Seikoku no Ryuu Kishi: Volume 2 Chapter 2

Chapter 2 - Ironblood Valkyrie

Part 1

The following morning, Ash was having his ecology class.

Eco, as usual, was also attending class in her uniform. But since the lecture was too abstruse…

"Huff… Puff…"

She was fast asleep on the table.

"…In other words; Stradas' element is wind, Asias' element is wind/earth and Hydras' element is water."

The one standing on the lectern, lecturing all the students, was Professor Angela. She had an unusual concern for Eco as a researcher, so Ash did not wish to let her gain opportunities to approach Eco…

"Well, then what is a Maestro’s element?"

Angela questioned with a stern tone as her eyes fell on the class register.

"This question… Let's have Princess Silvia answer it."

Even after she had been called out by Angela, Silvia just gazed blankly outside the window.

"Princess? What’s the problem?"

Angela continued to question her, but Silvia remained silent.

"Geez… Jessica Valentine. Please answer."

"Yes!"

Jessica, who was just named, stood up from her seat energetically.

"A Maestro’s element is light."

Jessica proudly replied, but Angela sneered back.

"Right… is what I would like to say, but unfortunately you were only half-right. A Maestro’s element is light, but it's not just that. Maestros also completely inherit the element that it was born with. In other words… A Maestro who was once a Strada has both light and wind elements…”

"Hey, Ash. Is something wrong with the Princess?"

Raymond, who was not paying attention to Angela’s explanation, asked Ash.

Ash sighed.

"She… she has been out of it since she heard that the Ironblood Valkyrie was coming to Ansarivan. It looks like she has received a great and devastating blow…"

Raymond seemed confused.

"‘Ironblood Valkyrie’ is the princess’s elder blood sister, right? What possible impact could she receive from that message?"

"About that… I’m not sure…"

"Do the two of you need my explanations?"

Suddenly someone interrupted their conversation. Ash was shocked.

“Cosette? Why are you here?"

Cosette, sitting obediently in an empty seat, was also wearing the standard uniform for maids who were serving the royals. It was hard not to notice her.

"Hehehe. Since Her Royal Highness The Princess is dispirited, I must guard her quietly from the shadows. I have also received the permission of Angela-sensei."

"You call this 'quietly from the shadows'? Anyways, I'm concerned about the reason she is suffering."

"Are you concerned for her as her classmate or as a man?"

Ash suddenly felt his cheeks turn hot.

"Y-You… What are you talking about!? The princess and I have fought alongside each other as comrades and we are both members of the Student Council. It's normal that I’m concerned about her."

"Are you sure? Then let's leave it at that. Hehe."

Cosette, after a mischievous smile, jumped back into the topic.

"Her Royal Highness Veronica is a well-known warrior. She has a militant-like attitude, which is also the reason that the princess was forced to do a lot of training when she was young."

“The training… was it tough?"

"In fact… I’m not exaggerating when I say she was living in hell every day. The princess had not only been pushed into lakes, she was also sent into ruins to do explorations, climbed the city walls and was brought to well-known haunted forests to learn to survive in the wild… "

Ash was dumbfounded.

"I think that is plain bullying…"

"Incidentally, I played the role of the ghost in the forest."

"Come on! How come you are also one of the culprits!?"

"Perhaps Silvia's timid side is because of Veronica (and Cosette)…", Ash thought.

"Because of the shadow of her childhood, Her Royal Highness Veronica has become a symbol of terror in the eyes of the princess…”

"I see…"

Her violent attitude aside, it seemed that Veronica had a lot of personality problems. Ash, as one of the Student Council members, must greet this 'difficult' princess. He had a headache just from imagining it.

"The title ‘Ironblood’ is not just for show. However, Ash… I also like women who are strong." muttered Raymond with a grin.

"Don’t you worry. I won’t ever care what kind of girl you like…"

"…Strada, Asia and Hydra… What conditions do they require in order to become a Maestro?"

Even though Ash was troubled… Angela’s lesson, of course, would not be interrupted.

"Ash. Please answer this question."

"What? Me?"

Called rather abruptly, Ash appeared to have felt embarrassed. Angela's sight was as sharp as a scalpel. Just being stared at by her made you feel like you were lying on the operation table waiting to be butchered. On the other hand, that dangerous glare, at the same time, seemed to fall on the sleeping Eco. Ash's spine shuddered as he silently stood up from his seat.

“Uh-h… I don’t know."

"Correct."

"I'm sorry… What? Correct?"

Angela revealed a playful smile.

"That’s right. About the reasons the dragons transform into a Maestro, there are different opinions among scholars; the truth is yet to be found out."

Angela closed the textbook and looked around the students.

"Old records show that all dragons will eventually become a Maestro naturally. However, since recovering from the verge of extinction, the conversion rate of regular dragons to Maestros has dropped significantly. Though, logically, each dragon should qualify to become a Maestro."

The students immediately turned into quite a storm. It was also the first time that Ash heard about this.

