Seikoku no Ryuu Kishi: Volume 4 Chapter 3

Chapter 3 - Paladin Oswald

Part 1

Cosette led Eco and Ash to the dining room.

Ash is now wearing a formal suit. After they returned to the castle, Cosette forced him to change his clothing even after his protestations. The matching black suit, shirt, a silver tie, and she even produced a pair of polished shoes for him.

"Hum, hum, hum~..."

Eco on the other hand was dressed in a rose white dress, humming a song while walking, her entire body was covered with laces, flounces, gemstones and other matching accessories. Her hair was also combed in a mature style complimenting her dress. She now looked very much like a Princess.

But Eco had her attention placed on tonight’s menu and questioned Cosette about it on their way there.

"Hey, is there any delicious meat?"

"Of course, the highest quality frozen beef is waiting to be served."

"What you just mentioned...... is it a Chevron cow?"

The sound that Eco made by swallowing her saliva can be heard clearly by Ash.

"Not only it is a Chevron cow, but I also heard that it has a blood relationship certificate of a virgin cow."

"...... What is a virgin cow?"

"Tee Hee. It means it had the same soft and tender meat as Eco."

Once again, Cosette unmasked a playful smile and then pinched Eco’s upper arm. Eco quickly dodged aside and her whole face was already red.

"C-Could you be...... eying my flesh?"

"Well, what do you think? Hee hee......"

Ash smiled at the teasing argument. After a long walk, they finally came to an open space.

It seems to be a lounge with impressively high ceilings.

Cylindrical pillars were arranged along the walls. In the middle of the room were sofas and chairs. The fireplace was visible from the front of the room.

There are doors on each side of the fireplace. Behind the doors should be the dining room.

"I beg your pardon for asking you to meet with my father's unreasonable demands."

From Ash's point of view, there seems to be a pale blue flower blooming in the shadows of a pillar. Silvia, who arrived first, quietly stood up from her chair.

"Princess......!"

Ash was fascinated with Silvia’s ice blue colored dress.

The cold colored clothes made her blond hair and white skin even more dazzling. Standing in front of him was a person––who usually hid behind her usual strict and arrogant attitude at school, but was now––presenting herself in a more regal manner.

"Huu? Anything wrong with you, Ash?"

Silvia was confused.

"Nothing, but...... I think that you are beautiful."

"Wha ......!"

Like a volcanic eruption, Silvia's cheeks immediately flushed. She silently and shyly faces downwards.

"Hey......"

At this moment, Ash sensed a murderous intent rapidly arising from behind. Ash nervously glanced back and saw Eco angrily walking towards him.

"When I had put on my dress ...... you didn’t even say a word of praise!"

"Y-You are of course also very beautiful."

"To say those hypocritical words right now, I won’t even be happy about it!"

Eco snappily looked aside to ignore Ash and she took a glance at Silvia's chest.

"Hmph...... I understand. In the end you still like female animals with big boobs! You like those that feel soft and very elastic when touched, right!"

"I had never said such thing! Why do you need to bring up that topic!"

Ash had also gotten angry.

"Boo hoo ~! I had finally found you!"

At this time, the sound of crying had broke the tension.

"Ash-sama and Eco...... how could you even... silently sneak back home!"

Prim was running back while breathing heavily. Not only are her eyes were red and swollen, she is also breathless.

"Oh god......!"

Ash then remembered the stuff that he had totally forgotten. That’s right, right before they entered the mall, they left Prim beside the trees next to the street.

"I'm sorry, Prim-san!"

Ash was sincerely apologizing to her by bowing down. Seeing Prim’s crying face, even Eco is affected.

"I'm sorry ......"

Although Eco was still angry, at least she gave a verbal apology.

Only then Ash found out the situation they were in before Prim came into the picture had completely disappeared.

Cosette said to the sobbing Prim while smiling: (!)

"Poulin-oneesan is really amazing. You had cleverly grasped the timing for your appearance."

Upon hearing this, Prim only replied with a confused expression.

Part 2

"Hoh? So you're that famous Ash? Hmm, you look talented! So the one beside should be Eco, right? Wow! You really do have horns! It's amazing!"

