“So, Asagao, we decided that we will give you a job befitting of your public image. Since you strongly insisted to the point you glared at us earlier…”

“W-Where is this coming…?”

I was taken aback by Violetta’s words.

While we are dilly-dallying and basking in the sun, she suddenly calls out to me and told me so. Of course, I showed an astonished countenance because I am honestly lost for words.

I turn my sight toward Fonfon and as our eyes meet, he grins playfully like a child. I get the feeling that he persuaded Violetta as soon as we left the dining hall or even talked about it with her privately.

“W-Well, I guess if you agreed to it, there’s no problem now.”

“Yeah, I’ll brief you on it later. For now, let’s talk about Ashfon’s return announcement. Of course, your presence is much needed so we’ll have you dress up again.”

“Me?! Again?!”

“It’s just for this afternoon. I know that you are becoming more of a…tomboy I guess?”

“I…I was once a male you know!”

“Pfft! And I think you are really meant to be a girl.”

“Why go all the way to pop my remaining ego as a guy?!”

I strongly exclaimed that gained Violetta and the others a light chuckle. I am really honest about what I said but they are taking me lightly.

“All that said Asagao, I want you to take a little breather from your training. Rest for a while and soon we will have you try a various dress. You’ve grown a lot mysteriously so we need a more fitting clothes for you.”

Fonfon’s reacted at the word grow. He turns to look at me and stare at me with observing eyes. He looks at me from top to bottom and after several seconds, he nodded.

“Stop that…that’s actually creepy…”

“No, I didn’t notice it before. Asagao…you really did grew?!”

“Y-Yeah…I guess I grew overall.”

It may not be noticeable but my height, some features, and although it is originally flat, I grew some breasts, a subtle amount that can be lightly pinched and massage. I never tried it before but ever since destroying Erestivatria, I tried exploring this body more.

I…I never thought THAT looks so weird!

Fonfon suddenly stood up and walk closer to me. Without any warning or gesture, he reaches out to my armpits and brought me up effortlessly. His arms easily carried me that I am hanging from his hands alone…

“I never knew it! You’re always so small and light.”

“It’s not fun being carried like this. Please put me down, I’ve worked up some sweat earlier so it’s a little embarrassing…”

“Asagao…never smelled foul. No, it is accurate to say that you always have this young scent that’s pleasant to everyone’s nose.”

I’m not used to getting a weird compliment like this.

More like, why is Alstroe nodding from that notion? Come to think of it, Higan said the same thing, she even mentioned that I smell the best in the morning, like a freshly awakened flower.

Unless I dive into a puddle of dirt or something disgustingly dirty, I think I will never ever smell bad. Thinking back, there was no instance that I felt stinky unless provided by the situation.

I’d like to ask mother about it but I am already expecting a bullshit answer like because we are higher beings or that a young girl will never smell bad…

This world is just so absurd that I adapted to accept everything…

Not learned, adapted…

Taking my mind off the trivial things, something hit my mind and I look at Violetta. Catching my gaze, Violetta quizzically looks at my direction.

I started talking to her all the while I am struggling from Fonfon who started embracing me nonchalantly.

“What’s wrong Asagao? Need help?”

“No…Violetta. Remember what we talked about before?”

“Ah…yes…Would you like to go now? Are you prepared?”

A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

“Yes, I’d like to go right away.”

“Such request in this situation…very well.”

Fonfon, Lily, and Edelweiss look at us with confused countenance. They have no idea what we are talking about and only Alstroe knew what we are going to do.

“Fon, Asagao and I need to go somewhere. Could you possibly let her go?”

“All of a sudden? Just when I’m having fun.”

“You of all people needs to prepare the most. You already had too much free time to spare. It is time for you to return to your duties as a king and stop dumping all of the work to Ishtal.”

“……”

Fonfon stares at Violetta with a neutral countenance. No indication of emotions or anything in his face and in return, Violetta also stares at him with the same monotonous gaze as if they are trying to talk with each other.

Fonfon concedes by closing his eyes mixed with a sigh that seemingly dejected. He let go of me and put me down gently as rubs my head one last time.

“I understand. Not only I neglected my responsibility to Asagao as her older brother but also ignored my subject’s woes. What a terrible king I am.”

“We have a lot of situations at hand that Ishtal and I forced back for a minimum time of delay concerning diplomatic problems, the meetings with the other Kings and Queens, and lastly, our contribution to the Center Continent’s reformation.”

“Heaps of job to do…Then I guess I need to break a leg too. Lily and Edelweiss, I want you to send out people and preemptively announce my return using posters. I’ll talk to Ishtal concerning the nobles and lords. Let’s head out.”

Lily and Edelweiss saluted to Fonfon as if they are on duty. They immediately turn their back and walk away in haste.

Fonfon then looks at me one last time.

“I just noticed it but you don’t look so emotional when we met again.”

“Hmm…I think I got tired of all the melodrama. It kind of pisses me that you slept on us like that.”

“That stings…”

“But I am honestly glad that you are okay. I really don’t need to shed tears to prove that do I?”

“I don’t know, I’m not sure about that Asagao. It’s either you really don’t miss me or you miss someone else. I heard you even confessed to someone.”

“AH! Let’s not go there! Fine, let’s do something together once you are free, alright? With that, we can spend time with each other, right?”

“That’s a fine little sister!”

“Go, shoo. Do your job. We’ll be seeing each other in the castle so don’t be so emotional!”

“Well then, see you later.”

“Go!”

