Chapter 159 (2/2)

“I could ask for a temporary transfer of knights from my parents, but….”

When the loli bitch tried to come up with a plan, she then realized it wasn’t possible.

This would violate the Prime Minister’s conditions. We’d instantly fail the moment she asked her parents for help. Though Neumann is basically a loophole. Ester-chan is downsizing the personnel she has and this allows Neumann to be reassigned.

Originally, he was sent to Tricklis as a form of punishment and now he’s going to be working for a brand new baron who controls a territory with nothing in it. I don’t think he can fall much further. I could see the despair on Neumann’s face.

If I fail, he would have wasted a year with me and would be no closer to reuniting with his family.

This may even lead to what he feared the most. His wife finding a new man.

It’s terrible to even think about.

“Baron Tanaka….”

Neumann looked as if he were praying as he stared at me.

I’m sorry. I really am.

I apologized to him in my mind.

“We shouldn’t despair just yet. Let’s visit the territory first before deciding anything.”

If all I need is one more person, I should be able to manage somehow, but I don’t know how I’ll be able to find enough people to form a knight order. On top of all of this, the Prime Minister will be suspicious of everything I do. I need to find a way to form an order of knights using my own power.

Fortunately, I still have some extra money.

I only have less than two hundred gold left from the dragon extermination quest. I can’t live off that amount for long. Besides, I don’t want to spend all of my money. As a Japanese man living in a disparate society, I want to save every penny I can for a retirement fund. But if I don’t use my savings now, I’ll be a slave by this time next month.

And I’d have to say goodbye to Sophia-chan. I can’t allow that to happen.

“I understand.”

“Christina-san, please return to Lord Fahren. He thinks very highly of you. If you get closer to him, I’m sure you’ll be able to grow your knowledge and even find ways to effectively fight against me.”

“Are you just tossing me aside like some nuisance!? Aah~?”

“I’m sorry, that’s not what I meant. You’ll be bored if you come with us.”

I’m surprised she even wants to stay with us.

I’m not lying when I say she’ll be bored.

Besides, I want to help out the noble mage too. I don’t intend to do anything with the loli dragon, but the noble mage only just told me how he feels about her so I feel like I’d be betraying him if I were to take her on an overnight trip.

“Fine, have it your way.”

“Then, I’m sorry, but would you mind….”

“Pretty soon you’re not going to be able to take me so lightly. I will definitely defeat you someday. I’ll be challenging you this time, but once I defeat you and show you my real power, you’ll be begging to challenge me!”

“….”

Christina declared this for all to hear.

This Ancient Dragon may be a lonelier creature than even this busamen. She seems desperate for my approval and I guess this is a result of limited interactions with living creatures. Or has she never before encountered someone that’s as powerful as her?

Either way, I feel like I’m training a smart pet.