“How about this one?” (Shop Keeper)
“It’s a little heavy.” (Laocles)
“I see. Then this way.” (Shop Keeper)
“I’d like something a little bigger.” (Laocles)
“Alright. Then this one.” (Shop Keeper)
“It’s not the right shape.” (Lacoles)
…So, we were just doing a shield window shopping.
We looked at every store that sold shields, looking for the “just right shield, but one trait short,” and bought them all.
I have plenty of money to spare. I want to properly pursue what the “best shield” looks like without making any compromises here.
“…seems like you’re having fun.” (Laocles)
“Yes.” (Tougo)
Yeah. It’s fun. This kind of thing is very fun.
Laocles was reserved at first, but eventually he realized that I was really having fun. From the middle of our shopping journey, he began to actively express his opinions.
I don’t know whether a shield is good or bad, so I rely on Laocles’ opinions. I’m going to gather his opinions and draw the best shield for him.
Then I dropped by Fay’s place once and asked him to show me the shields in their house.
Fay is a nobleman, so he needs guards. Fay himself can fight with his summoned beasts, but it seems that he still needs a guard as an escort. Since he does have some… I was shown the shields used by the guards. It has the Redgarde family crest on it and is cool. I see, not only practicality but also this kind of decoration is important.
I wonder what I should do. I have to think of a design that will fit Laocles perfectly.
Leaving Fay’s house, we start talking again. The Pegasus was next to Fay’s house, looking at the flower bed here and there and occasionally smelling it. These horses seem to like flowers.
“What kind of shield is good for Laocles? I’ll draw anything you want.” (Tougo)
“…As long as it’s easy to use that’s all that matters.” (Laocles)
“Color?” (Tougo)
“I’ll leave it to you.” (Laocles)
I see. Laocles doesn’t seem to be interested in that kind of thing.
But I’m interested in it to the fullest, so I’d like him to stick to it too. I will do my best for Laocles in terms of usability and practicality. And I’ll do my best for the decoration.
I definitely want to paint a plaster statue of Laocles equipped with my shield and sword, fighting valiantly one day.
“Umm…” (Voice)
…At that point, I was suddenly called out.
I was just about to get on the horse, so I panicked a bit… I know that my riding is not cool.
“What do you want?” (Laocles)
But before I could panic, Laocles stepped forward. He stepped in front of me and put his hand on his sword. I was so proud of him.
“No, no, I do not wish to be hostile to you at all…” (Voice => Old Man)
The person who approached us took a half step back, looking a little intimidated by Laocles’ appearance.
…that person looks older than us. Elderly, I guess. Yes. So, there are about three younger people behind him. Each of them has some sort of bag or box, but…
“Who are you? Name yourself.” (Laocles)
Laocles said, and the older man straightened his posture and bowed to us.
“I am working on behalf of a certain nobleman who has asked me to recruit you in secret.” (Old Man)
“…’a certain nobleman’?” (Tougo)
I was tilting my head, and Laocles’s expression turned even sterner.
“Does that mean you don’t plan on naming yourself?” (Laocles)
“No, no. I’m not saying that. It’s just that it’s a little bit difficult to talk about it here.” (Old Man)
The old man glanced at the mansion nearby. …I guess that means it’s hard to talk next to the Redgarde family. Hmmm.
“…Um, well, if it’s something you can’t talk about here, I don’t want to hear about it.” (Tougo)
At any rate, I said that to the suspicious person. If it’s something they can’t let Fay hear, I don’t want to hear it either.
“Oh well. But you are not under contract to the Redgarde family, are you?” (Old Man)
I wonder… Why do you know that?
“Well, I understand how you feel about feeling indebted. Apparently, you are a kind person…. Then we will talk about it here.” (Old Man)
The elderly man smiled and motioned to those who had been standing behind him.
While Laocles was on the lookout, these people opened the bags and boxes to show him what was inside…
It was a large amount of gold coins in a bag. A large gemstone sparkling in a small box. And then… a staff?
“With these rewards, I would like you to perform a summoning for the son of the Giorren Family.” (Old Man)
……huh?
“I don’t understand.” (Tougo)
Summoning? What is a summoning?
…Ah, “summoning”, so, summoned beasts? In other words, do you want me to create some kind of fire spirit?
No, but why would he ask me? I’m not a summoner…
…oh.
The Red Dragon…
That’s the only thing I can think of, so maybe that’s it. These people are asking me to materialize a Red Dragon. Maybe.
I guess they could call it summoning… is that what you mean by “summoning”? If I materialize my drawing, I summon it? I don’t quite understand.
“Um, I’m not sure why you’re asking me that.” (Tougo)
I don’t know a lot of things, but I’ll ask this one thing anyway. I don’t know why they think I summoned the Red Dragon, but I’m going to ask this one question anyway, because if I don’t know why they think I summoned the Red Dragon, I won’t feel comfortable.
“Oh? But it was you, wasn’t it? You summoned the Red Dragon.” (Old Man)
But the other person is unmoved. I see. They never tell you the source of their information, do they?
“The Redgarde family…. Well, Fay Bullard Redgarde is in possession of the Red Dragon because you summoned it, didn’t you?” (Old Man)
Hmmm, is it because Fay brought out the Red Dragon the other day when he defeated the Black Ghost in town? No, but that wouldn’t mean that I summoned the Red Dragon…
Hmmm…?
