Published at 18th of July 2022 7:51 am

Volume 5, Chapter 1 - Tragedy of Apollo house and Mirabel's decision, Part 5-11

This chapter is updated by NovelFree.ml

Part 5

The moment Ash finished gathering all his basic daily needs, Cosette was back with Eco. Together, the three of them marched towards Epona House. Although it was around evening, the sun was still high up in the sky. After passing through a grove of mixed trees, they were welcomed by a stern looking gate. Even the cicada had stopped making noise. Although they were just walking, they were all full of sweat. By taking a peek beside, Eco looked as if she was suffering from the heat of the high summer temperature. She looked like a Hydra who was looking for water on dry land. Compared to Ash, Eco was only carrying her stuffed toy.

On the other hand, Cosette didn't even break a sweat.

“We have arrived.”

She turned around and smiled at both Ash and Eco. Through the gate, they could see a garden that was separated into two halves by the walkway. It must have been well tended by a good gardener. Even Ash who didn't have any interest in gardening was amazed by it. At the back of the garden stood an elegant looking building. That was Epona House, the dormitory for advance class girls.

“We have finally arrived…”

Ash placed his baggage which was full of daily needs and clothing on the ground.

How long does it actually take to walk here from Apollo House… Ash couldn't be bothered to even think about it.

This dragon riding academy where human and dragons coexisted had a very large land area. In it, there were numerous classes, a church, a lecture hall, a library, a canteen, seven dragon houses, four dormitories, a sports ground… It even included an arena that was used during events. Although there was the shopping district and the housing are beyond the school walls, compared to the size of the academy, they just looked like extras. That was the reason why Ansarivan was called an academic city. Putting that aside, the distance between the boys dormitory and the girls dormitory must had been arranged on purpose by the academy.

“Please enter.”

Cosette pushed open the heavy looking gate and welcomed both of them in.

Part 6

On the top most floor of Epona House was the room of royal use. It looked like a high class hotel suite and it even had a large space. Apart from a heater in the living room, there was also a dining room, a study room, bedrooms, a bathroom, a kitchen, etc. In a room that had everything, it looked as if it was another world compared to the normal student’s room. Silvia was walking up and down around her room alone, worrying endlessly.

“Argh! What’s wrong with me! Why couldn't I calm down! Even my family motto stated that ‘Always stay calm, especially in a pinch’!”

Even though she wasn't even in a pinch, Silvia couldn't stop worrying. It was about time for Cosette to arrive with Ash and Eco.

“That’s it!”

Silvia stopped in her tracks for a moment and then she dashed into the makeup room and stood in front of a mirror. She applied a thin layer of makeup on her face. She tried combing her hair many times. Her clothing and accessories were chosen by Cosette. She put on her camisole, a skirt with two layers of frills, her panty socks and a necklace made from bright dragon crystals that acted as jewels. In front of the mirror, she was just like her usual…. No, she was at least twice as more beautiful than she usually was. Silvia turned red when she realized how beautiful she was.

“Why would I dress myself up! It is alright by just sticking to what I usually do!”

Ash was about to arrive. Until the boy’s dormitory was done with its renovation, Ash was going to stay here for two weeks. Her heart started to beat rapidly from thinking about it.

“This feeling… It is that same feeling as that time…”

Silvia recalled her memories. Around the time of her seventh birthday, she met a boy in Albion Forest.

“Why? Why would I have this feeling of returning to the time when I was seven years old whenever I think about Ash…?”

Silvia suddenly regained her senses.

“Stop! Stop! Stop! Doesn't this mean that I am looking forward for him to arrive!? Right… I should change back into my normal clothing…”

Silvia left the makeup room and entered the living room. She swiftly removed all her clothing except for her undergarments. She then walked along the corridor towards the changing room. Suddenly, the door opened right in front of her eyes.

“Princess-sama, we have returned.”

Cosette walked in with a smile.

“Princess-sama!?”

