Published at 18th of July 2022 7:55 am

Volume 5, Chapter 4 - Lost memories, Albion Forest, Part 1-8

This chapter is updated by NovelFree.ml

Part 1

At dawn, Silvia who suddenly woke up felt something on her chest.

“Hey, Eco! Where do you think you are sleeping!?”

“Zzzz…”

Like a child sucking on its mother’s breast, Eco buried her face in Silvia’s chest. Apart from that, her right hand was even grabbing onto Silvia’s breast. Silvia’s breast shook from Eco moving her fingers.

“Aah… Nnn… I-If you touch it like that… Aah…!”

Without thinking, Silvia sat up to calm down herself, she pulled Eco’s arm away with some force.

“Tsk… How rude can you be…”

She was embarrassed at herself for making those unladylike sounds. It was sometime past six when she looked at the clock placed by the side of her pillow. Usually, it was around that time Cosette would wake her up.

“How careless of me! How can I…!”

Although it was summer holidays right now, Silvia’s pride still didn't allow negligence. After giving herself a few light slaps on the both cheeks, she stood up from the bed. She usually started her day with some independent training,[1] afterwards she would feed Lancelot herself. This was her usual routine.

“Ermm… My dragsuit… Where is my dragsuit…?”

Being forced to take care of her own clothings, Silvia realised painfully how much she was usually relying on Cosette. Right at that moment…

-Doooooom!

There was a familiar sound outside of the window.

“Is that… The sound of a Strada landing?”

Surprised, Silvia opened the window. Just as expected by Silvia, when she looked down on the garden of Epona House, there was a familiar strada. And a crater was formed around it.

“Tsk… Your riding ability is indeed one of the best but you should change that emergency landing habit of yours. It causes quite some trouble…”

Silvia sighed. The rider was a lady and she was wearing a moss green coloured uniform. Once she noticed Silvia, she immediately leaped off the saddle and greeted:

"I am the first-class palace messenger, Olietta Blanc! I am here to send the letter that was to be received by Princess Silvia, Her Royal Highness from Cosette Shelley-dono!"

“…From Cosette!?”

Unconsciously Silvia gripped the window frame putting all her strength into it.

Part 2

After seeing Olietta off, Silvia walked towards the seventh dragon house. Since it was summer holidays, there were no other dragons except Lancelot inside. Lancelot too had woken up early to match with Silvia. In contrast to Eco, Lancelot was a dragon who followed the rules.

“Sorry for the wait, Lancelot. It is time for breakfast.”

After Silvia placed the defrosted meat in front of Lancelot, Lancelot cried in joy and started enjoying its food. Silvia then took out the letter with her back facing Lancelot. It was the letter that she just received from Olietta.

-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.

Cosette who obeyed Silvia’s orders to return to the palace had taken the trouble to contact Silvia through the palace messenger.

“Did she manage to find it? Or did anything unexpected happen…?”

Her heart was thumping like the morning alarm. A little courage was required before she was able to tear open the envelope.

Dear Princess-sama,

How are you? Right now, I am staying at Fontaine Palace.

About the investigation, it seems that five years ago a fire had burnt off a part of the documents related to the Orphan Ceremony.

Among those documents was the name list of the children who succeeded in the Orphan Ceremony in the past ten years.

Even so, the information that I obtained states that these documents were a copy and the original name list was kept at a different place.

I will now continue my search at the location of the name list.

Please be patient while waiting for the news.

Cosette . Shelley.

Silvia was worn out and gave a long sigh after she finished reading. Lancelot gave Silvia a curious peek.

Silvia grumbled while grooming Lancelot’s fur:

“Tsk… Where in the world is that ‘Location’? Even thought she is a person who has a keen eye for details, it is troublesome when she has forgotten to write the most important thing…”

Part 3

After their breakfast, Ash together with Eco and Silvia went to the director’s office. Although it was in the middle of summer holidays, Mirabel was still at the director’s office. She seemed to be reading some difficult books. On top of her table was a mountain load of documents. The working room itself looked more like a private room. Mirabel spoke in a cold voice:

“What’s the matter?”

She asked that while looking at her own documents.

“We have something to ask from Anee-ue. It is about the practical test.”

Ash was glad that Silvia spoke first. Ash was bad while dealing with Princess Mirabel. To him, Veronica seemed a lot more easier to deal with. After hearing that, Mirabel closed her book without changing her expression.

“So you have decided on your destination?”

“Yeah. We would like to head to Albion Forest.”

Mirabel tilted her head a little after Silvia answered directly.