“How about it? Of course, if there is anything you need, we can also provide it. As for the remuneration, this is also an advanced payment. We will pay you for the successful summoning separately.” (Old Man)
“Even if you say so…” (Laocles)
I’m in trouble. I am in a lot of trouble. What is it with these people?
I’m not sure how they know that I summoned the Red Dragon, but I don’t know.
Besides, you want me to summon a summoned beast… Hmm, why?
“I’d be happy to discuss this in more detail at a coffee shop in town. I know a good place.” (Old Man)
The elderly person says that and smiles again, but even if I am smiled at, I can’t take any action other than being embarrassed. Hmm, I’m in trouble.
“Hey. If you say any more incomprehensible things, I will kill all of you right here.” (Laocles)
While I was in trouble, Laocles started to make a very violent proposal. Yes, it’s a little bit dangerous, but it’s helpful.
“Hey… you mean to kill me? You look like a slave, don’t you? Who do you think you are, slave?” (Old Man)
“Unfortunately, I’ve killed people. Because I’m a criminal slave…. Ah, yes. I’m a murder criminal slave. I have no hesitation in killing all of you right here, right now.” (Laocles)
When Laocles said this and was horrified, both the first man and the people behind him cowered. Yes, I know how you feel.
“Ki-kill… do you think you can get away without facing repercussions!?” (Old Man)
“Oh. I know. You know what they say, ‘the dead don’t talk’… I will just make sure not a single one escapes. That’s all it takes, right?” (Laocles)
Laocles said something very disturbing again, and then grinned, with a very scary smirk.
“…Oy. Is that not enough of a threat? Until I actually cut off even one of your limbs, you won’t realize?” (Laocles)
And then the suspicious people ran away. They said, “We’ll come back another day.” …… I don’t want them to come back.
“…I’m sorry. I couldn’t end things peacefully.” (Laocles)
“No. it’s enough. Thank you. You did well.” (Tougo)
Laocles seemed to have some regrets about the way he solved the problem, but I didn’t really care. I’m not bothered by the fact that I got to see the cool (and a little scary) side of Laocles.
“…We should go back for the time being. You should report it.” (Laocles)
“Eh, ah, yeah.” (Tougo)
… So we went back to Fay’s house, where we had just left.
Bringing a not very good report.
“Damn… So, that’s what happened.” (Fay)
“Yes.” (Tougo)
When I reported it, Fay reclined on his chair and groaned.
“Damn it, where did that leak come from?” (Fay)
“Ugh……” (Tougo)
I’ve never told anyone but Fay, Laocles, the horse and the bird that I can “materialize a picture I draw.”
I don’t know where it leaked from… Hmm, I think it wouldn’t help if the fact that Fay had a Red Dragon had already been known by the time we exterminated the black ghost the other day. But I couldn’t help it. It would have been better if there was at least one more fire-breathing creature.
…Then maybe my ability was exposed there too.
At that time, I was healing Laocles’ wounds. Seeing that, they might have thought, “He was the one who summoned the Red Dragon.” Hmm, I doubt it.
Because if someone had seen me drawing… “He drew a picture and it healed someone’s wound” and “He drew a Red Dragon and summon it” would not be connected. Maybe.
So, someone who knows more about my situation? Everyone in town knows that Fay and I are friendly, so the rest is a process of elimination…?
“Well, there’s no point in thinking about it. So, Tougo. Are you going to accept their offer?” (Fay)
“No.” (Tougo)
If I had to decide whether or not to accept the offer, I wouldn’t accept it. I’m not going to accept it.
I drew the Red Dragon because I wanted to draw it at the time, the Scarlet Dragon was perfect for Fay, and there were various pressing circumstances. I wanted to draw it because I wanted to draw it.
I just can’t get used to being asked to draw.
…I think the reason why Red Dragon is so fond of Fay now is because she’s a good person. Yeah, I can’t bring myself to draw for someone I don’t know who might be a bad person. Maybe it’s selfishness, but…
“I see… from what you’re saying, it looks like you’ll be paid handsomely.” (Fay)
“Yeah. I don’t want it.” (Tougo)
“Haha. That’s right. You’re that kind of guy.” (Fay)
Fay chuckled with amusement and then made a serious face.
“But if that’s the case, be careful. If anything happens, just tell them you’re under a contract with the Redgardes, even if it’s a lie. I’ll give you permission.” (Fay)
“Ye-yes.” (Tougo)
I see. Do you mean to make a “contract that you can lie if you have a contract”? No, I’m starting to get confused, but from now on, I’ll just say “I’m under contract with the Redgarde family”.
“And don’t ever leave Laocles. …Oh, you guys are sleeping in different houses, right? Then, Laocles, you’ll be in the guest room at Tougo’s house from today on.” (Fay)
“Eh… Laocles, don’t you hate it?” (Tougp)
“It’s an emergency. I don’t mind.” (Laocles)
I thought that Laocles probably didn’t want to sleep under the same roof… I’m sorry. Thank you for your help.
“Well, why don’t you stay at my house for a while from now on?” (Fay)
“Huh? Hmmm…” (Tougo)
Furthermore, Fay even offered me such a proposal.
Hmm… I feel more comfortable in the forest. It’s not like I don’t like Fay’s house, but I’d rather stay in the forest.
…but this is not the time to say that.
“Thank you for your offer.” (Tougo)
“Oh! Don’t worry and let me take care of you. So, take it easy until it cools down.” (Fay)
So, I was going to stay at the Redgarde Family’s mansion for a while.
…Sorry for intruding again.
