Chapter 380 – The Agent and the Dragon

Belda continued to question us, though it seemed like small talk…doing well to get important information without looking like it.

And with discussion of food came talks of how Elkay was supplied.

From that, came the discussion about the orphans of Elkay.

「So you’re raising the orphans while teaching them about running a store?」

「It’s not that big a deal. They’re just helping us out.」

「Don’t be so humble! If there’s any way I can help, let me know.」

「Thank you very much.」

So the conversation now shifted from orphans to thugs and the empty houses.

After talking about that, Belda finished and sighed.

「I prepared myself when the crown assigned me to the town of Elkay, but it seems many of the problems I worried over are now solved.」

Then she bowed deeply to us.

Millia, being just a commoner having a royal bow to her, was shocked, and suddenly said,

「Madam! No need to act that way!」

「It is my thanks to you. If you weren’t here, many more in Elkay would have died.」

「We just did what we could…」

「It’s not “just did.” Anyway, I hope you continue doing whatever you can.」

「We’re all pleased to help.」

Then Belda looked over at Timi.

「Viscount Timisoara. Thank you again as well.」

「Sure. As far as I can tell, I have no reason to object to you, so I wish you the best as well.」

「Thank you very much.」

But she did look a bit confused.

「Ahem!」

「Is something wrong?」

「Well, I was wondering, what does Alra think?」

With this timing and this question, it might mean that she wanted to introduce Shiggy.

Of course, since she was asking me, she wanted me to make the determination.

「I think you are right, Timisoara.」

「Heh, I see.」

So with that permission, Timi laughed a bit.

「Sighisoara, come out.」

「ryaa」

Shiggy came out from my pocket and looked around.

「Shiggy, come to your aunt.」

「ryaa」

So Shiggy crawled over and then ran up to where Timi was sitting.

Timi held Shiggy in her arms.

Seeing this, Belda froze up,

「W…what? Is that?!」

She couldn’t think of what to say in her surprise.

「S…she’s so cute!」

It seems that Belda had never seen something so cute as Shiggy.

Oh well.

「Sighisoara, have something to eat.」

「ryamm ryamm」

Timi lifted a snack to Shiggy’s mouth, and Shiggy quickly ate it.

She should refrain from it while we’re talking, but she still ate away.

「Need some tea?」

「ryaa」

So Timi put some tea in a cup in front of Shiggy, which Shiggy picked up in her hands.

「Don’t drop any.」

「ryaaa」

Even so, the little that leaked from Shiggy’s mouth Timi happily wiped away with a cloth.

Belda watched the whole thing and said,

「V…viscount Timisoara!」

「What is it?」

「Is it okay if I hold your niece?」

「What do you think, Alra?」

「As long as Shiggy says it’s okay.」

For an instant, Belda looked at me.

Timi didn’t seem to mind, but just smiled.

「What do you think Shiggy?」

「ryaa」

She cried out happily, then she flapped her wings.

「Sighisoara thinks it’s okay.」

「Thank you very much.」

Belda reached out her hands a bit timidly.

And rubbed Shiggy’s back.

「It’s such warm dragon.」

「ryaaa」

She fed it some snacks while she continued to rub it.

After eating, Shiggy grabbed onto Belda’s finger.

「Wha?」

「ryaa?」

Shiggy then held out a snack for Belda.

「You’re giving it, to me?」

「ryaa」

「Thank you.」

Belda took the snack in hand as if it were something very expensive.

Almost like something she’d treasure forever.

And so the agent and the dragon were met.