The sudden appearance of a “Dragon” became a hot topic in this world.
People speculated it could be the cornerstone of a new race, while others diligently wrote articles claiming it was merely an ancient creature that couldn’t shed its wild nature.
The existence of the “Dragon” drew the attention of everyone across the globe in an instant.
After all, it was a being that could only be found in legends.
At the same time, people had questions.
What would the Dragon do next? What could its true identity be? And why had it appeared near the city?
I heard that all the underwater tunnels heading to Neon City were fully booked.
It was clear that many wreckers from around the world were converging on the city.
It was a little amusing that so many were heading to the city, even though nothing had been revealed about the Dragon’s safety and ferocity.
Anyway,
When those who arrived at the city found themselves going back empty-handed, it was because the Dragon, which had made a grand entrance with a majestic roar, had vanished without a trace.
Many claimed that this part didn’t make physical sense.
This gigantic creature measured several dozen meters in size.
The Dragon was so huge it could easily be mistaken for something like an Argen… whatever dinosaur name.
There was no way it could hide, or even attempt to conceal itself.
But,
It was a fact that the Dragon had disappeared.
Most people asserted that it had been taken by Neon City, claiming odd conspiracy theories. Some even protested at the Second City Hall in the middle class, waiting for the city’s official announcement.
However, the city was also thrown into confusion because, for an unknown reason, the mayor had gone missing.
Among them were a few council members who knew the truth about the Dragon, but rumors said that after the executive secretary of the top Megacorp visited them, they all vanished without a trace.
Thus, yet another urban legend was added to Neon City today.
So,
Where had the Dragon actually gone?
Today I found out the answer.
…A babysitter Dragon transforming into a human to take care of children was something I thought only existed in sub-culture comics.
*
To be honest, it was something I could have somewhat expected.
It all started with a “video channel” I had seen.
There would be no device in this world capable of controlling the enormous body of a Dragon. And it also didn’t make sense to think there would be an implant technician to attach a neural computer chip to a Dragon’s body.
So, there was only one answer.
Honestly, I couldn’t quite grasp how this particular magic worked.
…Transformation Magic.
It was the kind of magic you’d expect to see in cheap novel stores, but unfortunately, it was my reality.
Yet, that didn’t mean it was a bad thing.
If that magic didn’t exist, even with the power of the Monolith, it wouldn’t have been easy to hide the Dragon’s massive form.
Then, wreckers from all over the world, people who had a suspiciously fondness for beastmen, politically correct rainbow-colored folks, and just neighborhood little ones who had come to sightsee would have all flocked to look for the Dragon.
Thinking about such things now, it was a relief.
Anyway,
Andrea, Maya, Julia, and I quietly followed the “Dragon” that was guiding us.
It was rare for them to be this quiet. However, it seemed the fact that the Dragon transformed into a human was a bit shocking.
Of course, it still retained quite a lot of that ‘Dragon’ aura.
Two curved horns, vertically split pupils, sharp teeth and claws…
And that ‘tail’.
As we were following closely behind the Dragon, I couldn’t help but be drawn to that tail.
The tail was quite thick.
It had been thick even in its Dragon form, but I hadn’t expected it to remain so in human form.
If you cut it crosswise, it was thick enough to easily serve as a steak.
The Dragon’s tail dragged along the ground like an alligator’s tail, swaying left and right.
So,
That gigantic tail was placed right above its hips…
…..
Feeling as if I was about to awaken to something new, I quickly shook my head.
I focused and took a deep breath.
That wicked tail…
At that moment, I happened to make eye contact with a child clinging to the end of the tail.
“……”
“……”
The child bowed their head.
If that brat hadn’t been dragged along by the Dragon’s tail, I might have thought they were quite polite.
Around us, I could see many other kids.
Right at that moment, the very first “ghost” who had called me that was riding on the Dragon’s shoulder.
They were all children we had rescued from the laboratory.
…No matter how much of a Dragon it was, how was it going to take care of all these kids by itself? There had to be limits to magic.
There were no other people resembling babysitters around either.
Andrea tapped my shoulder right after that.
“Hey, hey.”
“Huh?”
“There are a ton of spirits here, you know?”
Only Andrea, being an elf, could see them.
I asked her back.
“How many are there?”
But it was the Dragon walking in front of us that answered my question.
“I’m getting help from the spirits. I haven’t counted, but they’re probably more than the children.”
Hmm.
Thinking about it, the Dragon had explained that the terror caused by the spirits was due to the power plant underground.
So that’s how this was connected.
I nodded to myself, pondering.
Just then, I caught sight of children playing with the spirits in another direction.
How did I know that?
“…From the beginning, no one stood in the sky. But from now on, I will stand in the sky!”
“Hey!! Next is my turn!”
Otherwise, it would be difficult to explain those kids floating in mid-air.
It was a rather worrying game for the future, but the spirits were certainly engaging well with the kids.
