Vissel was famous for his quick work.

“Still, isn’t the day after tomorrow too early?!”

“Get out of here, you’re in the way—oh, I beg you pardon. Have a nice trip, Your Imperial Highness the Dragon Empress.”

Suddenly, early in the morning, Vissel arrived on a horseback to wake her up. Then, he proceeded to take her out of the imperial capital. While she was still processing everything happening, she saw a green dragon waiting for her on the empty field. The rest was history.

“Here is your luggage, including your expenses and a letter of introduction. I’ve also arranged for you furniture and other small trinkets in your house in Leyca. You can procure your needs locally. As you requested, I’ve registered the chicken as a tamed magical beast, and the teddy bear as a magic tool.”

Vissel tossed her the luggage to her from the top of the horse. The aforementioned chicken—Sauté—was also flung , but it landed softly and stood next to Jill. All of these were things had requested when she went abroad to study.

Camila and Zeke wanted to accompany her, but Jill turned them down. She wanted to enroll as a student. Thus, she decided to bring her personal belongs like Sauté with her instead.

Jill was heading to an academy that focused on the use of dragons and the development of magic. Just like Kratos’ magic academy, magicians could register beasts and other tamed animals, along with magic tools they needed to bring to school.

Sauté might not have been a magical beast, but it grew up chasing around the Dragon God Rave and developed legs strong enough to crush rocks. Recently, it had even began slicing trees with its wings, so it should be close to a magical beast.

The stuffed bear, also known as Haddy, might look like an ordinary plushie at first glance, but it had been imbued with magic using the blood of the Dragon God Rave. Upon activation, it would become a killing machine that relentlessly attacked anything within its range. It still couldn’t distinguish between friend and foe, but after repeated improvements, it could now emit heat rays not only from its crown but also its beady eyes. At the end of the day, it was still a stuffed animal, so it had to go under the category of magic tool.

“…How is His Majesty doing?”

Jill asked as she opened the bag containing her belongings. Vissel answered cheerfully.

“There was a meeting early this morning. He should’ve gone to work right after preparing breakfast. It’d have been a pain if he sulked during it, so I’ll let him know after the fact.”

“It’s none of my business now. A word of warning, His Majesty is stubborn when he’s sulking.”

“I know that already.”

She was annoyed at his condescending response, but Vissel was undoubtedly good at dealing with Hades.

Clicking her tongue, she checked the contents of her bag. She found a change of clothes for about two days, an envelope containing a map, her a letter of introduction, a school brochure, a few changes of her uniform, a pouch full of gold coins, and a stack of bills. The rest was water and food.

Although it was close to the imperial capital, the Grand Duchy of Leyca was still across the sea. There’d be a transit before crossing the sea. Besides, even by dragon, it’d take two days.

A little distance away, the green dragon that was tasked with carrying her was waiting nervously. Obviously, she couldn’t encumber too much with her luggage. At the same time, she shouldn’t keep it waiting either.

“…Thank you for preparing all this. Still, I’ve never ridden a dragon by myself.”

Basically, she needed the consent of the dragon for that. Jill might be the Dragon Empress, but the Dragon God Rave gave the dragons free will. Hence, Jill, who had magical power that dragons disliked, couldn’t ride one without first threatening it. She didn’t want to threaten one unless it was an emergency, and she couldn’t ask someone else to accompany her in this situation either.

Perhaps, she could ask the black dragon, Rhea, for help. On a second thought, Rhea was the Dragon Queen. It’d be disrespectful to treat her as a vehicle. She’d probably get angry too.

Anyway, Jill needed someone to ride with her.

But Vissel fished for something in the bag that was tied to his horse.

“That won’t be a problem. Catch.”

“Ukyuu—!”

“Rho?!”

When she thought that she was being thrown a black ball, it turned out to be a small black dragon with golden eyes. It snuggled up to Jill’s chest, blinking.

“I registered that one as a magical beast too. A lizard that evolved with magic.”

“I-is this really okay?! He’s the Dragon King!”

“Just look at it. That thing, tiny, round, has a big bottom, and can’t even fly, that can’t be the Dragon King of the Rave Empire. It’d be a disgrace if were. It’s just a magic lizard.”

Such an absurd thing to say. Nevertheless, Rho seemed happy at being able to tag along with Jill. He clung to her with a look of delight.

“With that thing around, we can get in touch if something happens. The Dragon Queen will come flying over.”

“Rho, did you obtain Rhea’s permission!?”

It was still fresh in her memory that when they returned to Kratos, Rho wanted to go, yet Rhea didn’t want him to. Rho snorted proudly.

“Ukyun—!”

“This time, it’s within Rave. I explained it to the Dragon Queen, and she agreed.”

“You’re really good at laying the groundwork! But if Rho knows, then it’ll be a matter of time until His Majesty does too!”

“Ukyukyu—!”

Rho shook his head. Vissel continued, narrowing his eyes.

“Since this is Hades’ heart, I’m sure it’d like to get even for being left behind the other day.”

Rho puffed out his chest as if to say that Vissel was right. Jill gave a dry smile.

Hades and Rho… aren’t they being treated badly by His Highness Vissel?

“Well, if Rhea gave permission, then it should be fine… I mean, it’s not like we’re going to war.”

“Indeed.”

“Alrighty, then. I’ll bring him along without hesitation.”

“It’s a byproduct of a failed experiment. Instead of a dragon, this magical beast turned into a lizard. It’s definitely not a black dragon.”

The setting sure was elaborate…

“Then, I’m heading out…”

She shifted her gaze to the imperial capital beyond the field. She could see the tall spires of the imperial palace.

Sadly, Hades couldn’t see her off. Meanwhile, she’d be away for three months. She thought her departure was still a long way off, so she was even more confused.

“Don’t be scared now. Just hurry up. Go.”

But Vissel’s way of speaking, which didn’t allow for any emotion or anything, made her angry.

“Okay, okay! I don’t care what His Majesty does to you! It’s not my fault!”

“Don’t worry and don’t come back.”

“I’ll make you regret that!”

Such a talkative brother-in-law!

That was it, she wouldn’t care if Hades sobbed loudly. Carrying her bag on her shoulder, she held Haddy under her arm. Sauté walked alongside her, whereas Rho deftly positioned himself on top of the bag.

As Jill went toward the green dragon, she was taken aback at what she saw behind Vissel.

A flying dragon was not an uncommon sight in the imperial palace, yet it was heading straight for them!

“Gyu?!”

Rho suddenly let out a disgusted cry. By that time, they could already make out what was flying toward them. A green dragon. With a person riding on top of it.

“—Your Majesty?!”

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