Seikoku no Ryuu Kishi: Volume 2 Chapter 2

Chapter 2 - Ironblood Valkyrie

Part 1

The following morning, Ash was having his ecology class.

As usual, Eco in her uniform also attended the class, but since the class lecture is too abstruse…...

"Huff…... puff ......"

She was fast asleep on the table.

"……In other words, Strada’s element is wind, Asia’s element is wind/earth, and Hydra’s element is water."

The one standing on the lectern lecturing all the students is Professor Angela. She has an unusual concern about Eco as a researcher, Ash did not wish to let her gain opportunities to approach Eco…...

"Well, what is the Maestro’s element?"

Angela questioned with a stern tone, and her eyes fell on the name list.

"This question….. let's have Princess Silvia answer it."

Even after she had been called out by Angela, Silvia just gazed blankly outside the window.

"Princess? What’s the problem?"

Angela continued to question her, but Silvia remains silent.

"Geez……. Jessica Valentine, please answer."

"Yes!"

Jessica who was named stood up from her seat energetically.

"A Maestro’s element is light."

Jessica proudly replied, but Angela sneered back.

"Correct answer…... although I would like to say that, unfortunately I can only give you half the marks. A Maestro’s element is light, but not only that, Maestros also completely inherit the element that it is born with. In other words, A Maestro who was once a Strada has both light and wind elements……”

"Hey, Ash. Is anything wrong with the Princess?"

Raymond who was not paying attention to Angela’s explanation asked Ash.

Ash sighed.

"She...... Since she heard that the ‘Ironblood Valkyrie’ is coming to Ansarivan, she always seems to be distracted. Looks like she has received a great impact…..."

Raymond seems confused.

"‘Ironblood Valkyrie’ is the Princess’s elder sister by blood, right? What possible impact could she receive from that message?"

"About this, I’m not sure......"

"Do the two of you need my explanations?"

Suddenly someone interrupted their conversation. Ash was shocked.

“Cosette? Why are you here?"

Cosette was sitting obediently in an empty seat, and she was also wearing the standard uniform for maids who are serving the royals. It was hard to not notice her.

"Hehehe. Her Royal Highness Princess is dispirited, I must guard her quietly from the shadows. I also have received the permission from Angela-sensei."

"You call this quietly from the shadows...... However, I really do care about the reason that she is suffering."

"You are concerned about her as her classmate? Or as a man?"

Ash suddenly felt his cheeks turn hot.

"Y-You, what are you talking about! Princess and I had fought alongside as comrades and we are both members of the Student Council. It's normal that I’m concerned about her."

"Are you sure? Then I take it that you are telling the truth. Hehe."

Cosette, after her mischievous smile, jumped back into the topic.

"Her Royal Highness Veronica is a well-known warrior. She has a militant-like attitude, which is also the reason that Princess was forced to do a lot of training when she was young."

“The training, was it tough?"

"In fact…... I’m not exaggerating if I say she was living in hell every day. The Princess had not only been pushed into lakes, she was also sent to the ruins to do exploration, climbed the city walls, or was brought to well-known haunted forests to learn to survive in the wild...... "

Ash is dumbfounded.

"I think that is plain bullying......"

"Incidentally, I played the role of the ghost in the forest."

"Come on! How come you are also one of the culprits!?"

Perhaps Silvia's timid side is because of Veronica (and Cosette)…... Ash thought so.

"Because of the shadow of her childhood, Her Royal Highness Veronica has become a symbol of terror in the eyes of the Princess......”

"I see…..."

Leaving alone her violent attitude, it seems that Veronica has a lot of personality problems. Ash, as one of the Student Council members, must greet this downright "difficult" Princess no matter what.

Just by imagining it, Ash had a headache.

Raymond muttered with a grin:

"The title ‘Ironblood’ is not just for show. However, Ash...... I also like women who are strong."

"Don’t you worry. I won’t ever care what kind of girl you like…..."

"….. Strada, Asia and Hydra…... what conditions do they require in order to become a Maestro?"

Even when Ash is troubled, Angela’s lesson, of course, will not be interrupted.

"Ash, please answer this question."

"What? Me?"

Rather abruptly called, Ash appear to feel embarrassed.

Angela's sight was as sharp as a scalpel. Just by being stared by her made you feel as if you are lying on the operation table waiting to be butchered.

On the other hand, that dangerous glare, at the same time, seemed to fall on Eco, who was sleeping.

Ash's spine shuddered. From his seat he silently stood.

“Uh-h…... I don’t know."

"Correct."

"I'm sorry ... what? Correct?"

Angela revealed a playful smile.

"That’s right. About the reasons the dragons transform into a Maestro, there are different opinions among scholars; the truth has yet to be found out."

Angela closed the textbook and looked around the students.

"However, the old record shows that all dragons will eventually become a Maestro naturally. Although from the verge of extinction the number of Maestros dropped significantly, but logically each dragon should qualify to become a Maestro."

