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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 39
Chapter Title: The Evil Dragon's Egg
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The mansion exploration team started from the top attic and made their way down floor by floor.
Nibelria pointed to one room with her finger.
"People live here. Got it?"
"This is where guests usually stay. We also store various clothes and accessories here."
The captain gave an explanation, and her subordinate Solles added a bit more detail.
In truth, today's tour wasn't for Majia.
Majia had been coming and going from this mansion long before the kids were even born—well before Kaleo himself.
He knew the layout far better than these children.
In other words, this tour was for Arep, who was still unfamiliar with the main building.
Majia knew that too, so he stayed quiet.
"Oh, right, Magic Tower Lord."
Solles remembered something he'd almost forgotten.
"The magic device that keeps things cool—you made that, didn't you? The one that looks like a handkerchief."
"Oh, yeah. I made it and gave it to your grandfather."
"Thank you so much. Thanks to it, all three of us got through this summer nice and cool."
"Th-thank you."
Solles bowed politely, and Arep followed suit.
"I stayed cool too."
"Is that so?"
For someone grumbling "good to hear" so curtly, Majia's lips were grinning so wide they looked ready to split his cheekbones.
Feeling cheered up, Majia glanced at Nibelria.
"What about you, kitty?"
"Used it well."
"Say thank you, you little..."
"Thank you."
Nibelria bobbed her head as if to say there, happy now?.
The paused tour resumed.
Nibelria tugged at Majia's clothes.
"Want some water, Magic Tower Lord? Cookies?"
"What's this? Why the sudden bribe? You poison the water or something?"
"Write in Nini's paycheck that she did a good job, okay? Say Nini worked hard?"
"Never seen such a half-hearted suck-up and bribe..."
As they wandered aimlessly like that...
"Hold up."
Majia suddenly stopped in his tracks.
"Huh?"
"......"
Nibelria asked.
Too stunned for words, Majia just jerked his chin toward the door where he'd halted instead of answering.
"What's this place?"
"Nini knows!"
Nibelria shot her hand up.
"Nini's presents are here."
This was the room where gifts from her fourth birthday party earlier that spring were stored.
Nibelria, who looked just like Saintess Muniel, was something of a celebrity in her own right.
So on her birthday, all sorts of rare gifts arrived from far and wide.
The ones that hadn't been sorted yet were kept here.
"What's inside?"
Arep asked, staring at the door.
"Gotta go in and see."
With a snap of Majia's fingers, the door swung wide open.
Stepping inside, the first thing they saw was an iron box studded with sharp spikes.
"That's the one."
Nibelria pointed at the box.
"Some auntie gave it. Don't know her. Nini doesn't know her face. Said she's Daddy's little sister."
"Ah, Pera?"
"Pera?"
"Armifera Dayamor. A wild little free spirit who lives even more recklessly than you. Your aunt. I actually like her quite a bit."
When he'd heard the rumor that she'd run off to become the Mercenary King, Majia had discovered what it felt like for thirty years' worth of heartburn to vanish in an instant.
He'd teased Ardores mercilessly the next time they met.
That was the first time he'd ever let the Magic Tower's rent slide with a laugh.
Reflecting on that fond memory, Majia said,
"She takes after your grandfather."
"Grandpa?"
"If Ardores grew out his hair and puffed out his chest, he'd be the spitting image of your aunt."
"Scary...!"
Nibelria shook her head at the horrifying image.
Majia chuckled as he examined the box.
He reached out and lightly brushed the top. With a click, the latch sprang open.
The lid slowly lifted.
Inside lay large, black eggshells scattered about.
"......"
Majia crooked his finger, and the largest shell fragment floated into the air, slowly spinning.
"What egg was this again...?"
Nibelria tilted her head.
"Egg of the evil dragon Ater,"
Arep recalled the letter Kaleo had read aloud.
"It said 'Egg of the Evil Dragon Ater'."
But dragons hadn't been seen for centuries, it was said.
The only traces left were ruined nests deep in remote mountain folds and fossils presumed to be from dragons.
"I see."
A sinister smile curled Majia's lips.
"An evil dragon's egg."
In that instant, the air sharpened, pricking the children's skin like needles.
Arep and Solles hurriedly each took one of Nibelria's hands and pressed close to her.
Nibelria stared blankly at Majia.
"...Mad?"