"That is why the existence of breeders has been called into question. Why is it that now, in modern times, dragons that die before they become a Maestro have become the majority…? Perhaps the key factor to becoming a Maestro is in the hands of a breeder."

The school bell, that announced the class's dismissal, sounded at that time. Silvia, with Cosette's assistance, shakily left the classroom. Meanwhile, Ash had this uneasy feeling.

"The Princess is alright, right…?"

There were six more days before Princess Veronica’s visit… Even though Silvia still couldn't calm down, the day of Princess Veronica’s visit was nearing. Why did Veronica choose this time to visit Ansarivan?

"Officially, this visit is being made 'to inspect the City of Ansarivan, which was under attack'. But according to rumours, Veronica is coming as a representative of the Royal Knight’s Hawks."

The inspection was probably a cover. The true reason was to investigate the condition of the city and the strength of the Necromancia – this was Rebecca's view on the matter. In fact, Veronica had been involved in the strife between races all across the continent and she even had the experience of stopping a war. It was said that she was only twelve years old during her first expedition. Even though she was not selected to become a breeder; Veronica, who needed to overcome her congenital condition which put her at a disadvantage, was extremely powerful and also braver than anyone on the battlefield. She led the way and charged forward, chopping down the enemy mercilessly one by one. There was a rumour that whenever Veronica swung her sword, three heads were sent flying through the air at the same time.

Wise and strong. Victorious and has never been at a disadvantage. There was no swordsman whose skills were on par with her. Veronica became famous after she killed a basilisk with just her sword alone. Even poet laureates turned her achievements into poetry. Basilisks were big violent lizards. Some saw them as a close relative of the Asia.

This famous Veronica was given the nickname ‘Ironblood Valkyrie’ by the people. According to Rebecca, once people heard that Veronica was coming to Ansarivan, they suddenly frowned. Veronica, in order to extinguish the flames of war on the continent, heroically fought in a war in her teens. However she had also indirectly become the cause of problems. Veronica unconsciously made a lot of enemies. The remnants of the rebels still wanted to take Veronica’s life. It was not surprising that she could be assassinated at any given time.

Just right after the attack of the Necromancia, another difficult task was received. Anyone could tell that the chief of Ansarivan was in trouble.

Part 2

The midday bell rang loudly. Led by the mayor and the principal, the important figures of the City Council, the Academy Council and also members of the Student Council… A welcoming group of more than 20 people were lining up at the entrance of the school’s first block waiting for the arrival of Veronica.

"For Princess Veronica to visit the city personally… How long has passed since her previous visit?"

Dr Angela Cornwell, who changed her usual white lab coat for her rarely seen formal dress, also joined the welcoming party. Angela, who unexpectedly became a lecturer recently, was in fact a national treasure who was given much authority to do research. Although all the representatives of Ansarivan were gathered together; for the occasion of welcoming a princess, such numbers were regarded to be on a very small scale. Usually, even the mobilisation of all the members of the public to hold a grand welcoming ceremony would not be unexpected.

However, Veronica was well-known for her preference to keep things simple. They even received prior notice to dispense with all complicated ceremonies, so even the school was operating as usual. The Student Council was represented by Rebecca, Max, Ash, as well as Eco. Not only that, but the figures of Maestro Cú Chulainn and Maestro Arianrhod could also be seen.

Cú Chulainn was Rebecca's Pal and was also truly the Academy’s strongest Maestro. His silver fur was really dazzling and his unbelievable growth made it unable to put on any mounting gear on his mammoth like body. It made anyone who saw him stare, dumbfounded. Arianrhod was Max's Pal, and although already a noble Maestro, his age is still that of a child. Different from the imposing Cú Chulainn, he was filled with an atmosphere that made people to pamper him.

"Hey, Eco, are you really… Are you, too, going to welcome Princess Veronica?"

"What? Do you have something against it?"

Eco joined the welcome party as the mascot of the student council and was wearing the same black dress that she wore during the ceremony before. It seemed she had taken quite a liking to it. That aside, it was the problem with Silvia that made people a lot more worried.

"The Princess, is she really not coming?"

After hearing Ash’s question, Rebecca shrugged her shoulders and sighed.

"Look, if she was scared to that extent, we can't possibly force her to participate in this. Right? She seems to have some trauma regarding Veronica."

"It's really hard to believe that she turned out to be so afraid of her own sister…"

"Who's afraid of what?"

The person who interrupted Ash was precisely Silvia herself.

"Princess…!"

The City Council and the School Council immediately bowed respectfully upon the appearance of Silvia.

The Silvia with her status as Princess generously replied "Thanks for your hard work" and approached them.

"Are you all right now?"

Immediately after Ash spoke to her, Silvia exposed a smile brimming with confidence.

Not only did she look pumped up, but her hair was also glossier than ever. Despite wearing her uniform she looked a lot more dashing than her usual self.

