Chapter 53
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Sensei always puts on a stern face, but I could sense genuine affection in her caring attitude and gaze towards Sena.
Indeed, the relationship between Sena and Sensei might be closer to that of parent and child rather than master and disciple.
「Low, you were married?」
Anon asks me in a tone like a robot running out of oil.
「W-wait a minute. There’s a deeper story behind this—」
「You know, when something happens, all men make excuses like that.」
Watching the exchange between Anon and me, Sensei lets out a stifled laugh, 「Kufufu,」 unable to contain her amusement.
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Anon grips my shoulder tightly and says, 「I’ll have you tell me the story once things settle down.」
「Alright, let’s switch gears, shall we?」
As soon as he says that, he lightly pats my shoulder and leads Sensei and me, saying, 「Just leave the table as it is and follow me.」 We go through the back door, follow him, walk a little, and there it is.
「What on earth is this?」
It was a dragon lying with its long neck lowered to the ground and its eyes closed.
Its wings strongly resembled those of birds.
「This is an Eagle Dragon. I had been borrowing it until recently to return from a business trip.」
According to Anon’s explanation, although its combat prowess isn’t particularly high, its flight speed ranks among the fastest of the dragon species.
Low combat power and high flight speed… so this guy is like a herbivore in the dragon world?
「First of all, as for what to use it for, this fella is way faster than riding a carriage or horse.
That’s why it’s often used by adventurers who operate over a wide area, busy merchants, and nobles who absolutely have to go in person.」
「Huh…」
「Hey, you could at least praise me a bit instead of just saying ‘huh,’ couldn’t you?
You see, I anticipated that you would return soon, so I went to extend the rental before you revisited.」
Anon puts on a slightly sulky air.
I can’t see his face, but I can tell from his tone and demeanor.
I had come to ask about the Holy Knight’s whereabouts, but he had even prepared a means of transportation to get to her.
Reflecting on the fact that I hadn’t even offered Anon a single word of thanks, I tell him, 「Thanks, Anon! I’m counting on you!」 and pat him on the back.
「Oh, uh, yeah. That’s right, praise me more!」
For some reason, Anon stammers a little and then puffs out his chest with vigor.
It was funny, so I decide to praise him further.
「Anon is considerate!」
「Ha-ha-ha!」
「Anon is thoughtful!」
「Ha-ha-ha-ha!」
「Anon is smart!!」
「Haaaa-ha-ha-ha!」
「Hey, you two.」
Sensei calls out to us.
「What are you doing?」
I’ve never seen Sensei with eyes like this before.
I didn’t know she could make such a cold look.
But seriously, what was I doing?
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The journey through the sky was surprisingly comfortable.
It was a naked journey through the sky that I probably couldn’t experience on Earth.
Anon, sitting in front, was serving as the driver.
Dragons themselves are massive, and was no exception, being quite large.
Right now, even with three adults straddling its back, there still seemed to be ample space.
I was worried it might be cold since it’s a sky journey, but the rental was equipped with magical tools to account for that.
So I didn’t feel the cold, and despite moving at a considerable speed, I didn’t even feel air resistance.
But wouldn’t it be dangerous if we fell? When I posed that question to Anon earlier, he said that when riding a dragon, the risk is almost eliminated by having the riders wear special rope-like magical tools.
As I recall Anon’s explanation, an exceptionally strong wind blows, making my hair flutter.
The sky has turned even redder since our departure.
We were approaching sunset.
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Sensei, behind me, had her hand around my waist.
Whether knowingly or unknowingly, her, you know, that was pressing softly against my back.
Feeling somewhat uncomfortable, I hear Sensei’s mischievous voice (the laugh she makes when being playful) going 「kufu.」
I knew it was on purpose! As I mutter to myself, Sensei says,
「I’m pressin’ em against ya, aren’t I?」
「I suppose so!」
While having this trivial exchange with Sensei, I find myself thinking how nice it would be if the person behind me was Sena instead of Sensei.
And that triggers me to recall the interaction I saw between Sena and Sensei when I descended the mountain this time.
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