For the first time, Nibelria—who treated the Magic Tower Lord like one of her minions—sensed his mood.
"Upset?"
"Yeah."
Majia admitted it plainly.
"I'm pissed and upset."
"Want a hug?"
"Nah. Save your hugs for Wolf."
Majia's large hand gently ruffled Nibelria's hair.
She didn't dodge, meekly accepting the touch.
Majia went straight to find Kaleo.
"Found the reason the temperature regulator broke."
"That's a relief. These past few days have been brutal—everyone on staff was suffering..."
"You have an evil dragon in your house."
"...Pardon?"
Kaleo, who couldn't stand the heat and had unbuttoned his shirt down to his chest without a second thought, blinked dumbly.
Majia nodded toward Nibelria.
"Nini!"
Feeling his gaze, Nibelria called her own name once.
"You know, that thing. Nini's present."
"No way—the weird shell thing from Pera?"
"Yep. That's the one."
Majia explained the sweltering heat of the past few days too.
"It's not this hot outside the mansion. The evil dragon's circling the house, spreading its aura everywhere. That's what's making it hot. Evil dragons command fire."
"No, dragons... Do they really...?"
"Dragons exist. For real."
Majia stated it firmly.
Faced with the Magic Tower Lord's utterly serious demeanor—so unlike his usual self—Kaleo couldn't voice any doubts.
No, even if he couldn't believe it, he had to.
Dragons existed.
And one was here, in this mansion right now.
Kaleo quickly checked on the children.
"The kids are okay?"
"The cat—er, Nibelria—might be a problem..."
"Nini won't lose!"
Nibelria brandished her tiny, pea-sized fist.
"See this!"
"What's that?"
Majia asked in a deflated tone.
"If it messes with Nini, one punch."
Nibelria said it with eerie killing intent.
"......"
"......"
Everyone shuddered in fear.
Not from the dragon, but because they had no idea what disaster that pale, chubby little fist might unleash.
Nini might actually charge an evil dragon.
Solles imagined Nibelria sassing the dragon only to get flattened under its massive foot. Cold sweat poured down his back.
I have to protect her...!
Arep gripped Nibelria's hand tight. No matter what happened, he vowed to himself he'd protect her.
"...Anyway, for now."
Majia finally pulled himself together and laid out a plan.
"Bring Muniel and Ardores back to the main house. The dragon will sense their holy aura and move somewhere else."
"Will it leave on its own?"
"If it does, great. But it might not, so stay cautious."
Majia jabbed his finger at Nibelria for emphasis.
"Keep your daughter in check for real...!"
"Yes, sir!"
Majia repeated himself several times.
"Be careful. For real."
"I knowww."
"No, kitty, don't you dare charge the evil dragon! I'm so worried about you I can't even leave!"
Nibelria let out a deep sigh, as if fed up.
"Magic Tower Lord. Nini has Arep. Can't date you. You're old, and... lacking in lots of ways..."
"Where'd you pick up that nonsense? And why do I have to get dumped? If anyone's doing the dumping, it's me!"
Anyway, with his duty done, Majia returned to the Magic Tower.
And as he'd advised, Muniel, Ardores, and Arep—who'd been staying in the annex—moved back to the main mansion.
At once, the magic device the Tower Lord had repaired began working properly again.
The stifling heat eased up too.
"Evil dragons really exist, huh."
Dether murmured gravely, her skin glowing from a flower petal bath.
"Don't worry. Nini'll protect you!"
Nibelria thumped her chest, telling them to trust only her.
"Protecting your crew is the captain's duty!"
"Our young lady is too cool!"
Dether clapped and cheered.
"But you sweated this afternoon too, so you need a bath."
"Nooo!"
"It's fine. I'm not the one bathing you this time."
The second bath duty fell to Muniel.
"Wanna bathe with Grandma after so long?"
"Not even Grandma! No twice."
"Then will you scrub Grandma's back? I'll note it in your paycheck."
"......"
Nibelria fell deep into thought.
Muniel seized the opening and swiftly bathed her clean.
"Tricked...!"
Now fluffy and fresh once more, Nibelria sniffled.
"The world's so harsh... Sniff... It's oppressing Nini..."
"Our Nini, you've gotten so eloquent."
Muniel, drying Nibelria's wet hair, asked,
"Sweetie."
"Whaaat...?"
"When did you see pink?"