"Who do you think you're talking to? I'm Silvia Lautreamont! Even though I had displayed an unbecoming side of mine before, but now I’m alright."

"Is that so?… Then I’m relieved."

Although it was surprising that she looked a bit too well… For now, it was enough to be reassuring. While Ash was thinking that to himself… Rebecca was lecturing her in a stern tone.

"How can you be so insouciant? Silvia, as a Dragner, how can you meet your sister without Lancelot?"

Lancelot was also a Maestro, Silvia's Pal. Because of the Necromancia's attacks from a few days ago Ash has become quite familiar with the dragon.

"Sorry that there was no prior notice… Anee-ue, she doesn't really like Lancelot."

Silvia’s answer made Rebecca frown.

"Is this related to Veronica not having been chosen as a Breeder?"

"Well… It should be something like that."

After throwing a glance at Silvia, who gave such strangely ambiguous answer, for some reason Rebecca revealed a merciful smile.

"Is that so? Well, let's leave it like that."

"…?"

Ash couldn't understand what Rebecca was thinking.

At that moment, all the adults began muttering amongst themselves…

“I can see it!”

"Oooh! That is Princess Veronica's…!"

"They were even able to make such a vehicle!"

"It seems similar to an Empire-made airship …!"

Ash, too, couldn't help but curiously look up into the blue skies. A foreign body that could not be natural appeared near the edge of the cobalt blue sky. As the minutes ticked past it grew, from the black dot of that foreign body, as its outlines were gradually revealed. That flying body was escorted by seven Dragners.

"… It couldn't be!"

To Ash’s dismay he couldn't help shouting out loud.

By comparing it to the dragons flying alongside it, one could immediately get a feel of the actual size of the gigantic ship. In contrast to the huge flying object, even the dragons, that served as the guard, looked just like beans in comparison. Rebecca, while standing beside Ash, looking sternly and said:

"That is Princess Veronica’s personal plane–– The magicship ‘Silvanus’."

Part 3

—Silvanus.

This was done by Princess Veronica as she had gathered many exiled scientists of the Zepharos Empire who successfully developed the beta version of the ship. Silvanus, which looked like it was going to occupy the entire open space, slowly landed in front of the school’s block. Like a bird that lands on a lake, the landing was very stable. The magicship design was based on a streamlined shape, which often made people think that it was a Maestro with outspread wings. The red lines together with the white colored armour produced a stunning appearance. Attached at many locations across the body of the magicship were the cannons’ trapdoors.

Ash stared at the magnificent magicship dumbly. He had heard so much about Silvanus but this was the first time he witnessed it with his own eyes.

"This thing is just too big… How can it fly?"

Seeing that Ash was transfixed in his place, Silvia explained:

"This magicship uses Bright-Dragon-Crystal as fuel. Anee-ue, even though she didn't become a breeder, used the combination of Dragon magic and Mechanical Engineering technology from the Empire to construct the Silvanus."

"So, literally, it is the Oracle’s power that allows it to fly…!"

"That is the way it is. But the only thing that can be used as fuel is a special type of Bright-Dragon-Crystal called Millennium, so there is no method of mass production."

“Millennium?"

"The dragon fossils in the ground, after a thousand years, may produce crystals with massive power.

"I don’t even know about this…"

"It's just that, Silvanus, compared to an Empire made aviation ship, not only does it have a smaller size, but it also has defensive problems. The places where the armour is weak can only be reinforced with a Dragner. You have already seen them right?'

Silvia was right. Because just now, the seven Dragner serving as escorts precisely landed each of their dragons on the ground. Out of the seven Dragners, only the leading one had an Ark. He was likely the escort’s captain.

"Veronica is going to alight the ship so please do not whisper." scolded Rebecca, with a low voice.

Ash and Silvia had no choice but to keep their mouths shut. As the crowd watched Silvanus' door slowly open accompanied by the operating noise of it's gears, the boarding ladder lowered automatically. Under the gaze of everyone––

The Ironblood Valkyrie, escorted only by the sound of her footsteps, which sounded just like iron being hit with a hammer, landed on the ground.Ash gasped, his eyes fixed on Veronica’s figure.

Even though called a princess, she looked more like a Valkyrie… thought Ash.

It is not surprising that she is Silvia’s sister, the two of them looked identical. Their dazzling blond hair and white skin was their common feature. However, the aura of command, emitted by the tall slender figure, outshone Silvia's. The important thing was her eyes -- Like an eagle that fixed on its prey from up high. Her eyes were as sharp as blade. Just by being stared at by her, it would feel like the heart had been thoroughly pierced through. Flipping over her red cloak, Veronica with a loud voice said:

"Thanks to everyone who is here to welcome me. Sorry for the trouble!"

Her voice was powerful like a highly resilient whip. When the cloak was flipped up, the armour adorning Veronica’s limbs became instantly exposed. Obviously they were crafted with steel, heavy and dazzling. Only then did Ash realize that the unusual sounds of footsteps were the sounds of her sabatons striking the ground. She wore a broad sword which required both hands to wield. Presumably that sword was the weapon that drew the blood of numerous rebels and the basilisk. Veronica, leading the seven escorts, began marching their way.

