Published at 18th of July 2022 7:31 am

Volume 4, Chapter 2 - Fontaine City, the capital of the Knights, Part 7-12

This chapter is updated by NovelFree.ml

Part 7

In the king's hall, Paladin Oswald leaped from his throne, and made a perfect curve while flying towards Silvia.

"TCH... you are really annoying!"

Silvia’s iron fist soon hit Oswald’s round face.

“Ouch!”

Oswald spouts a nosebleed as he falls backwards.

The glorious Paladin’s blood soon soaked into the red carpet.

"From the strength of your punch... you have grown up to be more and more like your mother."

Oswald slowly climbed up from the ground while saying it with emotion.

Silvia's mother- Queen Elizabeth was a famous Ark-Dragner during her lifetime. But, in the end she had lost to a disease.

Since the Queen had passed away when Silvia was three years old, she doesn’t have a strong impression of her mother.

There is a huge portrait behind the throne. Her mother in the painting looks elegant, featuring a pair of vulture-like piercing eyes.

In Silvia's eyes, her mother was someone she admires. She hoped that she can be a woman like her mother one day.

However, different from her heroic mother, her father- Oswald... is nothing but a worthless person.

He was always with his smiling round face and his round body. Although he didn’t imitate the past Paladins by forgoing a large beard, but even with kind words, he can’t be considered good-looking.

These are just the small problems; the main thing is his mushroom-like hairstyle. Silvia really wanted him to have it changed. Even though he was quite satisfied with it, his daughter is really embarrassed by it.

Don’t know whether it is unfortunate or lucky that Oswald hadn't been chosen by the Mother Dragon as a breeder.

"Come closer Sylvie, let me look at your beautiful face."

"I do not mind being looked at by you... but please do not come a step closer. You are filthy!"

"Uhoo! Even your style of scolding others is like Elizabeth’s!"

Seeing Oswald blush, Silvia had had enough of him.

"Don’t you have any sense of shame! Being overjoyed because of being scolded by your daughter... what nonsense is that!"

Part 8

After she forced her father back to his throne with her kick, Silvia asked seriously:

"What in the world made you summon me back home? I’m just an ordinary student and still studying. Why would you order me to attend the Continental Congress ‘Elysium’...?"

"Why should you be so timid? You are the Fourth Princess and also a Dragner. Of course you are fully qualified to join the line-ups of the Lautreamont Knights country's leaders. Anyway, the person who recommended you isn't me, but Veronica."

"Anee-ue she...?"

Indeed this is an idea that only Veronica would think about, Silvia thought secretly.

She intends to make Silvia, who declared "I am determined to become the Paladin", to accumulate some experience regarding the royals.

If she can be involved in the Continental Congress ‘Elysium’ before she is twenty, she will get quite some valuable experience.

Of course Veronica would surely be attending as the First Princess. With the thought of going to greet Veronica later, Silvia is getting a headache.

"In short, as long as I can see Sylvie, I’ve no objection. That’s why I simply just accepted Veronica's opinions."

"I see... Then about summoning Ash Blake and young dragon Eco in such a busy period, why did you do so?"

Even when he was gazed coldly by Silvia, Oswald remained calm. He just plays with the small beard below his chin with his fingers.

"Now is indeed a busy period, but Sylvie, you must have already known... I am just the Paladin by name. Most of the government tasks are handled by my excellent subordinates, the busier they are at work, the more leisurely I become."

Silvia is at loss for words.

"In other words... you just want to find someone to accompany you, no matter whom it is?"

"Well, that's true. I have heard about the rumors about Ash Blake and young dragon Eco."

Silvia lost her might. This father is simply no different than a child, she thought.

Perhaps that he felt guilty after seeing Silvia’s looks, Oswald like giving an excuse said:

"Of course it is not that simple. I also know of what Ash Blake has contributed. As a Paladin, I think there is a suitable reward for him."

"Suitable reward...? What is that?"

Silvia curiously asked, but Oswald only exposed a child-like naughty smile.

"Oh, tonight I'm going to entertain Ash Blake and Young Dragon Eco with a dinner. If you are interested, you may attend."