Fonfon left while looking back at me with a smile and wave.

When I think about it, he just suddenly appeared before when I woke up with that weird dream. I felt no surge of sad emotion but only gladness and relief that he is not in harm anymore.

Admittingly, I am a little scared that Astlan’s Ira might have already consumed him. I’m glad that didn’t happen.

“Asagao, do we need to take Alstroemeria too?”

“Yeah. Master and Alstroe are friends…in some ways.”

I look at Alstroe who is quietly listening to us. I feel like she is abiding the lesson of do not interrupt a talk between two adults since she became a child herself. I really got to give Miss Cecille some credits for raising Alstroe to be a good girl.

Although she can become unintentionally destructive sometimes…

“I see, then, who do you want to go first?”

“Master…if possible.”

I said it timidly.

I don’t what Violetta feels about me or the matter about Master. Reluctancy came over to me when I thought of visiting master first but I am a little glad and nervous that I said it.

Is Violetta still envious of me? Is she going to be mad if I ask about it?

“It’s fine. Come, I’ll open up a warp.”

I answer her beckoning and step forward towards her together with Alstroe who closely follows me from behind.

Seeing that I am a bit reluctant, she took the initiative and walks in my direction.

Upon so, she immediately conjured a warp in front of us.

“Lies beyond here is the dragon continent where I buried Mrothgir myself. Asagao, are you sure you already sorted your feelings?”

“I’m not. I am sure that I haven’t sorted anything yet but even so, I feel like it is time for me to give him a visit. I’ve been…scared to do so and unwilling but now I want to.”

“Then, step forward Asagao.”

“Yes!”

Violetta told me so and I brace myself. I slowly lifted my foot from the ground and with heavy steps, I pass through the warp. The sensation of the warp taking my body to a faraway place is like experiencing a slight jet lag.

And…before I knew it, the warp took me in a rocky and hot place. The sight of the vast sea immediately beheld in my eyes so I guess this is somewhat a mountain or high ground. The wind brings a warm breeze that produces a gusty sound.

Finally, in front of me few steps away is a tomb with a horn embedded to it, however, that’s not only it. There is a man who is more than two feet in height standing near the tomb holding a bottle of seeming alcohol.

Noticing my presence the man turns around revealing his olden face but a robust face. He has two horns and a scale under his jaw indicating that he is a Dragon Kin.

“Oh, if it isn’t the Great Asagao Lionheart, the one who gave salvation to this world with her divine light.”

“O-Old man P’rthcor?”

“Aye, I am grateful that you still remember my name and face.”

“You helped us a lot back then! There’s no way I’d forget about you!”

“Ohohoho! Well then, I am about to leave too.”

P’rthcor said but before he could even take a step, Violetta and Alstroe came out from the warp. P’rthcor already knew that I am not alone and wants to avoid talking to other people as possible but Violetta called out to him.

“Hey, wait!”

“Please do not mind me. I am just paying respect to my ancestor. I am nothing sort of significant.”

“No, I wanted to extend my gratitude for that, for giving Mrothgir a visit, you are already giving honor to his brother.”

“I know. You intentionally buried him atop of the place where Great Ancestor Crothgir died, right?”

“Is it unsatisfactory to an ancient dragonkin?”

“…No. On the contrary, the White Dragon Sage and the Black Dragon Warlord would be really honored to be buried side by side. You might as well think that you gave them a favor.”

“I see. Thank you…”

“Girl…you are carrying his last and direct descendant, right?”

“How did you…?!”

“Mysteriously, us old folks are way intuitive like a woman. Hahaha!”

“It is truly mysterious…”

“You ought to take care that child now. That and that little missy over there. Oh, as well as that another child with silver hair.”

“That goes without saying.”

“Well then, this is truly the time where I take my leave.”

From the talk and conversation alone, I am guessing that we are atop of Master’s brother, the massive Black Dragon Warlord, or more known as the Lost Capital Hujinn.

People like him are so enigmatic. Even more, they are outgoing and cheerful to the point that it is rare to see this side of them.

P’rthcor then begin walking away from us…

I’d say…why not just fly…?

Leaving that aside, as soon as his visage became unseeable, Violetta, Alstroe, and I then faces the tombstone.

I started walking towards the tombstone and kneels with one knee and greeted it.

“It’s been a while, Master.”

No response, that’s natural. I’d jump out of my undies if he replied or something.

However, now that I have come at this point, I don’t even know what to say. I can’t utter a word or even show any emotion. I don’t know what kind of face I should be doing right now. It’s difficult to do anything right in front of him.

Alstroe then started walking towards Master’s tomb and sat down in front of it.

“Murot, you look weirder than ever. You are bad for leaving people behind you know.”

“T-that’s not it, Alstroe! Master is…!”

“Hmm?”

“Alstroe…?”

She is not looking towards the tombstone. Violetta also notices that Alstroe’s sight is actually directed behind the tomb.

Alstroe tilted her head quizzically and grins.

“No, no, I can’t. I already told them. Ahehehe, you really are weird Murot.”

At this point, I can feel my blood draining from my face. I turn my sight towards Violetta and she has the same countenance seemingly confused and horrified.

I heard that some children’s sees something that grown-ups cannot. I wonder if that also applies to Alstroe since she is a child right now or she is just naturally childish.

“Alstroe…who are you talking to?

“Eh? Can’t you see it? There are Murot and another guy with black clothes. They both have horns. They are actually waving at us and smiling. They told me not to tell but I already did. Ehehe!~”

“I see…”

Scary!