A group led by the mayor panicked and wanted to kneel down and salute, but Veronica with a disgusted look on her face waved them off.

"Please forget about those unnecessary and over-elaborate formalities. More importantly… Where is Silvia?"

With the speed of a hawk’s eye she quickly scanned the faces of the crowd.

“We haven’t meet for a long time. Anee-ue. "

Silvia answered Veronica’s call by stepping forward.

"We haven’t met each other in four years, two months and twelve days, my dear sister."

"From the day I left the palace, and came to Ansarivan for my school enrollment… We haven’t met each other since."

The way Silvia spoke with such fluency was calmer than what he had expected. Ash quietly breathed a sigh of relief.

However-

The next instant, Ironblood Valkyrie revealed her true nature that matched her nickname.

"I'm really disappointed, Silvia!"

Veronica raised her right hand. Just when he thought that Silvia was going to be slapped, the next second Ash witnessed an incredible scenario. Silvia easily avoided Veronica’s palm, and easily jumped five meters off. She even did a somersault in mid-air, and gorgeously landed on the ground.

No matter what… That doesn't look like a skill of a normal human.

"Are you mad, Anee-ue?"

Silvia smiled haughtily.

For Ash at least, that was the first time seeing Silvia laugh that way.

"How dare you make fun of me… It seems like you had borrowed some guts from heaven, faker!"

After a moment of silence… Ash cried out in dismay.

"Fake!?"

"Whew… I already knew of such thing." muttered Rebecca softly, standing beside Ash.

It seemed that Rebecca, since long ago, had known the truth.

"Tee hee. This action is worthy of Veronica Her Royal Highness."

Originally he thought that Silvia was making some tearing sound but she then ripped off her mask, together with her blond-hair wig, from her face.

And the true face behind the mask was––

"Cosette?"

Ash was dumbfounded.

The 20 people from the welcome party led by the mayor also became speechless by this unexpected change of events.

"I regret that a woman like you is not able to come under my command. How about it Cosette? It is still not too late. Come and follow me!"

"Sure enough, there's no hiding from the eyes of Veronica Her Royal Highness."

Cosette, facing the Ironblood Valkyrie face to face, not only didn’t she act timid she even exposed a happy smile.

"That is obvious because I didn’t feel any fear from within you! The Silvia who is not afraid of me is not Silvia!"

"Hehe… I will use that as a future reference."

Her insolent answer made Veronica frown.

"I regret that a woman like you is not able to come under my command. How about it Cosette? It is still never too late. Come and follow me!"

Cosette with a resolute attitude answer.

"The person I serve–– is only Princess Silvia-sama."

"That kind of timid blond girl? What are her good points?

"Everything about her are her good points. "

Cosette answered without a hint of confusion, and at the same time giving everyone beside her the shock of their life.

"Tsk… All this nonsense will stop here. You better quickly tell me… Where is Silvia?"

"Princess…"

While Cosette stiffened her face, trying to wriggle out––

"I… I'm here!"

Silvia in her uniform appeared behind the welcome party.

This time should be the real Silvia. The best evidence, was that she was making the others dismay with her trembling legs.

"Will Her Royal Highness Princess be alright…?"

Ash muttered nervously.

"Rest assured, at least her life is safe."

Rebecca said those terrifying words with an alarmingly calm expression.

"You… You are dismissed. Cosette."

"I will. Princess."

After receiving Silvia’s command, Cosette left with a serious expression on her face.

Part 4

Under the gaze of the welcome party and guard escort, the first Princess and the fourth Princess officially met.

"Anything not alright, my dear sister? Look at your knees, shaking like that?"

"I-I am not… trembling. Silvia Lautreamont herself wholeheartedly… Welcomes Anee-ue’s arrival."

"Tsk. Seems to me, that apart from your breast and your butt, you haven't grown at all."

Clink… With the sound of her sabatons, Veronica steps forward.

"I’ll say again. Silvia, you disappoint me!"

- WHACK!

A hard and dry sound echoed in all four corners.

Veronica's iron-fisted swung toward Silvia which ended as a slap in the face.

"Sob …!"

Silvia cannot help but stagger, but she eventually stood firm, however the place that was slapped became swollen.

Veronica coldly stared at Silvia and with a plain tone she said:

"… I had already heard the report of the attacks. Rebecca Randall courageously protected the city and also the mysterious person who cleverly drove out the Necromancia are worthy to be praised."

Ash was surprised. Because the one who drove out the Necromancia was no other than Ash himself!

"But what did you do? Even though there was someone who witnessed Lancelot flying in the sky, but… you were helplessly circling aimlessly in the sky, right?"

