The noise of a big group approaching called the attention of Nozomu and Taisetsuna.
The Principal was walking next to Princess Mere, with all her court behind her.
When the other students and their parents noticed her, they all bowed to her.
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She signalled with her hand for everyone to get up, and after disguisedly winking at Koyaga Azusake, she smiled at Nozomu. “It seems that you and Taisetsuna once again accomplished something unbelievable. Not only did you both exterminate another horde of Goblins that could attack the Capital one of these nights and kill many people, but you also defeated two Dragons in a fight, which no one had ever done before. Care to explain to me how you did that?”
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Before Nozomu and Taisetsuna could say a word, Hinotsume’s thundering voice spoke from above them. “Pure luck, of course! That, and because Nozomu fooled us into thinking that he and his Party were fools instead of the dangerous group they proved to be.”
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The Princess looked up and smiled at the big red head that was staring at her. “Hinotsume, the powerful Fire Dragon. And his companion, Mizukonta, the Water Dragon. As usual, you downgrade the accomplishments of Humans and Beast-kinds, because I also know they killed two Drakes that escaped you. I got reports of you and Mizukonta trying to catch two Drakes that kept attacking the villages around the Capital, but you couldn’t find their hideout or catch them when they were hunting.”
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Hinotsume snorted and explained, “Like I said, pure luck. We would catch those Drakes, eventually. Nozomu and Taisetsuna only found their hideout by accident.”
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“Nevertheless, they did it. And surprisingly, they defeated you and Mizukonta. Or are you going to say that it was also by accident?”
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“Okay, it was not only luck or accident; it was all our fault. We underestimated their power and resilience. Your Party was the last one that dared to challenge me to a fight, and those crazy meat sacs challenged me and Mizukonta! We never believed they would win! And they did!”
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The Princess made a slight grin as she faced the two Dragons. “Since they defeated you, did you honour your ancient vow of accepting them as your Masters?”
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“No need. They didn’t want to. They only asked to be our friends. It has been many, many years since the last time I had meat sacs as friends. It is kind of... refreshing.”
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Nozomu looked up and asked, “Who are you calling meat sacs, lizard? Didn’t we have this talk already?”
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Hinotsume lowered his massive head and said, “You shut up. I was talking with the Princess. You need to study Royal Etiquette, Sir Nozomu Shinchaku! You don’t interrupt the conversation of two Royals. Princess Mere rules this tiny country of yours, but I am the king of all Dragons, and I rule the entire World.”
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“You what? You are a King?”
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“Yes, I am the King of the Dragons. The fact I let meat sacs live in my World says a lot about my kindness. I don’t mess with their lives, I don’t intervene in their fights or their wars, and in return, they don’t annoy me. The last country that dared to annoy me was the ‘Infraluan Empire’, when three generations ago, their Emperor thought it was a good idea to force me to help them conquer more countries for them. I burned their entire army, and Mizukonta drowned everyone in his Castle. I was about to burn that entire Empire, but Mizukonta convinced me to let them be because they for sure had learned their lesson. After that, no one ever dared to force a Dragon to do anything. Now, will you shut up? Geez! You are annoying!”
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Then, a tiny fist hit his nose, making him focus on the little Cat-kind girl that was looking at him with an angry red face. She shouted, as she was munching something, “You don’t… chomp… call Nozomu annoying!… chomp… You will be respectful or… chomp… I will take your tongue out… chomp… and cut it out!”
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Nozomu kneeled at her side and grabbed her arms to stop her from punching the puzzled red Dragon again and said, “Takanari! You are eating chocolates again? Hey! Look at me! Calm down, breath, okay?”
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She swallowed the last bit of chocolate and shouted while looking at the enormous eyes that were staring at her. “Let me have him! I will teach him how to treat you! Stupid Dragon! I am not afraid of you, moron! I will slice you into pieces and eat you for dinner! I… I…”
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The effect of the chocolates ceased, and Takanari Sumomi hid behind Nozomu with a shout. “Kyyiia!... Nozomu… is he… going to eat me? He is… looking at me…”
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“No, he will not eat you. We were just talking; there was no need for you to be so angry.”
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Hinotsume sniffed a couple of times and asked, “What do you have in that small bag in your hands? It has an unfamiliar smell, but it is rather good.”
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Takanari Sumomi slowly came from behind Nozomu and opened the bag to show the contents to the curious Dragon. “These… these are chocolates. Nozomu taught my cook how to make them, and I always have a bag with me. Do you want to try one? Or two, considering the size of your mouth?”
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When Hinotsume opened his mouth, Nozomu tapped the enormous nose in front of them and said, “Hold it! These chocolates have strange side effects on Beast-kind, and I have no idea what kind of effect they would have on a Dragon!”
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“Seriously? Interesting... Well, we will only know if we try. Do you think I might die or explode, for instance? From such tiny food?”