To Ash's surprise, Paladin Oswald was a person who was readily approachable. Logically speaking, he should have been entering his old age, but his round face still looked very smooth and shiny.

"It should be very tiring for you to come all the way here from afar. Well, well, no need to be so polite, make yourself at home."

There were only the four of them attending such an amazingly long dining room table. Cosette and Prim were standing behind Silvia and Ash looking solemn

On the other hand, behind Oswald, there's a maid who was wearing spectacles. She is Florida.

After they finish their prayer to the Virgin, the dinner officially began. The first course was soup.

Because Ash was overly nervous… the taste of what he is eating was almost completely lost.

At the same time, Eco, who is beside Ash, placed her plate on the table with a loud bang.

"The soup is not bad, but is the meat done yet?"

Eco didn’t use her spoon and directly finished the soup in one go. On her nose and mouth whitish soup stains could be seen.

"Uwaa, Eco ......!"

Prim quickly helped Eco to wipe her face with a napkin.

"Eco! You are being rude!"

Ash was sweating.

"Ha ha! Don’t worry. There is no need to impose human etiquette on a girl who is a dragon."

Oswald gave a laugh and ordered Florida who was behind:

"It seems that Eco-san is not satisfied with this style of eating. Go and tell the chef, serve all the food that has been prepared right away."

"Yes, sir."

With a serious look, Florida marched off toward the kitchens.

"Hmmm, I was asking myself what kind of pretentious person the Paladin would be, but I didn’t expect that you to be quite friendly. I like you!"

Eco put on her egoistic manner of speaking.

"To be appreciated by a dragon girl, I am very proud. I must enjoy the night."

"Father...... Look at you, even the Paladin title is going to be in tears. Can’t you display a little of a ruler’s dignity?"

Silvia unhappily complained to Oswald. Without knowing whether she had no appetite or she was silently protesting, she just sipped a mouthful of the soup and put her spoon aside.

"What are you talking about? If not for the dragons, I'm afraid this continent would have long been dominated by the Empire. For me to respect Eco-san isn't anything other than proper. Ha ha ha!"

After Oswald let out a laugh with a loud voice, the waiters, one by one, brought out various cuisines and wine bottles.

"This fried steak is made from the Chevron’s virgin cow.”

A waiter said, while placing a plate in front of Eco.

"Waa......!"

In front of the thickly cut steak, Eco’s eyes brightened. Without using the knife, she took a fork, directly stabbed and lifted a slice of meat, and then swiped a huge juciy bite out of it.

"Nn......!"

The next moment, Eco reacted as if she were shocked by electricity and her body twitched. After biting into the thick cut of meat, she didn't move an inch.

"Hey ...... are you alright?"

Does it not suit Eco’s taste? After Ash questioned her, Eco suddenly relaxed the muscles of her body.

"Oooh...... I'm so happy ~"

Ash smiled. She should have been overjoyed. She is almost over the moon.

"Hehe...... She is still the same old Eco."

Silvia who was glum before also smiled softly. It was probably because of Eco's innocent reactions that she was able to forget about her anger.

Fortunately, after seeing Silvia smile, Ash also felt released from the tension.

Part 3

Silvia while sipping on her drink, quietly watched Ash.

- In all fairness, this scene is unexpected......

In the recent months, Ash had quite an incredible performance, to be able to receive father’s praise is really what he deserved.

But for a student, who is also a normal civilian, to be invited into the castle to have a meal with the Paladin on the same table is really strange.

At the same time Silvia bears these feelings, Oswald finally smiles while asking Ash some questions..

About Eco’s birth.

About the Ark that Eco created.

About the battle that occurred in Ansarivan and Willingham Mausoleum...... and so on.

Ash seems to have expected that he would be asked these questions, and his answers to them were orderly.

Also, the formal suit gave a bonus effect, Ash looked incredibly manly tonight. Gradually...... Silvia's cheeks became hot.

- W-What’s wrong with me ......? Why is it that every time I look at Ash...... my feelings become so complicated?

Her true feelings, from the unsettled depths of her heart, were only trying to express themselves.

