The Sleeping Devil

After breakfast, we nobles of House Claira moved straight to the parlour for a meeting with the members of the Beriard family.

Since the Lord suddenly visited this mansion the other day, I've lost count of how many times I've collapsed onto the floor. Yet, amidst my confusion, before I could catch up with understanding, the Lord dispelled our worries one by one. My daughter's engagement, her disappearance, and Kyle's imprisonment. Even the pressure from Count Gernika had vanished as if it were all a bad dream.

I caused such problems. There might be a halt in support or even a deprivation of my title. Whatever discussions might arise, I've resolved to face them sincerely.

"The conversation begins with the Dragon Wardens," said Sheriel-sama, who will become Sarah's guardian, with a serious look, followed by a clearing of the throat beside me. I, too, found myself swallowing hard without being able to give a proper response.

"I've heard that in Klayla, citizens shed blood, riding horses as decoys. If the dragon descends upon the town again, we wish for all the nobles to lead wyverns and guide them to the Devil's Forest," Sheriel-sama continued, seemingly concerned about the sacrifices of the people. Nobles are supposed to protect the common folk. Perhaps they don't condone nobles sacrificing commoners for their own survival. However, having the noble spirit alone won't suffice for being a Dragon Warden.

"Of course, we are prepared to act as decoys. But if we are wiped out before the citizens, we would lose coordination with the knights and the Lord. Therefore, the people are buying time for us," I explained.

"It's the assumption of being wiped out that's the issue," she overturned the fundamental nature of the Wardens' job. Yet, she didn't seem to mock it or find it amusing. Although she appeared as a small, still-young girl, it was evident she genuinely cared about Klayla.

"The dragons derive nourishment from magical energy, don't they? Rather than deliberately stimulating them to perceive people as prey, I think guiding them skillfully to the Devil's Forest would be a better approach for both parties."

I recalled the tragedy of my childhood. Although dragons are said to have descended upon this land only a few times, my generation experienced it. It happened when my grandfather ruled this land.

The citizens, one by one, mounted horses, brandishing metal, waving their arms as if inviting the dragon closer.

From this mansion atop the rocky hill, all I could do was watch as one by one, people were consumed by the dragon.

But come to think of it, indeed, there seemed to be quite a bit of time before the first person was consumed. The dragon descended multiple times, swooping close to the people, then rising again, observing.

We were taught desperately to divert the dragon's attention away from the town, but perhaps, as Sheriel-sama suggested, they were not initially perceived as prey. Then why did we...

"Does this mean that the sacrifices made by Klayla's people were in vain?"

My voice unintentionally took on an accusatory tone. Neither Sheriel-sama nor the Lord were at fault. However, an indigestible feeling pierced my chest.

"It wasn't in vain. If we had left the lost dragon alone, it would have headed towards towns and cities where magical energy accumulates. Stimulated by screams and the movements of fleeing people, it would attack. Therefore, the fact that Klayla's people saved many lives is true. They've done well so far."

The comforting words of the young girl settled within me, and I recalled the image of my grandfather taking flight on a wyvern. The dragon, having already devoured several people, sensed my grandfather and ignored the town and its people, pursuing him instead. It must have been my grandfather's magical aura that caused that.

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Do dragons get attracted not by blood, but by magical energy?

"We won't know if it's feasible until we investigate further. But don't you think it's worth trying? The children I saw this morning were quiet and well-behaved."

Does the "good children" refer to the dragons? When I heard about going to find the dragons, I recoiled, but seeing the figure returning with a small dragon made my blood run cold, leaving me even more drained of magical energy.

Since then, I haven't been able to talk to Sarah or Kyle. What on earth happened?

"Were there other dragons besides that baby dragon?"

"Yes, there were adult dragons, a black one and a green one, napping. They got a little upset because of the fuss we caused, but seeing them curled up with bodies as big as houses was quite endearing."

The girl, with a dreamy expression, flushed cheeks, and sparkling eyes, might be mistaking the dragon for another small creature. It shouldn't be something to adore in that manner...

Feeling uncertain if my senses had gone awry, I glanced briefly at those around me from Klayla, all of whom had stopped and were wide-eyed.

Wait, didn't someone say they were just scolded? Could it be that the dragon woke up?

"Sheriel-sama, did that dragon really wake up...?"

"Just for a little while. It seemed to respond to our magical energy, I apologize for that. After that little one appeared, it got a bit upset, but it went back to sleep quickly."

Oh, how dreadful...

For us, a dragon waking up is a natural disaster. Like a storm that might cause damage or even collapse an entire town. Faced with such a disaster, if they safely return, it might indeed be true that the dragon won't indiscriminately attack people.

"If it means no one becomes a sacrifice, there's no reason for us not to comply. However, the issue lies in whether we can escape on wyverns."

"Yes, it's scary at first. Also, we don't know when the lost dragon might appear again, and practicing might be difficult. Ciel... when that baby dragon we picked up grows bigger, shall we have a few races?"

