A magnificent temple with white as its main color.
I like the home of the darkness great spirit Miss Sheryl a lot. It really feels like something from a fantasy world.
But she’ll get mad if I stare at it too much, so let’s do that in moderation. But as I think that, I notice we’ve reached the far end.
“Ahh… Why are you here too?”
Asks Miss Sheryl with an exasperated voice as she faces Edinburgh.
She asks why, but it’s obvious that we were worried because she’s scary when she’s mad.
But she’ll get mad if I say that, so I won’t.
“Father and Tiltue. What is it?”
“Well, I was the one who brought Graham’s problem to you, so I was wondering if I could help…”
“I see. But then there is no problem. I just received Sheryl’s cooperation too.”
I reflexively turn to Miss Sheryl, see a scary face, and turn to Tiltue.
She doesn’t look upset, so what’s that face?
“I didn’t expect Miss Sheryl to help with this.”
“I’m just bored.”
“Did you receive a similar proposal to Mister Guen?”
The moment I ask that, many shadow spears fly my way.
Needless to say, they won’t work on me, but I hide Tiltue behind me.
Then again, I think she can handle those better than Katima…
The moment they hit me, there’s a metallic sound, and they disappear.
“Tch.”
“Hum, it’s scary when you make that clicking sound, so can you stop?”
“If you shut your mouth.”
So basically, she agreed to help Edinburgh if she helped her be liked by Snow more.
“Die.”
More shadow spears fly this way. This time they have far more magic energy, and they’re aimed at my eyes.
They don’t work, but coming for my eyes is scary.
“Hum, I didn’t say anything.”
“But you thought it. I saw it on your face.”
“…”
Okay, let’s not touch that subject anymore.
Still… I turn to Edinburgh.
She really doesn’t know fear…
Mister Guen is one thing, but I wouldn’t be able to pick Miss Sheryl as my first negotiation partner.
Edinburgh laughs a little, probably because she knows what I’m thinking.
“People of this island are overwhelmingly strong, but they will listen if you treat them with respect.”
“I see.”
I question the negotiation tactic of using the increase of a granddaughter’s favor as a bargaining chip, but okay.
“I’ll be back, Sheryl.”
“And you know what will happen if you don’t honor your promise.”
“Of course. Leave it to me.”
Says Edinburgh full of confidence, and a dark space appears in front of us.
The moment we’re caught in it, we’re taken to the cliff where Miss Sheryl’s home is.
I look down with Tiltue, and there’s already a pure dark space using a darkness prison.
“Father, and Tiltue. I’m sorry if I worried you.”
“No no, we got worried on our own.”
“I just came here on a date with darling, I wasn’t worried. You’ve got it together, Edi.”
She says despite saying she had a bad feeling before.
That’s why we hurried, but it turned out to be nothing.
That said, it’s good that it was nothing…
“What did you talk about anyway?”
“I asked her to beat Graham and Tiltue because I’m going to train them hard.”
“…Graham and…”
“…Me?”
“Yes.”
We ask as if to confirm, and Edinburgh nods with a serious expression.
“Of course, Graham and Tiltue.”
“W-why meeeee!?”
Tiltue’s sorrowful scream echoes in the wasteland.
◇ ◇ ◇
Of course, there is a reason, which Edinburgh explains on the way back.
“Ancient dragons value strength, right? If he becomes the strongest, he will become the most important. And as a friend, I would prefer you to be the strongest.”
“I-I see…”
I get where she’s coming from.
Tiltue shows off her strength a lot too, so it’s clear she’s proud of it.
That said, she doesn’t think of herself as the strongest person on this island, but she’s definitely the strongest among the young ancient dragons.
That’s why she can be confident towards them, but if Graham gets stronger…
Yes, considering Tiltue’s personality, that might drag a bit.
“…Uuu. But yes, I’ll do my best because I don’t like the idea of Graham being stronger… But you should’ve told me…”
“The result would be the same, so it doesn’t matter, does it?”
“It does!”
This is probably the kind of thing that caused problems for Zephir.
I feel like once Edinburgh decides something, no one can change it.
I also remember when I heard about her past that there were times when she just went off and did her own thing, so I think she was always like this.
“S-so what kind of training do you have in mind?”
“Ancient dragons are born specialized for combat. Your combat senses are great, but the same goes for your opponents. They’re all tough beings hardened by years of fighting on this island. That means you also need to build up your experience.”
“…Meaning?”
“You need to keep fighting people stronger than Graham and the others.”
I see. If she took Reina to her limits, and beyond that, I wonder what will happen with ancient dragons.
I can only imagine a hellish future.
“D-darling…”
“G-good luck.”
“U-uuuuuuuu… If only I stopped it sooner when I had a bad feeling… Maybe it’s not too late to end Graham…”
There are already tears welling up in Tiltue’s eyes.
Her intuition was correct.
It wasn’t about what might happen to Edinburgh, it was about minimizing damage to herself.
I’m curious about how many races she wants to negotiate with, but the biggest issue is that once the merciless Miss Sheryl agreed to help, it was guaranteed it would be in hard mode.
“…Maybe I will train the other seven great mages while I’m at it.”
She mumbles, but I pretend not to hear.
If I say anything I shouldn’t, Merlin and the others might resent me later.
Also, Edinburgh is going to see the southern great spirits next.
“What about Mister Giarth?”
“I found him after I left the house, so I’m done negotiating.”
“I-I see… You work fast.”
“I’m actually enjoying myself quite a bit. I thought about a lot of things yesterday, so I’m just putting them in motion.”
It does look like she’s having fun.
Zephir said the same yesterday, and I’m feeling like she’s the type to work up a proper schedule before a trip.
“I will take my leave here, father.”
“Yes. Good luck.”
“Ah, not too much.”
“Leave it to me.”
I feel bad for Tiltue as she yells, but if Edinburgh found something fun, I want to cheer her on.
Although if she does too well, it’s going to be trouble…
“I want to go back and relax…”
“…I see.”
Tiltue sounds dejected, probably thinking the same thing.
We watch Edinburgh leave, hold hands, and go back.
Thanks. 👍