Mistress Of The Evil Forest

Case 172: Recruiting madness.

So, there is a problem.

Even if I intend to make this dragoness my subordinate, it doesn't seem as though she would cooperate. Usually, a bit of persuasion and 'persuasion' will work, but this one is exceptionally stubborn.

Is the problem with her having an existing master?

''...''

Right. I didn't consider the technical side of all this besides her willingness to join us. If she does have a system-based contract with her superior, I won't be able to get the recruit message through.

''Do you have a master?''

''Isn't that obvious? Hmph. Whatever you do to me here—even if I never return—your end is inevitable.''

''Why so confident?''

Almost haughtily, the dragoness scoffs, ''We dragons never let grudges go unaddressed. Besides, our lord has already decided to eliminate this civilization. None can defeat them.''

I see. 

Now that I remember, Chloe did inform me of a storyline relating to this. Something about the god dragon joining forces with the other side... 

I can't recall the exact words, but there was definitely the phrase 'swarm of dragons and wyverns.' If so, I can assume that the reason dragons are here is probably because of that future invasion. It is likely they have taken this Khruse Range as the base to solidify their power and raise it through multiplying wyverns.

And the mastermind behind it is the god dragon, who is also one of the last bosses of [Astra Magical Academy].

Well, if that is truly the case, there is no doubt that this dragoness has a system-based contract of some sort. Most contracts won't allow multiple claims on one subject, so I shouldn't waste time until I eventually defeat the god dragon.

So then, the question is, how should I take care of this lizard...

''...What are you looking at?''

''...''

I don't want to let her go, but I don't want to kill her either. Should I just throw her somewhere in the Backrooms and leave her there until I defeat her master?

Yeah. That does sound like a good idea.

To prevent boredom, I'll especially do her a favor and freeze her entire body as well. It'll just be like a long nap, I'm sure. I remember cryopreservation procedures like this don't really work back on Earth since they will merely destroy the cells, but I have a feeling I can do it nicely. Besides, this is a dragon, not a human, so she should be much more resilient.

Once it is decided in my mind, I quickly get to work. 

First of all, I have Ariel cast an [Heal] on the dragoness, who appears confused, before checking for any anomaly.

...Nothing so far.

''Can you turn back to a human?''

''Why do I have to listen to you?''

''Fine, then.''

''...?''

It's just a bit more work.

Either way, sleep well, unnamed dragoness.

Upon returning to the academy the next day as Maid Aurora, I immediately signal to Chloe that we will have a meeting inside Bianca's office. For some reason, her eyes looking at me contain an ounce of reluctance, but it doesn't seem like anything major has happened.

I have also called Luxia here to brief her on our next likely enemy.

This combination might seem suspicious, but we have no other easy choices.@@novelbin@@

''The surveillance has just stopped. It won't be back here for a while.'' The ever-so-busy Bianca calmly states. ''Do still be careful, though.''

''Do you have some kind of basis for that?'' Chloe asks.

''Not really. It's merely a pattern I've noticed.''

So she's saying that we have a bit of time on our hands. Since both Chloe and Luxia are here... maybe it's time to contact Sierra finally? Thinking so, I quickly conjure a butterfly of ice and send it out the window. 

Sierra often hangs out at the academy recently to receive news from us, and I know just where she might be right now. In time, she should arrive.

''Now then, I want to start the meeting.'' I declare, taking a sip of the herbal tea Bianca has brewed. ''It's about the recent activities in the Khruse Range. You know something about it, right?''

''Ah, that. How did your expedition go?'' Chloe replies. ''Met anything?''

''Wyverns, as expected, but also a singular dragon.''

''How did you deal with that one?''

Shrugging my shoulders, I utter, ''In the Backrooms.''

''I see. Either way, you have invaded their territory. There's bound to be conflicts ahead—''

''Muh... I wanted to join that trip so much! It sounded so fun!''

Out of nowhere, the lunatic Luxia, who is apparently hungry for more madness, jumps in, shoving her pouting face my way. In many ways, dealing with her is a lot like dealing with a crazy cat. So, I extend my hand and begin to stroke her head.

''Eh? Ah... mhm...''

Confused at first, Luxia gradually relaxes as she receives my touches. At some point, a cheeky smile blooms on her face, and she even nuzzles at my hand afterward. Seeing her twin tail bobbing up and down is quite soothing.

''Hey.''

Still, that only extends until Chloe's frosty voice descends. I feel like she will kill Luxia if I continue, so let's stop here for now.

''So, what's the deal with the dragons?''

''Are you seriously going to brush that off... okay, fine. I'll explain, so listen up.''

''Okay.''

''In summary, God Dragon Yggdrasil, who is a former subordinate of Neveah, is preparing their troops to eliminate this civilization once they finish removing the remaining obstacles.''

'''' ... ''''

In an instant, both Luxia, who is still smirking, and Bianca, who is absentmindedly scribbling on her paper, freeze.

''You don't really need to know the reasoning for Yggdrasil's motives and whatnot. We can't convince them, but... that thing is absurdly strong.''

''...How long until they move?''

''I'm not sure. At this rate, nothing can be certain. Originally, it was supposed to be on Claire's third year, though.''

Amidst the tense reveal, Bianca unexpectedly intervenes, ''Is what you are saying true?''

''Yes.'' Chloe responds. ''Still, if you guys are with us, I'm sure we can defeat it.''

I'm sure Chloe has already taken my forces into account, so that includes me, Kyomu, Nova, and Sikare, too. Does it really take that many people to fight one dragon?

Maybe. I'll trust her on this one.

Now, if that is the case, then we should...

''For now, the best thing to do is to chip away at the dragon hordes.''

Indeed. I need to clean up that mountain range soon. This is no longer just the owls; humanity as a whole is in danger. It seems Chloe had already considered doing just this before I went to the place.

Afterward, the four of us discuss many aspects coming from this hanging threat. For an operation of this scale, Zircon alone is not enough. We're talking about hundreds of dragons at the level of the academy's principal.

For that, we'll need...

''Excuse me.''

''Your Highness?''

Yes, we will need the government's help. In this situation where a part of that very government is compromised by Efil, having an insider with us is essential.

Just in time, the reincarnation of madness number two—Sierra Alaina Astra—has arrived.