Dragon’s Bloodline

I decline.

Her voice was beautiful, it was the first time Ria heard Carlas voice.

Since the voice was too beautiful, Ria missed hearing the contents.

Eh?

Firstly, theres no reason to fight with you.

Although Carlas voice was dignified, it was gentle at the same time. Her voice gave one a sense of security just by hearing it.

And secondly

She looked around her surroundings. The crowd of people were puzzled at the sudden situation.

I cannot fight you in this area.

Of course, she agreed.

If Ria went all out here, unexpected things might happen.

Therefore

Carla continued to speak.

If you give a reason, as well as prepare a place to fight, I will be your opponent.

Without neither malice nor fighting spirit, she agreed to fight.

Spontaneously agreeing to take on Ria, she said she would fight.

This was the first time shed had an opponent like that.

Thanks.

Ria, who put her mask back on, went back into the crowd of people.

She rejoined with her comrades and resumed heading to the bath, as though nothing happened.

Seeing what happened, the bodyguards resumed moving before long together with making some noise.

Carla-sama, is that really alright?

Her female aide asked her. Carla continued looking forward.

If you want, I could arrest her now

That is impossible.

Carlas words were frank.

She didnt do that because she resented me.

She was simply speaking the truth.

Moreover, I have a hunch.

A hunch?

Carla didnt usually use such vague words.

Yes, a hunch.

Carla spoke with steady eyes, not wavering in the least.

I think that person is the one Ive waited for for a long time.

Inside the crowd, there was a girl.

Eh!?

She knew about the former. However, she only knew of the latters name. Identify didnt work, so she had thought they werent an ordinary person though.

Theres no mistaking it. She perfectly matches to the description given by my subordinates.

Thats really?

This young man said something that even Black Cats leadership didnt know about. For things concerning this continent, he might have an information network that exceeds Black Cats.

He says that hes just a peddler that travels alone by wagon, but he just said that he had subordinates.

(Hasnt he done business with Black Cat too?)

Though Ferna thought that, she didnt voice it out loud. That man had the elegance of some countrys leader.

Then, if those two really do fight

I wouldnt miss it!

Ferna strongly agreed with Halts statement.

If youre also going, how about going together with me?

With Halt-san?

Yeah, if its Ferna-san, you could protect me from thing with your fire magic right?

It wasnt that Halt wasnt confident in his physical strength, it was more that Ferna was known for repeatedly using her large-scale magic.

He wanted to have a bodyguard to join spectators.

Thats fine. Ive received help from Halt-san before.

Well then, let me know where youre staying.

The two exchanged contact information and separated. Ferna continued to think about Halt.

She thought about Halt, the peddler.

She thought about Ars Gahalt, the demon king.

She thought about Arisugawa Halt, the ex-hero.

The meeting of those two people, and what brought them to this continent.

The demon king that didnt have any confidence in his own strength, she could only rack her brains.

Being able to protect yourself was the most important thing.

Moonlight faintly lit the dark night.

After that, Ria went to the bathroom. She was thinking about something while submersing herself in the bath.

When they returned to the inn, Carlos brought back the queens reply saying that they would have an audience the next day.

Although they sent a message beforehand when they were still in the ogre village, she didnt expect that they would have an audience so soon. That woman seemed to be quite nimble.

Ria didnt hate people that worked so quickly. Carlos made another trip, deciding on the time.

Ria prepared her clothes, as well as remaking the groups clothing.

When Ria asked Shizunas impressions of her outfit, she thought that it was like a beautiful woman dressing herself in black themed male clothing.

The next day, when she left for the audience, she was limited in which comrades she could bring with her.

As a matter of course, Ria brought Carlos the knight.

Gig came as the ogre representative, with Maal as the beastkin representative.

She also brought Irina, who was a dragon, for five people in all.

Serge, Lulu, and Shizuna were completely commoners and would have to wait in the anteroom.

Like this, Shizuna felt the difference between her world and Rias.

What are you thinking about?

This wasnt the first time Shizuna asked that, but she didnt anticipate her response.

Yeah, Ive been wondering what I should do to beat that woman.

Shizuna doubted her ears.

When she talked to the person she fell in love with, that person talked about fighting.

A woman that didnt understand a womans heart.

Shizuna put her back to her, sulking.

The royal palace was simple and sturdy. In truth, the interior was rebuilt after having been destroyed by the dragons raid and the queen just hadnt put much effort into it.

