It took us an hour to get to the cave from the cottage, but we are able to get back in 15 minutes. Without the overgrown grass obstructing our way, walking back was much easier. We would be making many backs and forth trips along this path in the future, so the road would no doubt become even more hard trodden.
When we arrived at the cottage, Eugenie was there waiting for my return with Gian, the Griffon.
“Hi there, Cedie. Oh my, who is this kid?”
Then Eugenie noticed Charlotte beside me. Since Charlotte is in human form, she probably doesn’t realize that Char is a dragon.
“Hmm, Father, is this my mother?”
“Huh!?”
Eugenie was at loss for words.
That’s a given of course. It is very unexpected to be treated like a mother at the age of twelve after all.
It was the same for me.
“No, this is Eugenie. She is my childhood friend.”
“Cedie, y-you—, you have a child!?”
“There’s no way that’s possible you know.”
Even among the sons of nobles who married early, there are few who become fathers at the age of twelve. Apparently, there are some who do, but I have no recollection of it happening to those I know. And it would be impossible in my case.
Well, I’m glad that Charl adores me as a father though, so I want to live up to those feelings.
I explained what had happened so far.
“Ah~, goodness, I was so shocked. I thought Cedie married without my knowledge.”
“What are you talking about? Besides, if there is a wedding, Eugenie will be invited for sure.”
“……Fool!”
For some reason, Eugenie ended up in a bad mood.
“Hey, what are you being angry about? Anyways, more than that, let me tell you, I built a cave this time!”
When I explained about the cave, Eugenie immediately cheered up.
“That does sound fun! Take me with you too!”
“No, it’s dangerous.”
If Eugenie gets injured, I will feel so sorry for the Countess and Earl Simpson.
“Don’t worry, there’s Gian.”
Griffons are powerful monsters. The main reason why Eugenie, a young lady from an Earl Family, can go out as she pleases is because Gian is with her.
“That’s right, Father. It will be fine. Besides, Char will protect the two of you.”
Char is also excited to have new companion.
Well, I think there are no strong monsters in the small cavern I just created. It’s just the first level after all. I don’t even remember ever having a game over at that stage.
As long as we are well prepared, it should be fine, I guess.
“Eugenie, do you have any spare magic stone?”
“Here, take them.”
Eugenie took out two magic stones from her pocket and handed them to me. Both are quite large. With this much, the lantern will last for several hours even if it is used at maximum light.
An unexpected helper named Gian has also appeared, so it may be a great opportunity to explore the cave at this time.
“Alright. Let’s go then!”
We all headed back to the cave.
With a little force, the heavy iron gate opened without a sound. I held the lantern up high, but I couldn’t see anything moving inside the cave.
“Char, are there any signs of monsters?”
“Mmm, not at the moment. It looks like those stinky bugs had gone somewhere.”
“Still, let’s proceed with caution. Gian, walk in the lead.”
At Eugenie’s command, Gian stepped forward.
If it’s a small cave monster, it’s probably not Gian’s opponent. There was no sign of nervousness in Gian’s appearance at all.
When we went a little farther, something sparkled in the reflection of the light of the lantern.
“W-what’s that?”
Eugenie spoke in slightly frightened voice.
We all know that the eyes of dungeon spiders and other creatures glow red in the dark. But that wasn’t that kind of light.
“That’s a strawberry stone!”
Red stone beads were exposed on the walls of the cave. Strawberry stone is a stone that has a slightly diluted redness of ruby. It’s not as valuable as ruby, but it has the property of changing magic waves, so it’s an indispensable material for making magic tools.
A stone about the size of a pea is only two to three pennies, but a large one should be bought at a reasonable price. Sambabano, which deals in magic tools, will surely offer a good price for it.
“I’d like to pick it up, but it’s stuck to the rock. Hmm, I wonder if I can pick it up with a knife?”
“Father, do you want to collect these red stones?”
“That’s right. I don’t need something about the size of a pea, but I want something the size of an acorn.”
“Okay!”
Char held up her small hand, and it instantly took the form of a dragon’s paws. Small but sharp claws extended out of it.
“Dig! Dig!”
Every time she thrust her hand out vigorously, the rock was drilled, and a strawberry stone was dug out. Eugenie and I were overwhelmed by her appearance that we just stared blankly.
“Dig! Dig!”
Char continues to deliver high-speed strikes without rest. The hole in the cave wall grew larger and larger, and at her feet lay fourteen strawberry stones, larger than chestnuts.
“E-enough, that’s enough Char. With this much, we have enough.”
“Are you sure they’re enough?”
Char looks like she wanted to dig a little more.
Dragons are really impressive.
“Are your hands okay?”
“They’re fine!”
I took out a water bottle and washed her dirty hands.
“Thank you for all the hard work.”
“Ehehe. Father, the water feels good.”
I checked it while washing, but there was no bleeding or bruising anywhere.
Char’s skin looks plump and soft, but it seemed much tougher than I had imagined.
“Okay, it’s all clean now.”
“Ehehe…… Hn?”
Char, who had been smiling, stared into the depths of the cave and began to let out a low growl.
“Krrrrrrrrr……”
“Kweeeeee…”
It’s not just Char, Gian has also started to let out a low, menacing growl!
“What’s wrong, Char?”
“Father, there’s an enemy.”
Three giant cockroaches emerged in the light of the lantern. They are a little smaller than expected, about the size of a medium-sized dog at most.
Still, it is still a terrifying monster.
Char and Gian stepped out at the same time. They stepped forward powerfully, and in one leap, their bodies closed in on the enemy.
The giant cockroach in the lead was not given time to brace itself and was blown away by Char and Gian.
“Don’t get in the way, birdy cat!”
“Kweeeeeeeee!”
Char and Gian competed with each other as they shifted their attack to the next enemy.
Char’s uppercut from very low altitude shattered the cockroach on the right, and Gian’s downward slash of his sharp claws pulverized the cockroach on the left.
Then there was silence.
“That was amazing, Char.”
“You did a great job too, Gian.”
When I complimented them, both Char and Gian groaned happily.
Oh, there are magic stones lying around. You can get magic stones like this when you defeat monsters.
“Cedie can take it.”
Eugenie was thoughtful enough. She let me have them. I’m very grateful for that.
“Thank you, I’ll make up for this eventually.”
“Ufufu, I like Gandalcia too. I would be happy if it would develop more.”
“Father, making all those moves made me hungry!”
Growing dragons seem to get hungry quickly.
Eugenie put down the basket she was holding as if she had expected this moment.
“I’ve brought some snacks. Let’s all eat them.”
Out of the basket was a strawberry and honey sandwich. Freshly picked strawberries are sliced and drizzled with syrupy honey.
Char’s eyes widened in surprise as she took a bite.
“Mmm~, it’s so delicious! I’ve never had something so delicious!”
“If you like it that much, I’ll give you half of mine too.”
“I’ll give you mine too.”
My dragon really has a sweet tooth.
Charl finished off the sandwich and licked her honey-stained lips with her little tongue.
This is translated by Yume Neiji. Kindly read at yumeineijiworks.wordpress.com.
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