The students immediately turned into quite a storm.

It was also the first time that Ash heard about it.

"That is why the existence of a Breeder had become a problem. Why now in the modern times, dragons that died before they become a Maestro had become the Majority...... perhaps, the key factor of becoming a Maestro is in the hands of a Breeder."

The school bell that announced the class dismissal sounded at that time.

Silvia, under Cosette's assistance, shakily left the classroom, while Ash had an uneasy feeling.

"The Princess is alright, right......?"

There are six more days before Princess Veronica’s visit……

Even though Silvia still can’t calm down, the days of Princess Veronica’s visit are nearing.

Why did Veronica choose this period to visit Ansarivan?

"Officially 'This visit is to inspect the Ansarivan City which was under attack'", but according to the rumour, Veronica is a representative of the Royal Knight’s Hawks.

The inspection should be a cover. The true reason was to investigate the condition of the city and the strength of the Necromancia - this was Rebecca’s point of view.

In fact, Veronica had been involved in the strife between races all across the continent and she has the experience of stopping a war.

It is said that she was only twelve years old during her first expedition.

Even though she was not selected to become a Breeder, Veronica, who needed to overcome her congenital condition which put her at a disadvantage, was extremely powerful and braver than anyone on the battlefield.

She led the way and charged forward, chopping down the enemy mercilessly one by one.

There is a rumour that whenever Veronica swung her sword, three heads were sent flying through the air at the same time.

Wise and strong.

Victorious and has never been at a disadvantage.

There is no swordsman whose skill is on par with her.

Veronica became famous after she killed a basilisk with her sword alone. Even poets turned her achievement into poetry. Basilisks were big, violent lizards. Others see it as the next of kin of an Asia.

The famous Veronica was given the nickname ‘Ironblood Valkyrie’ by the people.

According to Rebecca, once the people heard Veronica is coming to Ansarivan, people suddenly frowned.

Veronica, in order to extinguish the flames of war on the continent, heroically fought in the war in her teens. However she had also indirectly become the cause of problems.

Veronica unconsciously made a lot of enemies.

The remnants of the rebels still wanted to take Veronica’s life. It was not surprising that she could be assassinated at any given time.

Just right after the attack of the Necromancia, another difficult task was received. Anyone can tell that the chief of Ansarivan is now in trouble.

Part 2

The midday bell rang loudly into the sky.

Led by the mayor and the principal, the important figures of the City Council and Academy Council and also the members of the Student Council...... a welcoming group of more than 20 people was lining up at the entrance of the school’s first block waiting for the arrival of Veronica.

"For that Princess Veronica to visit the city personally ...... how long has passed since her previous visit?"

Dr Angela Cornwell, who changed her usual white robes for her rarely seen formal dress, joined the welcome party.

Angela, who unexpectedly became a lecturer recently, was in fact a national treasure that is given a high authority in doing research.

Although all the representatives of Ansarivan were gathered together, for the occasion of welcoming a princess such numbers were regarded to be on a very small scale. Logically speaking, even mobilisation of all the members of the public to hold a grand welcome ceremony would not be unexpected.

However, Veronica was well known for her preferences to keep things simple. They even received prior notice to dispense with all the complicated ceremony, so even the school was operating as usual.

The Students’ Council was represented by Rebecca, Max, Ash, as well as Eco. Not only that, but also the figures of Maestro Cú Chulainn and Maestro Arianrhod could be seen.

Cú Chulainn is Rebecca's Pal and is also truly the Academy’s strongest Maestro.

His silver fur is really dazzling, its unbelievable growth making him unable to put on any mounting gear on his mammoth like body, it makes anyone who saw him stare at him, dumbfounded.

On the other hand, Arianrhod is Max's Pal, although he is already a noble Maestro, but his age is still that of a child. Different from the imposing Cú Chulainn, he is filled with an atmosphere that makes people want to pamper him.

"Hey, Eco, are your really...... are you, too, going to welcome Princess Veronica?"

"What? Do you have something against it?"

Eco joined the welcome party as the mascot of the student’s council, she was wearing the same black dress that she wore during the ceremony before. It seems she has taken quite a liking to it.

That aside, it was the problem with Silvia that made people a lot more worried.

"The Princess, is she really not coming?"

After hearing Ash’s question, Rebecca shrugged her shoulders and sighed.

"Look, if she was scared to that extent, we can't possibly force her to participate in this, right? She seems to have some considerable trauma regarding Veronica."

"It is really hard to believe that she turned out to be so afraid of her own sister……"

"Who's afraid of what?"

The person who interrupted Ash was precisely Silvia herself.

"Princess…...!"

City Council and the School Council immediately bowed respectfully upon the appearance of Silvia.

The Silvia with her status as Princess generously replied "Thanks for your hard work" and approached them.

"Are you all right now?"

Immediately after Ash spoke to her, Silvia exposed a smile brimming with confidence.