Silvia became speechless and just kept on trembling. Ash annoyingly clenched his fists. The information seems like it wasn't properly conveyed to Veronica. Perhaps the focus was placed on the fact that Ash drove off the Necromancia, instead of details about the middle part of the fight which had obviously been omitted. The problem was the unrecognized fact, that Silvia and Ash actually fought side by side. Without the assistance of Silvia, Ash could not have single-handedly defeated the Necromancia. Ash was anxious, but Veronica naturally didn't not know about this, and thus she declared:

"Accept the punishment, Silvia."

Among those watching… there was no one who wasn't looking pale.

Veronica pulled out a the broad-sword hanging around her waist and before there was any chance to respond there was a silver flash in front of everyones’ eyes. Even though it seemed like a gigantic two-handed sword Veronica easily wielded it with one hand. The sound of the wind whizzing.

Without knowing how much blood it drew in the past… the broad sword, shining with a glaring light, rushed towards Silvia.

"-!"

The sword glazed Silvia's chest pitifully.

"Princess!"

Ash was scared and he screamed.

“Silvia-sama! "

"Veronica-sama has lost her mind!"

"How could such absurd thing occur!"

there is a silver flash. The sound of the wind whizzing. Without knowing how much blood it drew in the past the broad sword, shining with a glaring light, rushed towards Silvia.

"Doctor, quickly call for a doctor!"

The welcome party members moaned one after another. From the beginning of the incident; the only ones who weren't yelling at all and kept their cool were Rebecca, Cosette, and Angela. Silvia, who was glazed on her chest hobbled, and in the end fell to the ground on her butt. Unbelievably, there was no blood.

And then her uniform suddenly fragmented further, turning into pieces of of cloth, together with her underclothes which fell off gently–– As if the clothing suddenly remembered the fact that they had just been Slashed.

"Huh …?"

Silvia froze a moment looking downward feeling puzzled.

It turned out that Veronica’s slash only cut off the clothes that wrapped around Silvia’s upper body.

Her shoulder is as white as snow, her busty breast, and the contract imprinted on her chest–– 'Seikoku'––all of them were exposed in broad daylight.

"Kyaa…!"

Silvia red in the face scream at the top of her voice, with both her hands, covered her chest.

"Princess!"

Ash could stand it no longer and rushed forward. He quickly took off his jacket and draped it over Silvia's body.

"…?"

The moment he witnessed Silvia’s <Seikoku> Ash suddenly sensed something strange, although confused, but now was not the time to be concerned about such problems. Veronica looked coldly at Ash’s action and then put back her broad-sword back in its sheath.

"Anything wrong Silvia? If you encountered the same situation on the battlefield… Will you only scream to hide your embarrassment?"

Silvia could not talk back as there were tears filling her eyes.

"Look, this is your nature. Even when you wear the aura of a Dragner, you are just a good for nothing blonde. It is better for you to pursue the so-called woman's happiness!"

"… What do you mean by this?"

Veronica’s behaviour of scolding Silvia, made Ash furious. The anger that he was holding back for a long time suddenly exploded. Even though he faced the first Princess, he couldn't just sit by and watch any longer.

"Hey–Hey… Ash?"

Ash's menacing walk forward made Max quickly whisper from behind to stop him, however Ash naturally turned a deaf ear. Logically speaking the one who should be the first to stop Ash ought to be Rebecca but without knowing what she was thinking or maybe she was just waiting for a nice show… She didn't comment on anything.

Ash sternly talked to Veronica.

"I do not know how great the first princess is… However, since you were not there when the incident took place, what is this nonsense that you are now talking about just now based on!"

The moment he blurted it out a sharp sword was pointed at Ash’s neck.

“Uhh…!”

Ash was caught by surprise. The one who pointed the sword at him was the Dragner who he suspected was the captain of the escort. The man had a beautiful face, and there was nothing wrong in calling him good-looking. Just that his pair of eyes hidden under his Ark had a cold glare, hard to feel a single trace of emotion. Ash felt like he was being stared down by a ghost.

"Glenn! Whatever happens next.. The opposite party is just an ordinary student.”

"Sorry. Your Royal Highness Princess."

Ordered by Veronica, the Ark-Dragner called Glenn obediently stepped aside. The moment Ash felt free from the sword he broke out into a cold sweat. It was lucky that the sword pointing at him was just a normal sword. If at that time what he had pulled out was the Ark-Dragner's personal Ark-weapon, maybe even with just magic fluctuations alone, it might have been enough to remove his head.

"Long time no see Princess Veronica-sama."

Waiting until now, Rebecca finally made her move. She stood in front of Ash and respectfully gave a bow.

"Oh. Aren't you Rebecca? Why are you still staying in this school fooling around? I would like to advise you to hurry up and quit school to join our Dragners…".

Rebecca replied with her elegant response to resolve Veronica’s pressure.

"I had for many a time declined the invitation to join the Dragners, and now I just want to enjoy my identity as a student."

"Hmm. You obviously haven’t been able to learn anything new from this school for some time… I really don't understand you. Having said that, is this guy also from the student council?"