“Your chosen destination is located at quite a remote area. Apart from that, Albion Forest is a sacred place. That place should be tightly guarded by the Albion Forest Military Order.”

“Of course I know that. However, Ash and Eco must head there. And I intend to help them.”

“Could you tell me their reasons for that?”

Ash was shivering from Mirabel’s sharp glance. But now was not the time to stay frightened.

“Ermm… Actually…”

Just when Ash was about to answer…

“Hold on!”

Suddenly, Mirabel stopped him and took out a watch. Ash was shocked seeing the royal’s solemnity.

“It is tea time, Eunice.”

“On my way, Princess-sama.”

Eunice who was like a statue spoke for the first time.

“Hey! How can you drink tea when someone was halfway through his talk!”

Ash grumbled at Mirabel who was doing things at her own pace.

“Do you have a problem with that?”

Her ice magic like glare was putting pressure on Ash.

“No, sorry for bothering you…”

After Ash’s voice turned softer, the room was filled with the smell of bergamot. Taking a look to the side, Eco was sniffing around. It seemed that she took interest in Mirabel’s red tea. It was a different type of interest compared to Ansal. But it was indeed a smell that a dragon would fall in love with. Eunice spoke when she saw Eco’s interest:

“Would the three of you like a cup of tea?”

Part 4

The three of them were sitting together on a sofa. Ash who had no interest in tea could only think of ‘It has a nice aroma’. However, it was different for Eco.

“This is wonderful… This is the first time I drank such a great cup of tea.”

Silvia explained to the amazed Eco:

“Anee-ue is very picky about red teas. By the way, this tea is called Earl Gloriana from Chalone.”

“Earl… Groo…?”

Eco almost bit her tongue.

“This kind of tea leaf is famous in the world. You should enjoy it properly.”

“Is that so? I didn't know…”

Eco was enjoying her tea happily.

“Erm… Princess-sama, shouldn't we start with the main topic?’

Ash noticed that it was bad to keep on talking about teas and so he urged on Silvia.

“Aah. That’s right. Can we start now, Anee-ue?”

“You have my permission.” agreed Mirabel.

Part 5

Mirabel’s expression never changed during Silvia’s entire explanation. It was even the same when Silvia mentioned about Ash and Eco being summoned by Mother Dragon. Mirabel said something after Silvia finished.

“I understand your situation. Good job for getting the idea of finishing two tasks in one trip. However, Ash Blake, there is one problem. How do you intend to head there? It will take you two weeks to reach there by land. Or do you intend to let Eco transform into a dragon?”

Mirabel glance was like a blizzard approaching Ash.

“No, that is impossible. Eco cannot control her transformation consciously.”

“Sorry for being useless…”

Eco puffed up her cheeks. Even so, it was the truth that she couldn't control her own transformation. There was nothing she could do about it. Right after that, Mirabel threw Eco a cold glance.

“Young dragon Eco, there is nothing bad in being useless. It is a matter of life and death for the Knight Country when you transform at a poor time. Because of you crushing the Empire’s airship Beowolf, the Knight Country’s government is having a headache.”

“Urgh…”

Eco turned speechless. Even she felt responsible for it. That’s right. Using the reason of Eco’s dragon form crushing Beowolf, the Empire’s government kept on protesting. According to the latest news, to achieve peace, the Knight Country’s government intended to pay the compensation. Of course at the same time it will cause an impact on the Knight Country’s financial situation.

“But the entire matter is the Empire’s fault to begin with…”

Ash said what he truthfully thought in front of Mirabel.

“Whatever the case may be, it is also the truth that the Empire’s airship was destroyed by a dragon. If the situation was any worse, it could turn into an all out war. Shouldn't we be glad, if we can have this settled by only paying money?”

For the first time, Mirabel kept her eyes away from the documents she was reading and looked at Ash, Silvia and Eco.

“With that, if you can take back an item that can only be found in Albion, I will consider you passing the exam. About that… In this season a flower called Rex Albioni should be blooming. How about it?”

Ash had heard the name of the flower before. It was a flower that could only be found in Albion Forest. Every summer, its white coloured flowers would bloom.

“Understood. We will definitely return with Rex Albioni.”

After she declared this, Silvia turned her sight towards Ash and Eco.

“It had been decided. Please prepare your stuff as soon as possible. We will depart tomorrow morning!”

“Aah… That’s right. But…”

Silvia was confused when she saw that Ash was hesitating.

“What’s wrong? Are you still worrying about anything?”

Ash nodded and looked at Mirabel.

“Ermm… Princess Mirabel?”

“Anything else the matter?”

“You had certainly said that you were here in Ansarivan under Princess Veronica’s orders… But the actual reason is to keep an eye on Eco, am I right?”