Ash was standing right behind Cosette with his eyes wide opened. Why is his face red? Is it because of the heat?

“…!”

Silvia immediately snapped out from the confusion. She just remembered that right now, she was only wearing her undergarments.

“Kyaaaaaaaaaaa!”

Silvia ran and hid behind the door while screaming at the top of her voice.

Part 7

“Hey you! Just until when are you going to keep on staring!”

“Ouch!”

Ash came back to his sense after he was stomped on the leg by Eco. Just when he had stepped in through the grand entrance, he was greeted by Silvia in only her undergarments. The white coloured lace will forever be imprinted in his mind. By the way, why was Silvia wearing only those? No matter how hot the weather can be, it didn't suit her image.

“I am going to check on Princess-sama. Could the both of you wait here for a moment, please?”

With a happy smile on her face, Cosette disappeared into the corridor. In just a moment-

“No. This definitely doesn't look natural.”

“No no. It definitely fits you well.”

“But… Won’t this make me look like I am looking forward to their arrival?”

“Huh? Aren't you?”

Their entire conversation was heard by Ash.

“Come on! This is a disgrace! How dare they make a dragon wait by the entrance!”

Eco who was standing right beside Ash was enraged. The toy that she had with her which had a carelessly made face was further squashed by Eco’s abnormal strength. Ash pitied the toy. If this continued to keep on, Ash would probably be the next victim.

“Sorry for the wait.”

Just when Ash was about to be surrounded by his fear, Cosette had returned to the entrance with Silvia who was hiding right behind her. Ash’s heart skipped a beat when he saw Silvia’s clothing. It gave a completely different feel compare to the school uniform that she usually wore. A lot of her skin was exposed from wearing the camisole. It had totally grabbed his attention.

“Please come in.”

Ash regained his sense after he heard Cosette’s voice.

“S-Sorry for the intrusion.”

In opposite to Ash, Eco was looking around the room with a hint of worry.

“Even so… You are just a Princess of the Royal Knight’s Family and you get to have such a great room?”

Perhaps she was mad from being asked to wait at the entrance, Eco was saying anything that would sooth her anger. In truth, even Ash was amazed by the room itself. Just the entrance itself was wider than Ash’s room. There were even expensive looking pictures along the wall and carvings of dragons.

“Please don’t be mad. This room was specially made for the royals, it would be natural if Princess-sama is staying here.”

Ash tried to calm her down.

“But, I am also a Princess of the dragons! Why would there be such a large difference in our treatment!?”

“It is not like I want to stay in this room either!”

Silvia tried to speak up for herself even when she was being threatened by Eco.

“I even tried telling the academy to let me have the same treatment as the rest of the students, but they never listen…”

Suddenly, Silvia stood still on her ground. There was not even a slightest movement.

“Princess-sama… What’s wrong? You don’t look good.”

Ash was worried about her but she didn't reply. She kept on staring at the stuffed toy that Eco was carrying with her with her ice blue eyes. Silvia then suddenly leaped towards Eco and grabbed her shoulders.

“Eco! Can you tell me how did that toy fall into your possession?”

Eco became confused.

“I-It has nothing to do with you.”

“Please tell me! This is very important!”

Silvia shouted loudly.

“… I picked it up.”

Eco mumbled when she turned her head to aside. It seemed that she did not want to tell Silvia that it was a gift from Ash. Ash was wondering on why she would be insisting on it.

“You picked it up? When? Where?”

Silvia was being persistent.

“Come on! Why do I need to tell you?”

Eco lost her patience and roared.

“…Why can’t you tell me?”

“T-That’s because… I don’t have the obligation to tell you.”

“Now I see, you are playing dumb… It seems I must resolve to this.”

Suddenly, Silvia leaped towards Eco with both of her hands stretched out.

“Hey!... Don’t joke with me!”

Eco dodged with the toy in her arms. With the royal room as the stage, the two of them started running around like a bunch of kids. In just a blink of an eye, both of them disappeared behind a door.

