I Couldn't Become a Knight, But for Some Reason, I'm Beloved by Dragons - Chapter 05: This is Anger

Chapter 05: This is Anger

Dragons are creatures that protect the country and also fight alongside knights. Although there are many knights and important people who have a high-handed attitude towards us dragon handlers, they never go against dragons and never treat them like tools. I feel a little complicated about this point.

(…Knights, huh)

If I had the aptitude to become a knight, would I have gone that way? If that happened, I wouldn’t have become a dragon handler and wouldn’t have been able to meet Luna… No, I think I’m glad I became a dragon handler.

“Good girl, good girl.”

“…”

When I patted Luna’s head, who was curled up, she happily let out a purr.

…Yeah, spending time with dragons, as well as with her like this, might suit me better after all.

However, sometimes I think back to when I was a little more of a knight.

“Hey Luna, I wonder what would have happened if I had become a knight?”

“…”

When I asked her that, she clearly shook her head. It wasn’t that she couldn’t imagine it, but rather it was a grateful advice from the queen saying that I absolutely didn’t have the talent to become a knight. I don’t feel shocked about that, and I continue to stroke her head while smiling wryly.

Then Luna stared at me intently.

“…”

I always think about it, but it’s not like I clearly understand her words. It’s just that every time she speaks to me like this, it has never been wrong. And what Luna said to me was that if I had become a knight, she would always be by my side, so it would be okay.

“…I see. Luna, you’re really kind.”

“…”

As usual, she stuck out her tongue and licked me.

Even though I think if I had been a knight from the beginning, we might not have met, it seems that Luna hasn’t considered the possibility of a timeline where we haven’t met… Therefore, she believes that we would have definitely met even if I were a knight.

“As long as Luna is by my side, I think I can die peacefully…”

“…”

“I can die peacefully,” I tried to say, but Luna let out a growl.

Her eyes seemed to be burning more red than usual, and she quietly conveyed a raging anger to me… I see, she means not to speak of such hypothetical things.

“Sorry. I shouldn’t have said anything dangerous.”

After that, Luna licked my cheeks over and over again for a while.

Generally, when an animal licks you, it’s normal to get covered in saliva, but Luna seems to use some kind of magic that makes it dry up quickly. There’s also no lingering smell… I wonder what’s really going on.

“…a Knight, huh.”

“…”

“Give it up already,” I heard those words.

Amidst that, I proposed something to her — this was the first time I did so.

“Hey Luna, if I asked you to fly me on your back, would you do…?”

Before I even finished speaking, Luna lifted herself up and moved her head, signaling me to climb onto her back. I wondered if it was okay, but since it was a rare opportunity, I climbed on her back anyway.

“…Ohh.”

I’ve heard that knights often ride on the back of dragons when fighting, and this is exactly the view that a knight would see. Even though my line of sight is higher than usual, Luna lets out a roar and effortlessly floats into the sky.

“Wow, this is amazing.”

She could probably ascend at high speeds, if not surpassing the sound barrier, but Luna seemed to be considerate of me and took a gentle pace. As we reached a high altitude, Luna began to flap her wings slowly, as if taking a leisurely stroll, and I saw the world from above for the first time.

“H-hey~, Rito!!”

There was no way he could hear me calling from the sky, but I couldn’t help shouting.

In the end, none of my colleagues, including Rito, saw me riding on Luna’s back, and Luna’s flight was also hidden behind the clouds… However, the other dragons that were flying freely all landed on the ground at the same time, so I think they were probably scared.

“…”

After the flight ended, Luna wagged her tail and I stroked her head again.

“Thank you, Luna. It was a really valuable experience.”

It would be nice to fly not only in this world, but also outside the castle.

Although it’s just a vague feeling… Well, Luna would definitely be willing to let me ride on her back again if I said I wanted to fly outside.

However, it would be troublesome if the knights saw just a regular dragon handler riding on a dragon’s back.

(But it’s still okay since the knights don’t come here.)

Anyway, it’s good to keep dreaming of wanting to make it a reality someday.

“Well then, see you later, Luna.”

“…”

I couldn’t help but wryly smile at Luna, who was clearly feeling down. Until I finished packing my things and left the temple, I couldn’t help but feel a bit sad seeing Luna staring at me with a lonely expression. However, I waved goodbye and parted with her.

“… I feel like she’s become even more of a spoiled baby after sleeping with me for a night.”

Even though she would touch my body more and lick me more, it doesn’t change the fact that she’s cute.

The days with Luna are really enjoyable, and I’m excited to meet her again and talk with her.

After that, I just went back to the inn… but that’s where the problem arose.

“You insolent dragon handler. I won’t allow you to enter this castle from tomorrow onwards — seize him.”

“Yes, sir.”

A higher-up gave an order to the guards, and they took away my dragon handler’s emblem that was hanging around my neck and sliced it in two with a sword.

That emblem was proof that I was a dragon handler, as well as a pass to enter the castle.

Once it was lost, I basically lost my qualification as a Dragon handler.

“I can’t believe they would go that far…”

The maid behind me said in a voice that sounded like she was about to cry.

As I stared blankly at the slashed emblem scattered on the hallway floor, I couldn’t help but wonder how things had come to this.