“That’s right. That is what the muscle freak’s intention.”

“M-Muscle…!?”

“Ara, do you even have to be surprised? What I am saying is the truth.”

Ash was surprised that Mirabel described the heroine-like character of Veronica with just ‘muscle freak’. It seemed that Mirabel didn't think that it is worth respecting Veronica at all.

“P-Putting that aside… Is it really all right for you to allow us to leave your sight? Doesn't it contradict with Veronica’s intention?”

Mirabel suddenly placed her tea cup on the table.

“Hmm, you are smarter than I thought you were. But, you don’t have to worry about your assumptions. To me, Veronica’s orders are nothing.”

“What do you mean?”

“Let’s assume that Eco once again turned into a dragon, what could we do about it? If there is a person who can stop this disaster, it can only be Ash Blake the owner of Eco. And we are not Ash Blake, are we?”

“That… That may be true but why would you take the trouble to come to Ansarivan?”

“With or without Veronica’s orders, I have my own personal matter to solve in Ansarivan. And that’s the sole reason.”

“What kind of a matter is that? Is it possible for you to tell us about it?”

“The answer is NO[2]. You shall not ask anything beyond this.”

Mirabel refusing to answer Ash’s question was like putting an end to their conversation. She once again had her attention back on her documents.

Part 6

On the next morning, Ash, Eco and Silvia who had done their preparation departed from Ansarivan while they rode on Lancelot together.

“It is all up to you, Lancelot!”

After Silvia shouted, Lancelot gave a cheerful roar. Since part of their journey's reason was for the practical test, Ash and Silvia were wearing their dragsuits. And Eco as Ash’s Pal was wearing her uniform to show that she too was taking the exam. Their sitting sequence was Silvia who held the reins at the front, followed by Eco and Ash. Actually, right before they took flight, Eco said that she would like to take the middle. Thus, Ash was at the end of the line. Ash was holding onto Eco’s slim waist. Although he was embarrassed, he would face falling off Lancelot if he did not grab on it tightly.

“Oooooooo….!”

Even with three people on its back, Lancelot was flying without having to break a sweat. The sky was clear and since it was still early in the day, the weather was cool. However, when noon arrived, the sun would be scorching. Thus it would be better for them to reach at their destination as soon as possible.

“Err, Princess-sama. What do you think Princess Mirabel’s reason was?”

Ash finally asked the question that was on his mind for some time.

At first, I thought Mirabel was here to keep an eye on Eco. But, for Mirabel to have her own reason…

“How am I to know that?” snapped Silvia.

“To begin with, about Princess Mirabel… What kind of a person is she? Like Princess Veronica, it is obvious to everyone that she is a fighter.”

Silvia answered while holding the reins:

“Mirabel Onee-sama is a very respectable scholar. Just a few days ago, she was still doing her research in Espada St Law University.”

“…She must have been famous. Does she have any connections with Holy Espada Agency?”

“Certainly. Espada St Law University is directly under the Holy Agency’s secret service. Regardless of humanities studies or science related fields, all the genius' in their regarding field were doing their best for their research there.”

“That’s absurd…”

Even though he didn't know Mirabel’s age, she only looked older by a year or two than Silvia and was still in her teenage years. Even so, for a girl at her age to reserve a spot in the secret service, she was someone to be feared. Ash finally remembered her nickname- Argento Magus.

“Erm, what is the field Princess Mirabel specialized in?”

“She had already obtained a mechanical engineering degree and an archaeological degree. She seems to have a deep interest in sacred relics that are found in historic ruins.”

“Sacred relic… What are those?”

“You knew nothing of those! In this Ark Strada continent, there are many historic ruins. There are the so called Zono Ton’s[3] Enlightenment’s historic ruins.”

Ash remembered he learned about it in his history lessons.

“It includes the Zono Ton’s Ark which is a huge historical ruin that was found in the Empire. In it, many ancient machines were found. That includes the airships that run on fossil fuel and magicships that run on Millennium. All these ancient machines were called sacred relics.”

“So, Princess Mirabel is a specialist in those things that are called sacred relics?”

“That’s right. She was even deeply involved in the development of the Silvanus Magicship of our country. With the help from exiled scientists from the Empire, they turned the excavated magic engine in the country into a ‘usable’ state. Apart from that, she was even in charge of the ship design.”

“Really!? She is such an incredible person!”

“Just that Silvanus was badly damaged in the previous fight.”

“About that… I deeply apologize.”

Ash sighed.

“Sorry…”

Eco who listened to their conversation silently also apologized.