"I don’t even want to know!"

Silvia’s face is red and she wanted to immediately turn around and leave, but before that she came out with a question:

"... I also have one thing that I want to ask father."

"Huu! Feel free to ask."

Oswald who was overly bored happily allowed it.

"I would like to ask something about Brother Julius."

Upon hearing that, Oswald expression instantly freezes.

Even cheerful Oswald, once he heard someone mention the name Julius, his face sank. Although Julius sentence was ten years ago, but that name until today is still considered taboo.

"Was Aniue[3] really executed?"

"W-What are you talking about...? Sylvie? He was a Dragonslayer. Even though he was a prince, we mustn’t spare him."

"I understand. I’m just curious..."

"In the future never mention such silly question, alright? There are things in this world that can be spoken off and things that cannot."

“…Yes.”

Silvia with a serious expression promised and left the king’s hall.

Cosette who was waiting in the hallway with a tactful tone asked her:

"What’s the outcome?"

Silvia while walking faster, she replied:

"Once he heard me asking about aniue , chichiue’s[4] eyebrows gave a reaction. Whenever chichiue is lying, his left eyebrow would stir up––this is his sign."

Silvia clenched her fist and continued to say.

"I'm afraid that chichiue couldn’t bear to kill aniue, but just had him exiled..."

Part 9

The first place Prim introduced to both Ash and Eco was the central square.

"Fontaine City’s central square is a very well-known tourist attraction. On the right side, you can see St Rosa Maria’s Cathedral. Beside it is the Fontaine National Opera House. On the left side you can also see the Ark-Dragner’s Museum."

Prim is certainly not good at cleaning, but she could become quite a good tourist guide since she is a local.

"It's terrific... Terrific! This is the knight country’s capital...!"

Eco ran lightly on the evenly spaced stone slabs.

She was wearing a hat that covered her horns. Although the water-coloured sleeveless one-piece dress exposed some of her flesh, it was still very suitable for the young and lively Eco. Her legs, without her stockings, were stepping along on a pair of white sandals. This dress was specially bought, in the shopping streets in Ansarivan, for this trip.

"Eco, be careful not to get lost!"

Ash and Prim were quickly chasing after Eco’s footsteps.

Even though it's daytime, on a weekday, the central square was still packed with people. There were shoppers, tourists and many innocent children running around.

Eco stopped in front of a flower garden. The inner part of it is full with flowers blooming under the summer sun. The flowerbeds were placed in layers, and there were a couple of bronze statues on the top most tier.

There were a set bronze statues depicting a knight and the king. The knight was kneeling with his head lowered. The king was wielding a unsheathed sword, placed lightly on the knight's shoulder.

"What is that statue?"

Prim answered Eco’s childlike question while smiling:

"This group of bronze statues is a scene of the appointment ceremony. At the time, the Chevron king- Lionel III appointed Durham-sama as the first Paladin. Later, the person who revitalized the Lautreamont knight country was Durham-sama himself."

"Oh... it sounds like it is full of history."

Eco was admiring the statue.

The date engraved on the base is year 864 November the third in the year of the Saint. Dating back about five hundred years.

Perhaps she was satisfied with the statue, Eco turned around and lazily stretched her waist.

"Nn~! The size of this place completely different from Ansarivan! I’m getting more and more excited!"

"After all, Ansarivan is just an academy city. I think it does not make any sense to compare the two."

After Ash gave his analysis, he was being stared at angrily by Eco.

"You really love to spoil the fun! Since it's rare for us to be in the capital, I want to totally forget about the Paladin and enjoy the fun!"

Eco majestically made a declaration and her red eyes were shining in splendor.

"Hey! How can we forget about the Paladin!"

Ash quickly corrected Eco.

Part 10

Eco was enjoying herself in the capital. Without realizing, the sun was setting.

"I think it is almost time for us to return to the castle?"

After Ash suggested, Eco refused to listen to him without any explanation.

"No. We haven’t visited the shopping district!"

Eco ran forward, her dress swayed with the wind. According to Prim, it seems that following further along this alley, they will eventually arrive at the capital's largest shopping district.

"We don’t really have a choice."

