“For the time being, we’re heading home!” (Naofumi)

“Just like I thought, being by Naofumi-chan’s side is definitely interesting.” (Sadina)

“Sadina stop laughing and use some purification magic already!” (Naofumi)


Since being recovered this late hurts you know!

Be considerate of at least that much.


“It can’t be helped.” (Sadina)


And so, Sadina uses holy water and casts magic on me. If anything, it seems like a special magic, but the fact that it’s effective on this curse is pretty amazing.


“Ah, Naofumi-chan. Would you give me a magic potion? Onee-chan will run out of magic.” (Sadina)

“So what? We don’t plan to fight anymore.” (Naofumi)

“Ahh, it’s really troubling for me though. Please!” (Sadina)


She goes on and on, but I ignore her and walk away.


“Firo, we’re going home.” (Naofumi)

“Kay.” (Firo)

“Kyua!” (Gaelion)


Once again, Gaelion hangs around by my feet.


“It’s hard to walk. Move!” (Naofumi)

“Kyuaaaa!” (Gaelion)


Suddenly, Gaelion starts shining, and returns to his form from when he ate the rotten dragon’s core.

A little bit bigger than before actually, probably around 40 meters.


And then, he starts flying with me on his back, Taniko, Sadina, and Rato on his tail and in his hands.


“Ah, AHHHH-!” (Firo)


Firo lets out a regretful-sounding voice.


“Naofumi-sama?!” (Raphtalia)


Raphtalia was taken aback. Even I have no words for this!

Gaelion was able to transform?


“Kyuaa.” (Gaelion)


Gaelion placed everyone he was holding in his hands onto his back and provokes Firo.


“Mu?!” (Firo)

“Kyuaa.” (Gaelion)


He begins to fly in descent off the mountain.


“Raphtalia-sis! Hurry up! Master should only ride on my back!” (Firo)


Firo, as if refusing to be defeated, takes off running.

Even though she has no cart, she probably can’t catch up.

Although Gaelion is my slave, even when I order him to let us down, he won’t listen.

I can’t activate the slave crest either, else we would fall.


“Jeez. This child is too pushy, huh.” (Rato)

“Rato, did you know that dragons had this type of ability?” (Naofumi)

“I’ve seen it often in my research, but I don’t know if the possible variations are to the same extent as that of the Filorials. Kids around the Count seem to always grow in interesting ways.” (Rato)

“That’s not the problem…” (Naofumi)


From the sky I look down. I noticed that the polluted ground’s color was disappearing.


“Did the count notice too? I wanted to see what effect the rampaging Gaelion had on the vicinity, but I guess this is the result, huh?” (Rato)


I see. With this, the land also returns to its peaceful state.

I wonder if I could use Portal Shield.

I guess I’ll test it out and see.


“Portal Shield!” (Naofumi)


Alright. As far as I can see, it looks like I can use it. Just to be careful, I should fly in and check the situation of the land here.

Are we out of Raphtalia and everyone’s range? I’ll need to think about how to fly in here later.


“Ah… Naofumi-chan. I’m begging you, would you give me a magic potion?” (Sadina)

“Why should I?” (Naofumi)


I turn back, and Rato, Taniko, and I are all at a loss for words.


“Please?” (Sadina)


Sadina… was pleading, no longer as a giant, but in the form of a human.

Huh?


“Who are you?” (Naofumi)

“That’s why I was asking for a magic potion, else I can’t keep up my appearance. Even alcohol will do.” (Sadina)


She has long black hair, and skin and a face that would rival even Raphtalia.

A beautiful traditional Japanese-style woman is here.

It really was a surprise to have been asked a favor by someone who looks like her.


“It can’t be helped, huh.” (Naofumi)


I throw her a potion.


“If I thought about it, I should have realized something when Gaelion brought you too.” (Naofumi)


There’s no way he could have flown with a four-meter giant on his back.


“Don’t drink it here. We’ll crash.” (Naofumi)

“Naofumi-chan, you’re not surprised?” (Sadina)

“I am.” (Naofumi)

“Don’t shed too many tears for me.” (Sadina)

“Who would.” (Naofumia)

“Did the Ruka people have that sort of ability?” (Rato)

“I’m not Ruka though.” (Sadina)


Sadina answers Rato’s question.


“Are you something else?” (Rato)


Now that I think about it, these two are close in age, so their characters look to be clashing.

Well, Sadina looks to be a little older though.

Whatever.


“I’m from the Sakamata race. Ruka is close, but they’re different.” (Sadina)

“How are they different?” (Rato)

“Can’t you tell by looking?” (Sadina)


Well, if they’re able to transform, they’re probably another race entirely.