Huh? Does Sheriel-sama intend to raise that baby dragon? And races?

Once again, my thoughts couldn't catch up, and cold sweat trickled down my back. Unable to give a coherent response, as I stumbled in my words, Kyle's father, Jael, spoke and snapped me back into focus.

"Sheriel-sama, may I have a word?"

"Yes, of course."

"Could you entrust that responsibility to our family members? This time, my son Kyle saved the Lord's life. If it's possible, we'd like to repay this kindness through generations by taking on that role."

"No, Jael. It's not just you who saved the child. I can't just leave it all to you."

"It's fine. The Claira family has the duty of governing the town. Even if we eventually split the duties, let us handle it initially."

Once he decides on something, he's stubborn. Kyle must have inherited much of Jael's blood. I remembered feeling oddly convinced a year ago when I heard Kyle had fled with Sarah. I couldn't argue further with Jael.

"We'll have to start training with the wyverns from now on. It might be good for Ciel to visit the castle regularly and get used to dragons while having fun."

Sheriel-sama nodded and took a sip of her tea, exhaling gently. Filled with disbelief at the unexpected proposal, I realized Sheriel-sama hadn't finished speaking yet.

"Next, it's about the mud found in Klayla. What do you think about selling it? The trading company will handle it, and it could be a good job for the people of Klayla, don't you think?"

"Mud? Selling mud...?"

Mud is everywhere, isn't it? Just like roadside pebbles aren't marketable, there's no value in mud either. Perhaps this mud seemed rare because it was unfamiliar. But she's such a clever young lady. Could it be... is she planning some sort of scam involving the entire territory?

"Doesn't the mud here contain magical properties? I've heard it can be mixed with herbs to make poultices. Since the production cost can be kept low, it could be a good business."

Indeed, mud is used for treatments here... But is there no healing effect in the mud from other places? I've never mentioned the act of applying mud to other nobles. We, who are constantly in a position to be ridiculed, cannot afford any further embarrassment.

"I don't think nobles would accept using mud. Even if it's sold to commoners, won't they go and collect it themselves?"

"If commoners gather here, that's fine. We need laborers. Also, it's because of the volcanic group that this mud contains magical properties. It should be something that can't be replicated elsewhere."

Could it be... my heart thumped. Is it possible for value to emerge in Klayla, a place with nothing but rocky hills? To the townsfolk, who live meagerly as mere sacrificial offerings and rely on aid, having a job...

Faint hope made my heart race, and my hands trembled. I concentrated on Sheriel-sama's following words, not wanting to miss a single one.

"We won't know until we investigate, but rather than mud, the clay found here might have more uses. It needs a bit of processing, but it could become a beauty product like a clay pack or a cosmetic replacing face powder. I've experimented a bit locally, and with the right research and production facilities, it can be sufficiently commercialized."

"Clay pack?" I found the unfamiliar term intriguing and asked for more details, and Sheriel-sama kindly explained its uses. Apparently, removing small stones and gravel, drying it once, then finely grinding it. Mixing the powder with water or honey and applying it on the face could yield beauty benefits. Moreover, clay comes in different colors, and when mixed as powder, it could have cosmetic applications.

Even in this rural town, news from within the Beriard's territory reaches us. The current Lady of the estate, Lady Dior, is keen on beauty, so trade in beauty products has been active in recent years.

If Klayla's mud could enter the market as beauty products...

A shiver ran down my spine. My heartbeat quickened, and despite being sweaty, my body began to tremble.

Klayla would change...

"T-this kind of... dream-like story, is it really true?"

"We still need a bit more research. My mother has been urging me for new products lately, so this is just perfect. Ah, and there's one more thing I'd like to ask."

"Anything, please."

"Could you take in the commoner children I brought here? We're going to take them to the north for treatment, and if they recover, they'll stay in town."

When the Lord was here, he had brought several commoner children with him. They seemed to have been on the verge of being sold in a black market auction, and when I peered into the carriage, they were all sitting listlessly with empty eyes.

If there's to be clay excavation in Klayla, there will likely be a shortage of manpower. The town has many elderly residents, and even if we call back the young ones working outside, there are only a dozen or so households. It was appreciated and agreed upon without hesitation from our side.

"Is it alright for me to receive such great blessings?"

"You're exaggerating. It's almost like one of my whims."

Her suggestion was too grand to be called a mere whim of a young girl; it felt more like a blessing from the gods.

For years, I've made my daughter Sarah endure hardships and was on the verge of losing her. An inadequate father who couldn't do anything. Even as a noble in town among the people, I felt inferior, merely surviving as a sacrifice.

In the midst of those gloomy days, I held onto the belief in the duty of being a dragon keeper to protect my heart.

That life might change from now on.

The pulsing hope in my chest resembled the exhilaration felt during the baptismal ceremony.

We've been blessed by this girl once again.

To leave a legacy of pride born in this land for future generations, I can't just clench my fists and endure it.

Let it change, if it doesn't, alongside the town of Klayla.