Not only did she look pumped up, but also her hair was a lot more glossier than ever. Despite wearing her uniform, she looked a lot more dashing than her usual self.

"Who do you think you're talking to? I'm Silvia Lautreamont! Even though I have displayed an unbecoming side of mine before, but now I’m alright."

"Is that so?......Then I’m relieved."

Although it was surprising that she looked a bit too well, for now that should be enough to be assured……

While Ash was thinking that to himself, Rebecca with a stern tone lectured her.

"How can you be so insouciant? Silvia, as a Dragner, how can you meet your sister without Lancelot?"

Lancelot is also a Maestro, Silvia's Pal. Because of the attacks from a few days ago, Ash has gotten very familiar with that dragon.

"Sorry that there was no prior notice...... Ane-ue, she doesn't really like Lancelot."

Silvia’s answer made Rebecca frown.

"Is this related to Veronica not having been chosen as a Breeder?"

"Well...... It should be something like that."

After throwing a glance at Silvia who gave such strangely ambiguous answer, for some reason Rebecca revealed a merciful smile.

"If that is so, let's leave it like that."

"......?"

Ash couldn't understand what Rebecca is thinking.

At that moment, all the adults began to mutter something.

“I can see it!”

"Oooh! That is Her Royal Highness Veronica's......!"

"They were even able to make such a vehicle!"

"It seems similar to an Empire-made aviation ship ...!"

Ash, too, couldn't help but curiously look up into the blue skies.

A foreign body that could not be natural appeared near the end of the cobalt blue sky.

As the minutes ticked past, from the black dot of that foreign body its outlines were gradually revealed.

That flying body was escorted by seven Dragners.

"......It couldn't be!"

To Ash’s dismay he couldn't help shouting out loud.

By comparing it to the dragons flying alongside, people immediately actually feel the size of the gigantic ship. In contrast to the huge flying object even the dragons that served as the guard looked just like beans.

Standing beside Ash, Rebecca looking sternly, said:

"That is Princess Veronica’s personal plane - the magic airship ‘Silvanus’."

Part 3

—Silvanus.

This is done by Princess Veronique who gathered all the exiled scientists of the Zepharos Empire which successfully developed the beta version of the ship.

Silvanus looking like it is going to occupy the whole piece of open space, slowly landed in front of the school’s block. Like a bird that lands on the lake, the landing was very stable.

The airship design is widely based on a streamlined shape, which make people think that it is a Maestro that has spread its wings.

The red lines together with the white colour armour produced a stunning appearance.

And attached at many locations on the body of the airship are the cannons’ trapdoors.

Ash staring at the magnificent airship dumbly.

He had heard so much about Silvanus but this is the first time he witnessed it with his own eyes.

"This thing is just too big…... How can it fly?"

Seeing that Ash is transfixed in his place, Silvia explained:

"This airship uses Bright Dragon Crystal as fuel. Anee-ue even though she didn’t become a breeder, uses the Dragon’s magic and Mechanical Engineering technology from the Empire to complete Silvanus."

"So literary, it is the Oracle’s power that lets it fly......!"

"That is the way it is. But the only thing that can be used as fuel is a special type of Bright Dragon Crystal called Millennium, so there is no way for mass production."

“Millennium?"

"The dragon fossils in the ground, after a thousand years they may produce crystals with massive power.

"I don’t even know about this......"

"It's just that, Silvanus, compared to the Empire made aviation ship, not only it has a small size, but also the defence has some problems. The place where the armour is weak can only be reinforced with a Dragner, you have seen it right?'

Silvia was right, the seven Dragner served as escort precisely landed each of their dragons on the ground.

Out of the seven Dragner, only the leading one is with an Ark. He is likely the escort’s captain.

"Veronica is going to alight the ship, please do not whisper."

Rebecca with a low voice scolded them, Ash and Silvia had no choice but to keep their mouths shut.

As the crowd watched, Silvanus's door slowly opened followed by operating noise of the gears, the boarding ladder is lowered automatically.

Under the gaze of everyone-.

The Ironblood Valkyrie follow by her footsteps which sound just like iron being hit landed on the ground.

Ash gasped, his eyes fixed on Veronica’s figure.

To say that she is a princess, she looks more like a Valkyrie…... Ash thought so.

It is not surprising that she is Silvia’s sister, the two of them looked identical.

Their dazzling blonde hair and white skin is their common feature.

However, the aura that her tall slender figure emits outshone Silvia.

The important thing is her eyes.

Like an eagle who fixed on its prey from up high.

Her eyes are as sharp as blade. Just by being stared at by her, it feel like the heart had been thoroughly pierced through.

Flipping over her red cloak, Veronica with a loud voice said:

"Thanks to everyone who is here to welcome me. Sorry for the trouble!"

That voice is powerful like a highly resilient whip.

When the cloak is flipped up, instantly, the armour on Veronica’s limbs is exposed.