The door to the audience room opened as the five walked up to it. Far ahead of them on the throne sat a woman with black hair.

A beauty. She really did look like Ria. No, maybe like Valis? She didnt have Rias martial atmosphere.

Her golden eyes were using intimidation, but their owner wasnt using them to the point that it would cause them to submit.

And behind the queen stood a beautiful knight.

Carla Raparb Uslan.

She stared at her.

And she stared back.

It felt like she was being seen through.

The group stopped several steps away from the stairs leading to the throne. The three other than Ria and Irina took a knee.

Guinevere stood up from the throne, walking down the stairs to stand before Ria.

For the daughter of god dragons, this is a laughable place to speak. Shall we change locations?

Guinevere proposed such a thing. She wanted to stop with such formal talk and have a more frank discussion. Ria felt the same and agreed.

Please step this way. Ive prepared a much more relaxed area.

Ria nodded, the queen guided them personally. The coutiers behind them, Carla followed.

If possible I would like to bring my comrades that came with me. There are various things that need to be said.

Understood.

Signalling with just her eyes, a lady of the court dashed away.

Ah, its fine if it waits until after our talk is over, but

Of course, Ria was about to touch on the main subject.

I would like to have a one on one match against the Dragonslayer Carla-dono.

Oh my~

Carla seemed to be glad at hearing that.

Carla, what do you think?

If Hime-sama wills it.

The pretty-faced knight answered coolly. However, her eyes spoke for her.

She also desired it.

(But still, calling her Hime-sama despite her being a queen? She does look like a child, though)

Ria thought about something as inconsequential as that.

Well, lets leave that talk for later. Some minimal preparations are necessary.

With another signal from Guinevere, another court lady was sent running. She didnt understand what preparations were necessary, but Ria felt she had good control over her subordinates.

The group went to the queens private room. The three they were separated from came as well.

Ah, make yourselves comfortable. Id like to as well, after all.

The queen, who changed her tone, said so as she heavily sat down on the sofa while taking her shoes off.

Im like this, but thats fine right? Youre also an explorer despite being an Ojou-sama, so you hate the formal stuff right?

Although that was true, this was the first time she saw her being so direct.

Ria sank deeply into the sofa and nodded. The other members sat down lightly on small sofas that were prepared.

Ill introduce everyone. From the right is the prime minister, the minister of state, the foreign minister, the minister of military affairs, and the intelligence chief. Well speak in more details when the chance comes. Also, Carla is my head bodyguard. Though it seems like you already know her well.

Her cabinet of ministers left the room while waving. The only ones that stayed were Carla and her ladies-in-waiting.

Ria introduced her comrades as well. Among them, the queen seemed interested in Irina, as well as Serge.

Mother.

As for who interrupted the conversation, it was a small child.

Waited on by a maid serving under Guinevere, he was this countrys prince, her only son.

His father is unknown. Its thought that the queen had a consort, but no one stood up.

The prince was lifted by his mother and was shown off to Ria.

Ill introduce him to you. This is my son, Shinji.

Geho. Serge started to choke on the tea he was drinking.

Oh my, whats wrong? His name is a bit unusual, but hes a lovely child.

With black eyes and hair, he was a charming child. However, the reason Serge choked was due to his name.

Your majesty, would it be alright if I asked your something frankly?

Although Serge was talking with a frantically polite tone, he simply had to confirm something.

Its fine. Speak freely.

Ria also turned towards Serge. Though she knew him, she also didnt know what Serge was going to ask.

His highness the princes name, did his father decide it? And perhaps, if would it have been Rei if Shinji was a girl?

With a bang, the queen stood up quickly. The composure shed had up to this point all but disappeared from her face.

You! Do you know where he is right now!?

If he didnt say that he didnt know, the queen could have Carla detain him with nothing but a look.

However, Carlas blue eyes did nothing but stare at Serge.

I dont know where he is. However, I do know a person who might know

Hime-sama, any further would be

Since Carla was paying attention to the surrounding stares, Guinevere seemed to have also recovered control of herself. She gave her child who had stiffened in her arms to a maid, sitting back down with a plop.

I have quite a few things I want to ask you.

Then the queen changed subjects once again.

So, why do you want to fight against Carla?

Looking at her with eyes full of childish curiosity, Guinevere asked Ria.

Rias answer was blunt.

When theres a mountain, you climb it.

Guinevere laughed heartily.