“No, the two of you don’t have to worry about it. I know that the Empire is the culprit and Silvanus is currently being repaired. Even though I initially thought that it was completely destroyed, it seems that the magic engine remained unscathed, just narrowly. If the engine is all right, the outer shell can be easily replaced.”

This was the first time Ash heard about this. After it crashed and exploded, Ash never even thought that it could be repaired.

“Is that so…? Thank god. God bless us all.”

To give Eco a peace in her mind, Ash kept on emphasizing the word ‘thank god’.

“Just that, why would a genius like her come to Ansarivan? There is nothing related to mechanical engineering here. Judging from her behavior, she should be able to ignore Princess Veronica’s order.”

In Ansarivan where there are many dragons, there were many tool made from bright dragon crystal. The bright dragon crystal powered lamp is one of them. Because of this, most of the things in Ansarivan were not related to mechanical engineering and that made it stand out from the Knight Country.

“I also feel the same way. Mirabel Onee-sama was never afraid of Veronica Onee-sama. Normally, she could use her studies as an excuse to refuse. But why would Mirabel Onee-sama who even refused to attend the continental congress with her studies as a reason come to Ansarivan… I wonder.”

“Could it be that she took interest in Eco? Even Angela-sensei became a teacher in the academy because she was interested in Eco… Although I didn't see any sign of her for the recent few days.”

“That’s impossible. Mirabel Onee-sama is a person who would only be interested in mechanics. I don’t think her target is Eco.”

Ash breathed a sigh of relief after Silvia ensured him. Recently, Eco seemed to be emotionally unstable. Ash hoped that nothing will happen, at best.

Part 7

Thanks to Lancelot’s effort, the group had arrived at Albion Forest at dusk. After traveling under the scorching sun for the entire afternoon, they now experience the cool evening wind. Around the entrance of the forest was a row of old buildings that looked abandoned. Apart from the cathedral, there was also the novitiate and the quarters. Just by looking for the top, you can feel that those are as old as history itself. The land was very wide and there was the livestock hut and the vegetable farm, not to forget about the vineyard. Albion’s grape wine was very famous and they even exported them to the Chevron kingdom. Looking at the scene below him, Ash muttered:

“Is that… Albion’s novitiate?”

That was the base for Albion Forest Military Order. Although Ash had lost almost all his memories regarding his Orphan Ceremony, but he had a feeling that he missed this place.

“Lancelot, land in front of the gate.”

After receiving its orders, Lancelot started to lower their altitude. Finally, they managed to land safely in front of the gate.

“Gurrr…”

After that, Lancelot rolled itself into a ball and slept. It had used up all its magic in that flight. On a first glance, the dragon who flew with its huge wings actually spent a huge amount of magic.

“Thanks for the hard work.”

Silvia released the reins and patted Lancelot.

“Thank you, Lancelot.”

Ash thanked Lancelot after he had alighted from it. Then, he spread his arms while looking at Eco who was still on Lancelot.

“Hey, Eco! Hoop on.”

Of course that height won’t cause any injuries and Ash was just being thoughtful.

“Nn… Okay.”

Eco placed a hand on her skirt to keep her panties from being seen. Then she jumped from the saddle. Eco who once was not at all bothered by her naked body being seen was now embarrassed to even show her panties. Her recent changes can only be described as shocking. Eco landed in between Ash’s arms.

“Thank you…”

Eco thanked Ash while red in the face and landed on the ground.

“Err… Anything wrong, Princess-sama?

Ash suddenly noticed that Silvia was staring at them. She suddenly blushed.

“I-I am not jealous at all! I never thought about it! No matter what you say, I am a Dragner, not a damsel that has to be protected by a knight!”

Silvia never noticed that she was making it worse when she tried to reason. Ash gave a wry smile and spread his arms in from of Silvia.

“You too, Princess-sama.”

“That's why I said you don’t have to…!”

Although she refused, still she ended up jumping.

However, the skirt for the ladies’ dragsuit was short and when she stood up, the white cloth that wrapped around her skin was seen by Ash.

“H-Hey! If you stand like that…!”

Ash’s shout made Silvia notice.

“Eh?... H-Hey! Where are you looking at- Kyaa!”

Silvia hurriedly tried to hide her panty but in the end she lost her balance. She gave a little groan while she fell.

“Watch out!”

Ash immediately head out and caught Silvia. However, due to the weight of the Dragsuit and her falling momentum…

“Uwaa!”

Ash fell with Silvia in his arms. At the same time, he felt something soft on his face. Of course they were Silvia’s breasts.

“Urgh!”