Veronica's sudden stare at him made Ash’s hair stand.

“Yes, that's right."

"It seems that you have recruited a subordinate who's full of energy."

"… May I tell you something?"

Veronica generously nodded regarding Rebecca request, indicating that she didn't seem particularly displeased. Leaning towards Veronica’s ear, Rebecca softly whispered something. Veronica’s eyes suddenly shined brightly. The gaze from her eyes made even Cú Chulainn, Arianrhod, Eco and the other Dragons feel fear.

There was a rumour in the society–– It is said that the reason that Veronica was not chosen as a breeder during the 'Orphan Ceremony', was that the Mother Of Dragons thought that the eyes of the seven year old Veronica were much too frightening––

"Hmm… Seems like I don’t even need to waste any effort. It saves me from the trouble of finding him. Glenn, arrest that guy for me!"

"Yes, Princess."

With Veronica’s order Glenn immediately took action.

"Wh-What are you doing!"

But in a blink of an eye, Ash was caught by Glenn and he was place under his armpit.

"Hey…. Let me down!"

While feeling the cold temperature from the Ark at the same time, Ash was swinging his limbs and struggling. But the more Ash struggled… Glenn’s hands, holding his body, became tighter and tighter. That kind of strength surprised everyone and maybe it was the Ark that enhanced his arm’s strength .

"I have a mountain of problems, and I want to question you."

Veronica calmly left the welcoming party as they stood there, mostly frightened. She lifted her cloak and walked towards the school building.

Part 5

Veronica did not appear to be visiting Ansarivan for the first time, as she was familiar with the environment, she headed directly to and opened the door of the guest room.

––In the beginning, there were only the three of them in the room. Veronica, Glenn, and Ash.

"You all go and 'wash' the school premises."

After being given orders by their captain Glenn, the other six escorts salute and split up.

The 'Wash' was not as simple as its literal meaning, but to find and to remove suspicious persons and or items which acted as a cypher. Even Ash understood this. This was Ash's first time in the guest room. Anyhow, since Ansarivan was a special Academy for dragon breeders, naturally there were always a lot of domestic and foreign nobles who came to visit. For the guest room; only the word 'gorgeous' can be used to describe its design. Even the furniture, such as sofas, tables, carpets, and bookshelves, were all imported from the Chevron Kingdom.

Unfortunately, Ash couldn't enjoy such a classy atmosphere.

"Glenn, put that kid on the chair."

"Yes, Princess." answered Glenn, without any expression.

Ash was dragged to then nearby chair and was made to sit on it.

"By the way, tie him up."

"Yes, Princess."

"The ass who keeps on 'Yes, Princess-ing!' St-Stop right now-"

Although Ash made his best effort to resist his opponent, being the Captain of the escort and all, he was, without a doubt no match for him. With some rope and binding tools, Ash was easily tied onto the chair, and he even lost his own ability to stand up.

"What do you want!?"

A cold white sword is at the back of Ash’s neck

"Little devil, the one you’re speaking to is Princess Veronica Lautreamont, Her Royal Highness, you should not make any rude remarks."

Veronica scolded Glenn:

"Don’t make things any more difficult for him, according to Rebecca, he seems to be the one who drove away the Necromancia, the hero who saved Ansarivan, we must thank him properly with courtesy."

"Is this what you call courtesy?!"

Ash was so agitated that he almost fell to the ground with the chair. Being tied up indiscriminately, they even dared to talk about courtesy. Unfortunately, Ash’s complaints were completely ignored.

"But, Veronica-sama, this student is way too savage and rude."

"Glenn, in this world, only achievement and result mean anything, why do we care about that rude point?"

"The problem is––"

"Do you have any opinions regarding what I just said?"

Veronica's eyes suddenly release a murderous intent. Even an amazing man like the captain kept his silence.

"I beg your forgiveness. A small slip of my tongue."

At the moment Glenn was apologizing––

The door was suddenly hit, and it flew open followed by some noisy sound.

"Hold on! You. What are you doing to my slave?!"

Unexpectedly, Eco actually rushed in. Perhaps she ran all her way here because her cheeks are bright red.

"… Eco?"

"Huu? Hey brat don’t tell me you are this child’s slave?"

When he heard Veronica emphasis on the word "slave" Ash shook his head and rejected it.

"I-I am not her slave!"

"Hmm. It seems things are not as simple as it seems …"

"About the relationship between the two of them… I will explain it to you later."

The person who appeared from behind Eco was Angela.

Beside Angela was Rebecca with a bitter smile.

"You still cause a lot of trouble. Ash. "

So-

The meeting with Veronica was going to start with the absence of the mayor, the council and the principal.

Part 6

Even though she was in the guest room, Veronica refused to take off her armour. This made Ash remember about the Valkyries in fairy tales.

"That armour… isn’t it heavy?"

Ash casually asked but Veronica threw him a cold glare.

"A silly question. Armour is beauty! Apart from bathing and sleeping, I always remind myself to wear my armour as much as possible."