While Ash was smiling, Prim suddenly reached out and pulled his sleeve.

“Prim-san?”

"That, Ash-sama... I-I am exhausted... I am alright with staying right here and waiting for you to return."

Prim, with an exhausted look, stood beside the trees beside the streets. Her shoulders were moving up and down from her breathing... Because she was sweating her clothes were clinging to her skin and made her figure stand out very attractively.

After Ash adverted his eyes from Prim, he thanked her.

"Prim-san, thank you. We will try to come back early. If any stranger starts a conversation with you, never follow him, okay?"

"I am not that innocent!"

Ash entered the shopping district with Prim protesting against him from behind. He was already scanning for Eco in the crowded area.

On both sides of the street are a row of buildings doing businesses.

Food, clothing, jewelery, books, groceries, furniture... there should be nothing that you can’t buy here, right?- The wide variety of goods at this place will make others think so.

Apart from the shops, there were also a lot of street vendors. Every vendor was using every trick they knew to attract guests before they choose to visit other cafés or restaurants. The sweet aromatic smell was appreciated by Ash.

Unsurprisingly Eco, also attracted by the appetizing smell, was staring at one of the street vendors dazed. A middle-aged man can be seen cooking the crust of crepes on an iron grill.

"Hey, you still want to eat...?"

Ash spoke timidly behind Eco.

In fact, before they came here, they had already eaten cakes, apple pies and tea in a café.

"How can I be so careless! I had forgotten that I haven’t eaten any crepes today. How can I actually commit such mistake! If I didn’t taste any crepes here, it means that I have wasted my time in the capital... Don’t you also think so?"

“What sort of nonsense is that!”

After Ash had finished commenting, Eco was already queing up at the back of the serving line. It seems that she had made up her mind and refused to leave.

"Haa... After you have eaten this, you are not allowed to buy any others, alright?"

Eco with a "hum~" she was humming a song and she did not answer.

"Having said that..."

Only just now did Ash realize that those who were lining up to buy crepes... most of them were couples. Some were holding hands, the others were hooking their arms and there were also people who were flirting......

Eco, who also witnessed all that, turned around and asked Ash

"Haa... Why are they sticking together so intimately? And... Why do you envy them?"

"D-Did I have that expression?"

"You were like a hungry dog, or I can also say that you were like a caged pig."

“You really are mean!”

"Hey, you haven’t told me why?"

"B-Because... they are couples."

After Ash shyly answered, Eco slightly blushed.

Although Eco is just a three month old young dragon, she had been living in the academy. Basically; she had a certain understanding about the concept of couples.

"I see..."

After Eco calmed down, a new customer had lined up behind Ash. Judging from their conversation, they seems to be a couple.

It is now evening and the sun is setting behind them, causing the couple's long shadow to be cast upon the stone slabs on the ground in front of them.

"...!"

The shadows of the two can be seen sticking closely together. Also, words such as "I love you", "my life is only for you" and other sweet and tender phrases for couples can be overheard.

"..."

Eco's attention was focused at the shadows, after a while she suddenly stretched out her right hand to Ash.

"... Eco?"

Eco turn to look at the side and snappily muttered:

"If it is just holding hands... I don’t really mind it."

Ash was shocked. He didn’t understand why Eco suddenly said that. Was it because she wanted to protest against the other couples, or she was just pitying Ash who envied the rest?

Anyway, Eco looked purer today. She was probably affected by the special atmosphere in the capital. It was like Eco was under the capital’s magic.

"So... Let’s do it."

Ash held Eco's hand as his heart beat increased. The moment their hands touched each other, Eco was startled. Her palm was smaller and softer than expected. Eco's body temperature was passed to Ash through her palm.

At this time, the couple behind them were fully immersed in their world.

From their shadows...... they were obviously kissing, and it was still quite an intense affectionate kiss. Their flirting had suddenly stopped at half-way- this gave them a deeper sense of reality.

"...!"

Eco seems to have also noticed the unusual circumstances behind. She was staring at the shadows on the ground for quite a moment.

"Y-You can only hold my hand! I-I will not allow any further development!"