“Not at all. It looks like you’re able to transform with magic in some way. I mean, there’s a living example right in front of me.” (Rato)

“Well, it’s too bad that you aren’t able to tell the difference. That’s all you get, I don’t have much of a migratory diet.” (Sadina)

“No clue.” (Naofumi)


By the way, I’ve read that Orcas are split into three types back in my own world. It feels just like I had seen it, but I think I remember something about their genes differing as little as between an average dog and a wolf. [1]


“Kyua!” (Gaelion)

“Gaelion, grow up to be handsome… Become a fine dragon like my Father.” (Taniko)

“Kyua!” (Gaelion)

“I know that Father of yours is feigning innocence.” (Naofumi)

“What are you talking about? Father…is dead.” (Taniko)


Taniko interrupts me and refuses to believe anything I had to say.

By the way, before flying towards our village, I landed by the east village.

It seemed like everyone at the east village was happy about how the mountain became pretty again.

As expected of the Shield Hero! Saying stuff like that but, you couldn’t fool me.


To be blunt, from what Taniko and Gaelion said, I imagine they got what they deserved.

My inner evaluation of the east village’s people dropped quite a bit.

They can just go to hell.


“Master can only ride on my back!” (Firo)

“Kyuaaa.” (Gaelion)


Once we returned to the village, Firo and Gaelion’s bout continued.

By the way, Gaelion mode-changed again and is in his small form.


“Yes, yes. That’s far enough.” (Naofumi)

“No it’s not!” (Firo)


Firo is still fixated on that.


“Ha… For now, I’ll play with you from today onwards Firo, so don’t worry about it.” (Naofumi)

“Yaaay! But master..” (Firo)

“If you dwell on it any more, I won’t play with you.” (Naofumi)

“No!” (Firo)

“Kyua..” (Gaelion)

“You’re the one who caused the problem, so you’ll be disciplined for a while. If you have time, I’ll let you play with Firo, so be obedient.” (Naofumi)


Gaelion tots over to Taniko to cry.


“Kyuaaaaa.” (Gaelion)

“Even though you’re covering for that bird, why do you pick on Gaelion?” (Taniko)

“You don’t understand? It’s punishment.” (Naofumi)

“Uu…” (Taniko)


The crying Gaelion glances over to me.

It’s as if a child is fake crying to its parent to get what it wants.


“No way.” (Naofumi)

“Kyuaaaa…”” (Gaelion)

Gaelion began to cry earnestly.

“Yaaa-y! Serves you right!” (Firo)

“Firo.” (Naofumi)


After warning Firo, she turns her glance away and starts singing.

I swear, she’s still a child. I wonder if she aware of the trouble she caused.


“Then I’ll be going back.” (Raphtalia)

“Ah, you saved us.” (Naofumi)

“No problem. If anything, my apologies for being late.” (Raphtalia)

“It couldn’t be helped. I couldn’t even imagine a situation like that.” (Naofumi)


With that, I express my thanks to Raphtalia, and see her off.


“About how much longer is it looking?” (Naofumi)

“I see.” (Naofumi)


That Rishia that the Old Hag took a liking to, huh?

In my head, Rishia turns into a muscle freak.


“What Naofumi-sama is thinking is probably wrong, you know.” (Rapthalia)

“You understand me well.” (Naofumi)

“Well, we’ve been together for a long while.” (Raphtalia)


It’s that thing where we understand each other by breathing the same air, huh.


“I see. Then I’ll keep something like this from ever happening again. Next time, report to me where you’re training at.” (Naofumi)

“I understand.” (Raphtalia)

“Your level… hasn’t really risen much.” (Naofumi)


Her training doesn’t seem like it’s just fighting fierce monsters.

Is there some sort of standard for survival when training in the mountains?

Now that I think about it, I need the Old Hag to teach me too.


“Ah… If there is time, it seems like Naofumi-sama’s training will begin after ours ends.” (Raphtalia)

“Somehow, I feel commonplace.” (Naofumi)

“Naofumi-sama is the type to learn though actual fighting experience, so she was saying something about your qualities already showing results.” (Raphtalia)

“What?” (Naofumi)

“No offence, but you can can’t afford a haphazard defense. Not a counter move either, but if you remember the basis for parrying, it’ll be enough to apply it later…I don’t really understand though.” (Raphtalia)

“I don’t really get it either.” (Naofumi)


Well, I heard that I should remember the technique to draw out the destructive power within…

Thinking back, in exchange for not being able to see, Atlas could see the flow of ki.

If I ask her, she’d probably agree be my practice partner.

I’ll go and ask after all this is done.


After finishing our talk, Raphtalia left the village, albeit a little reluctantly.

I shall look forward to her return once her training is over.