Obviously they are crafted with steel, heavy and dazzling. Only then Ash realised that the unusual sounds of footsteps are the sounds of her sabatons.

She wore a broad sword which requires both hands to wield. Presumably that sword is the weapon that drew the blood of numerous rebels and the basilisk.

Veronica led the seven escorts marching towards here.

A group led by the mayor panicked and wanted to kneel down and salute, but Veronica with a disgusted look on her face waved them off.

"Please forget about those unnecessary and over-elaborate formalities. More importantly, where is Silvia?"

With the speed of a hawk’s eye, she quickly glance the faces of the crowd.

“We haven’t meet for a long time, Anee-ue. "

Silvia answered Veronica’s call by stepping forward.

"We haven’t met each other in four years, two months and twelve days, my dear sister."

"From the day I left the palace to come to Ansarivan for my school enrolment, we haven’t met each other."

The way Silvia speaks with such fluency is calmer than what he expect.

Ash quietly breathed a sigh of relief.

However-

The next instant, Ironblood Valkyrie revealed her true nature which matches with her nickname.

"I'm really disappointed, Silvia!"

Veronica raised her right hand.

Just when he thought that Silvia was going to be slapped, the next second Ash witnessed an incredible scenario.

Silvia easily avoid Veronica’s palm, and easily jumped five meters off. She even did a summersault in mid-air, and gorgeously landed on the ground.

No matter what, that doesn’t look like a skill of a normal human.

"Are you mad, Anee-ue?"

Silvia smile haughtily.

At least, that is Ash’s first time seeing Silvia laugh that way.

"How dare make fun me...... it seems like you have borrowed some guts from heaven, faker!"

After a moment of silence, Ash cried out in dismay.

"Fake!?"

"Whew…... I already knew such thing."

Rebecca standing beside Ash muttered softly. It seems that Rebecca since long ago had known the truth.

"Tee hee. This action is worthy of Veronica Her Royal Highness."

Originally he thought that Silvia is making some tearing sound, and then her mask together with her blonde hair is ripped off from her face.

And the true face behind the mask is-

"Cosette?"

Ash is dumbfounded.

The 20 people from the welcome party led by the mayor are also speechless from the change of event.

"Sure enough, there is no hiding from the eyes of Veronica Her Royal Highness."

Cosette facing the Ironblood Valkyrie face to face not only she didn’t act timid, she even exposed a happy smile.

"That is obvious, because I didn’t feel any fear from you! Silvia who is not afraid of me is not Silvia!"

"Hehe...... I will use this as a future reference."

Her insolent answer makes Veronica frown.

"I regret that a woman like you is not able to become my underling. How about it, Cosette? It is still never too late. Come and follow me!"

Cosette with a resolute attitude answer.

"The person I serve - is only Princess Silvia Her Royal Highness."

"That kind of timid blond girl, what are her good points?

"Everything about her are her good points. "

Cosette answered without a hint of confusion, everyone beside her is given a shock of their life.

"Tsk…... All the nonsense will stop here. You better quickly admit, where is Silvia?"

"Her Royal Highness Princess......"

While Cosette stiffen her face, trying to wriggle out -

"I... I'm here!"

Silvia in her uniform appeared behind the welcome party.

This time should be correct. Silvia who make the others dismay because of her trembling legs is the best evidence.

"Will Her Royal Highness Princess be alright…...?"

Ash muttered nervously.

"Rest assured, at least her life is safe."

Rebecca calm expression, said those terrifying words.

"You...... you are dismissed, Cosette."

"I will, Princess."

After receiving Silvia’s command, Cosette leaves with a serious expression on her face.

Part 4

Under the gaze of the welcome party and escort, the first Princess and the fourth Princess officially met.

"Anything not alright, my dear sister? Look at your knees, shaking like that?"

"I-I am not...... trembling. Silvia Lautreamont herself wholeheartedly...... welcomes Anee-ue’s arrival."

"Tsk. Seems to me that apart from your breast and your butt, you did not grow at all."

Click ... with the sound of her sabatons, Veronica step forward.

"I’ll say again. Silvia, you disappoint me!"

- WHACK!

A hard and dry sound echoed in all four corners.

Veronica's iron-fisted swing toward Silvia which ended as a slap in the face.

"Sob ...!"

Silvia cannot help but staggered, but she eventually stay firm, however the place that was slapped becomes swollen.

Veronica coldly stare at Silvia and with a plain tone she said:

"... I had already heard the report of the attacks. Rebecca Randall courageously protect the city and also the mysterious person who cleverly drove out the Necromancia are worthy to be praise."

Ash was surprised.

Because the one who drove out the Necromancia was no other than Ash himself.

"But what do you do? Even though there is someone who witnessed Lancelot flying in the sky, but…... you are helplessly circling aimlessly in the sky, right?"

Silvia is speechless and just kept on trembling.

Ash annoyingly clenched his fists.