And these strange thoughts made her confused.

"If not for you and Eco-san, Ansarivan, the training camp at Allonnes lakeside and the Willingham Mausoleum may have been razed to the ground. I thank you for all this."

Oswald gave a bow.

As a king of a country, he even actually bowed to a normal citizen.

"...... Father?"

Silvia immediately came back to her sense and stared at Oswald.

"Uwaa! Please stop bowing! I can’t afford to have it!"

Ash was frightened. He quickly stood up in order to avoid letting Oswald stand alone.

However, the real shock is yet to come.

The declaration that Oswald made after he raised his head was beyond Silvia’s imagination.

"So, starting today, you're a Dragner."

"Thank you-...... Hu! I am a Dragner?"

"What is there to be surprised about? For this sole purpose, I summoned you to this city."

Oswald looked calm.

At that moment, Silvia realized what Oswald meant by saying, “As a Paladin, I think there is a suitable reward for him”, when she returned to the castle.

Silvia thought to herself.

- How unfathomable is Ash's development?

Eco was just born three months ago. Logically speaking there was still a great deal of room for her to grow.

When Eco reaches her adulthood, how powerful a Dragner would Ash become……? Silvia couldn’t even imagine.

The only certainty is that–– In Lautreamont Knight country, even a civilian, as long as he can get the Dragner’s title, will become highly respected. If he can continue to become an Ark-Dragner, he could even gain the same status as a noble. Through this method, a wedding with one of the royals is no longer a dream......

- M-Married? W-What am I thinking about!

"Are you alright, Princess? Your face is red."

Cosette casually whispered from behind, which made Silvia panic.

"N-Nothing!"

After all, Oswald was also present, so Cosette did not continue to pursue this behavior any further.

Part 4

-Starting today, you're a Dragner. Ash suspected he might have misheard what Oswald had said.

"But...... isn’t it only a Maestro’s rider who's qualified for the Dragner’s title?"

"Ash, I’ll ask you. Do you dare to say that Eco-san is not a Maestro?"

Oswald glanced at Eco. Even under this tense situation Eco was still happily eating without even bothering the others.

"I......"

Ash was speechless.

Because Eco's appearance was always in the form of a girl, in the end Ash was clueless about what kind of dragon she might be.

The only clue was the title "Avalon's Imperial Princess".

"As the Paladin, it is my obligation to give you a reward for your accomplishments. I don’t deny that this has never happened in the past, but since I had already decided on the matter, from this day onwards you are a Dragner. Florida, prepare the item."

"Yes, sir."

The statue-like Florida suddenly moved.

Without Ash noticing, Florida was now holding a plate in both hands. Placed on the plate was a pocket watch engraved with the Knights’ royal family’s crest.

"I, in the name of Paladin Oswald, appoint Ash Blake as a Dragner."

“At your majesty's service.”

Ash knelt on the spot and respectfully took the silver watch.

"The Continental Congress is around the corner, the city is now busy at the moment...... the official appointment ceremony will be held separately, please accept the silver watch and bear with it for a few more days."

"I-It’s my pleasure!"

The words ‘appointment ceremony’ made Ash shudder. And in his mind, the image of the two statues previously seen in the central square––Chevron’s King Lionel III and the first generation Paladin, Paladin Durham––naturally entered his thoughts.

Part 5

When the dessert was served, Silvia suddenly remembered something and blurted:

"Chichiue, I have heard that the Zepharos Empire’s emperor will not attend the Continental Congress. Is this true?"

"Hmm. He turned down the invitation because of old age. Actually, elderly Ortofon VIII is already 80 years old...... the problem is that he even refused to send a prince or a princess to represent him. Their way of doing things is somewhat disagreeable......"

"Who did the Emperor choose to be his representative?"

"I heard that it is the head of the Viderhausen house. Since ancient times they have been the barons and warlords for the Vandenhaar borders for generations."

While listening to the Silvia’s and Oswald’s talk, Ash pictured the continent’s map.

Vandenhaar is a land of the empire. It is located on the other side of the mountains and it is near the Lautreamont Knights Country.