The shape of her breasts changed and his face was covered as Ash kept on struggling. But the sweet moment only lasted for a short time. Ash felt that he was actually suffocating and finally pushed Silvia away with force.

“Princess-sama… Please… I beg you……”

“Sorry!”

Silvia hurriedly stood up.

“Huff… I am glad that Princess-sama is alright-? Eco… What’s wrong?”

“…”

Eco crossed her arms unhappily and turned her face to aside. Even when Ash kept trying to ask her she refused to even look at him.

“…I thought that was only for me.”

Unfortunately, Ash didn't catch what Eco was mumbling about.

“Erm… Dragner-samas, this place is actually a sacred place thus you may not enter…”

And, there was a person mumbling behind them. Ash then turned around to find a girl aged around ten. She looked like she was in the middle of sweeping since she had a broom in her hand. She looked small and plain like a hamster. In contrast to her cute face, her white coloured dressing and her long skirt made her looked sacred.

“No, we are not any weird people…”

Silvia immediately stopped Ash who was trying to explain.

“I am the Fourth Princess of the Knight Country, Silvia Lautreamont and who are you?”

“P-Princess!?”

The girl dropped her broom and kneeled down on the spot as if she was trying to prostrate herself before Silvia’s feet.

“I-I am sorry for not being able to recognize you! I am called Kurae! I am the priestess of this Albion Forest’s novitiate!”

Her bowing her forehead down many times had caused Ash and Silvia to feel uneasy.

“P-Please stand up. Even though I'm a princess, I'm still a student. Furthermore, I came here today for my private matters. So please stand up.”

“Aaa… Thank you very much.”

Kurae respectfully held Silvia’s hands when she stood up from the ground.

“It is great since you are a priestess. Could we borrow a moment of your time?”

Ash picked up the broom that was laying on the floor and passed it back to Kurae. She took it back without a second thought and looked at him suspiciously.

“…You are?”

“I am Ash Blake, a Dragner.”

Ash took out his silver watch. All the children who dreamed of becoming a Dragner had always been dreaming of being in that situation. Ash was somehow feeling proud. The moment she saw the silver watch, Kurae's eyes became like almond and she kept staring at it.

“So, that handsome dragon… Is Ash-sama's Pal?”

“No… Lancelot is Princess-sama's Pal.”

Kurae was confused.

“Then, where is Ash-sama's Pal?”

“Ehh… My Pal is…”

Ash placed an arm on Eco’s shoulders but he didn't notice Eco trembled a little at the moment his arm was placed.

“She is my Pal, Eco.”

“……”

Eco was embarrassed and was fidgeting in front of Kurae like a child. If it was the past Eco, she would definitely reply with a scold when she felt that the situation was against her… Kurae's expression suddenly changed and kept on staring at Eco’s head.

“Although she looked exactly like a human, those are unmistakably horns. So, you really are young dragon Eco!”

“Huh? Do you know Eco?”

Kurae replied Ash who asked in surprise with a smile:

“That’s right. Just days before, I had received an oracle from Mother Dragon. She told me about it in my dream.”

“Really!?”

“In the novitiate’s record, it had been five hundred years since Mother Dragon had given us an oracle.”

Kurae said proudly however it didn't look impressive when she said it with a broom in her hand.

“Five hundred years!... That’s wonderful!”

Ash was awed.

“Even my grandfather had a heart attack after he heard about it.”

“Wha… Is he alright?”

Ash asked timidly but Kurae replied with a bitter smile.

“He is still as lively as ever. By the way, my grandfather is Albion Forest military order’s leader. He is a great man!”

“That make things simpler. Then, we will greet your grandfather later. Erm, may I ask what was mentioned in the oracle?”

“The Mother Dragon told me that ‘in the coming days, Dragner Ash and Eco the direct descendant of Avalon’s holy dragons' emperor family will be visiting Albion.’ Mother Dragon also reminded me that Eco will be in the form of a human."

Kurae stood up straight and smile.

“Welcome to the holy land of Albion. I welcome you with all my heart.”

Part 8

Ash and the rest passed through the gates while being led by Kurae. Along the way, they walked past a few priests and nuns who looked at them in surprise which made them feel uneasy. As far as it went, although they were known as knights[4], they didn't feel like one. Kurae was heading towards a stone building at a corner.

“My grandfather’s office is right here.”

Since she was used to it, Kurae entered without knocking. She was followed by Silvia and right behind her was Ash.

Notes:

1. Should be any kind of training without a coach according to my dictionary.

2. This is spoken in English.

3. An ancient civilization mentioned in the Japanese version.

4. the military order had the kanji of knight in it.

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