Seeing that, the Dragon added,
“Don’t worry about safety. I’ll be keeping an eye on every corner of the mansion.”
“…Every corner?”
“Yup. All of it.”
…Well, even trapped in the laboratory, the Dragon had taken care of Teddy, Dal, and all the kids.
I figured it must be a kind of surveillance magic. I should ask her about it later.
“Oh, but…”
The Dragon, who had been walking, turned to look at me.
“Strangely, the spirits are quite afraid of humans… uh, I mean, of you as my disciple. Do you have any idea why?”
“Oh.”
It’s due to her physical traits.
But I couldn’t openly say that.
As I struggled to find words, the Dragon narrowed her eyes and carefully scrutinized me from top to bottom.
“…Now that I think about it, there is a bit of a sense of alienation. I think it’s more accurate to say it’s worrying in a bad way.”
…Could it be?
Does the enmity characteristic of animals apply to Dragons too?
If so, I would be in big trouble.
I could risk being hated by the master I had worked so hard to find.
I felt like I caught a fleeting glimpse of Merlin celebrating with both hands raised.
I cautiously asked the Dragon,
“…Um, does that apply to you too, Master?”
At my question, the Dragon chuckled.
“Not at all. It’s just ‘a bit.’”
The Dragon stopped walking and turned to look directly at me.
Perhaps it was just my imagination, but I thought I saw a faint blush on her cheeks.
“Still, looking at the form of my disciple is a bit creepy. Fear… I don’t think I’ve ever felt such an emotion.”
The Dragon inhaled and continued jokingly.
“…I might get a bit addicted.”
“Excuse me?”
“Just kidding!”
The Dragon, smiling brightly, turned back and began walking ahead.
…What the heck?
As I tilted my head in confusion, a suspicious conversation started behind me.
“…That’s some pretty significant provocation.”
“……I agree. Should we call home?”
“…Let’s just observe the situation for now.”
It was Andrea and Maya’s voices.
I sneakily looked back. Julia, who hadn’t joined the conversation, was also nodding in agreement.
…No, what on earth?
Unfortunately, no one here could answer my curiosity.
*
The mansion was large enough that the reception area occupied a considerable space.
The Dragon snapped her fingers lightly.
Then, all the kids playing in the reception area floated into the air and moved to another room.
The spirits could technically be considered part of the 3D industry, right?
We watched in amazement as the Dragon led us to a sofa and we sat down.
Across from us, the Dragon sat too.
Her legs slightly crossed, the robe she wore casually revealed a portion of her skin. Oh, she was barefoot.
I tried my best not to let my gaze drift in that direction and calmly focused my mind.
The Dragon was the first to break the silence.
“Have you eaten?”
“Ah, we all made sure to have meals on time.”
“That’s unfortunate. I was thinking of treating you to my tail as a token of thanks.”
“……?”
Should eating a talking Dragon be classified as ‘cannibalism’? I don’t know. I don’t want to know.
The Dragon continued with a light smile on her face, whether it was a joke or not.
“Seriously, I mean it. Thanks to you, I can spend time with the kids.”
A glass, seemingly filled with a drink, flew onto the table from the air.
Seeing that it didn’t emit any mana, it looked like this was all done by the spirits as well.
“First, let’s quench our thirst.”
“…Thank you, I’ll enjoy it.”
The Dragon raised her glass, and I followed suit, downing the drink.
……
I set the glass down and asked the Dragon,
“…What is this?”
“Good, right? It was the first drink I had when I came up to the surface, and the flavor is surprisingly nice.”
It was warm, flat cola.
Such a thing should not exist in this world.
But now that I had drank it, everyone else should experience this too.
I desperately maintained my expression and nodded.
“It’s delicious.”
“Right?”
Fortunately, my act went unnoticed by Andrea, Maya, and Julia.
They each took a sip of their drinks as well.
And all their gazes turned to me.
Especially Andrea’s seemed terrifying. ‘How dare you deceive me, what are you planning to do about it?’ was the meaning that swirled in the air.
Squinting in distaste, Andrea stuck her tongue out as if she had just swallowed murky water.
I also set my empty glass down and rubbed my warm stomach.
Still, it seemed Natasha, the chairman who saved this mansion, was taking good care of the Dragon.
“Ah?”
Just then, an astonished voice slipped out from Andrea, who was tasting her drink.
Her mechanical eyes widened as something came through the sight interface.
“Catherine is contacting us?”
…Catherine?
“What did she say?”
“She said she’s coming here with someone else.”
Well, Catherine liked kids too. Maybe she wanted to see the rescued children from the lab.
I subtly glanced at the Dragon.
The Dragon nodded, signaling it was alright. Even the owner was okay with it.
I turned back to Andrea.
“How long will it take for her to arrive?”
“She said roughly ten—”
If it was ten minutes, they must be near by now.
“—seconds or so.”
“?”