"To actually allow an ordinary noble to represent the emperor...... they are a little too arrogant! It seems that the Empire has not yet given up the fight to take over the continent. The Necromancia is also probably their––"

At this time, Oswald with his rarely seen father's attitude, scolded Silvia.

"Silence Sylvie. There are some things that cannot be spoken of. The other party indeed is very suspicious, but our main priority is to communicate. Whatever it is, we cannot let the tragedy of the Xenoglavia’s War repeat itself. The Continental congress ‘Elysium’ was created solely for this purpose."

"...... What you are saying is correct."

Silvia nodded seriously. It seems that she was reminding herself not to be careless the next time.

Then, like wanting to sweep away this tense atmosphere, Oswald smiled.

"Right! About tomorrow’s masquerade I would like to invite Ash and Eco-san to join. What do you think about it?"

"What is that? How does it taste?"

Eco asked, while touching her bulging belly.

Masquerade? This was also the first time Ash heard about this topic.

"Hmm...... You all don’t know? Tomorrow night’s masquerade is organized to cordially promote national relations."

"Tomorrow? I remember that the Continental Congress will be held the day after tomorrow, right?"

Oswald nodded while answering Ash’s question.

"That's right. In other words, this ball is like a prelude before the congress. Even though the congress only allows the leaders of each country to attend, it is different for the ball. Every person, together with their leaders, is eligible to participate."

"But why do you need to hold the masquerade? A mask is meant to cover your face. No?"

"It was arranged so that the participants would eliminate the gap between countries. To put it bluntly, the mask is a tool to help us to express ourselves."

“I see…”

Ash certainly understand the reasons for organizing the masquerade. But was it really ok for himself and Eco to attend such event? After all, it is a party meant for VIPs of all countries. He had the feeling they'd be out of place.

Silvia probably noticed Ash’s concerns, so she gave him a boost.

"You and Eco are close to me, so of course you are eligible to participate."

"Princess must also be participating, right?"

"Yeah...... basically."

From her answer, it seems that Silvia is not at all excited about the ball. Compared to those kinds of gorgeous balls, it's presumable that she would be more interested in riding Lancelot and soaring high in the sky.

"Eco, have you decided?"

Ash tried to seek Eco’s views.

"As long as there is meat, I don’t think that there is anything bad by attending."

After he heard his expected answer, Ash smiled.

"Then it's decided! Please enjoy tomorrow’s ball! Anyway, Ash...... there is one thing that I would like to confirm with you clearly."

Oswald suddenly leaned forward.

"Wh-What is it?"

Oswald’s eyes were now emitting a very serious feel. 'So this person can also display a such a serious side'...... Ash thought rudely.

"I’m thinking...... You still haven’t had any impure relationship with Silvia, have you?"

"......Hu?"

"Veronica is also very worried about your relationship with Sylvie."

"Chichiue! What nonsense are you talki..."

Silvia, whose face was already red, was trying to refute, but......

"Silence!" Oswald gave a loud shout, like a raging thunder god.

Silvia didn’t even dare mutter a single sound. Indeed, he is the one whose title is Paladin, so being able to display such a forceful attitude was expected......

"Ash, you must know this clearly. I’m really grateful for your help, but you must not confuse it as permission to begin a love affair."

"Err ......"

"If you dare put your claws on Silvia...... I, Oswald swear, that I will personally sanction you! Do you dare to swear? Swear that you'll never touch my Sylvie by even a single hair?"

The fat round face is pushed in front of Ash was menacing and forced him to answer. It was simply torture.

"I swear, I’ll swear no matter what......!"

Ash, who lost under Oswald’s pressure, screamed out loud.

"Princess and I...... Are not in a relationship!

"...... Do you really mean it?"

"Please, please believe in me! Princess please also help explain the situation!"

The only one in this world who is able to stop her father’s jealousy was Silvia. Ash was likely hoping to seize that last hope, looked at Silvia for help, but––

"............"

Silvia’s face somehow looked a little guilty, and she quickly averted her sight.

"You are the Dragoner! ~A.B.S.1365.7~" is closed.

References and Translation Notes

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