LIGHTNOVELWORLD Chapter 48 - Chapter 48: Jest's Age
Chapter 48: Jest’s Age
Returning to the headquarters of the Third Knight Order, I take the horses to the stables.
“After taking care of your horses, make sure to have your meals! I’ll be heading to the royal castle for a report, so you all focus on your training!”
Usually, when returning horses as a squad, we leave it to the stable attendants. However, when returning them all at once like this, everyone takes care of their own. After checking the grooming, hoof care, and the remaining amount of rock salt for water and mineral supplementation, I leave the feeding to the stable attendants.
“Eleanor, sorry, but I have to go to the royal castle. Please hang in there a little longer. We’ll depart again after a short rest.”
After asking the stable attendants to provide feed and water, I return to my room in the barracks, take off my armor, and cast a purification spell. Then, I gently remove Jest, who had been clinging to my back all this time.
“There are many things I want to ask, but let’s start with filling our stomachs. Jest, besides magic stones, what else do you eat?”
“I can eat anything! I only eat magic stones when I need magical power. Normally, I’m fine with just the magic particles in the air.”
“Hmm, so you don’t particularly need regular meals. I thought with such a big body, you’d eat a lot… Surprising. I have to eat, so you wait here.”
“Huh!? No way! I want to stay with Justin!”
I always thought his way of speaking was childish, but could Jest be a young dragon?
“Alright, alright. Jest, how old are you?”
“Let’s see, about ten years! My mom is about two hundred years old, but I don’t know about my dad!”
“Don’t know?”
“Yeah, I’ve never met him. When my mom wasn’t around, some strange humans came and attached a creepy magic stone to my neck. I was asleep, so I didn’t notice it right away. If my mom returns to the nest and I’m not there, I wonder if she’ll worry.”
With Jest’s last words, my whole body shivered. I remembered that one of the Four Heavenly Kings serving the evil god was also a dragon. If Jest had originally died with me and then became one of the evil god’s minions as revenge for the baby dragon, it would make sense.
“Hey, um, what do you think Jest’s mother would think about him making a familiar pact with me?”
“I think she’d be okay with it if I like Justin! I know Justin is kind.”
Approaching me with unsteady steps, Jest rubbed its head against my leg. It was like a cat being affectionate. It seems to understand that I wanted a pet in my previous life but couldn’t because my hands were full with my brothers.
I involuntarily crouched down and stroked its neck. At first, I thought it was black, but in the bright light, the scales looked sapphire, cool to the touch and warm at the same time. It felt smooth, and despite being scales, it felt like petting a child’s head or a kitten.
“Oops, if I don’t have breakfast quickly, it’ll be late to go to the royal castle. It’s better to inform them before the morning meeting… Although I’ll take you with me, please behave, okay?”
“Okay! Got it!”
In order to quickly go to the royal castle after breakfast, I put on my knight’s attire and head to the dining hall, where several people have already started eating. While receiving my breakfast, I inform the cooks that the commotion this morning has been settled and that when the horse care is finished, the subordinates will come flocking in.
As I start eating, Jest on my back starts squirming. It seems to have reacted to the smell.
“What’s that smell?”
As soon as Jest spoke, there was a sudden clatter of multiple chairs being pushed back. It seems my subordinates, who were having their meals, were surprised by Jest’s voice coming from my back.
“Jest, come here. Want to try some bread?”
“Human food!? I’ll try it!”
It might be a bit awkward to use the same spoon to divide the soup, but it should be fine to tear off a piece of bread for Jest to taste. Jest fluttered its smaller wings and perched on the table.
“Here.”
I handed a bite-sized piece to Jest, who grabbed my hand and eagerly bit into the bread. A smile spread across my face, reminiscent of my niece Angel’s gestures.
“Is it good?”
“Hmm… The taste isn’t bad, but it’s a bit crumbly.”
Well, compared to magic stones, it’s bound to be crumbly. Suddenly, I remembered some leftover cookies I made back at my family’s cottage.
“How about these?”
Once again, Jest grabbed my hand and chewed on the cookie, then looked at me eagerly.
“These are delicious! What are they?! I want more!”
With sparkling eyes, Jest took several pieces from my hand and began eating them on its own. Oops, I can’t just stand here watching; I need to finish my meal quickly. I left the remaining cookies on the table and hurried to finish my meal.
“They’re tasty, huh?”
I wonder if dragons enjoying sweets is the same as humans, or maybe they just like sweet things. That’s something to investigate later. For now, I need to report to the royal castle… even though I really don’t want to go.
“Alright, let’s go. If you behave well at the royal castle, I’ll make more cookies for you.”
“Is it called a cookie? It’s a promise!”
As I stood up to clear the tray with dishes, Jest slipped into the gap between my back and my cloak. It seems Jest has already decided that my back is its designated spot. As I headed towards the royal castle, I could see the kitchen staff frozen in surprise, but I trusted that Orel and the others would explain as we made our way.