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“I don’t know, but it is not a good idea to try it now and ruin the Princess’ speech. Maybe in the afternoon?”
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Hinotsume looked at the nervous little girl and asked, “Are you going to be here in the afternoon? Because if you are, what about if we make a deal? If you let me try those chocolates of yours, I will take you with me on the flight. Nozomu already went yesterday, and he is here, safe and sound.”
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“I… I can fly… with you? Like… on your back or your paws?”
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“On my back, it will be more comfortable for you, right at the end of my neck. What do you say?”
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“Can… can my sister also come?”
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“If you have chocolates for my partner, Mizukonta, yes.”
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Takanari signalled her older sister to approach, and the pale Asadate Sumomi rushed to her from the middle of the Princess’ court.
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She made a deep bow while holding the tip of her dress and introduced herself. “P-pleased to meet you. I am Viscountess Asadate Sumomi. I apologise if my younger sister annoyed you. She was next to me, but she rushed to you before I could grab her.”
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“You saw your younger sister going to a scary Dragon, and you didn’t think of running after her before she died?”
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“I-I was sure she was safe. Sir Nozomu wouldn’t let you or anyone else hurt her. I don’t know what he did to defeat you in your fight yesterday, but I am sure that if you made even a threatening movement towards Takanari, he would kill you without a second thought.”
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Hinotsume tilted his head at Nozomu, and he shrugged. “I would regret it afterwards because I consider you my friend, but Takanari is like my little sister, and you know what they say, family always comes first.”
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“I see… So you value this little one more than me… I am not sure if I should be proud of you or angry!”
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He then faced the little trembling girl and said, “For Nozomu to like you so much, it surely means you are interesting. So, do we have a deal for the afternoon? Four chocolates in exchange for a flight for you and your sister?”
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“For a flight, I will give you this entire bag!”
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“That sounds even better. I will be right here with Mizukonta, waiting for you.”
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From the middle of the Princess’ court, a middle-aged Human said, “Well, if the Dragon is willing to take two young Viscountesses to fly with him, I am sure he won’t deny taking me as well!”
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Hinotsume frowned at the man and asked in such a loud voice that the floor trembled and everyone covered their ears with their hands, “And who are you, meat sac, to speak about the King of the Dragons as if he was an old pall of yours? Do you have a death wish? See why I don’t mingle with meat sacs, Nozomu? They all think they are important! And Nobles are the worst of them all! A bunch of useless meat sacs! Not enough meat on him to feed a baby Drake, or enough strength on his tiny body to fight against a miserable Goblin! And yet, here he is, wanting to fly with me! The nerve! Return to the hole from where you came, worm, before I eat your head in one bite! Is this the kind of Nobles you surrounded yourself with, Princess Mere Alashth?”
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The Princess looked back at the nervous Noble, her eyes shooting daggers, and her body glowing with Magic, and answered, “I apologize, Hinotsume. Please forgive him on my behalf. He is only a fool that doesn’t deserve your anger. Let’s not ruin this joyful day with any killings.”
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“Only because of you, Princess Mere. But the next one that disrespects me won’t stay alive for long. I only came here to hear your speech, but I don’t need to hear meat sacs whining and calling for attention.”
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Then, Robert Keskula came from the middle of a group of young Nobles with whom he had been talking, and made a deep bow to the angry Dragon and explained, “I ask you to not put all the Nobles in the same pile, Hinotsume. Not everyone is a fool. Some of us know what Dragons do to keep everyone safe from Monsters. I agree that some Nobles and even some common people are not aware, but good deeds don’t need to be bragged about. A kind heart does them without expecting gratitude or recognition.”
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“It would be good if all Nobles were as wise as you, Robert Keskula! Unfortunately, I know better. I have seen many generations of Nobles being born and dying, and they are all the same. Too much pride, not enough brains and accomplishments. You are one of the few Nobles that I met that came to this Academy to learn. The ones that came here before you did amazing things. The last one was the Princess’s grandfather. He was a brat when he arrived, but when he left, he was a different man. You should worry less about what other people think about you and do what your heart tells you, because you have a good heart. You should listen to him more often, considering you have everything in you to be amazing.”
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Robert gulped, and he slowly nodded. Having the most powerful Fire Dragon in the World say to him, he was not all flash and glamour, but that he had something in him that could make him achieve greatness was mind-blowing.
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Still astonished, he made another deep bow and answered, “Thank you for your words, Hinotsume. It means a lot. I only hope I can respond to your expectations.”
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Mizukonta rubbed her head on the serious red Dragon’s neck, and she then faced the Princess and spoke. “What about if you made your speech to congratulate the new students, Princess? After all, we are all here to hear you.”
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Princess Mere turned her back to the wall of the Academy and waited for the new students to rush to her front, with their parents, the Principal, the Teachers, and her court behind them, looking at her and waiting. Both Dragons sat on the floor at her right, and they also waited.
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