Book 5: Chapter 4 (2)

Secret Medicine of Rejuvenation

When the discussion between Richard and I had concluded, everyone’s focus naturally shifted to Goggoru-chan. The noble mage and the loligon were already familiar with her, but I still needed to introduce her to Gon-chan, Neumann-san, and Sophia-chan.

I also need to find her a permanent home here in Dragon City.

“I’d like to introduce you all to Rocoroco, the High Goggoru.”

“…nice to meet you.”

Goggoru-chan bowed as she gave her greeting.

None of us had changed our positions since our previous exchange. Goggoru-chan and I stood near the doorway while everyone else was gathered around the sofa at the other end of the room.

Sophia-chan was actually the only one not by the sofa. She sat at the desk, the furthest spot from us, with the two sofas between us.

Christina still had yet to enter the room with the two of us blocking the entrance. She was still keeping her distance from Goggoru-chan while trying to listen in on our conversation.

“She’ll be living here for the time being, but due to her power I think a few special precautions need to be implemented. I’m thinking about giving her an entire block of the city.”

“I’d be okay with that, but what about food and bathing?”

“…that will be a problem, won’t it?”

That’s a good point, Goggoru-chan.

It won’t be possible to keep her locked up all the time.

“That’s true….”

Will I be forced to bring her food and help her bathe?

I wouldn’t mind doing the latter.

“I don’t need a home. I can live outside the city.”

“There are no other villages nearby.”

“It will be easier to survive in the wilderness here than on the Dark Continent.”

“…I suppose that’s true.”

“Is something wrong?”

“….”

She would know what’s best considering it is a power that she’s lived with for years. It’s probably easier than coming up with a whole bunch of rules for her to live by here in the city.

“All right, I’ll leave the decision up to you, Rocoroco-san.”

“Oi, oi, is that a good idea?”

“I’ve had her promise to not reveal any of the information she learns through her power. If she breaks this promise, I’m the one that will suffer the most, so I ask you to believe in me. Is that something you can agree to?”

“W-Well, if you put it like that, I don’t mind….”

“No, I think it’s best if we come up with some basic rules she must follow if she’s to stay here, Tanaka-san.”

Neumann-san decided to give his own opinion after Gon-chan.

Both of them were major contributors in the creation of this town.

I can’t just disregard either of their desires.

“We could come up with conditions for whenever she enters or leaves the town.”

“That’s a great starting point. We don’t need to do more than necessary and I can completely understand the usefulness of a member of the Goggoru tribe. This recent exchange is a prime example of that. I’ll leave the details to you, Tanaka-san.”

“I agree with him. That would help the rest of the citizens feel safer having her nearby. I know I’m not the only one that has had a negative experience with the Goggoru tribe before.”

“I see your point. Thank you for the feedback.”

With that, Goggoru-chan’s future at Dragon City was decided. Those two know more about managing the town than I do. If I listen to their advice, I can’t go wrong.

I’m happy that they’re willing to accept her.

This happiness was short-lived, however, when an annoying voice started screaming from behind us.

[O-Oi, let me enter the room!]

The loligon.

“Right, we’ll get out of your way.”

Forcing her to stand outside on her own any longer would just be too pitiful.

Goggoru-chan and I stepped out into the hallway and gave Christina enough room to enter without getting in the chocololi’s range. We returned to our original position where we could see Christina now sitting on Sophia-chan’s desk.

Almost as far away from us as she can get.

She really doesn’t want the chocololi to read her mind.

“Tanaka-san, who is this girl…?”

Naturally, Richard was confused by the haughty loligon.

“Ah, right, you two haven’t been introduced yet. That is the mayor of this town. She works everyday managing the town in my place. And she’s not the only one. That maid behind her acts as mayor when we’re both absent.”

[T-That’s right, M-Mayor Christina! Do you have a problem with that!?]

She’s still not used to her title as mayor, but I think she’s starting to. Still, I love that pose she strikes when she’s feeling proud. I can see her nipples poking through the thin cloth of her fabric.

“Really? She seems a little young for that job.”

The Duke of FitzClarence curiously tilted his head.

[What? A human is talking to me about age?]

“She’s quite an energetic little thing. Is she yours, Tanaka-san?”

“No, not exactly. She’s an ancient dragon. She may just be the most powerful being in the Penny Empire. There is no one more capable of protecting this city than her.”

“A-Ancient Dragon, you say?”

Ester-chan’s father glanced toward the noble mage.

“I can understand your suspicions, Richard, but what he says is true.”

“But how is that….”

The noble mage gave a quick response which was followed by overwhelming shock in Richard’s response.

“If there are any requests you may have concerning this town, I’d appreciate it if you’d contact her. If you are unable to find her, Sophia-san behind the desk there should be able to help you.”

“I understand.”

Richard stood and turned to Christina.

