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Chapter 30 – A Villager At The Magic Academy part 3 – first part

After breakfast, Lilith and I got dressed.

We both are in travel clothes.

Since the days of the Dragon Zombie, she has become familiar with carrying a backpack for mountaineering when going out.

The treasures we’ve accumulated from our adventures up until this pointーa bag full of extremely rare jewels is sewn onto Lilith’s and my underwear.

Like that, Lilith and I toured the mansion together.

The two of us have been cleaning for the past few days, so not a single piece of dust remains.

A mansion given by the Dragon King.

This is already more than enough for me to keep my personal affairs in order.

ーSince I was twelve… 4 years… huh.

For some reason or another, I was taken care of here too. And when I think about it like that, there is something deeply moving about it.

「…hm.」

Lilith looked at me, and I nodded in response.

「Yeah, shall we go?」

When we arrived at the entrance, I looked back with deep emotion and bowed.

After that, I opened the door.

And, I smiled wryly.

Yesterday, at the Dragon King’s castle, everyone in the village… we have already had a sumptuous feast as a farewell party but… I found two dutiful figures.

One of them is, of course, the host… the Dragon King.

Then, the other one is, the Red Dragon, the one who brought me to this village.

「Oh, Uncle!」

「Really… no matter how much time passes, your choices of words never get better… No, I felt like you were choosing your words properly the very first time…」

I’m sorry for the miscommunication disorder.

No matter how much I got yelled at, I also couldn’t fix this even when I was in Japan.

It’s not like I can’t feign it, but it doesn’t last long.

Especially against a character like Uncle.

The astonished Uncle’s expression started to wrinkle before he started tearing.

「… come home sometimes.」

「In the end… this place has become my second hometown…」

I shrugged my shoulders and continued.

「Yeah… I’m sure… I’ll be back.」

Uncle hugged me with teary eyes.

I also strongly hugged back.

Then, the Dragon King called out to me.

「…Are you sure you’re going? Since you are at this point, I’ll tell you…」

「Hm? Since I’m at this point?」

「Even if your childhood friend Cordelia Allston becomes useless, and humanity is in danger of a coming catastrophe…」

「Even if?」

「This story has absolutely nothing to do with dragons like us… To be honest, I want to keep you in this village as long as possible… I never get tired of watching you.」

「Hahaha.」, I smiled wryly.

「You’re the one who knows the most that it’s impossible for me to hold back. The environment surrounding Cordelia… the impending catastrophe. If she’s in a dangerous situation, of course I have to go. Besides, I haven’t experienced the future in my second life yet… And that’s why I enrolled in the Magic AcademyーI have to be by Cordelia’s side.」

The Dragon King shrugged his shoulders and also smiled wryly.

「No doubt about it… By the way, Lilith?」

「…Dragon King…-sama? Did you… call me? Someone who is just Lute’s attendant… Dragon King-sama… called me? Directly… with his… voice…?」

With a nod, the Dragon King spoke.

「You shouldn’t look down on yourself that much, Lilith. You have already become stronger. As proof, there are currently 5 gold lines on your bracelet… You are now fully qualified to talk to me.」

「…I’m honored… is the most appropriate response.」

With a wry smile, the Dragon King said to Lilith.

「Wouldn’t you like to stay here by yourself? You are an excellent librarian, a magician, and a veteran warrior. And I am looking for a tea-drinking companions that is not a dragon.」

「…I’m really honored. But…」

「But?」

Shyly, Lilith continued.

「That thieving cat… the female heroーI can’t let Lute go alone.」

Hearing that, the Dragon Kind and Uncle started laughing.

I don’t know if I should describe it as the dam breaking, but anyway, the two of them laughed with their hands on their stomach as if they couldn’t stand it anymore.

「Haha…Kukuku… Seriously, Luteーyou really put yourself in a corner.」

Various emotions swirled in my chest, but I just said this,

「…To be frank, I’m having a lot of trouble dealing with Lilith.」

「I guess. She is also an important piece for activating magic-related ceremonies and countering the disadvantages of magic. Well, in many ways… my condolences.」

「As a bonus… your childhood friend also has a strong personality.」

「Haha… it’s fine.」

The Dragon King held out his right hand to me while laughing happily.

I grabbed that hand and both of us squeezed it tightly.

「… Definitely come back, LuteーI want to meet your childhood friend.」

After thinking about it for a while, I smiled wryly.

「If Cordelia agreed… and if Lilith gives her the go-ahead to accompany Cordelia.」

「Haha. A man who is one of the strongest in the world… is weak against women, it’s ridiculous.」

「Yeah, take care of yourself.」

The Dragon King went silent, and so did I.

Everyone also fell silent, and a gust of wind blew.

「Let’s go, Lilith?」

「…Nn.」

As I took a step, Lilith grabbed the hem of my jacket with her right hand.

When we walk outside, she’s quite likely to walk behind meーeither by grabbing the sleeves of my jacket or by pinching the hem.

She won’t quit doing it no matter how many times I tell her, so I’ve half given up, but…

Then, while waving my hand to the people behind me, I spoke,

「Dragon King? Uncle? As my real final exam in this village… Pay attention to the Toryumon. I’ll  launch a lot of fireworks.」

Without even turning around again, I took Lilith with me and continued walking towards the outside of the village.