“Err… What is this all about?”

Ash who was left behind turned around and questioned Cosette.

“Cosette-san?”

To his surprised, Cosette too was transfixed on her own spot. It was rare to see her making a face like that. Cosette then regained her sense after being called out to by Ash and started explaining.

“I just remember about it… I fear that that stuffed toy…. Is an important treasure to Princess-sama during her childhood.”

Ash was surprised by her answer.

“Wait a moment! That shouldn't be possible! There should be many more stuffed toys with the same design, no?”

Cosette answered calmly.

“No. There isn't. That toy is the one and only in this world. It was a limited edition item. It was actually made from a famous artist from Chevron Kingdom called Leonard De Mirabeau and was given to the five year old Princess-sama.”

“Really? That clumsily made toy is…”

“That’s not it… Its weird look was actually Mirabeau-sama's style. Don't people usually say that there was only a silver line that separated a genius and a madman? If that stuffed toy was bought to an antique auction… It should be priced at five million Eccles at minimum.”

Cosette told him the shocking truth with a straight face.

“Five million…!”

Ash turned speechless. His face had turned pale.

-Five million Eccles!

Ash couldn't even imagine that amount of money. He just knew that he won’t be able to finish it by living the rest of his days enjoying life. He never knew that such a treasure was hidden in his closet.

“W-We should try stopping them first!”

Ash started searching for them in the huge room.

Part 8

“Finally! You won’t be able to escape!”

Eco who ran into Silvia’s room was now like a rat in the bag. There was only one exit and the windows were too high to jump from since this was the top most floor.

“Tsk… You are being persistent!”

Eco backed off to the wall and like a mother protecting her child, she tried to intimidate Silvia. For one moment, Silvia was awed by her beauty, but the next instant, she roared:

“You haven’t told me anything yet! I just want to know how this toy came into your possession!”

“Why would you even want to know!?”

“T-That… I had my own reasons! Please, Eco!”

“Hmph… I had mine too. I will never tell you, only you!”

Both of them were glaring at each other without any intention of backing off. Silvia realized that whatever she said was useless.

“Now you have done it. Although it is not to my liking… I must resolve this by force.”

“What! Who do you think I am! See that if you can do it!”

“Fine with me!”

Silvia leaped forward without mercy. Although she should avoid Eco’s abnormal strength, Eco’s actions had always been straight forward and were always easy to read. On the other hand, apart from the Drag Arts, Silvia had mastered many more fighting styles. It was a normal thing to do for someone who was born in the Lautreamont Royal Knight’s Family. After struggling on the ground like brats, Silvia came out as the winner.

“Now you have been captured!”

Silvia was pressing Eco’s tiny body on the floor and without giving her a chance to fight back, she rode on Eco.

“Tsk… Let me go!”

“Is there any idiot in this world that would move off once they are being asked to?”

The winner had been decided. Even when Eco had her abnormal strength, she could never be able to beat Silvia. But, there was a reason why Silvia could beat her easily. Eco had never let go of the stuffed toy even after she was pressed down against the floor. If Eco would just let go of that toy, the fight could still drag on. No, it could even be Silvia who was pressed down against the floor.

“Please, Eco! This is not an order. Although it was not a long time since the day I met you, I always think you as a friend. That is why… Could you please tell me?”

Just when Silvia was begging Eco with a trembling voice…

“Eco! Princess-sama!”

The door opened with a bang and Ash came running in. Silvia turned around to look at Ash while she was pressing Eco down against the floor.

“Hold on, Ash! I never have the intention to harm Eco! I just want to ask Eco about it… no matter what!”

“But, Princess-sama doesn't act like the usual you. Even so, Eco is my Pal, I won’t forgive anyone who try to harm her, even if it is Princess-sama.”

After Ash murmured sadly, he showed her his left arm. Silvia knew that he had his abnormally large Seikoku covered in a bandage.

