I Couldn't Become a Knight, But for Some Reason, I'm Beloved by Dragons - Chapter 09: Someone That Desires Dragons

Chapter 09: Someone That Desires Dragons

“…I guess it’s time to say goodbye.”

“Is it that time already?”

Time spent with Runa is truly enjoyable. 

Perhaps it’s because there aren’t many close female friends around, but my excitement level rises significantly… Simply put, spending time with Runa is that fun.

As much as I enjoy spending time with Luna, it’s just as much as when I’m having fun with Runa.

“Hey, Runa.”

“Hmm?”

“What kind of person* are you, after all?”

“What kind of person…?”

I asked Runa again what kind of being she is. 

After giving me a brief smile, she deepened her smile with a meaningful expression and placed her delicate, white hand on my cheek.

“I could be a noble or a commoner, I could be a very important person or not so much… Having many secrets makes me more mysterious, don’t you think?”

“Well, that’s true…but I won’t force you to tell me.”

I have no intention of forcing her to tell me anything, but for some reason, Runa seemed to panic.

“I-it’s not like I don’t want to be known! In fact, I feel like you already know a lot, so it’s probably okay! But I still want to be careful about timing!”

“I understand! I understand, but you’re too close!”

“Do you hate the idea of being close!?”

“It’s not that I hate it, but…”

What are we even talking about?!

However, I understood that Runa had a reason for not telling me more. I’m not particularly shocked by that fact, but I’ll just look forward to the day when she does tell me.

“…Ahaha.”

“Fufu.”

We exchanged laughs and decided that the conversation was over.

Today was a day focused on relaxation…as usual, I met Runa, she gave me a lap pillow, and I may have slept better than I ever have before in the inn’s bed.

“How was my lap pillow?”

“Uh…can I be honest?”

“Of course.”

“…it was amazing.”

“Thank you. I’ll do it again sometime, okay?”

My heart skipped a beat at those words and that smile… well, as usual.

After that, I said goodbye to her, but Runa disappeared in an instant as always. It’s as if she was never there to begin with… perhaps she’s just a hallucination I see here. Maybe she’s a phenomenon that only occurs here.

“I definitely had a sense of touching Runa… if that was just an illusion, then I’m really in trouble.” 

But anyway, I’m not denying the time spent here. 

Looking forward to meeting her here again next week and having brought souvenirs for Luna, I headed back.

By the time I returned to the capital, it had already started to get dark. Usually, I would just go back to the inn, have dinner and take a bath, and then go to sleep, but just then, I ran into two colleagues.

“Is that Rito and Asta?”

“Isn’t that Xeno?”

“Hey!”

It was Rito, my colleague whom I get along with well, and Asta, whose chubby figure stood out. While I was close with Rito, I also had a good relationship with Asta and often had meals together.

“What are you guys up to?”

“We were thinking of going out to eat. How about you, Xeno?”

“I’m good, but… is it okay with your wife?”

“Yeah, I got permission.”

With that settled, I decided to join them. I realized that it was more enjoyable to have a meal with colleagues I was close with than to eat alone at the inn.

“See you tomorrow.”

“Later.”

“Be careful on your way back~”

After parting ways with the two of them outside the restaurant, I walked along the night road to the inn.

“Hmm?”

At that moment, I felt something move behind me. 

Although it was a castle town even after the sun went down, there were still people around, but for some reason, I felt a little uneasy. Even when I looked back, there was nothing suspicious, so I tilted my head, thinking it might have been my imagination.

“Phew, it’s creepy when it gets dark. Let’s hurry back.”

Without any problems, I made it back to the inn.

“Hey, Xeno’s back.”

“I’m back, old man.”

Not only the inn’s guests but also the well-regarded old man from the neighborhood welcomed me back, making me feel at home. 

As a reward for a hard day’s work, he made me some hot milk, which I gratefully accepted to warm up my cold body. However, the old man said something that caught my attention.

“Xeno, you see, I talked to a strange man today.”

“A strange man?”

The old man nodded.

Apparently, a man wearing a black hood that covered his face had asked him something unusual.

“Dragonis is the only country that has formed a friendship with dragons, and there are people called ‘dragon handlers’ for each dragon. Is it true?”

“What about that?”

“I don’t know. It’s common knowledge in this country, but other countries may not be aware of it. There have been countries that have attacked us in the past, claiming that we monopolize dragons.”

“Oh~…”

I recalled something that had happened several decades ago.

Dragonis do not monopolize dragons; they’re simply friendly with them, particularly with Luna, the dragon queen. Dragons have incredible combat abilities and are especially useful as means of transportation.

~Other countries probably want our power, but we’re not interested. This environment is comfortable for us dragons. Plus, Xeno is here. At least, that’s the main reason why I’m here in Dragonis.~

In fact, Luna had told me that yesterday. 

She said so as the queen of the dragons, and I was thrilled to hear that, but it reminded me that the power of dragons can also be a source of conflict if I think calmly.

“I don’t think it will happen, but be careful, Xeno. There’s a possibility that spies from other countries may have infiltrated. Especially those who covet the dragon’s power.”

“Even if they do something to me, I’m just a dragon handler…”

Still, it wouldn’t hurt to keep it in mind.

(That thing from earlier, could it be…?)

I looked out the window again, but the night view was just as usual.