"Really…"

While ignoring Ash, who was stunned, Veronica looked around the crowd.

"We will sit right there."

Following Veronica’s proposal everyone moved towards the sofa. Angela, Rebecca, and Eco followed in sequence until they were sitting opposite to Veronica.

"Uh … What about me?"

Seeing that the sofa seemed fluffy, which should be very comfortable to sit on, but Ash was the only one to be tied to the chair.

Ash felt baffled because he was tied up like a prisoner.

"Oops. I had already forgotten your presence. Glenn, go carry him over.

"Yes, Princess."

Glenn lifted Ash up altogether with the chair, and moved them both next to the sofa. Then he silently moved to the door and stood up straight.

"Well… I think you should have known that my purpose for coming to Ansarivan is not just for condolences."

"Is the purpose of your trip really to investigate the Necromancia’s incident?"

Angela's eyes were bursting out with a light of intellectual interest through their lens's.

"Ermm. I must be at the place of the incident to find out the truth that cannot be written in the report. Now please do not waste any more time. Can I trouble one of you to describe the attacks that occurred?"

"Then I will say it."

Rebecca who was actually involved in the fight began to talk about the situation of that time.

Part 7

After listening to Rebecca's explanation, Veronica sighed.

"Well… Does it mean that at present we still don't know the identity of the culprit? Only that, if what is recorded in the report regarding Eco’s Dragweiss is true, the Necromancia is magic engineering. To put it bluntly, it should be the product of magic and engineering. Engineering has always been the Zepharos Empire's pride, maybe the mastermind is in the Empire’s army… Rebecca, what’s your opinion?"

"I also think that the Empire is the greatest suspect, but… I do not know whether it should be counted as fortunately or unfortunately, but the Empire’s territory doesn't include the dragons’ habitat."

"Then what is the problem?"

"The problem is that this attack originated from a 'dragon'. Unless we find some definite evidence, even if we investigate the Empire on diplomatic reasons, I'm afraid it will be futile. The other side will certainly point out, to forestall any accusations, that ‘problems of dealing with dragons are the Knights of Lautreamont's business'."

"Hmm. What Rebecca says's is not unreasonable…. It seems like the search for evidence must go on, but, then again-"

Veronica stared at Ash without warning.

"So the hero who successfully resolved the severe crisis… Is this kid?"

"…"

Since he was tied to a chair it made him impossible to hide. Ash took a grip on himself, put on some courage, and stared back into Veronica’s eyes.

"Hmm. Very manly."

Veronica grinned while admiring him.

"Thank you for your praise."

"Well. I want to hear it from you. The most confusing spot on the report is how you defeated the monster.

"Th- That is…"

Ash didn't know where he was going to start from, but Eco suddenly shouted:

"If you want to ask that question… How can you forget about me!?"

"Hmm… Then I will listen to you. Little bean."

"My name is Eco, Eco!"

"For a shorty like you, little bean is enough for you, if you are not satisfied I don’t mind calling you daphnia!"

"Y-You really have a foul mouth! How dare you call a noble Dragon a daphnia!"

Eco was jumping around angrily, which completely spoiled the nice dress she had put on.

"Please forgive me for interrupting, Princess Veronica. She is Ash Blake’s Pal and at the same time she is also the reason that the Necromancia was repelled––Young Dragon Eco."

To help Eco to get rid of her embarrassment, Angela respectfully explained.

"Oh. This shorty?… I see, when you look closely, there are horns on her head."

Veronica's eyes suddenly shined.

"Then you must quickly transform and show it to me."

"Huh? What am I going to transform?" Eco impetuously looked at Veronica.

“Do you even need to ask, of course the Ark. I heard that it is because you presented the Ark to this kid… that he was able to defeat the Necromancia."

"What!… P-P-Presented?"

Eco jumped up on the spot. Her whole face including her ears are flushed.

"Ple-Please stop joking! That was just an emergency makeshift. W-Why must I present the Ark to this guy!"

"Your reaction is really interesting. Why would you strongly deny him to this extent?"

Veronica, was curiously and wildly interested, seemingly from the depths of her heart. She intended to scrutinize Eco. Angela then explained with a bitter smile:

“For dragons, to present the Ark is a proof of loyalty to their master, the meaning is no different when compared to marriage. Having said that, Eco has not yet recognized Ash as her master. Besides that personality of hers is…"

"That said… She just called her owner 'slave'. It's really disappointing to hear that the great hero who saved the city, who made me think him as a great man… But in the end, you who are called Ash, couldn’t even tame your own Pal?"

"Err …"

When he was looked down upon, Ash felt bitterness in his heart. When he was seen as a worthless thing by the beauty of the century, naturally he experienced an extraordinary degree of suffering.

"Forget about that, I hereby re-order to you instantly show the Ark you wore when defeating the Necromancia. And also, not letting the others help you, show me how you got loose from being tied."