“Your Seikoku…?”

Silvia was in lost of words. The Seikoku under the bandage was obviously blinking with glowing lights. That was a signal given when the Pal was in danger. For example, even though Silvia did not have any intention of harming Eco, Eco felt that she was in danger and sent the signal to her owner Ash for help…

“Sorry, Eco… I am really sorry. I am in the wrong for scaring you…. But, I have my own reasons. Please, Eco! Please tell me for the sake of our friendship!”

Silvia was forcing out an answer from Eco.

“…Eco?”

Eco did not reply. Just as Silvia became confused, Eco was surrounded by a glowing light.

“Hey, Eco! What’s wrong?”

Eco still did not reply. Right now, Eco was like a doll, showing no expression. Even her eyes seemed to be reflecting nothing.

“Urgh…!”

The next instant, Silvia was being blasted of by a strong wind.

“Princess-sama!”

Followed by Ash’s shout, Silvia’s back bang against the wall. She almost couldn't breathe because of it.

Part 9

“Princess-sama!”

Just when Ash was trying to help Silvia out, Cosette arrived.

“I will take care of Princess-sama. Ash-sama, go help Eco-chan! This is no laughing matter!”

Cosette’s voice seemed to be more serious and nervous than usual.

“Understood!”

Ash ran straight towards Eco. His Seikoku started to hurt. He remembered that feeling. He had the similar feeling when Eco was awaken in the capital, Fontaine. Although the pain was not as strong as that time, Ash knew that this was the sign before her transformation into a dragon. Eco stood up slowly with the cute stuffed toy dropping on the floor. Strictly speaking, she was not standing. There was a gap in between her feet and the floor. She was actually floating…! Her limbs were now surrounded by the mysterious light that was so bright that they could not look at it directly. However, Ash continued to move forward.

“Stop, Eco! If you are to be awaken here…”

In the worst possible case, this Epona House will be destroyed. No, it could even be related to the city’s survivability… Eco had long been labeled as an element of danger by many countries’s government. The reason why Mirabel was sent to become the academy’s director was to keep an eye on Eco.

If she is to transform into a dragon right now…!

Ash moved forward without giving any thought and hugged Eco. A huge amount of magic was flowing out from her tiny body. If he had been careless, he would even be swallowed by the magic and lost consciousness. Ash shouted with all his might into Eco’s ears.

“Get a grip of yourself! I…I like the way you are now! It is okay if you just stay as you are! You don’t have to force yourself to change into your true self!”

It seems that Ash’s words had gotten through and the magic that was surrounding Eco had disappeared. Even the lights were no longer there. Ash’s Seikoku too had stopped responding.

“We are saved…”

Ash breathe a sigh of relieves.

“…Huh?”

Eco blinked her eyes in surprise and murmured.

“What had I done…? Why are you…?”

Realizing that she was in Ash’s arms, Eco leaped off from Ash’s arms with her face red in embarrassment.

Part 10

“I am sorry for what had happened just now. I-I never thought that you were so much against it…. No I shouldn't make any excuses. A knight must admit his own faults. I deeply apologize!”

After the group had sat on a dining table in the living room, Silvia apologized to Eco sincerely.

“Hmph… I guess this should be sufficient.”

Silvia’s eagerness to apologize by bowing her head had started to confuse Eco. Even though she still continued to puff up her checks in protest, but at least she had accepted Silvia’s apology. Ash who noticed it breathe a sigh of relieves.

“…Since everything had been settled, please allow me to ask. How did that stuffed toy came into your possession?”

Silvia’s words had cause Eco to be enraged again.

“Ha!? You….. Just apologize and yet you still want to ask!?”

“I apologize for resolving this matter by force. I promise that this time, I won’t try questioning you by force. But in return, I will keep on asking until you answer me. Remember, I will keep on asking.”

Silvia was quite stubborn. She even smiled towards Eco with her face full of confidence.