Sophia-chan was already shaking in her seat, but now that her name was brought, there was sweat dripping down her face and arms and she looked close to crying.

[…what is it, human?]

“I am Richard FitzClarence. It is a pleasure to meet you, Ancient Dragon Christina. I look forward to our working together in the future.”

[E-Eh, me? O-Of course. Well, if you’re going to beg me like that, I guess I have no choice but to help you!]

“Thank you for your cooperation, Christina-san.”

As always, the loligon responds positively when someone praises her in any form.

That reaction is always adorable.

I’ll have to thank Richard for getting her to show it.

[Just remember that this is my town, okay!? That man has no say in what happens. If there’s anything you need you have to come to me for help. Do you understand?”

“Yes, completely.”

She must be happy that she’s being treated with the respect of a mayor by someone she just met. For someone shy like her, she seems to be getting along well with a human she just met. Her mood has improved considerably since she encountered the Goggoru.

I’d be happy if the two of them could form a good relationship going forward.

If Richard had sent Sophie-chan’s father in his place, I’m afraid of how he’d treat her. He’s known for how poorly he treats those outside of the nobility. It’s good that Richard, someone that at least attempts to keep up the dignified demeanor of a noble, was the one that came.

After their exchange was finished, Richard’s attention turned to Goggoru-chan.

“Is it true that this Goggoru can read the minds of others without even touching them?”

There was a certain level of greed or maybe even obsession within his gaze.

“In case you’re curious, I have no intention of lending her out.”

“None at all?”

“She’s someone I consider very important to me.”

This is true, but maybe not for the reasons he may think.

“I understand.”

“Richard-san, there was something else I wanted to discuss with you….”

Considering everything that I’ve learned, I think it’s important to head back to the capital soon. There’s many things I need to report to the King.

As I was considering exactly how to word this to Richard without revealing too much, I heard a voice coming from behind me.

“Oi, what are you doing standing in the doorway? Just go in already.”

“Oh, Edita-san.”

Edita Sensei appeared behind us in her pajamas.

She had an annoyed look on her face and was still rubbing the sleep from her eyes. It’s late at night and we haven’t exactly been keeping quiet so it’s likely we woke her up. 

“Sorry, were we making too much noise?”

“I don’t care about that…more importantly, is that a Goggoru?”

“Ah….”

Edita Sensei is easily within Goggoru-chan’s range.

“And such a young one too. Is this who you’ve been with the last few days? A-After you promised to read my book and give me feedback….”

“Ah….”

I completely forgot about that.

The draft I received from her is still sitting untouched in my room. I planned on reading it the day I went to Mount Doltz. Then there was a magic circle, a goggoru, a demon, and I ended up forgetting about it.

“I-I’m sorry. I’ll read it as soon as I can.”

“…hmph.”

Oh no, Edita Sensei is mad.

More importantly, Edita Sensei’s position is more troublesome.

“I don’t want to sound rude, Edita-san, but could you please move away from us as soon as you can? If possible, about the length of a spear from us.”

“W-What are you trying to say…? N-No way, do I smell? I-I-I-I do, don’t I!?”

“No, that’s not….”

Sensei started sniffing at her armpits.

I don’t think I’d be able to get away with not introducing Goggoru-chan to her alone. I’d be able to use her power to further my relationship with Edita Sensei, but she would learn about it eventually. I have to tell her.

I’ve told everyone else here about her special ability, so it would be strange not to.

I told Sensei that because of her distance from Goggoru-chan, all of her thoughts can be read. Her mind is like an open book to Goggoru-chan.

As a result, Sensei had a mental breakdown.

“Wha- Wha- Wha-”

Her eyes widened as she stared at Goggoru-chan.

Her face started to turn blue.

Eh. seriously? I wasn’t expecting her reaction to be this severe.

“Sorry, I should’ve said something sooner, Edita-san.”

“So, she’s really…my mind…right n-now?”

“Unfortunately.”

“….”

Edita Sensei froze.

I’ll just try to properly introduce them.

“Rocoroco-san, this is my alchemy teacher Edi–”

“Nuuuooooooaaaaaaaaaaaaa!”

Before I could finish introducing them, a scream escaped Edita Sensei’s mouth. Her scream was so loud that it echoed throughout the halls of the loligon’s home, no, it even resounded in the streets of Dragon City. A powerful scream that I didn’t know such a small elf could achieve.

She continued screaming as she turned away from us and ran away down the hall.

The hall was filled with the sound of her screams and footsteps.

“….”

“….”

This is really bad.

What am I going to do?

What if Edita Sensei hates me now? It would be the same as losing 30% of the happiness in my life. Sensei’s regular panty shots are what give me life. I don’t care about the Elixir of Youth, I just want me Sensei. I have to fix this.

“I’m sorry, please, just wait a second!”

I decided to quickly chase after her.

I’ll have a better chance of catching her if I use my flight magic.

***