The information seems like it is not properly conveyed to Veronica. Perhaps the focus is placed on the fact that Ash drove off the Necromancia, resulting in the middle part of the detail having been omitted.

The problem is that, the Silvia and Ash, fought side by side.

Without the assistance of Silvia Ash cannot single-handedly defeat the Necromancia.

Ash is anxious, but Veronica naturally does not know about this, and thus she declare:

"Accept the punishment, Silvia."

Those who are watching, none of them are not looking pale.

Veronica pulled out a the broad-sword hanging around her waist.

there is a silver flash. The sound of the wind whizzing. Without knowing how many blood it drew since the past, the broad sword is shining with a glaring light rushing towards Silvia.

Even when it seems like a two-handed gigantic sword, but Veronica easily held it with one hand. Before there is a chance for anyone to respond- there is a silver flash in front of everyones’ eyes.

The sound of the wind whizzing.

Without knowing how many blood it drew since the past, the broad sword is shining with a glaring light rushing towards Silvia.

"-!"

Silvia's chest was glazed pitifully.

"Her Royal Highness Princess!"

Ash was scared and he scream.

“Silvia-sama! "

"Veronica-sama lost her mind!"

"How could such absurd thing occur!"

"Doctor, quickly call for a doctor!"

The members welcome party one after another starts to moan.

From the beginning of the incident, those who didn’t yelling at all and kept their cool were only Rebecca, Cosette, and Angela.

Silvia who was glazed on her chest hobbled, in the end her butt fell on the ground.

Unbelievably, there is no blood.

And then, her uniform suddenly turn into pieces of fragment of cloth, together with her underclothes which fall off gently - as if the clothing suddenly remembered the fact that they are just Slashed.

"Huh ...?"

Silvia froze a moment looking downward feeling puzzled.

It turned out that Veronica’s slash only cut off her clothes that wrapped around Silvia’s upper body.

Her shoulder is as white as snow, her busty breast, and the contract imprinted on her chest- <Seikoku> all of them are exposed in broad daylight.

"Kyaa......!"

Silvia red in the face scream at the top of her voice, with both her hands, covered her chest.

"Princess!"

Ash could stand it no longer, and rushed forward. He quickly took off his jacket, draped it over Silvia's body.

"......?"

The moment he witnesses Silvia’s <Seikoku>, Ash suddenly sense something strange, although confused, but now is not the time to be concerned about such problem.

Veronica looked coldly at Ash’s action then she put back her broad-sword back in its sheath.

"Anything wrong, Silvia? If you encountered the same situation on the battlefield, will you only scream to hide your embarrassment?"

Silvia could not talk back, there is tears in her eyes.

"Look, this is your nature. Even when you wore the aura of a Dragner, you are just a good for nothing blonde. It is better for you to pursue the so-called woman's happiness!"

"...... What do you mean by this?"

Veronica’s behaviour of scolding Silvia, made Ash furious.

The anger that he is holding back for a long time suddenly exploded.

Even that he is facing the first Princess, he cannot just sit by and watch any longer.

"Hey-Hey…... Ash?"

Ash menacingly walked forward made Max quickly whispered from behind to stop him, however Ash naturally turn a deaf ear.

Logically speaking the one who should be the first to stop Ash should be Rebecca but without knowing what she is thinking or maybe she is just waiting for a nice show, she didn’t comment on anything.

Ash sternly talk to Veronica.

"I do not know how great the first princess is…… but since you are not there when the incident took place, what is the nonsense that you are now talking about just now based on!"

The moment he blurted it out, a sharp sword was pointed at Ash’s neck.

“Uhh……!”

Ash was caught by surprise. The one who pointed the sword at him is the Dragner who he suspected was the captain of the escort.

The man has a beautiful face, and there is nothing wrong in calling him good-looking. Just that his pair of eyes hidden under his Ark has a cold glare, hard to feel a single trace of emotion. Ash felt like he was being stared at by a ghost.

"Glenn! Whatever next? The opposite party is just an ordinary student.”

"Sorry, Her Royal Highness Princess."

Ordered by Veronica the Ark-Dragner called Glenn obediently stepped aside.

The moment Ash is free from the sword, he gave out a cold sweat.

Lucky that the sword pointing at him is just a normal sword. If at that time what he had pulled out was the Ark-Dragner's personally used Ark, maybe even with just magic fluctuations alone it is enough to remove his head.

"Long time no see, Princess Veronica Royal Highness."

Until now, Rebecca finally made her move. She stand in front of Ash respectfully gave a bow.

"Oh, aren’t you Rebecca? Why are you still staying in this school fooling around? I would like to advise you to hurry up and quit school to join our Dragners.".

Rebecca with her elegant response resolve Veronica’s pressure.

"I had for many time declined the invitation to join the Dragners, and now I just want to enjoy my identity as a the student."

"Hmm. You obviously aren’t able to learn anything in this school for some time…..... I really do not understand you. Having said that, is this guy also from the student council?"

Veronica's suddenly stare at him made Ash’s hair stand.