“I can’t believe it…”

Eco sighed.

“Sorry, Eco-chan.”

At that moment, Cosette returned from the kitchen with a silver tray full of snacks and tea.

“That toy that Eco-chan was holding right now… It probably belongs to Princess-sama a long time ago.”

“How can it be…?”

Whilst she was surprised, Eco took a bite on the vanilla flavoured crepe that Cosette handed to her. If it was the usual Eco, she would definitely shout out ‘Delicious!’ on the first bite, but right now, she was with a serious looks. As expected, even Eco couldn't enjoy her favorite food properly.

“What Cosette said is true. That toy is definitely an important thing to me during my childhood.”

Silvia spoke calmly as if she was trying to teach a child who knew nothing.

“Ha!? That’s impossible! I understand none of these!”

Eco placed her half eaten crepe back on her plate. Ash was surprised that she prioritized the argument before her crepe.

“I knew it the moment I saw it. There is only one of this stuffed toy in the whole world. It is a very important toy.”

“How can you have such confidence!?”

“You don’t even know the worth of that toy. Anyone who knows its worth would recognize it on their first sight.”

“Arrrrrggh! That explanation is totally unacceptable!”

Eco was once again enraged, but at least Silvia knew her limit. Thanks to that, the atmosphere did not turn out to be any worse than this… Ash secretly thought.

“Come on you two…”

Cosette was obviously not at all troubled. She seemed to be enjoying this.

“Haa… It seems like I don’t have a choice.”

Ash sighed.

“Please listen carefully, Princess-sama. That stuffed toy was in my closet. I gave it to Eco since she seemed to like it.”

“Hey! Why did you tell that to her!?”

Eco was scolding Ash with her face red.

“What else can I do? If I leave it to both of you, the same thing will continue onwards again and again.”

“I… want this to be a secret between the both of us.”

Eco’s mumbling caught Ash’s attention.

“What did you say?”

“N-Nothing! I don’t even know you!”

Eco averted her face in anger. Why must she get angry...? Ash wondered. On the other hand, Silvia was staring at Ash.

“Ash… you said that this toy was in your closet?”

“That seems to be the case.”

Ash shrugged his shoulders.

“Actually, I am not really clear about it. Believe me or not, there is a blank in my memories… I don’t even know how it came into my possession. I don’t even know about its worth if not for Cosette.”

Silvia was staring at Ash so intently almost as if she was going to pierce a hole in his forehead. She then asked a weird question.

“When is your birthday?”

“Huh? The third on the month of Aries… What about that?”

After Ash answered honestly, Cosette spoke in surprise:

“Oh, what a coincidence. It seems that Princess-sama was also born in the month of Aries. By the way, hers is in the seventh.”

“Hmm… That’s the first time I had heard of it.”

“Huhu… So Ash-sama is the bigger brother by four days.”

“T-That… isn't it…”

“Ash!”

Silvia suddenly leaned against him. Ash could see her breast that was covered by the thin cloth of the summer clothes.

“Princess-sama?”

“Even though this may seems abrupt, but do you still remember the date you went for the Orphan Ceremony?”

“Err… I don’t really remember about the details, but it shouldn't be far away from my seventh birthday. Since my hometown was at a far away village, I started my journey when I was still six. I remembered that I had my seventh birthday in a horse carriage.”

Once they reach the age of seven, every citizen of the Knight Country must visit Albion Forest. For Ash, if he had departed after his seventh birthday, he would never be able to arrive at Albion Forest in a month time.

“By the way, does the date I went for the Orphan Ceremony matter?”

“…No, Nothing. I have something that I want to discuss with Cosette. Please stay here for the moment.”

Silvia suddenly stood up and dragged Cosette by the hand with her.

“What a weird Princess.”

Ash took a drink from the cup of red tea.

Part 11

After Silvia entered the makeup room, with an ‘Ahem’, she cleared her throat.

“What do you want to talk about, Princess-sama?”

