plan.

Lucius smirked confidently.

“What kind of ceremony do you two want?”

He echoed his father’s question from the past.

One’s own desires were very important. The contract is equal, requiring obligations from both sides. The contract must align with each other’s desires, way of life, mutual interests, likes, and dislikes.

The more specific the desire, the higher the likelihood of obtaining a suitable ceremony.

“Lucius nii-chan…”

The boy fidgeted.

“I… I want to make a contract with a dragon too.”

Lucius, a genius born in the Silverheart domain, had a dragon as his familiar. It was natural that the children in the village where he lived would want the same ceremony as Lucius’.

However, all dragons were of a superior grade. Even Lucius, who possessed a first-class magic core, could only form a contract after swearing to bind himself.

“Hmm… Bryan, your magic core is only grade four, so a dragon might be impossible.”

“Tch…”

The boy pouted.

“But maybe a lesser wyvern could work.”

“Really!? Can it breathe fire!? Can it fly!?”

“There are some types that can. Let’s look for a Lesser Wyvern for you.”

The boy’s face lit up.

In contrast, Robel-sama frowned. The villagers were also unsettled.

Lucius continued regardless.

“What about Egerie?”

“I want a familiar that can help my father and mother with fishing. One that can swim in the river. But… being able to fly in the sky would be nice too.”

“To swim and fly, huh? Then maybe the Lake White Dragon is a good fit for you, Egerie. Let’s decide after seeing it.”

The Lake White Dragon was a sub-dragon living in the lake, with chest fins like wings, resembling a snake. While generally docile, its rampage when angered was characteristic of sub-dragons, and it was considered dangerous.

The villagers became increasingly agitated, and murmurs arose.

Unable to bear it, Robel-sama stepped forward.

“Lucius. I said I’d leave it to you, but I can’t help but voice my opinion. Sub-dragons are dangerous. They’re not suitable for familiars.”

The rank of monsters is determined by the amount of magic power they contain, just like magic cores.

However, the methods to manifest that power in the mortal world vary. Just because it’s first-class doesn’t mean it has strong destructive power, and even third-class creatures can be powerful.

Sub-dragons are all ferocious and possess aggressive spells, so they are not actively chosen for ceremonies.

Accidents during contracts are common. In this case, “accidents” mean the injury or death of the child wishing to contract. Cases where injuries occur are rare, and most end in death.

Indeed, Robel-sama had never recommended them to anyone.

“I understand, Father. But dragons are sensitive to power dynamics. If there’s the Evil Dragon, it won’t attack. Besides, there’s something I want to do.”

“Something you want to do? What’s that?”

Lucius faced his father, his family, and the villagers behind his parents.

He took a deep breath and spoke with determination.

“I want to make this village prosperous.”

That was his original intention, but his determination had grown stronger.

For nobles managing their territories, wishing for the prosperity of their territory was natural. Of course, Robel and Emily likely felt the same way.

However, Silverheart Domain was too close to the habitat of monsters, making it impossible to expand fields further. Both agriculture and animal husbandry could only meet the needs of the village. Additionally, because it was a difficult place for trade, industries struggled to develop.

Therefore, the main material found here was the silver amber. It can be found in Silverwood, a forest inhabited by monsters.

For better or worse, the village coexisted with the forest called Silverwood.

“I understand that, but what does a sub-dragon ceremony have to do with it?”

“Well, there are a lot of things I want to do, but this might be the first step.”

“I see.”

Robel-sama swallowed his words. It was evident that if Lucius said so, he had his reasons.

“Um, Lucius-sama.”

Among the villagers surrounding the square, a worried woman spoke up.

She was the mother of the boy.

“Is it really… safe for Bryan? I mean, with the danger…”

Normally, commoners wouldn’t interfere with decisions made by nobles. It was rare for representatives such as wealthy merchants in large cities to voice their opinions.

But this was a rural territory.

Lucius and the villagers had grown up together.

“It’ll be alright. Bryan won’t get a scratch.”

“I-I see… if you say so.”

She still seemed incredulous.

—It’s not surprising.

If you were a person in the city, you would likely believe Lucius’s words.

That’s because they’ve never seen a sub-dragon before.

But many of the villagers who have lived in this village for a long time have seen them. Furthermore, it’s not uncommon to hear stories of villagers being attacked.

“At any rate, I don’t intend to unnecessarily expose the children to danger.”

The contract with the familiar always involves risks.

It’s natural, as they directly touch monster.

That’s why it’s crucial not to misjudge how much risk can be tolerated or should be avoided.

Lucius understands this very well.

So, this is a declaration.

The villagers had no choice but to fall silent at Lucius’s words.

◆ ◆ ◆

“Alright, the contract is complete.”

In front of Lucius lay a giant frog, lifeless.

The girl from the village who just completed the contract looked at Lucius with concern.

Behind the girl was a monster resembling a white snake with wings.

It was the Lake White Dragon, just contracted.

“Don’t worry. No injuries.”

They had visited the lake in the forest to contract with the sub-dragon that lived in the water.

While Egerie and the Lake White Dragon contracted, Lucius took on the surrounding monsters.

This was their ninth attempt while protecting Egerie from the surrounding monsters and the Lake White Dragon, who failed to contract.

