I, reincarnate as the leader of the villainous knight order

Chapter 74: I Did It

After breakfast, and since the cleanup for evacuation was also done, I headed to the house of the Dwarf leader to pay my respects.

During that time, those who had taken swords were going to retrieve their swords.

However, because they didn’t know the exact addresses of the ones who had them, their loud calls echoed throughout the settlement.

In the worst-case scenario, it would be fine to ask the chief to gather craftsmen and have them returned. Just because they were Dwarves didn’t mean they were all blacksmiths, so the number of available people should be limited.

“Oh, you’ve come. I heard earlier that Azure was heading to the capital. If that’s the case, it’ll become harder to obtain Dragon scales as materials. We might not do it immediately, but some of us Dwarves might also go to the capital. Can we ask you to arrange accommodation when that happens?”

As soon as we met, the chief said that.

“Is that okay? It would be appreciated if you could work as a group of craftsmen employed by the country… Bosco, who was mentioned yesterday, is also affiliated there, so if you’re willing to show your skills there, I’ll inform His Majesty. Since we belong to the Third Knight Order, we’re close by, so we can lend a hand if needed.”

“Hmm… Then, where could I be accepted? Since I have a child, should I also make a contract as your familiar?”

“Eh!?”

To such an unexpected statement, both the chief and I exclaimed simultaneously.

“Hoho, it’s just a suggestion. …But that could actually work.”

It seemed like she said something at the end while hiding her mouth, but I couldn’t make it out.

“Well, if Jest’s mother is coming, she would probably want to stay with Jest, so she could stay with the Third Knight Order if she wishes. Or if she wants to stay in her humanoid form, she could rent or buy a house.”

“Oh, that would be appreciated. So, are you planning to call me Jest’s mother all the time? Even if it’s temporary, it’s fine. You can use any name.”

Indeed, calling her that all the time would be quite challenging. It’s definitely awkward to say Jest’s mother every time.

“A name, huh… If that’s the case, why not something similar to Jest… Yes, how about Jeanne?”

Since she’s going to fight against the evil god, and considering she’s treated as a saint who fought as the goddess of victory, that name should be just right.

“Not bad. Say it again.”

“Jeanne.”

As I uttered the name again, a familiar sensation washed over me.

“Is… this a lie…!?”

“Hehehe, I’ll be counting on you from now on, my lord…”

Seeing Jeanne’s smile as if to say “I did it,” I finally realized that she had intended from the beginning to make me enter into a familiar contract.

“…Is it okay? Jeanne is probably a dragon who has lived for two hundred years, right? And yet, to become a familiar of a mere human…”

“Since my lord will only live for a hundred years anyway, there’s no problem with forming a familiar contract just for fun during that period. Besides… If there are no restrictions when I head to the capital, won’t the humans be fearful? If my lord, who has made a familiar contract with Jest, the boy, is there, it will surely provide a sense of security to those around.”

Rather, it seems like she hasn’t considered at all the danger of my existence being seen as a threat. To have made a familiar contract with two dragons, I’m probably the first in history. Next to Jeanne, the chief was frozen with his eyes and mouth wide open.

“Um… It seems like the chief is quite shocked, but is everything okay?”

“What? I thought you were going to come back here after defeating the evil god, but if you’ve entered into a familiar contract, then the situation changes, doesn’t it!? It means you won’t come back until this human race dies!”

“Hold on, I never intended to tie you down to my place. I think it’s fine for you to live here in the mountains as usual.”

If a beauty like her were wandering around in the Third Knight Order, it wouldn’t be surprising if someone with impure thoughts emerged, even knowing she’s a dragon.

I thought that way, but the chief shook his head.

“No, it seems that when you make a familiar contract, being near the master feels comfortable. It’s said that it’s fine for a few days, but if you’re always apart, it feels unsettling. Tamers are usually always with their familiars, right? With a familiar contract, the bond becomes even deeper. It seems to be different with summoned beasts though.”

Huh? Then I would have preferred that option. When I thought that and looked at Jeanne, she avoided my gaze.

“In a summoning contract, you can only eat sweets when you’re called.”

Wait a minute, are you saying you made the contract not because you wanted to be with Jest but because you were lured by sweets!? Technically, it’s more about magic power than sweets, but is that okay, dragon?

“Anyway… I sense something strange coming from the direction of the royal capital.”

“Hm? You mentioned sensing something strange from the direction of the Western Forest, is it similar?”

“Yeah, but the strange feeling suddenly disappeared last time, so it seems I was wrong about it being a sign of Stampede.”

I had an idea of what they were talking about. Given our approximate location, what they’re talking about is probably about the Taleraan Marchioness’ territory. And if they’re sensing the precursor of Stampede from the royal capital… could it be…

“It seems we need to hurry back. Let’s depart as we are. Jeanne, are you coming with us now or with the dwarves?”

“It might be inconvenient to go from here to the royal capital without the dwarves. I’ll go with them to the royal capital. If something happens, you can send Jest, and now that he’s learned to transform, even if I’m not there, I can ask someone else to deliver a message.”

“I see! If it’s Jest, he can fly in his dragon form and contact Orel, right! Thanks, then I’ll wait in the royal capital.”

“Yes, please wait for me there, Master.”

I hurriedly wrote a letter and entrusted it to Jest. It said we were heading to the royal capital due to the possibility of Stampede or similar dangers, and we’d return quickly. It’s a bit disappointing that Orel won’t get to see Jest in his human form.

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Next time, we’ll switch to Ernest’s perspective in the royal capital.