LIGHTNOVELWORLD Chapter 49 - Chapter 49: Original Size
Chapter 49: Original Size
“I will report to His Majesty about this morning’s disturbance! Please, inform His Majesty!”
“T-This is Knight Commander Vandière! I will inform His Majesty immediately!”
One of the gatekeepers rushed inside in a fluster.
“His Majesty… is the most important person in this country, right?”
“What was that!?”
Jest’s words should only sound like squeaks to everyone else except me.
“Don’t worry about it. I’ll report everything to His Majesty, including that. Let’s go.”
“Yes, sir!”
The gatekeeper saluted and let me pass. Handing over my beloved Eleanor to the stable keeper at the entrance of the royal castle, I entered and was guided to the waiting room by one of the attendants. I felt like the stable keeper gave me a double take earlier, but I’ll lose if I let it bother me.
At this time, it’s probably just after breakfast. I might have to wait a bit, but if I make it in time for the morning assembly, it’ll be fine.
“Aren’t you going to meet His Majesty?”
“What!?”
The attendant waiting in the room looked at me with surprise.
“Keep it down; there are reasons for this.”
“Yes.”
The attendant, looking at me conversing with Jest with an uneasy expression, distanced himself nervously. I can’t blame him.
After a while, the chief attendant came to call for me.
Handing my sword to the attendant in the waiting room, I headed to His Majesty’s private chambers. This time, it seems it’s not an official visit, but rather a personal matter that needs confirmation beforehand.
“Your Majesty, Knight Commander Vandière is here.”
“Let him in.”
If it’s just for a brief visit to the private chambers, I didn’t need to come in full dress armor. With such thoughts, I entered. His Majesty, who was somewhat less formal than usual, was there.
“Good morning, Your Majesty. You’re likely aware of the commotion this morning, but I’ve come to report the details.”
“Yes, I heard. Please, have a seat and speak.”
“My apologies.”
“My apologies too!”
Jest mimicked my formal greeting with excitement. While the chief attendant had been preparing tea moments ago, there was suddenly silence. I even stopped in mid-sit.
“…What was that?”
His Majesty was clearly concerned about what just happened behind me. I had sat down on the sofa with my cloak draped over it.
“That was a dragon that has formed a contract with me. Jest, come out.”
“Yes.”
Jest wriggled out from under my cloak and perched on my knee.
“Hehe, I was really good, wasn’t I? I behaved myself properly, right?” Jest puffed out his chest proudly towards me.
“Yeah, you were good. But if you could’ve been a little quieter, you would’ve been even better,” I praised him while patting his head. However, it seemed like he ignored the part about being quieter and happily rubbed his face against the hand that was petting him.
“Vandière, did you just… mention a familiar contract rather than taming?” His Majesty’s hand pointing at me was trembling. Well, that’s understandable. The last recorded instance of forming a contract with a dragon was about forty years ago. Moreover, it happened in another country, so this would likely be the first time it’s happened in our kingdom.
“Yes, allow me to explain in order.” I openly disclosed everything from this morning’s deployment, my initial encounter with Jest, the High Priest’s scheme and the matter of the Saint, to forming a contract with Jest after taming him. After hearing everything, His Majesty’s state was as follows:
“What in the world… I’ve had suspicions about Ernest’s involvement before, but I never imagined he would go this far…! However, bringing the Saint to the capital is an accomplishment, but putting the capital in jeopardy for that is unacceptable. There’s no way Ernest is involved in this! Victor! Summon Ernest immediately!”
“Yes, right away.”
As expected of the Chief Attendant, despite His Majesty being in such a state, he remained as composed as ever. He gave instructions to the attendant waiting outside and sent a knight from the First Knight Order along with them to Ernest.
The entrance to His Majesty’s private chambers intentionally has a thin door, so only trusted individuals are stationed there. This is to ensure quick action in case of any abnormalities and to shorten the time needed for explanations in such situations.
“So, Vandière, according to your story, is it that the small dragon on your knee was the size of a building? And yet, it just looks like an adorable little hatchling.”
It seems His Majesty is skeptical about Jest.
“Jest, His Majesty wants to see how big you really are. Can you grow bigger?”
“Yeah, sure! Okay then…”
“Wait, wait! If you become your original size here, the room will collapse! Outside, do it outside! Be careful not to damage any buildings or gardens!”
“Yes.”
When Jest opened the window with magic, a chilly breeze flowed in. After moving to the center of the courtyard from the window, Jest let out a slightly different cry from when he shrank, and he changed back to the same size as when I first saw him.
“Wow…! This is a magnificent dragon! Moreover, it seems to understand what Vandière says, just as expected from a familiar contract.”
While His Majesty was delighted, the people inside the castle who noticed Jest started to stir. It couldn’t be helped since the incantation for resizing was heard.
“Your Majesty, shall we end it here? Since everyone has started to make a commotion, I’ll take him back.”
“Indeed! To think it would return to its previous size. Dragon magic is truly remarkable.”
“Jest! Shrink down and come back!”
Ignoring His Majesty muttering to himself, I instructed Jest, who then shrank back with magic. A few minutes later, a large group of knights from the First Knight Order swarmed into His Majesty’s private chambers, adding to the chaos.