“Yes, that's right."

"It seems that you have recruited a subordinate who is full of energy."

"...... May I tell you something?"

Veronica's generously nodded regarding Rebecca request, indicated she didn't seem particularly displeased.

Leaning towards Veronica’s ear, Rebecca softly whispered something.

Veronica’s eyes suddenly shined brightly.

The gaze from her eyes, even Cú Chulainn, Arianrhod and also Eco and the other Dragons can also feel the fear.

There is such rumours in the society-

It is said that the reason that Veronica was not chosen as a breeder during the <Orphan Ceremony> is the mother of the dragon though that the eyes of the seven years old Veronica was much too frightening-

"Hmm…... Seems like I don’t even need to waste any effort. It saves me from the trouble to find him. Glenn, arrest that guy for me!"

"Yes, Princess."

With Veronica’s order, and Glenn immediately takes action.

"Wh-What are you doing!"

But in a blink of an eye, Ash was caught by Glenn and he was place under his armpit.

"Hey….. Let me down!"

While feeling the cold temperature from the Ark at the same time, Ash is swinging his limbs and struggling.

But the more Ash struggle Glenn’s hand hold his body by even more tightly. That kind of strength surprised everyone, maybe it is the Ark which enhanced his arm’s strength .

"I have a mountain of problems and I want to question you."

Veronica left the frightened welcoming party standing. She lifted her cloak and walked towards the school building.

Part 5

Veronica does not appear to be visiting Ansarivan for the first time, as if she is familiar with the environment, she open the door of the guest room.

-In the beginning, there is only Veronica, Glenn, and Ash the three of them in the room.

"You all go and 'wash' the school premises."

After being given orders by their captain Glenn, the other six escorts salute, and split up.

The 'Wash' is not as simple as the literal meaning, but it is to find and to remove suspicious persons and items which act as cypher. Even Ash understand this.

This is Ash's first time in the guest room.

Ansarivan anyhow is a special Academy for breeders, naturally there are always a lot of domestic and foreign nobles who come to visit. The guest room, only the word 'gorgeous' can be used to describe its design.

Even the furniture such as sofas, tables, carpets, and bookshelves, are all imported from the Chevron Kingdom.

Unfortunately, Ash cannot enjoy such a classy atmosphere.

"Glenn, put that kid on the chair."

"Yes, Princess."

Glenn without any expression answered, dragged Ash to chair nearby and let him sit on it.

"By the way tie him up."

"Yes, Princess."

"The ass who keeps on 'Yes, Princess-ing!' St-Stop right now-"

Although Ash made his best effort to resist, his opponent is the Captain of the escort, without a doubt he is no match for him.

With some rope and binding tools, Ash is easily tied on the chair, and even he lost his own ability to stand up.

"What do you want!?"

The cold white sword is at the back of Ash’s neck

"Little devil, the one you’re speaking to is Princess Veronica Lautreamont, Her Royal Highness, you should not make any rude remarks."

Veronica scolded Glenn:

"Don’t make things any more difficult for him, according to Rebecca, he seems to be the one who drove away the Necromancia, the hero who saved Ansarivan, we must thank him properly with courtesy."

"Is this what you call courtesy?!"

Ash was so agitated that he almost fell to the ground with the chair. Being tied up indiscriminately, and they even dare to talk about courtesy.

Unfortunately, Ash’s complaints was completely ignored.

"But, Veronica-sama, this student is too much savage and rude."

"Glenn, in this world, only achievement and result mean anything, why do we care about that rude point?"

"The problem is-"

"Do you have any opinions regarding what I just said?"

Veronica's eyes suddenly release a murderous intent. Even the amazing men like the captain kept his silence.

"I beg your forgiveness, a small slip of my tongue."

The moment when Glenn is apologizing-

The door was suddenly hit open followed by some noisy sound.

"Hold on! You, what are you doing to my slave?!"

Unexpectedly, Eco actually rushed in. Perhaps she ran all her way here, her cheeks are bright red.

"...... Eco?"

"Huu? Hey brat don’t tell me you are this child’s slave?"

When he heard Veronica emphasis on the word "slave" Ash shook his head and rejected it.

"I-I am not her slave!"

"Hmm, it seems things are not as simple as it seems ..."

"About the relationship between the two of them, I will explain it to you later."

The person who appeared from behind Eco is Angela.

Beside Angela is Rebecca with a bitter smile.

"You still cause a lot of trouble, Ash. "

So-

The meeting with Veronica is going to start with the absence of the mayor, the council and the principal.

Part 6

Although she is in the guest room, Veronica refuses to take off her armour, which makes him remember about the Valkyrie in the fairy tales.

"That armour ... ain’t it heavy?"

Ash casually asked but Veronica threw him a cold glare.

"A silly question. Armour is beauty! Apart from bathing and sleeping, I always remind myself to wear my armour as much as possible."

"Really..."