“About that…”

“It doesn't seem like something easy.”

Since she had been with Silvia for quite some time, Cosette immediately knew what she was thinking.

“Aah… That’s right.”

“I will do everything you tell me to if it is in my ability to do so. If the situation required, I could even be Princess-sama's limbs or even your shield… That’s my duty.”

Silvia made up her mind and told her wish.

“Actually, I want you to return to the palace and investigate the name list of the children who went to the orphan ceremony at the same day as me. This should be an easy one for you, no?”

However, Cosette told Silvia something out of her imagination.

“The records of the Orphan Ceremony is the country’s top secret. Even if you are a Princess, you will be breaching the law by trying to investigate it.”

“Then, your duty would be to avoid it. Please, I could only put my hopes on you. With your ability, reading top secret documents should not be a problem, right?”

“That doesn't sound nice, Princess-sama. The ability that I only knew of was an ancient technique that was passed down in the Shelly’s family and some spying technique. All of them were used to protect the Lautreamont family.”

“I understand that, but…!”

Silvia grabbed her shoulders and looked at Cosette with her puppy eyes.

“Of course I will do it if this is your order. But, what will you do if Ash-sama is really that boy?”

Silvia’s face almost burst out in flames.

“I-I just want to know about it! That’s right, I only want to know about the truth!”

Cosette gave a wry smile.

“Hmm… Putting that aside, during the time when I am not in, when the night comes and Eco had slept, aren't the two of you alone together?”

“When the night comes…. The two of us…!?”

This time, steam emerged from her ears. Her heart was beating none stop.

“W-W-What are you talking about! Don’t you have any shame! How shameless! I…I believe that Ash is not someone insolent! That is why there is no point behind your question!”

Silvia snapped and Cosette nodded.

“I too had the same feeling.”

“Then why bother asking!”

Cosette smiled and took out something. It was a stack of paper held together by a paper clip.

“What’s that?”

“Huhu… A copy of ‘Shelley family’s secret. A recipe to make men dream’. Although I want to use it during this summer to teach Princess-sama some cooking… But this is a good chance to try it. Although Princess-sama doesn't have any actual experience, but isn't this a good chance to show your cooking skills to Ash-sama?”

Silvia felt as if her body was on fire.

“Hold on! W-W-Why must I show Ash my cooking skills?”

“If I am not mistaken, The Lautreamont Family Motto did mention that ‘to shoot a general you must first shoot his horse’, am I right?”

“What does it had to do with this?”

“In the Shelley’s Family Motto, there is something like this: ‘To get the man you like, you must first fill his stomach’.”

“What kind of family motto is that!?”

“Huhu… When Ash-sama's stomach is empty, and Princess-sama gave him your homemade cooking, he would surely fall for you.”

“…Fall for me!?”

Cosette was like a devil whispering into Silvia’s ears.

“When a Princess who doesn't look like she knew any cooking made a meal, which man wouldn't be moved by it?”

“Cut the crap! I never want Ash to take notice of me! Never! I-It's just that I had some interest in cooking since a long time ago. I will accept your offer because of this.”

Cosette handed her the recipe while smiling.

“Now, I have received my orders from Princess-sama and I will depart from Ansarivan immediately.”

“Huh? Immediately?”

“It is better if we act quickly, Princess-sama.”

Cosette lifted the both sides of her skirt slightly and bowed gracefully.

Suddenly, like mist, Cosette disappeared from Silvia’s sight like a magician.

“H-Hey! Cosette? … Do you really want to depart at this moment?”

Silvia became worried when she heard no reply.

“Please hold on, Cosette! You should allow me to have some mental preparation before…!”

Silvia looked around the room with tears in her eyes. It looks like Cosette had really departed.

“Tsk… She never takes me seriously!”

After Silvia mumbled in regrets, she took a long hard look at the recipe given to her.

"The Stuffed Toy Dragon~A.S.B.1365.8~" is closed.

Share