Ch. 87: An Afternoon in a Peaceful Research Lab
I was planning on having Hati look for the newborn Dragon’s parents.
But I don’t know how long that will take.
She may be able to find them in a few days, or it may take a few months.
Werner: “Then I’ll hold it, so you can pet it, Sister.”
That means I may need to ask my sister and Lotte to look after the newborn Dragon too.
If the newborn Dragon can trust others other than myself, it will be better going forward.
Werner: “My sister will pet you. Don’t worry. She’s not scary.”
“Ryaー”
Bridget: “ThーThen, Sir Dragon, please excuse me.”
My sister was quite nervous as she placed a hand on the newborn Dragon’s back as I fed it a cookie.
“Ri-Ryaー”
The newborn Dragon didn’t seem nervous at all.
He seemed to enjoy it and purred with satisfaction.
Bridget: “It’s warm.”
Werner: “It is a warm-blooded animal.”
Although Ancient Dragons have scales and remind you of reptiles, they are actually warm-blooded animals with a warm body.
Werner: “Then, Lotte. Now it’s your turn.”
Lotte; “Yes, excuse me….”
Werner: “Don’t worry. Lotte’s not scary either.”
I try to soothe the newborn Dragon with a reassuring voice as Lotte rubs the Dragon’s back.
“Rya-Ryaー”
The newborn Dragon didn’t seem to mind at all. It continued to munch on the cookies happily.
Lotte: “Its back is softer than I thought.”
Hati: “It is actually because the scales are very elastic. It is incredibly durable with high defensive properties, and even if a 1st rate swordsman tries to cut it with a quality sword, it cannot be easily cut.”
Though that’s an interesting fact, I would never want to try and test that.
After that, both my sister and Lotte continued to pet the newborn Dragon.
While they petted it, it ate 2 more cookies and then burped.
Werner: “Are you full?” “Ryaー”
The newborn Dragon began grooming and cleaning its face.
Soon, it closed its eyes and with breathing “....ryu-ryuー”, it fell asleep.
Werner: “It fell asleep even though my sister and Lotte were petting it.”
Hati: “It did not feel nervous at allー”
My sister and Lotte were happy to hear Hati’s comment.
The newborn Dragon was asleep now so we ended the lunch there.
Lotte, Hati, and I relocated to my Research Lab.
Of course, I had the newborn Dragon with me.
From the main mansion to the lab, we had to walk a little distance outside.
We put on warm clothes, and I placed the newborn Dragon inside my coat as we stepped outside.
As we left the mansion, a wide, blue sky welcomed us.
The weather was amazing in comparison to the blizzard last night.
Servants were removing the snow from the mansion to the lab.
Rather than for me, it was more for Lotte so she could easily go back and forth from the lab back to the mansion, so they were trying to get the work done as soon as possible.
For the Marquis Family, Lotte was a VIP guest.
Werner: “Thank you for removing the snow.”
As we walked by, I thanked one of the servants nearby.
“Good morning, Sir Werner. There is no need to thank us. This is part of our daily responsibilities.”
And the servants all smiled as they wiped the sweat off their brows.
As we arrived at the Lab, I gave Lotte her next assignment.
The assignment involved creating a dog-walking Magecraft Artifact from scratch by herself.
[Pi-pi]
The dog walking Magecraft Artifact, Taro, was working at the Research Lab.
Werner: “Taro, I’m glad to see you’re doing well.” [Piーpi]
Lotte: “Will I really be able to make this?” Werner: “Well, yes, the difficulty level is high. But with everything you have learned so far, with the research notes and blueprints, you should be able to do it.”
Lotte: “ThーThen I'll do my best!”
Lotte looked really excited by the assignment.
Lotte had successfully made the water boiling artifact and the bread baking artifact.
It’s about time she challenges herself to something more difficult.
Werner: “The dog walking artifact has many features and is composed of many different parts. That’s why, if you’re able to finish this, you will be able to gain good experience from it.”
Lotte: “Yes! I understand!”
Werner: “If there’s something you don’t understand, feel free to ask me. If you want to figure it out on your own, then do what you think is best.”
Lotte: “Yes! I’ll be sure to ask you more questions!”
Lotte is a very earnest student.
Her genuine thirst for knowledge goes beyond any student I have taught so far.
Even Master Kay said, “Earnest students are typically the ones who grow the most……..sometimes….or……at least, my hunch tells me so.” Something like that.
He seemed very conflicted with the answer so I remember that moment well.
Master Kay may not have had a clear answer, but I’m certain that Lotte will continue to grow.
The thoughts crossed my mind as I slowly sat in my chair.
Hati then jumped into my lap.
She patted the newborn Dragon who was still inside my clothes.
Hati: “You can leave finding the parents to Hati.” Werner: “Can you find them?” Hati: “Yes. Hati has eaten lunch, and Hati will go to Hati’s father now.”
Werner: “That’s a little sudden. Aren’t you tired?” I had no intention of pushing Hati that hard.
Hati: “The parent dragon must be heartbroken. Hati must not delay.” I couldn’t argue with her logic.
Werner: “I see…..we will miss you around here, Hati.” Hati: “Hati will be back soon enough.” Werner: “I’m certain you will…but…” I glanced at the newborn Dragon inside my shirt.
The Dragon breathed “Ryu-ryu-ruー” as it slept.
I will miss Hati, but she’s right. For the newborn Dragon, living with its parents is what is best for it.