While ignoring Ash who is stunned, Veronica looked around the crowd.

"We will sit right there."

Following Veronica’s proposal, everyone move towards the sofa. Angela, Rebecca, and Eco following in sequence until they are sitting opposite to Veronica.

"Uh ... what about me?"

Seeing that the sofa seems fluffy, which should be very comfortable to sit on, but Ash was the only one to be tied to the chair.

Ash feel baffled because why must he be tied up like a prisoner.

"Oops, I had already forgotten your presence. Glenn, go carry him over.

"Yes, Princess."

Glenn lift Ash up together with the chair, moved them both next to the sofa. Then he silently, moved to the door and stood up straight.

"Well…... I think you should have known that my purpose for coming to Ansarivan is not just for condolences."

"Is the purpose of your trip's is really to investigate the Necromancia’s incident?"

Angela's eyes bursting out a light of intellectual through the lens.

"Ermm, I must be at the place of the incident to find out the truth that cannot be written in the report. Now please do not waste any more time, can I trouble one of you to describe the attacks that occurred?"

"Then I will say it."

Rebecca who was actually involved in the fight began to talk about the situation of that time.

Part 7

After listening to Rebecca's explanation, Veronica sighed.

"Well...... does it mean that at present we still cannot identify the identity of the culprit? Only that, if what is recorded in the report regarding Eco’s Dragweiss is true, then the Necromancia is magic engineering. To put it bluntly, it should be the product of magic and engineering. Engineering has always been the Zepharos Empire pride, maybe the mastermind is in the Empire’s army…... Rebecca what’s your opinion?"

"I also think that the Empire is the greatest suspect, but…... I do not know whether it should be counted as fortunately or unfortunately, the Empire’s territory doesn’t have the dragons’ habitat."

"Then what is the problem?"

"The problem is, this attack is originated from a 'dragon', but unless we find some definite evidence, even if we investigate the Empire on diplomatic reasons, I am afraid it will be futile. The other side will certainly point out that ‘problems of dealing with dragons are the Knights of Lautreamont’s business' to stall any investigations."

"Hmm, What Rebecca says is not unreasonable….... It seems like the search of evidence must go on, but, then again-"

Veronica without warning stared at Ash.

"So the hero who successfully resolved the severe crisis, is this kid?"

"......"

Since he was tied to a chair, it made him impossible to hide.

Ash took a grip on himself, put on some courage, and stare back into Veronica’s eyes.

"Hmm, very manly."

Veronica grins while admiring him.

"Thank you for your praise."

"Well, I want to hear it from you. The most confusing spot on the report is how you defeated the monster.

"Th-That is ......"

Ash doesn’t know where he is going to start from, but Eco suddenly shouted:

"If you want to ask that question, how can you forget about me!?"

"Hmm…... then I will listen to you, little bean."

"My name is Eco, Eco!"

"For a shorty like you, little bean is enough for you, if you are not satisfied I don’t mind calling you daphnia!"

"Y-You really have a foul mouth! How dare you call a noble Dragon a daphnia!"

Eco was jumping around angrily, which ruined her dress that she had put on.

"Please forgive me for interrupting, Princess Veronica. She is Ash Blake’s Pal, at the same time she is also the reason that the Necromancia was able to be repelled- Young Dragon Eco."

To help Eco to get rid of her embarrassment, Angela respectfully explains.

"Oh, this shorty?...... I see, when you look closely, there are horns on her head."

Veronica eyes suddenly shine.

"Then you must quickly transform and show it to me."

"Hu? What am I going to transform?"

Eco impetuously looking at Veronica.

“Do you even need to ask, of course the Ark. I heard that it is because you presented the Ark to this kid, only then he was able to defeat the Necromancia."

"What!...... P-P-Presented?"

Eco jumped up on the spot.

Her whole face including her ears are flushed.

"Ple-Please stop joking! That is just a emergency makeshift. W-Why must I present the Ark to this guy!"

"Your reaction is really interesting, why would you should strongly deny to this extent?"

Veronica seemed like from the depth of her heart, curiously and wildly interested. She intended to scrutinise Eco.

Angela with a bitter smile explained:

“For dragons, to present the Ark is a proof of loyalty to their master, the meaning is no different when compare to marriage. Having said that, Eco has not yet recognized Ash as her master, besides that her personality is…..."

"That said, she just called her owner 'slave'. It is really disappointing to hear that the great hero who saved the city, who made me think him as a great man…... But in the end, you who is called Ash couldn’t even tame your own Pal?"

"Err ......"

When he was looked down upon, Ash felt bitterness in his heart. When he was seen as a worthless thing by the beauty of the century, naturally he experienced an extraordinary degree of suffering.

"Forget about that, I hereby re-ordered to you instantly show the Ark you wore when defeating the Necromancia. And also, you must not let the others help you, and show me how you get loose from being tied."

After hearing that, Ash understands why Veronica wanted him to be tied up.

All of that is for this moment.