Then she declared at Ash who was standing beside.

"I-I know that!"

Later, the two silently queued up.

In the eyes of others, are we like a pair of lovers... While feeling Eco’s warm hand in his... Ash thought so.

Part 11

"Nn? It smells wonderful!"

On her right hand is a chocolate mint flavor while on her left hand is cream cheese and raspberry flavor. Today, it was a rare sight for Eco not to directly eat it, but start with smelling it.

"Be careful not to hit any passers-by."

Ash casually reminded her, but Eco abruptly looked up at him.

"Why didn’t you buy anything?"

"I don’t have a choice...... the price here is higher than Ansarivan. Even a crepe costs three hundred glorins[5]."

"What... hearing you say this, am I being luxurious?"

"I'm not blaming you. Since it is rare for us to be in the capital, don’t you worry about anything."

"... Take it."

Seeing Eco suddenly hand out her right hand’s Crepe, Ash becomes confused.

"Eco?"

"You can only have a bite..."

The reason that Eco’s face looked red... perhaps it was not just caused by the sunset.

"Can I... really?"

"Didn’t you say that it was rare for us to be in the capital? If I am the only one enjoying... It doesn’t feel right. You must also try to have some fun...!"

Ah... for her to be this kind, it must be the capital’s magic responsible for it.

Until what extent will Eco act cute today?

"Then I’ll take a bite... Nn! This is...!"

The chocolate’s sweetness and the mint’s refreshing feel gradually spread out in his mouth. The crust spread with cream is crunchy and soft.

"It's delicious! Really delicious! Eco, come and have a try!"

"Why are you exaggerating?"

Seeing Ash’s teeth marks on the Crepe, Eco looked sad. But eventually temptation wins out and she straight away took out a big bite.

"Nn... What is it? This is the first time I ate such a delicious crepe!" Eco was excitedly shouting...

Just then... A huge object, passing not too far away and above the shopping street, slowly occluded the red and setting sun and cast its huge shadow over this area of the city.

Because of the sudden disappearance of the sun, everyone looked curiously upwards–– then they involuntarily came out with a sounds of amazement.

Ash and Eco were no exception, they looked up at the sky dumbfounded.

An air carrier was floating in the sky.

The size is far bigger than Princess Veronica’s airship Silvanus.

On the air carrier, there is a flag of the Zepharos Empire. On the other side of the flag there was a huge family crest that Ash had never seen before.

“Is it the Empire’s nobles?”

Someone answered Ash.

"That's the Viderhausen family’s coat of arms. I heard that the head of the Viderhausen family is going to represent the Empire in the scheduled Continental Congress."

Cosette suddenly appeared.

"Hehe, I'm here to pick up Ash-sama and Eco."

Ash was amazed.

She could even find them in this crowded city.

"... Pick us up? Why?"

"Because Ash-sama and Eco are going to join tonight’s dinner."

"Dinner...?"

Seeing Ash muttering, Cosette suddenly straightened herself.

"The Paladin is expecting the both of you."

By judging this sentence alone, Ash finally understood the situation he was in. The Paladin had finally summoned him. Ash was surprised to have the honour to be invited to a dinner with the Paladin. Ash only expected that he would only get the chance to greet the Paladin in the throne room.

"Hehe. Princess will also be attending. No need to be nervous."

Hearing Cosette say this, Ash was relieved.

Although, with Silvia acting as a social bridge, it is hard to say that he need not be nervous.

"Let's go."

Lead by Cosette, Ash and Eco were on their way home.

Though Ash felt like he had forgotten some important event, his head was already full of tonight’s dinner.

Part 12

Near the entrance to the shopping district, Prim was leaning by the trees eagerly looking forward for Ash and Eco’s return.

Without realizing, it was already dusk and the pedestrians around gradually thinned out.

"Uoo~ how come the two of them are not back yet-! Uoo.”

"Eco's Hioliday ~A.B.S.1365.7~" is closed.

Notes:

3. 兄上, a very polite way to call your elder brother.

4. 父上, a very polite way to say father.

5. グローリン: Money. I guess the term is patterned after 'florins'. It will have to do for the moment.

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