After hearing that, Ash understood why Veronica wanted him to be tied up. All of that was for this moment. Perhaps she thinks that, when Ash is in the ark, it would be child's play for him to break himself free from those ropes! Veronica even gave her orders as Princess.

The situation did not easily allow either Eco or Ash to refuse.

"Are you able to do it, Eco?" asked Ash nervously.

But Eco replied with confidence:

"Why, sure I can! That Ark that has already been completed. I can re-summon it for you anytime!"

Part 8

Eco stood still in the centre of the room and like a nun closed her eyes while beginning to chant incantations.

"Almete, Gorjal, Peto, Espaldar…"

Even this was Ash’s first time witnessing the process of Eco constructing the Ark.

"Brafoneras, Faldaje, Escarcelas …"

Veronica, who always looked calm before, was witnessing the whole process with a nervous expression. Rebecca, was also observing Eco with a keen look. Even Glenn, who was normally emotionless, unconsciously glanced at Eco.

“Bufetas, Hombreras, Brazales, Codales, Antebrazos, Manoplas… "

As for Angela, she quickly took out a pen and paper and recorded the detail of the situation.

"Quijotes, Guardas, Grebas, Escarpes…"

The only thing was, although it was a very solemn ceremony, since Ash was the only one to be tied to a chair, he had no feeling of nervousness.

“-Espolón!".

After Eco shouted the last word, a shining white light enveloped in the room, a thunder-like rumble can be heard. At the same time Ash felt his own body coated by powerful magic.

––Similar to that time…!

Ash remembered the fight with the Necromancia. The <Seikoku> on his left arm glowed and became painful. When the pain reach its maximum point… Ash’s body wrapped itself in a silver Ark. It was a completely weightless, magically constructed Ark. Perhaps they couldn't withstand the magic released by the Ark, the binding tools, ropes and chair all exploded.

"Oh … there is a proverb in the east that said 'The Buddha has to be covered with golden cloth, and man must be covered with cloth”, and the Ark really suits you. Glenn, what are your opinions? In your eyes does that look like an Ark?"

Glenn respectfully answered the Veronica’s question:

"Yes, I can’t be wrong. I sensed the unique magic that only an Ark possesses, and its element should be light. It's just that…"

"It's just that?"

"It is not exaggerating to say that it is an armour which doesn't have the feel of its creator at all."

As worthy of the captain of the escort, Glenn’s opinion directly hit the point.

"You cannot blame me for this!"

Eco declare to Glenn. It was undeniable that Eco was still a young dragon and did not have the power to create a true Ark on her own. On the other hand she was able to take the individual armour body parts, which were particularly suitable to Ash's body, from the massive blueprint stored in the Dragweiss, and then reassemble them. Thus, this present Ark was created.

"But… I don’t understand, even if this is not a complete Ark, what good does it do?"

Angela answered Veronica’s simple question.

"To tell the truth… He has a special talent. Although I have not yet identified the reason… He has a nickname of ‘The Boy Who Can Ride Any Dragon’ in this school. As far as I know, he is the only person who can ride other people's pal and his own. "

"I see. So that rare talent and the incomplete Ark enabled him to successfully defeat the Necromancia?"

Upon seeing Veronica’s happy facial expression Ash becomes angry.

"The facts are not like what you say! If not because of Princess-sama leading Lancelot to assist me, it would have never been possible for me to jump on to the Necromancia! But you… How you treat Princess!"

However Veronica, even after listening to Ash’s claims, remained unmoved.

"In other words… Silvia only played the role of a 'driver'."

Veronica’s comments towards Silvia are still bitter as ever. Just at that time the Ark turned into light particles and vanished. Upon seeing this, Veronica curls her lip to expose a harsh sneer.

"There is a time limit? Because of that it cannot be called a weapon, but it looks like it can be a tool used for an entertainment sideshow."

Veronica’s tone angered Ash.

"This is not a sideshow! Although it is just temporarily assembled. It is still an Ark that Eco created!"

“Are you Dumb? Weapons that only last a few minutes, if it is not a sideshow, what is it?"

"Err …"

"Also… Your relationship with Silvia is quite close. Are you a couple?"

At the very start to be asked such blatant questions made Ash blush. What’s more, hearing the word "couple" coming from Veronica’s mouth was also unexpected.

"I-I. How are we a couple?!"

"Hmm. A weird reaction, which makes people unsatisfied… I am really very dissatisfied!"

Veronica got up from the couch and stood before Ash.

"Well, I have decided! Ash, or whatever, I command you to temporarily serve as my servant! Glenn. Catch this kid for me!"

"Yes, Princess."

"What? Your nonsense… Are you even–– Ouch, owow!"

Glenn didn't give Ash any chance to raise any objections and carried him under his armpit.

"Glenn, prepare to head back to the Silvanus.”

Veronica flipped back her cloak and left the room with Glenn, carrying the resisting Ash, following her.

"Ironblood Valkyrie ~A.B.S.1365.5~" is closed.

References and Translation Notes

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