Perhaps, she thinks that when Ash is in the ark, it is child play for him to let loose himself from those ropes!

Veronica even gives her orders as Princess.

The situation does not allow Ash and Eco both of them to refuse.

"Are you able to do it, Eco?"

Ash nervously asked, but Eco with confidence said:

"Why, sure I can! The Ark that has been completed, I can re-summon it for you anytime!"

Part 8

Eco stood still in the centre of the room, like a nun she close her eyes and began to chant the incantations.

"Almete, Gorjal, Peto, Espaldar......"

Even this is Ash’s first time witnessing the process of Eco constructing the Ark.

"Brafoneras, Faldaje, Escarcelas ......"

Veronica who before has always looked calm, was witnessing the whole process with a nervous expression.

Rebecca with a keen look is also observing Eco.

Even Glenn who is emotionless, unconsciously glanced at Eco.

“Bufetas, Hombreras, Brazales, Codales, Antebrazos, Manoplas... "

As for Angela, she quickly took out a pen and paper and records the detail of the situation.

"Quijotes, Guardas, Grebas, Escarpes..."

The only thing is, although it is a very solemn ceremony, since Ash was the only one to be tied to a chair he has no feeling of nervousness.

“-Espolón!".

After Eco shouted the last word, a shining white light enveloped in the room, a thunder-like rumble can be heard.

At the same time, Ash can feel his own body coated by powerful magic.

-Similar to that time......!

Ash remembers the fight with the Necromancia.

The <Seikoku> on his left arm is glowing and it is painful.

When the pain reach its maximum point, Ash’s body wrapped itself in a silver Ark.

It was a completely weightless, magic constructed Ark.

Perhaps they cannot withstand the magic released by the Ark, the binding tools, the ropes and the chair exploded.

"Oh ... there is a proverb in the east that said 'The Buddha has to be covered with golden cloth, and man must be covered with cloth”, and the Ark really suits you. Glenn, what are your opinions? In your eyes does that look like an Ark?"

Glenn respectfully answered the Veronica’s question:

"Yes, I can’t be wrong. I sensed the unique magic that only the Ark possesses, and its element should be light, it is just that......"

"It's just that?"

"It is not exaggerating to say that it is an armour which completely don’t have the feel of its creator."

As worthy of the captain of the escort, Glenn’s opinion directly hit the point.

"You cannot blame me for this!"

Eco declare to Glenn.

It is undeniable that Eco is still a young dragon and does not have the power to create the Ark.

On the other hand, she took the body parts which is suitable of Ash body from the massive blueprint stored in the Dragweiss, and then reassembled them- Thus the Ark is created.

"But ... I don’t understand, even if this is not a complete Ark, what good does it do?"

Angela answered Veronica’s simple question.

"To tell the truth, he has a special talent. Although I have not yet identified the reason... but he has a nickname of ‘The Boy Who Can Ride Any Dragon’ in this school. Far as I know, he is the only person who can ride the others people's pal and his own. "

"I see. So the rare talent and the incomplete Ark enabled him to successfully defeat the Necromancia?"

Seeing Veronica’s happy facial expression, Ash becomes angry.

"The facts are not like what you say! If not because of Her Royal Highness Princess to lead Lancelot to assist me, it would have been impossible for me to jump on to the Necromancia! But you…... how do you treat Her Royal Highness! "

However, Veronica’s even after listening to Ash’s claims, remains unmoved.

"In other words, Silvia only played the role of a 'driver'."

Veronica’s comments towards Silvia are still bitter as ever.

Just at this time, the Ark turned into light particles and vanished.

Upon seeing this, Veronica curls her lip to expose a harsh sneer.

"There is a time limit? Because of that it cannot be called a weapon, but it looks like it can be used as an entertainment tool for sideshow."

The Veronica’s tone angered Ash.

"This is not a sideshow! Although it is just temporary assembled, it is still an Ark Eco created!"

“Are you Dumb? Weapons that only last a few minutes, if it is not a sideshow, what is it?"

"Err ..."

"Also... Your relationship with Silvia is quite close. Are you a couple?"

At the very start to be asked such blatant questions made Ash blush. What’s more, hearing the word "couple" coming from Veronica’s mouth is also unexpected.

"I-I, How are we a couple!"

"Hmm, a weird reaction, which made people dissatisfied…... I am really very dissatisfied!"

Veronica stood up from the couch, and stood before Ash.

"Well, I have decided! Ash or whatever, I command you to temporarily serve as my servant! Glenn, catch this kid for me!"

"Yes, Princess."

"What? Your nonsense are you even- Ouch, owow!"

Glenn didn’t give Ash any chance to raise any objections, and carried him in his armpit.

"Glenn, prepare to head back to Silvanus.”

Veronica flips her cloak and left the room. Glenn regardless of the resisting Ash, left following Veronica.

"Ironblood Valkyrie ~A.B.S.1365.5~" is closed.

References and Translation Notes

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