Just now, they successfully completed the contract.

“Next is Bryan.”

Nervousness flickered in the eyes of the village boy, Bryan.

“It’s okay.”

Particles flew from Lucius’s left hand, and a three-headed black-silver Evil Dragon appeared, knocking down the surrounding trees.

Immediately, the Lake White Dragon, who had just contracted, disappeared into Egerie’s left hand, as if hiding from the Evil Dragon. It must have been frightened by the Evil Dragon.

“Bryan, Egerie. From here on, let’s ride the Evil Dragon. If it’s a Lesser Wyvern, we can catch it when it tries to escape into the sky.”

Although trembling, the boy and girl were lifted by Lucius onto the Evil Dragon’s back.

As the three mounted, with a shout, the massive form of the Evil Dragon rose.

“Hold on.”

At the same time, the surrounding monsters squealed and fled with a “Kee-kee,” sensing the violent presence of the Evil Dragon.

The reason he hadn’t manifested the Evil Dragon before was that the Lake White Dragon could escape into the water.

But now, it was convenient.

“There it is.”

Looking around the sky, among the fleeing crowd, were several creatures with green-colored bodies.

They were Lesser Wyverns.

On the back of the flying Evil Dragon, Lucius put the “Prosthetic hand of a calvary beast” on Bryan’s left hand.

“Bryan! Get close, anywhere, just touch it!”

“I-I understand.”

When the Evil Dragon’s wings flapped vigorously, they raced through the air at a tremendous speed.

The distance to the fleeing monsters quickly closed.

Although Lesser Wyverns were sub-dragons, they were larger than warhorses.

They closed in right behind the fleeing sub-dragon.

“Now!”

With Lucius grabbing his clothes from behind, the boy leaned out as far as he could.

And he touched the wing with the “Prosthetic hand.”

Nothing happened.

The disappointed voice of the village boy echoed.

“Next!”

Immediately, they switched to another Lesser Wyvern nearby.

They repeated this eleven times.

Approaching a Lesser Wyvern a little further away.

The pursued sub-dragon, desperate to shake off the Evil Dragon, gave up evasive action in the air and descended rapidly.

Following suit, Lucius also dived under the forest’s trees with the Evil Dragon.

Two dragons raced just a meter above the ground.

The children desperately clung to the scales of the Evil Dragon.

They circled among the trees, gradually closing the distance.

“Just a little more!”

The wings of the Lesser Wyvern skimmed past the Evil Dragon’s face, coming dangerously close.

“Now!”

The boy reached out as far as he could and touched the wing.

—How about that?

The lesser wyvern made a horizontal turn, tracing an arc like that of a bow.

The wyvern was followed by the evil dragon.

Immediately after, the magic power overflowing from Brian’s “Calvary Beast Prosthetic Hand” intertwined with the wyvern’s magic power like a thread.

―― Success.

Previously unclear, thanks to the formula Lucius acquired, the connection of magic power at the time of the contract became clear to him.

When Lucius turned around, he saw a lesser wyvern with green scales guarding the airspace slightly away from the evil dragon.

It seemed that although Brian had made a contract, he was too afraid to approach the evil dragon.

“You made a contract, huh?”

“Yeah!”

Lucius somehow managed to calm the frightened lesser wyvern and directed it towards Brian’s magic core.

“Better than expected. This might be something to seriously consider.”

Lucius muttered to himself.

“What are you thinking about, Lucius nii-chan?”

The village boy, Brian, wore a curious expression. Egerie mirrored the same expression.

“I have an idea to enrich the village, but it requires people with strong familiars. Lots of them.”

The two seemed completely lost in the conversation, staring blankly.

“Let’s head back for now.”

Placing the two children on the back of the evil dragon, they swiftly ascended into the sky above the forest.

The village appeared on the edge of the forest.

Despite flying with restrained speed to ensure the safety of the children, it didn’t take long to reach Silverheart Village.

They flew over the village and descended swiftly into the square, the heart of the village.

Quickly arriving were Robel, Emily, and Lauren.

The commotion attracted other villagers who began to gather around.

Among them were the parents of the children.

“What… what happened?”

The first to speak was Robel.

“Oh, both of them managed to make contracts with lesser dragons.”

“R-really!?”

The villagers showed expressions of relief.

Each parent approached to embrace their children who had dismounted from the evil dragon’s back.

“If making contracts with lesser dragons becomes this easy, we might end up forming a Dragon Knight Order one day.”

Robel exclaimed jokingly.

“Oh, Robel. Things aren’t like they were in the old days.”

Emily couldn’t help but interject.

“Isn’t that right!”

“What if we establish a Dragon Knight Order in the village?”

“Haha! What nonsense are you talking?”

The villagers began to laugh.

The Dragon Knight Order was once the strongest knight order formed in the northern regions where Lucius and others lived.

It was said that all its members were knights who possessed the formulas of lesser dragons.

However, it’s said that many of them lost their lives due to a certain incident. Furthermore, as contracting with lesser dragons was considered dangerous, the number of dragon riders gradually decreased until the order eventually disbanded.

In the midst of this, Lucius spoke with a serious expression.

“… Father, mother. I will revive the modern Dragon Knight Order for the sake of the village. That will enrich our village.”

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